In the southeastern part of the Heaven Dou Empire, about a hundred li west of Sunset Forest, there was a small mountain range called Thunder Mountain Range.
The range consisted of nine peaks: five in front and four behind. A deep gorge lay between them, known as Thunder Gorge.
The foremost of the nine peaks was called Dragon Head Mountain. It was the heart of the Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon Clan's territory. The clan's Mountain Gate, the sect's council hall, and the contribution office stood there, along with the residence of the current clan leader, Yu Yuanzhen.
Dragon Head Mountain, inside the clan leader's study.
Yu Xiaolin and Yu Xiaofeng sat on sofas on either side of the study, recounting their hunt for a Thunder Abyss Python in Sunset Forest.
Yu Yuanzhen sat behind his desk, listening to every word. When he heard that the two had been attacked first by the Thunder Abyss Python, his hands clenched tight. But when he heard that the Golden Iron Triangle had appeared, he immediately relaxed, excitement shining in his eyes.
Then, as the brothers began talking about Yu Xiaogang's current situation, Yu Yuanzhen's eyes widened. He slapped the desk, sprang to his feet, and rushed over to them.
"What? Xiao Gang awakened a Second Martial Soul, and it's the Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul!"
Yu Yuanzhen roared, his voice like a dragon's cry. The teacups on the desk trembled.
"Hey, Dad, keep your voice down."
Yu Xiaolin hurried to his feet to calm him. "Second Brother said not to spread the word, in case it causes trouble."
Yu Yuanzhen immediately fell silent. Realizing he had shouted a little too loudly, he glanced outside guiltily, then waved a hand carelessly. "My courtyard is far from the others. No one can hear us. What you just said—is it true? Did Xiao Gang really awaken a Second Martial Soul?"
"It's true, Dad. Ask Xiao Feng if you don't believe me." Yu Xiaolin tilted his head toward his brother.
Yu Yuanzhen immediately fixed his gaze on Yu Xiaofeng, who promptly replied, "Absolutely true. Second Brother had the Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon in his left hand and summoned Luo Sanpao with his right. There's no mistaking it."
"A Twin Martial Soul. I never thought our Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon Clan would produce a genius with Twin Martial Souls."
A smile spread across Yu Yuanzhen's face, but it slowly faded, replaced by regret.
"What a pity it happened so late. Why couldn't it have been twenty years earlier? Sigh..."
Yu Yuanzhen sighed, then returned to his desk and sat down again.
The study fell briefly silent. Yu Xiaolin cleared his throat and said, "Though Second Brother awakened it late, it's still a good thing. With the Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul, he can return to the clan."
Yu Xiaofeng chimed in, "That's right, Dad. As long as Second Brother can come back, that's all that matters. Don't worry about anything else."
Yu Yuanzhen looked at his two sons and laughed.
"Very well. I, your father, was being too calculating. Here I am getting lectured by you two boys."
"As long as Xiao Gang can come back. That's all that matters."
Yu Yuanzhen's brow relaxed. He asked, "What else did Xiao Gang say?"
"Second Brother warned us to be wary of Spirit Hall. Their targets aren't just our Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon Clan, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as well."
Yu Yuanzhen narrowed his eyes. "Sword Old Man and Bone Old Monster, with Ning Fengzhi's support... Spirit Hall certainly has some nerve. It seems their strength is far greater than I thought."
Yu Xiaolin continued, "Spirit Hall's goal is to unify the continent. The only thing we can do now is seek out the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Clear Sky Sect. If the Upper Three Sects unite, Spirit Hall won't dare make a move."
"Among Second Brother's students are the daughter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Sect Master and a direct descendant of the Clear Sky Sect. Once the Advanced Soul Master Academy Competition ends in half a year, he'll return to the clan of his own accord and discuss an alliance among the Upper Three Sects."
"Good. Then we'll wait another half year."
Yu Yuanzhen nodded, then added, "You two have used up a lot of energy on this trip. Go and rest."
Yu Xiaolin and Yu Xiaofeng rose, bowed, and left the study.
Yu Yuanzhen then took a book from beneath his desk. It was the cultivation manual Yu Xiaogang had given Yu Tianheng outside the Suotuo Great Soul Arena that day.
The edges of the book were worn, as if it had been read many times. A thin sheet of paper was tucked inside.
Yu Yuanzhen pulled it out. Several names were written on it, all belonging to influential figures within the clan. Among them were even some Elders.
As Yu Yuanzhen looked at the names on the paper, a chill crept into his expression.
"If Xiao Gang hadn't warned me, I wouldn't have known the clan had been infiltrated so thoroughly. Spirit Hall..."
A fierce killing intent welled in Yu Yuanzhen's eyes, and a faint dragon's cry seemed to rumble within him.
But after looking at the names on the paper once more, he let out a long breath and calmed himself.
"We're all blood kin of the same clan. I hope things won't come to that."
The Shrek Group returned to the academy on the same day they left Soul Hunting Forest. As soon as they arrived, they sensed that something was amiss. Students and teachers alike were talking among themselves.
Flender, Yu Xiaogang, and Liu Erlong immediately returned to the office and found Zhao Wuji, who had been acting as dean during their absence.
When the three questioned him, Zhao Wuji immediately began to vent.
"You have no idea what's happened these past few days. My heart's been pounding like crazy!"
"It started with a little conflict between students. Tailong wouldn't leave Xiao Wu alone, so Xiao San stepped in and taught him a lesson."
"Then Tailong's father, Taino, came looking for a fight. That fifty-eight-level Soul King actually challenged Xiao San himself. But Xiao San really is a monster. By the time the teachers got there, he'd already taken Taino down."
At this point, Zhao Wuji couldn't help but marvel.
"A Soul Elder in the thirties beat a Soul King all by himself. Before, you could've beaten that claim into me and I still wouldn't have believed it. But now I do."
He continued, "That Strength Clan has no shame. They sent an older one after the younger one got beaten, then an even older one after the older one got beaten."
"That old baboon, Tai Tan, was level eighty-six, and he actually came here to trick Xiao San into a bet. What a shameless old man."
"Fortunately, Sect Master Ning stepped in and resolved the crisis. But Xiao San also exposed his Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul."
After hearing Zhao Wuji's account, Yu Xiaogang knew it was time for him to step in. He told the others he was leaving, then went to find Tang San in the advanced class at the Teaching Building.
The two walked through the forest behind the academy until they reached the lakeside.
Yu Xiaogang told Tang San about Tang Hao's past, then explained how Twin Martial Souls were cultivated and, along the way, pointed out the strengths and weaknesses of clan disciples.
At the end, Yu Xiaogang added, "Xiao San, when the time comes for you to return to your sect, I'll have another favor to ask of you. But there's no rush. For now, focus on your cultivation."
"I understand, Teacher."
Before you continue