Douluo Continent: Tonight, a Fairy Tale Descends.

He knew that this decision could only be made by Ning Fengzhi himself.

Ning Fengzhi's face drained of color, his fingers clenched tightly around his sleeve, his mind in turmoil.

On one side is the absolute safety of the sect and the secrets of the martial spirit; on the other side is the possibility of breaking the shackles of a thousand years and leading the sect to unprecedented glory.

Time passed slowly, and fine beads of sweat even appeared on Ning Fengzhi's forehead.

Finally, he abruptly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, his eyes were filled with determination.

Chapter 162 Agree

Ning Fengzhi immediately and decisively said, "Your Majesty, rest assured! As long as there is a glimmer of hope, my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School will do everything in its power to support you! Whatever your request, I, Ning Fengzhi, only ask that Your Majesty try your best!"

Looking at Ning Fengzhi's unwavering gaze, Ge Duo was secretly delighted, but she maintained a solemn expression and slowly nodded.

"Since Sect Leader Ning is so determined, then I will give it my best."

Seeing Ning Fengzhi's eyes light up instantly, Ge Duo changed the subject again: "However, in the meantime, Sect Master Ning needs to provide me with as much detail as possible the records of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul's inheritance, as well as the records of how generations of Soul Masters felt when breaking through their bottlenecks. At the same time, the first batch of resources for preliminary research needs to be in place as soon as possible."

“No problem!” Ning Fengzhi agreed without hesitation. “After returning to the sect, I will immediately order people to organize the relevant information and send it, along with the first batch of resources and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Masters, to Your Majesty here!”

The deal was initially agreed upon right next to the eyes of the ice and fire yin and yang.

Ning Fengzhi left with mixed feelings and a worldly heart.

After seeing the two off, Ge Duo looked at the three gift boxes on the stone table, and finally couldn't help but smile up, revealing a sly and delighted smile.

She opened the box and looked at the vibrant Dragon Blood Lingzhi, the Earth Core Essence imbued with the essence of the earth, and the Nine-Grade Purple Lingzhi shrouded in purple mist. She nodded in satisfaction.

"Oh, my precious herbs, for the sake of these, and all the good things to come, I'll have to make do with you for now," she murmured to herself, a calculating glint in her eyes.

"This investment, no matter how you look at it, is a sure thing that will make you money."

……

The small courtyard where Yu Xiaogang is temporarily staying in Tiandou City.

In the study, Yu Xiaogang was hunched over his desk, his eyes bloodshot, but his face was filled with an almost manic excitement.

A thick stack of drafts lay spread out in front of him, densely covered with theoretical analyses of the third soul ring, soul beast selection, and soul skill predictions.

"This is it! The Thousand-Year Thunderous Earth Dragon!" Yu Xiaogang slammed his hand on the table, making the pen holder jump.

He stared intently at the name of the soul beast on the paper, which had been circled countless times, his breathing heavy.

The Thunder Earth Dragon is a sub-dragon soul beast with a faint dragon bloodline. It is skilled at manipulating lightning and earth power, and its defense and attack capabilities are both outstanding.

The abilities attached to his soul rings are very likely to grant Luo Sanpao powerful lightning attacks or defensive enhancements, which is exactly what he needs.

“Time limit… 2,500 years!” Yu Xiaogang licked his chapped lips, his eyes flashing with a mad light.

"With Her Majesty Gedo's elixirs as a supplement, I will definitely be able to absorb it within this time limit! Definitely!"

Despite having Ge Duo's elixir, Yu Xiaogang dared not set the age limit too high, after all, he had learned from his father, Yu Yuanzhen, that the elixir did not have a 100% success rate.

After choosing the soul beast for his third soul ring, he no longer hesitated. He immediately spread out a sheet of paper and wrote down the plan and soul beast selection that he already knew by heart.

Yu Xiaogang's words were earnest and urgent, as if he wished his father, Yu Yuanzhen, could see them immediately and take him to hunt soul beasts.

After writing the letter, he went back to the reputable Soul Master Station, paid the express fee, and watched the messenger beast disappear into the sky with the letter tube before he finally breathed a long sigh of relief. However, his excitement was not diminished at all; on the contrary, it was even more intense.

After returning to the courtyard, Yu Xiaogang began pacing back and forth, unable to calm his mind. One moment he was imagining the scene of his strength greatly increasing after obtaining his third soul ring, and the next he was worried that his father would think that the soul beast he had chosen was too old and too risky.

This anxious wait lasted for less than a day.

The next afternoon, Yu Yuanzhen reappeared at the entrance of the courtyard.

"Father!" Yu Xiaogang almost lunged at him, his voice trembling, "Did you receive the letter?"

Yu Yuanzhen looked at his son's bloodshot yet frighteningly bright eyes, nodded, and said in a deep voice, "Received. Since you've made your decision, then let's go."

He didn't ask any more questions, nor did he try to dissuade him.

For this son who had struggled for half his life, any cautious words at this moment could be seen as a blow. He was willing to go through this gamble with him.

"Leave now?" Yu Xiaogang was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. "Okay! Okay! Let's leave now!"

