The figures of Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan quietly dissipated from the lounge, as if they had never appeared at all. The young boys and girls of the Tianxing Academy Team remained immersed in the joy of their championship victory and the excitement of having met such legendary figures, unable to calm down for a long time.
As for Yu Yuanchen and his wife, in the next instant, they appeared like ghosts in a more secluded VIP room within the Fighting Arena.
Yu Mingfeng, who had been waiting here after receiving a voice transmission from Yu Yuanchen, wore a look of comfort as he saw his son and daughter-in-law.
"Father." Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan stepped forward to pay their respects.
"Good, good! It is good to be back. The children have all done us proud; they haven't shamed our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!" Yu Mingfeng clapped his hands and laughed, his eyes filled with pride.
His eldest son, Yu Yuanchen, was already a peak powerhouse of the continent, and his grandchildren, Yu Yunting and Yu Yunyao, were also exceptionally gifted. The future of the sect was promising.
After a brief conversation, Yu Mingfeng joined Yu Yuanchen and his wife in taking Yu Yunting, Yu Yunyao, Yu Yuanzhen, Yu Luomian, and Tang Wei—who had just finished regulating their breath and remained exhausted yet spirited—away from the bustling Martial Soul City. They boarded a luxurious carriage exclusive to Dragon City and embarked on their journey home.
Several days later, the group returned safely to Dragon City.
Upon returning to the long-missed sect, Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan first took their children to pay their respects to their grandfather, Yu Boxuan.
Inside the Council Hall, Yu Boxuan sat in the main seat. With white hair and beard, he remained vigorous, his aura as deep and vast as the sea. Seeing his heroic grandson, granddaughter-in-law, and great-grandchildren below, he felt immense comfort in his heart.
Especially when he sensed the increasingly unfathomable aura emanating from Yu Yuanchen, which seemed to have merged with the heavens and earth, and the pure, majestic life force of Ye Zhilan, he was filled with deep emotion.
Once upon a time, the grandson who needed his protection had now grown into a towering tree that even he had to look up to.
"It is good to be back, truly good!" Yu Boxuan laughed heartily, his voice resonant and showing no signs of old age. His cultivation level had reached the peak of Level 98, his qi and blood were abundant, and his lifespan was long.
After exchanging pleasantries, Yu Boxuan dismissed the attendants, leaving only Yu Mingfeng, Yu Yuanchen, and Ye Zhilan in the hall, his expression turning serious.
"Yuanchen, your horizons are no longer limited to a single continent. Do you have any considerations for the future of the sect?" Yu Boxuan asked directly. He knew that his grandson's gaze had long been fixed on the vast sea of stars.
Yu Yuanchen pondered for a moment and said slowly, "Grandfather, Father, as you can see, although the sect is currently powerful and is the true Number One Sect Under Heaven, our development on the Douluo Continent has actually reached a bottleneck."
Upon hearing this, Yu Boxuan and Yu Mingfeng both nodded slightly, their expressions grave. Having managed the sect for many years, they naturally understood the crux of the matter.
Yu Boxuan sighed, "Indeed. Our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is bound by bloodline. While this ensures core cohesion, our development ceiling is ultimately constrained by the number and talent of our clansmen. Now that the clan is growing larger, it is inevitable that people's hearts will change.
Some collateral descendants possess decent talent but, having failed to awaken the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul, cannot obtain core resources or status within the sect. Over time, this may breed resentment and internal strife. With your father and me suppressing it, and with your presence, Yuanchen, we can still maintain a balance, but in the future..."
He looked at Yu Yuanchen, the implication clear. Once a pillar like Yu Yuanchen left, the hidden dangers within the sect could very well erupt.
"According to past practices, the best method would naturally be to launch a war against hostile forces, plunder resources, and shift the conflict elsewhere. But, I suspect you would not like to use such methods, Yuanchen."
Yu Mingfeng interjected, "Furthermore, the continental landscape is basically stable. Martial Soul Hall is powerful, and the two great empires stand side by side. Although our sect is the head of the Upper Three Sects, any attempt to advance further or expand our influence would inevitably trigger fierce conflict, which would not be a blessing for the sect."
Yu Yuanchen nodded; this was exactly the problem he had been considering. He said in a deep voice, "Stagnation is not an option, and blind expansion is not feasible. I believe we could try a strategy of 'spreading branches and leaves'."
"Oh? Tell us in detail." A gleam of light flashed in Yu Boxuan's eyes.
"The so-called spreading of branches and leaves is not about splitting the family, but 'diverting the flow'," Yu Yuanchen explained. "We can allow those collateral descendants who have the Yu Family bloodline and outstanding ability, but who have not awakened the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul, to establish their own foundations around Dragon City or even in other suitable areas of the empire, such as chambers of commerce, mercenary groups, or even small towns."
