"Xiao San!"
As soon as Xiao Wu saw Tang San slammed into the wall by Ye Yu's kick, blood gushing from his mouth, she cried out in panic.
But Ye Yu wasn't finished.
The moment after Tang San hit the wall, Ye Yu activated Thunderstep, and in the blink of an eye, appeared right in front of him again.
Grabbing Tang San by the collar with his left hand, he lifted him up effortlessly.
Then—SMACK!—a crisp slap from his right hand sent Tang San flying once more.
"You've got some nerve," Ye Yu said coldly, eyes narrowed.
"I spotted that crystal first, and you still tried to snatch it from me."
"And now you resort to sneak attacks? What a coward."
His expression twisted into a mocking sneer as he walked forward and hauled Tang San up again—only to deliver a brutal combo of punches and kicks, pummeling him mercilessly.
"Get away from Xiao San!!"
Furious, Xiao Wu screamed and charged in, activating her Soft Bone Rabbit Martial Soul.
With rage burning in her eyes, she launched her spirit abilities, determined to rescue Tang San.
But Ye Yu didn't even bother to go easy.
He caught Xiao Wu mid-air by the leg—and slammed her straight into the ground.
The heavy impact knocked the breath out of her, leaving her sprawled on the floor, writhing in pain, unable to stand.
"Xiao Wu!"
Seeing her hurt, Tang San's bloodshot eyes went wide with fury.
"AHHHHHHH!"
He roared like a beast about to explode, his whole body trembling—his rage ready to burst.
"You yelling at your damn ancestors?"
Ye Yu scoffed and delivered another ringing slap—snapping Tang San back to reality.
This isn't some hot-blooded anime world where rage powers you up.
This is Douluo Continent. Strength decides everything.
Even if Xiao Wu's injuries had triggered some awakening in Tang San, Ye Yu's overwhelming power was enough to extinguish it instantly.
By the time he was done, Tang San's face was swollen beyond recognition.
Both eyes were puffed up like bee stings, nose crooked, several teeth missing, his head as round and lumpy as a pig's snout.
But despite the beating, Ye Yu spared his life—for now.
Because he hadn't forgotten about Tang Hao.
And more importantly, he had his eyes on the external Spirit Bone – Eight Spider Lances.
Unbeknownst to Ye Yu, a dark figure stood silently in the shadows.
A man cloaked in black, with disheveled hair like a bird's nest and a sickly yellow complexion.
Tang Hao.
Seeing his son beaten so brutally, a cold fury burned in Tang Hao's heart.
You dare lay a hand on my son? You're dead, boy.
The beatings outside the Owl Shop had drawn quite the crowd.
Among the onlookers was a teenage girl in a sapphire-blue gown with flowing coffee-colored hair and large, jewel-like sapphire eyes.
Her features were delicate and noble—Ning Rongrong.
"Ye Yu, you jerk?!"
She stared in shock, eyes widening.
She hadn't expected to run into that guy in Soto City.
Just as Ye Yu tossed Tang San's half-conscious body aside and dusted off his hands, he caught sight of her.
"Oh? Ning Rongrong? What a coincidence."
Ye Yu's expression brightened as he approached.
"Don't you come near me!" Ning Rongrong said sternly, hands on her hips. "We are not friends!"
Her voice was sharp, defensive. She instinctively stepped back.
She still hadn't forgiven Ye Yu for that one time—years ago—when he dared spank her in public, shaming her in front of the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
"Not friends?" Ye Yu chuckled lightly. "Now who said that?"
"I'm brothers with the Crown Prince, and he's your father's disciple, right? That makes me, well… your honorary brother."
"Running into you here in Soto City? Must be fate."
"And you… you snuck out of the clan alone, didn't you? The world out here's dangerous."
"So for your safety—and out of respect for your father and the prince—I'll stick around and protect you."
Ye Yu smiled slyly.
His real goal, of course, was infiltrating Shrek Academy to seize the Eight Spider Lances.
But joining as a regular student wasn't an option.
At seventeen, he was already past their admission age.
So when he saw Ning Rongrong...
He grinned.
Pretending to be her "older brother," tasked by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to protect her—now that was a perfect excuse to get into Shrek.
"Hmph! Like I'd ever call you brother!" she snapped.
"I'm warning you! Don't follow me!"
She turned around and marched off defiantly, casting glances over her shoulder to check if he was tailing her.
But Ye Yu didn't chase her.
Because he knew—
Tonight, Tang Hao would come looking for him.
Ning Rongrong was heading to Shrek Academy tomorrow anyway. He could just show up then.
Watching her disappear into the crowd, Ye Yu's eyes narrowed.
He never liked waiting for danger to come.
He preferred to face it head-on.
So he left Soto City.
And soon after, he arrived in a dense, remote forest outside the city limits.
There, he stopped.
And sure enough, a deep, thunderous snort echoed through the trees.
A tall, burly figure in a tattered black cloak stepped out from the shadows, hair like a bird's nest, aura grim and dangerous.
"Boy. You sensed me?"
"What do you think?" Ye Yu replied coolly.
Tang Hao's voice was cold as steel. "You beat up my son. Do you have any idea the mistake you've made?"
As he spoke, he raised his hand.
With a flash of light, a jet-black warhammer appeared in his grip.
At the same time—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red—nine Spirit Rings rose beneath his feet, surrounding him in a terrifying glow.
A wave of Title Douluo–level Spirit Power surged outward, distorting the very air around them.
"You have two choices," Tang Hao said as he raised the Clear Sky Hammer, pointing it toward Ye Yu.
"One: I smash you to death right here."
"Two: Kneel. Submit to me."
Ye Yu let out a cold laugh.
"Smash me to death? You're the famed Clear Sky Douluo, huh?"
"Then let's see if you've got what it takes."
In the next instant, silver-blue light flared.
Blue Silver Domain unfolded.
Behind Ye Yu, his Martial Soul, the Blue Silver Spiritjade Tree, materialized in a brilliant radiance.
And within the masking effect of his Domain—
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple—four Spirit Rings emerged around him.
Hidden behind the veil, however, were two more concealed rings.
Tang Hao's eyes flickered the moment he saw the Martial Soul.
His expression twisted with shock.
"This… no. It can't be."
That Martial Soul... it looks just like... Ah Yin's Blue Silver Emperor!
"First Spirit Ability – Undying Root!"
"Second Spirit Ability – Star Absorption!"
"Sixth Spirit Ability – Devouring Parasite!"
Ye Yu's voice rang out coldly as his six Spirit Rings lit up one after another, including the hidden ones.
Then—
The Spiritjade Tree erupted with life.
Its trunk, roots, and branches surged outward, each transforming into crystal-blue serpentine vines that burrowed into the earth.
Empowered by six abilities, the Martial Soul grew explosively.
In the blink of an eye, the ground beneath Tang Hao erupted.
Countless Blue Silver Spiritjade Vines tore through the soil, forming a writhing forest of gleaming blue crystal—
And all of them lunged straight at Tang Hao.