Yu Hong stood where he was, his hands hanging naturally at his sides, that infuriating faint smile still on his face.
He said nothing, merely watching Yu Xiaogang in silence.
"Go to hell!" Yu Xiaogang roared, charging forward with his fist raised.
Seeing this, Yu Hong summoned his Martial Soul, and the White Stone of the Ancients appeared in his hand.
"You're not even using your Martial Soul. Are you stupid?"
The corners of Yu Hong's mouth lifted slightly. He gripped the White Stone of the Ancients, sidestepped Yu Xiaogang's punch, and swung his arm.
Thud!
The White Stone of the Ancients slammed squarely into Yu Xiaogang's shoulder.
"Ah!" Yu Xiaogang cried out in pain and stumbled.
Yu Hong gave him no chance to catch his breath. The white stone in his hand was as handy as any weapon, and he brought it down on Yu Xiaogang from left and right.
Thud, thud, thud!
"Ow, ow, ow! Stop!" Yu Xiaogang clutched his head and dodged in a sorry flurry, but he couldn't evade Yu Hong's attacks at all.
That Jade Egg, which looked so harmless, had become a downright vicious weapon in Yu Hong's hands.
Every blow landed hard and true, aimed at the fleshiest spots on Yu Xiaogang's shoulders, back, and backside.
"Weren't you going to fight me one-on-one? Why are you only running?" Yu Hong said as he beat him, sounding as relaxed as if he were out for a stroll.
"You—you—ah!" Yu Xiaogang tried to strike back, but a blow from the white stone landed on the back of his hand, making him grimace in pain.
The children around them were already laughing hysterically.
"Hahahaha! Yu Xiaogang's getting chased around by an egg!"
"His Pig-Dog Martial Soul can't even beat an egg!"
"Yu Hong's amazing! He beat the clan leader's son with an egg!"
Yu Xiaogang was beaten into a wild scramble, his body mottled with bruises and looking utterly wretched.
Several times, he tried to summon his Martial Soul to fight back, but the purple pig-dog only crouched off to the side, watching him get beaten with big, innocent eyes. Every now and then, it even snorted, as if cheering Yu Hong on.
At the entrance to the main hall, Yu Yuanzhen watched the scene with a face like still water.
He had thought that even if his son's Martial Soul was no good, his physical abilities would at least make up for it. Surely he could handle Yu Hong, another good-for-nothing.
But the sight before him had left him utterly disappointed.
His son was being chased around by an egg, unable to fight back at all. Was this really the legitimate son he had pinned all his hopes on?
Yu Luomian stood nearby, struggling to hold back his laughter. His professional composure kept him from cracking.
It was one thing for Yu Xiaogang to awaken a useless Martial Soul. But to lose to an ordinary clan member, too? That was truly pathetic.
If he were Yu Yuanzhen, he'd just make a new account.
Wait, his sister-in-law had died long ago. His elder brother could only have children with his concubines.
"Enough." Yu Yuanzhen spoke in a low voice. It wasn't loud, yet everyone heard him clearly.
Yu Hong halted, withdrew the White Stone of the Ancients, stepped back twice, and bowed respectfully to Yu Yuanzhen.
"Clan Leader."
Yu Yuanzhen glanced at Yu Hong without a word, then turned his gaze to Yu Xiaogang, who was sprawled on the ground.
The disappointment and indifference in his eyes made Yu Xiaogang shudder all over.
"Father, I..." Yu Xiaogang started to explain, but one look from Yu Yuanzhen cut him off.
"Go back and reflect on what you've done." Yu Yuanzhen left those words behind and turned back toward the main hall.
Yu Xiaogang knelt on the ground, covered in dirt, his face bruised and swollen. He looked utterly wretched.
The children's laughter pricked at his heart like needles.
"Yu Xiaogang, are you all right?" one child asked with mock concern, glee plain in his voice.
"Get lost! All of you, get lost!" Yu Xiaogang screamed hysterically. He scrambled to his feet and staggered away.
His retreat was a sorry, frantic one, but the piercing laughter and Yu Hong's faintly smiling face kept ringing in his ears.
Yu Hong, I'll remember you! One day, I'll make you pay a hundredfold!
Yu Hong watched Yu Xiaogang flee, dismissed his Martial Soul, and brushed at the nonexistent dust on his hands.
Today's beating would do for interest.
Inside the main hall, the atmosphere was so heavy it felt as though water could drip from it.
Yu Yuanzhen sat back down in the seat of honor and rubbed his brow, his temples throbbing.
Everything that had happened today felt like some absurd nightmare.
His legitimate son, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's hope for the future, had awakened a Pig-Dog Martial Soul and possessed only 0.5 levels of Innate Soul Power.
Even more ridiculous, he had just been chased around and beaten by another good-for-nothing clan member wielding an egg, without the slightest ability to fight back.
If word got out, where would that leave Yu Yuanzhen's dignity?
But Yu Xiaogang was still his only legitimate son, the only bloodline his late wife had left him. He couldn't abandon him, no matter what.
"Everyone," Yu Yuanzhen began after clearing his throat. "The results of today's awakening ceremony... weren't quite what we'd hoped for."
The people in the hall exchanged glances, but no one dared to respond.
Yu Yuanzhen continued, "But the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has never judged a hero by his innate gifts alone. Martial Soul talent is certainly important, but cultivation after awakening is just as essential."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the elders. Then he said pointedly, "I've been wondering whether we should increase our investment in the younger members of the clan. After all, some children may not have great talent, but with enough resources and support, they may still become outstanding."
By this point, his meaning was clear.
Everyone present was shrewd. Who couldn't tell the clan leader wanted to pile the family's resources into his son?
But the clan leader couldn't say so outright. Yu Xiaogang's performance just now had been far too humiliating. If Yu Yuanzhen openly proposed giving him special treatment, it would invite criticism.
Silence fell over the hall.
Yu Luomian's eyes shifted, and he secretly rejoiced. This was exactly the opportunity he'd been waiting for.
"Elder Brother is right!" Yu Luomian was the first to step forward, wearing an expression of righteous conviction. "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan should indeed invest more in its younger members. Especially the children who awakened today. Their talents may vary, but they're all the clan's future!"
Yu Yuanzhen nodded slightly, thinking that at last his younger brother had come to his senses.
However, Yu Luomian changed tack. "But for the sake of fairness, I think we should treat everyone equally. Every child who awakened today and possesses Soul Power should receive the clan's support. In particular, those two children with 0.5 levels of Innate Soul Power need even more resources."
Yu Yuanzhen's expression stiffened slightly.
Two?
He only wanted to cultivate his own son. When had another one entered the picture?
"What do you mean, Second Brother?" Yu Yuanzhen asked with a frown.
"I mean that Yu Xiaogang and Yu Hong should both receive equal opportunities for cultivation," Yu Luomian said with utmost sincerity. "After all, their Innate Soul Power is the same, and their Martial Souls are both... well, rather unusual. If we only cultivate one of them, people might think it unfair, and that wouldn't be good for the clan's unity."
Yu Yuanzhen's brow furrowed even deeper.
He wanted to say, What is Yu Hong, anyway? How could he possibly compare to his son?
But he couldn't say that aloud, because on the surface, Yu Hong and Yu Xiaogang's circumstances were indeed much the same.
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