The flames of Liu Erlong's anger danced as brightly as the fire-imbued soul energy simmering in her veins. Chopped meat sizzled mid-air, sparks spiraling into little dazzles as if even cooking could not contain her burning spirit. The variant Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon bloodline within her had long shifted—where others wielded thunder, she breathed fire.
As a cook, that made every dish heavenly.
As a warrior, it meant her wrath flared like an inferno.
And now, her wrath was roused.
From the forest came the cries of desperate white horses, followed by glimpses of Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Luomian carrying Subei, Xiao Wu, and Tang San away.
"Those two old men again—!"
Erlong's voice snapped like thunder. Her knife spun, a streak of silver fire, embedding itself deep into a thick oak trunk. The wood groaned as flames seared its grain black.
Her gaze sharpened, body coiling tight like a dragon ready to strike. Seven glowing rings coiled up around her, each one blazing bright crimson and purple. Behind her, a massive fire dragon materialized, coiling and writhing in tandem, embers of destruction trailing in the air.
The Wuhun True Body had descended.
"The dragon has its reverse scale—touch it, and you die," Erlong hissed. Her legs stamped, her form became fire itself, and she shot into the jungle, tailing the abductors.
—
In the forest canopy, Yu Luomian's voice wavered nervously. "Brother… Erlong's catching up. Should we—"
"Don't panic," Yu Yuanzhen cut, his expression cool though his heart raced. "She's a Soul Saint. Compared to us? She cannot stop us. Let her catch up—she'll only be forced to accept reality later. She'll thank us when her precious godson eventually becomes Title Douluo under our care."
Yu Luomian hesitated. "That… actually makes sense?"
Yu Yuanzhen grinned and raised his chin proudly. "Of course it does. Sometimes she's fierce like her flames, but in time, she will understand. These children will become the foundation of our sect. Subei especially. Hah! A dragon fish martial spirit, millennium purple ring—how can we let him rot at Lanba?!"
He tightened his grip on Subei, who scowled miserably, arms pinned against the chest of this aged lightning-obsessed abductor.
Ugh. To be hugged against this stinking leather chest… if it were just a goddess clutching me, I'd savor it. But this? A wrinkled Super Douluo's smell of old sweat and lightning oil? System, why won't you intervene?!
Inwardly, he barked curses. Me, unparalleled prodigy, future supreme god of handsomeness—you think I'll need thirty years like Tang San to crawl into Title Douluo? You dare look down on me?!
Aloud, he muttered flatly: "Old men."
Xiao Wu, dangling angrily by her collar in Yu Luomian's grip, pouted fiercely. "You're only brave because you're bullying children! If you're really so strong, why are you afraid of my godmother, huh?!"
Yu Luomian twitched, embarrassed, but Yu Yuanzhen pressed on shamelessly. "You don't understand, little rabbit. We've shown Erlong mercy. In real combat, ten copies of her couldn't stand against me! Do you think we fear her? No. We respect her—out of guilt for the past!"
"Bragging!" Subei snapped. His peach-bright eyes gleamed, sharp and mocking. "The truth is simple. If you really didn't fear my godmother, you wouldn't be sneaking around stealing children. Godmother loves me most. The moment she finds you, she'll scorch you alive. And don't forget—a single Martial Soul Fusion Skill from ten like her could pierce even Super Douluo like yourselves."
The old dragons stiffened. Yu Yuanzhen forced a smile. "You know… quite a lot."
"Of course," Tang San interjected quickly, licking his lips reverently. "Teacher Subei knows everything! Not only is he unrivaled in talent and beauty, but his mind holds limitless wisdom. Compared to him… we all look like clowns."
"Exactly!" Subei folded his arms with regal smugness.
"Hmph." Yu Yuanzhen stroke his beard. His eyes still shone with hunger. Such intelligence at this age as well. Beauty, talent, cunning. Yes, this one must belong to us. Without him, our clan stagnates. With him, we surpass even Haotian and Spirit Hall. I will not let go.
—
Behind them, a voice bellowed.
"Yu Yuanzhen! Yu Luomian! I'll carve my vengeance across your clan if you harm my children!"
A blazing streak tore through the sky. Erlong's fire dragon slammed into the earth like a scarlet comet, the ground steaming instantly beneath her steps.
The heat warped the forest air, leaves hissing into cinders around her as her sharp eyes locked onto the fleeing pair.
Yu Yuanzhen only laughed louder, lightning bolts sparking faintly across his arms. "Sister's flame is fierce, but she cannot fly as fast as dragons of thunder. Thunder always outruns fire, Erlong!"
Their speed doubled.
Even with Erlong's roiling fire storm behind her, the gap persisted. She clawed forward step by step, fury in every breath, but even she knew the truth—against Title Douluo running at half-measure, a Soul Saint's wings would always lag.
Erlong snarled aloud, her fist smashing into a tree trunk. It shattered, turning into smoking black charcoal as cracks spiderwebbed the ground.
"Day and night, thieves and vermin!" she roared into the void. "Yu Yuanzhen! Yu Luomian! Hear me—if you dare harm my child, I will burn your Blue Lightning Clan into hell itself!"
Her voice carried across the whole forest.
Xue Qinghe finally arrived from the house, robes swaying as he rushed to stand at her side. Catching Erlong's quivering shoulders, he spoke carefully. "Dean Liu… what is happening?"
Erlong's teeth ground, her face pale with rage. "My uncle and father—those bastards—have abducted Xiaobei and Xiao Wu!"
Qinghe froze. Her uncle and father? Her own clan stealing the prodigy?
Mixed feelings swirled. After all, hadn't she herself once "tricked" Subei away—coercion, lures, abduction through soft hands? She felt guilt just recalling that day. The boy had followed willingly, yes. But her heart still bled shame.
Now her kin had repeated the act.
She swore venomously: I will not lose Xiaobei again.
Qinghe's smile covered a storm. His brows furrowed imperceptibly, golden eyes gleaming beneath disguise. Damn those shameless old dragons. If they dare scratch a hair on my Imperial Brother's skin, I will cut thunder down with angelic light.
Aloud, he said smoothly as always: "If Principal Liu desires, I can aid. The court respects me now as Crown Prince. Even Thunder Academy must bow to pressure. If they dare take your child, my banner will force them to release him."
Erlong stiffened. To hear the Crown Prince offer such protection for her "son"… her godson's beauty had ensnared even dragon-blooded royals.
She gave a shaky laugh. "I need no pity. I will storm Thunder Academy myself if I must. My son is worth a war—even if I must curse them in the streets until their faces burn red. Yu Yuanzhen, Yu Luomian—choose: your sect's honor, or the wrath of a mother."
Her flames surged higher, trees combusting into sparks.
Qinghe's eyes, calm on the surface, were deep with rare killing intent. Wait for me, Xuemei. I'll bring you back.
The chase had begun.