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--- Chapter 356 ---
Meanwhile, in another part of the Heaven Dou Empire, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was taken aback by the sudden emergence of the Ten Thousand Beast Sect.
It was clear that the Heaven Dou Empire was not the only group that had sent envoys to investigate this mysterious sect that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
Their reaction, however, was far from positive.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's position as the strongest beast martial soul on the Douluo Continent was 'directly' threatened by this new sect.
According to the Blue Dragon Envoy, the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect had a deep inheritance and several young, talented individuals with powerful beast martial souls—some of which even surpassed those of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
As the noble Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, they could not allow such martial souls, which posed a threat to their status, to exist!
Unfortunately, facing the Ten Thousand Beast Sect was not an option for them at the moment. Whether it was to eliminate the promising geniuses or the sect itself, the task was as difficult as climbing the sky.
Although the Clan Leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Yuanzhen, was a formidable Title Douluo on his own titled Thunder, the Ten Thousand Beast Sect also boasted its own Title Douluos—more than the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan possessed.
If Yu Yuanzhen were to lose a battle and perish, the entire clan would decline, if not finished!
---
Nine Dragon Peaks, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
In an ancient hall, a row of elders gathered around a long table as the Patriarch sat on the end, with the Vice-Patriarch seated beside him.
"This won't do, Patriarch!" exclaimed one elder, glaring at Yu Yuanzhen with intensity. "The existence of the Ten Thousand Beast Sect poses a threat to our clan. We cannot allow them to gain momentum."
"Let's just send the Blue Dragon Squad to eliminate their geniuses first and then blame it on Spirit Hall," another elder suggested.
"And what if we fail?" Yu Yuanzhen retorted calmly, surveying all the elders present. "Have you considered the consequences of facing the full-force attack of three Title Douluos?"
"You think you're clever by putting dirt on Spirit Hall, but do you truly understand how extensive their power is?"
"They might have more Title Douluos than the entire Heaven Dou Empire combined..."
"That is..." The elder's intensity wavered.
He admitted the truth in Yu Yuanzhen's words, recalling the humiliation the clan suffered when a Golden Crocodile from Spirit Hall had visited them. Back then, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had boasted multiple Title Douluos, but now only Yu Yuanzhen remained.
"Elder Luomian, there must be another way, right?" the elder pressed, glancing at the Vice-Patriarch.
Regardless, Yu Luomian did not wish to entertain such ideas either. Once ambitious and cunning for the sake of the clan's glory, his perspective had drastically changed after attending the Dao Meeting a few months earlier, where he witnessed his own daughter reach the Title Douluo realm with two 100,000-year-old spirit rings.
His ambition seemed to fade, and he appeared to age a few decades, his mood calming as if he had found peace or perhaps a sense of helpless acceptance.
"No, let's just observe for now," Yu Luomian said, glancing at his older brother, Yu Yuanzhen. "It would be better if we focus on nurturing our own geniuses and the young generation."
Yu Yuanzhen sighed, recognizing the change within Yu Luomian. The blow dealt by Liu Erlong had indeed wounded his brother's heart. "Luomian is right. We, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, have never shied away from challenges..."
"We can also prove that our clan can give rise to a genius with Title Douluo potential!"
Upon hearing this, the elders fell silent, shame flickering across their aged faces. What Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Luomian proposed was indeed a better goal. Yet, deep down, they still harbored thoughts of the Ten Thousand Beast Sect—this was not only about threat but also about greed for the recently revealed sect's inheritance.
The elders exchanged glances before firmly committing to their private ambitions, aiming to achieve their desires while pretending to stick to the clan's goals.
Yes, they were determined to secretly pursue the secret inheritance of the Ten Thousand Beast Sect, believing that once the Patriarch and Vice-Patriarch remained unaware of their intentions, they would eventually bow to their plans.
If Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Luomian were aware of the elders' true motives, they would certainly beat them up for dreaming so grandly without the strength to realize it!
Unfortunately, Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Luomian were 'unknowingly' destined to suffer the consequences of the elders' actions.
