Yu Yuanzhen

A child had awakened a domain after obtaining just one Soul Ring.

And that domain had such a remarkable strengthening effect on Soul Masters with Dragon Blood...

Yu Yuanzhen knew better than anyone what that meant.

Why was the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon hailed as the greatest Beast Martial Soul in the world?

Because the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul passed down through the Yu Clan carried a trace of true dragon blood.

But countless generations of descendants had diluted that bloodline. The trace remaining in the current generation was pitifully thin. No matter how hard they cultivated or purified it, at their peak they could only brush against a fraction of a true dragon's power.

They could touch the edge of that supreme realm for a moment, only to fall back again.

The Yu Clan had ways to strengthen the true dragon bloodline of its Soul Masters, but the cost was too great to do it for everyone.

But what if a domain could keep purifying the Dragon Blood within them?

What if that domain could let every member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan cross the threshold from lesser dragon to true dragon?

What if it could awaken the ancient memories sleeping deep in their blood and restore the vigor and strength of true dragon genes diluted over countless generations?

Then the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon would no longer be merely the greatest Beast Martial Soul in the world. It would stand above every Martial Soul.

It might even rival the legendary god-level Martial Souls and place the clan at the very pinnacle of the continent.

Yu Yuanzhen whipped around to face his eldest son, urgency nearly spilling from his voice. "Where is the child now? Why didn't you bring him back?"

His eldest son bent even lower. Regret showed on his face and filled his voice.

"I failed you, Father. I meant to bring him back, but that old poisoner Dugu Bo suddenly seized him.

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

"All I could do was watch Dugu Bo take the child away.

"I had exhausted too much Soul Power, and I still had to protect Tian Heng and Tian Jiao. I couldn't do both, so I brought the two children back to report to you first."

At the mention of Dugu Bo, Yu Yuanzhen's urgency turned into a cold smile.

He slowly straightened. Lightning surged in his bright blue eyes, and his taut lips curled into a smile edged with killing intent.

"So that old poisoner took him."

His low, resonant laugh made the Soul Guidance Lamps in the hall tremble.

"Hmph! That old poisoner and his Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor!

"He's a Titled Douluo who uses poison, nothing more than a paper tiger propped up by his venom. If we fought head-on, how many blows could he take from me?

"His Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor poison is troublesome, I'll grant him that. An ordinary Soul Master would suffer terribly from a mere touch.

"But the lightning of my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon naturally counters dark poisons. Where my lightning strikes, every toxin vanishes.

"That little bit of poison won't trouble me.

"Since he's the one who took the child, this is simple. Rest and see to Tian Heng's and Tian Jiao's injuries. I'll go to Sunset Forest now and take the child back from him."

His eldest son jerked his head up, delight flashing in his eyes.

"With you taking action, Father, nothing can go wrong! But there's one more thing to consider...

"People from Spirit Hall brought that boy there.

"I saw a woman from the Phoenix Family at his side in Dragon Valley.

"He may be a promising talent Spirit Hall has carefully nurtured, a secret weapon built with vast resources.

"If we snatch him from Spirit Hall, won't we provoke them?

"If Bibi Dong lashes out in anger, I'm afraid the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan..."

Yu Yuanzhen's smile froze for an instant.

The words Spirit Hall doused him like a bucket of cold water. The lightning surging around him briefly subsided, and the arcs snapping from his hair faded away.

Deep wariness crossed his bright blue eyes. He fell silent for a moment.

He knew Spirit Hall's strength. Pope Bibi Dong commanded it herself, and her power was unfathomable.

Even he could not gauge its depths.

Then there were the seven enshrined elders, each an unfathomable old monster at the Titled Douluo level.

Spirit Hall also had its vast army of Soul Masters and branches in every corner of the continent. Its reach extended into every city, village, and town. Its intelligence network and ability to act were astonishing.

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan might be one of the Seven Great Sects, and its reputation as the greatest Beast Martial Soul had endured for over a thousand years. But going to war with Spirit Hall head-on would be like throwing an egg against a rock.

Even if all seven sects joined forces and gave everything they had, victory was far from certain. At best, both sides would be left devastated.

And then the only winners would be the other powers waiting to profit from their struggle.

But give up that child?

The fire of unwillingness flared again in Yu Yuanzhen's eyes.

He knew exactly what that boy meant to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

He was a turning point in the entire family's fate.

He was a heaven-sent chance for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon to transform from a lesser dragon into a true dragon, a key that could change the balance of the entire Soul Master World.

If they missed this chance, if the child ended up in Spirit Hall's hands or was taken by some other power,

Yu Yuanzhen would have failed his ancestors.

He gritted his teeth until they creaked. His fists clenched and loosened several times before he finally made up his mind.

"If we're careful, there won't be a problem."

Yu Yuanzhen lowered his voice, his decision cold and firm. "Everyone saw Dugu Bo take the child. They all believe Dugu Bo was responsible.

"I only need to take the child back from him, then warn him not to breathe a word of it. Otherwise, I won't mind putting that old poisoner in his grave.

"Besides, Dugu Bo has never been on good terms with Spirit Hall. They made him suffer years ago. He won't be foolish enough to tip them off.

"Keep it quiet, and only heaven, you, and I will know. The old poisoner, at most. Word won't get out."

His eldest son nodded emphatically, his eyes blazing with hope. "A wise decision, Father!"

Yu Yuanzhen said nothing more.

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