As they continued their journey, everyone's thoughts varied.

Zhou Chen felt as if she was dreaming, having obtained a Low Grade Spirit Sword and a golden pendant in such a short time.

Li Wanji, on the other hand, couldn't believe she would actually have the chance to touch a High-Grade Spirit Stone!

She had never seen one before then.

Old Dog was pondering that with how lavishly this person spent, and with his Protector by his side, even if he humbly acted as a follower, he wouldn't gain little benefits along the way.

As for Xiao Jing, who had received benefits, he felt a bit despairing.

He felt the gap between him and this person was simply too vast!

So vast that the other party's starting point might be his own endpoint.

Given how lavishly he spent, it was imaginable that the Cultivation resources he personally used in private were absolutely enormous and beyond his imagination.

How, then, could one surpass such a Genius?

Even without the other party's command, he could scare away a sixth-grade Gu Yao Beast!

No matter whether he was willing to admit it or not, he had to face reality.

“Is talent really worthless in the face of wealth?”

Xiao Jing clenched his teeth. Since childhood, under Old Dog's guidance, he had Cultivated diligently. Now, at only twenty-two years old, he was already at the first heaven of the Zhen Xuan Realm. Old Dog often said that he was gold wrapped in manure, and one day he would shine with his own light.

What was he?

He was a Genius!

But even now, having spent ten thousand contribution points to exchange for a profound-grade Cultivation Technique, the Divine Shadow Art, he had lost confidence.

With the other party's capability, as long as he opened his mouth, Master would surely teach him everything and he could obtain anything.

Old Dog walked half a step ahead, ceaselessly describing the specifics of One-Blade Gorge to Zhou You.

He knew far more about One-Blade Gorge than Li Wanji did.

“Within this One-Blade Gorge, there are powerful existences like the Gu Yao Beast.”

Old Dog's expression turned much more solemn as he spoke, “There might even be seventh-grade Yao Beasts. Although our Human Race uses Realms to categorize Yao Beasts, it's often just for reference. For example, the Spirit Connection Realm is the third Realm, normally corresponding to third-grade Yao Beasts. But in reality, a Spirit Connection Realm Cultivator can easily kill a third-grade Yao Beast, and even a fourth-grade one. In this regard, the victory mainly lies in Cultivation Techniques and skills.”

“But this is not absolute. Yao Beasts focus more on Bloodline Legacy than the Human Race. For rare species like the Zhen, Fei, Kui, Bi Fang, Golden Eagle, and other Yao Beasts, their Innate Bloodline is already very powerful. While the Human Race’s Bloodline is relatively thin, anyone who can possess an Innate Ling Blood Physique is already extraordinary. As for some special and renowned ones, such as the Yuan Yang Vein, Heavenly Spiritual Vein, Fire Spiritual Vein, etc., there are many, but compared to the entire Yao Race, the Human Race’s numbers are insignificant.”

“Otherwise, our Human Race wouldn't have summarized this saying: Dragons beget Dragons, Phoenixes beget Phoenixes, and a rat's son can dig a hole.”

“This saying actually refers to the relationship of Bloodline. Powerful Yao Beasts can directly achieve Bloodline Legacy through reproduction, even giving birth to powerful Bloodline descendants that surpass their ancestors. Most of the time, the Human Race relies on mutation.”

Zhou You was surprised, “Mutation?”

Old Dog nodded, “The strangest thing about the Human Race Bloodline is this: parents can be very ordinary, but their children's Bloodline is inexplicably strong, surpassing all records in the Family tree. This is mutation. The second type is atavism, where a strong ancestor was born, and the trait is inherited across generations. The third type has a certain probability; for example, if you are now a super-strong individual, your children will have a 40% chance of being born with an impressive Bloodline.”

“Therefore, with the development of the times, Sect forces tend to favor accepting disciples from aristocratic families. As for the poor, they rely purely on mutation; if they mutate well, everyone will scramble for them; if they don't, they go home to farm.”

“And aristocratic families must be distinguished from parvenus; they are truly deeply rooted Family forces.”

Small families, minor families, large families, and aristocratic powerhouses.

These are naturally all different.

For example, those aristocratic families, deeply entrenched, with only Bloodline connections, number in the thousands or tens of thousands.

Such aristocratic families are definitely no worse than some Sects.

It can even be said that offending a colossal aristocratic Family is almost equivalent to offending half the continent, as they will always be involved in some relationships.

After all, this world is inherently a giant web of connections.

After Old Dog finished speaking, he wondered if he had said too much?

With the other party's noble status, would he not understand these things?

But then he saw Zhou You listening thoughtfully, occasionally nodding in agreement, and immediately felt honored.

Look, I also have the chance to teach these powerful individuals now.

If he could draw the relationship even closer, he could marry a wife, have a daughter, and marry her to him. Wouldn't that make them even closer?

What would his behavior be called?

It's called a direct step!

He would directly become the other party's father-in-law!

“By then, I’ll have my daughter whisper sweet nothings to him, and immense wealth wouldn't be easily obtained, would it?”

Old Dog's mouth curved upwards, grinning from ear to ear. “If he doesn't comply, I'll have my daughter secretly give him Red-Crowned Crane Venom and Widow's Powder, then, on the grounds of shared marital property, divide his wealth… hehe, hehehehe…”

“Let's go.”

Xiao Jing's urging voice rang in his ears.

Old Dog looked up to see that everyone had already walked far away. He quickly raised a hand to wipe away his drool, “Coming, coming.”

Xiao Jing frowned, “What are you doing? Standing there in a daze? And laughing obscenely to yourself?”

Old Dog lowered his voice, “I've thought of a flawless, perfect plan. Once this plan succeeds, it will allow our father and son to rise to prominence, soar to the heavens, and perch on a branch to become a Phoenix.”

Xiao Jing's eyes widened, “You old scoundrel, are your hands itching again? Aren't you afraid that if you steal his things, his Protector will directly eliminate you?”

Old Dog's mouth curved upwards, “How can taking things from one's own Family be called stealing?”

Xiao Jing instinctively kept his distance, “You… what do you want to do?”

“Don't worry, I won't need you. Would I push you into a pit of fire?”

Old Dog snorted coldly, “Although my plan is flawless, it's a roundabout tactic. It will take at least eighteen years, or as many as twenty-five, to complete. But as long as it succeeds, our father and son will save a thousand years of struggle.”

Xiao Jing was suspicious, feeling that this old fellow definitely had ill intentions.

Old Dog clenched his fist at Xiao Jing, his eyes firm, “Good child, the hard times are finally coming to an end. From now on, your old man will take you to eat and drink well, with something new every day.”

With that, he hurriedly caught up with Zhou You, “Young Master, shall I tell you about the general situation within eight hundred li of here? If this old man has no other skills, I've always been observant and well-informed. Gathering intelligence is my Domain. Let's just say, on the way to One-Blade Gorge, there are at least five sixth-grade Yao Beasts…”