Qian Xunji's Rage, Bibi Dong's Tears

Smack!

The crisp sound left Yu Xiaogang dazed for a moment.

Before he could react, the other man drove an elbow into his abdomen, making him double over instantly, unable to make another sound.

"You've disgraced the clan!"

The man who struck him angrily berated him, "Everyone praised you all the time, and you were so full of yourself that we thought it was true. But this is all you amount to!"

The other man even spat and cursed, "If not for Young Master Xiaoheng, our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would have become the laughingstock of the entire world today!"

Every word pierced his heart.

Yu Xiaogang's eyes turned bloodshot, and he nearly went mad. Yet after the pain and humiliation, he suddenly came to his senses.

It's over. Looking this pathetic now, I must have utterly disgraced the clan.

He instinctively looked toward the VIP Seats, terrified, as though he could already see the contempt in those important figures' eyes.

But the next moment, he was completely dumbfounded.

The representatives of the Upper Three Sects, the Spirit Hall envoy, and the guests who had previously looked displeased because of him—not a single one of them was looking at him now.

All of them were gathered around Yu Xiaoheng, praising him endlessly as thunderous applause rang out.

"Good, good, good! With such a prodigy in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, its future is boundless!"

"Innate Soul Power of Level Nine and a Half is rare in this age. Congratulations, Clan Master Yu Yuanzhen!"

All that flattery and praise surged toward Yu Xiaoheng like a tide.

And he, Yu Xiaogang—a worthless failure with a Pig Spirit and merely half a level of Soul Power—did not even qualify to serve as the negative example in their conversations.

Being ignored crushed him far more than any direct attack or mockery ever could.

Yu Xiaogang's face turned as pale as paper. All strength seemed to drain from his body in an instant, and he collapsed limply, as though his bones had been pulled out.

Seeing this, the few clansmen no longer bothered restraining him. One took each arm and dragged him off the Martial Arts Arena like a dead dog.

Yet Yu Xiaogang's departure became the prelude to the entire crowd's celebration.

The atmosphere in the Martial Arts Arena reached its peak, filled with jubilation.

Every member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was flushed with excitement, barely able to contain themselves. The frustration and humiliation Yu Xiaogang had brought them were swept away, leaving only the exhilaration of holding their heads high.

Level Nine and a Half!

Sure, it could not compare with Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Sect, who had emerged seemingly out of nowhere back then. But who was Tang Hao? He was an unparalleled genius produced by the Clear Sky Sect only once in several centuries. Comparing them in the first place was unfair.

And look at the lofty Spirit Hall. To find a Holy Maiden with Innate Full Soul Power, had they not needed to adopt Bibi Dong from outside?

Yet their Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had produced a peerless genius with Level Nine and a Half Innate Soul Power from its own bloodline!

Was that not enough to be proud of?

For a moment, every Blue Lightning clansman unconsciously straightened their backs, their every glance brimming with pride.

In the VIP Seats, the representatives of the Upper Three Sects were also filled with emotion. There was genuine envy in the way they looked at the people of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

This Spirit Awakening had certainly begun badly before turning around for the Blue Lightning Sect, costing them some face. But the final reward was no small thing.

Among the crowd, Liu Erlong's little ears twitched as she clearly caught the discussions beside her.

"My goodness, no wonder Liu Erlong has always clung to Young Master Xiaoheng. So geniuses really are drawn to one another!"

"Exactly! Look how well she gets along with Yu Xiaoheng, while she cannot stand Yu Xiaogang. Aren't they the two with the highest Soul Power in this awakening?"

"Hey, that Yu Xiaogang even wanted to snatch Liu Erlong away earlier. What wishful thinking—a toad lusting after swan meat!"

Those words drifted into Liu Erlong's ears, making her heart bloom with joy. She could not help puffing out her little chest again, her small face full of pride and excitement.

Amid the cheers of the entire arena, only a handful of people remained composed.

Tang Wei of the Clear Sky Sect and Ning Zhenyuan of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect stepped forward together to congratulate Yu Yuanzhen.

Ning Zhenyuan indeed felt a touch of jealousy, but Tang Wei appeared calm and unconcerned.

There was no other reason: the Clear Sky Sect had Tang Hao.

After all, there was an insurmountable gulf between Level Nine and a Half and Innate Full Soul Power. Even if Yu Xiaoheng's Martial Soul seemed to have evolved somewhat, it had not evolved completely. In terms of Martial Soul quality alone, it still could not surpass Tang Hao's Clear Sky Hammer.

