Yu Luomian's Investment

Besides, Yu Hong had just beaten Yu Xiaogang. If the family only groomed Yu Xiaogang and not Yu Hong, that would sound even worse.

"The second-in-command makes a good point!" Third Elder Yu Qingming nodded in agreement. "Treating them equally is the only way to show the dignity of our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."

"Exactly. Give them both a fair chance. Whether they succeed depends on their own fortunes," another elder said.

"I agree."

"Seconded."

For a moment, the hall rang with voices of agreement.

Yu Yuanzhen looked at the elders who usually fawned over him. Now each of them spoke righteously in support of fair treatment, and he was seething inside.

He knew exactly what they were scheming.

They simply saw that his son was a lost cause and wanted to use the opportunity to weaken his influence.

But things had already come to this. If he opposed them outright, he would only give them ammunition and make himself look petty as clan leader.

"Fine." Yu Yuanzhen drew a deep breath and forced out a single word. "We'll do as you suggest. Yu Xiaogang and Yu Hong will be groomed together."

The corners of Yu Luomian's mouth lifted slightly before he quickly schooled his expression. He cupped his hands and said, "Elder brother, you are wise!"

Yu Yuanzhen looked at him but said nothing.

Wise my ass. You just played me, and you think I don't know it?

But if his son was to get resources, he could only grit his teeth and accept it.

Yu Luomian continued, "Elder brother, I have a proposal. I wonder if you'll agree."

Yu Yuanzhen looked at Yu Luomian and asked, "What proposal?"

Yu Luomian smiled genially. "I don't think the clan can provide resources to the two of them indefinitely. Resources don't just fall from the sky."

Yu Yuanzhen raised an eyebrow. "Little brother, what do you have in mind?"

Yu Luomian replied, "My idea is to provide resources for only six years. Once they turn twelve, have them fight. The winner will be the only one to receive resources for the next six years. After they turn eighteen, the clan will stop providing resources altogether."

Yu Yuanzhen's eyes lit up as he listened to Yu Luomian. As expected, my good little brother is looking out for me.

I actually blamed him unfairly.

How could an ordinary clan member like Yu Hong possibly compare to Yu Xiaogang?

If both boys received the same resources, he could secretly give Xiaogang a little extra. After six years, Yu Xiaogang would surely crush Yu Hong.

If Yu Xiaogang still hadn't achieved anything by eighteen, then he would have no choice but to give up on him.

The other elders considered Yu Luomian's proposal reasonable and nodded in agreement.

Yu Yuanzhen coughed once and said, "All right. We'll do as Luomian suggested."

After the discussion ended, everyone dispersed.

Meanwhile, at Yu Hong's home.

Yu Hong held the ten-year Whale Rubber and pondered how he could make the White Stone of the Ancients evolve into the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

He felt that there was only one reason why his Martial Soul was the White Stone of the Ancients.

His Soul Power wasn't enough. He needed a great deal more.

Yu Hong figured he would have to consume plenty of Soul Beasts and other resources, while also improving his physique.

The Blue-Eyes White Dragon Martial Soul was surely a top-tier Martial Soul. To withstand a top-tier Martial Soul, he would need a strong body.

How could he build a strong body?

By taking Whale Rubber and working out.

Sometimes, Yu Hong thought the protagonists in some Douluo fanfics were ridiculous. They started working out at two or three years old.

Dude, you're only two or three. Could your body even take it?

He hadn't started working out himself, but he had used his late parents' connections to gather a large supply of Whale Rubber and improve his physique.

Whale Rubber wasn't expensive these days, and no one had discovered that it could improve one's physique.

Most people treated Whale Rubber as an aphrodisiac or used it as an ingredient in certain medicines.

Just then, a knock came from outside the courtyard gate.

"Is Yu Hong there?"

Yu Hong put away his Martial Soul and got up to open the door.

The person standing outside gave him a slight start.

"Deputy Clan Leader?"

Yu Luomian stood at the entrance with a beaming smile, holding a bracelet Storage Soul Tool in his hand.

"What, you don't welcome the deputy clan leader dropping by?" Yu Luomian joked.

Yu Hong stepped aside. "Please come in, Deputy Clan Leader."

Yu Luomian walked into the courtyard and looked around.

It wasn't large, but it was fairly tidy, if a little bare.

"It can't be easy living here by yourself," Yu Luomian said with a sigh. "Your parents passed away so early. You've had a hard time all these years."

Yu Hong's expression remained calm. "I'm used to it."

Yu Luomian sat down on a stone stool, set the bracelet Storage Soul Tool on the table, and pushed it toward Yu Hong.

"Here, I brought you some things from the deputy clan leader. Some medicinal herbs to build up your body, and a little money. Take them."

Yu Hong glanced at the bracelet Storage Soul Tool but made no move to take it. "Just say what you came to say, Deputy Clan Leader."

Yu Luomian was taken aback, then burst out laughing.

"You've got guts, kid!" He stopped laughing and grew serious. "All right, I won't beat around the bush. You probably haven't heard what happened in the Council Hall today, have you?"

Yu Hong shook his head.

Yu Luomian then told Yu Hong everything that had happened in the Council Hall.

He explained how Yu Yuanzhen had wanted to groom Yu Xiaogang, how he had proposed treating them fairly, and how they had finally agreed on the six-year arrangement.

"In other words, starting today, the clan will provide you and Yu Xiaogang with the same cultivation resources," Yu Luomian said. "After six years, the two of you will fight. Whoever wins will get to enjoy the resources for the next six years."

After listening, Yu Hong was silent for a moment, then asked, "Why are you helping me, Deputy Clan Leader?"

Yu Luomian smiled. "The deputy clan leader can't stand seeing certain people bully others just because of their status. You did a good job beating Yu Xiaogang today! That brat has been arrogant and overbearing for ages. Someone should have taught him a lesson long ago."

Yu Hong looked at Yu Luomian without speaking.

He naturally didn't believe that explanation.

Yu Luomian was helping him simply because he wanted to use him to spite Yu Yuanzhen.

But that didn't matter.

As long as he got the resources, who cared what the man's motives were?

"The deputy clan leader will send you some supplies every month." Yu Luomian stood up and patted Yu Hong on the shoulder. "Train hard. Don't disappoint the deputy clan leader six years from now."

After speaking, he gave Yu Hong a meaningful look.

"That brat Yu Xiaogang has been spoiled rotten since he was little. He can't take hardship. As long as you're willing to put in the work, you might well have a chance of winning six years from now."

Yu Hong nodded. "I understand."

Yu Luomian smiled with satisfaction and turned toward the gate.

When he reached it, Yu Luomian paused and looked back. "Oh, right. The clan leader will definitely give Yu Xiaogang extra help behind the scenes. Keep that in mind. Don't be foolish enough to think this is a truly fair contest."

"Thank you for the warning, Deputy Clan Leader."

Yu Luomian waved a hand and strode away.

Yu Hong stood in the courtyard, watching Yu Luomian's retreating figure, the corners of his mouth curving slightly upward.

Yu Luomian was an interesting man.

He clearly wanted to use Yu Hong as a weapon, yet insisted on putting on the act of a caring elder.

But it didn't matter.

Six years was plenty of time for him to accomplish a great deal.