"The sect can provide initial resource support and connections, but they must acknowledge the sect master's authority and exist as a vassal force. At the same time, we will establish rules: if any descendants in these branches awaken the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul in the future, they will have the priority right to return to the main sect for cultivation.
As for the core disciples of the main sect, if their ambitions lie elsewhere, they may also choose to train in these branches or hold important positions, but the core inheritance and decision-making power must be firmly held in the hands of the main sect."
He paused and continued, "In this way, we can alleviate the pressure of resource allocation within the sect, provide an upward path for talented collateral members, and reduce internal friction. At the same time, we can spread the clan's influence in a more flexible way and accumulate potential strength.
Even if I leave this world in the future, as long as the core strength of the main sect remains intact and the system is sound, these branch forces will be the tentacles and barriers extending from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, rather than hidden dangers of division. If a branch truly develops well, independence is not out of the question; after all, we are all family, and in any case, it is better than brothers fighting among themselves."
Yu Boxuan and Yu Mingfeng pondered for a long time after hearing this. This idea was quite bold, breaking the traditional unitary structure of the sect, but upon careful consideration, it was a way to break the deadlock under the current situation.
It could appease the internal members while quietly expanding influence, putting eggs in different baskets to increase the clan's resilience against risks.
"This method... may be worth a try," Yu Boxuan said slowly, a look of approval in his eyes. "However, the specific regulations, the screening of candidates, and the division of rights and responsibilities must be carefully considered and implemented gradually, so as not to act too hastily and cause the tail to become too heavy to wag."
"That is only natural," Yu Yuanchen nodded. "This matter will still require the hard work of Grandfather and Father to implement steadily. There is no need to rush; with us here, any hidden dangers will ultimately remain just that."
With the major matters decided, the atmosphere in the hall became much more relaxed. In the following days, Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan stayed in Dragon City, enjoying a rare moment of family reunion. Ye Zhilan also took the time to return to the Ye Family to visit her parents and her grandfather, Ye Kuan.
Yu Yunting and Yu Yunyao became stars within the sect, receiving looks of admiration and affection from their clansmen wherever they went. Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Luomian also had a rare chance to relax, sparring and exchanging pointers with their brother and sister-in-law, gaining much from the experience.
Peaceful and warm days always pass quickly. A few days later, Yu Yuanchen felt the timing was right and decided to set off to return to the Sun Moon Continent.
On this day, outside Dragon City.
Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan, accompanied by Yu Yunting and Yu Yunyao, bid farewell to Yu Boxuan, Yu Mingfeng, Yu Yuanzhen, Yu Luomian, and others who had come to see them off.
"Grandfather, Father, Yuanzhen, Luomian, I leave the sect's affairs in your capable hands," Yu Yuanchen said solemnly.
"Go with peace of mind; we are here at home," Yu Boxuan waved his hand, his eyes full of anticipation. "The world you carve out abroad will be the foundation of the sect's future!"
Yu Mingfeng also urged, "Be careful in everything, and prioritize your own safety above all else."
Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Luomian also bowed, "Take care, Big Brother (Sister-in-law)!"
Subsequently, the group traveled to the Clear Sky Sect to pick up Tang Wei, who was already prepared. After bidding farewell to the elders of the Clear Sky Sect, Yu Yuanchen did not delay any further.
He flicked his sleeves, and a majestic, vast Thunder Divine Essence surged out, enveloping everyone present. Then, he pressed his fingers together like a sword and gently slashed at the void in front of him!
"Sshhh--!"
A spatial rift with edges flickering with purple gold lightning was forcibly torn open! The interior of the rift was dark and deep, emitting spatial fluctuations that caused palpitations.
"Let's go!" Yu Yuanchen gave a low shout. The Thunder Divine Essence transformed into a solid protective barrier, wrapping around Ye Zhilan, Yu Yunting, Yu Yunyao, and Tang Wei, and he stepped into the spatial rift. The rift closed rapidly, and the area returned to calm, as if nothing had ever happened.
The sensation of crossing space was incredibly novel for Tang Wei. Even with the protection of Yu Yuanchen's divine essence, he could still feel the distorted and chaotic void turbulence outside, which filled him with awe. He did not know how much time had passed—perhaps it was only an instant—when a light appeared ahead.
As their vision cleared, everyone was back on solid ground. Before them was the outline of a magnificent city; it was the capital of the Sun Moon Federation—(Zihuang) Dragon City! They had returned from the distant Douluo Continent to the Sun Moon Continent!
Upon returning to the Governor's Mansion, Qian Daoliu, Xu Yu, and others who had received the news were already waiting. After a brief conversation, Yu Yuanchen began to arrange the subsequent matters.
