"Yibai!!"
Yu Tianheng immediately recognized him, a trace of pleasant surprise in his voice.
It's him!
Dugu Yan silently confirmed her suspicions, now even more curious about Yun Yibai's true identity.
"I came to see how much progress the so-called 'number one genius of the clan' has made over the past two years," Yun Yibai said flatly.
"Come on, I'm still your cousin. Can't you show a little respect?"
Yu Tianheng replied with a helpless smile. He knew Yun Yibai all too well and could sum him up in three phrases:
Masochist, battle junkie, and tsundere.
Masochist, because he had been training like a lunatic day and night since awakening his Martial Soul.
Battle junkie, because every promising disciple in the sect — if even slightly near his age — had been beaten up by him at least once.
Tsundere, because while he did care about his clan and sect-mates, he always had something harsh to say.
Over time, most people had come to understand that this was just Yun Yibai's way of interacting with others in the clan.
Yun Yibai was born into the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and raised in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
No matter what he would become in the future, his roots were there.
Even if there were stubborn old men in the sect, his parents were still in the clan.
He couldn't completely ignore it.
"Sigh… I already heard everything that happened."
"You still mad at those old fossils in the sect?"
"Heh. Yu Tianheng, I see you've grown.
You never used to be this good with words."
Yun Yibai's signature tsundere side showed up again — this was how he always spoke to his clan.
Yu Tianheng spread his hands.
"The biggest conservative in the whole sect is the Sect Master.
If you're so upset, why don't you go pick a fight with him?
Why are you giving me attitude?"
Honestly, Yun Yibai was briefly stunned by that.
He didn't dare go challenge Yu Yuanzhen, the Sect Master, just yet.
"Alright, come on — you think I don't know you by now?
You didn't come all this way just to check on me, right?"
Yu Tianheng wasn't buying it for a second.
While the two were chatting, Dugu Yan stood nearby, surprised and thoughtful.
He's from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect too…
And judging by how close he is with Yu Tianheng,
he must be one of their core disciples.
But what's with the sect lately?
Yu Tianxin is off running his own Thunder Academy,
Yu Tianheng came to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy,
and this guy — close to both of them — is studying at Blue Tyrant Academy.
Everyone from the upper circle knew that Blue Tyrant Academy had been founded by Liu Erlong, so it wasn't exactly a secret.
Unlike Dugu Yan, the Xuanwu Shield twins didn't think that deeply.
All they saw was someone who seemed just as impressive as Yu Tianheng — another powerhouse.
Yun Yibai had come today to spar.
Yu Tianheng, however, noticed the fire gradually lighting up in Yun Yibai's eyes — and instantly threw an arm around his shoulders.
"Hahaha! Yibai, buddy! I'll treat you to a meal!
It's been ages — let me introduce you to my classmates!"
Yu Tianheng didn't want to fight right now — even if he was curious about Yun Yibai's progress.
He needed to play it safe.
If he gave in now, Yun Yibai would never leave him alone.
He'd finally escaped the sect to enjoy life at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy — he wasn't going to let his cousin drag him back into chaos.
"Yibai, come on, I'll introduce you."
He pointed toward Dugu Yan.
"This is my classmate, Dugu Yan — granddaughter of the Poison Douluo.
Best not to mess with her. She doesn't go easy on anyone."
At this stage, Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan were just classmates — nothing more.
"Yu Tianheng…"
Dugu Yan shot him a cold glance.
"If you don't want me to shut that mouth of yours, then watch what you say."
She then gave Yun Yibai a polite nod.
"These two here are Xuanwu Shield Martial Soul users — twin brothers.
Their defense is crazy strong.
Together, they can hold their own against a Soul Elder."
"Hi, I'm Shi Mo!"
"Hi, I'm Shi Mo!" (identical names, different tones)
"Nice to meet you," Yun Yibai nodded calmly.
At this point in the semester, most of the social circles at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy had already started forming.
Anyone close to Yu Tianheng wasn't ordinary.
"Alright, now let me introduce my cousin!"
"To be honest… he's kind of a monster."
The three others perked up with curiosity at the term.
"Watch your mouth," Yun Yibai said casually, not thrilled at the label.
"Hahaha…"
"This is my cousin — Yun Yibai.
His Martial Soul is a variant of Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
He was born with innate soul power of level 7,
and reached Level 20 before the age of ten — a true prodigy!"
"What? Level 7 at birth, and Level 20 before ten?!
What'd he do, overdose on elixirs or something?"
Shi Mo looked stunned.
Dugu Yan also wore a serious expression, clearly wondering the same thing.
"If you were willing to give up combat soul skills and instead absorb rings that only boost soul power,
you could do the same."
Yun Yibai looked at them calmly, completely unashamed.
"What? His soul rings just boost soul power?"
Hearing that, the twins instantly lost interest.
To them, Yun Yibai was strong — but already crippled in terms of potential.
Yun Yibai let out a soft "heh," and then turned to look at Yu Tianheng.
Yu Tianheng understood the look instantly — that "they just don't get it" kind of expression.
He knew the truth about Yun Yibai.
That his strength was real, and his path was just… different.
Compared to the twins, Dugu Yan had far more insight.
If Yun Yibai were really that simple, Yu Tianheng wouldn't be acting this way around him.
All geniuses shared one trait — they didn't waste time on the weak.
"Forget it. Some things can't be explained.
You'll figure it out when the time comes."
"Alright, alright — let's eat!"
Yu Tianheng changed the subject and led them to a meal.
He sat in the middle.
Yun Yibai sat to his right.
And to Yun Yibai's right… was Dugu Yan.