Dark Undercurrents, the Hidden Dragon Leaves the Abyss

Yu Yuanchen and his group quietly returned to Dragon City from the Star Dou Great Forest, concealing their tracks and proceeding with extreme caution. Having learned from the previous ambush, they treated the journey home as if treading on thin ice. Fortunately, no further trouble arose, and they arrived safely.

Upon returning to the family, news that Yu Yuanchen had successfully absorbed the 32,000-Year Purple Lightning Dragon Soul Ring, advanced to Soul King, and gained a domain-type Soul Skill spread only among a small circle of senior elders. It was classified as the family's highest secret. Yu Boxuan strictly ordered the information sealed, especially the existence of the "Purple Lightning Domain."

Yu Yuanchen once again entered a semi-secluded state. On one hand, he stabilized his Level 53 Soul Power, familiarized himself with his greatly increased strength, and gained preliminary control over the Purple Lightning Domain. On the other, he continued deepening his use of the Thunder Dragon Claw, integrating his newly acquired power with his previous Soul Skills and Bloodline Power through repeated practice. He discovered that absorbing the Purple Lightning Dragon had greatly strengthened his bloodline, which was still slowly purifying and remaining highly active. His Thunder Dragon Claw had also become increasingly effortless to wield. He even attempted to form a dragon claw with his left hand, but because his bloodline was still gradually purifying, he did not dare stimulate it too much. His progress was therefore slow, and he could only advance step by step as his cultivation level improved. As a result, his strength entered another period of rapid growth. Though his apparent Soul Power Level was merely Soul King, his true combat strength had reached a terrifying level.

Within the family, Yu Yuanchen's latest breakthrough greatly boosted morale, and the younger generation cultivated with even greater fervor. Externally, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan maintained its forceful yet restrained stance, keeping its clashes with the Black Flame Demon Flood Dragon Family within controllable limits. It seemed as though everything was developing in the Yu Family's favor.

Yet beneath calm waters, deadly undercurrents often lurked.

About two months after Yu Yuanchen returned to the family, an urgent report written in special cipher was delivered to Patriarch Yu Boxuan's desk by the family's Shadow Guards with the highest priority.

When Yu Boxuan deciphered the contents, the battle-hardened Tyrant Dragon Douluo's expression instantly turned incomparably grave, carrying even a trace of barely concealed shock and fury!

"Long Family... Long Ye... he actually succeeded?!" Yu Boxuan's knuckles turned slightly white as he clenched the report.

The intelligence showed that Long Ye, an elder of the Black Flame Demon Flood Dragon Family who had secluded himself for nearly twenty years in an attempt to break through to Titled Douluo, had quietly and fortunately crossed the Level 90 threshold a month earlier, becoming the Long Family's third Titled Douluo!

Even more alarming, the Long Family had tightly sealed this information, and the outside world had heard nothing. Had the Yu Family's Shadow Guards not coincidentally discovered an extremely brief yet astonishing energy eruption within the Long Family's Core Zone, followed by the Long Family secretly mobilizing a batch of rare resources to stabilize his realm, they might have remained unaware even now.

"What a Long Family! What patience!" Cold light flickered in Yu Boxuan's eyes. He immediately understood the Long Family's intentions—they wanted to use this newly advanced Titled Douluo as a surprise weapon, delivering a fatal blow to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan at a critical moment!

Originally, the open comparison of top-level combat strength between the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Black Flame Demon Flood Dragon Family was Yu Boxuan, Level 96, and another elder, Yu Qingtian, Level 94, against Long Family Patriarch Long Xiao, Level 95, and another elder, Long Sha, Level 94. With his Level 96 Super Douluo cultivation, Yu Boxuan could suppress either opponent. Even if he faced both for a short time, he would not be defeated, maintaining a delicate balance.

But now, the Long Family had gained Long Ye, a newly advanced Level 91 Titled Douluo!

The scales had tipped!

Yu Boxuan swiftly summoned every core elder, including Yu Qingtian and Yu Yuanchen's father, Yu Mingfeng, and informed them of this earth-shattering news.

Within the secret chamber, the atmosphere instantly froze.

"Three Titled Douluo..." Elder Yu Qingtian, an old man with an ancient face and an aura as still and imposing as a mountain, furrowed his brow deeply. "If Long Xiao and Long Sha disregard the cost and hold the Patriarch and me down, then although Long Ye is only Level 91, if he is willing to pay the price and risk injury, he could entirely possibly... kill Yuanchen in a short time!"

