Thunder Gorge, a Stray Dog Blocks the Road

Three days later, a low-profile yet unmistakably formidable convoy departed Nuoding City, which remained under martial law and at the center of countless rumors.

The black carriage bore no insignia, and the horses pulling it were exceptionally fine, their hoofbeats deep and powerful. Four Black Armored Knights rode black Spirit Steeds ahead and behind, their auras heavy and composed. They were the elite of Spirit Hall's Patrol Team. Yue Guan personally served as the driver, his usual enchanting smile on his face while his sharp gaze swept across everything around them.

Inside the carriage, Yang Yu rested with his eyes closed. Zhu Zhuqing sat opposite him. Her injuries had fully healed, and her aura was even more condensed and colder than before she had been wounded. After hovering at the brink of death and absorbing the medicinal effects of the lotus seed, her Soul Power had completely stabilized at the peak of level thirty-three. She had also grown increasingly proficient with the Netherworld Soul Devouring Slash. Yet she had become even quieter, like a sharpened dagger that had concealed all its gleam, waiting only for the moment to drink blood.

The convoy's destination—Thunder Gorge—lay in the buffer zone between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire. It was named for its unique terrain, which kept it shrouded in thunderclouds year-round. It was also an important outlying territory of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, as well as the site of a mineral vein.

Leaving Nuoding City at this time was perfect timing. Gu Rong and Tuoba Xi were still trapped in the mire of the ruins and the "Star Luo conspiracy," running themselves ragged. Ning Fengzhi had taken the restored "quiet" Ning Rongrong back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but the seeds of suspicion had already been planted. Shui Bing'er and Xiao Wu remained in Nuoding City to "recover from their injuries," under the "protection" of the Patrol Team. They were both hostages and bait to continue drawing fire.

Yang Yu needed to step out of the center of that vortex and take the initiative to open a new battlefield. It was time to give the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, this tough bone, a good knock. And while he was at it, he would retrieve that beaten stray dog who might know quite a few "interesting" things.

The convoy traveled west, and the atmosphere along the way visibly grew tenser. The closer they came to the border, the more checkpoints there were. Reinforced Star Luo Empire troops and Soul Master patrols could be seen everywhere. Dai Tianfeng had clearly been completely enraged, and the border had entered a state of partial martial law. From time to time, they could hear scattered talk of "Star Luo merchant caravans being robbed" and "Spirit Hall's provocations." Rumors spread everywhere, leaving people uneasy.

Yang Yu's convoy carried Spirit Hall tokens, allowing them to pass without obstruction. Even so, they could feel the barely concealed hostility and scrutiny from the Star Luo side.

Several days later, the terrain began to grow rugged, and distant, muffled thunder rumbled from the horizon. The air carried a faint scent of ozone and a restless aura of lightning elemental energy. Thunder Gorge was close.

Just as the convoy was about to enter a stony wasteland on the outskirts of the gorge.

"Whoa—" Yue Guan abruptly reined in the carriage. His smile remained unchanged, but his eyes turned cold. "Your Highness, there's a dog blocking the road ahead. It looks somewhat familiar."

The Black Armored Knight guards immediately spread out and formed a defensive formation, killing intent blazing around them.

Yang Yu opened his eyes and looked ahead through the carriage window.

A hundred meters away stood a ragged, filthy figure reeking of sour sweat and defeat. Leaning on a wooden stick, he swayed unsteadily in the middle of the road, blocking their path.

His head was lowered, his unkempt hair obscuring his face. His features could not be seen clearly, but Yang Yu recognized that stubborn, venomous, yet outwardly fierce and inwardly weak aura at a glance.

Yu Xiaogang.

He had indeed fled here, into the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's sphere of influence. Judging by his appearance, he clearly had not received the clan's protection. He might not even have made it through the clan gates, and could only wander this outer region like a wild dog.

Yu Xiaogang seemed to sense the arrival of the convoy as well. He abruptly raised his head, revealing bloodshot eyes beneath his tangled hair, filled with boundless hatred and madness as they fixed on the black carriage. He did not recognize the convoy, but he recognized those standard-issue Black Armored Knights! They were from Spirit Hall!

Hatred instantly drowned what little reason he had left!

"Spirit Hall scum!" Yu Xiaogang let out a hoarse, grating roar like a dying beast, waving his wooden stick at the convoy. "It was you! You killed Tang San! You destroyed Nuoding Academy! You executioners! Get out here!"

Looking utterly deranged, he charged at the convoy without regard for anything else, seemingly intending to smash the carriage with that broken stick.

The captain of the guard knights snorted coldly. He did not even need to issue an order. One knight spurred his horse forward, flicked his spear, and sent a sharp spear light shooting toward Yu Xiaogang's thigh like a striking venomous snake. His intent was to subdue, not kill.

However, just as the spear light was about to strike him!

