"Ahahahahahaha…Heheheheheheheheehe… Hahahahahaha…Hahahahahaha"
Yu Xiaogang watched Lin Chen struggling painfully under the suppression of a superior martial spirit. At that moment, he seemed to see his own weak and trembling self from the past, cowering under the might of someone else's Golden Holy Dragon.
But now, the roles had reversed. He too possessed the Golden Holy Dragon—and not from a martial spirit fusion, but his very own, an exclusive martial spirit that belonged to him alone!
He had completely shed the title of "trash." Now he was a 29th-rank Soul Master with the Golden Holy Dragon, his powerful martial spirit granting him unmatched potential. Even though he was already middle-aged, he could steadily rise to the level of Titled Douluo and become one of the strongest experts on the continent.
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang fell into madness. He wanted to vent all the humiliation and bitterness he had suffered for years, right in front of this peasant Lin Chen.
"Ahahaha—jealous, aren't you? Envious, aren't you? This is a level you mud-legged nobodies will never reach in your entire lives! Behold, my martial spirit—the Golden Holy Dragon! Look at its mighty body, its domineering aura, its noble golden brilliance. The ultimate dragon—this is my martial spirit! Splendid, strong, unyielding, invincible, supreme, crushing, shattering—applaud me! Ahahahahaha Hahahahahaha!"
Lin Chen lifted his head as well, gazing at the gleaming golden dragon. Then he calmly took out a card and aimed it at the Golden Holy Dragon.
"Martial Spirit Substitution Card—activate. Target: Golden Holy Dragon martial spirit and Great White Spotted Pig martial spirit."
On the other card in Lin Chen's hand was vividly printed the image of a black-and-white spotted pig.
Yu Xiaogang, lost in his mania, didn't notice Lin Chen's strange actions.
The Substitution Card activated, and several tendrils of light extended outward, latching onto the golden dragon's phantom behind Yu Xiaogang.
One wrapped around the dragon's neck.
Four bound its legs and claws.
Three more entwined its torso.
"ROAR—" The Golden Holy Dragon let out a mournful cry as the tendrils began pulling it bit by bit toward the card.
Yu Xiaogang's ecstatic expression froze in place, his face twisted and contorted like crumpled toilet paper. His mouth slanted, his eyes skewed, and dirty drool dripped from the corner of his lips.
After a moment, his head mechanically turned back. He saw his Golden Holy Dragon being tightly bound by the tendrils, dragged inexorably toward the card.
He didn't understand what was happening, but he could feel it—his martial spirit was being stripped away piece by piece. The noble Golden Holy Dragon bloodline inside him was also being torn out along with it.
Utter fury and terror consumed him. He turned his head back toward Lin Chen and roared:
"You—you, what are you doing?!"
"What am I doing?" Lin Chen tilted his head oddly and replied, "Why, as you can see—reclaiming my martial spirit, the Golden Holy Dragon."
"No! You can't do this! This is my martial spirit, my Golden Holy Dragon!" Yu Xiaogang was on the verge of losing his mind. He had finally escaped the label of "trash." He had finally climbed ashore, finally obtained his own Golden Holy Dragon. His path to the peak had only just begun—yet now Lin Chen was using some unknown method to strip it all away. How could he accept this?!
He had to stop it. But how?
His eyes darted around in panic, then landed on a stone. Gritting his teeth, anger and desperation boiling over, Yu Xiaogang's mind snapped.
Lin Chen—this Golden Holy Dragon is mine. It's the capital of my rise. No one can take it from me! If you dare block my path to greatness—then you must die!
He grabbed the stone, charged at Lin Chen, and swung it down toward Lin Chen's head.
But before he could even touch Lin Chen, a dazzling surge of light blasted out from the card. Yu Xiaogang and his stone were both flung backward by the golden shockwave.
"Ah, my apologies," Lin Chen said calmly. "The martial spirit extraction ritual triggered by this card is compulsory and unstoppable. From the moment you released your martial spirit and I activated this card, everything was already set in stone. So, Gangzi, just accept your fate."
