Dugu Yan: Yu Tianheng, are you reluctant to part with me, or with my grandfather's support?

"But now, I have seen a much broader sky."

"My goal is the Title Douluo realm, or perhaps even... that legendary level beyond."

As the image of Yu Nan's purple-gold dragon shadow surfaced in her mind, a fanatical curve tugged at the corners of Dugu Yan's mouth:

"In this process, I will kick aside anyone or anything that hinders my path to strength without a moment's hesitation."

"Even you, that is no exception."

These words hit Yu Tianheng like a basin of ice water, drenching him from head to toe.

He stood frozen in place, watching that familiar yet strange back, feeling as if his heart had been gripped by a vice, the pain making it impossible to breathe.

Dugu Bo, standing to the side, took in the entire scene.

Though he was somewhat surprised by his granddaughter's change in attitude, he felt more gratified than anything else.

In the world of Spirit Masters, the strong are respected.

Sentimental attachments are, in the end, the graveyard of heroes.

For Yan-yan to possess this level of resolve meant she had truly grown up, and truly... become stronger.

"Alright, since that's settled, stop dawdling here."

Dugu Bo spoke at the right moment, breaking the awkward atmosphere as he cast a cold glance at Meng Shenji and the others in the distance:

"Since you have all arrived, it is perfect timing; I have something to inform you of."

"From today on, Yan-yan will temporarily leave the team to undergo special training with this old man."

"As for the Spirit Master Tournament...

Hmph, we shall see when the time comes!"

"Wait!

Yan-yan, you... what exactly do you mean by that?"

Hearing Dugu Bo announce that Dugu Yan was leaving the team, combined with the heartless words she had just spoken, Yu Tianheng completely panicked.

He disregarded the chilling gaze of Dugu Bo.

He lunged forward, blocking Dugu Yan's path once again.

Due to extreme tension and panic, this usually composed and domineering captain of the Imperial Fighting Team was now stuttering, his lips trembling:

"Wh... what do you mean by 'kick aside'?

What do you mean by 'I am no exception'?"

"Yan-yan, are you... are you still blaming me for not being able to help you earlier?

I... I was only so worried about you!"

"We... we have been together for so long, don't you know what kind of person I am?

How could you... how could you say such things?"

Yu Tianheng stared fixedly into Dugu Yan's calm, emerald-green eyes.

He tried to find even a shred of their past affection and attachment within them.

But there was nothing.

There was absolutely nothing.

In those eyes, there was only a deathly stillness like a deep pool, and a sense of indifference that made his entire body turn cold.

This indifference caused the panic in Yu Tianheng's heart to amplify to its absolute limit.

It was not just because he was losing his lover, but because—

He was about to lose a trump card!

Countless thoughts flashed through Yu Tianheng's mind, his heart pounding violently as if it were about to burst through his chest.

Damn it!

Damn it!

How could it turn out like this?!

How could she be so cold to me?

How much time has even passed?

It's only been two months!

Yu Tianheng's fists, hidden within his sleeves, were clenched so tightly that his nails pierced his palms, drawing blood, yet he remained completely unaware.

Only he knew best in his heart why he had chosen to pursue Dugu Yan in the first place.

Was it truly just because he liked her?

No, that was only a very small part of the reason.

As one of the twin stars of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Although Yu Tianheng was gifted with extraordinary talent, he still had a formidable rival: Yu Tianxin.

Competition within the clan was brutal; to secure the position of Young Master and eventually ascend to the throne of Sect Master, talent alone was insufficient.

He required powerful external support and a formidable background!

Dugu Yan was the perfect target.

She was the only granddaughter of Dugu Bo, the apple of the eye of a Title Douluo whose poison was peerless throughout the world!

If he could win Dugu Yan over and make her devoted to him, it would be equivalent to binding a Title Douluo to his own chariot!

The support of a Title Douluo!

What a massive resource that would be!

What a terrifying deterrent!

With Dugu Bo's backing, which of those old fogies in the clan would dare to point fingers at him again?

What could that piece of trash Yu Tianxin possibly use to compete with him?!

Therefore, from the very first day he entered Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Yu Tianheng began to meticulously lay his plans.

He deliberately showcased his domineering, protective, and powerful side in front of Dugu Yan.

He even went so far as to lower his status to cater to Dugu Yan's somewhat willful personality.

He moved step by step, racking his brains, and only after great effort did he manage to make Dugu Yan fall for him and maintain this relationship.

Just as success seemed within reach, and just as Dugu Bo's attitude toward him began to soften.

But now...

Was all of this about to be destroyed?!

No!

Absolutely not!

I have poured so much effort into this; how can I fall short at the final hurdle?!

If I lose Dugu Bo's support, my influence within the clan will shrink by at least half!

How will I fight Yu Tianxin then?!

Thinking of this, the panic in Yu Tianheng's eyes gradually transformed into an almost insane obsession.

Yu Tianheng took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the agitation in his heart, and struggled to squeeze out an expression he believed to be both affectionate and pained.

He said with a trembling voice:

"Yanyan, I know your strength has improved and your horizons have broadened."

"But I... I will work hard to catch up to you! I am the Young Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan; you know my talent!"

"Don't... don't push me away, okay? The Imperial Fighting Team cannot do without you, and I... I cannot do without you either!"

As he spoke, Yu Tianheng reached out again, trying to grab Dugu Yan's sleeve, his posture humble to the extreme.

He looked like a child about to be abandoned.

However, looking at the man begging so humbly before her, the disgust in Dugu Yan's heart grew even stronger.

In the past, she might have been moved to tears by this "deeply affectionate" confession.

But now, possessing the ultra-high spiritual power bestowed upon her by Yu Nan, combined with the transformation of her state of mind just moments ago, she felt as if she had the ability to see through people's hearts.

The flash of calculation and anxiety deep in Yu Tianheng's eyes, though hidden extremely well, was as clear as an ink blot on white paper in Dugu Yan's eyes.

"Heh..."

Dugu Yan suddenly let out a soft laugh.

The laughter carried a hint of mockery and a touch of sorrow.

"Yu Tianheng, is it really that you cannot do without me..."

Dugu Yan leaned forward slightly, moved to Yu Tianheng's ear, and said word by word in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"Or is it that you cannot do without... my grandfather's support?"

This sentence was like a bolt of lightning from the blue, striking Yu Tianheng precisely on the crown of his head.

Boom!

Yu Tianheng felt his mind go completely blank.

The thousands of words he had prepared, those heart-wrenching vows, were all stuck in his throat at this moment.