Distributing Resources, Yu Xiaogang Disagrees!

Time slipped away amidst anxious and excited waiting. About a quarter of an hour later, the side door of the hall opened, and several figures filed in.

The leader was none other than the current head of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Yuanzhen.

He appeared to be in his forties, though he was actually nearing fifty. His features bore a five or six-part resemblance to Yu Xiaogang's, yet they appeared far more resolute and imposing.

Dressed in a purple-gold clan head's robe with a dragon-patterned jade belt at his waist, his gait was steady; there was an inherent sense of oppression in his dragon-like, tiger-striding pace, born of long-held authority.

Only, there was a trace of fatigue between his brows, and the faint dark circles under his eyes suggested he had not slept well the previous night. He was followed by three elders.

The crowd fell silent instantly, to the point where a falling needle could be heard.

The children straightened their backs subconsciously, even holding their breath. Yu Xiaogang was particularly tense, his head hanging almost to his chest, not daring to cast a single glance at his father.

Yu Yuanzhen took his seat in the central position, with the three elders seated on either side.

His gaze was like lightning, sweeping slowly over every child below. It lingered on Yu Xiaogang for a fleeting moment; that look was complex and inscrutable, filled with disappointment and heartache, before finally settling into a somber indifference.

When his gaze swept past Yu Tianlong, he paused slightly, his eyes narrowing with a touch of scrutiny and inquiry.

"I have summoned you all today to distribute the initial resources provided by the clan to our newly awakened disciples and to inform you of your subsequent cultivation arrangements," Yu Yuanji began. His voice was not loud, yet it reached everyone's ears with perfect clarity.

"The amount of resources is determined by the quality of your martial soul, your innate soul power, and the closeness of your bloodline. The clan cultivates you in the hope that you will become pillars of the future and bring glory to our name, not to raise a group of parasites. I hope you will cherish these, cultivate diligently, and not fail the clan's expectations."

With that, he nodded to the Fifth Elder, Yu Yuanhong, who was responsible for resource allocation.

Yu Yuanhong was a ruddy-faced, slightly plump old man. At this moment, he produced a roster, cleared his throat, and began to chant.

"Yu Tianxin, martial soul Water Dragon, innate soul power level six. Monthly allowance: 2,000 Gold Soul Coins, redeemable for ten catties of low-grade soul beast meat of the corresponding attribute, one primary meditation technique, and three entries per month to the clan's Intermediate Mimicry Training Ground."

"Yu Xiaochuan, martial soul Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, innate soul power level five. Monthly allowance: 1,500 Gold Soul Coins, redeemable for eight catties of Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon subspecies soul beast meat, one primary meditation technique, and two entries to the Mimicry Training Ground."

"Yu Mingfeng, martial soul Thunder Lizard, innate soul power level four. Monthly allowance: three hundred Gold Soul Coins..."

The names were read one by one, and the resource shares were announced in order.

Most children received between one hundred and five hundred Gold Soul Coins. Those who exceeded five hundred either possessed superior martial souls, had innate soul power above level six, or had parents with high status within the clan.

As for the number of entries to the Mimicry Training Ground, only those with outstanding martial souls or soul power were granted such privileges.

Listening to the names and their corresponding resources, Yu Xiaogang's body grew tighter and tighter, his fingernails digging deep into his palms. He knew his turn was coming soon. It would be a public execution.

Finally.

"Yu Xiaogang, martial soul Luo Sanpao, innate soul power half a level."

Yu Yuanhong's voice remained devoid of inflection, yet it felt like a cold blade stabbing into Yu Xiaogang's heart. "Monthly allowance: one hundred Gold Soul Coins, no additional resource redemption, no eligibility for the Mimicry Training Ground."

"Boom..."

Even though he had anticipated it, and even though he knew his "performance" did not merit more, when that paltry "one hundred Gold Soul Coins" and the string of "none" actually crashed down upon him, Yu Xiaogang still felt his head buzz. All the blood in his body rushed to his face, only to drain away just as quickly, leaving him deathly pale.

He could feel the gazes cast from all directions. Those looks were like needles pricking his skin, making every inch of him ache.

Mockery, pity, schadenfreude... he could almost hear the silent derision.

One hundred Gold Soul Coins. In the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, this was the lowest tier of allowance, usually issued only to those distant collateral branches with abysmal martial souls and low soul power, who were all but destined to never become high-level soul masters.