Yu Xiaogang crashed to the ground, his organs feeling as though they had been displaced. His body hurt terribly, but what tore him apart even more was the pain in his heart.
When he raised his head again, he saw his Golden Holy Dragon being dragged closer and closer to the card. Its massive body shrank, little by little, until it finally dissolved completely into the card.
The process was like this:
At first, Yu Xiaogang had 100% control over his Golden Holy Dragon.
But as the extraction continued, that control slipped steadily lower and lower—until it hit zero.
Feeling the bond between him and his martial spirit breaking apart, Yu Xiaogang completely broke down.
He tried to stand, but his legs wouldn't obey. He could only squirm like a worm toward the vanishing Golden Holy Dragon, reaching out desperately, sobbing in despair:
"No… please, Golden Holy Dragon, don't leave me! Don't leave me!"
But finally, the Golden Holy Dragon vanished into the card in Lin Chen's hand.
"No—my Golden Holy Dragon!" Yu Xiaogang wailed in total despair as the bond severed. "Without you, how can I go on living?!"
(Luo Sanpao: say goodbye)
Lin Chen looked down at the card, where the Golden Holy Dragon's image shone vividly. He smiled at Yu Xiaogang.
"Gangzi, your Golden Holy Dragon really is amazing. But now—it's mine. Still, I admit it's a bit unfair just to rob you like this. So let's be fair. A one-to-one trade. I'll return you another martial spirit."
With that, another card released a phantom that shot toward Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang only saw a giant spotted pig flying at him. Then it merged into his body, filling the void left by his martial spirit.
His new martial spirit manifested automatically—a black-and-white spotted pig. Just like Luo Sanpao, it was a detached martial spirit. The pig let out a series of snorting "oink oink" sounds and affectionately nudged Yu Xiaogang with its snout.
At that moment, Yu Xiaogang's despair reached its peak. Luo Sanpao had been a trash martial spirit, yes—but at least it carried the bloodline of the Golden Holy Dragon. Deep down, Yu Xiaogang had clung to a single hope: that someday, through some miracle, he could awaken that bloodline and transform Luo Sanpao into the Golden Holy Dragon.
But now? Now he was left with nothing but a pig.
A martial spirit that was utter trash in every possible way. Its innate aptitude wasn't even enough to support him in reaching the Soul Master rank. The only reason he had reached Soul Master before was because Luo Sanpao still carried a trace of the dragon's bloodline—allowing him, through two hundred times the effort of normal people, to grind his way upward.
But now? With this spotted pig? Even that path was gone.
Yu Xiaogang was finished.
Yu Xiaogang knelt on the ground in despair, like a dead dog. Beside him, the flower pig kept nudging his body, letting out shrill squeals.
Lin Chen gripped the Golden Holy Dragon Martial Soul Card with both hands, reverently fusing it into his body. Then he spread his arms wide, as if welcoming something.
A circle of light formed around him, enveloping the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon behind his back.
Bathed in golden radiance, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon let out a deep, resonant dragon's roar.
Yu Xiaogang, whose heart was already dead to the world, slowly lifted his head. In his murky pupils reflected the scene of a massive blue dragon undergoing metamorphosis: its scales transforming into golden armor, its whiskers lengthening, its vast golden wings unfurling. Within the cocoon of golden light, the dragon evolved into the Golden Holy Dragon.
"ROAR——!"
The moment the Golden Holy Dragon appeared, it unleashed its overwhelming dragon's might in all directions without restraint.
Caught within the range of this dragon's might, Yu Xiaogang trembled uncontrollably.
In the past, even though he possessed the Golden Holy Dragon bloodline, his Luo Sanpao Martial Soul was always suppressed whenever facing the Yu Xiaomen's Golden Holy Dragon.
