Deep within the ancestral hall of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, papers were scattered across the desk, their neat stacks ruined by frustration.
Yu Yuanzhen sat grim-faced, brows knitted tight as he stared down at the barrage of reports from his subordinates. His wrinkled hands clenched and unclenched against the table.
Each report stabbed like a needle.
"Day before yesterday, a woman clad in azure green stormed the academy, defeated two Soul Emperors outright, declaring they were holding her child captive. She insulted the clan to its face, promising either to see him freed—or to reduce the entire academy to ruins."
"Later the same day, the woman was confirmed: Liu Erlong, Dean of Lanba Academy, lineal descendant of our clan. She even overwhelmed one of our Soul Saints who tried to restrain her. He remains unconscious."
"Yesterday morning, Erlong shattered the teaching plaque, dueling our finest arena instructor. The battle lasted an hour, ending in stalemate—our prestige shredded regardless."
"By dusk, senior tutors collectively petitioned the Dean to resolve matters before discipline broke apart entirely. The choice is clear: suppress Liu Erlong by force… or return the boy."
Yu Luomian read the words out loud, each sentence dragging like chains through the chamber. With a sigh, he set the parchment down, voice low. "Brother… Erlong is mad with rage. Even high Soul Douluo are hesitant to face her head-on. If this continues, Thunder Academy will collapse under its own unrest."
Yu Yuanzhen pressed thick fingers into the bridge of his nose, exhaling heavily. "You think I don't know? But returning them? No. Impossible."
His gaze burned with stubborn obsession. "Those children—Subei especially—each carry the makings of future Titled Douluo. If they grow under our banners, together with Tianheng and Tianxin, we will have five pillars of power. Perhaps more. Our sect could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Spirit Hall itself!"
His palms slammed the table, shaking the wood. "You'd have me yield that away? No. Even if Erlong curses me, even if my name is blackened, I will not waver!"
Yu Luomian fell into resignation. His elder brother's convictions had not softened over decades. Yet still, with heavy thought, he tested another path.
"Brother… forced bonds only breed rebellion. Subei is sharp as any blade, not some pliable disciple. Wait a few years—he'll stab us from within. Better to win them gently. Keep Erlong content, bring Lanba Academy into our fold willingly. Then the children, by blood and by ties, are ours anyway."
Yu Yuanzhen froze at that. Slowly, he rose, expression grim yet contemplative. For two days, the boy's radiant face had haunted him, the unspeakable prodigy that Subei embodied. His rash abduction had been impulse, his attempt to bind future glory by force.
But… was it a mistake?
"Yes. Perhaps I was too rough," he admitted finally, nodding. "If I offer Lanba Academy as a branch under Thunder Academy, even Erlong cannot oppose reason. It will be called unity, not theft." His expression shifted to pride. "This is wisdom, eh? The perfect solution. We keep the boy, and preserve Erlong's face."
He turned decisively, barking, "Come, second brother. We will speak with Erlong and end this impasse!"
His stride barely carried him two paces when the door slammed inward with a crack.
A man in blue-green soared into the room like a cannonball, only kept from splattering across the floor because Yu Yuanzhen, with instinctive flick of his aura, cushioned his fall. The mess of robes, bruised flesh and sparks was all too familiar.
"Another of ours, defeated again…" Yu Luomian muttered gravely. His heart sank further.
At the entrance, firelight burned bright.
Liu Erlong stood like a flame given human flesh, her breath hot enough to warp the air. The fiery manifestation of her dragon reared behind her, scales blazing like molten gold.
Her gaze locked venomously on Yu Yuanzhen, her voice cracking through the chamber like fiery whips.
"Uncle. I still call you Uncle. But release Xiaobei and Xiao Wu this instant, and I will let bygones be bygones. Choose otherwise…" Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "And I will drown this academy in fire."
Yu Yuanzhen's face hardened, pride swelling. "Erlong… you dare raise your voice against me? You're barely a Soul Saint! Does victory against one of my tutors fool you so? He stayed his hand out of respect for your bloodline. Do you dream of defeating me, a Super Douluo?"
His aura thundered outward. The air itself shrieked in protest, pressing down on Erlong like iron walls. Her flame soul power recoiled instinctively, knees shivering from sheer weight. In that suffocating instant, she understood—this was a gap that could not be crossed by courage alone.
So strong… this is why he carried the clan into the rank of the Heaven's Three.
Her mind, torn with rage and helplessness, screamed still: But I cannot abandon Xiaobei…!
The tense silence stretched—cracks snapping against the walls with the pressure of titanic wills preparing to clash.
Yu Luomian stepped between them, trying to soothe. "Erlong, we are family. These children are kin now, we will not harm them. We seek only to guide their paths. Sit, speak in calm. This does not need fire and thunder."
"I don't trust you!" Erlong hissed. "I didn't raise Xiaobei for you to snatch him into your schemes! I wish no glory. Only a quiet life with my son. Return him, or nothing will stop me."
Yu Yuanzhen's head shook slowly, sneer pulling at his lips. "Short-sighted… truly as shallow as the women of history. Do you think Spirit Hall will let you live in peace? Do you think anyone is safe outside great banners? If Spirit Hall moves, even your Lanba will be flattened like weeds. Only by standing with us can the children endure that storm."
"And if not?" Erlong shot back, trembling with fury. "Then I will burn the clan's name to cinders myself."
The clash nearly consumed the room.
But then Yu Yuanzhen's face twisted suddenly, his instincts thrumming like alarm bells. His mighty aura extended outward—and struck upon another massive wave.
A power not of flame, not of thunder. Alien, cool, crushing. The aura of another powerhouse.
His eyes widened. "This… this is a Soul Douluo's fight nearby. No… higher yet!"
Yu Luomian stiffened, fear creeping. "Brother! Could it be… Erlong brought allies? A hidden trap?"
Erlong blinked, just as confused. "Allies? Do you think Soul Douluos are cabbages?!"
Before more could be said, the door burst wide again.
A Soul Emperor stumbled in, face pale, voice quivering.
"Lord! Terrible news! The envoys of Spirit Hall are here at the gates… they demand the child!"
The hall fell silent.
Yu Yuanzhen's thunder-pale eyes darkened with incoming storm.
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