Who knew how much time had passed? The wind in Star Dou Forest suddenly stopped.
The light in the forest seemed to dim, as though even the sky were warning of the misfortune that was about to unfold.
After Yu Tianlong finished absorbing the Space Rabbit's Soul Ring, he felt the newborn power surging through his body. Level thirty-three.
Rising three levels in a row was a gain worth celebrating at any time.
But he had no heart to savor that joy. The moment he finished absorbing the Soul Ring, the atmosphere around them had abruptly changed.
"Clan Head, I've finished absorbing the Soul Ring. Let's head back."
Yu Tianlong stood up and brushed the dust from his clothes, doing his best to keep his tone calm. "This junior feels fine. I should go back and consolidate my cultivation."
As he spoke, he motioned for Little Gold and Little Silver to leave.
But Yu Yuanzhen didn't move.
He simply stood there with his hands clasped behind his back. His face still wore that gentle smile, but to Yu Tianlong, it now seemed as chilling as a snake's tongue.
"No rush," Yu Yuanzhen said slowly, his voice as calm as ever.
"We rarely get the chance to come to Star Dou Forest. Why hurry back? The Soul Power here is far denser than at the clan's residence. Staying a little longer will help you stabilize your cultivation."
"I'm grateful for the Clan Head's kindness," Yu Tianlong said, without slowing his steps. At the same time, he silently sent a warning to Little Gold and Little Silver.
"But this junior really does have something important to take care of. Senior Dugu is still waiting for me. I shouldn't keep him waiting."
"Dugu Bo?" Yu Yuanzhen's smile faded a little. "Tianlong, you're a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, not the Dugu Family. It's hardly appropriate for you to keep going to an outsider for everything, is it?"
"Senior Dugu and I get along well. It's only natural that we spend time together."
Yu Tianlong had reached a point about ten paces from Yu Yuanzhen. He stopped and turned around, wearing a polite but distant smile. "If the Clan Head has nothing else to say, this junior will take his leave."
He lifted a foot, preparing to go.
"Ah."
A long sigh came from behind him.
It held regret and resignation, along with a trace of... relief.
"Why do you have to be so clever?" Yu Yuanzhen's voice came from behind him, no longer gentle, but cold and utterly frank. "When did you figure it out?"
Yu Tianlong's body stiffened.
He slowly turned around. His smile was gone, replaced by an expression so calm it was almost indifferent. "I don't understand what the Clan Head means."
"You do." Yu Yuanzhen looked at him without a trace of concealment. His eyes were those of a hunter watching prey caught in a trap.
"You've always known. From the moment I gave you so many resources, from the moment I treated you far too well, you've always had your doubts. You just didn't want to believe it—or, rather, you didn't dare. After all, who would treat someone else's child better than their own for no reason?"
Yu Tianlong was silent for a moment, then sighed softly. "I just didn't think you'd go this far."
"I didn't think you'd grow so quickly, either," Yu Yuanzhen said frankly.
"Originally, I thought the best time to harvest you would be in another three to five years, when you reached Soul Ancestor or even Spirit King rank. But you're too exceptional. You've forced me to act early. A Soul Elder at eight... If I let you keep growing, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep you in check."
He took two steps forward and looked at the two Luo Sanpao beside Yu Tianlong. A flash of greed gleamed in his eyes.
"What a wonderful Martial Soul... Twin Luo Sanpao, Gold and Silver Dragons. They can devour and evolve, and absorb elements... A Martial Soul like that, wasted on an orphan with no parents, is such a shame."
"So you plan to take them from me?" Yu Tianlong's voice was calm, but his hands clenched into fists inside his sleeves.
"Not take them. Put them to good use," Yu Yuanzhen corrected him.
"Your Luo Sanpao have devoured so many Soul Beasts and accumulated so much power for this very moment—to become nourishment for Xiao Gang's Luo Sanpao. When the power of the two Luo Sanpao becomes one, it'll surely give birth to an even more powerful Martial Soul. Then my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will finally have a true dragon of our own!"
As he spoke, his voice rose with excitement, and his eyes shone with fervor.
Yu Tianlong looked at Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang stood behind his father with his head lowered, his expression impossible to make out. But his shoulders trembled slightly; it was hard to tell whether he was nervous or excited.
"Yu Xiaogang," Yu Tianlong said. "Is this what you want, too?"
Yu Xiaogang jolted. He stayed silent for a long while before slowly lifting his head.
His face held a complicated expression—guilt and struggle, but more than anything, long-suppressed longing and envy.
"Cousin... I'm sorry." His voice was low and trembling.
"But... I really want to become stronger. Do you know how I've spent the past two years? Every day, I watched you grow stronger and your Luo Sanpao become more impressive, while I... I could only hide away in the Library Pavilion, poring over those tattered books and telling myself, 'I can do it, too.' But I knew I couldn't. I don't have your talent or your luck. I have nothing..."
His voice grew more and more agitated, and tears even welled in his eyes.
"Why? Why should an orphan like you get such a good Martial Soul? Why should I, the Clan Head's son, awaken nothing but a Trash Martial Soul? It's not fair! It's not fair!"
"So you're going to take mine?" Yu Tianlong's voice remained calm, but a spark of anger had begun to burn deep in his eyes.
"I'm not taking them! I'm inheriting them!" Yu Xiaogang practically roared.
"Once my Luo Sanpao devour yours, their power will become part of me! I'll grow stronger with them! I'll become a true powerhouse! I'll show everyone that I, Yu Xiaogang, am no good-for-nothing!"
He gasped for breath, as though he'd poured out years of pent-up pain and resentment in one go. Then he wiped away a tear. His expression gradually hardened, turning almost cruel with satisfaction.
"Cousin, don't worry... Once I've devoured your Luo Sanpao, I'll remember what you did for me."
Yu Tianlong looked at him and suddenly smiled.
The smile held mockery and pity, along with a trace of resolve.
"Finished?"
Yu Xiaogang froze, not expecting that reaction.
"If you're finished, then I'll say a couple of things." Yu Tianlong's smile faded, and his calm gaze swept over the father and son. "First, do you really think your Luo Sanpao can devour my Little Gold and Little Silver?"