Shock, Yu Xiaogang Seeks Guidance?

"By the way, Senior." Yu Tianlong seemed to recall something suddenly and spoke as if it were a casual remark.

"I discovered that the natural environment here in the Sunset Forest is quite interesting during this trip. Volcanoes, hot springs, sulfur deposits... a mix of various elemental auras. Especially those seemingly ordinary flowers and grasses; many of them contain unique toxins or medicinal properties. I feel this place is very suitable for you to cultivate your poison martial soul, Senior."

Dugu Bo was slightly stunned, looking around thoughtfully.

"Now that you mention it... that is true. The terrain of the Sunset Forest is indeed complex, with various environments intertwined, giving birth to a more diverse range of spirit beasts and plants than other places. I hadn't really paid much attention to those flowers and grasses before."

"You could come here to wander around more often in the future, Senior." Yu Tianlong said with a smile.

"Who knows, you might stumble upon an unexpected surprise one day? Like some hidden valley filled with rare herbs that are hard to find in the outside world."

He spoke lightly, as if it were just a passing thought. But deep down, he was secretly praying:

Dugu Bo, oh Dugu Bo, I've already brought the hint right to your lips; you must seize it! The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well is right here in this forest—hurry up and find it!

Dugu Bo didn't think much of it and nodded. "We'll see when I have time. Let's go; it's getting late, time to head back."

Yu Tianlong didn't say anything more. He followed Dugu Bo out of the Sunset Forest and rode the Jade Scale Eagle back to Heaven Dou City. After bidding farewell to Dugu Bo, he returned alone to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan residence.

The days that followed returned to tranquility.

Yu Tianlong practiced according to his routine every day, fed the two Golden Luo San Paos, and went to Dugu Bo's mansion for an "extra meal" every half month.

The clan's resources continued to arrive in a steady stream, and Yu Yuanzhen still came by every few days to "show his concern." Everything seemed no different than before.

Until this day.

At dusk, Yu Tianlong was in the courtyard guiding Little Gold and Little Silver in combat training when the gate was suddenly knocked.

"Knock, knock, knock."

The knocking was neither hurried nor slow, carrying a touch of politeness and a hint of hesitation.

"Who is it?" Yu Tianlong asked casually, signaling the two Golden Luo San Paos to pause their training as he walked over to open the gate.

The figure outside the door left him stunned.

Yu Xiaogang.

That cousin with whom he had barely interacted for the past six months was standing at his door.

He wore a clean, long blue robe, his hair was neatly combed, and although his complexion remained somewhat pale, his spirit looked much better than it had half a year ago.

What surprised Yu Tianlong most was his gaze—it was no longer filled with the resentment and unwillingness of half a year ago, but carried a kind of... how to put it, a deliberately suppressed eagerness?

"Cousin." Yu Xiaogang spoke, his voice much steadier than before, even carrying a trace of respect. "Sorry to disturb you."

Yu Tianlong blinked, confirming he wasn't hallucinating. Had the sun risen from the west? Yu Xiaogang had actually taken the initiative to find him and was even calling him "Cousin" in such a polite tone?

"Uh... Xiaogang, is there something you need?" Yu Tianlong asked, feeling uncertain.

Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath, as if he had made a firm decision, and looked up at Yu Tianlong with sincere eyes. "Cousin, I have come to seek your guidance."

"Guidance?" Yu Tianlong was even more confused. "Guidance on what?"

"Guidance on... how to raise Luo San Pao." Yu Xiaogang's voice carried a faint, imperceptible tremor, but his tone was very serious.

"Over the past six months, I have also tried letting my Luo San Pao consume spirit beast meat, and it has indeed had some effect. But the progress is very slow; compared to your Golden Luo San Pao, it is like heaven and earth. I want to know, how did you do it? Is there any secret or method to make Luo San Pao grow faster?"

Yu Tianlong looked at him, feeling dazed for a moment.

Was this still the same Yu Xiaogang who had shouted "You're crazy" at him in the Star Dou Forest?

Was this still the same Yu Xiaogang who firmly believed that Luo San Pao could only follow a path of defense and control, and who had sneered at his choice of a power-attack path?