Now, with nothing but his crippled Martial Soul—the worthless Flower Pig—he was forced to endure Lin Chen's Golden Holy Dragon's crushing pressure. He had no room for resistance at all.
So, Yu Xiaogang and his flower pig collapsed prostrate on the ground under the dragon's might, trembling, incapable of even the slightest struggle.
What filled Yu Xiaogang with deeper humiliation and grief was that Lin Chen's Golden Holy Dragon had been obtained by stripping away the one thing he was most proud of—his own Golden Holy Dragon.
To think that what had been his just moments ago now belonged to another—this was more painful to him than death itself.
Lin Chen stood with his arms open, reveling in the majestic power of the Golden Holy Dragon. He was utterly intoxicated. Then, turning his gaze upon Yu Xiaogang, crushed to the ground like a dead dog beneath dragon's might, the corners of Lin Chen's lips curled into a mocking smile.
He strolled up to Yu Xiaogang, grabbed him by the short hair on his head, and pointed with his other hand at the mighty Golden Holy Dragon looming behind him. With boastful pride, he declared:
"Do you see it, Gangzi? Look at that indomitable dragon body, that boundless, tyrannical dragon's might, that surging golden soul power! This is the ultimate dragon, the Golden Holy Dragon, which stands above the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Gangzi, your Martial Soul was truly remarkable… but now it belongs to me! Ahahahaha Hahahahahaha Hahahahahaha!"
Lin Chen burst out laughing, then shouted:
"Strong, invincible,Supreme! Thunderous!"
He sneered, "Yu Xiaogang, back then you pushed me into the serpent's jaws, nearly costing me my life. You were my enemy, and I should kill you to avenge myself. But at the same time, you are also my benefactor. It was precisely by stripping away your bloodline and seizing the Golden Holy Dragon from your hands that I was able to evolve my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon into the Golden Holy Dragon. So, I've decided—I'll spare your life."
"Kill me, kill me, just kill me!" At this moment, Yu Xiaogang's spirit completely collapsed. He wanted nothing but death.
Lin Chen tossed his head back to the ground and said with a smirk:
"No, no, Gangzi. You are my benefactor. How could I repay kindness with enmity? Don't worry—I will stand atop this world's peak, and you will remain like a maggot, struggling pitifully beneath the rank of Soul Elder. Hahahahaha!"
With a wave of his hand, Lin Chen retracted the Golden Holy Dragon and turned away, no longer paying attention to Yu Xiaogang lying on the ground like a dead dog.
Even after the dragon's might had dissipated, Yu Xiaogang lay motionless for a long time. Never before had his heart been so utterly drowned in despair.
A man who never sees hope lives in pain, but at least he adapts. What is even crueler is to glimpse hope, only to be cast back into darkness.
Yu Xiaogang had now experienced this despair three times in his life.
The first was when he obtained the Golden Dragonfruit, only to have it snatched away by Yu Xiaomen. What was meant to be his opportunity instead forged the path of Yu Xiaomen. Now, Yu Xiaomen stood as titled Douluo, towering over the continent's Soul Master world, while he remained stuck at the 29th rank.
The third time was now—more hopeless than ever before.
Back then, he had successfully consumed the Golden Dragonfruit, and his Martial Soul had indeed evolved into the Golden Holy Dragon. He had personally experienced its immense power. But before long, that same Golden Holy Dragon was stolen from him by Lin Chen, along with his noble bloodline. Now, his Martial Soul was no longer Luo Sanpao, but a worthless flower pig. Even if another Golden Dragonfruit appeared before him, he could never again obtain the Golden Holy Dragon he dreamed of.
Yu Xiaogang wanted to die. But he was not willing to die—not like this. He burned with hatred.
In the past, his greatest hatred had been toward Yu Xiaomen. But now, his hatred for Lin Chen surpassed even that. He refused to let these two people—who had stolen his opportunities and paved their path to power on his misfortune—live in peace.
Nor was he willing to die insignificantly, like a maggot, unloved, unremembered.
