After taking a moment to catch his breath, Yu Xiaogang gradually regained his composure.
He didn't say anything. He simply stood there quietly.
Qian Xunji's cold voice finally broke the silence.
"Yu Xiaogang, son of Thunder Douluo Yu Yuanzhen of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect. You possessed only Rank 1 Innate Soul Power, and your Spirit was initially judged to be a defective mutation."
"Yet, surprisingly, you reached Rank 10 at an extremely young age and obtained an unprecedented Thousand-Year First Soul Ring."
"After that, your Spirit Power began rising at an astonishing rate, almost like someone with Full Innate Soul Power."
"Even more surprising is the configuration of your Spirit Rings. They far exceed what is currently considered the optimal configuration on the Douluo Continent."
"Some people claim that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect has discovered some kind of secret method."
"Others suspect that there is something wrong with your Spirit and that you may have used some forbidden method, much like those fallen Spirit Masters, to achieve such rapid progress."
Qian Xunji's eyes narrowed.
"So, Yu Xiaogang…"
"What exactly is going on with you?"
His voice contained neither anger nor joy, but the majesty of the Supreme Pontiff was unmistakable.
As soon as he finished speaking, the scepter in his hand struck the ground heavily.
Bang!
A dull sound echoed throughout the room.
Yu Xiaogang sneered inwardly.
So that's what this is about.
He wants to learn my secret.
First, he uses the overwhelming pressure of a Titled Douluo to intimidate me. Then, just when I finally relax, he applies psychological pressure with his words.
If this were an ordinary twelve-year-old child, they would probably be so frightened that they would answer whatever he asked.
And if the secret of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect were exposed, Qian Xunji could simply claim that their Young Sect Master had voluntarily revealed it.
Unfortunately for him, I'm not an ordinary twelve-year-old.
"I'm afraid I can't answer that."
Yu Xiaogang raised his pale face and calmly replied.
"Presumptuous!"
Qian Xunji shouted angrily, attempting to increase the pressure once again.
But Yu Xiaogang remained completely unmoved.
His expression clearly showed that he had no intention of answering.
This made Qian Xunji increasingly irritated.
Damn it!
How did this brat manage to rise from Rank 30 to Rank 42 in only a few months?
And that Yu Yuanzhen… how did he suddenly break through to the level of a Peak Douluo?
Qian Xunji couldn't suppress his curiosity about the secrets the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect had revealed over the past few years.
First, there was the mysterious medicine that could increase the age of a Spirit Ring.
Now, there were treasures capable of helping Yu Xiaogang, Yu Yuanzhen, and even the Grand Elder of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect break through to the Titled Douluo realm.
According to Yu Yuanzhen, they had obtained several Spirit Bones.
But Qian Xunji completely dismissed that explanation.
Spirit Bones could indeed increase a Spirit Master's strength.
But the problem was that all three of them had improved dramatically.
Yu Yuanzhen had advanced.
Yu Xiaogang had advanced.
Even the Grand Elder had advanced.
Could the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect really obtain precious Spirit Bones in batches?
And judging from the extent of their improvements, wouldn't each of them need several Spirit Bones?
Only an idiot would believe such an explanation.
Therefore, Qian Xunji was certain that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect possessed another secret.
To be honest, Qian Xunji had considered sending people to capture Yu Xiaogang several times.
He wanted to force the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect to reveal its secrets.
But the beating Yu Yuanzhen had given him earlier had completely changed his mind.
Yu Yuanzhen's display of strength was a clear warning.
He was telling Qian Xunji not to harbor any improper thoughts.
There was another reason as well.
His father.
The commotion caused by Yu Yuanzhen's attack had naturally attracted Qian Daoliu's attention.
After beating Qian Xunji, Yu Yuanzhen entered the Elder Hall and had a private discussion with Qian Daoliu.
Qian Xunji didn't know exactly what they had discussed.
But afterward, his father summoned him to the Elder Hall.
Qian Daoliu's expression had been solemn.
"If you want to learn the secrets of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, use legitimate methods to obtain them."
"You are not allowed to use underhanded tactics."
"As long as they don't actively provoke you, you are also forbidden from harming Yu Xiaogang."
