As the group from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan traveled toward the Sunset Forest, silence hung heavily among them.
The expressions on their faces were complicated.
On the heavenly screen above, the parallel-world Grand Elder had just broken through to Rank 90 after consuming an immortal-grade herb. His face was filled with joy, and Yu Yuanzhen's counterpart was equally delighted.
To outsiders, it was a scene worth celebrating.
To those watching from this world, however, it stirred feelings of envy and frustration.
No one felt those emotions more strongly than the Grand Elder himself.
For more than thirty years, his cultivation had remained stuck at Rank 88.
No matter how hard he trained, no matter how much effort he invested, he could not break through that final barrier.
His talent had reached its limit.
That was a reality he had long since accepted.
Yet now, on the heavenly screen, he watched another version of himself—one from thirty years earlier—break through to Rank 90 with the help of an immortal herb.
How could he possibly remain calm?
The sight felt like a knife twisting in his heart.
After a long silence, the Second Elder finally spoke.
"Sect Master, perhaps we should reconsider our goal."
His words immediately attracted everyone's attention.
Yu Yuanzhen turned toward him.
The other elders also looked over, waiting for an explanation.
The Second Elder organized his thoughts before continuing.
"As for Spirit Bones..."
He paused briefly.
"By now, Dugu Bo has most likely already obtained them."
Everyone nodded.
That much seemed obvious.
The heavenly screen had revealed too much information.
There was no way Dugu Bo would remain unaware of it.
The Second Elder continued.
"More importantly, our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan cannot monopolize those Spirit Bones."
His voice grew more serious.
"Not only the Spirit Hall, but also the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, the hidden Clear Sky Clan, and countless other forces will be interested."
"If anyone attempts to keep all those Spirit Bones for themselves, they'll become the target of every major power on the continent."
The elders exchanged glances.
This was exactly why they had originally set modest goals.
Even if they managed to obtain some Spirit Bones, keeping them would be another matter entirely.
On today's Douluo Continent, perhaps only Spirit Hall possessed the strength to withstand a siege from every major force.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan certainly did not.
However, the Second Elder's eyes suddenly brightened.
"But immortal herbs are different."
A trace of greed appeared in his gaze.
Once consumed, an immortal herb disappeared forever.
Unlike Spirit Bones, it could not be passed down through generations.
It could only benefit a single person.
"Spirit Bones can strengthen a clan for centuries."
"An immortal herb only strengthens one individual."
"Because of that, their overall strategic value is lower."
The elders immediately understood what he meant.
The lower the long-term value, the less intense the competition.
"Therefore," the Second Elder continued, "I believe the competition for immortal herbs will be much less fierce."
"Compared to Spirit Bones, obtaining immortal herbs should be easier."
His gaze shifted toward Yu Yuanzhen and the Grand Elder.
"Especially for the two of you."
The Grand Elder's eyes narrowed.
The Second Elder pointed toward the heavenly screen.
"We've already witnessed the results."
"After consuming an immortal herb, the parallel-world Grand Elder immediately broke through to Rank 90."
"Furthermore, the heavenly screen has already revealed which immortal herb is most suitable for our Sect Master."
His meaning was obvious.
Rather than risking everything for Spirit Bones, why not pursue immortal herbs instead?
The benefits were immediate.
The risks were lower.
And the rewards could be life-changing.
The group fell into deep thought.
The more they considered it, the more reasonable the suggestion seemed.
After all, an immortal herb strengthened only one generation.
Spirit Bones could strengthen countless generations.
Most major powers would naturally prioritize Spirit Bones.
That meant immortal herbs represented a rare opportunity.
Finally, Yu Yuanzhen nodded.
"We'll change our objective."
The decision was made.
"We'll prioritize the immortal herbs first."
"If we're fortunate enough to obtain them, we can consider competing for Spirit Bones afterward."
The elders agreed.
However, there was another reason behind Yu Yuanzhen's decision.
A much more personal reason.
On the heavenly screen, Yu Xiaogang had specifically recommended the Mysterious Thunder Vajra Grass to his father.
Throughout the events shown on the screen, Yu Xiaogang's choices had been astonishingly accurate.
Again and again, he had made the correct decision.
Again and again, fortune had favored him.
As a result, even Yu Yuanzhen had begun to believe that his parallel-world son possessed extraordinary luck.
If someone blessed by fate recommended a particular immortal herb...
How could it possibly be bad?
