Changing their route forced the trio to become even more cautious as they continued through the Sunset Forest.
However, before long, their path was blocked once again.
"This..."
Yu Yuanzhen frowned as he stared at the massive wall of green mist stretching across the forest. Without even testing it, he could tell it was highly poisonous.
The dense cloud completely sealed off the road ahead, leaving no obvious way around it.
If they refused to pass through the poisonous mist, there was only one alternative—turn back and confront the 70,000-year Crimson Flame Tiger they had just avoided.
"How about we find a place to rest for the day?" Yu Xiaogang suggested while studying the poisonous fog. "That Crimson Flame Tiger can't stay there forever."
He had expected the return journey to be simple after such a successful expedition. Instead, one obstacle after another had appeared.
"That's our only option."
Yu Yuanzhen nodded in agreement.
The three prepared to retrace their steps, set up camp, and wait until the next day.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans.
Hiss—!
A sharp hiss echoed from within the poisonous mist.
The next moment, a jade-green figure shot out of the fog with incredible speed.
"Hmm?"
Reacting instantly, Yu Yuanzhen stepped forward and shielded Yu Xiaogang and Bibi Dong behind him. His eyes locked onto the creature before them.
Its body shimmered with emerald-green scales, while a pair of icy snake eyes stared at them without blinking. Its forked tongue flickered continuously, ready to strike at any moment.
"...A Medusa?"
Even Yu Yuanzhen sounded uncertain.
What was happening today?
Ever since entering the Sunset Forest, their luck had become almost unbelievable.
First, Yu Xiaogang had obtained the perfect spirit ring from the Radiant Elemental Dragon, along with a perfectly compatible Spirit Bone.
Next, they had discovered an ancient treasure cave containing more than a hundred Spirit Bones.
Then, on their way back, they encountered a 70,000-year Crimson Flame Tiger and were forced to take a detour.
Now, after being blocked by poisonous mist, they had unexpectedly run into one of the rarest snake-type Spirit Beasts in existence.
The Medusa stood at the very top of all serpent-type Spirit Beasts.
Among Spirit Masters possessing snake-type Martial Spirits, a Medusa spirit ring would undoubtedly rank among the three most desired spirit rings on the entire continent.
"Father," Yu Xiaogang said after carefully observing the creature, "this Medusa is approximately sixty thousand years old."
"If I remember correctly, Spirit Saint Dugu Bo of the Dugu Family in Heaven Dou City should break through to Spirit Douluo within the next two years."
"He won't be able to refuse a spirit ring like this."
The moment Yu Xiaogang identified the Medusa, Dugu Bo immediately came to mind.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect was located not far from Heaven Dou City and maintained close relationships with many influential Spirit Master families.
The Dugu Family was one of them.
Although the family wasn't large, their inherited Jade Phosphor Serpent Martial Spirit was among the strongest poison-type snake spirits.
More importantly, Dugu Bo, the current family head, was only a single step away from becoming a Spirit Douluo.
Because of his tremendous potential, many powerful factions across the Douluo Continent had already begun looking for opportunities to recruit him.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect was no exception.
As one of the Upper Three Sects, they constantly sought to cultivate capable subordinate forces.
The Clear Sky Sect had the famous Four Single-Attribute Clans.
Likewise, the Ye Family, led by Ye Hengchuan, had already become one of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect's subordinate families through Yu Yuanzhen's efforts.
Now, if they could help Dugu Bo obtain such an extraordinary spirit ring...
What favor could possibly compare to personally helping someone achieve a breakthrough to Spirit Douluo?
Hearing his son's analysis, Yu Yuanzhen's eyes lit up.
"You're absolutely right!"
"Why didn't I think of that?"
He laughed before patting Yu Xiaogang on the shoulder.
"You really do think faster than I do."
"Once Dugu Bo learns about this Medusa, there's no way he'll refuse our invitation."
"Recruiting the Dugu Family will become only a matter of time."
The thought of adding another future Spirit Douluo to the sect filled Yu Yuanzhen with excitement.
Standing nearby, Bibi Dong listened quietly.
She wasn't surprised by their conversation.
Powerful organizations recruiting talented individuals was perfectly normal throughout the Douluo Continent.
Even Spirit Hall had absorbed several of the Lower Four Sects along with countless smaller factions.
Still...
She couldn't help giving the father and son a strange look.
It's one thing that I don't feel awkward...
But the two of you aren't even trying to hide your plans from me.
Do you really not consider me an outsider anymore?
---
Black World – Sunset Forest
"So... the version of me in that parallel world actually joined the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect?"
Inside the hidden cave, Dugu Bo stared at the Heavenly Curtain in surprise while holding the storage soul tool filled with Spirit Bones.
When Yu Xiaogang's group had changed their route because of the Crimson Flame Tiger, Dugu Bo originally believed that his parallel-world counterpart would never have any connection with this hidden treasure.
Unexpectedly, everything changed because of a single Medusa.
Yu Xiaogang immediately suggested recruiting him, and Yu Yuanzhen agreed without hesitation.
That meant the parallel version of himself would have the opportunity to board the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect's rapidly rising ship.
After watching the Heavenly Curtain for so long, it had become obvious that Yu Xiaogang possessed limitless potential.
Under his leadership, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect would undoubtedly rise to unprecedented heights.
Following someone like him certainly wasn't a bad choice.
After all, how many people would willingly give away a ten-thousand-year Spirit Bone to someone outside their own bloodline?
Yu Xiaogang had already proven his character.
With Lin Lang as an example, there would never be a shortage of talented people hoping to stand by his side.
Thinking of this, Dugu Bo no longer felt sorry that his parallel self had missed out on the hidden treasure.
After all...
He had gained something far more valuable.
"Hmph... every blessing comes with a price."
"My parallel self may lose this eighty-thousand-year torso Spirit Bone..."
"...but he'll gain an even greater future."
With those words, Dugu Bo took the eighty-thousand-year torso Spirit Bone out of his storage soul tool.
His eyes burned with excitement as he gazed at the priceless treasure.
Then he slowly sat down cross-legged and began refining it.
An eighty-thousand-year torso Spirit Bone...
Once he successfully absorbed it, his strength would undergo an incredible transformation.
Who could have imagined that ever since the Heavenly Curtain began broadcasting...
The person who benefited the most was someone who hadn't even appeared in its story yet.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)