The Letter His Father Left Behind

Liu Erlong was curious about everything. As they walked, she asked all sorts of questions, and Yu Hong patiently answered each one.

"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is much bigger than I imagined," Liu Erlong remarked. Then she turned her head toward Yu Hong. "That flash of white light just now was incredible. What Soul Skill was that?"

Yu Hong smiled and answered casually, "That was my first Soul Skill."

Liu Erlong nodded as if she understood. Looking at Yu Hong's profile, she felt that strange flutter in her heart again. The moment he had put an arm around her waist and pulled her out of danger, she had felt a sense of security in his protection unlike anything she had ever experienced.

As they passed a cluster of ornamental rocks on the hill behind the clan grounds, a gloomy gaze fixed intently on them.

Yu Xiaogang was hiding in the shadows. He had originally planned to visit the Martial Arts Arena and see if he could find a chance to mock Yu Hong, but he hadn't expected to witness the entire spar between Yu Hong and Liu Erlong.

When he saw Liu Erlong's spirited, beautiful face, he froze as if struck by lightning.

He had never met a girl so full of life. Her blend of wildness and gentleness shattered his defenses in an instant.

"Who is she...?" Yu Xiaogang murmured to himself, his heart pounding.

The sensation of his heart racing was unfamiliar, yet he yearned for it.

But then, when he saw the blush rise on Liu Erlong's face as she pushed Yu Hong away, and the shy look she wore, the flames of jealousy in his eyes blazed once more.

"Why... why does he get all the good things?" Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth, his nails digging into his palms. "That woman must have been fooled by Yu Hong's handsome face! No, I have to find out who she is. I can't let Yu Hong keep gloating like this!"

Yu Hong keenly sensed someone watching them. His brow furrowed as he looked back toward the rocks, but he saw nothing.

"What is it?" Liu Erlong asked, puzzled.

"Nothing." Yu Hong turned his gaze away and continued on with Liu Erlong.

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

Liu Erlong waved goodbye to Yu Hong reluctantly. As she walked away, she hummed an unfamiliar little tune.

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

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

Liu Erlong waved goodbye to Yu Hong reluctantly. As she walked away, she hummed an unfamiliar little tune.

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

Just as he was about to reach his residence, he suddenly spotted a stranger standing outside his door.

He was a middle-aged man in his early fifties, dressed in a neat black robe. His eyes were weathered but gentle.

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

"Yu Hong, my boy. Long time no see," the man said in a hoarse voice.

Yu Hong sized him up, his brow furrowing.

"May I ask who you are...?"

"My name is Uncle Li," the man replied. "I was a friend of your father's."

As he said this, sadness crept into Uncle Li's eyes.

Yu Hong was a little puzzled, wondering why the man had come to see him now.

"Hello, Uncle Li," Yu Hong greeted him respectfully. "What brings you here?"

"I came to give you something." A warm smile touched Uncle Li's face. "Before your father passed away, he left a few things with me and asked me to give them to you once you were strong enough."

Uncle Li took something carefully wrapped in brown paper from inside his robe and handed it to Yu Hong.

"Your father left this for you. He said it would be a great help once you were strong enough."

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

"Thank you, Uncle Li," Yu Hong said sincerely.

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

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

"Thank you, Uncle Li."

"Well, my task is done," Uncle Li said with a smile. "Take a good look at these things. If you have any questions, come find me. I'll 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 carried the package into his bedroom.

He carefully opened it.

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

Yu Hong picked up the parchment first and unfolded it. It was a letter written in brush and ink.

Yu Hong began to read.

"My son,

"If you're reading this letter, it means Uncle Li has given you the things I left with him.

"First, I regret that I couldn't be there to watch you grow up.

"But I believe that, with your talent, you'll make your mark in this world.

"Your mother and I once discovered an ancient ruin during an unexpected expedition.

"The ruin lies deep within Dragonfall Valley, and to this day, no one knows of it.

"I had hoped to explore the ruin myself, but my health kept me from ever having the chance.

"Now, I leave that chance to you.

"When you're strong enough, I advise you to explore the ruin.

"I have a feeling there's a great treasure hidden inside.

"This map shows the ruin's exact location.

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

"Don't let this opportunity go to waste.

"Your father, Yu Yuanhai."

After reading the letter, Yu Hong sank into thought.

His father's name was Yu Yuanhai, and he had been a man with a strong spirit of adventure.

Although Yu Yuanhai had died when Yu Hong was very young, Yu Hong could feel his father's hopes for him in the letter.

Yu Hong spread the map out on the table and slowly traced the red line with his finger.

Dragonfall Valley lay several hundred miles west of the clan grounds, amid a range of mountains near the border between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire.

It was a remote region, with treacherous terrain. Powerful Soul Beasts were said to roam there.

"Dragonfall Valley..." Yu Hong murmured, thoughtful.

They said Dragonfall Valley had gotten its name a thousand years ago, when a group of Soul Masters hunted a hundred-thousand-year-old true dragon. The place where the dragon died came to be known as Dragonfall Valley.

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

His father wasn't one to exaggerate. If he used words like those to describe what lay inside the ruin, then there had to be something truly extraordinary there.

Yu Hong decided to wait until he grew stronger—until he obtained his third Soul Ring—before exploring the ruin.

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