Dugu Bo finally let out a long sigh of relief.
After successfully sealing the toxins within his spirit rings, the burden that had weighed on him for decades seemed to disappear in an instant.
For the first time in years, he felt genuinely relaxed.
Although each spirit ring could only store a single type of toxin, the drawbacks were insignificant compared to the benefits.
At worst, he would need to prepare and combine poisons during battle.
That was hardly a problem.
After all, compared to losing his life to his own venom, such inconveniences were nothing.
Now, Dugu Bo could safely keep a manageable amount of poison inside his body for emergencies while storing larger reserves within his spirit rings.
Whenever he exhausted the toxins in his body, he could simply draw more from the spirit rings.
Not only would this solve the long-standing issue of poison backlash, but it would also allow him to study each toxin separately.
Over time, he could analyze them more thoroughly and perhaps create entirely new poisons through experimentation.
The more he thought about it, the brighter his mood became.
Perhaps this problem had never been a curse at all.
Perhaps it had been an opportunity in disguise.
Yu Xiaogang noticed the change in his expression and smiled.
"Judging by Elder Dugu's face, it seems the problem has been resolved."
Dugu Bo immediately stood up and cupped his fists respectfully.
"Hahaha! Young Sect Master, it is all thanks to your guidance."
"I never imagined that the answer would lie within my spirit itself."
The Poison Douluo's laughter was filled with genuine gratitude.
At this moment, he felt more fortunate than ever that he had chosen to join the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
Had he refused the invitation back then, who knew how many more years he would have suffered?
Perhaps he would never have solved the problem at all.
And if that happened...
His son.
His granddaughter.
The curse of the Jade Phosphor Serpent Spirit would have continued to torment his family forever.
Just thinking about it made him shudder.
The gratitude in Dugu Bo's heart grew stronger.
He had already made a silent vow.
From this day forward, he would repay Yu Xiaogang's kindness no matter the cost.
Even if it required walking through fire or crossing mountains of blades, he would not hesitate.
Yu Xiaogang simply waved his hand modestly.
"Actually, when I first heard Elder Dugu describe your martial spirit, the first thing that came to mind was a painter's palette."
"A palette?"
Dugu Bo blinked in confusion.
Yu Xiaogang nodded.
"Think about it."
"Different spirit rings provide different toxins, just as different colors exist on a palette."
"Your martial spirit serves as the medium that combines them."
"The problem arose because you were trying to return already mixed poisons back into their original storage areas."
He smiled.
"Imagine mixing red and blue paint together and then trying to separate them perfectly afterward."
"Naturally, contamination would occur."
"That's why your previous method could never succeed."
Dugu Bo was stunned.
Then realization dawned on him.
The more he thought about it, the more accurate the comparison became.
His Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor spirit truly resembled a giant poison palette.
Each spirit ring represented a different poison.
His martial spirit was merely the tool that allowed them to combine.
Such a simple explanation.
Yet no one had ever considered it before.
Even Dugu Bo himself couldn't help but admire the clarity of Yu Xiaogang's thinking.
On the side, Yu Yuanzhen silently observed the conversation.
A complicated expression appeared on his face.
Sometimes, he genuinely forgot that Yu Xiaogang was only twelve years old.
Whether it was knowledge, insight, or maturity, his son surpassed countless adults.
Many elders who had cultivated for decades could not compare.
If an outsider walked into the courtyard now, they would likely assume Yu Xiaogang was the senior while Dugu Bo was the student seeking guidance.
After discussing cultivation for a while longer, Yu Xiaogang took out a notebook and began recording the insights he had gained from Dugu Bo.
He had always believed that knowledge should be accumulated little by little.
Every conversation could become a valuable resource in the future.
Just as he was writing, a powerful wave of spirit power suddenly erupted from the distance.
Boom!
The surrounding air trembled.
Everyone immediately looked toward the source.
Yu Yuanzhen's eyes widened.
"This aura..."
His pupils contracted sharply.
The source of the energy fluctuation was unmistakable.
It was the Grand Elder.
However, what truly shocked him wasn't the identity of the person releasing the aura.
It was the strength contained within it.
This was no longer the aura of a Spirit Douluo.
This was...
The aura of a Titled Douluo.
For a brief moment, nobody spoke.
Yu Yuanzhen exchanged glances with Dugu Bo and Lin Lang.
The shock on their faces was identical.
Could it be?