With difficulty, Yu Xiaogang staggered to his feet and made his way back.
Now, with even his bloodline severed and the Golden Holy Dragon forever beyond his reach, Yu Xiaogang had only one last hope left: his beloved disciple, Tang San.
Tang San was his hope. Only by grooming Tang San into an unrivaled powerhouse could Yu Xiaogang's name resound throughout the world. Only by clinging to Tang San as his lifeline could he strike back at the Yu Xiaomen, Lin Chen, and Spirit Hall in glorious vengeance.
As Gangzi walked through the streets, he heard the whispers and pointing fingers of passersby.
"Sigh, look, isn't that Yu Xiaogang? The one they're calling the famous plagiarism master lately."
"Plagiarism master, huh? How shameful. Let's stay away from him."
"I heard most of his theories weren't even his own. The few that were turned out to be harmful. Did you know? Someone believed his nonsense about Plant-type Martial Souls being able to absorb Beast-type Spirit Rings. Tried it, and ruined their talent completely."
Each mocking word pierced Yu Xiaogang's fragile heart, laying bare the cruel reality:
To obtain the Golden Dragonfruit, he had all but sold his reputation, forced to accept Spirit Hall's smears and attacks. In the end, he did obtain the Golden Dragonfruit, and his Martial Soul did evolve into the Golden Holy Dragon. Had it ended there, he might not have despaired so deeply.
But the Golden Holy Dragon he had sacrificed everything to gain was stolen from him almost immediately.
Was there anything in this world more cruel than that?
Overcome with grief, Yu Xiaogang fell to his knees, spreading his arms wide toward the sky, crying out bitterly:
"Heavens! Why? Why do you treat me, Yu Xiaogang, so unfairly? I was born noble, destined to stand above countless others—why must I suffer such torment? Why!"
A muffled thunder rolled across the sky. Dark clouds gathered. Rain began to pour down in fine sheets, and in no time, Yu Xiaogang was drenched like a drowned rat.
Inside a luxurious hotel.
Lin Chen arrived here, stepping into an exclusive private room. He pushed the door open and walked in.
Counting Lin Chen, the two people whom Yu Xiaogang hated and envied the most were both present.
Yu Xiaomen asked:
"Is it done?"
"All taken care of."
"How does it feel?" Yu Xiaomen asked again.
"It's incredible. The power of the Golden Holy Dragon is intoxicating." Lin Chen spoke with fascination.
"Of course, and that's not all!" Yu Xiaomen smiled.
"Yes, compared to evolving into a Golden Holy Dragon on one's own, seizing the martial soul from Gangzi is far sweeter~" Just thinking of Yu Xiaogang's defeated look filled Lin Chen with joy.
Yu Xiaomen poured red wine and said:
"Oh, it seems we share quite a bit to talk about in this regard."
"Of course." Lin Chen sat down.
Yu Xiaomen raised his glass.
"To us."
"To us."
The two soul masters, both possessing the supreme Golden Holy Dragon martial soul, feasted in luxury inside the hotel. Meanwhile, not far away in a filthy alley—
After a heavy rain, Yu Xiaogang was drenched to the bone. A low snorting sound came from beside him.
That spotted pig martial soul rubbed affectionately against Yu Xiaogang's body.
Yu Xiaogang stiffly turned his head, his cloudy eyes meeting the pig's gaze.
Instantly, flames of fury burned within him. Deep inside, Yu Xiaogang carried a secret notebook. In it, he had written down all the people he resented and envied: Lin Chen, Yu Xiaomen, Yu Luomian, Yu Yuanzhen, Flender, Liu Erlong, Bibi Dong… On countless nights, he had drawn endless circles and made countless cursed dolls, wishing them all a terrible death.
But as a mere level-29 "teacher," he had no strength to turn that hatred into real revenge. His grievances, frustration, and rage needed somewhere to go.
