A heavy silence hung in the air before the gates of Yu Yuanzhen's residence.
The atmosphere felt suffocating.
Even the wind seemed to have stilled, as though the very world was holding its breath in anticipation of what was about to unfold.
Yu Yuanzhen stood at the forefront, his tall figure rigid, his expression dark as storm clouds. His fists were clenched tightly at his sides, the veins on the back of his hands faintly visible.
Beside him, Ye Hengchuan's expression shifted dramatically.
Moments ago, it had been filled with expectation.
Now—
It was burning with anger.
All because of a single voice.
A single sentence.
Yet, in stark contrast to the tension surrounding him—
Yu Xiaogang stood quietly.
Composed.
Unmoved.
If this had been in the past, things would have been very different.
Back then, when people mocked him—
When they called him useless, talentless, a disgrace to the family—
Yu Xiaogang had no way to respond.
No strength.
No achievements.
No proof.
Only silence.
But now—
Everything had changed.
From this moment onward, Yu Xiaogang no longer needed to argue.
No longer needed to explain.
No longer needed to defend himself with empty words.
Because—
Nothing was more convincing than reality.
His first spirit ring—
A thousand-year spirit ring.
That alone was enough.
No matter how sharp someone's tongue was…
No matter how vicious their insults…
All it would take—
Was one look.
You call me trash?
Then what does that make you… if you cannot even compare to me?
A cold sneer curled at the corner of Yu Xiaogang's lips.
He slowly turned his gaze toward the source of the voice.
And then—
Recognition dawned.
"…So it's him."
Yu Qingya.
Memories surfaced instantly.
Back then, when Yu Xiaogang had completed his Whale Glue experiment, he had rushed home, filled with excitement, eager to share his discovery with his father.
But before he could even enter—
He had been stopped.
Yu Qingya had been standing at the door.
Looking down on him.
With disdain.
"A disgrace to the family… how dare you wander around as if nothing is wrong?"
Those words—
Had been etched into Yu Xiaogang's memory.
The arrogance.
The contempt.
The absolute lack of respect.
At that time—
Yu Xiaogang had no power to respond.
But now…
A faint amusement flickered in his eyes.
Interesting…
Because this wasn't just his grudge.
His father—
Yu Yuanzhen—
Had endured even more.
On the Douluo Continent, strength was everything.
Respect came from power.
Not knowledge.
Not contributions.
Not effort.
Even though Yu Xiaogang had discovered Whale Glue—
Even though his research had value—
As long as his strength remained weak…
He would still be looked down upon.
And by extension—
So would his father.
Yu Yuanzhen had remained silent all this time.
Not because he didn't care.
But because—
He had no way to retaliate.
But now—
Everything was different.
With the acquisition of the thousand-year spirit ring—
Yu Xiaogang had shattered the limits of what was considered possible.
And Yu Yuanzhen—
Finally had the right to stand tall.
Finally had the right—
To fight back.
Sure enough—
In the very next moment—
Yu Yuanzhen spoke.
"Who said that?"
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
But those who knew him—
Understood.
This was not peace.
This was the silence before a storm.
The Third Elder's expression changed immediately.
He turned sharply toward his son, glaring fiercely.
Then—
Without hesitation—
He stepped forward.
"Hahaha! Why is everyone standing around so stiffly?"
His laughter rang out, forced and unnatural.
"Sect Master, you've just returned after many days away. There are countless matters within the Sect awaiting your decision."
"You should rest first."
"We can discuss everything afterward."
As he spoke—
He cast a subtle glance toward the Grand Elder and Second Elder.
They understood immediately.
With a soft sigh—
They stepped forward as well.
They knew Yu Yuanzhen's temper.
He was proud.
Fierce.
Unyielding.
But—
He was also rational.
If given a way out—
He would take it.
Or at least—
That had always been the case.
But this time—
They were wrong.
"The Sect's matters can wait."