His words weighed upon everyone's heart like a massive boulder. The gap between a Titled Douluo and a Soul King was like a heavenly chasm. No matter how exceptional Yu Yuanchen's talent was, even with a domain, he had almost no chance of surviving before a Titled Douluo determined to kill him. No matter how strong a domain was, it required Soul Power to sustain it. Before an absolute disparity in strength, it was difficult to bridge the gap.

"They will certainly choose this course!" another elder said heavily. "The potential Yuanchen has displayed is simply too terrifying. The Long Family will never allow him to mature. Their previous two assassination attempts failed, but now that they possess an absolute advantage, they will certainly spare no cost to eliminate Yuanchen! They may even... use this as an opportunity to launch an All-out War!"

Yu Boxuan's expression darkened like still water. How could he not understand the stakes? The Long Family had endured in silence precisely because they were seeking the best moment to strike—a chance to ensure absolute success, eliminate Yu Yuanchen in one blow, and heavily damage or even destroy the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

"Patriarch, our most urgent task is ensuring Yuanchen's safety!" Yu Mingfeng said anxiously. As a father, he was frantic with worry.

"That's right!" Yu Qingtian nodded as well. "Yuanchen absolutely cannot remain in Dragon City! Since the Long Family was able to conceal news of this breakthrough, they must have planted countless spies inside and outside our Dragon City. As long as Yuanchen remains in the city, he will be in constant danger."

Yu Boxuan slowly rose to his feet. His gaze swept across every elder present before finally settling on Yu Yuanchen, who had remained silent throughout.

"Chen'er, do you understand the current situation?" Yu Boxuan asked in a deep voice.

Yu Yuanchen raised his head. His eyes were clear and calm, without the slightest panic. "Your grandson understands. The Long Family gaining another Titled Douluo has broken the balance. My existence is a thorn in their eye and flesh in their side; they will not rest until I am removed. If I remain in the family, not only will I be in danger, but I may also become the fuse that ignites the Long Family's all-out attack, placing the family in a passive position."

His analysis was calm and thorough, prompting the elders present to nod inwardly. This child was not only extraordinarily talented; his temperament was frighteningly steady as well.

"Then how do you believe we should respond?" Yu Boxuan continued.

"Your grandson believes we should temporarily avoid their edge," Yu Yuanchen answered without hesitation. "I should leave Dragon City and travel for training."

"Oh? Aren't you afraid the Long Family will send people to hunt you down?" an elder asked.

"I am, but remaining in Dragon City is more dangerous," Yu Yuanchen said. "If I travel, the sky and sea are vast. It will not be easy for the Long Family to find me across the boundless continent. But if I remain in Dragon City, I am an obvious target, like a turtle trapped in a jar. Besides, I truly need real experience to consolidate my foundation and broaden my horizons. Sheltered beneath the family's wings forever, I can never become a true powerhouse."

He paused, and a sharp glint flashed through his eyes. "Moreover, I am not entirely without means of self-preservation. Within the Soul Emperor realm, I fear no one. Even if I encounter a Soul Sage, if I cannot defeat him, I still have some confidence in stalling or escaping with the domain and Thunder Dragon Claw. So long as I do not directly encounter a Titled Douluo, I am confident I can survive."

His words carried a youth's confidence, yet they were founded upon a clear understanding of his own strength.

Yu Boxuan stared at his grandson for a long while. A complicated expression flickered through his eyes—pride, concern, and above all, resolve.

"Good!" In the end, he heavily slapped the table. "Then we shall follow your proposal!"

He looked around the room and issued his orders. "From this moment onward, the family will enter its highest state of alert. However, we must appear relaxed outside while remaining vigilant within. We cannot let the Long Family discover that we already know of Long Ye's breakthrough. Yuanchen's departure from the family is to be classified as top secret. Other than those present, no one may reveal a single word!"

"Yes!" The elders accepted the order solemnly.

"Yuanchen, make your preparations. In three days, leave the city under cover of night." Yu Boxuan looked at Yu Yuanchen, his tone grave. "On this journey, you must conceal your identity. Do not easily use the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul, and under no circumstances may you reveal the Purple Lightning Domain! The family will plan several possible routes for your training, but how you travel will be your own decision. Remember, staying alive is the most important thing! Your safety concerns the family's future!"

"Your grandson will remember Grandfather's teachings!" Yu Yuanchen bowed deeply.

