Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.
The little courtyard that had once stood in a remote, quiet corner of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's southeastern grounds had now become the most talked-about place in the entire clan.
Every morning, a steward would deliver the freshest high-grade Soul Beast meat and all kinds of cultivation supplies. Every three to five days, a clan elder would come to pay a visit.
They might offer cultivation advice or ask after his well-being. Even the clan leader, Yu Yuanzhen, came in person every so often. Sometimes he checked on Yu Tianlong's cultivation progress, sometimes he brought rare cultivation supplements, and sometimes he simply sat down for a cup of tea and a little chat.
This kind of treatment was beyond the reach of not only collateral-branch disciples but even core members of the direct line. There was no shortage of gossip within the clan, but Yu Yuanzhen was firm in his stance, and no one dared question him to his face.
What surprised Yu Tianlong even more was that Yu Xiaogang had not come looking for trouble once in the past six months.
At first, he had assumed that his younger cousin was holding back some big move, so he'd kept his guard up for a while.
But gradually, he realized that Yu Xiaogang had genuinely quieted down. Every day, he was either holed up in the Library Pavilion or shut away in his own courtyard, tinkering with something unknown. When they happened to cross paths, Yu Xiaogang merely lowered his head and hurried past without even meeting his eyes.
"Has he had a change of heart?" Yu Tianlong had wondered. But as long as the other man didn't cause trouble, he was happy to enjoy the peace and devote all his energy to cultivation.
Half a year was more than enough time for a genius to undergo a complete transformation.
With the clan pouring resources into him without restraint, and the added boost of absorbing poison at Dugu Bo's manor every half month, Yu Tianlong's cultivation had shot up like a rocket.
Level fifteen, level sixteen, level seventeen... Nearly every month, he could feel a marked improvement.
Then, three days ago, the barrier within him that stood between him and level twenty finally showed signs of loosening.
Level twenty—the threshold of a Soul Grandmaster.
Once he crossed it, he would officially become a Soul Grandmaster and could obtain his second Soul Ring.
At his current rate of cultivation and with the resources available to him, that day was coming faster than anyone could have imagined.
"Level twenty..." Yu Tianlong sat cross-legged beneath the old locust tree in the courtyard. Feeling the Soul Power surging through his body, he slowly opened his eyes. A flash of light gleamed in them and was gone.
"It's time to hunt for my Second Soul Ring."
He rose to his feet and stretched. His bones cracked sharply.
Little Gold lay on a flagstone not far away. Feeling its master's change in aura, it raised its head and gave a "caw," its dark-golden eyes flashing with excitement.
Little Silver hung upside down from the eaves, its glassy eyes darting around. It had evidently guessed what was going on, too.
"This time, I won't ask the clan for help." Yu Tianlong had made up his mind.
Over the past six months, the clan had treated him almost too well to be true.
Although he couldn't guess what Yu Yuanzhen was plotting, his instincts told him not to rely entirely on this "goodwill." When it came to certain things, he'd be better off handling them himself.
So he left the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's grounds, went alone to Heaven Dou City, and knocked on the door of Dugu Manor.
"Well, what a rare visitor." Dugu Bo came out to greet him in person. When he saw Yu Tianlong at the gate, a surprised smile appeared on his face.
"Isn't today the day you're supposed to absorb poison? What brings you here? Missing me, are you?"
"Senior Dugu, you jest." Yu Tianlong smiled and cupped his hands. "I've come to ask for your help."
"Ask for my help?" Dugu Bo raised an eyebrow. "Your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has ample resources and experts everywhere. And your clan leader, who thinks so highly of you, even gives you personal guidance. What could you possibly need from an old loner like me?"
It sounded like teasing, but Yu Tianlong keenly picked up on the faint probing in Dugu Bo's tone.
Over the past six months, Dugu Bo had also sensed that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's preferential treatment of Yu Tianlong had gone a little too far. He had asked about it obliquely several times, but Yu Tianlong had always given him vague answers.
"I've reached level twenty and want to hunt for my Second Soul Ring," Yu Tianlong said directly. "I don't want to trouble the clan this time, so I'd like to ask you to come with me."
A trace of surprise flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes.
"You've reached level twenty? You went from level fifteen to twenty in half a year... Boy, your cultivation speed is enough to make people green with envy."
He paused, then asked, "But why not ask your clan leader, Yu Yuanzhen? He treats you like a treasure. Getting him to accompany you to the Star Dou Forest would be as easy as asking."
"The clan leader has been busy with affairs lately. I didn't want to disturb him." Yu Tianlong casually made up an excuse, then grinned at Dugu Bo.
"What, Senior Dugu? You don't want to do this junior a favor? I thought we'd become thick as thieves over the past six months."
"Don't try that on me." Dugu Bo glared at him, though there was a hint of a smile in his eyes.
"You're getting smoother with that tongue of yours. Fine, fine. I've been idle lately anyway. I'll take it as a chance to get out and clear my head."
"Of course!" Yu Tianlong exclaimed happily. "Thank you, Senior!"
"Ce'er!" Dugu Bo called toward the house. "I'm going to Sunset Forest. Keep an eye on the house!"
"Got it, Dad!"
Dugu Ce's voice came from inside, much stronger than it had been half a year ago.
Over the past six months, thanks to Yu Tianlong regularly helping him recuperate and Little Silver absorbing the poison from his body, Dugu Ce's injuries had healed far better than expected. The damage to his foundations could not be undone, but at least he could manage daily life without trouble and even do some basic cultivation.
Dugu Bo took Yu Tianlong south toward Sunset Forest on the back of a Jade Scale Eagle.
Sunset Forest lay southeast of Heaven Dou City. Though it was not as vast as the Star Dou Forest, it was still one of the largest Soul Beast habitats in the Heaven Dou Empire.
Unlike the Star Dou Forest, Sunset Forest had a drier, hotter climate. Its vegetation consisted mainly of coniferous trees and shrubs, and the Soul Beasts that lived there tended to favor fire and earth attributes.
The Jade Scale Eagle landed on the forest's outskirts, and Dugu Bo led Yu Tianlong farther in on foot.
"Tell me, what kind of Soul Ring are you after this time?" Dugu Bo asked casually as they walked. "Something with a powerful bloodline, like last time?"
"Exactly." Yu Tianlong nodded without hesitation. "The more vigorous its blood and Qi, the better. The stronger, the better. I still want to give Little Gold its Soul Ring first."
At his side, Little Gold stood tall, its dark-golden eyes gleaming with fighting spirit.
After half a year of devouring and growth, Little Gold had reached about one and a half meters in length. Its limbs were sturdy and powerful, and its body was covered in a layer of fine, pale-gold scales.
It had gradually developed this protective structure after devouring large numbers of Soul Beasts.
The bulge on its forehead had become quite pronounced, and a crack was faintly visible in it, as though something might break out of its shell at any moment.