At Yu Tianheng's residence in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
A letter lay on Yu Tianheng's desk.
It was from his uncle, Yu Xiaogang.
The letter's contents were simple. It likewise began with greetings and expressions of concern for Yu Tianheng, followed by some new explanations about cultivation, which Yu Tianheng read carefully. At the end, Yu Xiaogang acknowledged that he knew about Second Master's illegitimate daughter and would be mindful of the matter. He also reminded Yu Tianheng that family scandals should not be aired in public, and that he should not speak carelessly about it.
He also mentioned a friend he had recently met, Flender, an agility-type Soul Master whose Martial Soul was an owl and whose cultivation was about to break through to Soul King.
After reading the reply, Yu Tianheng breathed a temporary sigh of relief.
"Yu Xiaogang, oh, Yu Xiaogang, I've already warned you and told you about the existence of your younger female cousin with the surname Liu. I hope you realize what's going on. Whatever you do, don't let your head get muddled and do something that can't be undone."
A month later, Yu Xiaogang and Flender chanced upon a female Soul Master named Liu Erlong.
The three traveled together across Douluo Continent. Relying on Martial Soul Fusion, they swiftly rose to fame throughout the continent and earned the name "Golden Iron Triangle."
When Yu Tianheng heard the news, he could no longer sit still. According to the original story, Flender would confess to Liu Erlong, only for her to gently turn him down and tell him outright that she liked Yu Xiaogang. Flender would then step aside, and with his help, Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong would get together. Before they married, Yu Luomian would send someone to stop them and tell them they were cousins. Upon learning the truth, Yu Xiaogang would lose all hope and find life worse than death.
Although he had given Yu Xiaogang some information beforehand so he would be prepared, it was not the ten thousand chances that worried him, but the one.
Yu Tianheng therefore decided in the end to seek out Yu Xiaogang and his companions in person and explain everything as the situation called for.
First, he wanted to complete the task the system had previously issued and obtain 500 Heavenly Mandate Points. Second, he wanted to avoid an unnecessary tragedy and give Yu Xiaogang a helping hand.
That said, Yu Tianheng was still only a child of about eight, and leaving the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan whenever he pleased was no easy matter.
Fortunately, Yu Tianheng had prepared for this.
Early the next morning, Yu Tianheng jogged all the way to his father Yu Xiaolong's study.
"Father, I need to speak with you!" Yu Tianheng stood at the entrance to the study, struggling to steady his breathing, his voice urgent.
Yu Xiaolong had someone bring Yu Tianheng inside, a flicker of puzzlement in his eyes. "Tian Heng, why are you in such a hurry? What is it?"
Yu Tianheng took a deep breath and puffed out his chest. "Father, my Soul Power has broken through to level twenty!"
Yu Xiaolong was stunned for a moment, then greatly shocked. He sprang to his feet and stared at Yu Tianheng in disbelief. "What did you say? I didn't hear you clearly. Say it again!"
Yu Tianheng repeated, "Father, my Soul Power has broken through to level twenty." As he spoke, he released his Soul Power fluctuations.
After sensing the fluctuations, Yu Xiaolong's eyes filled with delight and relief. He stood up, strode over to Yu Tianheng, and patted his shoulder. "Good, good, good! That's my son! As expected of a genius with Innate Full Soul Power. I never imagined you'd break through to level twenty at such a young age. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has a worthy successor!"
Yu Tianheng lowered his head slightly, his eyes full of determination. "Father, I'd like to ask you to send Soul Masters with me to hunt a suitable Soul Beast and obtain my Second Soul Ring, so I can advance to Soul Grandmaster."
Yu Xiaolong looked at his son, a thoughtful expression in his eyes. After a moment, he nodded. "That can be done. But hunting Soul Beasts is no small matter, and it must be approached with caution. Your grandfather is currently in secluded cultivation, and I have clan affairs to manage, so I can't get away. But there's no need to worry. I'll arrange for two capable Soul Masters from the clan to accompany you."
Yu Tianheng rejoiced and hurriedly bowed his thanks. "Thank you, Father!"
Yu Xiaolong's expression turned serious as he looked at his son. "Tian Heng, remember that Soul Beasts are cunning, and sub-dragon Soul Beasts even more so. When obtaining a Soul Ring, you must never go soft. Make sure you kill with a single strike."
Yu Tianheng nodded earnestly. "I understand. I'll follow your teachings, Father."
Yu Xiaolong smiled in satisfaction. "Go and make your preparations. You'll leave early tomorrow morning."
Yu Tianheng bowed once more, then turned and left the study.
As he left, a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes. Fortunately, he had achieved his goal, and his efforts to keep a tight lid on his cultivation had not been in vain. Otherwise, there would have been no need to wait until now; he could have reached level twenty half a year ago.
Early the next morning, Yu Xiaolong brought two Soul Masters to him, a man and a woman, both around thirty years old.
The male Soul Master was named Wang Yushan, a level forty-five defense-type Battle Soul Ancestor whose Martial Soul was the Thick Armor Dragon, which possessed exceptionally thick dragon scales. Steady and reliable, he served as an honored guest of the clan. His fourth Soul Skill, Dragon Scale Barrier, could form a powerful shield to protect his teammates.
The female Soul Master was named Zhao Lingyun, a level forty-two support-type Tool Soul Ancestor whose Martial Soul was the Spirit Zither. She specialized in using its music to support her teammates. Her Second Soul Skill, Sound of Tranquility, could dispel her teammates' negative status effects and strengthen team cohesion.
The two were Yu Xiaolong's subordinates. They had known each other for many years, shared a deep bond, and were worthy of trust.
Yu Xiaolong pointed to the two of them and said to his son Yu Tianheng, "Tian Heng, these two are my trusted aides. Let them accompany you to obtain your Second Soul Ring."
Yu Tianheng nodded slightly and bowed to the two of them. "Sorry to trouble you both on this trip."
"You're too polite, Young Master Tian Heng. It's our honor to accompany you."
As Soul Masters serving as honored guests of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Wang Yushan and Zhao Lingyun knew something of the clan's internal affairs.
At present, the undisputed ruler of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was its strongest member, the clan head Yu Yuanzhen, whose title was Thunder Douluo.
But he spent most of the year cultivating diligently in seclusion and took little part in clan affairs. Most matters were handled jointly by his younger brother Yu Luomian, his eldest son Yu Xiaolong, and several of the clan's more powerful elders.
Among the middle generation, including Yu Xiaolong, there was no one who stood out.
But among the younger generation, there were quite a few promising talents with outstanding gifts.
Yu Tianxin and Yu Tianheng were the most gifted among them, and the two faintly recalled the bearing of the Clear Sky Twin Paragons of old.
They were hailed as the twin stars of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and had the potential to become Titled Douluo.
Compared with Yu Tianxin, however, the younger Yu Tianheng was undoubtedly more gifted. At only eight, he had already reached level twenty Soul Power, while the nine-year-old Yu Tianxin's Soul Power Level was still only nineteen, a little behind.
Although cultivation speed in the early stages did not necessarily mean anything, one could imagine that Yu Tianheng was most likely to inherit the position of head of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan in the future.
As honored guests, they naturally could not ask for a better chance to make the acquaintance of such an important figure of the future ahead of time.