Gift

"Can you tell me what kind of training method it is?" Dugu Bo asked.

"Nothing special," Yu Hong said. "Just daily weighted running, weightlifting, hitting sandbags, and supplementing with some special food."

"Special food?" Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow.

"Spirit beast meat," Yu Hong replied. "I eat spirit beast meat every day, and I've been doing it for five years."

Dugu Bo's eyes narrowed slightly.

Eating spirit beast meat every day for five years?

This is not something an ordinary person could achieve.

Although spirit beast meat is rich in nutrients, it is expensive, and ordinary people simply cannot afford it.

As expected of someone from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family.

"Little brother Yu Hong, your perseverance and hard work are truly admirable," Dugu Bo said earnestly. "In time, you will surely become a powerful spirit master."

Possessing a trash spirit is not a major issue; with one's own hard work and a bit of luck, even a carp can leap over the dragon gate.

There have been several such cases in history; although rare, it proves that even trash can become strong.

Dugu Bo was certain that Yu Hong would definitely become a powerhouse in the future.

"Thank you for the compliment, senior," Yu Hong said politely.

Dugu Xin listened from the side, his mood complex.

He had been pampered since childhood, having whatever he wanted and never having suffered.

And what about Yu Hong?

Daily weighted training, eating spirit beast meat, four years like one day, never stopping.

He felt inferior to such perseverance and self-discipline.

"Little brother Yu Hong," Dugu Xin walked up to Yu Hong and said earnestly, "I learned a lot from our sparring match today. From now on, I will also work hard at my training like you and stop being lazy."

Yu Hong looked at Dugu Xin, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

"Then I'll wait to see your progress."

"It's a deal!" Dugu Xin reached out his hand. "Let's high-five to seal the promise!"

Yu Hong reached out and high-fived Dugu Xin.

"Smack!"

The crisp sound of the high-five echoed in the clearing.

Dugu Bo watched this scene, a smile also appearing at the corners of his mouth.

It seems he made the right choice bringing his son out for training this time.

Being able to get to know a friend like Yu Hong is a good thing for Dugu Xin.

"Alright, the sparring is over," Dugu Bo said. "We should continue on our way. The Seven-Star Begonia should be deep in the forest, so we need to hurry."

"Yes, Father," Dugu Xin replied.

The three of them packed their things and continued to head deeper into the forest.

The three continued deep into the forest, encountering quite a few spirit beasts along the way, but under Dugu Bo's lead, all those spirit beasts were scared away.

After walking for about two hours, the trees ahead gradually thinned out, and an open valley appeared before them.

In the center of the valley was a small lake; the water was crystal clear, shimmering with ripples under the sunlight.

And at the edge of the lake grew a patch of colorful flowers.

Those flowers had seven colors—red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple. Each flower had seven petals, and each petal was a different color, looking absolutely magnificent.

"Seven-Star Begonia!" Dugu Xin's eyes lit up. "Father, we found it!"

Dugu Bo nodded, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

"That's right, it's the Seven-Star Begonia. And there are quite a few of them, enough for us to use."

Yu Hong looked at the patch of Seven-Star Begonia, feeling quite amazed in his heart.

The Seven-Star Begonia is a rare spiritual plant that possesses a very difficult-to-cure poison.

"Little brother Yu Hong, thanks to your help, we were able to find the Seven-Star Begonia so smoothly," Dugu Bo turned to look at Yu Hong. "I, Dugu Bo, will remember this favor."

"You are too polite, Senior Dugu," Yu Hong shook his head. "I was just passing by; I didn't really help much."

"You can't say it like that," Dugu Bo said with a smile. "If it weren't for you, we might have had to wander around the forest for several more days."

He walked to the lakeside, carefully picked a dozen Seven-Star Begonias, and placed them in a specially made jade box.

After finishing the harvest, Dugu Bo turned and walked back to Yu Hong, taking a small cloth bag from his bosom.

"Little brother Yu Hong, this is a small token of my appreciation, please accept it."

Yu Hong took the bag and opened it to see a plant emitting a faint glow inside.

The plant was entirely golden-yellow, with intricate, fine veins etched across its leaves, looking truly extraordinary.

"This is..." Yu Hong was somewhat surprised.

"Golden Vein Ginseng," Dugu Bo explained. "A spirit plant capable of strengthening meridians and accelerating the cultivation speed of spirit power. Although it isn't as precious as the Seven-Star Begonia, it should be quite helpful for your current cultivation level."

Yu Hong was stunned for a moment, then quickly declined, "Senior Dugu, this is too valuable; I cannot accept it."

"Take it," Dugu Bo waved his hand. "You helped us, so this is your deserved reward. Besides, I see potential in you; consider this an investment."

Yu Hong looked into Dugu Bo's eyes, hesitated for a moment, and finally accepted the Golden Vein Ginseng.

"Many thanks, Senior Dugu."

"No need for formalities," Dugu Bo said with a smile. "If you have the chance in the future, you are welcome to visit my home. My home is in..."

"I certainly will."

Dugu Xin watched this scene from the side, feeling a bit puzzled, but he did not ask about it on the spot.

The three of them rested in the valley for a while before beginning their journey back.

After exiting the forest, Dugu Bo and his son bid farewell to Yu Hong.

"Little brother Yu Hong, until we meet again," Dugu Bo said, cupping his hands in a salute.

"Until we meet again," Yu Hong returned the gesture.

"Yu Hong, next time we meet, I must spar with you again!" Dugu Xin clenched his fists, his eyes filled with fighting spirit.

"I'll be ready anytime," the corners of Yu Hong's mouth curled upward slightly.

Dugu Bo and his son turned and left, quickly disappearing from sight.

Walking on the road home, Dugu Xin finally couldn't help but ask, "Father, why did you give the Golden Vein Ginseng to Yu Hong? That is a very precious spirit plant."

Dugu Bo glanced at his son and said with a smile, "What do you think of Yu Hong as a person?"

Dugu Xin thought for a moment and answered earnestly, "Very strong, much stronger than me. And he has great perseverance; training for five years as if it were one day—I cannot achieve that kind of self-discipline."

"Anything else?"

"Also..." Dugu Xin frowned, "Although his martial soul looks useless, I always feel it isn't simple."

Dugu Bo nodded, a flash of approval in his eyes.

"You are right. Yu Hong's martial soul is indeed not simple."

"Father, do you know what his martial soul is?" Dugu Xin asked curiously.

"I don't," Dugu Bo shook his head. "But I can sense that his martial soul contains an extremely powerful force. That power even makes me feel a hint of oppression."

Dugu Xin was shocked, "Father, you are a Spirit Douluo; how could you be pressured by the martial soul of an eleven-level Spirit Master?"