Maintaining Neutrality

The next day.

Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

"Hey—ha—"

On the clan's training grounds, the younger generation of disciples had already begun their orderly morning exercises.

As usual, Yu Yuanzhen arrived at his study early to attend to clan affairs.

The desk was already piled high with documents awaiting review. From the disciples' cultivation progress to the revenue of every business, no matter how trivial, everything required the personal attention of the clan leader.

"Reporting to Clan Leader, a letter has arrived from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Just then, a disciple's voice sounded from outside the door.

"Come in."

Yu Yuanzhen did not look up. The brush in his hand continued making annotations on the documents.

A disciple dressed in Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan robes entered with a bow, holding a Secret Letter in both hands. He carefully placed it on the desk.

"You may leave."

Yu Yuanzhen dismissed the disciple with a wave.

"Yes."

After the disciple left the study, Yu Yuanzhen put down his brush and picked up the Secret Letter.

The envelope bore Ning Fengzhi's handwriting: "To Clan Leader Yu," with the seal of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect stamped in the lower right corner.

Yu Yuanzhen opened the envelope, took out the letter, and began reading it carefully.

At first, he remained calm, but as he read on, his brows gradually furrowed.

The letter mentioned Jian Xuan, who had recently made a name for himself in Heaven Dou City. His real name was Ji Xuan, and at only ten years old, his Soul Power had already reached Level Thirty-Four.

Yu Yuanzhen naturally knew of Jian Xuan as well. A disciple had delivered intelligence on him yesterday.

He simply had not known Ji Xuan's true identity or age.

Ning Fengzhi made it clear in the letter that Ji Xuan came from Spirit Hall and was accompanied by Golden Crocodile Douluo for protection.

Even the matter involving Poison Douluo Dugu Bo was very likely connected to them.

"Ten years old, Level Thirty-Four, a Thousand-Year first ring, a Ten-Thousand-Year third ring..."

Yu Yuanzhen set down the letter and murmured under his breath.

Even for a well-traveled Title Douluo like him, enormous waves had been stirred in his heart.

He knew all too well what this meant...

Ji Xuan's talent could no longer be described as mere genius. He was a monster, someone capable of changing the entire Soul Master World's balance.

Yu Yuanzhen rose to his feet and paced back and forth through the study.

Ning Fengzhi's judgment was not without reason. Spirit Hall had sent such a monstrous talent to Heaven Dou City and had even killed a guest elder of the Heaven Dou imperial family.

This was very likely a form of provocation.

Yu Yuanzhen walked to the window and looked toward the clan disciples training diligently in the distance.

They were all considered outstanding among the clan's younger generation.

Yet compared to Ji Xuan, they were as far apart as clouds and mud.

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had a long heritage and deep foundations, and it possessed the honor of having the number one Beast Martial Soul in the world.

But precisely because of this pride, he had to treat the matter with caution.

After pondering for a moment, he called out, "Someone."

"Clan Leader." A disciple entered in response.

"Have the elders come to the Council Hall immediately. Tell them there is an important matter to discuss."

"Yes."

Inside the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's Council Hall, the atmosphere was grave.

Yu Yuanzhen sat in the seat of honor, with the five elders seated on either side.

They were all Soul Douluo-level powerhouses and the pillars of the clan.

Among them, the Great Elder, Yu Luomian, was Yu Yuanzhen's younger brother.

"Big brother, why did you summon us here so urgently?" Yu Luomian was the first to ask.

"Take a look. Ning Fengzhi sent this."

Yu Yuanzhen passed the Secret Letter to the elders for them to read.

After the elders had read the contents in turn, their reactions were identical to Yu Yuanzhen's—first shock, then solemnity.

"Ten years old and Level Thirty-Four? A Thousand-Year first ring and a Ten-Thousand-Year third ring? How is that possible?!" the Third Elder cried out.

Yu Luomian said gravely, "If this is true, then Ji Xuan's talent is indeed terrifying!"

"Ning Fengzhi invited us to form an alliance in his letter, to face the threat of Spirit Hall together," Yu Yuanzhen said. "This matter is of great importance. I want to hear your opinions."

The five elders looked at one another, and for a time, none of them spoke.

After quite a while, Yu Luomian finally said, "Big brother, we must proceed cautiously. Spirit Hall is powerful—that is an undeniable fact. But precisely because of that, we cannot easily make an enemy of them."

"The Great Elder is right. The situation is still unclear. Forming an alliance rashly would mean standing against Spirit Hall, and the risk to our clan would be far too great."

The Second Elder nodded in agreement.

"But if we do not form an alliance, and Spirit Hall truly moves against the Heaven Dou Empire or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, then we may be next."

The Third Elder offered a different view.

Yu Luomian continued, "I believe our best choice right now is to remain neutral. So long as we do not take the lead, Spirit Hall will not easily move against us."

"The Great Elder's words make sense." The Fourth Elder nodded in agreement.

Yu Yuanzhen quietly listened to the elders' discussion without interrupting.

"But if we remain neutral, will the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect not be disappointed in us? If we truly need to join forces against Spirit Hall in the future, I fear it will be difficult."

The Fifth Elder frowned deeply.

Yu Luomian shook his head. "In the current situation, self-preservation comes first."

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has the Sword Bone Two Douluo guarding it. Their strength is not weak. Even if Spirit Hall wants to move against them, they will have to weigh the cost. Rather than declare our position now, we should wait and see."

The elders argued back and forth for nearly half an hour.

Yu Yuanzhen listened silently throughout.

"I understand all of your views."

After the elders had all voiced their opinions, Yu Yuanzhen spoke.

"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has always remained neutral. Moreover, the situation is still unclear, and everything is merely Ning Fengzhi's speculation. It truly would not be appropriate to declare our stance too early."

"But..." Yu Yuanzhen changed the subject, "we cannot make no preparations at all."

"Starting today, strengthen patrols around the perimeter. All disciples are to intensify their training and reinforce the defensive fortifications."

"At the same time, dispatch more scouts and closely monitor Spirit Hall's movements."

The elders all nodded.

"Since none of you have any objections, then it is decided," Yu Yuanzhen said.

After the meeting ended, Yu Yuanzhen returned to his study.

He took out a sheet of letter paper, spread it open, and began writing...

A moment later, he sealed the letter. "Someone come."

"Clan Master." A disciple answered and entered.

"Secretly deliver this letter to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"Yes!"

Watching the disciple leave with his orders, Yu Yuanzhen let out a long sigh.

This decision concerned the clan's future. He had no choice but to be cautious.

Standing by the window, he watched the disciples coming and going within the clan, silently pondering.

Could the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan truly remain untouched in the future?

He did not know the answer. He could only take one step at a time.

As the master of a clan, he had to take responsibility for the survival of the entire clan.

His gaze passed over the clan's buildings and turned toward the distant direction of Heaven Dou City.

"Spirit Hall... Ji Xuan. It seems this continent's peace is truly about to end."