"Otherwise, I will not protect you."
Those words had caused Qian Xunji to clench his fists.
He had always been somewhat dissatisfied with his father.
His father possessed strength that was practically unrivaled on the Douluo Continent.
Yet, despite possessing such power, he was willing to remain hidden inside the Elder Hall.
Yes, Qian Xunji understood his father's devotion.
Qian Daoliu was a loyal believer of their God Ancestor and had chosen to remain by the Angel God's side, serving faithfully day and night.
But why?
Why was his father unwilling to support him in expanding the Spirit Hall?
Why wouldn't he help him conquer the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire and eventually bring the entire Douluo Continent under the control of their Qian family?
If the Spirit Hall truly unified the continent, wouldn't it be even easier for them to spread the faith of their God Ancestor?
And now, his father was even forbidding him from harming Yu Xiaogang.
He insisted that if Qian Xunji wanted to discover the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect's secrets, he had to obtain them through legitimate means.
"Father…"
Qian Xunji finally couldn't help asking.
"Don't you think you're sometimes too rigid?"
"Rigid?"
Qian Daoliu looked at his son.
"Do you think my way of doing things—being upright and clearly distinguishing right from wrong—is rigidity?"
His expression became disappointed.
"No wonder you've never been able to unleash the true power of the Spirit inherited from the God Ancestor."
"How could a Spirit representing holiness, justice, and glory ever be willing to submit to a heart filled with schemes and selfish ambition?"
Qian Xunji stared directly into his father's eyes.
"Forget holiness and justice."
"I am ambitious."
"I want to scheme."
"And I want to use that power to accomplish something unprecedented."
"I want to push the Spirit Hall to a height it has never reached before!"
His voice was filled with determination.
Qian Daoliu remained silent for a moment.
Then he sighed.
"Jier…"
"If you continue down this path, you will eventually reach a point of no return."
"And you will tarnish the long-standing reputation of the Spirit Hall."
Qian Xunji's expression didn't change.
"That is still better than becoming like you, Father."
"Waiting inside the Elder Hall until the end of my life…"
"Then, after I die, the records of the Spirit Hall will contain nothing more than a single line."
"Former Supreme Pontiff, Qian Xunji."
Qian Xunji's eyes burned with ambition.
Born into the powerful Qian family and possessing considerable talent, he refused to live a life whose ending he could already see.
He wanted achievements that belonged to him alone.
He wanted to accomplish something extraordinary, just like their God Ancestor.
Qian Daoliu's expression remained calm.
"I will not support you."
"And neither will the other High Priests."
Without the support of the Elder Hall, the Spirit Hall would still remain the strongest force on the Douluo Continent.
However, it would lose the overwhelming advantage that placed it on an entirely different level from the other powers.
Qian Xunji was unwilling to give up.
"Even if someone kills me?"
Qian Daoliu turned his back on his son.
"If the path you choose deviates from the beliefs of the God Ancestor…"
"Then yes."
Qian Xunji fell silent.
There were very few people on the Douluo Continent capable of killing him at this point.
Yu Yuanzhen was one of them.
Qian Xunji had no intention of provoking anyone else.
The only person he was likely to provoke was Yu Yuanzhen.
That was why Qian Daoliu had invited Yu Yuanzhen into the Elder Hall first.
He had confirmed Yu Yuanzhen's bottom line.
Then he had summoned Qian Xunji and drawn a clear line that his son was forbidden to cross.
"...I understand."
Qian Xunji's heart was filled with unwillingness, but he knew his father was serious.
If necessary, Qian Daoliu would truly allow him to face the consequences of his own choices.
"Then, Father…"
"Just watch."
Qian Xunji turned and walked away.
Before he left, Qian Daoliu couldn't help but give him one final warning.
"Jier."
"Don't go too far."
"Otherwise, you will regret it."
Qian Xunji paused briefly.
Then he continued walking without looking back.
The door slowly closed.
The Elder Hall became silent once again.
Qian Daoliu stood alone before the statue of the Angel God.
He looked at the sacred statue for a long time before quietly closing his eyes and beginning to recite his prayers.
The father and son had chosen completely different paths.
And neither of them was willing to give up.
________________________________________
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