Their Clear Sky Sect was the one with a truly promising future.

Meanwhile, in a corner on the other side.

Qian Xunji withdrew his gaze from Yu Xiaoheng. He was not particularly concerned with this so-called "genius."

He slowly turned his head to stare at Bibi Dong beside him, a cold smile tugging at his lips.

"Didn't you say he had Full Soul Power?"

His voice was not loud, yet Bibi Dong trembled all over.

"You like making trouble, don't you?"

Qian Xunji's tone grew increasingly sinister. "Do you still think so now?"

Bibi Dong's little face instantly turned deathly pale, devoid of all color, and her body began trembling uncontrollably.

He said, "Level Nine and a Half? Compared with you, compared with the outstanding talents of my Spirit Hall, he is nothing but mediocre."

"You are not allowed to associate with him anymore, understand?"

"When we return, I'll deal with you."

After Qian Xunji spoke, he thought the matter was settled.

Unexpectedly, a faint voice sounded beside him.

"No. Brother Xiaoheng isn't mediocre!"

"What did you say?"

Qian Xunji's voice abruptly rose. He whirled around, his gaze sharp as lightning as it locked onto the stubborn little face beside him.

Crack!

He seized Bibi Dong's wrist, the tremendous force making her joints emit a soft crack.

The girl's tears instantly spilled from her eyes, and pain drained the color from her face.

Qian Xunji leaned closer and demanded word by word, "Say that again!"

Bibi Dong merely bit her lower lip tightly, enduring the intense pain as her reddened eyes lowered.

Her head hung low as well, and she did not dare meet Qian Xunji's gaze.

After a long while, a faint voice sounded.

"Brother Xiaoheng... isn't mediocre."

Those words completely ignited Qian Xunji's fury.

His face darkened like the bottom of a pot, and his grip tightened further. Bibi Dong trembled from the pain, but she stubbornly did not utter another cry.

The commotion in the VIP Seats finally drew the attention of others.

Yu Yuanzhen's heart skipped a beat as he silently cursed his misfortune.

He had actually forgotten when his son had become entangled with the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall!

The little girl's words were certainly pleasing to hear, but... Xiaoheng truly could not compare to this Holy Maiden who possessed Twin Martial Souls!

"Your Holiness the Pope, please calm down, please calm down! Children don't understand such things!"

Yu Yuanzhen and several Blue Lightning Sect elders hurried forward to mediate.

Ning Zhenyuan and Tang Wei also came over, each urging him to calm down.

Under everyone's persuasion, Qian Xunji finally loosened his grip. Yet his gloomy eyes remained fixed on Bibi Dong.

"I'll ask you one last time. What exactly is Yu Xiaoheng?"

For a moment, everyone's eyes converged on Bibi Dong.

Even Yu Yuanzhen wanted to urge her, Girl, let it go. Don't make your master angry again.

Tang Wei was even more speechless.

Even Tang Hao of their Clear Sky Sect was slightly inferior to the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall before them, let alone a Yu Xiaoheng.

This brat was certainly skilled at deceiving little girls.

Outside the arena, the cheers of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan still shook the heavens.

Inside, this tiny corner was deathly silent.

Just when everyone thought Bibi Dong would yield, she suddenly raised her head and shouted with all the strength in her body!

"He isn't mediocre!"

"He definitely has Innate Full Soul Power! He will definitely become the finest Soul Master!"

The declaration was earth-shattering!

Qian Xunji was completely stunned.

The air froze for a moment.

The next second.

Smack—!

An incomparably crisp slap rang through the entire VIP Seats.

Qian Xunji sent Bibi Dong tumbling to the ground with a single slap.

"Disobedient disciple!"

He trembled with rage, fury surging into his heart. What enraged him was not Yu Xiaoheng himself, but Bibi Dong's attitude! How long had she been away from his side? Yet she had repeatedly defied him for an outsider!

"Your Holiness the Pope, calm down, calm down!"

Everyone paled in shock and quickly crowded around him, talking over one another as they tried to soothe the enraged Qian Xunji.

No one paid attention to the little girl lying on the ground.

A bright red handprint rapidly appeared on Bibi Dong's fair cheek. She covered her face pitifully, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth, yet her tear-filled eyes still stubbornly gazed toward the Awakening Platform in the distance, at that upright figure.