What had happened in these six months to cause such a massive transformation?

"Do you... really want to know?" Yu Tianlong asked tentatively.

"I do." Yu Xiaogang nodded firmly, his eyes filled with "sincerity."

"I have thought a lot over these past six months and read many ancient texts. I realized that you were right; Luo San Pao does have the potential for evolution through consumption. I was too stubborn before. I don't want to be a useless spirit master for the rest of my life; I want to become strong, too. So... I want to ask you to teach me."

His tone was earnest, his expression sincere, even carrying a hint of pleading.

Yu Tianlong was silent for a moment, then finally sighed. "Come in."

He stepped aside to let Yu Xiaogang enter the courtyard.

As Yu Xiaogang walked in, his gaze was immediately drawn to the two Luo San Paos in the yard.

Little Gold was squatting on a bluestone, its dark golden eyes sweeping over him with indifference before looking away, as if he were nothing more than an insignificant ant.

Little Silver was hanging from the eaves, its tail hooked onto a beam, swinging back and forth while curiously sizing up this strange visitor.

The two Luo San Paos were on a completely different level from his own in terms of size, presence, and intelligence.

A flash of irrepressible greed and longing crossed Yu Xiaogang's eyes, but it was quickly suppressed and replaced with an expression of humble learning.

"Sit." Yu Tianlong pointed to a stone stool, sat down himself, and summoned his two Luo San Paos. "Little Gold, Little Silver, come here."

The two Luo San Paos obediently walked to his side and squatted down, one on each side.

Yu Xiaogang also summoned his Luo San Pao. The pale golden fat dog appeared, still with that timid, cowering look, head bowed and tail tucked, not even daring to glance at Little Gold and Little Silver.

The gap was clear at a glance.

"Luo San Pao's consumption ability requires cultivation." Yu Tianlong began to explain earnestly.

"It's not as simple as just feeding it any random spirit beast meat. First, you must choose meat rich in vitality and blood; ideally, it should be freshly hunted, as the higher the freshness, the better.

Secondly, you must feed it regularly. You can't just feed it whenever you remember and then ignore it for days on end. Third, and most importantly... you must ensure Luo Sanpao actively refines the absorbed energy during the consumption process, rather than passively waiting for it to digest naturally..."

Yu Tianlong explained in great detail, sharing the experience he had gathered over the past six months without reservation.

Although he didn't have much affection for Yu Xiaogang, they were both members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and since Yu Xiaogang had taken the initiative to humble himself and ask for advice, it wouldn't be right to keep him at arm's length. Furthermore, giving Yu Yuanzhen some face was also necessary.

Yu Xiaogang listened very "attentively," nodding from time to time and occasionally asking a few questions, appearing as though he were thirsting for knowledge.

However, his gaze kept drifting, intentionally or otherwise, toward the two Luo Sanpaos crouching beside Yu Tianlong.

So big... so strong... that aura—just being near them is enough to feel the pressure.

If... if only I could possess them...

His fingers trembled slightly within his sleeves, his nails digging into his palms, using the pain to suppress the desire that was nearly bursting forth.

"...That's about it." Yu Tianlong finished speaking, picked up the teacup from the stone table, and took a sip.

"The specific execution will still depend on you exploring it through practice. After all, everyone's martial soul has subtle differences; my methods might not be entirely applicable to you."

"Many thanks for your guidance, cousin." Yu Xiaogang stood up and bowed to him. "I will certainly work hard."

He retracted his own Luo Sanpao and turned to walk toward the courtyard gate.

When he reached the entrance, he suddenly stopped. Without turning back, he said in a very soft voice, "Cousin... your Luo Sanpao are truly strong."

With that, he pushed open the door and hurried away.

Yu Tianlong watched his back disappear into the twilight, his brow furrowing slightly.

"This guy... why does he feel so strange?"

He shook his head, not dwelling on it. After all, it was a good thing that Yu Xiaogang was willing to change and learn from him.

It was just that he didn't notice the flash in the depths of Yu Xiaogang's eyes the moment he turned away—a look of greed and jealousy, identical to the one from half a year ago.