Tang Yu spoke in an even tone, as if he were discussing the weather.
"Perhaps you're thinking that as long as all the sects in the world join forces, and as long as you have a stronger power backing you, you can force me to give in."
"Whether it's the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the Heaven Dou Empire, or even Spirit Hall."
"Do you think that just by invoking these names, you can make me hesitate?"
Tang Yu clasped his hands behind his back and glanced at the wind banners fluttering in the distance.
"I'll make myself perfectly clear right here, today."
"Whether we're talking about the great sects of the world or Spirit Hall."
"I don't go looking for trouble, but I've never been afraid of it, either."
"There's only one rule. Listen carefully."
Tang Yu surveyed the crowd. His deep gaze made everyone lower their heads.
"If anyone here can't stand the sight of me, then by all means, bring out every trump card and backer you're so proud of."
"I'll take them all on."
"But if anyone dares provoke me, dares try to block my path..."
He pointed at Yu Xiaogang, who lay on the ground, neither dead nor conscious.
"Even if you're the Emperor of Heaven himself, I'll make you pay for it, with interest."
"This man today is just an appetizer."
"If anyone wants to be next, they're welcome to try."
The pungent stench of blood spread through the air, carried on the breeze into every person's nostrils.
The representatives of the various powers, who had originally come to watch the spectacle, were now all pale. Even their breathing had grown instinctively faint.
Looking at the horrifying pool of dark-red blood on the ground, they felt a chill shoot from the soles of their feet straight to the crowns of their heads.
How ruthless.
Truly ruthless.
That was Yu Xiaogang, after all.
Although he was a good-for-nothing who would never break through to Soul Grandmaster, he had at least once been the young master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. He was also a theoretical master renowned across the continent.
Yet before Prince Wuyang, he was like an ant that could be crushed at a whim.
Tang Yu had beaten him without a second thought, then crippled him just as readily.
He had shown no scruples and hesitated not at all.
Beneath the high platform, several sect leaders from mid-tier sects exchanged glances. They saw unending terror in one another's eyes.
They quietly edged backward, trying to hide behind the crowd.
At that moment, a powerful thought arose in everyone's heart.
In this world, they would rather offend the long-established Super Douluos than provoke the young man on the high platform.
If they offended a Super Douluo, perhaps they could still rely on their sect's reputation to beg for a slim chance of survival.
But if they provoked Tang Yu, the only thing awaiting them would be a devastating blow.
He simply didn't care about the continent's rules or the greater good.
Those who followed him would prosper; those who opposed him would perish.
That was Prince Wuyang Tang Yu's way of doing things.
At that moment, Yu Xiaogang lay on the cold flagstones, his body trembling violently.
His entire face was swollen beyond recognition, and his skin had turned a bizarre purplish black.
Every breath made his chest and facial wounds move, sending waves of pain tearing through him.
The agony nearly made him pass out.
Even harder for him to accept was the strange sensation in his mouth.
He tried to touch his tongue to it, but all he found was a mouthful of blood and pulp, along with broken, loosened tooth roots.
Most of his back teeth had actually been knocked right out by those two Iron Cavalry soldiers.
"Ugh... ngh..."
A faint whimper came from Yu Xiaogang's throat.
His right hand clawed at the cracks in the stone. He gripped so hard that his fingernails split, and thin threads of blood seeped out.
Extreme pain and humiliation blazed in his chest like a raging fire.
His one open eye glimmered with venomous hatred.
He hated them.
He hated Tang Yu's brutality and the Iron Cavalry soldiers' mercilessness.
Most of all, he hated Yu Yuanzhen, sitting not far away in his seat without even sparing him a glance.
"Why... why are you treating me like this...?"
He screamed inwardly.
He didn't think he had done anything wrong.
He had only wanted to uphold justice in the Soul Master World. He had only wanted to speak up for what was right.
Why would these mighty figures, high above the rest, allow a tyrant like Tang Yu to run wild across the continent?
Was there truly no justice left in this world?
Just as everyone thought Yu Xiaogang would pass out or be carried away, the bloodied figure on the ground suddenly moved.
Yu Xiaogang clenched his teeth and used the last of his strength to slowly push himself upright.
His arms trembled nonstop, and several times he nearly fell over again.
But he kept going.
Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Yu Xiaogang staggered to his feet.
His robe was soaked through with blood and muddy water, clinging to his body and making him look utterly wretched.
But he no longer roared, nor did he display that righteous indignation he had shown earlier.
Head bowed, Yu Xiaogang dragged his heavy steps toward the high platform, one step at a time.
With every step, he left a clear smear of blood on the ground.
He stopped about ten paces from the foot of the platform.
Then.
Under the stunned gazes of the crowd.
Yu Xiaogang slowly bent his self-proclaimed noble back.
He clasped his hands together and bowed deeply to Tang Yu on the high platform.
With his face swollen, his voice came out strange and hoarse, almost impossible to make out.
"P-Prince Wuyang..."
"Just now... I, Xiaogang, was rude and offended Your Highness."
"I, Xiaogang... offer my apologies to Your Highness."
As soon as he said this,
A stifled gasp swept through the otherwise silent plaza.
Ning Fengzhi's eyelids twitched several times. His gaze on Yu Xiaogang turned complicated.
He had never imagined that Yu Xiaogang, usually so haughty and protective of his reputation as if it were his life, would lower his head and apologize in front of everyone to the very man who had broken his bones.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin looked even more contemptuous.
A person like this didn't even have the basic backbone expected of a Soul Master.
After taking a beating, he immediately came crawling and wagging his tail.
He had disgraced the Soul Masters.
Yu Yuanzhen still had his eyes closed, but his body trembled slightly.
He felt that this rebellious son had made him lose every last shred of face today.
On the high platform,
Xue Qinghe watched Yu Xiaogang bend over, disgust deepening in his eyes.
"Weren't you so tough just now?"
"Why are you acting like a lapdog now, coming over to wag your tail?"
At those words, Yu Xiaogang's body shuddered violently.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to endure the pain in his face, and raised his head again.
Though he looked wretched, his one open eye gleamed with a near-maniacal determination.
"Your Highness... I know my strength is insignificant. Before Your Highness's million-strong army, I'm no more than a drop in the ocean."
"So I apologize for my recklessness just now."
"But..."