Showdown, I Will Devour Your Luo Sanpao!

I do not know how much time passed, but the wind in the Star Dou Forest suddenly died down.

The light filtering through the trees seemed to dim, as if the very sky were portending an ominous event about to unfold.

Yu Tianlong finished absorbing the Space Rabbit's spirit ring, feeling the surge of newfound power within his body: level thirty-three.

A consecutive three-level breakthrough would be a cause for celebration at any other time.

Yet, he had no heart to savor this joy, for the moment he completed the absorption, the atmosphere around him shifted abruptly.

"Clan Head, the spirit ring has been absorbed. Let us return."

Yu Tianlong stood up, brushed the dust from his clothes, and kept his tone as calm as possible. "This junior feels in good condition; it is the perfect time to return and consolidate my cultivation."

As he spoke, he prepared to signal Little Gold and Little Silver to leave.

But Yu Yuanzhen did not move.

He simply stood there with his hands behind his back, that gentle smile still hanging on his face, yet to Yu Tianlong, that smile now felt as chilling as a viper's tongue.

"No rush," Yu Yuanzhen said slowly, his voice as peaceful as ever.

"It is rare to visit the Star Dou Forest, so why be in such a hurry to return? The spirit power here is far denser than at our clan grounds. Staying a while longer will be beneficial for stabilizing your cultivation."

"I appreciate the Clan Head's kindness," Yu Tianlong said, not stopping his pace while secretly signaling Little Gold and Little Silver to remain vigilant.

"However, this junior truly has urgent matters to attend to. Senior Dugu Bo is waiting for me, and it would be improper to keep him waiting."

"Dugu Bo?" Yu Yuanzhen's smile faded slightly. "Tianlong, you are a disciple of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, not a member of his Dugu family. Is it not somewhat inappropriate to run to an outsider for everything?"

"Senior Dugu and I share a rapport; it is only natural to visit one another."

Yu Tianlong had reached a point about ten paces away from Yu Yuanzhen. He stopped, turned around, and offered a polite yet distant smile. "If the Clan Head has no other business, this junior will take his leave."

He lifted his foot, preparing to depart.

"Sigh."

A long sigh drifted from behind him.

The sigh was filled with regret, helplessness, and a hint of... relief.

"Tell me, why must you be so clever?" Yu Yuanzhen's voice came from behind, no longer carrying its former gentleness, but instead a cold, naked honesty. "When did you figure it out?"

Yu Tianlong's body stiffened.

He turned slowly, the smile on his face gone, replaced by an expression so calm it bordered on indifference. "I do not understand what the Clan Head is talking about."

"You understand," Yu Yuanzhen said, looking at him with eyes devoid of pretense—the gaze of a hunter watching prey fall into a trap.

"You have always understood. From the moment I began giving you so many resources, from the moment I started treating you with such excessive kindness, you harbored suspicions. You simply refused to believe it, or rather, you dared not believe it—after all, who would treat someone else's child better than their own for no reason?"

Yu Tianlong was silent for a moment, then sighed softly. "I just didn't expect you to be so ruthless."

"And I didn't expect you to grow so quickly," Yu Yuanzhen admitted.

"I originally thought it would take at least three to five years, until you reached the Spirit Ancestor or even Spirit King level, for the optimal harvest. But you are too outstanding—so outstanding that I was forced to act early. An eight-year-old Spirit Master... if I let you continue to grow, I fear I would no longer be able to suppress you."

He took two steps forward, his gaze falling upon the two Luo Sanpao beside Yu Tianlong, a flash of greed crossing his eyes.

"What magnificent spirits... twin Luo Sanpao, gold and silver dragons, capable of devouring and evolving, capable of absorbing elements... Such spirits are truly wasted on an orphan without parents."

"So, you intend to seize them?" Yu Tianlong's voice was calm, but his hands, hidden in his sleeves, were clenched into fists.

"Not seize, but put to good use," Yu Yuanzhen corrected.

"Your Luo Sanpao have devoured so many spirit beasts and accumulated so much power, all for this very moment—to become nourishment for Xiaogang's Luo Sanpao. When the power of two Luo Sanpao merges into one, it will surely give birth to an even more powerful spirit. By then, my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will possess a true, genuine dragon of our own!"

As he spoke, his voice rose with excitement, his eyes gleaming with fanatical fervor.

Yu Tianlong looked toward Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang stood behind his father, head bowed, his expression obscured. But his shoulders were trembling slightly, whether from nervousness or excitement, it was impossible to tell.

"Yu Xiaogang," Yu Tianlong said. "Is this your wish as well?"

Yu Xiaogang's body jolted violently. He remained silent for a long time before slowly raising his head.

His face wore a complex expression—guilt and struggle were present, but more than that, there was a long-suppressed craving and jealousy.

"Cousin... I'm sorry." His voice was low and trembling.

"But... I really want to become strong. Do you know how I've spent these past two years? Watching you grow stronger every day, watching your Luo Sanpao become more majestic, while I... I could only hide in the Library Pavilion, flipping through those tattered books, telling myself 'I can do it too.' But I knew I couldn't. I don't have your talent, I don't have your luck, I have nothing..."

His voice grew increasingly agitated, tears welling in his eyes.

"Why? Why should an orphan like you possess such a magnificent spirit? Why should I, the son of the Clan Head, only awaken a trash spirit? It's not fair! It's not fair!"

"So, you intend to steal mine?" Yu Tianlong's voice remained calm, but deep within his eyes, a flicker of rage began to burn.

"It's not stealing! It's inheriting!" Yu Xiaogang practically roared.

"Once your Luo Sanpao are devoured by me, their power will become a part of me! I will carry them and grow stronger together! I will become a true powerhouse! I will let everyone know that I, Yu Xiaogang, am no failure!"

He gasped for air, as if pouring out all the suppression and grievances of these years in one breath. Then, he wiped away his tears, his gaze turning resolute, even carrying a hint of cruel satisfaction.

"Cousin, don't worry... once I devour your Luo Sanpao, I will remember your contribution."

Yu Tianlong looked at him and suddenly laughed.

The smile was filled with irony, pity, and a touch of finality.

"Are you finished?"

Yu Xiaogang froze, not expecting this reaction.

"If you are finished, then let me say a few words." Yu Tianlong's smile faded, his calm gaze sweeping over the father and son. "First, do you truly believe your Luo Sanpao can devour my Little Gold and Little Silver?"