Chapter 307: [DD]: 307
Bibi Dong rushed toward the frontlines of the battlefield.
After her confrontation with Han Li, she did not appear before Yu Xiaogang again. Instead, she left behind a small group and directly led the Spirit Hall Legion to the frontlines.
No one escaped. Before Bibi Dong ascended to the top, the disciples of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan who had fled the mountain in desperation still met their end at the hands of the Spirit Hall Legion stationed on the outskirts.
Yu Xiaogang sat dazed at the ruins of the mountaintop for half a day before finally digging a grave for Yu Yuanzhen with his bare hands and burying him there.
Of course, his soul power had already recovered; otherwise, even digging a grave by hand would have been an unbearable burden for him.
As he descended the mountain, people cautiously approached the area near Heaven Dou City and bore witness to the devastation.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was truly gone. The once-pristine mountain peak, reduced to rubble, was irrefutable proof.
They saw Yu Xiaogang but refrained from approaching him or asking questions. The fact that he was the sole survivor spoke volumes. None of them were fools—they knew such a monumental event could not be hidden. Moreover, the presence of the Spirit Hall's legion stationed nearby had been no secret.
News of the annihilation began spreading toward Heaven Dou City, casting a shadow over the hearts of many. They feared the war might eventually engulf them as well.
At the foot of the mountain, Yu Xiaogang stood like a walking corpse. The world was vast, but he suddenly didn't know where to go.
He yearned for revenge, but deep down, he knew he was nothing more than a powerless weakling. His modest growth in strength meant little when facing Bibi Dong.
Advancing from level 29 to level 39 might seem like progress, but did it truly matter? Even if he somehow cultivated to level 89, Bibi Dong would need only a single swing of her scythe to end him. The wounds his father sustained were a testament to her overwhelming power.
"If only Xiao San were still alive," he thought. At the very least, there would have been a glimmer of hope for revenge.
Yu Xiaogang's lips twisted into an ugly smile.
Then, he froze suddenly.
A thought struck him—a person came to mind. Someone the same age as Xiao San, someone even more extraordinary than Bibi Dong had been at that age.
At fifteen, Bibi Dong could never have contended with two Super Douluo at once.
Suddenly, Yu Xiaogang burst into wild, unrestrained laughter.
He had left Wuhun City under Bibi Dong's command, but during his journey, he never encountered anyone from the Worship Hall. The famed Holy Son of the Spirit Hall, Han Li, was conspicuously absent as well.
Having spent more than half a year in Wuhun City, Yu Xiaogang was well aware of Bibi Dong's attitude toward Han Li—guarded, wary, even hostile.
If not for this hostility, Yu Xiaogang would never have been able to publish his work back then. After all, if his theories succeeded, it would have been seen as stepping on Han Li to elevate himself.
"Internal factional strife within the Spirit Hall, huh?"
Yu Xiaogang mused.
The absence of those figures likely indicated their opposition to the war, though for reasons unknown, they had not openly declared it.
In the past, Yu Xiaogang regarded Han Li as an enemy. But now, Han Li was undoubtedly on the same side as him.
When his father launched his final attack on Bibi Dong, he shouted, "Kill Yu Xiaogang!"
But Yu Xiaogang knew—and Bibi Dong likely did as well—that there was another message hidden within those words. It had been conveyed through a sound-compression technique,
"Live on."
"Hahaha!"
Yu Xiaogang laughed hysterically, his laughter soon giving way to tears.
"Live on, huh?"
Perhaps that had been his father's greatest wish for this disgraceful son.
Yu Xiaogang had always believed his father hated him.
But in that final moment, his father had also loved him.
Yet, Yu Xiaogang didn't want to live anymore.
What face did he have left to continue living?
He thought of his father's corpse before him, the blood-soaked ruins of the clan's residence.
After a lifetime of running, this was the one time he didn't want to run anymore.
He was a failure. His martial soul was a mutation.
Even if he continued to live, was there any hope of reviving the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?
Impossible.
He was a staunch believer in the theory of innate talent. If he weren't, he wouldn't have hidden away at Nuoding Academy for twenty years.
Despite claiming to be a scholar, Yu Xiaogang believed in the dragons beget dragons theory more than anyone.
That was why, upon learning Tang San's true identity, he had been willing to show blatant favoritism and make endless compromises.
"The future of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan should rest with Liu Erlong," he concluded.
He had always disliked the people of the clan, but that didn't mean he wasn't proud of it.
He hated them. He feared them.
But because of him, the clan was gone.
Judging from Bibi Dong's attitude, if she succeeded, she would undoubtedly target Liu Erlong as well, even though Liu Erlong already despised him.
This thought took root in Yu Xiaogang's heart and grew uncontrollably.
Suddenly, like a madman, he sprinted toward Heaven Dou City.
He was going to find Liu Erlong—and through her, make contact with Han Li.
Liu Erlong had once followed Han Li. She might know something about him.
His past jealousy, envy, and resentment toward them were now cast aside.
All he wanted was revenge.
At this moment, he even thought that if the rumors were true—that every woman seen publicly by Han Li's side had some sort of relationship with him—it would be a good thing.
If Han Li refused to help him, he would at least protect Liu Erlong.
With Han Li's talent, if he and Liu Erlong had a child, perhaps there would be hope to restore the glory of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
And there was one more thing.
Yu Xiaogang had to find Han Li as quickly as possible and strike a deal with him.
He knew himself well.
Right now, he was crazed. He wanted revenge.
