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"Xiaogang?"
Hearing this name, Yu Luomian immediately furrowed his brows, revealing an expression of undisguised revulsion.
"Uncle?"
In complete contrast to Yu Luomian's reaction, Yu Tianheng displayed a look of pleasant surprise.
"Grandpa, are you saying there is finally news about Uncle?"
As the eldest son of the main line, Yu Tianheng's father was constantly occupied with handling family affairs. Consequently, Yu Tianheng had practically grown up under the care of his uncle during his childhood. Even though Yu Xiaogang had left the family many years ago, Tianheng still held a profound affection for him.
Naturally, hearing news of his uncle now brought him joy.
However, this delight was merely a subconscious reaction; it began to gradually dissipate soon after appearing.
Su Wen's subtle influence on him was undeniable, particularly the stark contrast between Yu Xiaogang's title of "Grandmaster of Theory" and Su Wen's philosophy of transforming knowledge into actual power.
Even if he didn't consciously make this comparison, his familiarity with Su Wen's situation had, on a subconscious level, caused his admiration for his uncle's achievements and path to fade over time.
His current surprise stemmed solely from the pure emotional bond formed during his childhood.
"Xiaogang is currently teaching at a Soul Master academy. The school is called Shrek Academy, and its dean is none other than another member of the Golden Iron Triangle from back then—Flender," Yu Yuanzhen briefly introduced Yu Xiaogang's current situation.
"Flender?" Yu Luomian's eyes flashed.
One could look down on Yu Xiaogang, but the Golden Iron Triangle itself demanded respect.
The only tripartite Martial Soul Fusion Skill on the continent carried significant weight. When the three of them separated years ago, neither Flender nor Liu Erlong had reached the cultivation of a Soul Sage. Yet, through their three-person Martial Soul Fusion Skill, they were able to possess combat power rivaling that of a Soul Sage.
Now, two of the triangle had reached the Soul Sage level. Once reunited, their combined power would be comparable to at least a Soul Douluo.
A Soul Douluo—placed anywhere on the entire continent—belonged to the absolute top tier of power.
The total number of Soul Douluos across the entire continent would not exceed one hundred. Even if distributed evenly, between the Heaven Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire, and Spirit Hall, each faction would possess thirty-three at most.
The Heaven Dou Empire encompasses six great kingdoms, and each kingdom has at least two Soul Douluos guarding it.
Then there is the Soul Douluo guarding the perimeter of the Extreme North, as well as the three Education Committee members of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
There are also the Soul Douluos supported directly within the Imperial Family.
Unofficial, independent Soul Douluos likely number no more than a dozen.
The Five Element Academies, other major sects, and the four single-attribute clans also each possess Soul Douluos overseeing them.
Calculating it this way, even for the Upper Three Sects, having two great Soul Douluos is considered normal.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family is exactly like this.
Within the family, there are only two Soul Douluos, and both are already advanced in years. The Golden Iron Triangle, however, are all in the prime of their lives, yet they possess the combat power of a Soul Douluo. Moreover, two corners of this triangle belong to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family.
From this perspective, it is absolutely impossible for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family to push them away.
The only thing that had ever stuck in people's craw was that incestuous romance.
"That Shrek Academy?"
Although the Shrek Academy founded by Flender lacked any official recognition and wasn't regularized, it still held some fame. Those who survived and graduated from that academy had already begun to reveal their brilliance.
The most dazzling example currently was Qin Ming of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy—recorded as the second youngest Soul Emperor on the continent.
"Yes. This batch at Shrek Academy has a full six students, and according to Xiaogang, none of them are inferior to Qin Ming back then."
Yu Luomian was quite astonished.
Not inferior to Qin Ming—in the current Douluo Continent, this was already an extremely high evaluation.
"However, their academy only has six people. They are short one person to form a complete team, so he wrote a letter asking the family for help," Yu Yuanzhen voiced Yu Xiaogang's request.
"Asking for people? And a genius at that?" The brows Yu Luomian had just relaxed knitted together once more. Immediately, as if realizing something, he asked in disbelief, "He doesn't want Tianheng to go over there, does he?"
"Yes, the candidate he is most satisfied with is naturally Tianheng."
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Yu Luomian rejected it instantly.
The dignified Young Master of the clan running off to study in some backwater place where birds don't even shit?
Absolutely out of the question!
