Douluo; Zhongli Adventures in Mortal World with Paimon

"This seat shall send this thief to hell for reflection. In your next life…"

"No, daring to steal my sect leader's research—how could you possibly have a next life?"

Du Bafang felt no hesitation about killing Yu Xiaogang.

Even if Yu Yuanzhen sought revenge, so be it! The purpose of cultivation was to follow one's heart, not to become someone's punching bag.

People like Yu Xiaogang, this "thief," deserved death! Killing him publicly would serve as a warning to others.

"We've been too low-key for too long, letting every random cat or dog think they can step all over us!"

"Let's use the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan leader's son as a sacrificial example!"

Was Du Bafang foolish?

To have cultivated to the level of Spirit Saint in such dire circumstances and establish the Body Sect, he couldn't possibly be foolish. On the contrary, he was very clever!

Kicking Yu Xiaogang out of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and severing ties—did that really mean he wasn't Yu Yuanzhen's son?

Without Yu Yuanzhen behind him, Yu Xiaogang's behavior and actions would have gotten him killed long ago in the world of spirit masters.

How else would he have had the opportunity to steal the sect leader's theories and research?

Hearing this, a glint of clarity flashed in Yu Xiaogang's murky eyes, and he quickly pleaded, "Lo… Lord!"

"I… I know a lot of secrets! I'll answer whatever you ask, I swear!"

Desperate to survive, Yu Xiaogang spoke instinctively.

His speech was slurred, as he had barely any teeth left after the slaps.

Du Bafang chuckled darkly. He didn't need any information from Yu Xiaogang. The mere fact that he had stolen from the sect leader was enough to justify his death!

"So, as a mere Soul Grandmaster, how did you manage to steal knowledge from Spirit Hall?"

Suddenly, a voice rang out from nowhere, startling Yu Xiaogang. He responded instinctively, "I… I used certain methods to befriend the former Saintess, Bibi Dong, and then…"

If Yu Xiaogang hadn't been slapped into a daze, he never would have revealed this secret.

But now, with his mind clouded, he answered without thinking.

The Spirit Hall members' eyes widened in shock, just as they were about to stop him, they turned to locate the voice.

And what they saw astonished them even more!

How… How could this be?!

"Whenever I needed specific knowledge, I'd just ask Bibi Dong, and she'd give it to me."

Sweat beaded on the spectators' foreheads, and the members of Spirit Hall trembled with fear.

Was this a secret they were even supposed to hear?

Please, Yu Xiaogang! Stop talking already!

And you, acting leader of the Body Sect—couldn't you just kill him directly?

Du Bafang was equally stunned. He had planned to kill Yu Xiaogang outright, but the sudden voice and questions caught him off guard.

Flender and Liu Erlong glanced at the newcomer, then at the dazed Yu Xiaogang. They exchanged a confused look, a hint of disbelief in their eyes.

The "story" Yu Xiaogang had always told—was it just a fabrication?

So, he had actually deceived the current Pope to acquire Spirit Hall's knowledge!

Yu Xiaogang always spoke of undying vows, of how she looked down on his abilities, and how pitiful he was.

But the reality was so different—it was hard to reconcile.

Some who recognized the newcomer swallowed hard, feeling a cold chill down their spines.

Compared to the oppressive aura of Du Bafang, the newcomer's presence, although restrained, carried an even stronger sense of pressure. Hearing the revelations, a hint of sorrow flashed in her eyes.

She had been wrong...

Her teacher's warnings—all of them had been true! Yu Xiaogang only wanted access to Spirit Hall's knowledge; love had nothing to do with it.

Suddenly, Flender seemed to have realized something, his eyes lighting up. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words got stuck in his throat. Glancing at Liu Erlong, he finally gathered the courage and asked, "Then… What about your feelings for Liu Erlong?"

At that question, Liu Erlong, standing beside Flender, looked stunned, her face full of confusion. What was Flender getting at? Was he doubting her relationship with Yu Xiaogang?

"Liu Erlong?"

Yu Xiaogang hesitated, then said instinctively, "When I first met her, I knew her identity right away…"

"Her spirit, and the dragon-shaped jade pendant she wore at her waist, both showed that she was a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. It was just that her spirit had undergone a slight mutation."

"I might not understand other spirit mutations, but as the Young Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, how could I not understand this one…"

"A three-person spirit fusion technique! If I could gain complete control over it, then it would be my power!"

"Unfortunately, some things happened, and I had no choice but to leave Erlong. That's why I wrote to Uncle…"

The more Yu Xiaogang spoke, the prouder he became. With each word, his eyes grew clearer, until he was almost as lucid as ever.

Yet, as he spoke, he began to sense that something was amiss…

The others listened as if it were some kind of joke, but for Liu Erlong and Flender, each word was like a stab to the heart! Especially for Liu Erlong, who slowly lowered the hand that covered her face, looking at Yu Xiaogang in disbelief.

"So… so just for a three-person spirit fusion technique, you… you pursued me?"

"You… you knew my identity all along?"

Liu Erlong, typically fiery and bold, now spoke in a trembling voice.

She already knew the answer in her heart, but she desperately wished it weren't true.

Flender's entire body shook!

In that moment, it was as if he had summoned every ounce of courage he had, as he strode over to stand before Du Bafang and said with resolute determination, "Lord, please lend this beast to me for a moment!"

"???"

Du Bafang raised an eyebrow, glancing at Flender, then at Yu Xiaogang. Finally, he loosened his grip, granting Yu Xiaogang a brief moment of freedom.

Flender expressed his gratitude. "Thank you for granting this request, Lord!"

As soon as Du Bafang's hand released Yu Xiaogang's throat, another hand grabbed it just as quickly!

With a fury matching Du Bafang's, Flender slapped Yu Xiaogang repeatedly, scolding him with each strike: "Yu Xiaogang, you animal!"

"A three-person spirit fusion technique—when have I ever fought with you over control?!"

"You beast, you deceived Erlong for twenty whole years because of this!"

"Do you have any idea what I've been through for these past twenty years?!"

"Do you have any idea what Erlong has endured for these twenty years?!"

The fury of a "devoted fool" was enough to shake heaven and earth.

"I, Flender, was blind to have ever called you my brother, and even introduced you to Erlong!"

For a full five minutes, Flender beat Yu Xiaogang, and no one stepped in to stop him.

Even Tang San remained silent.

"Lord, killing Yu Xiaogang may lead to a conflict between our sects. Naturally, the Body Sect has nothing to fear."

"But any disciples lost in the ensuing battle would be a true loss."

"I, Flender, am alone, and I fear nothing. Leave this matter to me!"

"I will personally kill this beast!"