Yu Xiaogang suddenly erupted with an extremely unstable, mixed yet unusually chilling wave of Soul Power! The two yellow century-level soul rings beneath his feet actually lit up! He swung his wooden stick sharply, and it became coated in a layer of grayish-black Soul Power that carried a corrosive aura!

Bang!

With a muffled crash, the knight's spear light was actually scattered by Yu Xiaogang's stick! Though Yu Xiaogang staggered backward from the impact, his palm split open and bled, he had actually blocked a casual strike from a Soul Ancestor-level knight?!

Everyone froze for a moment, including the knight who had attacked. This beggar-like man clearly possessed only Soul Grandmaster-level Soul Power, and it was exceptionally unstable and chaotic. How could he unleash such bizarre strength?

Yu Xiaogang himself was stunned for a moment. Then an even crazier, more twisted smile appeared on his face. Looking at his bleeding hand and sensing the unfamiliar power within him, full of destructive energy, he burst into wild laughter. "Hahaha! Do you see that?! This is power! You forced me into this! You forced me into this!"

It seemed that during his escape, he had encountered some kind of "fortuitous opportunity," or perhaps... taken an extreme path.

Yang Yu watched the deranged Yu Xiaogang, understanding and mockery flashing through his eyes. Sure enough, in the face of despair, even some great theory master would ultimately throw himself into the embrace of power, even if that power was evil and uncontrollable.

"Take him. Don't kill him," Yang Yu ordered calmly.

Two more knights rode out, attacking from either side as their spears, imbued with even greater Soul Power, thrust toward Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang let out a beastly howl and desperately swung his wooden stick, now coated in grayish-black Soul Power, to defend himself. His moves were completely unstructured. Relying solely on a crazed ferocity and the corrosive properties of that strange Soul Power, he actually managed to exchange blows with the two Soul Ancestor knights for a time. Though he was constantly in danger and in a miserable state, he stubbornly avoided being captured at once.

"Oh?" Yue Guan gave a soft sound of surprise, interest flashing through his peach blossom eyes. "This piece of trash is somewhat interesting. That Soul Power... sinister and mixed. It looks like he swallowed something unclean and became Possessed by Inner Demons. Still, he can take a beating much better than before."

Yang Yu said nothing and merely watched in silence. Yu Xiaogang was in exactly the right condition.

Just then.

Rumble!

The sound of hooves thundered from the direction of the gorge! Amid billowing dust, a squad of riders in blue-violet fitted uniforms came charging over. Roaring dragon head emblems were embroidered on their chests. There were around twenty or thirty of them, led by an arrogant-looking middle-aged man with sharp eyes. His aura was unmistakably at the Soul Emperor level! They were the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's patrol team!

They had clearly been drawn over by the sounds of fighting.

"Who dares fight within the territory of my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?!" Before the Soul Emperor captain arrived, his voice had already boomed out like exploding thunder, carrying unquestionable authority. His gaze swept over the scene. When he saw the unmarked yet extraordinary black carriage and the elite Black Armored Knights, his brow furrowed slightly. Especially after sensing Yue Guan's unfathomable aura, his expression became even more serious.

But when his gaze fell upon the ragged Yu Xiaogang, who was desperately fighting two Black Armored Knights, he first froze before undisguised disgust and contempt appeared on his face.

"So it's you, you useless abandoned son?" The Soul Emperor captain's tone was full of scorn. "What? Couldn't survive out there, so you crawled back like a dog? And you dare cause trouble here and offend honored guests? Get out of my sight!"

He did not even ask what had happened before placing all the blame directly on Yu Xiaogang. His tone was utterly vicious, as though even looking at Yu Xiaogang dirtied his eyes.

Hearing that familiar, cutting voice, Yu Xiaogang's body stiffened abruptly. His movements slowed by half a beat, and a knight's spear nearly pierced his shoulder. He raised his head toward the Soul Emperor captain, his eyes full of humiliation, fury, and deeper despair. "Yu Luo Mian! You..."

"Shut up, trash!" The Soul Emperor captain named Yu Luo Mian cut him off mercilessly, not even bothering to hear his explanation. He instead looked toward the carriage. His tone softened slightly, though it still carried the arrogance unique to a great clan. "May I ask which Spirit Hall lord has arrived? This trash is an abandoned son of my clan and has been mad for a long time. He has offended you, my lord. My clan will naturally deal with him. I ask that you show leniency."

He had clearly recognized the origins of the Black Armored Knights, but he was not overly reverent. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had the capital to be proud.

Yang Yu's calm voice came from within the carriage. "No matter. He is merely a mad dog. Drive him away."

Hearing this, a trace of satisfaction appeared on Yu Luo Mian's face. It seemed this Spirit Hall lord was willing to give them face. He immediately waved to his men behind him. "Did you hear that? Drag this trash away! Don't let him be an eyesore here!"

Several Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan knights immediately stepped forward, intending to drag Yu Xiaogang away like a dead dog.

