Yu Hong's Thoughts

"That is why I said Yu Hong's martial soul is not simple." Dugu Bo's expression turned serious. "If I am not mistaken, his martial soul should be the egg of some ancient dragon species."

"An ancient dragon species?" Dugu Xin's eyes widened.

"Correct." Dugu Bo nodded. "And it is very likely a powerful one at that. Once his martial soul hatches, it will truly be a case of a carp leaping over the dragon gate."

Dugu Xin fell silent.

He recalled the scene from their sparring match just moments ago.

Despite being only level eleven, Yu Hong had managed to completely suppress him, a level twenty-two spirit master, in close-quarters combat.

If Yu Hong's martial soul truly hatched, just how strong would he become?

"So, Father, you gave him the Golden Vein Ginseng as a form of early investment?" Dugu Xin asked.

"You could say that." Dugu Bo smiled. "Yu Hong is a young man with immense potential. Befriending him now will only benefit the Dugu family in the future; there is no downside."

He patted Dugu Xin on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Xin'er, you must remember that when making friends, one cannot only look at the present. Some people may seem unremarkable now, but they could become powerhouses in the future. Forming ties with such people early on is an investment, and it is also a matter of foresight."

Dugu Xin nodded, lost in thought.

"I understand, Father."

"As long as you understand." Dugu Bo smiled with satisfaction. "Let's go, it's time to head home."

After parting ways with Dugu Bo and his son, Yu Hong did not immediately return to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family.

He decided to spend more time training in the outskirts of the Greenwood Forest.

His gains from this trip had been substantial.

Not only had he met Dugu Bo and his son, but he had also obtained a precious Golden Vein Ginseng.

More importantly, his sparring match with Dugu Xin had validated the results of his four years of training.

His physical fitness had far surpassed his peers, even exceeding that of a spirit master eleven levels his senior.

This filled him with confidence for the future.

Over the next half-month, Yu Hong continued to train in the outskirts of the Greenwood Forest.

By day, he hunted spirit beasts to hone his combat techniques; by night, he cultivated his spirit power to consolidate his foundation.

During this time, he encountered many dangers, but he managed to turn each crisis into an opportunity thanks to his formidable physical constitution and keen reflexes.

Once, he encountered a three-hundred-year-old Wind Blade Wolf.

The Wind Blade Wolf was incredibly fast and capable of firing sharp wind blades, making it a very troublesome spirit beast.

If it were any other level eleven spirit master, they would likely have had no choice but to flee.

But Yu Hong was different.

Relying on his superior physical strength, he withstood the Wind Blade Wolf's attacks head-on, then seized an opening to land a punch squarely on the beast's head.

That single blow left the Wind Blade Wolf dazed and disoriented.

Following up immediately, Yu Hong unleashed a flurry of strikes, leaving the Wind Blade Wolf with no room to retaliate.

Finally, he used a short blade to slit the Wind Blade Wolf's throat, ending the battle.

"Whew..." Yu Hong exhaled a breath of stale air, looking at the carcass of the Wind Blade Wolf on the ground with a slight upturn of his lips.

A three-hundred-year-old spirit beast was no longer a threat to him.

He packed away the body of the Wind Blade Wolf, intending to bring it back as food.

Spirit beast meat was a rare delicacy; it would be a waste to leave it behind.

Half a month of training had greatly increased Yu Hong's combat experience.

He was no longer just a boy who buried himself in cultivation; he was a warrior who had truly faced the trials of life and death.

This transformation was something he could never have achieved within the family.

"That's enough, it's time to go back."

Yu Hong stood at the edge of the Greenwood Forest, glanced back at the woods behind him, and then turned to head in the direction of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family.

Three days later, Yu Hong returned to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family.

No sooner had he entered the family gates than someone came to inform him that the Vice Patriarch, Yu Luomian, wished to see him.

Yu Hong did not delay and went straight to Yu Luomian's courtyard.

"Vice Patriarch, you summoned me?"

Yu Luomian was sitting in the courtyard drinking tea, and his face lit up with a smile when he saw Yu Hong enter.

"You're back? How was your training trip?"

"The gains were significant." Yu Hong nodded. "My combat experience has increased quite a bit, and I've also made some friends."

"Oh? What kind of friends?" Yu Luomian became interested.

Yu Hong gave a brief account of his encounter with Dugu Bo and his son, though he omitted certain details, such as the Golden Vein Ginseng that Dugu Bo had gifted him.

"Dugu Bo?" Yu Luomian raised an eyebrow. "That fellow is said to be the most likely person to become a Titled Douluo. To think you managed to befriend them—not bad."

"It was merely a chance encounter," Yu Hong said modestly.

"A chance encounter is still fate," Yu Luomian said with a smile. "Making more friends will be beneficial for your future development."

Yu Luomian looked at Yu Hong, a glimmer of expectation flashing in his eyes.

"Yu Hong, do you have confidence in the tournament ten months from now?"

Yu Hong raised his head, his gaze firm.

"I do."

"Good!" Yu Luomian slapped the table and burst into laughter. "I knew you wouldn't let me down!"

He stood up, walked over to Yu Hong, and patted him on the shoulder.

"Prepare well, and when the time comes, show the entire clan who the real trash is!"

"Yes, Vice Clan Leader."

After leaving Yu Luomian's courtyard, Yu Hong returned to his own living quarters.

He sat on his bed, closed his eyes, and began to sort through the gains from his trip.

Combat experience, the Golden Vein Ginseng, and his friendship with Dugu Bo and the others...

These were all precious treasures.

But most importantly, it was his realization of his own strength.

His current physical fitness far exceeded that of his peers.

Even without using his Martial Soul or soul skills, he could suppress soul masters ten levels higher than himself in close-quarters combat.

This was his greatest trump card.

"The tournament in ten months..." Yu Hong muttered to himself. "Yu Xiaogang, you are no match for me at all."

He opened his eyes, a sharp light flashing within them.

In the time remaining, he would continue to cultivate diligently, striving to achieve Martial Soul Evolution into the Blue-Eyes White Dragon before the tournament.

When the time came, he would let everyone see what a true genius was!

In the days that followed, Yu Hong returned to his previous rhythm of life.

He exercised his body during the day and cultivated his soul power at night.

Every day, he ate soul beast meat and consumed Whale Rubber.

He also consumed the Golden Vein Ginseng gifted by Dugu Bo, and the effects were remarkably obvious.

His meridians became tougher, and the speed of his soul power cultivation increased significantly.

Thinking of how Dugu Xin would die in the future, Yu Hong secretly resolved that he would help Dugu Xin and his family resolve their Martial Soul issues.

To put it plainly, the problem faced by Dugu Xin and his family was caused by insufficient mental power.

Before he transmigrated, he had seen many people say that forming a Poison Core could solve the physical problems of Dugu Bo.