An Excited Yu Xiaogang

Everyone followed Bibi Dong back to the Papal Palace to watch her formal coronation.

What they had just witnessed was only a handover ceremony among a few senior figures. This was the real coronation.

They were reluctant. Everyone knew this was merely Spirit Hall's way of showing off its power, and it was a waste of their time.

But they dared not protest, much less leave. They could only follow the proceedings obediently.

At least they no longer had to stand. Spirit Hall had prepared seats for them, with Dai Tianfeng, Xue Xing, the Sword-Bone Pagoda, Yu Yuanzhen, and Tang Xiao seated behind and to either side of Bibi Dong.

In a seat tucked away below, Yu Xiaogang, his face swollen like a pig's head, was cursing Spirit Hall and Qian Daoliu. It was all Qian Daoliu's fault! He had missed Dong'er's title-conferral ceremony and the handover!

The guards had waited until everyone left Douluo Palace before dragging him out. They had even slapped him awake! His face still burned!

"Mmph! Damn Spirit Hall! Damn Qian Daoliu!"

He had decided that Dong'er's coldness toward him had to be Qian Daoliu's doing. Qian Daoliu's faction must be pressuring her, leaving her with no real power even after she became pope.

So Dong'er could only endure it and avoid going too far. By appearing to suppress him while actually testing him, she was proving her innocence to him and deceiving Qian Daoliu!

After reasoning it all out, he was convinced he had uncovered the truth.

At the formal meeting, then, he would dazzle everyone with his invincible theories. He would prove to Dong'er that he had the ability to help her truly take control of Spirit Hall!

Once he had shown everyone what he could do, he would contact Dong'er in secret, support her, and defeat Qian Daoliu!

"Qian Daoliu... a level 99 Ultimate Douluo. He'll be hard to deal with, but I believe that with me leading the way, Dong'er and I can defeat him and take control of Spirit Hall!

"Dong'er! Believe in me!"

Of course, he did not know that Qian Daoliu had no idea who he was. Qian Daoliu had heard of Yu Xiaogang because of what happened years ago, but had never given him another thought and knew nothing about what he looked like.

How could Qian Daoliu have connected the useless man from earlier with the useless man from back then?

They were both useless, that was all.

When the coronation ended, everyone finally had a little free time. Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Luomian hurried over to find Yu Xiaogang.

The moment they met, before Yu Xiaogang could react, a slap struck his face and sent him flying.

"You bastard!" Yu Yuanzhen roared.

Yu Xiaogang's already swollen face puffed up even more. Stunned, he struggled to his feet and pointed at Yu Yuanzhen.

"Father? What was that for?! Why did you hit me?"

Yu Yuanzhen laughed in disbelief. His dear son still had no idea what he had done wrong?

"What do you think? You barked like a dog in front of everyone today, and you sounded so eager to please! How did I never know you had a taste for that?! Then you lay on the floor of Douluo Palace playing dead for ages. You've utterly disgraced the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!"

Only then did Yu Xiaogang realize that his father did not understand the deeper meaning behind it all. He had misunderstood.

Yu Xiaogang clasped his hands behind his back and assumed the bearing of a grandmaster.

"Ah, Father, you don't understand. I had a reason for barking like a dog. To outsiders like you, it may have looked ridiculous and humiliating, but it was all under my control!

"Don't worry, Father. Before long, my name will ring across the entire continent! I'll lead the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to new glory!"

Yu Yuanzhen gave Yu Xiaogang a strange look. Had something really gone wrong with his son's head?

He sighed. He was too exhausted today to keep arguing with Yu Xiaogang.

Still, he asked another question.

"What did you come to Spirit Hall for today?"

"I was invited! Father, how many times did I tell you that? You don't believe me?"

Yu Yuanzhen froze. Could that be true?

He had assumed Yu Xiaogang had been allowed into Douluo Palace and given a seat at the coronation only because Spirit Hall was showing him courtesy.

Or perhaps because they wanted to humiliate him through Yu Xiaogang.

Had his son really been invited?

"Are you telling the truth?"

"Of course! Father, I really just couldn't find my invitation! The Eighth Worshipper personally invited me into Douluo Palace after checking!"

Yu Yuanzhen wanted to ask for more details, but someone interrupted him.

"Clan Leader Yu, that is indeed what happened. Spirit Hall invited Grandmaster to attend the meeting. The missing invitation simply caused a misunderstanding. Please don't blame him."

Only then did Yu Yuanzhen believe it. He looked down at his son, and a new question arose.

Why would Spirit Hall invite my son? Do they really intend to use him to undermine the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan? What happened this morning proves it. That must be it!

With that thought, he glared at Yu Xiaogang.

That bastard's been put through all this and he's still smiling. How can he be so stupid?!

Yu Xiaogang noticed none of his father's displeasure. Instead, he looked thoroughly pleased with himself.

"See, Father? I told you. Spirit Hall invited me because of my reputation and my standing in soul master theory."

He did not mention his other reason: Dong'er needed him. Or perhaps she missed him.

Qian Xunji spoke up as well. His tone was mild, with just a hint of encouragement, and he looked utterly harmless.

"Yes, Clan Leader Yu. Spirit Hall has long heard of Grandmaster's reputation and holds him in high regard. That's why we invited him.

"In fact, we have a small item concerning Grandmaster on tomorrow's meeting agenda. We're looking forward to hearing what he has to say. I'm sure he'll amaze everyone and make his name known throughout Douluo Continent. Her Holiness the Pope is looking forward to it."

Yu Xiaogang's expression jolted. I knew it! Dong'er, you still love me! At a meeting as important as tomorrow's, you've set aside an agenda item just for me to help spread my name!

Dong'er, I'm so touched!

Qian Xunji gave a knowing smile at the sight.

Yu Yuanzhen felt something was wrong, but he could not say what. There was nothing objectionable in Qian Xunji's words.

So he cupped his hands toward Qian Xunji and said, "Thank you, Your Holiness, and thank you, Eighth Worshipper. But my son has no great abilities. He earned the title of Grandmaster through a bit of luck and does not deserve such attention.

"Besides, he's suffered quite a blow today and isn't entirely himself. I'm afraid he might cause a scene at the meeting. Eighth Worshipper, please remove that item from tomorrow's agenda. I'll take my son back to the clan to recover."