One of the Upper Three Sects — the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!
Atop a majestic peak stood a grand and awe-inspiring palace.
Inside the palace, Yu Yuanzhen, the Clan Head of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, sat solemnly at the head seat. He wore a long robe of purple and gold, and even without anger, his presence exuded overwhelming authority.
On either side of the hall sat the high-ranking members of the clan, each with a varied expression on their face.
Yu Yuanzhen spoke in a deep voice, "Recently, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy recruited a prodigious soul master. He's only thirteen, yet he has already reached the rank of Soul King. What do you all make of this?"
At these words, the high-level members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan did not show much surprise. Clearly, they had long been aware of Qi Lin.
A middle-aged man stepped forward and said grimly, "Regardless of how talented this Qi Lin is, the fact remains that he doesn't show our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan any respect."
"Tianheng already reported that back at Shrek Academy, this boy frequently clashed with Xiao Gang and never gave him the time of day—humiliating him repeatedly."
"Not only that, he seduced Dugu Yan while Tianheng was away and even severely injured him afterward."
"When Xiao Gang tried to invoke our clan's name, Qi Lin completely disregarded it and humiliated him in public."
"Was that just a slap to Xiao Gang's face?"
"No!"
"That was a slap to the entire Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!"
"If we don't deal with him strictly and make an example of him, what remains of our clan's dignity?"
The middle-aged man's speech was impassioned, righteous in tone, stirring up a wave of agreement among the elders in the hall.
"That's right! As one of the Upper Three Sects, even Spirit Hall must show us due respect."
"And Qi Lin? He's just a young brat with some talent."
"A mere auxiliary-type soul master dares to disrespect our clan?"
The speaker was an elder of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Although only a Soul Saint, he belonged to the same generation as Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Luomian, and was even older than both, thus wielding considerable influence in the clan.
He was a textbook sect loyalist who valued the clan's prestige and honor above all else.
So for him, questions of right and wrong—or Qi Lin's talent—were irrelevant.
What mattered was: the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan cannot be insulted!
Since Qi Lin humiliated their clan, he must be punished.
And such clan fanatics were not in short supply, whether among the old generation or the young.
To them, even if Yu Xiaogang was a disgrace and had long since been expelled from the clan, he was still the son of the clan head, his veins carrying the blood of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
Who was Qi Lin, an outsider, to insult him?
The voices demanding punishment for Qi Lin grew louder and more heated within the hall. However, a few remained calm and rational.
"While it's undeniable that Qi Lin humiliated our clan, there's one thing we must admit."
"We can no longer punish him at will."
This statement triggered a wave of dismissive snorts.
"Hmph, he's just a mere Soul King."
"Even if he's been granted some marquis title, if our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan wants to act, would the Heaven Dou Empire really dare interfere?"
To that, others retorted:
"You see the Heaven Dou Empire behind him, but do you not see Dugu Bo?"
"Hmph, what of Dugu Bo? He's the weakest Titled Douluo. Our Clan Head could crush him ten times over!"
"Fools. Dugu Bo's strength may not be fearsome, but he could wipe out everyone in our clan except for the Clan Head!"
At this, the arrogant voices instantly fell silent, replaced by hushed murmurs.
"Dugu Bo's really lost his edge. A dignified Titled Douluo, favoring a mere Soul King so blatantly. He never showed such favor to Tianheng."
"Sure, Tianheng's talent might not match that brat, but he's backed by our clan!"
"What a fool, blind as a bat!"
Once the arguments quieted down, Yu Yuanzhen turned to Yu Luomian, who sat to his left.
"Second Brother, what's your take?"
Yu Luomian, the second-in-command of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, was known for his steadiness and deep thought. A flash of intelligence glinted in his eyes.
"I've heard Qi Lin created a unique soul power training method. It not only grants combat strength to auxiliary-type soul masters, but is also greatly beneficial to regular ones."
"And with the Crown Prince, Dugu Bo, and even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan supporting him, attacking Qi Lin now would be nearly impossible."
"So, why not change tactics? Let's offer to drop our grudge in exchange for his training method."
His proposal drew thoughtful nods from many, though a few still grumbled in discontent.
Yu Yuanzhen fell into contemplation, his stern face darkening slightly.
Though his heart leaned toward Yu Luomian's suggestion, the fact remained that Yu Xiaogang and Yu Tianheng were his son and grandson.
Seeing his family humiliated, he couldn't easily let Qi Lin off.
Yet, for the greater good, he finally made his decision.
"Fine. We'll do it your way."
"But who will you send to retrieve this soul power training method from him?"
Yu Luomian scanned the hall, his brow furrowing slightly before he finally spoke.
"Send that girl, Er Long."
---
Heaven Dou City — Shrek Academy, formerly known as Blue Tyrant Academy.
In a quiet courtyard, a beautiful woman with a curvaceous figure stood in a blue dress, frowning as she faced the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan messenger who had delivered her father's orders.
"My father wants me to ask Qi Lin for the training method? And if he hands it over, the clan will let go of the grudge?"
"Are they dreaming?"
Though Liu Erlong was indeed angry that Qi Lin had publicly humiliated Yu Xiaogang...
Flender, well aware of her fiery temper, had explained everything in detail. If not, Liu Erlong might have gone to confront Qi Lin head-on in a fit of rage.
More than just avoiding trouble, Flender also had his own personal reasons.
He had long harbored deep feelings for Liu Erlong.
But she loved Yu Xiaogang. For the sake of brotherhood and his own inferiority complex, Flender had stepped aside back then.
Yet Yu Xiaogang had discarded Liu Erlong like garbage because of his own cowardice.
If Flender and Yu Xiaogang's relationship had remained close, he might still have blessed their union.
But over the past few months, Flender had seen another side of Yu Xiaogang. Though he said nothing aloud, resentment had taken root in his heart.
Now, he truly believed Xiao Gang was no longer worthy of Er Long!
However, he also knew that Liu Erlong still idealized Yu Xiaogang. If he didn't act, she might remain hopelessly infatuated.
Thus, Flender decided to use this opportunity to shatter the pedestal Yu Xiaogang stood on in her heart.
Once that illusion was broken, Flender believed he might finally have a chance.
Flender: Xiao Gang, don't blame me. You just can't handle Er Long!