At Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Committee Member Bai Baoshan was the first to bring word from the outside.
"Tsk tsk, I didn't expect Spirit Hall to act this fast." Dugu Bo clicked his tongue and raised his brows, as if he had already foreseen the outcome.
'Well, if this was always going to happen, why bother in the first place?' Everyone's thoughts varied, but none spoke up.
Yang Yunhai's face remained calm. He stood and called out, "Let's go! Time to start training."
The group left the dorm together, beginning a new day's training.
…
An uneventful day passed quickly.
The next afternoon, inside the main hall of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
"Tianheng has sent a letter."
Yu Yuanzhen swept his gaze across those below.
The Grand Elder frowned. "Didn't he already break up with Dugu Yan? What nonsense is he stirring up now?"
"This time it's unrelated to Dugu Bo and his granddaughter." Yu Yuanzhen shot him a look, then continued, "I had been holding it back until now. Tianheng has already left Heaven Dou Royal Academy and joined Blue Tyrant Academy, which has since been renamed Shrek Academy."
"Xiaogang is there as well. He's now the team's leader."
Bang!
The Grand Elder slammed the table in fury. "Clan Master, what is the meaning of this!?"
"Grand Elder, please restrain your anger and hear me out." Yu Yuanzhen's brow twitched slightly. "Xiaogang has taken on a disciple named Tang San. His Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass, with innate full soul power. He is only 13, yet his soul power has already reached rank 34."
The Grand Elder didn't blink. "And what of it? With a Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, he will never amount to much!"
"Unless… his Martial Soul evolved after consuming some Immortal Herb?" he added.
Yu Yuanzhen shook his head. "According to Tianheng's report, Tang San is Tang Hao's son. He possesses twin Martial Souls."
"As for the other Martial Soul, I don't need to spell it out."
"!!?" The Grand Elder's expression changed, and the other elders also stiffened in shock.
"In addition, Ning Fengzhi's daughter, Ning Rongrong, is in Xiaogang's team. The other students are also exceptionally gifted." Yu Yuanzhen then laid out the ages, Martial Souls, and soul ranks of the Shrek team members.
"Ning Fengzhi sending his daughter there—you can all guess the reason. He's already a step ahead of us. Clear Sky Sect's Tang Xiao and Tang Yuehua have no heirs. With Tang San's talent, it's clear where this leads."
"If nothing unexpected happens, Tang San will surely return to acknowledge his ancestry and become the future leader of Clear Sky Sect."
"Could it be that Ning Fengzhi intends to marry off his daughter?" The Grand Elder's brow furrowed, his tone cold.
If Ning Rongrong managed to bring talented youths into her sect, and she and Tang San were joined together… then the Clear Sky Sect and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could unite. Once they dealt with Spirit Hall, they might turn around and wipe out the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
"Tianheng wrote that Tang San already has someone he likes—Xiao Wu. But the future is uncertain. Ning Fengzhi may still harbor such intentions." Yu Yuanzhen added, "There's something else. Tang San developed a type of man-made weapon called hidden weapons. Their destructive power is immense. Ning Fengzhi has already reached a business agreement with Tang San on this matter."
He then described the known details about hidden weapons.
The Grand Elder's expression grew more serious, and the others erupted into debate.
"Even ordinary people can use them, and they can injure a Soul Ancestor. If mass-produced, this would be no small threat."
"Indeed… if they're ever turned against us…"
"Heh, and now Tianheng is Tang San's teammate, while Xiaogang is Tang San's teacher." A voice from the Clan Master's faction sneered.
"…" The elders of the collateral branch immediately fell silent.
This development meant Tianheng had effectively latched onto the Clear Sky Sect and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect simultaneously.
The clan heir position was now secure!
Yu Yuanzhen was satisfied with their reactions.
Though Tianheng had disappointed him in the matter of Dugu Bo's granddaughter, his decision to join the Shrek team now seemed wise.
Not only was his grandson's position as heir secure, but even his son might one day return to the clan.
His mood brightened considerably.
The hall fell into silence, the collateral branch elders looking uneasy.
Just then, urgent footsteps echoed outside, accompanied by panting cries.
