Yu Yuanzhen

A child had awakened a domain after attaching only a single soul ring.

And that domain's strengthening effect on dragon-blooded soul masters was so remarkable...

Yu Yuanzhen understood better than anyone what that meant.

Why was the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon hailed as the strongest beast spirit in the world?

It was because the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial spirits passed down through the Yu Clan contained a trace of true dragon bloodline.

But after being diluted through countless generations of reproduction, the remnants of true dragon blood in the bodies of the current generation had become pitifully thin. No matter how they cultivated or refined it, at their peak, they could at most brush against the barest trace of a true dragon.

They could briefly touch the edge of that supreme realm before falling back down again.

Although the Yu Clan had methods to strengthen the true dragon bloodline of its soul masters, the price was far too great. It was impossible to strengthen the true dragon bloodline of everyone in the clan.

But what if there was a domain that could continuously purify the dragon blood in their bodies?

What if that domain could allow every disciple of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect to cross the threshold of lesser dragons and evolve toward becoming true dragons?

What if that domain could awaken the ancient memories sleeping deep within their bloodlines, restoring life and power to those true dragon genes diluted over countless generations?

Then the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect would no longer merely possess the strongest beast spirit in the world. They would completely surpass all martial spirits.

They might even stand alongside those legendary god-tier martial spirits and become a true pinnacle existence on this continent.

Yu Yuanzhen suddenly turned his head and stared at his eldest son. An urgency that nearly overflowed filled his voice. "Where is that child now? Why didn't you bring him back?"

The Eldest Young Master bent even lower at the waist. Frustration appeared on his face, and his voice was full of regret.

"Your son was incompetent. I had intended to bring him back as well, but that old poisoner Dugu Bo suddenly intervened and snatched the child away.

"He was too fast. I couldn't catch up to him.

"I could only watch helplessly as Dugu Bo took the child away.

"At the time, I had expended too much soul power. On top of that, I had to protect Tian Heng and Tian Jiao. I truly could not divide my attention, so I could only bring the two children back first to report to Father."

Upon hearing Dugu Bo's name, the urgency on Yu Yuanzhen's face abruptly turned into a cold sneer.

He slowly straightened, lightning churning within those azure eyes. The taut line of his mouth curved into a hook filled with killing intent.

"So that old poisoner took him."

His laughter was low and resonant, making even the soul guide lamps in the hall tremble faintly.

"Hmph! That old poisoner, the Jade Phosphor Snake Emperor!

"He is merely a Titled Douluo who uses poison, a paper tiger propped up by his toxins. If we truly fought head-on, how many of my moves could he withstand?

"His Jade Phosphor Snake Emperor poison is indeed troublesome. An ordinary soul master would lose a layer of skin just from touching it.

"But the lightning power of my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon is naturally suited to suppressing sinister poisons. Wherever lightning passes, all poisons are dispelled.

"His little poison cannot stir up any waves before my lightning.

"Since he took that child, then this is simple. Go rest and properly tend to Tian Heng and Tian Jiao's injuries. I will head to Sunset Forest at once and take that child back from him."

The Eldest Young Master abruptly raised his head, delight flashing through his eyes.

"If Father takes action, there will naturally be no mishap! But Father, there is still one matter we must consider...

"That youth was brought here by Spirit Hall.

"Your son saw with his own eyes in Dragon Valley that a woman from the Phoenix Family was accompanying him.

"That youth is very likely a seed carefully nurtured by Spirit Hall, a secret weapon forged with immense resources.

"If we seize him from Spirit Hall like this, will we anger Spirit Hall?

"If Bibi Dong takes offense and moves against us, then our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect may..."

Yu Yuanzhen's smile froze for a moment.

The words Spirit Hall were like a basin of cold water poured over his head. Even the lightning surging around him briefly subsided, and the arcs snapping from his hair vanished without a trace.

Deep wariness flickered through his azure eyes as he fell silent for a moment.

He understood Spirit Hall's power. With Pope Bibi Dong personally presiding over it, that female Pope's strength was unfathomable.

Even he could not gauge her.

There were also the seven great worshippers, each an unfathomable old monster. Every one of them possessed the strength of a Titled Douluo.

Then there was Spirit Hall's enormous army of soul masters and its branch halls spread across every corner of the continent. Its influence reached into every city, every village, and every town. Its intelligence network and ability to act were astonishingly powerful.

Although the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect was one of the Seven Great Sects, and its title as the strongest beast spirit in the world had resounded for over a thousand years, going to war head-on against Spirit Hall would be no different from smashing eggs against a stone.

Even if all Seven Great Sects joined forces... even if they poured out every last ounce of strength to oppose Spirit Hall together, they likely would not have a guaranteed chance of victory. At best, they could fight to mutual destruction.

And by then, the only ones to benefit would be the other factions watching tigers fight from the mountain.

But abandon that child?

The fire of unwillingness ignited once more in Yu Yuanzhen's eyes.

He knew all too well what that youth meant to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.

He was the turning point in the fate of the entire clan.

He was a heaven-sent opportunity for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon to transform from a lesser dragon into a true dragon, a key capable of changing the entire landscape of the continent's soul master world.

If he missed this chance, if that child fell into Spirit Hall's hands or was seized by some other faction...

Then Yu Yuanzhen would truly have failed his ancestors.

Yu Yuanzhen gritted his teeth, the rows of teeth grinding audibly. His fists clenched and loosened, again and again, before he finally made his decision.

"If we proceed carefully, there will be no problem."

Yu Yuanzhen lowered his voice, his tone cold and decisive beyond dispute. "When Dugu Bo took that child, everyone saw it. They all believe Dugu Bo was the one who acted.

"As long as I take the child back from Dugu Bo, then warn him not to leak a single word of this matter, or I would not mind sending that old poisoner on his way.

"Besides, Dugu Bo has never been on good terms with Spirit Hall. Back then, he suffered no small loss at Spirit Hall's hands. He will not be foolish enough to report this to them.

"If we handle this matter discreetly, heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and I know. At most, that old poisoner will know as well. The news will not get out."

The Eldest Young Master nodded heavily, blazing anticipation rising in his eyes. "Father is wise!"

Yu Yuanzhen said no more.

He strode out of the main hall, his blue cloak billowing behind him like waves, his dark blue hair whipping wildly in the night wind.