Yu Yuanchen had long since made plans for Yu Yunting and Yu Yunyao. The talents and foundations of the two children had been built extremely solidly; what they lacked most now was practical training through life and death battle and the tempering of their state of mind.
"The territory of the Federation is vast. Although it is generally stable, there are still many powerful soul beasts roaming and wreaking havoc in the border regions and some remote areas, attacking towns and villages. The Federation has established an 'Executive Department' specifically tasked with hunting down such fierce beasts," Yu Yuanchen said to his son and daughter.
"Starting tomorrow, you will join the Executive Department and begin with the lowest-ranking missions. Remember, your mission is training, not play. The Executive Department will equip you with a Recording Soul Tool to document the mission process. I will inspect it periodically."
Upon hearing this, Yu Yunting and Yu Yunyao's small faces tightened immediately, filled with both nervousness and an eagerness to try.
Ye Zhilan said softly, "Mom will follow in secret to protect you. But unless you truly encounter a situation of certain death, I will never intervene. And," she paused, her tone carrying a hint of playfulness.
"Even if you are careless... well, as long as it doesn't take too long and the body is still relatively intact, Mom is confident she can save you. So, go all out, but remember: act according to your ability. Wisdom is more important than brute force."
The first half of her sentence made the siblings shiver, while the second half left them between laughter and tears. They knew their mother was just trying to scare them, but they also understood their parents' good intentions—this was meant to temper them in the face of true danger while providing them with the greatest sense of security. The two responded solemnly, "Yes! We will certainly not fail the expectations of Mom and Dad!"
After making arrangements for the children, Yu Yuanchen took Tang Wei to find Tang Chen, who was sweating profusely in the forging workshop of the Federal Soul Tool Research Institute.
"Dad!" Seeing his father, whom he hadn't seen for several years, Tang Wei shouted with excitement. Tang Chen's skin was now a bronze color from years spent beside the forge; his muscles were bulging, his aura was more condensed and domineering, and he seemed to be surrounded by a scorching artistic conception of forging.
"You brat! You finally arrived!" Seeing his son, a flash of joy crossed Tang Chen's eyes. He put down the giant hammer in his hand, stepped forward, gave Tang Wei a firm hug, and then looked him over, nodding with satisfaction. "Hmm, the foundation is solid, no slacking off! Your soul power has reached level fifty-four, not bad!"
After the pleasantries, Tang Chen looked at Yu Yuanchen and smiled bitterly, "Brother Yu, you have no idea! The gap for spirit forging grade metal here is too large. The group of kids I'm leading has the skills, but their cultivation level isn't high enough. They have to rest for half a day after forging one piece; the efficiency is too low, and the gaps still have to be filled by me. My old bones are about to fall apart!"
This situation was quite normal. After all, they generally only had the cultivation level of a soul king, and their talent and foundation were not high. In the former Clear Sky Sect, forging was not highly valued and was merely treated as a source of income; only disciples with low talent would study forging for the sake of the sect's livelihood.
Tang Chen, however, was an anomaly. He genuinely loved forging, which meant that even though these people could perform spirit forging, the total amount of rare metal produced by a dozen of them combined (referring only to quantity; the others were performing spirit forging, while Tang Chen was performing soul forging) was not much more than what Tang Chen could produce alone.
Yu Yuanchen laughed, "That is why I sent Xiao Wei to you. You know his foundation: Clear Sky Hammer martial soul, and he has also practiced the martial way. His qi and blood are abundant, and his endurance far exceeds those of the same rank. You can just happen to pass on the systematic methods of 'spirit forging' to him."
"With his talent and foundation, mastering spirit forging shouldn't be difficult. If he succeeds, he can at least replace five or six ordinary spirit forgers, and you will be able to relax a bit."
Tang Chen's eyes lit up, and his gaze toward Tang Wei suddenly became scorching, as if he were looking at a rare treasure. "That's right! How could I have forgotten this kid! Xiao Wei," he turned to Tang Wei and grinned, revealing his white teeth, "Rest for the night. Starting tomorrow, you will learn real skills from your old man! I'll let you see what the true path of forging is!"
Looking at his father's "malicious" smile and recalling his older brother Yu Yuanchen's "guidance" toward his third uncle Yu Luomian, Tang Wei suddenly had a bad premonition about his future life as a "beast of burden."
But his deep-seated love for forging and his desire to become stronger made him puff out his chest and respond loudly, "Yes! Dad! I will definitely study hard!"
Watching this pair of father and son, Yu Yuanchen smiled. The Planar Passage project required a massive amount of high-quality materials. Tang Wei's addition was undoubtedly a new source of strength, but it was still far from enough. It seemed he couldn't just rest either; after all, he was the one who proposed spirit forging in the first place.
Everything was proceeding according to plan.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: GodKun-Chan