A mere six hundred and fifty years is not worth mentioning

His constitution was only average; whether he could withstand the impact of a six-hundred-year spirit ring remained an unknown.

"Xiaogang, absorbing a spirit ring is no child's play," Yu Yuanzhen said in a deep voice. "Just because Yu Hong could absorb a six-hundred-year spirit ring doesn't mean you can. Everyone's constitution is different; you cannot gamble with your life."

"Father!" Yu Xiaogang grew anxious. "How can you say that? I am your son; am I really inferior to that piece of trash?"

"That is not what I meant." Yu Yuanzhen sighed. "I only hope you will act according to your capabilities. A four-hundred-year spirit ring is already your limit; six hundred years... is too risky."

"No! I want a six-hundred-year one!" Yu Xiaogang insisted stubbornly. "Father, just let me try! If I don't even have this much courage, how can I defeat Yu Hong in the tournament two years from now?"

Watching his son's stubborn gaze, Yu Yuanzhen felt a complex mix of emotions in his heart.

He knew that if he did not let Yu Xiaogang try, this child would always harbor a grudge in his heart.

"Fine." Yu Yuanzhen finally compromised. "I will have the spirit hunting team help you find a thunder-attribute spirit beast around six hundred years old. But if you feel you cannot withstand it, you must stop immediately, do you understand?"

"Understood!" Yu Xiaogang was overjoyed. "Thank you, Father!"

Early the next morning, Yu Xiaogang set off with the spirit hunting team arranged by Yu Yuanzhen.

The caliber of this spirit hunting team was much higher than the one Yu Hong had used; it consisted of eight people, led by a man in his forties named Yu Leiting, a well-known powerhouse in the clan whose spirit power had already reached level forty.

"Young Master, what kind of spirit beast are you looking for this time in the Soul Hunting Forest?" Yu Leiting asked respectfully.

Yu Xiaogang held his head high, looking arrogant and conceited: "I want a thunder-attribute spirit beast over six hundred years old!"

Yu Leiting's expression shifted slightly: "Six hundred years? Young Master, this... wouldn't that be too risky?"

"Risky?" Yu Xiaogang snorted coldly. "If that piece of trash Yu Hong can absorb a six-hundred-year spirit ring, as the dignified son of the clan leader, am I really inferior to him?"

Yu Leiting opened his mouth, wanting to persuade him, but seeing Yu Xiaogang's unquestionable expression, he ultimately swallowed his words.

"Yes, Young Master."

The group entered the Soul Hunting Forest.

Unlike the time with Yu Hong, they headed directly toward the gathering area for thunder-attribute spirit beasts deep in the forest.

The spirit beasts in this area were generally more ferocious and numerous, serving as the clan's primary source for obtaining thunder-attribute spirit rings.

"Young Master, most thunder-attribute spirit beasts have short tempers and are highly aggressive," Yu Leiting explained as they walked. "Those over six hundred years old are even more fierce; we must handle them with caution."

Yu Xiaogang waved his hand impatiently: "I know, I know. Just take me to find the beast and stop nagging so much."

Yu Leiting sighed helplessly and continued to lead the way.

On the first day, they discovered a five-hundred-year Thunder Wolf.

It was a giant wolf radiating arcs of electricity, as large as an ox, looking quite imposing.

"Young Master, how about this Thunder Wolf?" Yu Leiting asked. "At five hundred years, it should be quite suitable for you."

Yu Xiaogang took one look and shook his head: "No, it's too weak. I want one over six hundred years!"

Yu Leiting frowned but nodded in agreement.

On the second day, they discovered a five-hundred-fifty-year Thunder Leopard.

The Thunder Leopard was extremely fast, its fur shimmering with faint electric light under the sun, looking quite beautiful.

"Young Master, the quality of this Thunder Leopard is quite good, and five hundred fifty years is not a low age..."

"No!" Yu Xiaogang refused again. "I said I want one over six hundred years! Are you incapable of understanding human speech?"

Yu Leiting's expression turned ugly, but he held his tongue.

After all, this was the clan leader's son; he could not afford to offend him.

On the third and fourth days, they discovered several more spirit beasts, but Yu Xiaogang rejected them all.

Either the age wasn't high enough, or he wasn't satisfied with the species.

Yu Leiting and the other team members were somewhat frustrated, but they could only continue searching.

By the fifth day, they finally had a new discovery.

"Young Master, there is a thunder-attribute spirit beast ahead; the age should be over six hundred years!" a team member ran back excitedly.

Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up: "Where? Take me to see it!"

The group followed the member, pushed through a dense thicket, and arrived at an open clearing.

In the center of the clearing, a massive spirit beast was resting on the ground.

It was a giant lizard covered in deep purple scales, with electric arcs flickering between them from time to time.

On its head were two long antennae, with two dazzling electric orbs condensed at the tips, looking incredibly powerful.

"Thunder Lizard!" Yu Leiting exclaimed in a low voice. "And looking at this size... it's at least six hundred and fifty years old!"

Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up instantly.

A six-hundred-fifty-year Thunder Lizard!

It was thirty years higher than Yu Hong's Sun-Day Dragon Lizard!

"This is the one!" Yu Xiaogang said excitedly.

Yu Leiting's expression, however, turned grave.

"Young Master, the age of this Thunder Lizard is too high," Yu Leiting said in a deep voice. "A six-hundred-and-fifty-year spirit ring is something your current constitution will likely struggle to withstand."

"What do you mean by that?" Yu Xiaogang glared at Yu Leiting with dissatisfaction. "Are you saying I'm inferior to that trash Yu Hong?"

"That is not what I meant," Yu Leiting patiently explained. "Yu Hong was able to absorb a six-hundred-and-twenty-year spirit ring because his constitution is unique. For the past four years, he has undergone high-intensity training every single day, and his physical fitness far exceeds that of his peers. As for you..."

"As for me what?" Yu Xiaogang interrupted him. "I have also been training desperately for this past month! My constitution is no worse than his!"

Yu Leiting sighed. "Young Master, there is a vast difference between one month of training and four years. I suggest you choose a spirit beast with a lower age, such as that five-hundred-and-fifty-year Thunder Leopard..."

"No!" Yu Xiaogang shook his head stubbornly. "I want this Thunder Lizard! Knock it unconscious for me; I am going to absorb its spirit ring!"

"Young Master..."

"I said, I am going to absorb it!" Yu Xiaogang roared. "Are you trying to defy my orders? Do you believe I won't go back and tell my father to kick all of you out of the clan?"

Yu Leiting's expression turned very ugly.

The other team members looked at each other, not knowing what to do.

"Captain Yu, why don't we... just let the Young Master try?" one team member whispered. "If he can't withstand it, we can always help him interrupt the absorption."