Yu Xiaogang's Philosophy, Luo Sanpao Goes Defensive!

Seeing this, Little Silver grew anxious and lunged forward to hug another piece of whale glue. However, its teeth didn't seem as sharp as Little Gold's; after gnawing for a long time, it only left a few shallow marks, causing it to squeak "luo luo" in frustration.

Yu Tianlong found the sight amusing yet felt a pang of sympathy, trying to help it pry the piece apart, but it remained completely unmoved.

"It seems this whale glue is indeed useful to you both, but it appears to be more compatible with Little Gold's power attribute?"

Yu Tianlong fell into deep thought. He recalled that in the original work, whale glue was primarily used to improve physical fitness, especially by enhancing toughness. Perhaps as a representative of the power path, Little Gold found it easier to absorb.

Little Gold quickly devoured its piece of whale glue, licking its lips as if still wanting more, and looked at the box with eager eyes.

Yu Tianlong could clearly feel a warm, heavy, and strangely oceanic energy surging continuously through his connection with Little Gold and into his own limbs and bones.

The sensation wasn't an increase in soul power, but rather his muscles, bones, fascia, and even skin being slowly permeated and strengthened by this energy, giving rise to a profound sense of overflowing power.

"It really works!" Yu Tianlong was overjoyed. Without hesitation, he immediately took several more pieces of whale glue from the box and split them in two.

"Come, Little Gold, Little Silver, these are all for you! But Little Silver, try using your elemental ability to see if you can soften or break it down."

Little Gold cheered and pounced on the food, crunching away happily.

Little Silver tilted its head, seemingly pondering its master's words. A moment later, silver light swirled around its body as it opened its mouth to exhale a thin, nearly transparent pale blue flame.

This was an ability it had mastered after devouring stove fire previously, and the temperature seemed higher than that of ordinary flames.

As the flame scorched the whale glue, the hard block softened and melted at a speed visible to the naked eye, eventually turning into a small pool of viscous, glowing golden liquid.

Little Silver's eyes lit up; it curled its tongue and sucked the liquid into its mouth. The next moment, tiny golden starlight flickered across its silver fur, its body seemed to solidify slightly, and its control over elements subtly improved.

"Haha, good! Clever!" Yu Tianlong clapped and laughed. It seemed Little Gold could directly devour and absorb the energy of the whale glue to strengthen its physical power.

Little Silver, on the other hand, needed to use elemental force to transform and absorb the essence, enhancing its elemental affinity and control. The paths were different, but the destination was the same!

"Eat! Eat as much as you want! There's plenty!" Yu Tianlong felt a surge of generosity and moved the entire box of whale glue into the courtyard. The two little ones cheered and dived into the box to feast.

Little Gold was a pure "crusher," accepting everything without complaint, while Little Silver acted as an "alchemist," using various elemental combinations to process the whale glue, its efficiency surprisingly high.

Yu Tianlong stood to the side, feeling the constant flow of strengthening energy—like a blend of ice and fire—surging through his body, the smile on his face growing wider.

These five thousand gold soul coins were well spent! This wasn't just whale glue; it was an "experience pack" tailor-made for Little Gold and Little Silver!

The next morning, the sky was just beginning to brighten.

Yu Tianlong pushed open the courtyard gate, feeling refreshed. The night of the whale glue "feast" had not only significantly strengthened the aura of Little Gold and Little Silver.

Little Gold's size had increased by a circle, and the elemental halo around Little Silver was more agile.

His own physical fitness had also improved by at least thirty percent, and he felt full of strength in every movement.

More importantly, he felt that the connection between his soul power and the two Luo Sanpaos was tighter and smoother, as if they had truly become extensions of his own limbs.

"Time to go." He took a deep breath of the cool morning air, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Just as he finished packing, the courtyard gate was knocked. He opened it to find not the family steward or guards he had expected, but Yu Yuanzhen, standing there in a simple grey robe with an aura as deep and steady as an abyss.

Being personally invited by a Titled Douluo was a treatment that even surprised Yu Tianlong.

"Tianlong, let's set off once you're ready."

Yu Yuanzhen was concise, his gaze sweeping over Yu Tianlong with a flicker of imperceptible surprise. He hadn't seen the boy for a night, yet his blood and energy seemed much more vigorous, and his eyes were clearer.

"Yes, Patriarch." Yu Tianlong bowed and accepted, shouldering the small bag he had prepared, which contained dry rations, water, and emergency medicine.

"Just call me Uncle when we're outside. Your father and I had a good relationship, it's a pity..."

Yu Yuanzhen wore a kind smile.

Yu Tianlong didn't dwell on the title.

"Uncle!"

Just as he was about to leave with Yu Yuanzhen, he saw a figure slowly shuffling out from behind a pillar not far away.

Yu Xiaogang.