Had the Grand Elder truly broken through?
Yu Yuanzhen's breathing quickened.
His gaze unconsciously shifted toward the immortal herbs growing nearby.
Particularly the Mystic Thunder Vajra Grass.
The very herb Yu Xiaogang had selected for him.
The Grand Elder had only consumed a single immortal herb.
Yet he had directly advanced from Rank 88 Spirit Douluo to Rank 90.
Such a result was beyond imagination.
If that was possible...
Then what about himself?
Yu Xiaogang had repeatedly stated that the Mystic Thunder Vajra Grass was perfectly suited for his martial spirit.
If he absorbed it...
Could he also experience another breakthrough?
The thought alone left him dizzy.
Not long ago, he had only been Rank 93.
Thanks to Yu Xiaogang's guidance, he had already reached Rank 96.
And now...
Rank 97 no longer seemed impossible.
How many people spent twenty or thirty years trapped at a single bottleneck?
Yet he had advanced multiple ranks within a short period.
If news of such progress spread throughout the spirit master world, countless people would lose their minds from jealousy.
Meanwhile, the violent spirit power fluctuations gradually subsided.
The overwhelming pressure disappeared.
Silence returned.
Under everyone's watchful gaze, the Grand Elder slowly opened his eyes.
At that moment, disbelief filled his expression.
Rank 90.
He had truly reached Rank 90.
For more than twenty years, he had been trapped at Rank 88.
At first, he had resisted reality.
Then he became frustrated.
Later, disappointed.
Finally, he accepted his limitations.
Over time, he had completely abandoned any hope of becoming a Titled Douluo.
That dream had long since faded.
Even after the sect acquired several spirit bones, the Grand Elder never considered using them himself.
In his opinion, his potential had already reached its limit.
Even if spirit bones allowed him to force a breakthrough, he would merely become the weakest Titled Douluo in existence.
Rather than wasting resources on himself, he preferred to leave them for the younger generation.
Especially Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Xiaogang.
Their futures were limitless.
If necessary, he had even planned to exchange spirit bones with the Spirit Hall or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to help complete their spirit bone sets.
Only after they had fully matured would he consider improving himself.
Yet now...
Before those spirit bones had even returned to the sect...
He had already reached Rank 90.
And all because of a single immortal herb.
The Grand Elder couldn't help but marvel.
The records within the clan's ancient texts had not exaggerated at all.
The treasures of heaven and earth truly possessed heaven-defying effects.
Yu Yuanzhen quickly stepped forward.
"Grand Elder!"
"How do you feel?"
The old man stood up slowly.
His movements felt lighter than they had in decades.
He clenched his fists.
Power surged through every corner of his body.
A broad smile spread across his face.
"I feel..."
"Excellent!"
The Grand Elder laughed heartily.
His voice echoed across the valley.
"Sect Master, my spirit power has officially reached Rank 90."
"I only need one more spirit ring to become a true Titled Douluo."
The moment those words were spoken, Yu Yuanzhen could no longer suppress his excitement.
"Hahaha!"
"You really broke through!"
"Our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect finally has a second Titled Doulo!"
His joy came from the bottom of his heart.
As Sect Master, he carried responsibilities few could understand.
For years, he had been the sect's only Titled Douluo.
Every decision.
Every battle.
Every crisis.
All rested on his shoulders.
Unless faced with absolute necessity, he never dared to unleash his full strength.
He always had to reserve power for unexpected emergencies.
Because if something happened to him, the entire sect would suffer.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect would not collapse overnight.
But it would undoubtedly endure devastating losses.
This was the burden of being the only pillar supporting an entire faction.
Of course, there were exceptions.
A monster like Tang Chen could intimidate the entire continent alone.
Even after disappearing for years, his reputation continued to protect the Clear Sky Clan.
But Yu Yuanzhen was not Tang Chen.
He could only proceed cautiously.
Now, however, everything had changed.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect finally possessed a second Titled Douluo.
And more importantly, this was only the beginning.
With Yu Xiaogang's guidance.
With immortal herbs.
With spirit bones.
With endless opportunities ahead.
More Titled Douluos would inevitably appear.
The future that once seemed impossible was now within reach.
Looking at Yu Xiaogang standing calmly nearby, Yu Yuanzhen couldn't help but smile.
The rise of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect had already begun.
And this time, no force on the continent would be able to stop it.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)