Qian Xunji's Rage, Bibi Dong's Tears

Smack!

The crisp sound left Yu Xiaogang stunned for a moment.

Before he could react, another person drove an elbow into his abdomen, making him double over instantly, unable to utter another sound.

"You've disgraced the clan!"

The one who struck him snapped angrily, "Everyone used to praise you, and you were so confident yourself that we thought it was true. But this is all you amount to!"

The other 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. But 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 Seating, terrified beyond measure, as though he could already see the contempt in those important figures' eyes.

But the next second, he was completely dumbfounded.

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

They were all gathered around Yu Xiaoheng's direction, praising him endlessly as thunderous applause erupted.

"Wonderful, wonderful! With such a Kirin Child, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's future is boundless!"

"Innate Soul Power of nine and a half ranks is rare in this age! Congratulations, Sect Master Yu Yuanzhen!"

These praises and accolades surged toward Yu Xiaoheng like a tide.

And he, Yu Xiaogang—a waste who had awakened a Pig Martial Soul and possessed only half a rank of Soul Power—did not even qualify to become the negative example in their conversations.

Being ignored hurt more than any direct attack or mockery. It drove him closer to collapse.

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

Seeing this, those clan members no longer bothered restraining him. Each grabbed one of his arms and dragged him off the Martial Arts Arena like a dead dog.

Yet Yu Xiaogang's departure became the prelude to the Entire Venue's celebration.

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

Every member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was flushed with excitement. The frustration and humiliation caused by Yu Xiaogang were swept away, leaving only the satisfaction of holding their heads high.

Nine and a half ranks!

It might not compare to Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Sect, who had risen to fame years ago, but what kind of person was Tang Hao? He was an unparalleled genius whom the Clear Sky Sect produced only once every few 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, did they not have to adopt Bibi Dong from outside?

Their Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, meanwhile, had produced a peerless genius with nine and a half ranks from its own bloodline!

Was that not enough to be proud of?

For a time, every Blue Lightning Sect clansman unconsciously straightened their backs, their every glance filled with pride.

In the VIP Seating, the representatives of the Upper Three Sects were similarly overwhelmed with emotion. The way they looked at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan carried genuine envy.

This Martial Soul Awakening had certainly begun badly for the Blue Electric Sect, and they had lost some face. Yet their final gains were considerable.

In the Crowd, Liu Erlong's little ears twitched as she clearly heard the discussion 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 can't stand Yu Xiaogang. Aren't they the two people with the highest Soul Power in this awakening?"

"Hey, that Yu Xiaogang even wanted to take Liu Erlong away just now. What wishful thinking! A toad dreaming of swan meat!"

Those words entered Liu Erlong's ears and made 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 Entire Venue's celebration, 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 did feel a measure of jealousy in his heart, but Tang Wei appeared utterly calm.

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

There was, after all, an insurmountable gulf between nine and a half ranks 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 about this so-called "genius."

He slowly turned his head to stare at Bibi Dong beside him, a cold smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

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

His voice was not loud, yet Bibi Dong's entire body trembled.

"You like causing trouble, do you?"

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

Bibi Dong's small face instantly turned deathly pale, devoid of all color, and her body shook uncontrollably.

He said, "Nine and a half ranks—compared to you, compared to the talents of my Spirit Hall—he is nothing but mediocre."

"You are not allowed to spend time with him again. Understand?"

"When we get back, I'll deal with you."

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

But unexpectedly, a faint voice sounded at his side.

"No, Brother Xiaoheng isn't mediocre!"

"What did you say?"

Qian Xunji's voice suddenly rose. He whipped his head around, his gaze like lightning as it locked onto the stubborn small face beside him.

Crack!

He seized Bibi Dong's wrist, the immense force causing her joints to make a faint sound.

The Maiden's tears immediately spilled from her eyes, pain draining the color from her small face.

Qian Xunji leaned close and questioned her word by word, "Say that again!"

Bibi Dong merely bit down hard on her lower lip, enduring the agony. Her reddened eyes remained lowered.

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

After a long while, a single sentence 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 in pain, yet she stubbornly refused to make another sound.

The commotion in the VIP Seating finally drew others' attention.

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

He had actually forgotten that, at some point, his son had become entangled with Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden!

What the little girl said was certainly pleasing to hear, but... Xiaoheng truly could not compare to this Holy Maiden, who possessed Twin Martial Souls!

"His Holiness the Pope, please calm down! She's just a child and doesn't know any better!"

Yu Yuanzhen and several elders of the Blue Electric Sect hurried forward to mediate.

Ning Zhenyuan and Tang Wei also came over, trying to persuade him from either side.

Under everyone's persuasion, Qian Xunji finally released his hand. 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 gaze gathered 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 Martial Soul Hall Saintess before them, let alone Yu Xiaoheng.

That brat certainly had a talent for fooling little girls.

Outside, the cheers of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan members remained thunderous.

Inside, this tiny corner was deathly still.

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

"He isn't mediocre!"

"He must have Innate Full Soul Power! He must be the finest Soul Master!"

The declaration was earth-shattering!

Qian Xunji was completely stunned.

The air froze for an instant.

The next second.

Smack—!

An incomparably sharp slap rang through the entire VIP Seating.

Qian Xunji slapped Bibi Dong to the ground.

"Disobedient disciple!"

He trembled with rage, fury rushing to 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 defied him again and again for an outsider!

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

Everyone was horrified and hurriedly gathered around him, talking over one another as they tried to soothe the enraged Qian Xunji.

No one paid any 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.