The nobility monopolizes the vast majority of cultivation resources. Once a noble family falls, the resources they hoarded are enough to enrich a large number of people.
But the great families and clans are different—family members have almost infiltrated every industry across the continent, making it nearly impossible for them to collapse.
Over time, most of the resources on the continent will fall into their hands, leaving civilian soul masters with even fewer chances to rise.
Tang San, Yu Tianheng, and others had grown up under the protection of their elders. Coupled with their young age, they didn't yet understand the harsh realities of the soul master world.
Low-level soul masters don't necessarily need cultivation resources to rapidly improve their strength. However, after breaking through to Soul King, this becomes the watershed moment for soul masters.
Nobles who possess vast resources will completely outpace commoners at this stage.
Most talented civilian soul masters will struggle for years at this stage. Many give up halfway and choose to join larger families instead.
Take Qin Ming, for example. His spirit ring configuration wasn't particularly good, and his talent was only average compared to the Shrek Seven Monsters.
Even so, he still became the second-youngest Soul Emperor on the continent.
This alone reveals how crucial cultivation resources are in later stages of training.
Flender understood that among the Shrek Seven Monsters, only Ma Hongjun was truly a civilian soul master. Even Tai Long had the powerful One Clan backing him.
As for Tang San, there was no need to say more—being the offspring of a Hao Tian Douluo, his future was bound to be bright.
Seeing Tang San and the others boasting about the greatness of aristocratic families, Flender and Zhao Wuji exchanged bitter smiles and turned their gaze out the carriage window, choosing not to participate in the discussion.
---
Within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family
After many years away, the gatekeepers of the family no longer recognized Yu Xiaogang, or even knew who he was.
Yu Xiaogang remained calm, pulling out the Blue Lightning Token from his sleeve and showing it to these disciples.
"Now, can you take me inside?"
"Blue Lightning Token!" The disciples were shocked and quickly apologized. "Senior, please forgive us for our offense."
Immediately afterward, the disciples arranged a boat to help Yu Xiaogang enter the sect.
With the Blue Lightning Token, Yu Xiaogang passed through all checkpoints without obstruction and ascended to the main gates of the mountain.
Most of the younger generation didn't recognize him, simply assuming he was a long-lost wanderer returning to the sect.
The deeper he went into the sect, the more elders from the older generations appeared.
When they saw Yu Xiaogang, their expressions were no longer mocking as they once were but carried a hint of complexity instead.
In truth, after Yu Xiaogang left the sect in high spirits years ago, Yu Yuanzhen had already forgiven him.
But Yu Xiaogang seemed unaware of Yu Yuanzhen's intentions.
A person born with half-tier spirit power constantly shouted about proving himself.
What could he prove?
Yu Yuanzhen merely wanted him to live a carefree life as an idle member of the family, ensuring he wouldn't want for food or clothing in his later years.
But Yu Xiaogang misunderstood, believing everyone in the sect looked down on him. Since the path of becoming a soul master didn't work out, he turned to studying soul master theory instead.
He never considered that throughout the history of the Douluo Continent, famous theorists were all soul masters with at least Soul Douluo-level cultivation.
Soul master cultivation is crucial for theoretical research—how could one begin studying theories without even knowing the basics, like the soul oscillation caused by absorbing ten-thousand-year spirit rings?
High-level soul masters naturally possess systematic knowledge of soul master cultivation. Only then can their theories be convincing.
Yu Xiaogang failed to understand these principles, feeling that others were deliberately targeting and belittling his theories. Under the weight of such psychological distortion, he resorted to plagiarism.
---
Feeling the gazes directed at him, Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but clench his fists. "These bastards!"
Perhaps due to habitual inferiority, he now perceived threats everywhere, believing everyone was laughing at him.
Upon hearing reports from the disciples, Yu Yuanzhen, who was in seclusion, immediately rushed out of the ancestral hall and called out with a strong voice, "Xiaogang! Is that you returning?"
A Title Douluo's vision was exceptionally sharp. His gaze swept through the crowd and quickly landed on Yu Xiaogang.
Unable to hide his excitement, Yu Yuanzhen flew to Yu Xiaogang's side at incredible speed.
"Father," Yu Xiaogang said calmly.
"Good, good, good!" Three consecutive "goods" were enough to show how Yu Yuanzhen felt at the moment.
Knowing Yu Xiaogang's situation, he immediately took him to a quiet chamber.
"Father, what exactly do you want? Why did you insist I come back?" Yu Xiaogang's expression was indifferent, as if looking at a stranger.
Yu Yuanzhen knew there was a rift between them as father and son.
Before he could speak, he noticed Yu Xiaogang's gaunt figure and lamented painfully, "Xiaogang, you've suffered so much these years."
"Father, let's get to the point," Yu Xiaogang frowned.
Yu Yuanzhen continued, "Xiaogang, do you remember Da Huang from back then? I once promised you that after your martial soul awakened, I'd take you on a stroll with Da Huang."
Yu Yuanzhen had never forgotten those past promises.
But Yu Xiaogang barely remembered them. His face darkened as he replied, "Da Huang has long been dead, and I'm no longer the child I once was. Father, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. In recent years, I've taken on a disciple, and sooner or later, I'll prove to everyone that my theories are correct."
'You mustn't mislead others.'
Yu Yuanzhen took a deep breath but ultimately refrained from saying this aloud.
To avoid deepening the rift between father and son, Yu Yuanzhen chose to change the subject.
"Xiaogang, stay here. I believe with your intelligence, you can manage the sect's affairs impeccably. The family has always excelled in martial arts but lacks governance. If you stay, you'll surely lead the sect to glory."
He wasn't lying about this part.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family was like soldiers who had fought for years—strong in combat but lacking in culture.
Their management of the sect could only be described as abysmal.
Yu Xiaogang turned his back, his hands clasped behind him. "If you truly trust me, Father, let me focus on teaching Xiaosan properly, rather than staying in the sect. Here, I see no future—only gossip. Leaving the family was the best choice for me."
With that, he walked toward the exit of the hall.
"Xiaogang, wait a moment."
Yu Yuanzhen waved his hand, and a sect disciple arrived, holding a yellow hound, and stood beside Yu Xiaogang.
"Xiaogang, take Xiao Huang with you. Back then, I never fulfilled my promise to take you…"
Before he could finish, Yu Xiaogang interrupted, "There's no need. When the time is right, I'll return to the sect on my own."
Yu Yuanzhen watched this scene unfold, unsure how to persuade him to stay.
Even the usually resolute elder couldn't help but let tears well up in his eyes.
"Feng'er, take Xiao Huang to the ancestral hall. From now on, it will keep me company."
Yu Feng glanced at the departing Yu Xiaogang and then at the sect leader.
Couldn't Yu Xiaogang see that the sect leader had already apologized for the events of the past?
How could a son act this way!
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