He had also changed into coarse clothes suitable for travel and carried a small bag, but his face remained haggard with dark circles under his eyes, clearly having not slept all night.

He kept his head down, not daring to look at Yu Yuanzhen, let alone Yu Tianlong, only biting his lip hard and twisting the corner of his clothes with his fingers.

Yu Yuanzhen glanced at him, a flash of complexity in his eyes, and explained to Yu Tianlong:

"Although Xiaogang is not yet at the stage to obtain a soul ring, his martial soul is of the same origin as yours. Following along to observe this trip may be beneficial to his future cultivation. You two can communicate more."

Yu Tianlong understood; Yu Yuanzhen was Yu Xiaogang's father after all. No matter how disappointed he was, how could he truly give up completely?

Bringing him along was not only to give him a chance to see the world and perhaps gain some insight, but likely also a hope that his "fellow sufferer" cousin could provide some care and guidance.

It was just that, in Yu Xiaogang's current extreme state of mind, this fatherly love was likely perceived as another form of "favoritism" and "humiliation."

Sure enough, Yu Xiaogang suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot, his voice hoarse and sharp:

"I don't need to communicate with him! I have been studying Luo Sanpao for days, and I know how it should be cultivated! It should take the defensive route, or the support route! Power attack? I understand Luo Sanpao better than he does!"

Yu Yuanzhen frowned, a flash of severity in his eyes: "Presumptuous! Stubborn and unyielding!"

"Forget it, Uncle," Yu Tianlong waved his hand, his tone indifferent.

"Since Xiaogang has his own ideas, let him be. The path is one's own to walk; time will prove whether it is right or wrong."

He couldn't be bothered to argue with Yu Xiaogang at this moment; for a child stuck in a dead end, anything said was futile.

Yu Xiaogang was so stifled by Yu Tianlong's "I can't be bothered to lower myself to your level" attitude that his chest felt tight, and he wanted to say more.

However, he was glared back into silence by a cold look from Yu Yuanzhen. He could only shut his mouth in resentment, hanging his head like a defeated rooster and following behind the two, his eyes filled with unwillingness and spite.

"Move out!"

The Star Dou Great Forest was located in the southern part of the Heaven Dou Empire. With its vast, boundless area, it was the largest habitat for soul beasts on the Douluo Continent and one of the most important hunting grounds for soul masters to obtain soul rings.

When that endless, dark green sea of trees, which seemed to connect the heaven and earth, appeared in his field of vision, even though Yu Tianlong had been mentally prepared, he couldn't help but be shocked by the grandeur of this natural creation.

"Release your martial souls," Yu Yuanzhen commanded. Entering the Star Dou Great Forest, danger could be encountered at any time; martial souls needed to be ready at all times.

With a thought from Yu Tianlong, golden and silver lights flashed, and Little Gold and Little Silver appeared.

Nourished by whale glue for two days, they were in increasingly high spirits. Little Gold held its head high and chest out, its dark golden eyes scanning the surroundings with a hint of majesty, its four claws planted firmly on the ground with a steady, composed air.

Little Silver nimbly leaped onto Yu Tianlong's shoulder, its glass-like eyes curiously surveying the vast forest, with tiny elemental light spots drifting around its body like fireflies.

Yu Xiaogang also summoned his Luo Sanpao. The pale golden fat dog appeared, but it looked timid and cowering, sticking tightly to Yu Xiaogang's leg.

It lowered its head, emitting uneasy whimpering sounds from its throat. Especially when Little Gold's steady and fierce gaze swept over it, it shivered in fear, almost shrinking back into Yu Xiaogang's body.

With the three Luo Sanpaos on display, the difference was immediately apparent, and a flicker of surprise crossed the eyes of both Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Tianlong.

Yu Tianlong's Luo Sanpao, whether in spirit or the aura it faintly emitted, was completely different from Yu Xiaogang's. This could not be explained simply by "innate full soul power."

Yu Yuanzhen asked, "Tianlong, this external beast martial soul of yours is quite unique; even I have never seen it before. Regarding your first soul ring, what are your thoughts? What attributes do you need from a soul beast?"

Just as Yu Tianlong was about to answer, Yu Xiaogang, standing to the side, spoke up first, his tone carrying an eagerness that suggested, "I have researched this, and I know what I'm talking about":

"I know! A martial soul like Luo Sanpao has almost no attack power, its speed is slow, and its defense is fragile! But it has one characteristic: it can release a type of gas that has a paralyzing effect!

Therefore, for the first soul ring, it is best to choose a defense-type soul beast to enhance survivability, or choose a soul beast with control attributes like paralysis or slowing to strengthen its control characteristics! Taking a defensive or support route is the only proper path!"

He spoke very quickly, seemingly wanting to prove the results of his "research" over the past few days, his eyes burning as he looked at his father, waiting for approval.