Returning to the Clan

Yu Xiaogang had just finished assigning teams to the Royal Soul Master Guard when he went straight to find Dugu Bo.

As a Titled Douluo and an advisor to Shrek Academy, Dugu Bo had a standalone villa for a dormitory. It was quite a show of status.

After knocking and entering, Yu Xiaogang immediately brought up the matter of visiting the Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Dugu Bo was sipping tea inside. At once, he nodded, set down his cup, and said, "Perfect. My Yan Yan and that kid Yu Tianheng have both graduated from Heaven Dou Royal Academy. It's time to discuss their marriage. I was just about to visit that old dragon of yours and talk it over. Let's go."

Before coming, Yu Xiaogang had worried that Dugu Bo might not agree. He hadn't expected the younger generation's relationship to bring this about. Perhaps it was simply fate.

The group met at the entrance to Shrek Academy. Yu Xiaogang, Liu Erlong, Yu Xiaofeng, and Dugu Bo climbed into a carriage, while the fifty Royal Soul Master Guard knights formed a protective escort around it.

The convoy quickly left Heaven Dou City and headed for the Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon Clan's territory in the Thunder Mountain Range.

The next morning.

A convoy of knights clad in golden armor rode into the Thunder Mountain Range and eventually stopped in front of the Mountain Gate at the foot of Dragon Head Mountain.

Yu Xiaofeng stepped down from the carriage, went over to notify the disciples on duty at the Mountain Gate, then shot off toward the mountain like a streak of light.

Inside the council hall, Yu Yuanzhen was discussing clan affairs with the Elders when Yu Xiaofeng suddenly landed outside the hall.

Everyone inside immediately put aside their work and turned to look toward the entrance.

Yu Xiaofeng then entered the hall, bowed toward the seat of honor, and said, "Reporting to the Clan Leader: the Imperial Advisor of the Heaven Dou Empire has arrived."

"The Heaven Dou Empire's Imperial Advisor? Who is it?"

Yu Yuanzhen immediately asked. The Elders in the hall also began discussing it among themselves, but all of them shook their heads.

"Two nights ago, Emperor Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire held a celebration banquet for the teachers and students of Shrek Academy who participated in this year's Advanced Soul Master Academy Competition. After the banquet, Emperor Xue Ye personally appointed Shrek Academy's team leader, Yu Xiaogang, as the Heaven Dou Empire's Imperial Advisor."

"What? Xiao Gang is the Imperial Advisor!"

As soon as Yu Xiaofeng finished speaking, Yu Yuanzhen sprang to his feet, his face full of disbelief.

The hall fell completely silent. The Elders looked at one another, unable to say a word.

Seeing this, Yu Xiaofeng lowered his head and chuckled, then forced down the corners of his mouth and continued, "Besides the Imperial Advisor, the visitors include Shrek Academy's advisor, Poison Douluo Dugu Bo; its vice dean, Liu Erlong; and fifty escort knights from the Royal Soul Master Guard. Please make arrangements, Clan Leader."

Yu Yuanzhen had already composed himself. After hearing who the visitors were, he immediately said, "Since the Heaven Dou Empire's Imperial Advisor is visiting, and Poison Douluo has come as well, our Blue Electric Tyrant Dragon Clan should welcome them at the Mountain Gate."

"Great Elder, come with me. Xiaolin and Xiaofeng, notify the elite disciples of each peak to gather at Dragon Head Mountain. The rest of you Elders can wait at the plaza."

At this, Yu Xiaolin, who had been seated at the back of the hall, immediately stood up and left the council hall with Yu Xiaofeng. They flashed away toward the peaks behind them.

The Great Elder also rose and followed Yu Yuanzhen out of the council hall.

Across from them, Yu Luomian had looked uneasy ever since he heard Liu Erlong's name among the visitors. Now, seeing Yu Yuanzhen and the Great Elder already on their feet, he couldn't help speaking up. "Clan Leader, let me come along to welcome them, too."

Yu Yuanzhen stopped and turned to look at Yu Luomian, replying calmly, "Since Second Brother wants to go, then come along."

"Thank you, Clan Leader."

Yu Luomian answered, then stood and followed them out of the council hall.

The three of them flashed away together toward the foot of the mountain.

At the Mountain Gate at the foot of Dragon Head Mountain.

Yu Xiaogang and the others stepped down from the carriage. Looking at the familiar surroundings, Yu Xiaogang felt a wave of emotions he couldn't quite describe.

During the more than twenty years he'd been away, Yu Xiaogang had longed to return here every moment. But now that he was finally standing here, he felt little emotion. All he had were memories of his youth.

Liu Erlong silently came over and took Yu Xiaogang's arm. Together, they looked at the familiar surroundings.

Dugu Bo clasped his hands behind his back and surveyed the area. Then, as if sensing something, he turned to look up the mountain.

Before long, Yu Yuanzhen, the Great Elder, and Yu Luomian landed in front of the Mountain Gate.

Yu Xiaogang immediately stepped forward. The moment he saw Yu Yuanzhen, his eyes reddened.

"Father, your son is home."

Hearing Yu Xiaogang's words, Yu Yuanzhen couldn't help wiping his eyes. He patted his son on the shoulder and said softly, "You're home. You're home at last."

Then he looked at Liu Erlong beside Yu Xiaogang, his face lighting up with a smile as well.

"Erlong's home, too. That's wonderful."

Liu Erlong nodded, her eyes red, then greeted him as Uncle.

Yu Luomian, standing nearby, wore a complicated expression when he saw Liu Erlong. He wanted to say something, but in the end, nothing came out.

Liu Erlong turned to look at him. The moment she saw Yu Luomian, her expression turned noticeably cold, but she still stepped forward and called out, "Father."

"Ah," Yu Luomian replied, then fell silent, unsure what else to say. The atmosphere grew quiet again.

Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang immediately changed the subject. He shifted aside and introduced the person behind him. "Father, Senior Poison Douluo came along, too."

"Haha, Old Dragon, it's been many years since we last met." Dugu Bo laughed as he walked over from behind.

Yu Yuanzhen smiled too. "It certainly has. We couldn't decide the winner in our last spar. If you want another round, I'm ready anytime."

"Ah, forget it, forget it. We're both old bones now. We'd best avoid fighting. I came this time for the younger generation. My Yan Yan and that kid Yu Tianheng have both graduated. It's time to talk about marriage."

Yu Yuanzhen nodded. "Yes, you're right. We should start making arrangements for the two children."

He then called over the disciples on duty at the Mountain Gate and said, "Take everyone from the Royal Soul Master Guard to the guest lodgings at the foot of the mountain."

The Royal Soul Master Guard's captains all looked to Yu Xiaogang. He nodded, and the captains led their respective squads through the Mountain Gate, following the disciples on duty, then headed to the right.

"Then let's go up the mountain."

With that, Yu Yuanzhen led the rest of the group up the stone steps toward Dragon Head Mountain.