And he, the son of the clan head, was receiving the same treatment as them.

Humiliation—endless humiliation.

He bit his lip so hard that the metallic tang of blood filled his mouth, barely suppressing the urge to turn and flee. He couldn't run; running would only make him more of a laughingstock.

He kept his head down, staring at the cracks in the floor tiles, his vision blurred.

Yu Yuanhong's voice continued, reaching the final name.

"Yu Tianlong, twin martial soul Luo Sanpao, innate full soul power."

The hall grew even quieter; everyone pricked up their ears. Twin, full soul power, Luo Sanpao. With these three phrases combined, how would the clan's bigwigs rule?

Yu Yuanhong paused, seemingly finding the following words incredible himself, yet he read them out according to the consensus reached by the clan head and the elders:

"Monthly allowance: 5,000 Gold Soul Coins, redeemable for equivalent cultivation resources at will, including unlimited low-grade soul beast meat, basic medicinal herbs, metal ores, and more. Granted a core disciple token; with this token, he may enter the Intermediate Mimicry Training Ground five times per month and may consult all texts on the first floor of the clan's Library Pavilion at any time."

"Five thousand?!"

"Intermediate Mimicry Training Ground? Five times?!"

"Unlimited access to the first floor of the Library Pavilion?!"

Exclamations erupted like a boiling pot, impossible to suppress any longer. The children widened their eyes in shock, looking toward the blue-haired boy in the corner. Even some of the parents and elders who had accompanied them wore expressions of astonishment.

A monthly allowance of five thousand Gold Soul Coins already exceeded that of most clan stewards and rivaled that of some neglected collateral elders!

Not to mention the access to the Intermediate Mimicry Training Ground and the Library Pavilion—those were privileges usually reserved for core disciples whom the clan was heavily cultivating, and only after they had broken through to become two-ring Great Soul Masters!

Yu Xiaogang jerked his head up, the color drained entirely from his face, leaving only an incredulous, ashen pallor.

He glared fixedly at Yu Tianlong, then whipped his head toward his father on the main seat, his eyes filled with anger, grievance, resentment, and a sliver of the pain of betrayal.

Why?!

It was all Luo Sanpao! It was all a recognized trash martial soul! Why did he, Yu Xiaogang, only get one hundred, dismissed like a beggar? While Yu Tianlong could receive five thousand and enjoy the treatment of a core disciple?!

Just because of innate full soul power? Wouldn't that bit of soul power be an even greater waste when used on Luo Sanpao?! What could he possibly do with those resources? Feed them to those two pigs and dogs of his?!

"It's... not... fair..." The hoarse voice squeezed through Yu Xiaogang's teeth, sounding exceptionally clear in the silent hall.

All eyes instantly converged upon him.

Yu Yuanzhen's brows furrowed imperceptibly. Yu Yuanhong also ceased speaking, turning his gaze toward the clan head.

Yu Xiaogang met his father's gaze—a look so icy and devoid of warmth that it chilled him to the bone. Yet, a surge of defiant fire sustained him, driving him to shout regardless of the consequences:

"Father! I refuse to accept this! We both have Luo Sanpao, so why does Yu Tianlong get five thousand, while I only get one hundred? Why can his martial soul be cultivated, but mine cannot? Giving those resources to him is nothing but a waste!"

"Insolence!" Yu Yuanzhen's expression was stern. "The distribution of clan resources follows established laws. How dare you question them?!"

Yu Xiaogang trembled all over, but as he met his father's indifferent eyes, his sense of grievance and rage instantly overwhelmed his fear. "Laws? What laws? The laws of favoritism? He is your nephew, so you..."

"Silence!" Yu Yuanzhen spoke again. His voice was not loud, yet it carried the crushing pressure of thunder, instantly forcing the rest of Yu Xiaogang's words back down his throat.

He stood up, looking down from his height at this "disappointing" son, the last trace of warmth in his eyes vanishing.

"Because he possesses innate full soul power." Yu Yuanzhen enunciated each word clearly, his voice echoing through the hall.

"Innate full soul power signifies the favor of the heavens and infinite potential. The clan provides resources as an investment in that potential. As for whether it is a waste," he looked toward Yu Tianlong, his gaze turning calm,