With no wife to vent on, and unwilling to risk discouraging his disciples, the only available outlet became Luo Sanpao, his detached martial soul.
So, every time Yu Xiaogang resented fate's cruelty, he vented it on Luo Sanpao, as if all his misfortune was that martial soul's fault.
But now, Luo Sanpao was gone. In its place, a big spotted pig.
This pig martial soul was even more useless than Luo Sanpao. At least with Luo Sanpao, Yu Xiaogang held onto one thought: The golden-scaled fish is no pond creature. Given a chance, it will transform into a dragon. (Yes—Xiaogang always saw himself as that golden-scaled fish.)
He believed that even if Luo Sanpao had dragged him down and wasted most of his life, one day, Luo Sanpao would awaken the Golden Holy Dragon bloodline within him, allowing him to turn his fate around and escape the label of "trash."
But this pig martial soul left him with no such hope.
Still, it gave him something to unleash his emotions on.
Hatred surged, malice grew bold. Yu Xiaogang's eyes darted around until they fell on a thorny branch lying on the ground. Without hesitation, he picked it up, glaring viciously at the pig.
The pig stared blankly at its master, unable to understand why he would harbor such malice.
With a crack, Yu Xiaogang lashed the whip across the pig's back. The pig let out a pained squeal.
"Agh—!" Yu Xiaogang screamed as well. This pig was even worse than Luo Sanpao! At least Luo Sanpao was thick-skinned; the pain feedback on Yu Xiaogang wasn't too bad. But the pig's delicate flesh sent agony back into Yu Xiaogang multiplied several times over.
Yet, he didn't stop. The pain in his heart outweighed the pain in his body. He needed an outlet.
Eyes bloodshot, he roared with venom at the pig:
"Damn beast, you are not my martial soul! Trash like you doesn't deserve to be mine! Die! Die! Give me back Luo Sanpao! Return my noble bloodline! Give Luo Sanpao back to me—!"
"Die! Hurry up and die! Give me back my Golden Holy Dragon!"
His whip cracked again and again, accompanied by his howls. To him, all his suffering was the pig's fault. The alley echoed with his frenzied roars, the whipping sounds, and the pig's pitiful squeals.
After a long time, Yu Xiaogang was exhausted. Beating the pig meant beating himself, and he couldn't endure the pain anymore.
At last, the detached martial soul pig lay on the ground, covered in wounds, twitching weakly. Yu Xiaogang's body too ached with agony.
Unable to strike further, he turned to cursing viciously.
"Gangzi, what's troubling you so badly that you'd beat your own martial soul?"
Yu Xiaogang bellowed:
"I told you, this is not my martial soul! My martial soul is the Golden Holy Dragon—the Golden Holy Dragon!"
"The Golden Holy Dragon, huh?" A hand clapped his shoulder. A voice said mockingly, "So you were something special before, huh?"
"Of course! That was the Golden Holy Dragon, my former martial soul." Yu Xiaogang's eyes grew distant, nostalgic for those few glorious hours. His martial soul had evolved. He had obtained the ultimate dragon—the Golden Holy Dragon! The path to strength had opened before him.
He saw himself becoming the peak Saint Dragon Douluo, even reaching Rank 99, the ultimate Douluo. The soul master world would hail him as the greatest theory master. Tang San would serve him with devotion. He would return to his clan, where all who once looked down on him would now bow and call him "Your Grace, Xiaogang." He would reclaim everything from Yu Xiaomen and stop Spirit Hall's ambitions of swallowing the continent.
But all of that vanished the moment Lin Chen, that damned disciple, stole his martial soul.
"Wait a sec—"
Amid his sorrow and rage, Yu Xiaogang suddenly realized the voice behind him sounded familiar. His "sunflower" clenched tight. Mechanically, he turned his head.
There stood a bespectacled bald man, a scarred face, a one-eyed brute, a spiky-haired thug, and behind them a gang of hulking men.
They were all familiar. His old prison "friends." At some point, they had surrounded him once again.