Chapter 50: Xiaogang the Sellout—Trading Secrets to Join Spirit Hall
"I can make sure Shura will never forget you," Huo Yuhao said softly.
"You… you can help me? You can make him love me?" The Rakshasa Goddess looked at him like a drowning woman clutching her last hope.
"Of course not," Huo Yuhao replied, tone calm as still water. "Shura is a god obsessed with purity. He would never allow his reputation to be soiled by you. But—I can help you in another way. I can ensure he remembers you forever."
"Another way?" she whispered.
"Through hate," Huo Yuhao said gently. "Hatred cuts as deep as love. Shura cares more for his reputation than anything else? Then ruin it. Drag him down into the same darkness as you. And if he treasures his 'precious one,' then destroy the precious one—and leave him with nothing but eternal resentment for you."
He leaned closer. "Wouldn't that be better than being forgotten? To have him hate you so completely that he will never escape your shadow. Even in hatred, you and he will be bound together—forever."
The Rakshasa Goddess trembled—then began to laugh, high and wild. "Yes… yes! If he won't love me, then let him hate me! If he won't remember me fondly, let me carve myself into his soul as pain. Anything is better than being forgotten!"
Huo Yuhao smiled, satisfied. Producing an Eternal Contract, he handed it to her. Without a moment's hesitation, the Rakshasa Goddess signed her divine name.
Douluo Continent – Spirit Hall, Pope's Palace
After much gentle pleading from Bibi Dong, Qian Xunji finally agreed to permit Yu Xiaogang's entry into Spirit Hall.
In the solemn Pope's Palace, Qian Xunji sat high upon his throne. Bibi Dong stood gracefully at his side, while the Pope's two Protectors, Golden Bell Douluo and Silver Hammer Douluo, flanked the dais. Below stood the armored temple guards in perfect formation.
"Announce—Yu Xiaogang, present yourself!"
The gates creaked open. A small, nervous figure entered the hall.
Yu Xiaogang had planned to appear calm and composed, but the grandeur of the scene—the towering statues, the golden hall—instantly robbed him of courage. His legs trembled as he sank to one knee. "Yu Xiaogang greets His Holiness, the Pope."
At this point, Yu Xiaogang had not yet become close to Bibi Dong. Gone was the arrogance he'd show years later with the Pope's decree in hand—today, he was merely a timid man, bowing low.
Qian Xunji regarded him coolly. "You are the son of Yu Yuanzhen, Patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Are you certain you wish to join Spirit Hall?"
"I am certain, Your Holiness."
"Very well. Since Dong'er has recommended you, I shall not refuse her word. Swear your loyalty to Spirit Hall."
Yu Xiaogang hesitated. He remembered the oath's words—an oath that cut all ties to one's former sect. He had not come to Spirit Hall to betray his clan, only to find a cure for his spirit's mutation. If he took this oath, he would be branded a traitor for life.
He glanced at Bibi Dong. She remained silent. Gritting his teeth, he placed a hand over his heart and recited the oath:
"I, Yu Xiaogang, do hereby swear: I renounce all allegiance to any sect, monarch, or family I once served. I pledge to uphold the interests of Spirit Hall, to fight against its enemies, with unwavering loyalty. Under the Pope's decree, I will wield my spirit for the Hall; under his order, I will serve in any capacity required. I accept this duty freely, without reservation or deceit. May the Supreme Angel God bear witness to my vow."
When he finished, Yu Xiaogang exhaled heavily. It's just words, he told himself. Once I find what I need, I'll leave—and no one will stop me from returning to glory.
"Good," Qian Xunji said. "From this day forward, you are a member of Spirit Hall. Dong'er, you may go."
"Yes, Teacher." Bibi Dong bowed and left the hall.
Qian Xunji then dismissed the guards until only four remained—himself, Yu Xiaogang, and the two Protector Douluo.
"You joined us hoping to find a way to evolve your mutated martial spirit, didn't you?" Qian Xunji asked directly.
Yu Xiaogang froze, unable to answer.
"Speak the truth," Qian Xunji said mildly. "A nod will suffice."
Yu Xiaogang nodded nervously.
"Then understand this," Qian Xunji continued. "If you wish to gain something from Spirit Hall's vast heritage, you must offer something in return."
"But… I already swore allegiance!" Yu Xiaogang protested.
"The oath means little," Golden Bell Douluo growled. "Plenty swore such pledges and still betrayed us. You must present proof of loyalty—a pledge gift."
"A pledge gift?" Yu Xiaogang asked, feigning ignorance.
Silver Hammer Douluo folded his arms. "You're the Blue Lightning Clan's heir. You know what has value—the secrets of your clan. Whatever knowledge you possess, you will surrender it."
"But… those are family secrets…"
"And you," Golden Bell's deep voice thundered, "are no longer part of that family. Or have you already planned to return to them?"
"I—I didn't mean that," Yu Xiaogang stammered.
After a long pause, he sighed. So be it. In truth, his plan from the start had been to trade the Blue Lightning Clan's secrets for access to Spirit Hall's archives. Now, his path was clear.
To secure his chance at power—and erase the curse of "waste"—Yu Xiaogang revealed everything he knew about his former sect, every method, every defense, every secret.
When he finished, he whispered to himself: Blue Lightning Clan… don't blame me. You wronged me first.
