Douluo Dalu: Lucky Star

Heaven Dou Empire, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect

After sending off yet another noble family's envoy, Ning Fengzhi ordered the gates of the sect to be sealed, declaring that no more visitors would be received.

"The internal strife within Spirit Hall has begun," Ning Fengzhi remarked with a sigh. Behind him, the two Douluo, Sword Douluo (Chen Xin) and Bone Douluo (Gu Rong), looked a bit confused.

"Isn't this Bibi Dong's doing...?"

Chen Xin started to speak but stopped halfway, suddenly recalling that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was now also under the banner of Spirit Hall. He didn't know how to comment on the situation.

"This is just an attempt to suppress the Holy Son, but to choose Yu Xiaogang... huh."

Ning Fengzhi's tone was laced with undisguised sarcasm. This old rival of his had lost her mind.

After swearing allegiance to Han Li, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect also started practicing the original version of the Mysterious Heaven Technique. They even compared it with the publicly available version, hoping to understand how it enabled individuals without soul power to cultivate.

However, they failed—utterly and undeniably. Any attempt to improve it was met with failure. Their research revealed that even the smallest alteration could trigger unforeseen issues.

So how did Yu Xiaogang dare to tamper with it?

More importantly, how could Bibi Dong have the audacity to trust him?

The events in Wuhun City more than 20 years ago were still shrouded in mystery. While the sect did not know all the details, the spies they had planted in Spirit Hall managed to send back some vague intelligence.

In retrospect, some of it might not have been baseless rumors. After the innovations of martial soul upgrades and soul rings emerged, Ning Fengzhi completely yielded to Han Li, taking a subordinate position. There was no other choice.

The strength and miraculous abilities Han Li displayed made it clear that he could destroy their entire sect on his own.

Ning Fengzhi was afraid.

But as for Bibi Dong?

He wasn't afraid of her at all.

"Still, is it a good idea for us to seal the mountain right now?"

Gu Rong asked, sounding a bit uncertain.

"We have to," Ning Fengzhi said firmly.

"These nobles are willing to pay such a high price just to seek help from us. What does that tell you? It tells you that the Ye family is completely ignoring them—they've already been abandoned as pawns."

"Don't forget, Qinghe's relationship with that Holy Son is no secret. If it were just one or two people, it wouldn't matter, but if it continues, it could provoke dissatisfaction from that person. That wouldn't be good for us."

"Besides, the Holy Son hasn't made any response to any of this. So we should remain uninvolved and do nothing. We may not gain merit, but at least we won't make mistakes. Our position must be clear and firm."

Ning Fengzhi recalled the silver-haired woman he had once seen with Han Li. Just one glance from her was enough to make him feel as though he couldn't breathe. With steely resolve, he declared, "That's settled."

"Alright, we'll follow your lead," Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo nodded. They rarely objected to Ning Fengzhi's decisions anyway; their earlier comments were born more of curiosity than actual dissent.

"Heh, I wonder how that old dragon is reacting right now," Chen Xin said with a smirk.

"Let's just watch the show. It's none of our business, after all," Gu Rong replied. Laughter filled the great hall of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, carrying a note of schadenfreude.

...

Across the continent, the storm was growing. As time passed, more and more victims of Yu Xiaogang's improved cultivation techniques stepped forward to denounce him.

Even with Spirit Hall's suppression efforts, word still spread. After all, most of the sub-halls couldn't silence everyone.

The most prominent victim turned out to be none other than a Soul Douluo from the Star Luo Empire. He had been an ordinary commoner who, thanks to his martial soul mutation, had managed to cultivate his way to the level of Soul Douluo, though he didn't have a deep foundation.

When he got his hands on Yu Xiaogang's so-called improved cultivation route, he did a simple test and thought it seemed fine. Excited, he eagerly adopted the new method and even went into seclusion to train. That period of seclusion nearly cost him his life. At first, everything went smoothly, but just as he was about to break through to the next level, his soul power went berserk. He was originally on the verge of advancing to level 84, but after the explosion of his soul power, he dropped back to level 80.

If not for the support of his soul rings, he might have fallen even further.

The worst part?