And so, the clan's meeting concluded. Yu Luomian leisurely returned to his residence, sitting in the side hall, sipping warm tea and enjoying the soothing movement of the bamboo fountain.
Yu Yuanzhen appeared behind him and sat down beside him. "Are you still thinking about her...?"
Yu Luomian's fingers tightened around the teacup for a brief moment before relaxing. "I have nothing but regret."
"Brother, both of us have multiple children. Some have made us feel satisfied, while others have left us disappointed."
"I must admit that I have been biased in favor of my more talented children, treating them like treasures..."
"I can't help it because that's how we got raised, and it's the way of our clan," he said emotionally. "However, I can't deny that I cherish all my children..."
"Brother, you..." Yu Yuanzhen gave Yu Luomian a complex look.
Yu Luomian shook his head gently and replied, "I think the clan really needs to change. Legitimate or not, we shouldn't blame the children for the elders' wrongdoings."
"I should be the one punished."
"I was wrong for neglecting Erlong. She was all alone from a young age, and I could only make it up to her when she was already an adult, which was too late."
"By then, I could only regret my decision. That's why I believe the clan really needs to change."
Yu Yuanzhen poured himself some tea and absentmindedly gazed at the blue sky. "It's not just you..."
"I was also wrong."
"I knew you were suppressing your frustration about Xiaogang's situation with Erlong."
"I shouldn't have been too easy on him."
"I not only disappointed you but also the clan. For the sake of Xiaogang, I even sacrificed the clan's interests."
"If the Dao Academy had been founded back then, Xiaogang's spirit wouldn't have been crippled."
"Alas, such a heaven-defying genius from that academy appears too late."
"How could the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragons give birth to a spirit that was neither pig nor dog? It was obviously a mutation."
"According to the theory of evolution, Xiaogang's spirit could have been the legendary Golden Holy Dragon."
"Regret is truly regrettable," Yu Yuanzhen said, self-mockingly.
Yu Luomian chuckled indifferently. "You were indeed too soft with him, but you shouldn't take all the blame either."
"Everyone in the clan knew that my disappointing nephew couldn't handle setbacks too well. Even though you sacrificed your cultivation to purify his dragon's blood, his effort wasn't enough."
"He knew his talent was subpar, but he wasted all his energy on spirit theory instead of pushing himself to the limit, hoping for an easier path to prove himself."
"But we knew he was just avoiding hardship. Simply put, he was too damn soft!"
"His first spirit ring was wasted on a Lightning Rat spirit beast. His second spirit ring was wasted on a Spiritual Fox spirit beast."
"These were all his choices, which ultimately sealed his future."
Yu Yuanzhen sipped his tea and sighed, "I really spoiled him, didn't I? If only I could have been a little tougher, a little more stern, a little colder, maybe Xiaogang wouldn't be like this."
"As I said, stop blaming yourself," Yu Luomian said helplessly. "He chose this path of destruction himself, so he deserves what happens to him."
"Hehe, he really fucked around and found out..."
Yu Yuanzhen's mouth twitched. "Aih, you..."
"My son is disappointing, but at least your daughter is thriving now."
"I know you're proud—you're just playing it cool."
"Such a young Title Douluo with two 100,000-year-old spirit rings at that, sigh, I'm a little jealous."
"Actually... if that event from the past could really happen..." he murmured suddenly.
"Dream on!" Yu Luomian shouted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "Even if that disappointing son of yours is my nephew, I wouldn't allow a trash like him to touch my daughter!"
"Even if you're my brother and a Title Douluo powerhouse, I would fight you to the death with my Spirit Douluo cultivation!"
"Joking! I'm just joking!" Yu Yuanzhen laughed awkwardly. Yet, deep inside, he sighed again.
No matter what dreams Yu Yuanzhen had, there was no 'What if' in this world.
Yu Yuanzhen twirled the teacup in his hand and thought, 'Xiaogang, I hope you can live peacefully and won't cause more trouble for your old father...'
'Father truly can't help you any longer, son. I have disappointed too many people...'