Yu Tianheng wasn't some arrogant, pampered young lord who needed to be humbled; his character and other aspects were already sufficient. He did not need that kind of grinding.
"I think so, too."
Yu Tianheng listened to the conversation between his grandfather and granduncle, remaining silent and offering no comment.
He also had no intention of going directly to Shrek to study.
The current Heaven Dou Imperial Team carried too much of his hard work and dedication. Before the Continental Soul Master Classic, he would not leave.
"So, Big Brother, you aren't thinking of letting Tianxin go, are you?" Hearing that his older brother didn't plan to let Yu Tianheng go to Shrek, Yu Luomian pondered the geniuses within the clan and immediately thought of his own grandson.
That was even more out of the question!
My grandson is studying perfectly fine at Thunder Academy, it's impossible!
"Sigh, Luomian, just put your mind at ease. I won't let Tianxin go either," Yu Yuanzhen comforted him.
Yu Luomian finally heaved a sigh of relief, the burden in his heart lifting. "Then, Big Brother, how do you intend to arrange this?"
"Xiaogang has accepted a disciple who is also among those six. His attempt to form a team this time is likely aimed at the Soul Master Classic. However, Shrek Academy is irregular and does not have a quota to participate..." Yu Yuanzhen spoke slowly.
"Therefore, I plan to communicate with Flender first to see if we can merge Shrek Academy with Blue Tyrant Academy."
Yu Luomian: "???"
I celebrated too early.
"Big Brother, have you gone mad?!"
"Sigh, what else can be done? Should we let Xiaogang stay outside forever? At least if they go to Blue Tyrant Academy, they will be under our noses, and the Golden Iron Triangle will be together. As for Xiaogang and Erlong, I believe Xiaogang has a sense of propriety. Hasn't he been actively avoiding Erlong all these years?"
"What I'm afraid of is Erlong being impulsive!" Yu Luomian said with heartache.
"That is why, for Erlong's side, I need you, Second Brother, to do the preparatory work," Yu Yuanzhen looked at Yu Luomian and said seriously.
Yu Luomian took a deep breath, slowly exhaled, then inhaled and exhaled again, cycling through this breathing to calm his emotions.
So be it.
Could they really let that kid stay outside every day, to the point where no one would even know if he died?
He was still his nephew, after all.
The so-called family ridicule was merely gossip among the side branches in private. The direct relatives within two generations had never looked down on him.
Yu Xiaogang's flight from home was nothing more than an issue of pride.
And it was the various things he did out of that pride that led to the gradual change in the attitude of his direct relatives toward him later on.
Yu Luomian had also adopted his current attitude solely because of the matter between Xiaogang and Liu Erlong.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family is a family first, and a sect second. Among the core direct members, who didn't grow up together? Which elder didn't watch the juniors grow up?
"Sigh, what a sin!" Yu Luomian sighed deeply.
Shrek Academy.
Dean's Office.
Flender looked at the letter in his hand, his expression shifting rapidly—at times smiling treacherously, at times lost in deep thought, and at times filled with worry.
Author's Note:
I feel that this is the normal relationship between the direct descendants of a powerful family that has been passed down for thousands of years. Of course, there is certainly no lack of struggle—for example, between Yu Tianxin and Yu Tianheng—but it is more like simple unconvinced rivalry, asking "Why are you the Young Master?" and so on.
This might continue, or even worsen.
But after all, this is a world where strength reigns supreme. Political power actually doesn't hold that much attraction. For instance, once one reaches the level of Soul Douluo, my understanding is that most of their time is spent cultivating. Being the head of the house involves too much work; just like how Yu Tianheng's father had practically no time to accompany his son when he was young.
On another note, the protagonist is attempting to collect the female lead, but this is not a mindless harem.
It doesn't matter if Dugu Yan is collected or not. The protagonist saved them anyway. Given Dugu Bo's personality, he wouldn't engage in betrayal. Even if a conflict arises between the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family and the protagonist, Dugu Bo would likely help the protagonist rather than the family. After all, one is an indirect relationship, while the other is a direct life-saving relationship.
Even if he worries about Dugu Yan's future situation, with Dugu Bo's personality, he would absolutely just take his granddaughter and leave.
Therefore, the worst-case scenario is just that. There is no need to marry his granddaughter just to stabilize Dugu Bo.
(End of Chapter)