He didn't even have time to say goodbye to Tang San and Cinderella in the next room. His heart was filled with the desire to obtain the soul ring, and he hurriedly left the courtyard with Yu Yuanzhen.

After leaving Tiandou City, Yu Yuanzhen immediately unleashed his power, a gentle surge of soul energy supporting Yu Xiaogang, and their speed suddenly increased as they sped towards the Hunting Soul Forest, the exclusive domain of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Clan.

The speed of a titled Douluo was incredibly fast; the wind whistled past Yu Xiaogang's ears, and the scenery on both sides rushed past.

He gripped Yu Yuanzhen's clothes tightly, feeling the reassuring and powerful aura emanating from him, his heart filled with boundless anticipation for the future.

……

Yu Yuanzhen was extremely fast. Carrying Yu Xiaogang, they arrived at the outer perimeter of the Soul Hunting Forest, which belonged to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect, in less than half a day.

This forest is far smaller than the Star Dou Great Forest, but it is rich in the variety of soul beasts, especially the sub-dragon soul beasts with dragon bloodlines, which are a unique feature of this place.

The clan disciples guarding the forest entrance bowed respectfully upon seeing their sect leader arrive, daring not to show the slightest negligence. Yu Yuanzhen merely nodded slightly before leading Yu Xiaogang straight inside.

Upon entering the forest, the surrounding light dimmed, and the air was filled with the scent of grass, trees, and earth, occasionally punctuated by the low growls of unknown soul beasts from afar.

Yu Yuanzhen slowed his pace, and the subtle aura of a Title Douluo naturally emanated from his body, causing some weak soul beasts with keen senses to give way early on, not daring to approach.

He glanced at his son beside him, whose face was pale with excitement and nervousness. After a moment of silence, he couldn't help but speak, his voice low and tinged with barely perceptible worry: "Xiao Gang, are you really sure? Your third soul ring took over two thousand years to absorb. You know, even Her Majesty Ge Duo's pills aren't always effective. What if..."

Yu Yuanzhen didn't say what came next, but the meaning was clear.

If one fails to absorb a soul ring that is above their level, the consequences can range from minor damage to the meridians and a decline in soul power to the shattering of the martial soul or even death on the spot.

Yu Xiaogang was his most beloved son, and Yu Yuanzhen simply couldn't afford to take that risk.

Yu Xiaogang suddenly raised his head, his lips pressed tightly together, turning slightly pale from the effort.

He gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with a do-or-die determination: "That's right, Father! I've thought it through!"

Yu Xiaogang's voice rose slightly due to his excitement, sounding somewhat abrupt in the quiet forest.

"I don't want to be a piece of trash anymore! I really don't!" His voice carried a hint of suppressed sobs and resentment.

Chapter 163 Absorbing the Soul Ring

"Yes, I broke through level 30, but so what? There are still levels 40, 50... one bottleneck after another awaits me! My martial soul is the failed mutation Luo Sanpao, which is inherently weaker than others. If I don't even dare to pursue the limit of my soul rings, how can I catch up? How can I make up for this innate gap? Am I supposed to hide under your wing for the rest of my life and be a soul master who always needs to be protected?"

Yu Xiaogang gasped for breath, his chest heaving violently, his eyes fixed on Yu Yuanzhen: "Father, this is my only chance! I'll use the pills to fight for a stronger future! If I don't even dare to do this, I'd rather... I'd rather be a level 30 cripple!"

Looking at the almost insane obsession and deep despair in Yu Xiaogang's eyes, Yu Yuanzhen's words of advice, which were on the tip of his tongue, ultimately turned into a long sigh.

He understood his son; the inferiority and resentment that had been building up for so long due to the mutation of his martial soul meant that now that he finally saw a glimmer of hope for escape, there was absolutely no turning back.

That's it.

Yu Yuanzhen reached out and patted Yu Xiaogang's slightly thin shoulder heavily, his tone deep and serious: "Since you've made up your mind, I'll take this gamble with you!"

He said no more, identified the direction, and his powerful mental energy spread forward like an invisible tide, accurately searching for the aura of the target soul beast.

"Come with me."

Yu Yuanzhen let out a low shout, and with a swift movement, he sped off in a certain direction of the forest. Yu Xiaogang quickly mustered his soul power and followed closely behind.

With a titled Douluo personally conducting the search, the efficiency was naturally extremely high. In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Yu Yuanzhen had already identified a soul beast that met the requirements.

It was a massive, thunderous earth dragon.

It lay prone in a relatively open pile of rocks, its body exceeding five meters in length, its entire body covered in thick, dark brown scales, from which faint blue electric light flickered. A thick, single horn atop its forehead pointed straight to the sky, occasionally flashing with a few tiny sparks of electricity, emanating a chilling aura.

Judging from the energy fluctuations emanating from it, its age is approximately 2,500 years.

“That’s it.” Yu Yuanzhen’s eyes were sharp as he said to Yu Xiaogang, “Step back, I’ll handle it.”