His internal meridians were severely damaged, meaning he would never be able to make any further breakthroughs. He was consumed with regret. There had been a small chance that he might have reached the Titled Douluo level someday, though it had never been guaranteed.

But now?

All hope was gone. Enraged, he declared publicly that for the rest of his life, he would make it his mission to kill Yu Xiaogang, and his declaration gained the support of many other victims.

There were even rumors that a group called the "Yu Xiaogang Extermination Society" had been formed.

This group wasn't just composed of survivors; it also included soul masters who had lost loved ones to Yu Xiaogang's flawed techniques. While there were only two Soul Douluo and four Soul Sages in this society so far, that was still more than enough to terrify Yu Xiaogang. After all, his strength wasn't even at level 40.

Going forward, he would be the target of endless assassination attempts.

People are hypocrites.

Yu Xiaogang never forced anyone to follow his methods, but since he had been raised so high on a pedestal— and even took pride in it himself—the backlash now was fierce.

At the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Yuanzhen was still in seclusion. Before he left, he had ordered his clan not to bother with any insults directed at Yu Xiaogang. He had told them to treat him with the same hostility as before. So, when the scandal first broke, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan immediately issued a public statement: "Yu Xiaogang was expelled from our clan long ago. His actions have nothing to do with us. If you seek revenge, go find him. We will not interfere."

Spirit Hall's position was even clearer. They announced from the start that Yu Xiaogang's techniques were not official products of Spirit Hall. "If something goes wrong, it's not our responsibility."

With the destruction of the Clear Sky Clan still fresh in everyone's minds and Spirit Hall's prestige at an all-time high, no one dared to blame them.

Thus, Yu Xiaogang's reputation was thoroughly ruined.

People everywhere were now searching for his whereabouts, eager to take his head. Past scandals and misdeeds were being dug up and brought back into the spotlight.

"Ah, so you're still that half-orc Tang San's teacher. If I don't kill you, who else would I kill? And I can even claim it's for justice."

The continent was in chaos. Soul masters of all kinds—those seeking revenge, those wanting to make a name for themselves, and those with mixed motives—were all swept up in a frenzy to hunt down Yu Xiaogang.

At this moment, Yu Xiaogang was hiding in a residential house in Spirit City. His face was pale, and he was trembling with fear.

Only in Wuhun City did he feel a faint sense of security, as it was the only place where no one from Spirit Hall had issued a warrant for his capture. While the members of Spirit Hall regarded him with contempt, none of them had attacked him.

"This can't go on. I have to save myself."

Yu Xiaogang approached the door of the room but didn't dare to open it. He had been hiding for several days and had no idea if those pursuing him had already entered Wuhun City. He feared that if he went outside, he would encounter someone and be killed on the spot. But as for saving himself, the only method he could think of was to seek help from Bibi Dong.

Every day when he woke up, new intelligence reports about his predicament would mysteriously appear in his room.

The only one in Wuhun City capable of doing this was Bibi Dong. Just as he was still hesitating, the door suddenly opened. Bibi Dong, whom he hadn't seen for days, walked in.

"For now, you should just stay here and not go anywhere," Bibi Dong said as soon as she entered. Yu Xiaogang's body froze. What he wanted was a complete solution to his crisis, not continued hiding.

Based on the intelligence reports he had received, who knew how long he would have to keep hiding like this?

Over the past few days, he had tried to resume his cultivation using the technique he had improved.

So far, he had noticed no abnormalities. However, due to the previous injury from bone replacement, he didn't dare to train continuously. Besides, Bibi Dong had tested it in front of him back then, and there had been no issues either. This made him doubt whether he was truly at fault. He refused to believe that, with his intelligence, his modified cultivation method could have caused such severe consequences.

The Mysterious Heaven Technique was published by Han Li, a boy barely in his teens.

What insight could a child like that have?

Could his understanding of cultivation techniques possibly surpass Yu Xiaogang's?

No way.

All Yu Xiaogang had done was make some minor adjustments to improve efficiency.

And yet, now everyone was blaming him?

Could it be that the Mysterious Heaven Technique itself was flawed from the beginning?

He had just been unlucky, taking the blame when the problems erupted.

"Yes, that must be it."