"Mingfeng," Yu Boxuan said, turning to Yu Mingfeng, "personally prepare Chen'er's supplies. They must be comprehensive, but they cannot draw attention."

"Rest assured, Father!" Yu Mingfeng nodded heavily.

Over the next three days, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan appeared unchanged on the surface, but in secret, it made intense preparations for Yu Yuanchen's departure.

Yu Mingfeng prepared a large amount of Gold Soul Coins, Healing Pills, antidotes, disguise materials, and several low-grade Soul Tools with different functions for his son. High-grade Soul Tools were too conspicuous. At the same time, he compiled the family's collected information on the various powers across the continent, Dangerous Places, and Local Customs and Traditions into volumes and gave them to Yu Yuanchen.

Yu Boxuan personally mapped out several training routes for Yu Yuanchen. Some led toward the bitterly cold northern lands of the Heaven Dou Empire, some pointed toward the Star Luo Empire's borders, while others ventured deep into famous Soul Beast gathering grounds and the sites of ancient ruins. Every route avoided, as much as possible, areas where the Long Family held great influence, and marked locations where opportunities and dangers might be found.

On the night before his departure, Yu Boxuan summoned Yu Yuanchen to his quiet chamber.

"Chen'er, when you leave home this time, the road ahead will be perilous. Grandfather can no longer protect you in every way. You must rely on yourself for everything." Yu Boxuan looked at his grandson, who was about to embark on a long journey, his eyes full of earnest instructions. "The continent is vast, and capable people and extraordinary individuals emerge without end. Never become arrogant because of your talent. Remember, there are always greater people beyond people, and greater heavens beyond heaven."

"Your grandson understands," Yu Yuanchen replied respectfully.

"Keep this jade pendant safe." Yu Boxuan took out a warm white jade pendant carved with a miniature Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and handed it to Yu Yuanchen. "It is a family token. By infusing it with Soul Power, you may activate a defensive barrier equal to one strike of my full strength. However, it can only last for three breaths and can be used only once per year. Do not use it unless your life is at stake."

Yu Yuanchen solemnly accepted it. Feeling the vast energy contained within the jade pendant, he knew it was a lifesaving safeguard his grandfather had given him.

"Also, regarding your Martial Soul and Bloodline Power..." Yu Boxuan pondered. "Use the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul as little as possible outside. If you have no choice but to use it, end the battle quickly and leave no survivors. Bloodline Power is a newly emerged secret of our clan, so you must reveal it even less readily. You may disguise yourself as an ordinary lightning-attribute Soul Master of the Power Attack System or Agility Attack System. You could even... consider cultivating rudimentary applications of other attributes to confuse others."

"Your grandson has noted it."

Yu Boxuan patted Yu Yuanchen's shoulder. Though he had a thousand words to say, they ultimately became a sigh. "Go, child. A young eagle must eventually soar alone. You need not worry about the family. So long as your Grandfather Qingtian and I remain, the Long Family will not be able to turn the world upside down! We will wait for you... to return after mastering your path!"

Yu Yuanchen's nose stung slightly. He bowed deeply once more, pressing all his reluctance and concern into the depths of his heart.

On the third day, night was deep. The moon was hidden, and the stars were sparse.

An inconspicuous side gate of Dragon City quietly opened. A figure dressed in ordinary gray fitted clothes and wearing a conical hat slipped into the night like a ghost, drawing no one's attention. He looked back once at the family estate, which crouched in the darkness like a giant dragon. His gaze was firm. Then he turned away and walked with steady steps, soon vanishing into the boundless darkness.

Not long after Yu Yuanchen departed, Yu Boxuan personally took command and activated several illusionary formations arranged by the family, creating the false appearance that Yu Yuanchen was still cultivating in seclusion within the family estate, deceiving any spies who might be watching.

The Hidden Dragon had finally left the abyss.

Bearing the family's hopes and the threat of hidden murder upon his back, he stepped onto the vast and unknown continent. Would the road ahead be thick with thorns, or filled with endless opportunities? No one knew. But one thing was certain: this youth, who possessed Thunder God Power, the Purple Lightning Domain, and the True Dragon Claw, would leave behind a legendary mark of Thunderous Might upon this continent! The tides of the era had already quietly shifted because of him. A storm destined to sweep across the continent was slowly brewing in the distance. And Yu Yuanchen's road of training was the prelude to that storm's beginning.