The distance between Spirit City and the Star Dou Great Forest was neither particularly far nor especially close.
Inside the carriage, Qiangu Yuan casually asked Yin Zhang about the origins of his first two spirit rings, as well as the effects of the spirit abilities they granted.
Yin Zhang paused for a moment in thought—then realized something was slightly off.
The age of his first spirit ring had already reached nine hundred and twenty years.
Yet the Blazing Fire Dragon Ape he had hunted back then was only five hundred and twenty years old. If he spoke honestly…
Qiangu Yuan would definitely notice the inconsistency.
That would be awkward.
But after thinking it over, Yin Zhang relaxed.
After he had entered Spirit Hall, the Consecrated Elders, Gui Mei, Yue Guan, and even Bibi Dong herself must have noticed the anomaly already.
Yet none of them had questioned him.
Or rather—they noticed, but chose not to pry.
On the Douluo Continent, strange things happened every day.
Back when Gui Mei was young, he had been despised by his parents, only to later encounter a fortuitous opportunity that caused his Martial Spirit to mutate into the top-tier Spirit, Ghost.
Bone Douluo Gu Rong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School hadn't even awakened a Martial Spirit at the age of six. After failing his awakening, he wandered the streets as a beggar for years before his destiny finally changed.
Then there was Bibi Dong herself, undergoing the Rakshasa God's Nine Trials—how could something like spirit ring age enhancement surprise her?
Qian Daoliu, the High Priest of the Angel God, was no different.
And now Yin Zhang even had Golden Crocodile backing him.
With all that considered, there was no reason to hide anything.
After sorting through these thoughts, Yin Zhang answered honestly.
Qiangu Yuan lowered his head, pondering quietly for a moment, before asking another question.
"Then, Xiao Zhang… what age are you planning for your third spirit ring? And have you thought about the type of Spirit Beast?"
"For ordinary Spirit Masters, we'd just follow the records and find something suitable."
"But for you," he added with a chuckle, "a prodigy who treats over-limit absorption like drinking water, I naturally need your opinion."
Seeing the hint of surprise on Yin Zhang's face, Qiangu Yuan explained helplessly.
"Oh, I get it. As expected of you, Uncle Qian Gu—you really are perceptive!" Yin Zhang laughed.
After a moment of thought, he replied seriously.
"In theory, the optimal age for a third spirit ring is around one thousand seven hundred and sixty years."
"But for me, I'm aiming for three thousand years. If it's a few hundred years more, that shouldn't be a problem either."
"If the Spirit Beast is especially compatible, even higher would be fine."
"As for the species—ideally, it would be a True Dragon Spirit Beast. But that's impossible."
"In the current Douluo Continent, True Dragons are extinct—or at least, that's what everyone believes."
"So the next best choice would be sub-dragons, then dragon-type Spirit Beasts. Fire-attribute Spirit Beasts would be my last option."
Qiangu Yuan was first shocked by the age Yin Zhang casually proposed—then he laughed helplessly.
"You even mentioned True Dragons. If they actually existed, would you still say that was your best choice?"
Yin Zhang grinned shamelessly.
"Uncle Qian Gu, you really do understand me."
"But come on—even a newborn True Dragon would probably be older than three thousand years. Even if I wanted to absorb one, I wouldn't have the ability."
"I might be arrogant," he added, "but I'm not stupid."
In truth, Yin Zhang believed that the only True Dragons still existing on the Douluo Continent were likely the two hidden deep within the Star Dou Great Forest.
As the carriage continued rolling forward, they finally arrived at a small town outside the forest.
By then, evening was approaching.
If they entered the forest now, they likely wouldn't find a suitable Spirit Beast before nightfall—and sleeping inside the Star Dou Great Forest was never a pleasant option.
After a brief discussion, Yin Zhang and Qiangu Yuan decided to rest in the town for the night.
Though it was called a "small town," its scale was actually comparable to Yin Zhang's hometown, Nuoding City—perhaps even slightly larger.
It made sense.
This town sat on the only nearby plain that led directly into the Star Dou Great Forest. All other approaches were blocked by mountain ranges.
Only an idiot would try to enter through the mountains.
Going farther away wasn't necessary either.
"You brat," Qiangu Yuan warned seriously, "keep a low profile here."
"Although the town isn't big, Spirit Masters pass through constantly. You might even run into a Spirit Saint—or a Spirit Douluo."
"Even though Spirit Hall is the strongest force on the continent, when traveling outside our territory, you're bound to encounter lunatics who don't care about our reputation."
"Getting beaten would be one thing—but if something really happened to you…"
He sighed heavily.
"Even with my father as the Seventh Consecrator and my uncle as the Sixth Consecrator of the Hall of Worship, I wouldn't be able to bear the consequences."
As the carriage driver cracked his whip, the carriage rolled into town.
The pedestrians outside wore clothing with distinct regional styles.
After finishing his warning, Qiangu Yuan instructed the driver to head toward a hotel.
"Oh, Uncle Qian Gu," Yin Zhang said lazily while looking out the window, "I know all that. Do I really look like someone who lets talent go to his head?"
Qiangu Yuan's constipated expression made Yin Zhang grin.
"Is that really how you see me?"
"You little brat," Qiangu Yuan shot back, "don't you remember what you were like back at the academy? If you aren't arrogant, then no one is!"
Upon reaching the hotel, they found it packed to the brim—apparently, almost no rooms were left.
Qiangu Yuan waved his hand dismissively.
"Come with me. As long as we show our identities, they'll find a room even if there isn't one."
Sure enough, when they went to the front desk, the receptionist initially insisted—politely—that there were no vacancies.
The moment Qiangu Yuan revealed who he was, the receptionist immediately bowed deeply and produced a Luxury Suite room card with a flattering smile.
After checking in, Yin Zhang left the hotel to wander around—he hadn't eaten yet.
Once he finished his meal at a nearby restaurant, he noticed an elderly man entering the floor.
The man had an arrogant demeanor, a tall frame, and dark green hair.
Following closely behind him was a sickly-looking middle-aged man.
Yin Zhang froze.
Is that… Dugu Bo?
He quickly calculated the timeline in his head.
Tang San was already nearly three years old.
According to the original timeline, Dugu Bo should become a Titled Douluo within the next two years.
And that sickly middle-aged man…
Could that be Dugu Bo's son?