Following the path chosen by his parallel-world counterpart seemed like the safest option.
Meanwhile, far away at Shrek Academy—
Yu Xiaogang stared at the heavenly screen in a daze.
His eyes remained fixed on the image of the Grand Elder breaking through to Rank 90.
A turbulent storm raged within his heart.
The Grand Elder's situation was very similar to his own.
Both had been trapped by cultivation bottlenecks for years.
Both had lost hope of further advancement.
Yet now, everything had changed.
The Grand Elder had broken through.
All because of a single immortal herb.
Yu Xiaogang swallowed nervously.
His voice trembled slightly.
"Little San..."
Tang San turned toward his teacher.
"Teacher?"
Yu Xiaogang hesitated before speaking.
"That Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma..."
Tang San instantly understood.
A confident smile appeared on his face.
"Teacher, the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma is an immortal-grade herb specifically designed to strengthen one's foundation."
"It nourishes the body, stabilizes spirit power, increases potential, and raises cultivation limits."
His tone became certain.
"It is undoubtedly the most suitable immortal herb for you."
"If you can obtain it..."
Tang San nodded firmly.
"Breaking through Rank 30 will be no problem."
The moment those words entered his ears, Yu Xiaogang's breathing quickened.
No problem.
Breaking through.
Those words echoed repeatedly in his mind.
For years, Rank 29 had been an insurmountable wall.
A prison.
A constant reminder of his failure.
But now...
For the first time, he saw hope.
Real hope.
His fists clenched tightly.
"The Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma..."
The desire in his eyes became increasingly intense.
By now, he fully understood the truth about Luo Sanpao.
The revelations from the heavenly screen had changed everything.
If he could break through Rank 30 and obtain another spirit ring...
If he followed the same path as his parallel-world counterpart...
Perhaps he could change his fate.
No.
He could surpass it.
His thoughts grew increasingly excited.
Unlike the parallel-world Yu Xiaogang, he possessed foreknowledge.
He knew which choices succeeded.
He knew which paths led to power.
He could do even better.
He could choose stronger spirit beasts.
He could obtain better spirit rings.
He could surpass the parallel-world version of himself.
And when that happened—
Everyone who had mocked him would be forced to acknowledge his success.
The more he imagined it, the more excited he became.
His heart burned with ambition.
"That's right."
A smile slowly appeared on his face.
"As long as I obtain the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma..."
"I can change everything."
However, excitement alone wouldn't solve the problem.
Obtaining the herb was another matter entirely.
Yu Xiaogang quickly began considering his options.
Flender?
Impossible.
Zhao Wuji?
Even more impossible.
Neither possessed the strength to compete for immortal herbs.
What about his father?
Yu Yuanzhen?
A flicker of hope appeared.
The heavenly screen clearly showed how much Yu Yuanzhen cared about his son.
Perhaps...
Perhaps there was still a chance.
Yu Xiaogang immediately prepared to write a letter.
But before he could begin, another thought entered his mind.
What if the clan refused?
After all, the Grand Elder also needed immortal herbs.
Given his reputation within the clan, why would they prioritize him?
The answer was obvious.
They wouldn't.
The hope that had just appeared immediately weakened.
Yu Xiaogang frowned.
Who else could help him?
One name after another flashed through his mind.
Then suddenly—
A familiar figure appeared.
Bibi Dong.
His eyes brightened.
At present, only Bibi Dong possessed the influence necessary to help him.
Within Spirit Hall, her authority was absolute.
If she decided to act, Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo would obey without question.
Obtaining an immortal herb would become significantly easier.
However...
A trace of hesitation appeared.
Years ago, he had left Spirit Hall.
He had abandoned Bibi Dong.
After all this time...
Would she still care about him?
For several seconds, Yu Xiaogang hesitated.
Then the hesitation vanished.
His desire for power was simply too strong.
His desire to prove himself was even stronger.
No matter what Bibi Dong thought, he had to try.
After all...
If he had made her fall deeply in love with him once before...
Why couldn't he do it again?
A confident smile appeared on his face.
Without hesitation, he took out a sheet of paper.
His brush began to move.
"Dong'er..."
"It's been a long time..."
Before long, a letter filled with nostalgia, memories, and carefully hidden requests was completed.
Afterward, Yu Xiaogang prepared a second letter.
This one was addressed to his father.
Whether the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan agreed or not, there was no harm in trying.
After all, every opportunity was worth pursuing.
Especially when his future depended on it.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)