Yu Tianheng hesitated, but meeting Su Ming's cold gaze, he finally spoke: "Yes, I did have an agenda when I joined the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Although I am the grandson of the clan patriarch and a probable future clan leader, many within the family supported Yu Tianxin instead."
"Those supporters were mostly from Yu Luomian's lineage. Even though my talent surpasses Yu Tianxin's slightly, he is older, so our abilities aren't that far apart. Within the clan, becoming a leader isn't only about talent but also strength—only real power matters."
Yu Tianheng continued, "My grandfather, Yu Yuanzhen, and I decided that enrolling in Heaven Dou Royal Academy instead of Thunder Academy would be beneficial."
Dugu Yan and Yu Tianxin didn't show much reaction; they had suspected as much. Yu Tianxin had noticed a shift when Yu Tianheng chose to join Heaven Dou rather than Thunder Academy. In the years following his enrollment, Yu Tianheng became a focus of the academy, soon appointed as the Heaven Dou team captain. Rumors of his interest in Dugu Yan began to spread, and the family's sentiment gradually turned in his favor. The Dugu family was strong, with Dugu Bo as a Titled Douluo; if Yu Tianheng could win over Dugu Yan, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family would gain her support.
By the time Yu Tianxin realized, it was too late—his supporters were either neutral or had switched sides. Recently, support for him had dwindled to under 10%. Though many expected Yu Tianheng to take over, he suddenly left Heaven Dou for Thunder Academy without explanation, under orders from Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Xiaogang.
As Yu Tianheng finished explaining, the crowd couldn't help but shake their heads in disbelief.
Nearby, Qian Renxue regarded Yu Tianheng intently. His scheme rivaled her undercover missions—had he succeeded, he would've gained a Titled Douluo's support, further strengthening the family.
Dugu Bo, watching from below, clenched his fists in anger. He longed to charge forward and kill Yu Tianheng right there. "Little monster," he sent to Su Ming through a telepathic message, "teach him a good lesson. After the tournament, I want him to pay—send him to join that old schemer Yu Yuanzhen."
Su Ming gave an almost imperceptible nod in agreement, thinking, Crushing his right arm was only step one. My self-created soul technique has another layer to it.
Dugu Yan sneered, "Scum. I'm glad I didn't end up with you."
Yu Tianheng had nothing left to lose; he had known from the moment he left the Heaven Dou Academy that he and Dugu Yan were over. He had hoped that capturing Su Ming's technique in the ambush would secure his spot as heir and boost his strength. But each attempt ended in failure. He understood now that his grandfather hadn't obtained Su Ming's technique.
Su Ming silently mused, Oh, your grandfather? He's already gone—waiting for you in the underworld.
Yu Tianheng then desperately turned to Su Ming, "You promised, if I told the truth, you'd restore my arm!"
The crowd watched Su Ming with bated breath. He smirked, "Of course. I, Su Ming, keep my word."
Su Ming extended his right hand, emitting a black glow that gathered in the empty space where Yu Tianheng's arm had been. "Rebirth from Death—Destruction Conversion!"
Slowly, the black glow coalesced into the shape of an arm, shifting from black to a vibrant green.
A collective heartbeat echoed through the arena as everyone held their breath. Then, miraculously, Yu Tianheng's right arm reappeared, fully restored. Tears of relief welled up in his eyes. His spirit power, which had dropped from level 43 to level 42 after the loss of his arm, was fully restored.
But Su Ming smirked again, knowing that the restored arm was merely temporary—a twist in the rebirth from death.
After a moment of joy, Yu Tianheng's face froze—his spirit power hadn't returned! His face turned despondent as Su Ming noticed and remarked, "You should count yourself lucky I restored your arm; if you expect your spirit power back, you're dreaming. Just go train harder."
Watching Yu Tianheng's emotional rollercoaster brought Su Ming a twisted satisfaction, especially since he could feel two eager gazes locked onto him.
"Oh, fatty, what's with that look?" Su Ming teased.
Ma Hongjun abandoned any sense of shame, rubbing his hands together eagerly. "Su Ming, can you, uh, help me too? I can't feel anything down there anymore, and it's been forever since I felt… well, you know."
Xiao Wu snapped, "You pig! You don't deserve anything there. Dream on if you think my brother's going to help you!"
Ning Rongrong added, "You're shameless, Ma Hongjun. Remember how you treated us at Shrek? Go ask Dai or Tang San for help—or maybe your dear teacher. He's so 'powerful'; let him find you a top healer!"
Flender looked away awkwardly, unwilling to admit he'd already tried and failed to find help. After all, it wasn't just Ma Hongjun who'd lost his abilities; Yu Xiaogang was in the same boat. Noticing Yu Xiaogang staring intently at Su Ming, his cheeks flushed, Flender shifted uncomfortably to the side.
"Su Ming! If you help me recover, I'll do anything you want!" Yu Xiaogang gasped, his voice unsteady with excitement.
Su Ming turned and raised an eyebrow at Yu Xiaogang. Where did this desperate dog come from? He thought, amused by Yu Xiaogang's over-the-top eagerness.
"Master," Su Ming sneered, "what's the point of restoring it at your age? You don't have a girlfriend or wife, so what's the difference? I'd say being unable to have kids suits you, wouldn't you?"
The crowd could hardly hold back their laughter at Su Ming's merciless response. Su Ming recalled a line from an old TV show and nearly laughed out loud:
"Drop the gun, or I'll make sure you can't have kids!"
"Too late—I'm old enough that I don't care!"
Su Ming's laughter was contagious. Yu Xiaogang, flushed purple and green with rage, could barely contain himself.
Someone burst out laughing, and it was as if a dam had burst; laughter echoed around the arena, impossible to stop.
"This Su Ming really knows how to make things entertaining!"
Even Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue's faces twitched, suppressing their laughter as best they could. However, the Titled Douluos among them were caught between pride and a strong urge to laugh along.
Yu Xiaogang, hovering on the edge of fury, realized Su Ming was his only chance for restoration. Swallowing his anger, he asked, "Su Ming, what's your price?"
Su Ming scoffed, "A washed-up weakling like you? What could you possibly offer me?"
Yu Xiaogang, desperate, replied, "I can give you our family's Dragon Transformation Technique! Even if you can't use it, Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan could. Their Blue Phosphorus Snake Wuhun has traces of true dragon blood and can benefit from the technique—it could significantly boost their defenses."
Yu Xiaogang's eyes gleamed with hope, banking on his knowledge of Dugu Bo's need for defensive tactics.
Su Ming appeared thoughtful, though he wasn't truly interested. While the Dragon Transformation Technique would strengthen Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, he had confidence his system would eventually grant him something superior.
"Besides," Su Ming mused to himself, "as the one in control behind the scenes of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan, I could just get the Dragon Transformation Technique from Yu Luomian later."
Yu Xiaogang, oblivious, looked over at Yu Tianxin. "Even though I don't know the complete technique, he does! Tianxin, if you share it, I'll make sure you become the next clan leader."
Yu Tianxin took a step back, replying coolly, "Uncle, the Dragon Transformation Technique is a family secret. I won't reveal it."
Fuming, Yu Xiaogang demanded, "I'm your uncle, your elder—you must obey me!"
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