This was the conclusion he had arrived at after several days of terror and self-delusion. He didn't care if anyone else believed it—as long as he believed it himself.

"So, you plan to imprison me."

Yu Xiaogang abruptly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes glaring at Bibi Dong. He was on edge and couldn't handle any more emotional pressure. His fear and frustration erupted, and Bibi Dong became the target of his venting.

"No, I'm protecting you. You don't understand…"

Bibi Dong's composed demeanor cracked. Her words carried a hint of urgency as she tried to explain.

"Protecting me? You won't even let me leave this room! Is this your idea of protection?"

"If you wanted to protect me, you should stand up for me. Tell those people that the cultivation method I published is perfectly fine! I've tested it myself over the past few days, and nothing went wrong."

"For all I know, maybe it was Spirit Hall that tampered with it. Or maybe the previous version of the method was already flawed, and now you're using me as a scapegoat."

Yu Xiaogang's voice rose to a hysterical shout.

"Yes, that's right! You did the same thing 20 years ago! Back then, after I published the Ten Core Theories of Martial Souls, your Spirit Hall accused me of plagiarizing Spirit Hall's knowledge. You ruined my academic reputation and left me disgraced and humiliated."

"Now, you're using the same tactics. I was a fool to trust you. It's all fake—every bit of it was fake affection and empty promises!"

"And what about Er Long? She was your doing too, wasn't she?"

The more he spoke, the more deranged he became. He leaned in, bringing his face right in front of Bibi Dong's. As Yu Xiaogang dug up these old grievances, Bibi Dong's breathing grew unsteady. Her body began to tremble uncontrollably. But to Yu Xiaogang, this trembling was a sign that she had been exposed. She was guilty. She had a guilty conscience.

"You and Qian Xunji, master and disciple, both of you are—"

He had just crossed the line.

"Shut your mouth!"

A chilling, furious roar filled the room. Bibi Dong's trembling stopped abruptly. Black, tangible energy erupted from behind her like a flood. Her face contorted into a vicious, nightmarish expression, like a demon emerging from the depths of hell.

The shadow of a spider flickered on her face, glowing with a ghostly purple light. In a flash, she reached out and grabbed Yu Xiaogang by the throat, lifting him off the ground with one hand.

"What do you even know?! Words like that—anyone can say them, but YOU are the only one who must never say them. Do you hear me?!"

Her grip tightened.

The suffocating feeling of being strangled, coupled with the growing presence of death, finally brought Yu Xiaogang back to his senses. He clawed at her hands with both of his own, trying desperately to pry them off, but it was futile. Fear filled his eyes. Looking at Bibi Dong, who seemed like a completely different person, he was consumed with terror.

Only now did he realize the gravity of what he had just said.

"Xiao Gang..."

Seeing the terror in his eyes, Bibi Dong seemed to snap back to her senses. She finally loosened her grip, allowing him to fall back to the floor. Yu Xiaogang collapsed, but his survival instincts kicked in. He propped himself up with his hands and scrambled backward, trying to put as much distance as possible between himself and Bibi Dong.

Bibi Dong instinctively reached out to help him up, but her hand stopped mid-air. Her face twisted through a range of emotions—hatred, regret, compassion—each one like a mask that changed rapidly.

The eerie sight made Yu Xiaogang back away faster. He moved so frantically that he crashed into the corner of the room, trembling uncontrollably. His teeth chattered, creating a sharp clicking sound that echoed in the silence.

From his corner, Yu Xiaogang looked up at her with despair in his eyes. At that moment, her face settled into one final expression.

If he wasn't mistaken, it was what most people would call... "gentleness."

But behind her, the black, tangible energy had only grown darker and more oppressive.

"Xiao Gang, believe me. I won't let anyone hurt you. Just wait a little longer, okay? Just a little longer."

"I've been keeping track of every single person who's slandered you. When the time comes, I'll kill them all. Does that sound good to you? No one will be able to harm you."

"Then, I can be with you forever. No one will be able to keep us apart."

She smiled as she spoke of this beautiful future.

Yu Xiaogang's eyes were filled with nothing but pure terror.

PS: Bibi Dong was crazy yandere. In the original, she annihilates the Blue Lightning Tyrant for Grandmaster.