Schadenfreude

"Yes, Patriarch," Yu Leiting said, biting the bullet. "The young master insists on absorbing that six-hundred-and-fifty-year-old Thunder Lizard spirit ring. We couldn't dissuade him..."

"Six hundred and fifty years?!" Yu Yuanzhen stood up abruptly, slamming his palm onto the desk. "He's only level 10! Who gave him the guts to absorb a six-hundred-and-fifty-year spirit ring?!"

"Bang—"

The teacup on the desk jumped, spilling tea all over the surface.

Yu Leiting trembled all over, quickly dropping to his knees.

"Patriarch, please calm your anger! The young master said... he said he wanted to surpass Yu Hong, so..."

"Surpass Yu Hong?" Yu Yuanzhen sneered. "Yu Hong absorbed a six-hundred-and-twenty-year spirit ring, so he wants to absorb a six-hundred-and-fifty-year one? What does he think a spirit ring is? Something you can just pick the age for as you please?"

Yu Leiting dared not speak, merely kneeling on the ground with his head bowed.

Yu Yuanzhen paced back and forth in the study, his expression shifting between light and shadow.

His disappointment in Yu Xiaogang had not been a matter of a day or two.

For the past four years, he had provided Yu Xiaogang with a massive amount of resources, even more than what Yu Luomian gave to Yu Hong.

But what was the result?

Yu Xiaogang's cultivation progress was always one step behind Yu Hong's.

When Yu Hong was level 10, Yu Xiaogang was only level 9.

Yu Hong absorbed a six-hundred-and-twenty-year spirit ring and reached level 11.

And Yu Xiaogang?

Not only did he fail to absorb a spirit ring, but he also left himself severely injured, unable to cultivate for three months!

Two years from now, what level would Yu Hong be?

Thirteen? Fourteen?

And Yu Xiaogang?

Still level 10!

In the competition two years later, was there any possibility of Yu Xiaogang winning?

The more Yu Yuanzhen thought about it, the angrier and more disappointed he became.

He had valued Yu Xiaogang so highly in the beginning because he was his only legitimate son.

But looking at it now, this son... was truly a massive disappointment.

"Patriarch, the young master, he..." Yu Leiting spoke cautiously.

"That's enough, you may leave," Yu Yuanzhen waved his hand, his tone weary. "I am aware of this matter."

"Yes."

As if granted an amnesty, Yu Leiting quickly stood up and retreated.

Only Yu Yuanzhen remained in the study.

He slumped back into his chair, rubbed his temples, and let out a long sigh.

"Xiaogang, oh Xiaogang, why must you be so disappointing..."

Meanwhile, inside Yu Luomian's residence.

Yu Luomian was drinking tea in the courtyard, enjoying the cool night breeze.

A servant hurried in and whispered a few words into his ear.

Yu Luomian was stunned at first, then his expression became quite colorful.

"What did you say? Yu Xiaogang failed to absorb a spirit ring?"

"Yes, Vice Patriarch," the servant nodded. "I heard the young master insisted on absorbing a six-hundred-and-fifty-year-old Thunder Lizard spirit ring, but he couldn't handle it and nearly lost his life. He is currently receiving treatment at the infirmary, and it is said he won't be able to cultivate for at least three months."

Yu Luomian was stunned for a long while, then suddenly threw his head back and laughed.

"Hahahaha!"

He laughed until he was doubled over, tears almost streaming from his eyes.

"A six-hundred-and-fifty-year spirit ring? A level 10 Spirit Master like him actually dared to absorb a six-hundred-and-fifty-year spirit ring? Hahahaha! What a precious son my big brother has raised!"

The servant stood to the side, not daring to make a sound.

Yu Luomian laughed for a long time before gradually calming down.

He picked up his teacup and took a sip, the smile on his lips impossible to hide.

"Yu Hong absorbed a six-hundred-and-twenty-year spirit ring because he had the strength for it. For the past four years, that child has been training and cultivating desperately every single day; his physical fitness has long surpassed his peers."

"But what about Yu Xiaogang? All he knows is eating, drinking, and playing, and feeding radishes to his martial soul. What right does he have to absorb a six-hundred-and-fifty-year spirit ring? Just because he's the Patriarch's son?"

Yu Luomian shook his head, his face full of mockery.

"Big brother, oh big brother, this son of yours has truly opened my eyes."

He set down his teacup, stood up, and walked toward the courtyard gate.

"Let's go, let's go see Yu Hong. This good news is something he needs to know as well."

Yu Hong, who was preparing to study his soul skills, heard a knock at the courtyard gate.

"Yu Hong, it's me."

It was the voice of Yu Luomian.

Yu Hong hurried over to open the door.

"Vice Clan Leader, why have you come so late?"

Yu Luomian walked into the courtyard with a beaming smile and sat down at the stone table.

"I've come to tell you some good news."

"What good news?" Yu Hong asked, feeling curious.

Yu Luomian picked up the teapot from the table, poured himself a cup, and said unhurriedly, "Yu Xiaogang went to the Soul Hunting Forest today."

Yu Hong nodded; he already knew this.

It was only natural that Yu Xiaogang, having reached level 10 around this time, would head to the Soul Hunting Forest to obtain his soul ring.

"And then?"

"And then?" Yu Luomian chuckled. "Then he insisted on absorbing a 650-year-old Thunder Lizard soul ring."

Yu Hong's eyebrows arched slightly.

650 years?

Had Yu Xiaogang lost his mind?

That guy's physical constitution could only handle a soul ring of around 400 years.

Although Yu Xiaogang was pampered, his physical constitution was not something an average person could compare to.

Why?

Yu Xiaogang was the son of Yu Yuanzhen; he had been eating soul beast meat since he was a child, and he had heard that Yu Yuanzhen would even prepare medicinal baths for him.

Yu Hong suddenly thought of a possibility—that this might be the reason for Yu Xiaogang's martial soul mutation.

Was it possible that it was due to years of consuming large amounts of soul beast meat and taking medicinal baths, combined with a bit of good luck, that caused the mutation?

But because Yu Xiaogang could not provide a large amount of soul power, his martial soul ended up as Luo Sanpao.

"As for the result, you can probably guess," Yu Luomian said, taking a sip of tea. "The absorption failed, and he nearly lost his life. He's lying in the infirmary now, and it's said he won't be able to cultivate for at least three months."

Yu Hong was silent for a moment, then shook his head lightly.

"He brought this upon himself."

"Exactly!" Yu Luomian slapped his thigh. "I've always said there was something wrong with his head, and look, hasn't it been proven? Feeding his martial soul radishes to make his farts smell worse, trying to absorb a soul ring beyond his capacity... that boy's head is filled with nothing but mush!"

Yu Hong did not speak.

He felt no sympathy for Yu Xiaogang.

That guy had targeted him, mocked him, and looked down on him since they were children.

Now that he was suffering the consequences of his own actions, who could he blame?

"But then again, this is a good thing for you," Yu Luomian said seriously. "With Yu Xiaogang unable to cultivate for three months, you can take this time to improve yourself. Your odds of winning the tournament in two years have increased significantly."

"I understand," Yu Hong nodded.

Yu Luomian stood up and patted Yu Hong on the shoulder.

"Work hard; I have high hopes for you."

With that, he turned and left the small courtyard.

Yu Hong stood alone in the courtyard, watching Yu Luomian's departing back, the corners of his mouth curling upward.

Yu Xiaogang, oh Yu Xiaogang, you truly are a fine rival.

I can hardly wait for the tournament in two years.