Chapter 35: Yu Xiaogang's Social Death
Douluo Calendar, Year 2617 — Outside Heaven Dou City, at the gates of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Two figures approached—the younger versions of Yu Xiaogang and Flender.
"Flender, I was under the influence of an illusion poison at that time! You have to believe me—I could never harbor such thoughts about my own sister!" Yu Xiaogang pleaded anxiously.
He had been explaining himself for days; he couldn't afford to lose Flender as an ally.
"And I never said those things! You must have been affected by the illusion as well and misheard me!"
Yu Xiaogang's tone grew more desperate. "In your eyes, am I truly such a shameless person?"
Flender frowned, a flicker of doubt surfacing in his heart. Perhaps… he had misunderstood.
Although his soul power was higher than Yu Xiaogang's, his martial soul wasn't like Liu Erlong's Fire Dragon Martial Soul—his poison resistance was mediocre at best.
He, too, had been affected by the illusion toxin, though his symptoms were milder.
After a pause, Flender finally sighed.
"I'm sorry, Xiaogang. It seems I may have misjudged you."
Yu Xiaogang exhaled in relief. At long last, one person believed him.
'Hmph, if not for being expelled from my clan, why would I waste my time on a mere Soul Elder?' Yu Xiaogang thought bitterly.
Flender's innate talent was only average—barely sixth-level innate soul power. Among great clans, that was considered mediocre.
But Yu Xiaogang had no one else. He had studied countless Spirit Hall archives and knew well how many geniuses existed across the continent—brilliant souls shining like stars in the sky.
In the past century alone, Spirit Hall's records listed nineteen innate full soul power soul masters.
And yet, Yu Xiaogang—cast out, scorned, and powerless—had only Flender to rely on.
If not for Flender's protection, he wouldn't even dare travel the continent without fear of being hunted or mocked.
"It's fine, Flender. I don't blame you," Yu Xiaogang said aloud, forcing a smile.
"If anyone's at fault, it's that mutated Illusion Venom Vine."
Then, changing the topic, he suggested,
"This time, I'm returning home to visit my parents. Why don't I introduce you to my Second Uncle while I'm there?"
Flender's eyes lit up. He naturally knew who Yu Xiaogang's Second Uncle was—Liu Erlong's biological father.
Flender's heart skipped a beat. To meet the father of the woman he admired… that was an opportunity he couldn't refuse.
"Xiaogang, you're a true brother! Count me in!"
Despite being expelled, Yu Xiaogang still retained hidden ties to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. With his connections, the two easily entered the mountain gate of the clan's territory.
But the moment they stepped inside, the whispers began.
"Hey, did you hear? The Clan Leader's eldest son—that expelled trash—actually had indecent thoughts about the Second Elder's daughter."
"Yeah, I heard she's talented too. Not even twenty, and already close to breaking through to Soul King!"
"Apparently, she refuses to return to the clan precisely because of his harassment!"
"A disgrace to his bloodline! They should've done more than just exile him. All those resources wasted on that piece of trash!"
"Heh, who cares if he's the Clan Leader's son? We all share the same dragon blood. What makes him any nobler than the rest of us?"
"I even heard that he joined Spirit Hall and became a traitor to the clan…"
"Shh! Quiet—he's here!"
Yu Xiaogang's expression turned livid.
How had the story spread all the way back to the clan? Could it be… Liu Erlong?
"Xiaogang," Flender offered, "Do you want me to clarify things for them? I was there—I can testify."
Yu Xiaogang quickly waved his hand.
"No need. The innocent don't need to explain themselves."
But in truth, his heart was already sinking.
He knew explanations were meaningless.
The scandal's spread was no accident—it had been deliberately allowed, perhaps even encouraged, by the clan's high-ranking elders.
Someone clearly wanted to use this humiliation to undermine his father's faction and seize power within the clan.
And the person most likely behind it all… was none other than his Second Uncle.
"Let's go. We're leaving right now!"
Staying any longer would only make him the center of humiliation—a living target dragging his father, Yu Yuanzhen, down with him. It was better to leave quietly before things got worse.