Yu Yuanzhen's voice cut through the air like ice.
"I am asking—"
"Who said those words?"
The atmosphere froze instantly.
The Grand Elder and Second Elder exchanged glances.
Confusion filled their eyes.
Is he really going to pursue this?
This wasn't wise.
Yu Qingya—
Was no ordinary disciple.
He was the son of the Third Elder.
Already at Level 68.
A Spirit Emperor.
Within a few years—
He would likely break through to Spirit Saint.
And in the future—
There was even a high chance he would reach Spirit Douluo.
He was not just a genius.
He was—
A future pillar of the Sect.
If Yu Yuanzhen chose to clash with someone like him over a single sentence—
The consequences would ripple through the entire Sect.
Rumors would spread.
The Sect Master suppresses dissent.
He cannot tolerate criticism.
He protects his useless son at all costs.
And worst of all—
Is such a Sect still worth following?
The Grand Elder understood all of this.
"Alright, alright, Sect Master…"
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Calm yourself."
"He spoke carelessly. I'll have him apologize."
Then—
He leaned in slightly.
And whispered—
"That's enough."
"You care about your son, we understand that."
"But creating conflict over a single sentence…"
"Will only harm both you and Xiaogang."
The meaning was clear.
End it here.
For your sake.
For your son's sake.
After all—
Yu Xiaogang had already endured enough.
If this escalated—
Wouldn't it only make things worse for him?
Wouldn't it invite even more criticism?
The Grand Elder's words—
Were well-intentioned.
Measured.
Carefully chosen.
But—
Yu Yuanzhen did not waver.
Because today—
He was different.
In the past—
He had endured.
For his son.
But now—
His son had already changed his fate.
Not through luck.
But through—
Sacrifice.
Yu Xiaogang had risked his life.
Faced death.
Endured unimaginable pain—
Just to prove himself.
To wash away years of humiliation.
As a father—
If he still chose silence now—
Then what right did he have—
To call himself Yu Xiaogang's father?
Moreover—
During that long night—
When he had guarded his son through the dangerous absorption of the spirit ring—
Yu Yuanzhen had made a vow.
If Xiaogang succeeds—
Then from this day forward—
No one…
Will be allowed to insult him again.
And now—
The moment had come.
Yu Yuanzhen raised his hand.
And brushed away the Grand Elder's arm.
His expression—
Was resolute.
Unshakable.
"I'll make this clear."
"I will pursue this matter to the end."
"No one—"
"Gets to interfere."
His voice was no longer calm.
It was absolute.
"I'll ask one last time."
"Who said it?"
Silence.
Then—
Slowly—
All eyes turned.
Toward Yu Qingya.
Everyone already knew.
But Yu Yuanzhen wanted more.
He wanted—
Acknowledgment.
Confession.
Accountability.
To Yu Qingya—
This felt like a trial.
A public judgment.
His jaw tightened.
His fists clenched.
Then—
He stepped forward.
"I said it."
His voice was firm.
But his gaze—
Avoided Yu Yuanzhen.
Instead—
He looked at Yu Xiaogang.
"Was I wrong?"
His tone grew sharper.
"Look at him!"
"He nearly crippled himself just absorbing a single spirit ring!"
"Someone like him—"
"Does he deserve the Sect's resources?"
"He just got lucky!"
"That's all!"
"The Sect's resources should go to those who deserve them!"
"Giving them to trash like him is nothing but a waste—"
"AAAHHH—!!!"
The scream cut through the air.
Before anyone could react—
Yu Yuanzhen moved.
Like lightning.
Like thunder.
His foot lashed out—
BOOM!
The kick landed squarely on Yu Qingya's back.
The force was overwhelming.
Yu Qingya's body was sent flying—
Like a broken kite.
He crashed into the ground.
Rolling.
Gasping.
The entire courtyard—
Fell silent.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
They could only stare—
At the Sect Master—
Who had finally…
Exploded.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)