"Smack!"
Yu Tianheng slapped Yu Feng across the face.
Yu Feng looked at him in stunned disbelief, blinking repeatedly.
Why had Yu Tianheng hit him?
Sure, he was the boss, but did that give him the right to slap people?
"He… might be my uncle," Yu Tianheng muttered under his breath.
If this guy was indeed from an older generation, how could Yu Feng dare to call him a "kid"?
"Uh…"
Yu Feng rubbed his cheek. Suddenly, the slap didn't feel so unjustified.
"Your family dynamics… are really hard to explain," he muttered.
Yu Tianheng: "…"
What could he say? If this was his great-uncle or grandfather's doing, what was there to argue about? He didn't even dare comment on it.
"Boss, does the martial soul 'Golden Holy Dragon' ring any bells?"
"Golden Holy Dragon?"
Yu Tianheng froze, his earlier doubts solidifying into certainty.
His uncle, Yu Xiaogang, had a mutated "Golden Holy Dragon" martial soul. Granted, it only manifested fully during a Triangular Martial Soul Fusion Technique and existed as a separated spirit body.
Yu Xiaogang's frail physique couldn't withstand even a weakened version of the Golden Holy Dragon's power, which is why it mutated into a separated martial soul.
This issue had caused Yu Yuanzhen, the clan patriarch, endless frustration.
The saying "Dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes" haunted Yu Yuanzhen.
He had spent his life leading the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan into becoming one of the three great clans and establishing their martial soul as the strongest beast martial soul.
But his son's pitiful circumstances had been a blow to his pride.
Yu Tianheng's eyes sharpened as he stared at Li Si. The person before him was either his uncle or his cousin.
He was young yet already a quasi-Soul Emperor with the Golden Holy Dragon martial soul!
"It's not that this martial soul is weak," he thought.
"It's that Uncle Yu Xiaogang… er, I mean, my most respected uncle… failed to utilize it."
With this in mind, Yu Tianheng spoke up.
"The Golden Holy Dragon martial soul is a mutated form of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul. In terms of bloodline, it holds an absolute advantage, being inherently powerful.
"But there have been failed cases. My uncle, Yu Xiaogang, has a failed variant of this martial soul. His Luo San Pao is the result of such a failure, rendering him unable to break through Rank 30 his entire life.
"This here is a successful case. A true Golden Holy Dragon martial soul—the strongest beast martial soul in the world!"
Yu Tianheng's eyes were filled with envy but not jealousy.
Martial soul mutations were a gamble. His aunt Liu Erlong's martial soul had also mutated, though only in terms of attribute, and it didn't hinder her combat strength.
On the other hand, his uncle Yu Xiaogang's martial soul had undergone a reverse mutation. His body couldn't withstand the Golden Holy Dragon's power, which resulted in the creation of Luo San Pao.
Uncle failed Luo San Pao… not the other way around!
The boy before him, however, was different. He perfectly bore the Golden Holy Dragon martial soul, showcasing astonishing cultivation speed and terrifying strength. Just sensing his aura made Yu Tianheng tremble—it wasn't even a question of power anymore.
The Golden Holy Dragon martial soul was the superior form of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul. This was undisputed even within the clan.
"Boss, does that mean we got beaten up for nothing?"
Yu Feng asked weakly.
Yu Tianheng: "…"
After a moment of reflection, Yu Tianheng nodded solemnly.
"Yes, this beating was for nothing."
If the person before them was indeed from an older generation, not only was this beating deserved, but Yu Tianheng would also need to apologize.
If his grandfather or great-uncle found out about this, Yu Tianheng would be in for some serious consequences. The older generation of the clan held tradition in the highest regard.
Qin Ming was stunned as well. Just moments ago, he had declared that Li Si couldn't afford to offend Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
Now, with the tables turned, he realized it was they who couldn't afford to offend him.
As confident as Qin Ming was, facing Li Si, a Rank 60 quasi-Soul Emperor, offered little hope of victory. His only potential edge was his combat experience.
After all, Li Si was still young, so his practical battle experience couldn't be that extensive.
Meanwhile, Li Si was at a loss. He had no idea what kind of mental gymnastics Yu Tianheng was performing, but the subtext of his words implied that Li Si was part of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
In hindsight, it wasn't unreasonable for Yu Tianheng to think this way.
In Douluo Continent, a martial soul often symbolized one's identity.
Especially for martial souls with long-standing lineages, they acted as a direct identifier.
For instance, when Tang San first returned to the Clear Sky Clan, he merely revealed his Clear Sky Hammer, and the clan disciples, despite never having met him, acknowledged him as one of their own.
But Li Si knew the truth: he had no connection to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan whatsoever!
Yu Tianheng was mistaken.
Even if Li Si denied the connection, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would likely dismiss his words, assuming he was estranged or unwilling to return to the clan.
Even if Li Si brought out a Clear Sky Hammer, they'd probably assume some sort of alliance between the clans.
"You're one of us. End of story!"
"You've got the wrong person. I have no connection to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
Li Si said this with a blank expression.
"No, Uncle, you've suffered enough outside!"
Yu Tianheng said sincerely.
He hadn't yet confirmed whether Li Si was an uncle or a cousin. Calling him "Uncle" might have been premature, but what else could he do?
If he'd guessed wrong, so be it.
The man's apparent disdain for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan suggested he harbored significant resentment toward the clan. Perhaps even more than his aunt Liu Erlong.
This resentment likely explained why he refused to acknowledge his lineage.
Still, the clan couldn't afford to lose a talent like this.
A Golden Holy Dragon martial soul wielder already on the verge of Soul Emperor status? In another 20 years, he might lead the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to become the strongest of the three great clans.
After all, the Clear Sky Clan and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had two Title Douluo apiece, which left the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan as the weakest of the three.
But with someone like Li Si, the clan's future could change dramatically.
"You're wrong. I have nothing to do with your clan."
Li Si replied, deadpan.
"I look like someone who's suffered?"
He added, his tone laced with quiet sarcasm.
The truth was far more complicated.
Li Si couldn't very well explain that his bloodline power originated from Yu Xiaogang, extracted by Bibi Dong and "installed" in him.
If he said that, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would hunt him down to the ends of the earth!
(End of Chapter)