If he left now, at least Yu Yuanzhen could still claim that the outcast son had nothing to do with the family's current affairs. Staying would only make things worse.
"Eh? Xiaogang, aren't we going to meet your Second Uncle?" Flender asked reluctantly, clearly disappointed.
Yu Xiaogang didn't answer. He simply grabbed Flender's arm and dragged him toward the exit.
But the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's territory wasn't small. With thousands of Soul Masters and tens of thousands of ordinary clansmen, the clan's estate was practically a small city in itself.
Before they could even make it out of the inner compound, word had already spread—Yu Xiaogang, the disgraced heir, had returned.
It didn't take long before a tall, broad-shouldered man appeared at the gates, blocking their path.
"Xiaogang," Yu Luomian said with a seemingly kind smile, "it's rare for you to come home. Why leave so soon without even greeting your Second Uncle?"
Yu Xiaogang's heart sank. As expected… Second Uncle's involved in this mess, too.
Family resources were limited—whether it was soul bones, medicinal materials, cultivation chambers, or gold soul coins, everything had to be fought over. Yu Luomian clearly saw this scandal as a weapon to undermine his brother's position.
"Second Uncle," Yu Xiaogang replied cautiously, "I'm already an outcast of the clan. I have no face left to see Father or the elders."
Flender, noticing Yu Luomian's imposing aura, wanted to introduce himself, but the man didn't even spare him a glance.
Yu Luomian continued casually, "Xiaogang, I received a letter from Erlong. She doesn't seem to hold a very favorable opinion of you."
He smiled faintly, his tone light but full of hidden intent. "Why don't you come with me to apologize to her? If you do that, this whole matter can be put to rest."
Yu Luomian wasn't doing this out of kindness. He had keenly sensed an opportunity to repair his relationship with his talented daughter by using Yu Xiaogang as a stepping stone.
After all, Liu Erlong's cultivation talent was extraordinary—worth every bit of his effort.
Yu Xiaogang's face darkened. 'Apologize to Erlong? Wouldn't that be admitting I actually had such thoughts about my cousin?'
If he did that, how would the clan view him? How would they see his father?
"Second Uncle, this is just a misunderstanding—"
Yu Luomian interrupted sharply, "Then let's clear up the misunderstanding in front of her. What are you afraid of?"
Yu Xiaogang's heart turned cold. 'It's over. He's trying to force me to take the blame—to brand me as someone who violated kinship and plotted against his uncle's wife!'
Just then, a deep, authoritative voice rang out.
"Second Brother, family matters shouldn't be made public. Let Xiaogang go."
A man who resembled Yu Xiaogang stepped forward—his father, Yu Yuanzhen.
"Father!" Yu Xiaogang finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But Yu Yuanzhen glared at him coldly. "I have no son like you. Leave. And without my permission, don't you dare return!"
Yu Xiaogang opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but the words died in his throat. There was nothing left to say. He lowered his head and silently walked away.
Yu Luomian frowned. "Big Brother, by letting Xiaogang off so easily, aren't you ignoring Erlong's suffering?"
His tone turned heavy as he added, "Erlong told me herself—Xiaogang not only harbored improper thoughts toward her, but even tried to harm my wife!"
Yu Yuanzhen sighed deeply. His strength was not yet enough to fully control the clan. He could only compromise.
"Second Brother, this is my fault for failing to discipline him properly. Take thirty thousand gold soul coins to Erlong as an apology from me, her uncle."
Yu Luomian finally relented, satisfaction flickering in his eyes. It was enough to publicly tarnish his elder brother's reputation.
'Once I become a Titled Douluo, he thought, even the position of Clan Head won't be out of my reach. And if I can't, Erlong's future breakthroughs might still secure it for our branch.'
Just as Yu Luomian was basking in his silent triumph—
A sudden, violent fluctuation of soul power erupted from outside the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's gates!
Yu Yuanzhen's expression changed instantly.
"Not good! Someone's ambushing Xiaogang and his companion!"
—
End of Chapter