Chapter Forty-Seven: The Golden Lion Battles the Thunder Dragon

Dugu Bo was merely a nominal guest official of the Heaven Dou Empire, never subject to any of its commands. The Snowy Night Emperor had never held much affection for him; it was mostly Snow Star who mediated between them, preventing open conflict. Now, with Snow Star’s betrayal, Dugu Bo lost his only ally within the royal family. Coupled with Yu Yuanzhen’s promise—sacrificing one Title Douluo in exchange for the support of one of the Upper Three Clans—the emperor weighed his options for a single night before making his choice.

Fearing Dugu Bo might survive and seek revenge against Heaven Dou, the emperor not only summoned the three Contra-level deans from the academy but also dispatched two royal Contras, forming a full encirclement to hunt Dugu Bo down.

As evening approached and the sun neared the horizon, the distant sky glowed orange-yellow, while thin mists rose among the crisscrossing mountain ridges. Over the construction site of the burgeoning Nine Stars Hall branch, the wind suddenly howled, and clouds gathered in a surge.

“Where is Dugu Bo?” A voice, heavy with authority, rang out—it was Yu Yuanzhen. The overwhelming pressure of a level ninety-five Title Douluo swept forth like a hurricane, scattering leaves and stones, bowing the verdant plants.

Hearing the summons, Dugu Bo appeared first, releasing a similar aura of a Title Douluo, meeting Yu Yuanzhen’s gaze from afar. Immediately, Yang Wudi and Ye Renxin, who happened to be at the Nine Stars Hall branch, moved into position behind Dugu Bo.

It was the holiday period, so Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan were both present. Hearing the commotion, they came out with Xiao Yu, just in time to see Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhi Lin standing behind Yu Yuanzhen.

“Deans, what is the meaning of this?” Dugu Yan, ever forthright, was the first to speak.

A trace of shame flashed across the faces of Meng Shenji and the others. After all, they were teachers to both Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling. Now, as mentors, they stood with outsiders against their students’ elders—a betrayal of the respect their pupils afforded them. Yet, they were not only teachers at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy but also subjects of the empire. With an imperial order, they could only obey.

“Yu Yuanzhen, what is your intention in bringing so many here?” Dugu Bo’s cold eyes swept past the silent deans, their presence making it clear the empire had chosen to abandon both him and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. A chill gripped his heart, but after steadying himself, he fixed his gaze on Yu Yuanzhen and spoke in a low voice.

Yu Yuanzhen snorted dismissively. “Old Poison, we’re both straightforward men. I won’t beat around the bush. Hand over that boy Xiao Yu and the rare treasure that evolved your granddaughter’s spirit, and I’ll leave at once—neither you nor your granddaughter will be harmed.”

Yu Tianheng!

Dugu Bo’s fury ignited at once. Clearly, Yu Yuanzhen coveted Xiao Yu’s secret for absorbing spirit rings beyond his level. Xiao Yu’s ten-thousand-year spirit ring had only been revealed at the Royal Academy, and the matter of his granddaughter’s spirit evolution was known solely to those at the same academy. Who else but Yu Tianheng, also at the Royal Academy, could have informed Yu Yuanzhen?

How foolish he had been, remembering how his granddaughter once spoke well of Yu Tianheng before him, even considering arranging a match to secure her future.

As Dugu Bo remained silent, Yu Yuanzhen grew impatient. “Old Poison, I haven’t got all day.”

“Impossible!” Dugu Bo snapped back to his senses and refused flatly. “Brother Xiao saved the Dugu family from ruin. If you think you’ll harm him even slightly, you can dream on!”

“In that case, there’s nothing left to discuss!” Yu Yuanzhen barked, attacking first. His spirit avatar took hold, and he transformed into a colossal Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. To the eight Contras he’d brought, he ordered, “I’ll restrain the old poison—deal with the rest swiftly!”

“Eight Contras, Yu Yuanzhen? Quite the grand display. You’re truly determined to trap me here today.” Dugu Bo sneered. Yet Yu Yuanzhen’s elaborate plans would end in failure—today, he would face an iron wall.

His seventh spirit ring gleamed as Dugu Bo too unleashed his spirit avatar. His massive serpent form, dozens of meters long, did not charge Yu Yuanzhen but instead lunged straight for the three Royal Academy deans, led by Meng Shenji. “Old Dragon, you’re not my opponent!”

“Sixth spirit skill—Thunder Strike!”

As Yu Yuanzhen hesitated at Dugu Bo’s words, a roar like a lion or tiger echoed from the sky. In an instant, countless currents of lightning converged into a single, ultra-dense orb, which shot forth like a thunderbolt.

Yu Yuanzhen’s expression changed at once. He activated his left-arm spirit bone’s defensive skill—Thunder Guard. Arcs of lightning formed a circular shield, colliding with the energy orb in midair. The violent energy clash erupted into an explosion, shrouding Yu Yuanzhen’s form in swirling violet-blue smoke.

Where there’s smoke, there’s safety—a universal truth. Aiolia never expected to defeat a level ninety-five Title Douluo with just his sixth spirit skill. Standing calmly, hands clasped behind his back, he waited in silence.

After a long moment, the smoke cleared, revealing Yu Yuanzhen’s imposing figure. His expression had grown grave. Among Title Douluo, pride was a given. That Dugu Bo left him to confront the Contras and chose to face the deans himself could only mean this man was also a Title Douluo—and stronger than Dugu Bo.

“May I ask your honored name? I am Yu Yuanzhen, patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Might you do me this favor? The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would be eternally grateful!” Confronted with an unknown Title Douluo, Yu Yuanzhen’s first instinct was to offer incentives. If he could persuade this Title Douluo to remain neutral, all would be well.

“Nine Stars Hall—Aiolia.” Aiolia cast a cold glance at Yu Yuanzhen. “No need for further words. Xiao Yu is the young master of our Nine Stars Hall. If you dare harbor ill intent toward him, there can be only one outcome today—a battle!”

With that, Aiolia activated his spirit avatar as well. A dazzling golden lion appeared behind him, as two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red spirit rings rose around him.

A hundred-thousand-year spirit ring!

The sight of that scarlet ring made Yu Yuanzhen’s pupils contract sharply. Regret flooded him—how careless he'd been, acting without fully investigating Xiao Yu’s background.

But it was too late for regrets. Having already come to blows, reconciliation was no longer possible. He could only grit his teeth and fight.

True, there were two Title Douluo opposing him, but he’d brought eight Contras. Dugu Bo was the weakest among Title Douluo; a few Contras working together might well defeat him.

With a roar, Yu Yuanzhen’s dragon form soared into the sky, diving toward Aiolia.

Aiolia activated his spirit avatar—the golden lion raised its razor-sharp claws and unleashed a sphere of light at the charging dragon.