Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Thunder Douluo

Jiang Yu and the other two looked in that direction as well.

But all they saw was a clear night sky studded with brilliant stars, forming a breathtaking river of light.

Wu Lie's roar had disturbed the quiet night, but only a few birds flew out of the forest before swiftly vanishing into the distance.

Everything looked normal, yet the air felt oppressively still. There was wind, but they could not feel it against their skin.

Suddenly, an equally powerful roar came from afar:

"Hahaha! Brother Wu, you've truly changed since we last met. Your senses are far sharper than they were a few years ago."

As the voice faded, Jiang Yu and the others saw three black dots appear on the distant horizon. They grew rapidly larger, and in the blink of an eye, three figures stood before them.

The man in front was tall and powerfully built, with short black hair as stiff as steel needles and a rugged face. Most of his chest was bare, his bronze skin covered in scars large and small. Simply standing there, he radiated immense pressure.

The two beside him, one middle-aged and one young, both had short silver hair and somewhat similar features. They appeared to be father and son.

Neither made a good first impression.

Even before Ning Yunxiu, whose status rivaled the rulers of the three great empires, and Wu Lie, a Titled Douluo, they looked down their noses at everyone. Not a trace of respect showed on their faces, only arrogance.

At the sight of them, Ning Yunxiu stepped out from behind Wu Lie. Surprise flickered in her eyes before she gave them a cool smile.

"So it's Sect Master Yu. What a rare visit."

"It's been nearly ten years, Sect Master Ning. You're even more radiant than before. No wonder you were once called Heaven Soul's greatest beauty."

The tall man spoke in a ringing voice. His gaze swept over Ning Yunxiu, and a flash of admiration crossed his eyes.

Back then, Ning Yunxiu had taken over as Sect Master of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect despite being a woman. She had then ruthlessly purged her opponents and put the sect in order, showing the first signs of revival after nearly a thousand years of decline.

Countless men across the continent had dreamed of her. Unfortunately for them, the woman they worshiped had soon taken a husband and had a child, settling into family life.

Compared with Yu Longwu's restrained admiration, the two beside him were far less composed.

The instant they saw Ning Yunxiu and Ning Tian farther behind her, infatuation flashed in their eyes. Their gazes fixed on the two women and refused to move.

Ning Yunxiu merely frowned.

But the silver-haired young man's stare made Ning Tian, still young herself, feel physically sick. Before she could collect herself, Jiang Yu and Wu Feng stepped in front of her together.

Warmth spread through Ning Tian's heart.

Looks like all the affection I've lavished on you two wasn't wasted!

Meanwhile, the two men's brazen stares sent Ning Yunxiu's anger surging.

She gave Wu Lie a look. The Red Dragon Douluo grunted, and crimson Soul Power rippled outward. Yu Longwu was unaffected, but both silver-haired men stumbled back a step, their eyes clearing somewhat.

Ning Yunxiu snorted and said:

"Enough pleasantries. You followed us all the way here for a reason, Sect Master Yu. Tell me what could make the head of a sect go to such lengths."

Yu Longwu knew perfectly well how rude his companions had been. Yet rather than rebuke them in the face of Ning Yunxiu's anger, he laughed. "My men don't know any better. Surely someone of your standing won't hold it against them, Sect Master Ning."

"Besides, let's speak plainly. We came for the Heart of Space. It would be of great use to a talented disciple of our sect. Would you be willing to part with it? We'll make sure you're satisfied with the compensation."

At Yu Longwu's words, the young man on his right raised his chin, his eyes full of pride.

Clearly, he was the talented disciple Yu Longwu meant.

Ning Yunxiu only sneered.

"You must be joking, Sect Master Yu. The Heart of Space isn't in our hands. The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has no use for it. If you want it, ask the other parties who took part in the auction."

"That doesn't sound entirely honest, Sect Master Ning..."

Yu Longwu's expression did not change. He simply watched Ning Yunxiu.

As a sect master, Yu Longwu had plenty of patience. The middle-aged silver-haired man beside him clearly did not. After a brief standoff, he turned his head and spoke.

"Sect Master, why are we being so polite to a support sect that's fallen so far? The Heart of Space is vital to Aotian. With its power, Aotian's talent will surpass even that predecessor's, and our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will finally regain its former glory..."

The air turned icy.

A heartbeat later, the hot-tempered Wu Lie erupted.

"How dare you, whelp!"

Crimson flames surged up, nearly lighting half the sky. A massive dragon claw came crashing down with furious force. The middle-aged silver-haired man went pale and immediately ducked behind Yu Longwu.

Yu Longwu silently cursed him for a fool. Say that in private if you must, but how could you be stupid enough to say it to their faces?

Yet deep down, Yu Longwu agreed with him.

After ten thousand years, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was no longer the glorious second-ranked sect in the world. It had been in decline for ages, and each generation of Douluo guarding it was weaker than the last.

Yet over those same ten thousand years, it had amassed ever more tempting wealth. And the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's astonishing support abilities had held the top spot on the continent for ten thousand years!

If any faction could claim both, it could do more than become a superpower. It might even replace Shrek Academy as the leading force in the world of soul masters!

With that thought, Yu Longwu unleashed a Thunder Dragon Claw across the gap. Lightning arced for dozens of meters, crackling as it left a blazing trail through the air.

The Thunder Dragon Claw collided with the Red Dragon Claw. The resulting blast of energy and wind nearly knocked Jiang Yu and the other two off their feet.

Ning Yunxiu's long hair whipped in the wind as she stared coldly at the nine Spirit Rings beneath Yu Longwu's feet: one yellow, two purple, and six black. She could feel his terrifying power as well.

The Thunder Douluo was more than twenty years younger than Wu Lie, yet he had already reached level ninety-five. His martial soul and bloodline both suppressed Wu Lie's, and his Soul Power far surpassed his as well.

"Seven Treasures, Glazed Light!"

Seven Spirit Rings in a perfect configuration rose beneath Ning Yunxiu's feet. Four beams of colored light entered Wu Lie's body, and his aura exploded. Even with his boosting spirit skill active, his Red Dragon Claw had been losing against the Thunder Dragon Claw. Now its power surged. It shattered the lightning claw and crashed toward the three men below.

"Divine Dragon Shakes Its Armor!"

Yu Longwu's pupils contracted. He had underestimated how much power Wu Lie could unleash with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's support, despite holding an advantage over him in nearly every attribute. Fortunately, he reacted quickly, using his fourth spirit skill to block the flame-wreathed Red Dragon Claw.

Boom!

After the thunderous impact, the enormous blue-violet shield slowly faded.

Yu Longwu's face darkened. The middle-aged silver-haired man looked terrified.

He had never imagined that the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, weakened as it was, would truly dare offend the resurgent Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

This wasn't how it was supposed to go!

Weren't they supposed to swallow his insult for one reason or another? Then his sect could pay some token price in "exchange" for the Heart of Space, and his son could finally rise to the top!

Why had the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, everyone's easy target for a century, suddenly grown a spine?

"Sect Master Ning, there's been a misunderstanding..."

Yu Longwu was puzzled too, but he knew fighting on the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's territory would put him at a disadvantage. After a moment's thought, he tried to explain. Before he could finish, however, a gentle silver light descended from the sky, making even the moonlight seem dull.

Then a voice spoke, calm and unhurried:

"The whelps of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan are as foolish and full of themselves as ever. I don't know whether there's been a misunderstanding, but I don't care for your tone."

"And when I'm displeased, I really do lose my temper."