Chapter 3: Yu Xiaogang's Visit, Self-Important
"What is this?"
As the pitch-black energy gradually condensed, a phantom of a black, dragon-patterned broken iron rod slowly emerged in his hand, appearing as if it might solidify at any moment.
But for some unknown reason, seconds after the phantom appeared, it failed to materialize. The pitch-black energy quickly dissipated and reconsolidated into Luo San Pao.
Seeing this, Long Qianming's excitement was beyond words.
"This must be the most peculiar aspect of my Spirit. No wonder I have level two innate spirit power!"
From the looks of it, his Spirit's special ability was Beast Spirit Weaponization.
That broken iron rod was likely part of some weapon—either a spear, a staff, or a lance; any polearm-type weapon was possible.
Cases of Spirit Masters with similar Tool Spirit Beastification were extremely rare, with Snake Lance Douluo being the typical example.
Once he possessed his Martial Soul True Body, his Tool Spirit could transform into a Beast Spirit for combat. This allowed him to maintain the toughness and strong support capabilities of a Tool Spirit while gaining the animalistic enhancements of a Beast Spirit. It was undeniably powerful.
However, Beast Spirit Weaponization was unprecedented. He might be the only Beast Spirit Weaponization Spirit Master in the entire continent, and an External Beast Spirit Weaponization one at that.
Based on Snake Lance's Tool Spirit Beastification, his own Beast Spirit Weaponization would likely have to wait until the seventh spirit ring—the activation of the Martial Soul True Body—to truly reveal its weaponized form and power.
At this moment, the more Long Qianming looked at the Luo San Pao he was stroking, the more his mood brightened.
"Piggy Spirit is not a nice name. From now on, you shall be called 'Tian'."
"Little Tian, let's get stronger and survive together."
Sensing the change in Long Qianming's state of mind, the black Luo San Pao continuously circled around him, seemingly very satisfied with its new name.
However, just as Long Qianming was about to continue his cultivation, Little Tian, who was standing guard nearby, fixed its large beastly eyes on the door.
"Luo luo—"
The cry came along with the shaking of the bell on its chest, warning of approaching danger.
Long Qianming quickly drew eight silver needles from his waist and hid them between his fingers. Influenced by Little Tian, his senses—including hearing and smell—were all enhanced.
Several rhythmic knocks sounded at the door.
"Yu Qianming, Yu Qianming, open the door. I have something important to discuss with you."
The speaker was none other than Yu Xiaogang, owner of an External trash Spirit and the number two candidate for a future powerful Spirit Master.
Seeing this, Long Qianming quickly retracted Little Tian into his body, then took two steps in one to open the locked door.
Yu Xiaogang walked into the room. Looking at the extremely shabby stone house, he felt no sympathy. A Child like this, who had received no proper resources from the family for six years, was exactly what he wanted most.
As long as he shared a small portion of his cultivation resources with this destitute elder brother, the man would surely be filled with gratitude and be at his beck and call.
"Yu Xiaogang, what is your intention in visiting someone like me, who is about to leave?"
Long Qianming said coldly. He had no good feelings for this legitimate son who had been the center of attention since birth, despite having met him only a few times.
Even if Yu Xiaogang had spoken up for him before, it was merely driven by the shared interests of Spirit Masters with similar Spirits.
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang didn't bother beating around the bush anymore. He spoke with the posture of a superior.
"Yu Qianming, both you and I have awakened External trash Spirits, and your innate spirit power is even higher than mine."
When he reached the latter half of the sentence, Yu Xiaogang was clearly a bit reluctant. How could he, a dignified legitimate son, lose to a illegitimate son without any resources in a competition of innate spirit power?
"Although Father and the others don't value you, I am willing to give you ten percent of my cultivation resources so that you can become a Spirit Master. Are you willing to accept?"
"Me? Ten percent of your resources?"
Long Qianming looked at the brimmingly confident Yu Xiaogang before him, momentarily at a loss for words. A person who had awakened the same kind of Spirit, yet still had massive Sect resources tilted in his favor and could even spare some for him—was this the so-called caliber of a legitimate son?
Then why, twenty or thirty years later, would his spirit power still be stuck at the level of a level 29 Spirit Grandmaster?
Seeing the look of utter surprise in Long Qianming's eyes, Yu Xiaogang's mind had already begun to associate it with a series of theoretical research projects regarding the development of External Spirits. As long as this trash brother of his agreed, he could prove the feasibility of his theories one by one.
Little did he expect that in the next second, a sentence would strike his young heart like a bolt from the blue.
"Thank you for your kindness, but I refuse."
"What? Such a great opportunity, how can you just cast it aside?"
Yu Xiaogang stared at Long Qianming in shock. He couldn't let such a perfect experimental subject just slip away.
If ten percent wasn't enough, then twenty, or at most thirty. He didn't believe that someone who had never received cultivation resources would stay true to his heart when suddenly faced with so many.
But even when he mentioned thirty percent of the resources, Long Qianming still refused.
"Why? Why are you, a Sect Outcast, not tempted by resources? Could it be that you, Yu Qianming, look down on the resources of my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect?"
By now, Yu Xiaogang was also angered by Long Qianming's behavior. He recalled how, when he sat upon a mountain of resources and shared some with others, everyone was grateful and happy to accept.
Why was it that in front of Long Qianming, a illegitimate son who had never obtained any cultivation resources and was like a stranger, his gift was not accepted?
Long Qianming was very dissatisfied with Yu Xiaogang's words. He said coldly:
"How could someone like me, who is about to leave the Sect, dare to accept such a great gift from the Sect Master's son? If I were to accept, how would your mother and father treat me? I'm afraid my life would only be more miserable."
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang stumbled back a few steps. His mind was solely focused on researching theoretical knowledge; as for what consequences it might cause, he hadn't thought about it at all.
"I... I can give you the resources secretly. If it's discovered later, I will take full responsibility."
Yu Xiaogang's thoughts remained unchanged. As for the consequences? Once his theory was complete, the life or death of this brother would have nothing to do with him anymore.
A illegitimate son is a illegitimate son after all; he can't be brought into the light!
"Give them to me secretly?"
Long Qianming sneered. If he didn't know Yu Xiaogang's character, he might have directly accepted this supply of resources.
Although Long Qianming was no saint himself, he couldn't afford to be timid now. Since he had chosen to leave this oppressive Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect after many years, he had to make a clean break to avoid affecting his Dao Heart.
"Yu Xiaogang, from now on, I will not accept anything given by the Sect, including your portion of resources. I'm tired now. Please leave."
"You... you—"
Yu Xiaogang pointed at Long Qianming in anger. He had never seen someone so stubborn and unyielding.
"Fine, fine, fine. You deserve to end up like this. A man whose heart is higher than the sky—I'll see how you survive in the outside world once you leave the Sect."
"That is not something the Young Sect Master needs to worry about."
As the door slowly closed, Yu Xiaogang turned around in a rage, waved his sleeve, and left in resentment.