Kicking Him While He Was Down

Qin Yuan merely stood there, yet Yu Luomian already sensed a threat.

It seemed the rumors had not been exaggerated. At the Spirit Emperor level, Qin Yuan's strength could truly be called invincible. Even some Spirit Saints who had not activated their Martial Soul Avatar would still fear him.

"Divine Slaughter's Domain, absorbing Spirit Rings above your level, exquisite blade skills!" Yu Luomian's voice trembled.

It was not fear of Qin Yuan's strength, but sheer excitement and hunger for talent.

He declared generously, "Your strength has earned my approval. Join the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the rewards I give you in the future will be beyond anything you can imagine."

"Mind you, you have no right to refuse. You injured ten disciples of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and left them disabled for life. That debt won't be settled so easily. Think carefully before you answer!"

Before the gates of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo arrived uninvited.

The gate disciples recognized them and dared not neglect them. They immediately escorted the two into the sect and reported their arrival to Yu Yuanzhen.

Yu Yuanzhen was in seclusion at the clan's ancestral hall, seeking a chance to break through.

He was the clan's only Titled Douluo. To ensure its safety, he had to reach a higher level.

He had long since entrusted clan affairs to Yu Luomian and the others. Unless something serious happened, Yu Yuanzhen generally did not involve himself.

"Clan leader, Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Bone Douluo are here."

At the report, Yu Yuanzhen's tiger-like eyes snapped open, and his graying beard quivered slightly. "I never invited them. Why have they come?"

The disciple hesitated. "Most likely because of something the Deputy Sect Master has done recently."

"Luo Mian!?" Yu Yuanzhen frowned.

He knew his brother's temperament well. It would hardly be surprising if he had offended the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Of course, Yu Luomian might not have done anything wrong. Yu Yuanzhen decided to meet Ning Fengzhi.

In the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's reception room.

Ning Fengzhi did not have to wait long before Yu Yuanzhen appeared.

"Sect Master Ning, Bone Douluo. What wind blew you two here?"

After a few pleasantries, both sides took their seats.

For once, Ning Fengzhi did not talk in circles. He went straight to the point. "I greatly admire the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's decisiveness. Deputy Clan Leader Yu's courage, in particular, has my deepest admiration."

Yu Yuanzhen knew Ning Fengzhi was up to no good. "What do you mean by that, Sect Master Ning?"

Bone Douluo spoke with feigned nonchalance. "Old Dragon, I, Gu Rong, have never admired anyone. You're the first."

"Dugu Bo has deep ties to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. He may be overbearing and arrogant, but he rarely offends any faction."

"You people are impressive. Without even sending you out, Old Dragon, your clan dared to surround and attack Dugu Bo. Tell me, shouldn't I admire you?"

"What!" Yu Yuanzhen shot to his feet, his commanding aura surging to its peak.

He knew Yu Luomian was bold. Sometimes, the man did not even take him, his elder brother, seriously.

No matter how much trouble Yu Luomian stirred up at home, it stayed among their own people and would have little impact. But now he had gone looking for trouble with Dugu Bo. Had he lost his mind?

Dugu Bo was a Titled Douluo. Even at level ninety-one, he was not someone a mere Soul Douluo could afford to offend.

Worse, Dugu Bo excelled at attacks against groups. If they failed to kill him this time, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would never know peace again!

"Damn it! Someone, bring Luomian back!" Yu Yuanzhen's voice rang like a great bell. Every disciple in the clan could sense his fury.

Ning Fengzhi was happy to add fuel to the fire. Smiling, he said, "Calm yourself, Thunder Douluo. Yu Luomian may already have made his move. I'm afraid it's too late to send someone now."

He had come both to get Qin Yuan out of trouble and to kick Yu Luomian while he was down!

In the past, Ning Fengzhi had repeatedly tried to discuss an alliance with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Every time he sought an audience with Yu Yuanzhen, Yu Luomian had squeezed something out of him.

No one in this world treated you well for no reason, least of all someone like Ning Fengzhi.

He could do Qin Yuan a favor while teaching Yu Luomian a lesson. His scheming ran deep.

Yu Yuanzhen studied Ning Fengzhi with his tiger-like eyes, then snorted. "Well played, Sect Master Ning. See our guests out!"

He could not gamble on Ning Fengzhi lying. If they truly offended Dugu Bo, then given the man's habit of repaying the slightest grievance, the entire Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would suffer.

In the restaurant's private room.

Qin Yuan shook his head without hesitation. "I'm afraid I can't accept your offer, Deputy Clan Leader Yu. You should find someone else. I'm sure plenty of people in this world would gladly join the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."

Yu Luomian laughed in fury. Eight Spirit Rings—two yellow, two purple, and four black—rose beneath his feet. "You've got nerve. You're the first person who's dared toy with me."

"So be it. Talented fighters appear every year. You really think you're somebody!"

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul roared as it burst from his body. The mighty dragon opened its blood-red maw, ready to swallow Qin Yuan whole.

At the last possible moment, a thick snake tail smashed through the private room's wall and struck Yu Luomian squarely.

The dragon's phantom vanished instantly. Yu Luomian was flung into the street, crashing through several stalls before he staggered back to his feet.

Dugu Bo stood in front of Qin Yuan and glared at Yu Luomian in the distance.

"Qin Yuan is my brother. If you want to hurt him, you'll have to get past me first!"

The earlier commotion had drawn a sizable crowd of onlookers.

Now that the private room had been smashed open and Yu Luomian and Dugu Bo had both appeared, curiosity spread through the crowd.

After all, Dugu Bo and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had always kept out of each other's way. Why had they come to blows in the street?

Neither side, however, owed the crowd an explanation.

When Yu Luomian made no move, Dugu Bo sent Qin Yuan a voice transmission. "Don't worry. Do as I say, and after today, Yu Luomian won't dare bother you again."

Yu Luomian was the sort who bullied the weak and feared the strong.

Qin Yuan's firm stance at the table had also been Dugu Bo's idea.

Only then, once Dugu Bo stepped in, would Yu Luomian abandon his improper designs entirely.

But now Dugu Bo had something to hold over Yu Luomian, and he would not let him off easily.

Yu Luomian shook his head and finally grasped the situation.

Last night's intelligence had shown that Dugu Bo and Qin Yuan were close. He should have seen this coming!

How could someone as loyal as Dugu Bo let Qin Yuan attend the banquet alone?

Yu Luomian's face darkened to the extreme as he clenched his fists. "Damn Dugu Bo. He dared set a trap for me."

There were plenty of witnesses. Word of today's events would soon spread throughout Heaven Dou City. How would he explain himself to Yu Yuanzhen then?