Gang Zi's Stern Father: Unfilial Son Doesn't Know His Limits

Spirit Hall's announcement was like an invisible storm. In just a few days, it swept through every province, clan, and city under the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires.

No one knew that the Soul Beasts had already been wiped out entirely. Everyone was immersed in panic over the "mysterious disappearance of Soul Beasts and the uncertain path of cultivation ahead," and Spirit Hall's move was undoubtedly a bombshell thrown onto that dark road ahead.

Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Clan Head's Hall.

Yu Yuanzhen, the current head of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and a level ninety-six assault-type Titled Douluo, sat upon the clan head's seat. His purple-gold robe embroidered with python patterns lent him an imposing air, while his brows naturally carried the majesty of a top clan's leader.

Below him, several clan elders stood on either side, each gripping the Spirit Hall proclamation that messenger disciples had urgently delivered. The hall was utterly silent, save for the echo of heavy breathing.

After a long while, Yu Yuanzhen lightly tapped the armrest with his fingertips. His low voice shattered the dead silence, filled with incredulous shock and anger. "Yu Xiaogang?"

"That unfilial son actually went back to Spirit Hall again?"

As his words fell, the atmosphere in the hall grew even heavier.

A white-haired elder stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said in a deep voice, "Clan Head, it is absolutely true. Spirit Hall's Continent-wide Announcement explicitly appointed Yu Xiaogang as the sole person in charge of the Creation Institute, overseeing all research into substitute Soul Rings and granted full authority to mobilize all of Spirit Hall's manpower, material resources, and ancient texts."

"There are also rumors that Pope Bibi Dong personally summoned him and, before everyone, overruled all opposition to hand over every research authorization, granting Yu Xiaogang supreme authority."

Another elder frowned deeply, his face full of incomprehension. "Absurd! Utterly absurd!"

"Yu Xiaogang never broke through level thirty in his entire life and has remained stuck at the Soul Grandmaster realm forever. He has neither top-tier cultivation nor peerless combat strength, only a pile of theories on paper. Since when did he have the ability to oversee research concerning the foundation of all Soul Masters across the continent?"

"If he fails to produce anything, he'll only bring further shame upon the clan!"

"Has Spirit Hall lost its mind? Or does it have some ulterior motive?"

As one of the upper three clans, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had actually learned the truth about the extinction of the Soul Beasts long ago. They had not simply disappeared.

Under such circumstances, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was anxious as well. With the Soul Beasts extinct, the cultivation path of all their younger disciples had been cut off.

They too hoped Spirit Hall could provide a solution.

But they had never imagined that the key figure in resolving this crisis would be the discarded disciple their own clan had expelled years ago!

"Unfilial son, he truly doesn't know his limits!"

Yu Yuanzhen said angrily.

An elder gritted his teeth. "Clan Head, should we send someone to deliver a message to Yu Xiaogang? Order him to leave Spirit Hall immediately!"

"No need." Yu Yuanzhen slowly shook his head, his eyes filled with disappointment. "That unfilial son was stubborn and extreme in temperament back then. After being expelled, he resented the clan for years. Now that Spirit Hall has given him supreme authority and endless resources, how could he possibly be willing to leave?"

At this point, Yu Yuanzhen changed the subject, his expression turning solemn. "Pass down the order. Closely monitor every research development at Spirit Hall's Creation Institute. The moment there is any news, report it immediately!"

"If Yu Xiaogang truly develops a method for substitute Soul Rings, our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan must have a share!"

As the leader of a top clan, he could despise Yu Xiaogang, that unfilial son, but he could not ignore a transformation capable of overturning the entire Soul Master world.

Shrek Academy.

Within the crude, dilapidated little courtyard, there was none of the grandeur and luxury of noble families or great clans. There were only a few simple wooden houses and a level training ground.

Flender's hawk-like eyes were sharp as he held a Spirit Hall newspaper. After reading the information on it, he abruptly slammed the paper onto the stone table, his face full of shock and disbelief.

"Good heavens! Am I seeing things? Yu Xiaogang went to Spirit Hall? And he even became some kind of director of the Creation Institute?!"

The rough voice shattered the courtyard's tranquility. Zhao Wuji, who was meditating in the yard, and the other teachers, who were polishing their Martial Souls, all turned to look.

Zhao Wuji was broad and burly, with a fierce aura. Hearing this, he grinned in stunned disbelief. "Grandmaster? The Grandmaster we know, the one who spent his whole life as a Soul Grandmaster and researched Martial Soul theory his entire life?"

"That's him!" Flender nodded, his expression complicated. "Spirit Hall issued a Continent-wide Announcement, personally inviting him out and placing him fully in charge of researching a solution to replace Soul Beast Soul Rings!"

The moment those words were spoken, all the Shrek teachers erupted in uproar.

"No way? Didn't Grandmaster always despise Spirit Hall's overbearing ways the most?"

"People die for wealth, birds die for food," one teacher sighed. "Now that the continent's Soul Beasts have disappeared, everyone's future is uncertain. Ordinary Soul Masters do not know where to go, while those top clans are helpless."

"With Spirit Hall offering such great authority and so many resources, allowing him to research freely, I'm afraid no one could easily refuse."

Flender's shock faded, replaced by deeper contemplation in his eyes. "I can understand him."

"Xiao Gang's lifelong obsession has been proving his theories. He was expelled by his clan and mocked by the world for his weak cultivation. He spent his entire life living with regret and unwillingness."

"No one acknowledged his research before, but now Spirit Hall has given him a stage and a chance to fulfill his lifelong dream. He has no reason to refuse."

He and Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong had once been close friends, so he understood Yu Xiaogang's obsession better than anyone.

What he did not say was that there had also once been a relationship between Yu Xiaogang and Bibi Dong.

He knew very well that Yu Xiaogang was filled with resentment toward Spirit Hall—or rather, toward Bibi Dong. Back then, Bibi Dong had been the one to abandon Yu Xiaogang.

So while he understood why Yu Xiaogang had agreed to join Spirit Hall, he also found it hard to understand.

"If Xiao Gang succeeds, things will get interesting." A glint flashed through Flender's eyes, and a smile curved his lips. "Who would have thought that the person who might save the entire Soul Master world in the future would actually be an old acquaintance of ours?"

"Haha, that's true!"

"If Grandmaster really succeeds, that would be wonderful!"

"We won't have to worry about running out of Soul Rings to use in the future!"

Zhao Wuji and the others laughed as well. Naturally, they hoped Yu Xiaogang would succeed.

When Shrek Academy had been founded, Yu Xiaogang had contributed as well.

Afterward, Yu Xiaogang had visited Shrek several times, so Zhao Wuji and the others were fairly familiar with him.

It was only later, when Liu Erlong came to Shrek Academy one time, that Yu Xiaogang had nearly run into her.

After that incident, Yu Xiaogang never came again.

"Once Er Long hears this news, she'll probably be upset!"

At that thought, Flender sighed inwardly, his heart filled with bitterness.

He liked Liu Erlong, so naturally he did not wish to see her upset.

Liu Erlong also knew about Yu Xiaogang and Bibi Dong.

This time, Liu Erlong would definitely be furious.