Before he finished speaking, Yu Yuanzhen's aura suddenly changed, like a sleeping lion awakening, and a terrifying pressure instantly spread to the surrounding pile of stones.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black—nine perfectly matched soul rings rose from beneath his feet. The oppressive feeling emanating from the last five deep black soul rings was enough to terrify most soul beasts.

The Thunderous Earth Dragon sensed this terrifying aura far exceeding its own power, instantly waking from its slumber. It let out a roar mixed with fear and rage, its thick limbs slamming into the ground as it tried to escape.

But would Yu Yuanzhen give it a chance?

He raised his hand and pressed lightly in the air.

An invisible, immense force descended instantly, pressing down on the thunderous earth dragon like a mountain.

Just as the Thunder Earth Dragon was about to get up and move around, it let out a roar of alarm and anger. Its huge body was pressed firmly to the ground by this force, its limbs struggled violently, plowing out deep furrows. Lightning flashed wildly on its scales, but it could not break free at all.

For a titled Douluo, dealing with such a thousand-year-old soul beast is simply a crushing defeat.

"Xiao Gang, make your move!" Yu Yuanzhen shouted.

Yu Xiaogang jolted awake, knowing this was the most crucial moment. He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his fear, and retrieved a gleaming short sword from his soul tool. This was given to him by Yu Yuanzhen before his departure, specifically for terminating soul beasts.

He glanced at the Thunderous Earth Dragon, which was being suppressed and roaring in vain, and a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.

Yu Xiaogang mustered all his soul power, which he had just broken through to level 30, and channeled it into his legs. He burst out from behind the boulder and charged toward the relatively vulnerable neck of the Thunder Earth Dragon.

Although the Thunder Dragon was suppressed, its beastly nature remained. Sensing the approaching threat, it suddenly twisted its head and let out a roar mixed with the power of lightning, which made Yu Xiaogang's eardrums ache and caused his forward momentum to slow down.

"Don't be afraid! It can't move!" Yu Yuanzhen's voice was like a reassuring balm.

Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth, charged forward again, and with all his might, thrust his short sword into the scale-covered neck!

"Pfft!"

The short sword easily pierced through the scales and penetrated deeply.

The Thunder Dragon let out a mournful cry, its massive body convulsed violently a few times, the fierce light in its eyes quickly dimmed, and finally it lay still.

A deep purple soul ring slowly condensed above his corpse.

Yu Yuanzhen restrained his aura and retreated to Yu Xiaogang's side.

"Xiao Gang, hurry up."

Yu Xiaogang stared at the purple soul ring that radiated an alluring light, his heart pounding and his palms sweating profusely.

He took a deep breath, took out the pill his father had given him from his bosom, and swallowed it without hesitation.

Once the pill entered the stomach, it immediately transformed into a gentle yet firm flow of heat that spread throughout the body.

Yu Xiaogang dared not delay. He immediately sat down cross-legged, concentrated his mind and guided his soul power to slowly attract the thousand-year-old soul ring.

The purple light, as if drawn by an attraction, surged towards Yu Xiaogang's body.

The moment the soul ring energy surged into his body, even with the protection of the elixir, Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but let out a muffled groan.

The violent energy, like a flood bursting its banks, surged through his newly expanded meridians, bringing excruciating, tearing pain.

Unlike the excruciating pain he felt when breaking through to level 30, this was a more intense and domineering impact, as if it were about to completely burst his body.

Yu Xiaogang's face instantly turned bright red, veins bulged on his forehead and neck, and his body trembled violently uncontrollably.

He clenched his teeth so tightly that he could even hear the grinding sound of his own teeth.

We cannot give up! We absolutely cannot give up!

He frantically channeled his meager soul power, like a small boat in a raging storm, trying to guide and adapt to the enormous external energy, refining it bit by bit and integrating it into his own martial soul essence.

Yu Yuanzhen stood to the side, expressionless, but his hands behind his back clenched unconsciously, his knuckles turning white.

He could clearly sense the dangerous energy conflict within his son's body, and every time Yu Xiaogang's body trembled violently, his heart would clench.

After an unknown amount of time, the chaotic aura around Yu Xiaogang gradually began to stabilize, and the purple soul ring that had been floating above his head also became completely stable. Its light dimmed, and it slowly sank down, eventually landing on Luo Sanpao's round body, alongside the other two yellow soul rings.

It worked!

Chapter 164 Research Personnel

Yu Xiaogang suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes bursting with uncontrollable ecstasy and excitement.

He succeeded! He successfully absorbed a third soul ring that was 2,500 years old!

"Father! I did it!" Yu Xiaogang looked at Yu Yuanzhen excitedly, his voice hoarse but full of power.

Looking at the solid purple soul ring at Yu Xiaogang's feet, Yu Yuanzhen's tense face finally broke into a relieved smile. He patted Yu Xiaogang's shoulder heavily: "Good! Good! My son, Yu Yuanzhen's son, is indeed no ordinary talent!"

After the initial excitement, Yu Xiaogang couldn't wait to test his third soul skill.

With a thought, the brand-new purple soul ring beneath his feet instantly lit up.

"Third Soul Skill, Fart Like Thunder—Thunder Paralysis!"