He was willing to pay any price for it—even his life.
But if he delayed any longer, he would regret it. He would find reasons to justify himself in his heart and then cling to life.
He had to force himself to decide while the blood was still hot.
Once he reached an agreement with Han Li, even if he wanted to back out, Han Li would never let him go.
He kept replaying in his mind the image of his father falling, forcing himself not to collapse.
If Liu Erlong couldn't get in touch with Han Li, he would ask her to contact the Emperor of Heaven Dou. Considering that his second uncle had also died, she might be willing to pass on a message.
Even though she disliked this father of hers, she probably wouldn't mind doing that much.
Due to his quasi-house arrest, he had also learned that "Xue Qinghe" had publicly revealed his status as a direct descendant of the Qian family.
...
Meanwhile, in a courtyard in Heaven Dou City, Han Li was leisurely watching the shimmering surface of the lake displayed on a light screen. He looked somewhat surprised.
To be honest, his dislike for Yu Xiaogang was deeply ingrained, so he hadn't expected him to erupt like this.
Even when he saw this scene in his future vision, he had remained skeptical.
But he quickly shook his head.
It didn't matter.
Even if Yu Xiaogang had been provoked and changed, what did that have to do with him?
Ever since he set his plans against Bibi Dong into motion, Yu Xiaogang had been a dead man walking.
The only remaining questions were how he would die, in what manner, and at whose hands.
Yu Xiaogang was a well-known figure.
When he rushed toward Heaven Dou City under the watchful eyes of many, arriving at the gates of Blue Tyrant Academy and meeting Liu Erlong, news of the fall of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had finally gone public.
The story of how Bibi Dong, Empress of the Spirit Empire, had annihilated the clan spread rapidly throughout Heaven Dou City, once again stirring up public fear.
When Liu Erlong learned of the news, she fell into a long silence.
She didn't have much affection for Yu Luomian, but after all these years, he had treated her well.
He had never officially acknowledged her or her mother, but he had never withheld resources from her either. The fact that Blue Tyrant Academy had successfully established itself in Heaven Dou City was, in part, thanks to him — though she had always been reluctant to admit it.
Looking at Yu Xiaogang's blood-red eyes, she didn't have much to say.
Without a word, she led him toward the Heaven Dou Palace.
She had no means of directly contacting Han Li, so she had no choice but to seek out "Xue Qinghe."
On the way, she spoke to Yu Xiaogang in a calm tone, sharing the latest publicly available news. She noticed a hint of joy flickers in his eyes.
Liu Erlong had no intention of seeking revenge for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Her surname was Liu.
She could tell that Yu Xiaogang had other thoughts, but she didn't want to hear them.
This was her way of repaying Yu Luomian for all his years of support.
She had never seen him as a father.
Their journey went surprisingly smoothly, much to their surprise.
When "Xue Qinghe" agreed to see them, the two were soon brought inside the palace.
There, they saw a blonde-haired woman, alongside Han Li, who was watching Yu Xiaogang with playful amusement.
"I am Xue Qinghe," the woman said. "Or, you can call me Qian Renxue."
Her tone was indifferent as if it didn't matter at all.
Her identity would be revealed sooner or later, and there was no longer any point in hiding it.
After a moment of shock, Yu Xiaogang explained his intentions for coming.
His primary target for negotiation was still Han Li, but with Qian Renxue present, he felt that her presence might make it easier for his plan to succeed.
"Leave him. You can go," Han Li said casually to Liu Erlong.
There were some things that people who weren't prepared to die shouldn't hear.
Liu Erlong had long been a marginal figure. It would be better for her to live out her days in peace.
For her, that might be the best ending.
Liu Erlong turned and prepared to leave.
But then Yu Xiaogang's voice called out to her.
"Er Long, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan might..."
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has nothing to do with me. If it's gone, then it's gone. Take care of yourself."
She left those words behind.
After bowing to Han Li and Qian Renxue, she turned and left without looking back.
Yu Xiaogang froze for a moment but didn't chase after her.
No matter how much she denied it, the blood of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan still flowed through her veins.
Without the deterrence of the clan's power, there would only be more people seeking to pursue her.
"I can use my life to shake Bibi Dong's mind."
"I can kill myself right in front of her, or I can be your shield. If possible, I hope that..."
With intense hatred in his voice, Yu Xiaogang poured all his thoughts and proposals out in front of Han Li and Qian Renxue.
This was his only chance.
Han Li listened quietly, showing no reaction.
Since Qian Renxue had declared that she wanted to handle it, he saw no reason to interfere.
"Alright. I agree," Qian Renxue said, looking at Yu Xiaogang with a faint trace of mockery in her eyes.
Yu Xiaogang stopped talking but kept glancing at Han Li, seeking his confirmation.
"I will fully support her decision," Han Li said in a soft, distant voice.
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang's face lit up with joy.
"The things you mentioned aren't enough," Qian Renxue said coldly, her gaze filled with indifference.
"You'll also have to cooperate with me on other tasks."
"Alright."
Yu Xiaogang agreed almost instantly, without a trace of hesitation.
He truly didn't care anymore.
"By the way, I forgot to tell you," Qian Renxue added as she watched him being led away to prepare for the plan.
"I am that woman's daughter."
Yu Xiaogang stopped in his tracks.
Then, as if he had gone mad, he burst into wild laughter.
"Good, that's great! I'll follow your plan exactly!"
His hysterical laughter echoed as he was dragged away, gradually fading into the distance.
PS: That was crazy.