For all his years, Yu Yuanzhen, patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and one of the few Super Douluo to stalk the continent, should have looked wise, august, intimidating.
Instead, to Subei, he looked like a hungry old wolf trying to snatch chicks from the coop.
His thick arms reached down to grab, ignoring all decorum. Subei rolled his eyes, slipping out of reach with a lazy flick of his steps—Lingbo Micro-steps, glittering like fog drifting over water.
Yu Yuanzhen's brows shot up. "A sharp lightness skill… Erlong taught you?"
"You care about me?" Subei snapped. His flawless face darkened. "You're nearly a hundred, and yet here you are, snatching at a seven-year-old child like a bandit? Don't you feel shame?"
The words hit like hammer blows. Across all of Douluo, Yu Yuanzhen commanded fear—but a boy's pure, disdainful insult scalded him worse. His face reddened, his ears burned. Truly, if others saw this, he'd never live it down.
Still, his temper flared in defense. "You don't understand! It isn't bullying you—I want to cultivate you. Erlong, though a Soul Saint, has no experience raising top-tier geniuses. I do. I have taught countless disciples, molded champions! If you follow me to Thunder Academy, I can promise you the future of a Titled Douluo, perhaps even Super Douluo!"
He strode forward, raising a hand wide like a falling curtain. "Go back with me!"
"Bad man!" Xiao Wu's shrill cry rang out. She leapt forward, rabbit ears bouncing as she pounced at Yu Yuanzhen's face, small fists swinging like hammers. "You're bullying my brother again, just like all those shameless women who try to throw themselves at him! You're the worst!"
But strength had its truth. To a Super Douluo, even without his martial spirit, her speed meant nothing. He caught her ankle mid-leap, hoisting her up into the air like dangling a kitten.
Yu Yuanzhen chuckled darkly. "A fiery little girl. Full soul power as well, I hear. Why not come too? Grandpa will keep you close. You'll grow faster under my hand. Erlong can visit when she pleases—you won't be lonely."
"Bah!" Xiao Wu spat, face red. "There's only one handsome man in this world, and that's my brother! You? Shameless!"
Yu Yuanzhen winced. He had to admit… Subei's face outshone them all. Even at his age, he could not help but marvel. If he were sixty years younger he might… No. Those were thoughts best buried. His duty was clear: raise the clan, crush the Spirit Hall, see his family crowned again.
Two geniuses of innate full soul power, together with his own nephews Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin—they would be four dragons blazing the future of their clan. How could he not seize them?
Clutching Xiao Wu in one hand, stretching toward Subei with the other, he planned his escape. Better to spirit them away now, before Erlong returns and turns this into a battle of blood.
But before he could launch into the air, a frail figure darted from the lakeside path.
"Stop!"
Tang San, breath ragged, stood firm before Yu Yuanzhen's towering frame. His fists clenched tight, blue vines already sparking around his palms. "Release my Teacher at once!"
His eyes flamed with devotion. He had come from the dormitory with questions, only to find his revered teacher about to be snatched away. Watching Subei, shining with beauty and wisdom, caught in an old wolf's grasp—his heart howled in fury.
No matter the gap in power, he could not stand idle.
The Blue Silver Grass materialized, lashing into a shining rod. Tang San glared. "How dare you trample my Teacher's dignity!"
Yu Yuanzhen blinked, then let out a surprised laugh. "Another child? Innate full soul power?!" His eyes gleamed like lightning bolts. Each time he met one, his nose twitched with intoxicating fate.
"What's the matter here? Did Lanba sprout atop a spirit vein? Every hidden genius seems to gather under this roof! First Erlong finds one treasure, now three!"
Ambition surged. If he secured all three for his clan, within decades the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect might rival even the Spirit Hall.
With one barked hum, his aura crushed downward. Soul power wrapped like chains. Tang San froze mid-stride, his vines trembling under overwhelming pressure. His body shook but did not bow.
"Name yourself," Yu Yuanzhen growled. "What family? Which sect? No matter. You'll learn affections after a dozen years with me! Brothers! Erlong's tiny Lanba hides three genius pearls. With this luck—our clan will dominate!"
Overcome with glee, he roared.
"Second brother! Come quickly, we've caught ourselves three future titles!"
From the edge of the forest, Yu Luomian, wringing water from his soaked robes, hurried back with sour expression. He still reeked faintly of horse dung, having never cleaned fully in the lake. Embarrassment burned, but his brother's gleeful shout stirred excitement too.
Three children—all bright as suns.
But Tang San stomped his foot, glaring with tears stinging his eyes. "Bah! Shameless! You do not deserve my Teacher!"
And in a rare, unrefined flash, even Subei spat to the side, a droplet landing squarely on Yu Yuanzhen's cheek.
Disgusted, he muttered, "Your saliva… Ha! Sweeter than my old phlegm. I'll forgive you."
Subei's eyes narrowed. This old thief—he thinks he can shame me into obedience?
Yu Luomian frowned suddenly. "Stop yapping, boy. Just let us see your spirit. The reports all say—dragon head, fish body. Show us, so we can plan your path."
Subei's fist clenched. Plan my path? With what? Beard oil and stale wine? Can you plan the future of a supreme male god system?
His smile curved wickedly. But Yu Yuanzhen's lingering stare made his skin crawl. If he didn't show something, these desperate old dragons might quite literally hold him down.
Fine then. Time to burn their eyes.
Boom.
Golden light surged. Behind him, the majestic Dragon God's Gate erupted, its surface traced with glowing purple. Within, shadow flickered.
Subei's voice rang cold. "Kiss! Come greet these shameless elders."
From the Gate stepped forth a scaled figure wrought of golden mist, a beastly shadow bowing low. Its guttural voice reverberated: "I have seen the king."
The hall itself quivered with its dragon's might.
Yu Luomian staggered back, pale. "This… the spirit itself can speak?"
Subei glanced down, feigning boredom. "Not spirit. That is my soul skill. I told you old dogs hadn't seen such things. Try to keep up."
Tang San's mouth fell open, dazzled by awe. Even Xiao Wu gasped, forgetting momentarily her dangling position.
Yu Yuanzhen stiffened, his eyes twitching with thunder-light. Slowly, unwillingly, a deep, grudging respect spilled into his gaze.
"…The first soul ring… purple. A thousand years. Never before, in all history. No wonder. He truly is… unparalleled."
His laughter cracked out, wild and hungry. "Even Tang Chen of Haotianzong cannot compare. Child—you are more evil than any recorded genius of our world! With guidance, resources—ah, what you will become!"
His eyes glittered, sharp with unmasked eagerness. "You belong to us. No one else!"
Lightning crackled around his arms as he reached again. This time, not for violence— but for desperate possession.
Subei's smile only widened. Old fox. Let's see if you dare pit your fraud against my system.
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