Heavenly Fight Grand Arena, Central Main Spirit Fighting Stage.
The atmosphere in the spectator stands was more frenzied than usual today. When the host's passionate voice announced, "Preliminary round four: Heavenly Dou Royal Academy's first team versus Thunder Academy!"" the entire venue erupted in a tidal wave of cheers!
"Marco! Marco! Marco!"
Countless spectators shouted the same name with all their might, their eyes filled with near-fanatical worship and anticipation. In the previous two matches, Marco hadn't even released his Martial Soul, relying solely on his physical strength and that mysterious, unfathomable aura to effortlessly crush his opponents. His performance in the last match—shattering the Elephant Armor with three strikes and displaying world-shaking Haki—had completely conquered all spectators! In their hearts, Marco had already become a symbol of invincibility; watching his matches was a feast for both the eyes and the soul!
Amid this nearly one-sided fervent cheering, the Thunder Academy team made their entrance. Captain Yu Tianxin led the way, his tall frame and resolute features complemented by faint arcs of lightning swirling around him, the natural pressure of his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Soul Spirit emanating from his body. However, unlike before, the six members following him were not the familiar main lineup of Thunder Academy but had been replaced by several relatively unfamiliar faces! These new participants generally had Soul Power fluctuations between levels thirty-five and thirty-eight. While they could be considered elite, they were clearly a step weaker compared to the previous main team.
This abrupt change immediately sparked a wave of murmurs and whispers throughout the stands.
"Huh? Why did Thunder Academy change their lineup?"
"Aside from Captain Yu Tianxin, all six others have been swapped out!"
"Are they conserving strength? But their opponent is Marco! Isn't conserving strength suicidal?"
"Could Thunder Academy have a secret weapon? What's special about these new members?"
In the VIP seats, several prominent figures also noticed this change.
Emperor Xue Ye slightly turned his head toward Meng Shenji beside him. "Minister Meng, what is Thunder Academy's intention here? Changing their lineup at the last moment, and against Marco of all opponents?"
Chief Meng Shenji also furrowed his brows slightly, pondering before replying, "Your Majesty, this old subject is also puzzled. Logically, facing an opponent like Marco, they should field their strongest lineup and strive for a chance. Such a substitution is truly peculiar. Perhaps... Thunder Academy has other arrangements?"
A thoughtful expression crossed Ning Fengzhi's refined face as his gaze swept over the new members of Thunder Academy, then settled on Marco, who stood alone and calm on the opposite side, though no one could tell what he was thinking.
Bishop Salas curled his lips into a barely perceptible cold smile, seemingly quite disdainful of Thunder Academy's "overestimating their capabilities."
Sitting in the corner of the VIP seats was an elder dressed in blue martial attire, his features somewhat resembling Yu Tianxin's, exuding authority without anger. This was Yu Luomian, the second-in-command of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. He silently watched his grandson Yu Tianxin on the stage, his eyes complex—filled with worry, pride, and a hint of indescribable anticipation. His thoughts couldn't help but drift back to yesterday evening, at the Thunder Academy base, and the intense conversation he had with his grandson...
...
(Flashback)
Thunder Academy, Captain's Rest Room.
Yu Tianxin looked surprised at the sudden visit from his grandfather, Yu Luomian. "Grandfather, what brings you here?"
Yu Luomian dismissed his attendants and set up a Soundproof Barrier, his expression grave as he looked directly at Yu Tianxin and came straight to the point: "Tianxin, forfeit tomorrow's match."
Yu Tianxin was stunned, almost thinking he had misheard. He abruptly stood up, agitated, and said: "Forfeit? Grandfather! What are you saying? Why should I forfeit?"
Looking at his grandson's flushed face from agitation, Yu Luomian sighed inwardly, his tone heavy as he said: "Why forfeit? Tianxin, don't you understand yet? That Marco, who's even younger than you, is already a Soul Emperor! Intelligence shows his Soul Ring configuration far exceeds the limits. In the first two matches, he didn't even release his Martial Soul, crushing his opponents with pure physical strength alone! That kind of power has already surpassed the realm of a Soul Emperor! Who knows how many hidden cards such a genius has up his sleeve! This is no longer something the younger generation of Soul Masters can handle! Do you understand?!"
With every word Yu Luomian spoke, the color drained further from Yu Tianxin's face. The information about Marco revealed in his grandfather's words struck his heart like a heavy hammer. Soul Emperor! Super-limited Soul Rings! Crushing Soul Ancestors with physical strength alone! Each word carried immense pressure, nearly suffocating him. His fists clenched tightly, nails digging deep into his palms, head bowed low, teeth gritted, body trembling slightly from agitation and humiliation.
Seeing his grandson in this state, Yu Luomian's expression softened slightly, his tone becoming gentler as he stepped forward and patted Yu Tianxin's shoulder: "Tianxin, it's alright. Forfeiting against him is just a strategic adjustment, nothing to be ashamed of. I know it's hard for you to accept this reality right now, that's fine, take your time to think it over. I'll wait for your answer tonight." Having said this, he turned to leave.
Just as Yu Luomian was about to step out of the room, a low, guttural roar came from behind him, as if forced from the depths of Yu Tianxin's throat: "Could it be... that our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan... is inferior to the Elephant Armor Sect?!"
Yu Luomian's steps halted abruptly, and he whirled around! A powerful Soul Power pressure instantly crushed down on Yu Tianxin like a mountain! The terrifying aura of a Titled Douluo solidified the very air in the room! His gaze sharp as lightning, his voice dangerously low: "Tianxin! Do you know what you're saying?!"
Crushed by this pressure until his bones creaked, Yu Tianxin nevertheless raised his head sharply, eyes bloodshot, veins bulging on his forehead. Defying the immense pressure, he gritted his teeth and roared out, each word seeming to drain all his strength: "Is our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon... inferior to those brutes from the Elephant Armor Sect who only know brute force?! They dare to step into the arena and fight! Should our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, with the world's number one Beast Spirit, show cowardice before even fighting?! Forfeit! Forfeit! Forfeit what?! Should the spine of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon bend before an opponent?!"
He stared fixedly at his grandfather, his voice suddenly rising to a roar filled with an almost insane stubbornness and pride: "Better to break the Dragon's Spine than curl up like an ant! Grandfather! You taught me that! In the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's dictionary, there are no words for 'surrender'!"
Yu Luomian stared blankly at his grandson before him - eyes bloodshot, teeth gritted in a furious roar, as if shouting out all the humiliation and resentment. Then, the anger on his face vanished, replaced by an indescribable emotion. He laughed, starting with a low chuckle that soon transformed into hearty laughter!
"Hahaha! Good! Good! Good!" Yu Luomian exclaimed three "goods" in succession, his laughter filled with relief and admiration. "Right! Right! This is my grandson! This is the bloodline of our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan! Better to break the Dragon's Spine than curl up like an ant! Well said!"
Striding up to Yu Tianxin, he heavily patted his grandson's shoulders, his eyes blazing with intensity. All previous worries and solemnity were swept away, replaced by boundless pride and determination: "When winds gather rains and clouds obscure the sun, the nine heavens stir with the thunder dragon's roar! Hahaha! Tianxin, what do you need? For tomorrow's competition, what do you require? The clan will support you with all its resources!"
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