Golden Bell Douluo studied the written notes taken from Yu Xiaogang and frowned. Suddenly, his aura flared—oppressive and thunderous. "Brat, where is the Dragon Transformation Technique?"
Under the crushing pressure of a Title Douluo, Yu Xiaogang nearly collapsed. Sweat poured down his temples. "T-the Dragon Transformation secret can only be taught to those who awaken the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon spirit. My spirit… isn't that…"
Hah! he cursed inwardly. If I had that spirit, why would I even be here groveling?
Qian Xunji eyed him carefully, then nodded. "Very well. From now on, you may access the outer section of the Spirit Hall's library."
Outwardly, Yu Xiaogang bowed in gratitude. "Thank you, Your Holiness."
Inwardly, he seethed. All that, and I only get entry to the outer section?
"Go," Qian Xunji said, waving him away.
When Yu Xiaogang had gone, Silver Hammer scoffed. "That fool spilled everything he knew, and for what? Hopeless."
Golden Bell grunted. "Exactly as expected. A useless soul master with a pig spirit isn't hiding much of value."
"The clan's defensive charts and petty information are worth nothing," Qian Xunji said dismissively. "Without the Dragon Transformation secret, this 'treasure' wasn't worth prying open."
(And with that careless remark, the seed of the Blue Lightning Clan's future downfall was sown.)
Leaving the Pope's hall, Yu Xiaogang looked back at the grand throne. The image of Qian Xunji, draped in divine light, seated in supreme authority—it made something twist inside him. That… that is what a man should be. Power. Respect. Greatness.
Suddenly, a gentle voice pulled him from his thoughts.
"What did Teacher want with you?" Bibi Dong asked curiously.
Yu Xiaogang blinked, then hesitated. "His Holiness said I needed to prove my sincerity—with a pledge gift."
"A pledge gift?" Bibi Dong frowned. "Teacher never mentioned that to me…"
Unable to make sense of it, she let it rest.
The next day, with his newly granted access, Yu Xiaogang threw himself into the library's endless tomes.
He didn't realize that his betrayal had already reached the Blue Lightning Clan.
Back at the clan headquarters, the council met in uproar.
"Unthinkable—" Yu Luomian caught himself before finishing the curse, "Yu Xiaogang actually joined Spirit Hall."
"He's only a Grandmaster," Yu Luoguan said grimly. "There's no way Spirit Hall would take him without payment. He must have traded our secrets for his position—traitor."
"Agreed," Yu Luotang said darkly. "There's no proof, but it's almost certain."
"How many secrets did he know?" Yu Luohuang asked.
"Not many," Yu Luotang replied. "And definitely not the Dragon Transformation Technique."
Yu Luomian exhaled in relief. "Good. That art is our foundation."
The elders cursed under their breath. They didn't need to say it aloud—Yu Yuanzhen's son had become a stain on their honor.
At last, Yu Yuanzhen slammed his fist onto the table, thunder crackling around him. "Enough! From this day onward, I, Yu Yuanzhen, declare that Yu Xiaogang is no longer of our clan! Expelled from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect—forever!"
Spirit Hall, Worship Hall
Standing beside a window overlooking the Pope's Palace, Qian Renxue folded her arms.
"Tian'e, you said Yu Xiaogang's future actions would greatly harm our Hall," she said quietly. "So why allow him to access even our peripheral archives?"
"Within those archives, he'll find only general soul master knowledge," she replied coolly. "Nothing truly valuable. The critical texts were relocated long ago."
"But he may learn things from the Holy Maiden," Tian'e warned.
"Perhaps," Qian Renxue admitted. "But the knowledge she holds is outdated. It no longer matters. Besides…" she thought inwardly, Tang Hao is already a reborn player in this game. Whatever Yu Xiaogang learns will mean nothing in the end.
In the Hall's outer library, Yu Xiaogang buried himself in books. He read day and night, devouring every text he could find on martial spirits and mutations—hoping for the key to his evolution.
A year passed. Nothing.
Still, through his constant contact with Bibi Dong, Yu Xiaogang discovered something else. Despite the darkness of her spirit, she was pure-hearted—naive and kind to a fault.
Did he feel moved by her kindness? Perhaps. But instead of gratitude, a new plan took root.
Through her trust, he realized, I can rise higher.
He courted her subtly, presenting himself as a wise and gentle mentor. He quoted texts, shared insights from the library, always framing himself as thoughtful and brilliant. Through casual conversation, he extracted fragments of Spirit Hall's confidential matters. Outside their studies, he 'coincidentally' met her often, taking her on strolls through the city—lantern festivals, lakeside walks, charming chances designed to erode her guard.
At last, his efforts bore fruit.
One day, Bibi Dong looked at him curiously. "Xiaogang, have you found a way to fix your spirit mutation?"
The moment he'd been waiting for. He sighed, masking his satisfaction behind disappointment.
"Ah, Dong'er… I've read nearly everything in the outer library, but nothing on martial-spirit evolution exists there."
Bibi Dong frowned innocently. "Then why not search the inner archives?"
He gave a pained smile. "Your teacher only permitted me access to the outer section. The moment I step further, the guardians stop me."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" she asked earnestly.
"I didn't want to trouble you over something so small."
"We're friends, aren't we?" Bibi Dong said, placing a hand on her chest with determination. "Don't worry. Teacher always listens to me. I'll speak to him—he'll let you in. Leave it to me!"
(END CHAPTER)
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