The Letter My Father Left Behind

Liu Erlong felt a sense of wonder at everything, asking various questions as they walked, while Yu Hong patiently answered them one by one.

"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family is much larger than I imagined," Liu Erlong remarked with a sigh, then tilted her head to look at Yu Hong. "That flash of white light from earlier was truly shocking. What kind of soul skill was that exactly?"

Yu Hong smiled and said dismissively, "That was my first soul skill."

Liu Erlong nodded as if she understood, watching Yu Hong's profile. A strange, fluttering sensation surged in her heart once more. The feeling of safety she had experienced when Yu Hong pulled her waist to pull her out of danger was something she had never felt before.

Just as they passed a cluster of rockeries behind the family estate, a gloomy gaze was fixed firmly upon them.

Yu Xiaogang was hiding in the shadows. He had originally come to the Martial Arts Arena to see if he could find an opportunity to mock Yu Hong, but he had not expected to witness the entire sparring session between Yu Hong and Liu Erlong.

When he saw Liu Erlong's spirited, beautiful, and moving face, he stood frozen on the spot, as if struck by lightning.

He had never seen a girl with such vitality; the combination of wildness and gentleness in her temperament instantly shattered his inner defenses.

"Who is she..." Yu Xiaogang muttered to himself, his heart pounding violently.

That feeling of a racing heart made him feel both strange and longing.

But immediately after, when he saw the blush on Liu Erlong's face as she pushed Yu Hong away, along with her shy demeanor, the fire of jealousy in his eyes burned fiercely once again.

"Why... why does he get all the good things?" Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth so hard that his nails dug into his palms. "That woman must have been deceived by Yu Hong's looks! No, I must find out her identity. I absolutely cannot let Yu Hong continue to be so smug!"

Yu Hong keenly sensed that someone was watching, his brows furrowing slightly as he glanced back at the rockery, but he found nothing.

"What's wrong?" Liu Erlong asked with confusion.

"Nothing." Yu Hong withdrew his gaze and continued walking with Liu Erlong.

About half an hour later, Yu Hong escorted Liu Erlong back to her residence.

Liu Erlong waved goodbye to Yu Hong with lingering reluctance, humming an unknown little tune as she walked away.

Yu Hong watched her disappear at the end of the corridor before turning to head toward his own quarters.

Just as he was about to reach his room, he suddenly saw a stranger standing at his door.

It was a middle-aged man in his early fifties, wearing a neat black long coat with a weary yet gentle expression in his eyes.

When the man saw Yu Hong, a smile appeared on his face.

"Young Yu Hong, long time no see," the man said in a hoarse voice.

Yu Hong looked the man over, his brows furrowing slightly.

"May I ask who you are..."

"I am Uncle Li," the man said. "I was a friend of your father's during his lifetime."

At this, Uncle Li's eyes became somewhat sorrowful.

Yu Hong felt a bit suspicious, wondering why the man had come to find him at this time.

"Hello, Uncle Li," Yu Hong greeted respectfully. "What brings you here this time..."

"I am here to deliver something to you." A warm smile appeared on Uncle Li's face. "Before your father passed away, he left some things with me, asking me to give them to you when your strength was sufficient."

Uncle Li took an item carefully wrapped in kraft paper from his bosom and handed it to Yu Hong.

"This is what your father left for you. He said that when your strength is sufficient, these things will be very helpful to you."

Yu Hong took the package, feeling the warmth of Uncle Li's palms.

"Thank you, Uncle Li," Yu Hong thanked him sincerely.

Uncle Li patted Yu Hong on the shoulder, a look of gratification flashing in his eyes.

"You've grown up; you're almost a young man now," he said softly. "If your father were still alive, he would certainly be proud of you."

"Many thanks, Uncle Li."

"Alright, my task is complete," Uncle Li said with a smile. "Take a good look at these things, and if you have any questions, you can come find me. I will be staying at the Blue Lightning Inn in Blue Lightning City for a few days."

"I certainly will."

After seeing Uncle Li off, Yu Hong took the package into his bedroom.

He carefully opened the parcel.

Inside was a yellowed piece of parchment and an old map.

Yu Hong picked up the parchment first and unfolded it to see a letter written with a brush.

Yu Hong began to read.

"My son:

If you are reading this letter, it means Uncle Li has already delivered these items to you.

First, your father regrets not being able to watch you grow up.

But I believe that with your talent, you will surely carve out a place for yourself in this world."

Back then, your mother and I discovered an ancient ruin during an accidental expedition.

That ruin is hidden deep within Dragonfall Valley, unknown to anyone to this day.

I had intended to explore the site myself, but due to the state of my health, I never had the chance.

Now, I leave this opportunity to you.

Once your strength is sufficient, I suggest you go and explore these ruins.

I have an intuition that a great treasure is hidden within.

This map shows the exact location of the ruins.

I hope you can use your power to uncover the truth behind this secret.

Do not let this opportunity go to waste.

Your father, Yu Yuanhai.

After reading the letter, Yu Hong fell into deep thought.

His father, Yu Yuanhai, was a man with a great spirit of adventure.

Although Yu Yuanhai passed away when Yu Hong was very young, Yu Hong could feel his father's expectations through this letter.

Yu Hong spread the map out on the table, his finger slowly tracing the red line.

Dragonfall Valley is located hundreds of miles west of the family estate, near the mountain ranges bordering the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire.

It is a desolate region with treacherous terrain, said to be frequently haunted by powerful soul beasts.

"Dragonfall Valley..." Yu Hong whispered the name, lost in thought.

The reason it is called Dragonfall Valley is said to be because a thousand years ago, a group of soul masters hunted a hundred-thousand-year-old true dragon, and the place where the dragon died became known as Dragonfall Valley.

Yu Hong read the letter again, his gaze lingering on the words "great treasure."

His father was not one for exaggeration; if he used such terms to describe what was in the ruins, it meant there was truly an extraordinary discovery to be made.

Yu Hong decided that once his strength improved further and he obtained his third soul ring, he would go to explore the ruins.

By then, with the power of his two Blue-Eyes White Dragon, he should be able to handle most dangers.