"I… my Martial Soul has become stronger…"
"Xiao Chen! Such benevolence—this elder brother will never forget it!"
Yu Xiaogang trembled as he sensed his soul power breaking through the 30th level, while his Golden Holy Dragon Martial Soul surged with majestic might. His expression grew overwhelmed with emotion, and he knelt before Yu Chen, tears pouring from his eyes.
His whole body quivered—not from fear, but from sheer elation!
No one understood Yu Xiaogang's Martial Soul better than he did. A lifelong prisoner of his flawed mutation, the so-called "Half-Dragon," he'd long given up hope of surpassing the 29th rank. He had thought he would remain mocked, forever an academic laughingstock, dragging down the honor of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
He had believed he'd never be able to return to the clan with dignity again.
But now, because of Yu Chen, everything had changed!
His soul power had ascended past the 30th rank, and even more miraculously, his Martial Soul had undergone an overwhelming transformation!
He no longer had to live in shame. He could now raise his head high!
This surge of gratitude toward Yu Chen was beyond words.
"Since we're brothers, there's no need for such formality."
Yu Chen smiled as he looked at the kneeling Yu Xiaogang. He retracted his twin spirits into his body, then gently extended his hand to lift him up.
"Xiao Chen, for you to awaken my Martial Soul's dormant bloodline—this is a grace beyond measure!"
"I, as your elder brother, have no treasures or strength to repay you with!"
"But from this day forth, anyone who seeks to harm you must do so over my dead body!"
Yu Xiaogang remained kneeling for a long time before finally being pulled to his feet by Yu Chen. His eyes were filled with conviction and boundless gratitude.
"Exactly! Brother Chen is already the boss of our Shrek Academy!"
"Anyone who wants to mess with you has to deal with us first!"
Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and the others all stepped up with impassioned expressions, rallying around Yu Chen.
Xiao Wu stood quietly at Yu Chen's side, her usual mischief replaced by soft admiration.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong's eyes shimmered with affection—the warmth and strength Yu Chen exuded had deeply affected everyone.
Since Yu Chen's arrival at Shrek Academy, he had first stunned the world with his awakening of the Vermilion Bird Martial Soul, reshaping the heavens and earth. He then resisted Zao Wou-Ki, a Spirit Sage at the 76th level, for a full three minutes. And now, he had revealed power at the level of a titled Douluo and even helped Yu Xiaogang evolve his Martial Soul!
In the eyes of everyone at Shrek Academy, Yu Chen had become their true leader!
Wow!
As these events unfolded, night gradually fell. Everyone soon gathered for dinner, chatting and laughing in high spirits.
——
The shock Yu Chen had caused extended far beyond Shrek Academy. In fact, it had triggered waves across the three great empires!
The first to react was, naturally, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Yu Yuan had already rushed back from Shrek Academy, bringing news of Yu Chen's astonishing feats.
"Hiss… What has the Young Master done now? I can feel a bloodline strength on par with the Ninth Grade Tyrant Dragon!"
"He truly is unfathomable! It's only been a short while since his Martial Soul awakened, and already another heaven-shaking phenomenon has occurred!"
"At this rate, it won't be long before the Young Master ascends to the peak of the entire empire!"
The clan's elders and consuls were elated, each face lit up with excitement.
Among the younger generation, Yu Chen was already revered like a god!
Only the clan's Grand Elder wore a dark expression, his face pale with resentment.
Ever since Yu Haoyun's Martial Soul was suppressed and Yu Chen's talents became increasingly godlike, all the old power structures in the clan had crumbled. Those who had once supported the Grand Elder now stood firmly behind Yu Yuan.
The Grand Elder's line was powerless now.
"Chen'er's talent defies the heavens, even summoning celestial phenomena. This is no longer rare."
"But the greater threat now is the Darksteel Armored Dragon Clan of the Jialuo Empire. They actually dared to send assassins after Chen'er!"
"Pass down my command—wage full retaliation on all known strongholds of the Darksteel Armored Dragon Clan within the Heaven Dou Empire. Send our shadow assassins to strike down every child of their bloodline. Leave no survivors!"
"Also, deploy extra forces throughout Soto City to protect Chen'er!"
Yu Yuan gave the order calmly, though his voice was cold enough to freeze the air.
"Yes, Patriarch!"
The atmosphere immediately turned solemn. The assembled consuls split into two squads—one heading toward the Darksteel Clan's known hideouts, the other to fortify Shrek Academy.
The Grand Elder, silent for a moment, then surged with spirit power and shot toward the Jialuo Empire—perhaps to take matters into his own hands.
——
Meanwhile, deep within the Star Luo Empire's mountains, several elder figures clad in ornate robes stood watching the direction of Shrek Academy. Their Martial Souls were the Evil-Eyed White Tiger.
"That's the academy where Mubai is, isn't it? Looks like he's already encountered that monstrous descendant of the Tyrant Dragon."
"That freak from the Blue Lightning Clan caused another heaven-shaking Martial Soul eruption! And such a fierce dragon aura, too!"
"Mubai is certainly talented, but compared to that one… he's like a spark next to a sun. Dispatch our elite consuls immediately to keep an eye on Mubai and the Blue Lightning freak!"
The elders turned and gave the order coldly.
"Yes, Elder!"
The seven or eight consuls behind them released their Evil-Eyed White Tiger spirits and leapt into the air, racing toward Shrek Academy!
——
Elsewhere, within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—known as the most powerful support-type Martial Soul clan in the Heaven Dou Empire—Ning Fengzhi stood watching the distant Shrek Academy.
"So, that prodigy from the Blue Lightning Clan really has joined Shrek."
"I once believed Rongrong was a rare genius, unmatched in a hundred years. But next to that child, even she pales."
"Elders, ensure Rongrong's safety. Keep her close, and keep her protected."
Brush!
At Ning Fengzhi's command, several top elders of the clan took flight, heading straight for Shrek Academy.
"Oh, and speaking of which… Yue'er's about the same age as that monster from the Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"I wonder if old Yu Yuan would consider a marriage alliance."
"What do you think, Elder Gu?"
Ning Fengzhi looked toward the horizon, half-joking as he spoke to the two elders beside him.
——
At the same time, far to the south within the Kyara region of the Tianluo Empire…
In a remote palace, Patriarch Wan Long of the Darksteel Armored Dragon Clan stood with his hands behind his back, gazing coldly in the direction of Shrek Academy.
His face was dark and unreadable.
A storm was coming.
Note:I'll be posting advance 39+ chapters on my patreon account when this book reaches chapter 36