Duoluo Dalu: Hail Hydra

The members left one by one, but Yu Feng took his moment to sneer a little longer at them, before leaving.

"I bet He is threatened.. or 'was' threatened."

He looked at Yu Xiaogang, who was staring blankly at the floor, absorbing the humiliation.

He slapped his brother's back.

"Cheer up, bro. If we're getting thrown out anyway, might as well enjoy the ride."

Yu Xiaogang blinked at him. "You're taking this… too well."

Xiaotian smirked. Oh, bro. You have no idea.

As Yu Xiaotian and Yu Xiaogang stepped out of the awakening hall, the cold night air hit their faces. The faint glow of spirit lamps lit the stone paths leading toward their home, a fancy but utterly useless mansion inside the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's territory.

Yu Xiaogang walked beside him, shoulders hunched, his expression still twisted in disbelief.

His steps slowed, hands trembled and soon, his eyes started watering.

Yu Xiaotian suddenly threw an arm around his twin's neck. "Stop worrying about the inbred Targaryens who have eyes but can't see Mt. Tai!"

Yu Xiaogang blinked. "...What's a Targary-"

"Shhhh…" Xiaotian placed a dramatic finger on his lips. "Focus! Think about all the adventures we're gonna have in the future!"

Yu Xiaogang hesitated," Do you… think we'll have a fun and adventurous life?"

Yu Xiaotian grinned. "Who do you think we are? I'm practically the protagonist! And you are the brother of the main character"

Yu Xiaogang groaned. "Please don't say things like that out loud."

Just as they turned a corner, a few voices called out to Xiatian.

"YOUNG MASTER!"

Yu Xiaotian sighed and turned around, already bracing himself. Standing before him were four familiar faces, each carrying a small bag strapped to their backs.

First was Mou San, a small, 6-year old, shrewd-looking kid with beady eyes and two prominent rabbit-like teeth protruding from his mouth. Son of a steward, he was known for his rat-like cunning.

Next to him stood Si Lin, a tall for age, 7-year old snake-like boy with long, silky black hair and a pale complexion. His father was a businessman who had married into the clan, and She Lin had inherited his father's keen ability to read people. He was always sizing others up, calculating his words carefully.

The 7-year old beside him, flexing his thick arms as if it were a reflex, was Meng Kong, a gorilla-like kid with more brawn than brain. The son of the head guard, Meng Wu lived by his father's simple philosophy: hit first, ask questions later.

Finally, there was Yu Fei'er, the only girl in the group. Though only 6, she had already started wearing light makeup to enhance her cuteness, using her charm to get what she wanted. The daughter of a clan leader who had married into the branch family, she had a keen sense of hierarchy and a sharp tongue.

Yu Xiaotian narrowed his eyes. "You guys brought bags. Are they gifts for me?"

Si Lin chuckled, shaking his head. "What are you talking about? We're leaving with you."

"Huh?" Xiaotian tilted his head, as if he had misheard. "I'm sorry, what?"

Mou San stepped forward, puffing his chest as if he had just made a noble declaration. "We are coming with you, young master. You were kicked out, weren't you? Worry not! We have already prepared gold, supplies, and all necessary provisions. We shall follow you into exile!"

Yu Xiaotian blinked.

Then he blinked again.

Then he scowled. "Fuck off."

The group froze.

Meng Wu's jaw dropped. "What?!"

Si Lin's calculating gaze faltered. "Excuse me?"

Mou San looked genuinely wounded. "Young master, we are showing our utmost loyalty-"

"Fuckers," Xiaotian interrupted, crossing his arms. "I wasn't kicked out. I am too awesome for that! Now get lost. This young master needs to get his beauty sleep."

The four exchanged glances, clearly thrown off by the revelation.

Yu Fei'er pouted, stomping her little foot. "Hmph! If you weren't kicked out, then what happened in the hall? Everyone was saying-"

"They were talking out of their asses," Xiaotian said bluntly. "I'm staying in the clan. So whatever grand journey of hardship you guys had planned? Cancel it."

Meng Kong scratched his head, looking disappointed. "I already packed extra rations…"

Si Lin groaned, throwing his bag down. "Damn it! I was looking forward to a life of adventure and glory."

Mou San simply smirked, showing his rabbit teeth. "Well, I suppose this means you still have power within the clan. That's reassuring."

Yu Fei'er crossed her arms, glaring at Xiaotian. "You better make it up to us later."

Xiaotian rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Now shoo."

With grumbles and sighs, the group finally dispersed. As Xiaotian and Xiaogang continued toward their quarters, Xiaogang let out a chuckle. "Your lackeys, they actually seemed ready to abandon the clan for you."

Xiaotian smirked. "Yeah. Idiots."

And with that, they reached their home.

That night, as he lay on his barely comfortable bed in their cramped quarters, Xiaotian began plotting.

The clan thought his martial soul was a wyrm. They were wrong.

He could already feel it, an ancient, terrifying force coursing through his body. His spirit wasn't just a mutated dragon or an imperfect tool spirit. It was something greater. And its eyes, it contained some level of intelligence.

Now, time to list out the plans.

Step 1: Eat their good food, steal whatever techniques he could, and build up his physique.

The fools had insulted him, but they hadn't cast him out. That was their first mistake. As long as he was here, he had access to high-quality food, body-strengthening techniques, and martial arts meant for the elite. And with his unique constitution, his body would refine them faster than any normal person. He'd eat the best, train with the best, and absorb every technique the clan had to offer, whether they liked it or not.

Step 2: Make sure Xiaogang reached Rank 10 quickly so they could both get their rings.

To help him, he needs to conditioned. Which includes being fed and trained well. Assimilation of dragon blood or a suitable spirit core consumption into his body to trigger a second awakening, are the best options. A strong spirit ring or an immortal herb that can mutated him can be considered the second best options. Using spirit power sharing to slowly awaken him is the least best option. However, considering the required strength levels and capabilities, only a few of these options are viable. The best method would be to sneak into the clan vault to steal dragon blood or a spirit core, if there are any in the vault in the first place, in order to help him achieve his goals.

Step 3: Survive and get strong enough to flip this shitty clan on its head.

This is a long term plan. And the first step to it is getting the first ring. Suitable and powerful.

As he drifted off to sleep, one last thought crossed his mind.

Truck-kun, you're still a bastard.