"Erlong, you shouldn't have taken Xiao Wu away. Also, the external spirit bone was obtained through Tang San's hard work it belongs to him."
With Flender's assistance, Yu Xiaogang intercepted Liu Erlong. Before she could speak, Yu Xiaogang immediately voiced his thoughts loudly.
"Xiaogang, after so many years apart, your first words are to demand things for your disciple?"
Liu Erlong fell silent for a moment before responding, "Yu Tianheng is dead killed by your disciple using some extremely peculiar weapon."
"What Tianheng meant to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, I believe you understand better than I do."
"The clan needs an explanation."
Though she hadn't spent much time with Yu Tianheng, Liu Erlong had grown fond of this humble nephew.
Compared to the current situation, Yu Xiaogang seemed to have lost sight of his own position.
Liu Erlong had no intention of returning to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, but she could see how much importance Yu Yuanzhen placed on her.
Perhaps he had his own motives, but after over a month of closeness, Liu Erlong had come to accept this familial bond.
"Erlong, I know you're grieving. As Tianheng's uncle, I too never wished to see such an outcome."
"But what's done is done. We must look forward, not dwell on the past."
"So what do you propose? Returning the spirit beast and spirit bone?" Liu Erlong looked at her former comrade. "Flender, what do you think? Do you agree with Xiaogang?"
"Uh, well..." Flender's mouth twitched, unsure how to respond.
A 100,000-year spirit beast in human form plus an external spirit bone no matter how much he supported Yu Xiaogang, he couldn't possibly suggest the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan return them.
Flender differed from Yu Xiaogang. While Yu Xiaogang sought to prove himself, Flender simply wanted to retire peacefully while mentoring a few disciples.
Now, with the death of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's direct descendant at Shrek Academy, this was no longer just about the spirit beast and bone.
It involved the Clear Sky Clan's Clear Sky Douluo and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's Thunder Douluo. Watching the intense battle raging in the sky, Flender felt his opinion hardly mattered.
"Let the Clear Sky Douluo and Thunder Douluo decide for themselves!"
Flender's words left Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong silent.
Both understood his meaning wait until the battle above concluded, then abide by the victor's decision.
Yu Xiaogang found this acceptable.
Given Tang Hao's terrifying combat record, defeating his father Yu Yuanzhen also a 95th-ranked Title Douluo shouldn't be an issue.
Of course, such thoughts couldn't be voiced aloud, lest he be branded an unfilial son.
But Tang San was everything to him. He had waited too long for a disciple as suitable as Tang San, hesitating through most of his life.
Find another?
Would he have to wait until decrepit old age to prove himself?
No this world held no other disciple as reverent toward teachers as Tang San.
Returning to the present, Yu Xiaogang declared:
"'Once a teacher, always a father' these are Tang San's own words to me."
"Since Xiao San treats me with the respect due a father, I must naturally consider his interests."
"Moreover, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan sought to steal what belonged to Xiao San. If they couldn't defeat him, then Tianheng's death resulted from their own greed."
Liu Erlong: "..."
What kind of bewitching potion did that brat with the strange weapon feed you? To make you go this far for him?
Yes, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan acted greedily but such words shouldn't come from your mouth, Yu Xiaogang.
Do you even remember Yu Yuanzhen is your father?
A tremendous explosion echoed from the sky as the chaotic fallout of spirit power began diminishing the battle seemed to be ending.
A robed figure plummeted from the heavens, electricity crackling around his body.
"Uncle!"
Liu Erlong's face paled.
She never imagined the Clear Sky Douluo could be this powerful.
Even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's strongest, Yu Yuanzhen, wasn't his match.
"Excellent! His Excellency Tang Hao won!"
Hearing this, Liu Erlong's expression darkened. Damn it your father's condition is unknown, yet you can rejoice? What filial piety!
Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang had his own reasons for celebrating. From what he knew of Tang Hao, the man responded better to reason than force.
If he fully supported Tang San, the Clear Sky Douluo wouldn't kill Yu Yuanzhen at worst, severely injure him.
But nothing was certain. Truthfully, Yu Xiaogang felt somewhat anxious too.
Yet everything proceeded according to plan.
They intercepted Liu Erlong. Tang Hao defeated Yu Yuanzhen. Meaning Tang San's possessions would be returned.
As for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan once Tang San grew stronger, the clan could benefit too. That would suffice as compensation.
Seeing Liu Erlong's distressed expression, Yu Xiaogang spoke confidently:
"Rest assured, Erlong. Knowing His Excellency Tang Hao as I do, the chance he killed Father is minimal. You lost will you hand over the items now?"
"You..." Liu Erlong wanted to argue, but it dissolved into a sigh.
She understood clearly if Tang Hao won, the spirit beast and external spirit bone couldn't be kept.
Her concern was Yu Yuanzhen's actual condition.
From the clash just witnessed, neither side held back. As a Soul Sage, she perceived more than Yu Xiaogang.
Could her uncle truly be unharmed after such a defeat?
Liu Erlong doubted it.
"Since you're so conflicted, I'll take the girl and spirit bone instead."
An abrupt, unfamiliar voice startled everyone.
A woman in resplendent robes, possessing peerless beauty, emerged from empty space.
"Who are you?" Liu Erlong tensed.
Yu Xiaogang and Flender also turned toward the voice.
When Yu Xiaogang saw that faintly familiar face, he froze completely.
"Y-you're..."
"Long time no see, Xiaogang." The noblewoman halted, facing the trio from a distance.
"I never imagined you'd take Tang Hao's son as a disciple."
"You saw everything?"
"Indeed." Her gaze shifted to the other two. "The Golden Iron Triangle I didn't expect to encounter you here."
"You're... Pope Bibi Dong!" Flender's heart skipped a beat.
"Correct. Had I not come, I might have missed this grand performance." Bibi Dong's expression remained calm.
Yet her tranquility only deepened Flender's unease.
What kind of day was this?
First Yu Yuanzhen, then Tang Hao, now even Pope Bibi Dong appeared.
Could this remote, retirement-home academy called Shrek have somehow become famous overnight, attracting all the continent's top powers?
The Spirit Hall, Clear Sky Clan, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan if not for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's absence, Flender might've wondered if Shrek Academy had achieved legendary status.
At least that offered some consolation.
"Might I ask the purpose of Your Holiness's visit?"
"To see Xiaogang... and to collect what that woman holds."
Bibi Dong extended a finger, pointing at Xiao Wu and the external spirit bone in Liu Erlong's grasp.