"Clan Master, Elders, something terrible has happened!"
All eyes turned toward the doorway. Yu Yuanzhen frowned. "Come in."
The disciple entered, running to the center of the hall, bowing respectfully. "Greetings, Clan Master, Elders."
"What happened?" Yu Yuanzhen asked.
The disciple lowered his head further, hesitating before speaking. "Clan Master…"
Within a short time, the tale of the three Immortal Herbs was told.
"Yu Yuanzhen, look at what your grandson has done!" The Grand Elder erupted first, standing in fury.
"Nonsense! If not for your interference, there would have been no disruption and no mess afterward!" A main branch elder snapped back.
"Utter drivel!" A collateral elder roared.
"If Yu Tianheng hadn't been unable to win over Dugu Yan, and hadn't been so spineless, would we have been forced into this situation? If he hadn't stubbornly refused to admit fault and blabbed carelessly afterward, would Dugu Yan have broken things off?"
"As the clan's heir, already 20 years old, he still lacks the most basic judgment. He fails on his own, then blames others?"
"…"
The insults flew back and forth, loud and vicious.
The messenger disciple stood trembling in the center, head bowed low.
"Enough!" Yu Yuanzhen slammed the armrest of his chair, his icy gaze sweeping across the collateral branch. The oppressive might of a Titled Douluo silenced the hall instantly.
He turned to the disciple. "You may leave."
"Yes!" The disciple scurried out in relief.
Yu Yuanzhen's eyes swept the hall once more, lingering on the collateral elders. His grandson Yu Tianheng had shown indecisiveness in his letter, but if not for their obstruction during the clan's deliberations, would matters have unfolded this way?
'In the end, I was too indulgent. Because of it, both my grandson and the clan missed such a great opportunity.' He sighed inwardly.
Now, with Dugu Bo's strength soaring and hostility toward their clan, and with him seizing this chance for revenge, their situation had become dire.
He spoke coldly, "What's done is done. Quarreling is pointless. The urgent task is to find a solution."
"Big Brother!" Yu Luomian rose. "The cause of this matter is already clear. It began with the unknown soul master who broke into Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
"Dugu Bo, in order to protect his granddaughter and his benefactor Yang Yunhai, was forced to expose himself. During that exchange, to vent his anger, he retaliated against our clan."
"As for the current uproar, it's clearly Spirit Hall fanning the flames, seeking to ruin our reputation."
"Big Brother, I even suspect that the soul master who broke in was Chrysanthemum Douluo. Otherwise, why would he just happen to be in Heaven Dou City?"
"Spirit Hall has operated in Heaven Dou City for years. It's natural they'd have spies keeping watch, especially on a Titled Douluo like Dugu Bo. His sudden change would have been noticed. Breaking into the Academy at night would both force him to reveal himself and frame us. After all, Spirit Hall could easily have learned of Tianheng's breakup with Dugu Yan and guessed Dugu Bo's resentment toward us."
"Dugu Bo is known for his pettiness—everyone in the soul master world knows this."
Voices rose in agreement. "Spirit Hall truly is vile!"
"What use is saying this now? We must discuss our next steps." A collateral elder cut in. "We all know Dugu Bo's temperament. Since enmity is already formed, reconciliation is nearly impossible. More importantly, he and his granddaughter have consumed two Immortal Herbs that evolved their dragon-type Martial Souls. This is of immense importance to our clan."
"Do not forget—consuming them doesn't mean all their effects are spent. If handled properly, this could yield us two more Titled Douluo."
All eyes turned to the speaker, an elder Soul Douluo who had been stuck at rank 89 for years. His ambition was clear.
"If nothing else, there's still that Aromatic Silk Beauty in Dugu Bo's possession. It's of great use to us." He sneered. "You don't think he'd kindly lend it to us, do you?"
"So, you suggest we strike at Dugu Bo?" one of the main branch elders asked. "Leaving aside that he is already a Titled Douluo, his Martial Soul has now evolved as well."
"And besides, he's holed up in Heaven Dou Royal Academy. How would we even get the chance?"
