Revenge of the Strength Clan

Ye Lingling saw that he had scared Tai Long away and said gratefully, "Thank you, Lu Yuan."

Lu Yuan chuckled. "It's nothing. After all, I recruited you into the academy. I can't let one bad apple in the academy make you resent the whole place."

"I won't." Ye Lingling quickly shook her head. "The academy is the academy, and people are people."

"Grand Mansion Academy is very good. The cultivation atmosphere here is even better than at Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Lu Yuan nodded with a smile. "I'll be leaving first. That bastard Tai Long is going home to call his family, so I'll go find some help too."

Ye Lingling said gently, "Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Lu Yuan answered, then turned and left.

He was heading to Ice Dragon Pavilion deep within the academy forest.

That place was the small wooden cabin he had once used for cultivation. Though not large, it was the core of Grand Mansion Academy.

Once the compensation from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan arrived, he planned to renovate Ice Dragon Pavilion on a grand scale.

It did not need to be excessively luxurious, but it had to look imposing, sturdy, and majestic.

Before he had taken Tang Wutong to the Great Star Dou Forest to hunt for a soul ring, Dugu Bo had already gone there to keep watch.

After returning, he had instructed Tang Wutong to seek out Dugu Bo and guide him in condensing a Soul Core.

The two of them should both be at Ice Dragon Pavilion now.

Elsewhere.

Tang Wutong had only just reached the wooden cabin when Dugu Bo hurried out to greet her, his face filled with delight. "Deputy Pavilion Master, you returned with the Master?"

Tang Wutong blinked and said calmly, "The Master sent me here to teach you how to condense a Soul Core."

"I don't know what a Soul Core is, Deputy Pavilion Master. Could you explain it?"

Dugu Bo took a deep breath and asked in confusion.

"Of course." Tang Wutong nodded slightly and said softly, "I was just about to explain what a Soul Core is."

"A Soul Core is the core of soul power. When soul power is compressed from liquid into solid form, it is stored in a soul master's dantian and becomes a Soul Core..."

Tang Wutong gave a concise explanation of the theory behind Soul Cores.

Dugu Bo fell into thought after listening. Though he had not yet condensed a Soul Core and only understood part of what she had said, his heart was filled with shock.

After finishing, Tang Wutong added, "You need not think of it as too complicated."

"Just remember that a Soul Core allows a peak Soul Douluo to break through to Titled Douluo more easily."

Dugu Bo sighed sincerely. "This theory is truly groundbreaking!"

"It is all theory, but compared to Yu Xiaogang's laughable Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls, the difference between them is like heaven and earth."

"What are you talking about?"

At that moment, Lu Yuan walked in from outside.

Dugu Bo said, "Pavilion Master, the Deputy Pavilion Master was telling me about Soul Cores."

Lu Yuan said, "We can discuss Soul Cores later."

"That bastard Tai Long had one of his hands cut off by me and fled the academy. Given the Strength Clan's tradition of fiercely protecting their own, they will probably bring his family here to cause trouble for me. Come with me."

"Tai Long? That Tai Long from the inner academy?" Dugu Bo was slightly stunned as a vague impression surfaced in his mind.

Lu Yuan nodded slightly.

Dugu Bo immediately flew into a rage. "What audacity! A mere student dares to cause trouble for the master of the academy!"

"Does he think that, just because he comes from the Strength Clan, he can act without restraint and lawlessly?"

"Pavilion Master, there is no need to worry. If Tai Long truly dares to bring his family to the academy, I, Dugu Bo, will release my poison and turn every last one of them into rotting flesh within three breaths!"

Tang Wutong likewise made a ruthless declaration. "Master, if they dare harm even a hair on your head, this young lady will wipe out their entire clan!"

"I understand your intentions." Lu Yuan raised a hand to stop them both and said calmly, "Let's go out and see whether the Strength Clan will stand up for Tai Long."

"If they truly dare come here and provoke us, then there will be no need to show mercy."

Strength Clan residence.

Tai Long had just returned home when his father, Tai Nuo, came forward with a puzzled expression.

"Son, weren't you studying at that Blue Tyrant Academy after it changed its name? Why did you suddenly come back?"

"Dad! Someone chopped off my hand!"

Tai Long's eyes were red as he raised the arm crudely wrapped in strips of cloth, his palm already missing. Even his voice carried a sobbing tone.

"What?! Who was it? Who had the nerve to cut off my son's hand?!"

Tai Nuo's expression changed drastically upon hearing this. His eyes turned crimson, and he panted like a bull.

Tai Long choked out, "It... it was some pretty boy. I don't know his name. He came at me with a spear martial soul and sliced off my palm."

Tai Nuo grabbed his son's other hand, his face livid and his tone icy. "Come. Take me to that Grand Mansion Academy of yours."

"Since he dared cut off my son's hand, he must pay with his life! Grand Mansion Academy must also give the Strength Clan an explanation!"

Tai Long's eyes were red as he said indignantly, "Dad, that guy was incredibly arrogant. He even said you were no match for him and told me to call Grandpa over too."

"So arrogant?"

Tai Nuo frowned, his expression turning grave. "It seems that fellow has some backing. Since he is so arrogant, I'll grant his wish. I'll go call Father right now."

A short while later.

Titan, who had been cultivating within the residence, was disturbed by hurried knocking outside his door.

As soon as the door opened, he saw his son and grandson standing outside. His gaze swept over them and landed on his grandson's maimed arm.

Titan's eyes turned crimson, and he panted like a bull as he roared furiously, "Who was it?! Who cut off my grandson's hand?!"

Tai Nuo said, "Father, it was some pretty boy from Grand Mansion Academy. He was extremely arrogant and said he wanted you to go over!"

"What audacity!"

Titan flew into a furious rage and shouted sharply, "He dared cut off my grandson's hand? I will wipe out his entire family!"

"Does he think that I, Titan the Herculean God, have not acted for so many years that I have become feeble with age, that these iron fists of mine have rusted?!"

Tai Long said urgently, "Grandpa, Dad, that pretty boy might be an outsider."

"I had never seen him at Grand Mansion Academy before. To keep him from secretly running away, let's hurry to the academy."

"That makes sense. Let's go!"

The two did not delay and quickly left the residence.

They were so focused on revenge that they did not even bother treating Tai Long's injuries.

In any case, beast martial souls possessed formidable physical recovery abilities. This injury would not kill him.

Even an ordinary healing-type soul master would be unable to regrow Tai Long's hand.

The three of them went straight to the academy.

Titan looked at his grandson Tai Long. "Where is that damned pretty boy?"

Tai Long shook his head and said irritably, "I don't know. That pretty boy must have feared the Strength Clan's retaliation, which was why he never gave his name. We have no way to find him."

"Hmph. We'll go directly to the new headmaster of this academy!" Titan's face was cold as he led his son and grandson swaggering into the academy.