Yu Xiaogang struggled desperately, letting out unwilling roars. His eyes remained fixed on the carriage, filled with endless venom.

At that moment, Yang Yu's voice rang out again, carrying just the right amount of "curiosity." "However, I am rather curious. I heard that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan possesses the finest beast martial soul in the world, and is honorable and upright. Why would an abandoned son of the clan possess such sinister and strange Soul Power? This Soul Power... bears some resemblance to the Evil Cultists who caused trouble in Nuoding City and attempted to assassinate this Holy Son not long ago..."

His words were like icy water dripping into boiling oil, instantly freezing the atmosphere!

The smile on Yu Luo Mian's face immediately stiffened! An assassination attempt against the Holy Son?! Evil Cultists?! Similar to the Soul Power of Yu Xiaogang, this trash?!

He abruptly looked at the still-struggling Yu Xiaogang and carefully sensed that grayish-black, strange Soul Power. His expression immediately became incomparably ugly! Previously, he had been too occupied with disgust to investigate closely. Now that he had been reminded, he immediately noticed something wrong with that Soul Power! It was chilling, evil, and full of corrosiveness. It was absolutely not from any orthodox path!

If this trash truly had ties to the Evil Cultists who had attempted to assassinate Spirit Hall's Holy Son... then there would be enormous trouble! This was practically handing Spirit Hall an enormous handle against them!

Yu Xiaogang was also stunned. He had not expected Yang Yu to suddenly steer the subject in this direction.

"Y-You're slandering me!" Yu Xiaogang hissed in rebuttal, but he lacked conviction. The origins of his Soul Power were indeed unclear. While fleeing, he had accidentally entered an ancient tomb and swallowed an unknown black crystal, which was how he had become like this.

"Whether it is slander can be determined with an investigation." Yang Yu's voice remained calm, yet it carried invisible pressure. "Evil Soul Masters are enemies of the entire continent. Anyone may execute them. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan... surely would not shelter a suspected accomplice of the Evil Cultists?"

Cold sweat instantly appeared on Yu Luo Mian's forehead! Those words were too heavy! Sheltering an accomplice of the Evil Cultists? If that accusation became fact, the entire Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would face great trouble! Especially at such a tense juncture between the Star Luo Empire and Spirit Hall!

He made his decision at once!

"My lord, please see clearly!" Yu Luo Mian's tone immediately became exceedingly respectful, even carrying a trace of panic. "My clan knows absolutely nothing of this matter! Nor would we ever shelter anyone connected to Evil Cultists! This wretch was expelled from the clan long ago. Whatever he has done has nothing whatsoever to do with my clan!"

He turned toward Yu Xiaogang, his gaze turning incomparably cold and ruthless. "Yu Xiaogang! You actually dared fall into the evil path! You even dared collude with Evil Cultists! Your crimes warrant death! Men! Seize this Evil Cultist traitor! Cripple his Soul Power, keep him under strict guard, and await judgment!"

Several clan knights immediately pounced on Yu Xiaogang like wolves and tigers, showing no further restraint!

"No! You can't do this! I'm not an Evil Cultist! Yu Luo Mian! You bastard! The clan won't let you get away with this!" Yu Xiaogang let out a desperate, unwilling roar and struggled frantically, but that small amount of strange Soul Power was simply not enough before true elites. He was quickly knocked to the ground, his Soul Power forcibly sealed, and dragged away like a dead dog.

The look he cast toward the carriage was filled with utmost unwillingness and venom, before ultimately fading into dead ash.

Yang Yu sat in the carriage, watching everything with cold indifference.

A perfect borrowed knife to kill.

He had not only dealt with Yu Xiaogang, that mad dog, but also struck the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan hard and placed a tightening curse around their necks.

After dealing with Yu Xiaogang, Yu Luo Mian hurried to the carriage and bowed. "My lord, the Evil Cultist has been seized. I will certainly report this matter to the clan leader, investigate it thoroughly, and give Spirit Hall an explanation!"

"Very good," Yang Yu replied blandly. "This Holy Son is passing through this place and heard that Thunder Gorge possesses unusual scenery, so I came to have a look. I will not disturb your esteemed clan, will I?"

How could Yu Luo Mian dare say that they would be disturbed? He quickly said, "Of course not! Your arrival is an honor to our clan! This subordinate will immediately guide you and arrange accommodations!"

"Then I will trouble you."

The convoy began moving again, traveling deeper into Thunder Gorge under the "protection" of Yu Luo Mian and a squad of Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan knights.

Yang Yu looked through the carriage window toward the towering mountain range in the distance, shrouded in thunderclouds. That was where the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's main branch was located.

The stray dog had entered the cage.

Next, it was time to meet the true dragon of thunder.

He wondered what expression Yu Yuanzhen, the Blue Lightning Douluo said to possess the strongest attack power in the world, would wear upon seeing this "gift" of greeting.

A cold look of anticipation curved at the corner of his lips.