"I didn't say act now." The elder shot back. "The Soul Master Tournament is about to begin. The break-in at the Academy was only days ago, and Dugu Bo has only just revealed his evolution. If we act now, everyone will know it was us. I suggest waiting until after the tournament. Dugu Bo cannot stay in Heaven Dou City forever."
"His granddaughter and that Yang Yunhai will eventually graduate and need to hunt for soul rings."
"As for Dugu Bo's so-called increase in strength, didn't that messenger say his Immortal Herb granted earth attributes? That boosts defense, nothing more. And what does our clan lack least of all? Attack power! If we join forces, we can smash through his shell easily."
"Besides, his Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor Martial Soul has always been weak in defense. Its foundation is poor. Even with an Immortal Herb, how much can it really improve?"
"Even if he adds a defensive ninth ring, so what?"
"No matter how powerful the herb, it's still just a plant. Can it compare to a high-year soul ring? Not likely!"
"That much is true." Another elder agreed. "The herb must contain traces of dragon blood essence, which explains the evolution. But in terms of raw combat power, I doubt the increase is large."
"But for our clan, the significance is immense." The elder's eyes gleamed. "Purified bloodlines can be passed down!"
"Heh, so you're still clinging to ambition, Third Elder?" the main branch elder said pointedly.
"Hmph! And if you were given it, could you break through to Titled Douluo right away?" Third Elder snapped back. "Let's be clear. Our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon is hailed as the number one beast Martial Soul on the continent. Yet in the Upper Three Sects, we rank below the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, whose direct line are all support-types. Why? Because we only have one Titled Douluo."
"In our current situation, the priority isn't raising juniors—it's gaining more Titled Douluo. If the Clan Master were to fall one day, without another Titled Douluo, how would we protect our descendants long enough for them to grow?"
The hall fell into heavy silence, even Yu Yuanzhen himself wordless. The logic was undeniable.
"That's why I suggest eliminating Dugu Bo and his granddaughter. Even a sliver of hope, we cannot ignore." Third Elder pressed. "Yu Tianheng has already broken with Dugu Yan, and Dugu Bo now despises us. There's no chance of reconciliation. In fact, he's a growing threat. Why leave him alive, waiting for him to strike at us later?"
"I'll say this much," another elder added coldly. "If we act, it must be to kill in one strike. Dugu Bo's vow of 'rooting out anyone who offends him' was no joke."
The elders exchanged looks, many glancing at Yu Yuanzhen. To kill Dugu Bo in one strike, Yu Yuanzhen himself would have to act.
Yu Luomian spoke after some thought. "Big Brother, why don't I go to Heaven Dou City and meet with Dugu Bo first? Rumors are raging, and letting it drag on isn't wise. If I visit the Academy openly, even if he refuses me, it shows our attitude and may ease tensions somewhat. Before that, I'll publicly scold Tianheng to give the outside world an explanation. Admittedly, we mishandled this."
His eyes flicked to the Grand Elder.
The meaning was clear—if not for your foolish suggestion about using a 10,000-year soul bone as a betrothal gift, this wouldn't have happened. Tianheng bears some fault, but so do you.
"I agree with the Second Brother." The Grand Elder spoke at once. "And I'd like to meet this Tang San as well. The hidden weapon business—if Ning Fengzhi can invest, why can't we?"
"As for Dugu Bo, we'll increase surveillance in Heaven Dou City and wait until after the tournament. As for Tianheng…" His eyes slid to Yu Luomian. "That boy must be disciplined. He must not run his mouth again."
"And his performance in the tournament will decide his future support. If he disappoints us, I won't hesitate to back my great-grandson Yu Tianxin instead."
'And Xiaogang… he already knows Erlong's identity. Hopefully he won't cause trouble. But Erlong still pines for him… I'll have to see for myself.' Yu Luomian's private thoughts turned grim. He simply didn't trust Xiaogang.
"I also agree," other elders chimed in.
For once, both factions stood united.
"In that case, it's decided." Yu Yuanzhen nodded. "Second Brother, depart immediately."
"Yes!" Yu Luomian bowed and strode out.
(End of Chapter)
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