Soul Land: I Am the True Grandmaster

Chapter 211: The Upheaval of the Top Three Sects · Part One

After years away, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's headquarters remained unchanged. Given the gravity of the situation, Yu Xiaogang didn't dare return home in broad daylight. Cloaked and moving under cover of night, he slipped back into his clan's territory, his form concealed in shadows.

"Halt! State your name!" a guard demanded, suspicious of the figure's cautious approach.

Yu Xiaogang lifted his hood, revealing his weathered face.

"I'm home."

The guard, an old hand in the clan, recognized the second young master immediately and was taken aback. Why has he returned? He moved to announce Yu Xiaogang's arrival, but Yu Xiaogang held up a hand.

"Don't make a big scene. I've returned to discuss something urgent with my father. Is he in the study?" Yu Xiaogang asked.

The guard, who knew Yu Yuanzhen's habits well, nodded.

"Yes, he should be there now."

Without another word, Yu Xiaogang strode into the compound, pulling his hood back over his head.

"Keep my return quiet understand?" he repeated. The guard nodded in haste, unwilling to oppose these quirky Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Soul Masters. Besides, it was probably best not to meddle in something that seemed this serious.

Knock, knock, knock.

The sound of knocking came from outside the study. As clan leader, Yu Yuanzhen was responsible for overseeing matters both large and small. Assuming it was someone with news, he didn't bother looking up.

"Come in."

He continued reading, only to find silence instead of the usual report, prompting him to raise his head. Though they hadn't seen each other in years, Yu Yuanzhen recognized his son at once.

"You're back."

Yu Yuanzhen's voice was calm, but it reassured Yu Xiaogang more than anything else.

"Yes," he replied.

The study fell silent again until, after a few moments, Yu Yuanzhen spoke.

"I thought you'd stay away a few more years. It seems you're facing something you can't handle. Go on, tell me what happened."

Yu Yuanzhen had been chosen as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's leader for his keen mind as well as his strength. After all, his peer, Yu Luomian, was still stuck at level 89.

Yu Xiaogang fell to his knees with a heavy thud, pressing his forehead to the floor. The dull sound of his head hitting the ground made Yu Yuanzhen's eyes widen in surprise. This must be serious. His scouts hadn't reported any major trouble with his son, but, being Yu Yuanzhen's only son, Yu Xiaogang had been given constant protection in secret.

Yu Yuanzhen frowned deeply.

"Kneeling won't solve anything. Tell me what happened, Xiao Gang. You still have a father who's a level 95 Titled Douluo, after all."

But Yu Xiaogang didn't rise, instead saying, "Father, I've brought great misfortune to the family. Please punish me."

Yu Yuanzhen scowled. His son's overly dramatic demeanor grated on him, and with a flick of his hand, he used his immense soul power to pull Yu Xiaogang to his feet.

"Speak."

Compelled by his father's intimidating aura, Yu Xiaogang began recounting the events involving Tang Hao over the past few years in painstaking detail. The more Yu Yuanzhen heard, the darker his expression grew. His son truly had the worst luck.

With a heavy thud, Yu Yuanzhen slammed his fist onto his desk.

"That wretched Tang Hao! To think he'd dare insult the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan like this!"

But then he remembered that Tang Hao had managed to kill Chihiro Ji, a level 95 Titled Douluo, and was likely even stronger now. His face darkened further.

"You did well, Xiao Gang. You didn't antagonize that lunatic. If you had, it might have spelled disaster for our clan. As things stand, I'm not sure even I could defeat him."

Yu Xiaogang nodded in agreement. If Tang Hao hadn't become so powerful, he'd have already found a way to get his father to take care of him.

The study fell silent again, and Yu Yuanzhen weighed his options. Whether or not to allow Tang San to study at Thunder Academy was a monumental decision.

If he refused, it would mean openly opposing Tang Hao. If Tang Hao retaliated, he could eliminate Yu Yuanzhen, the clan's Titled Douluo. Without their Titled Douluo, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would be vulnerable to attacks from the lesser clans and Contra level forces and even the imperial families might seize the opportunity to dismantle them.

But if he did let Tang San join Thunder Academy, it would align the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan with the Haotian Sect. The Haotian Sect's affiliated clans had suffered greatly over the years. Six Titled Douluos hadn't been enough to protect the Haotian Sect from being forced into hiding. How could the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, with only one Titled Douluo, hope to endure? Yu Yuanzhen worried that they would face persecution or even be discarded as soon as they outlived their usefulness.

Yu Yuanzhen had even considered relocating the clan's most important assets and hiding for a while. But he was reluctant to give up the extensive profits generated by the clan's influence.

He sat in deep contemplation, feeling cornered. He had cleaned up many of Yu Xiaogang's past messes, but nothing had been as troublesome as this.

Yu Xiaogang remained silent, not daring to disturb his father's thoughts.

After a long while, Yu Yuanzhen let out a sigh. There's no way out of this. The only option seemed to be going into hiding, but the idea of his supposedly invincible Beast Martial Soul being constrained like this was galling.

Suddenly, an idea flashed in his mind, like a drowning man grabbing onto a lifeline.

"Xiao Gang, go rest in your room. I have something to take care of."

Before Yu Xiaogang could respond, Yu Yuanzhen transformed into a streak of light and disappeared into the sky.

Watching his father's retreating figure, Yu Xiaogang was filled with shame. Why am I so useless?

"Damn you, Tang Hao! Don't let me catch you slipping," he muttered, helplessly furious.

Meanwhile, in Qibao City, one of the few cities on Douluo Continent controlled by a top faction the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect Ning Fengzhi was going through documents in his office. Unlike other sects, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect primarily focused on commerce, leveraging its unique gifts to gather the resources needed to cultivate strong soul masters. This had cemented its position among the top three sects.

Sitting beside Ning Fengzhi were the Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, who were quietly engrossed in a game of chess.

Suddenly, both Douluos froze and looked toward the door.

Bone Douluo, his voice tinged with a hint of femininity, spoke up.

"Well, well…a rare visitor. Isn't it the Old Dragon himself?"

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