Chapter 50: Dugu Bo vs Yu Yuanzhen

As the source of the angry voice came into view, Liu Erlong's eyes widened, and she exclaimed, "Clan leader!" Her voice was full of surprise. Standing before us was none other than Yu Yuanzhen, the leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan who was also Liu Erlong's uncle and my biological grandfather. I immediately recognized him from my memories of the novel, a rank 95 Titled Douluo.

"What is the meaning of this commotion?" Yu Yuanzhen demanded, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder. His eyes scanned us, fulled of authority and anger.

Liu Erlong stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Clan leader, please allow me to explain. This young man, Dugu Bei, came to challenge me as part of a fair duel, for me to join his academy. There was no intention of disrespecting the clan or causing such a disturbance."

Yu Yuanzhen's expression darkened further. "Challenge you? Hmph! This is nothing but an excuse to steal a member of our clan without my permission. Unacceptable!"

Before Liu Erlong could respond, my grandfather, Dugu Bo, stepped forward, his calm voice showing contrast to the storm brewing in Yu Yuanzhen's eyes. "Clan Leader Yu," he began, his voice steady and resolute, "Liu Erlong and my grandson decided her joining his academy through a battle. As elders, perhaps it is only fitting that we resolve this dispute in the same manner."

Yu Yuanzhen's gaze snapped to Dugu Bo, his lips curling into a sneer. "You? A Spirit Douluo dare suggest a fight against me, a Titled Douluo? What arrogance gives you such courage?"

A grin spread across my face as I watched the exchange. I had asked Grandpa to keep his ascension to Titled Douluo a secret, so it wasn't surprising that Yu Yuanzhen didn't know the truth. I leaned against a nearby tree, already anticipating the battle. I almost wished for popcorn.

Yu Yuanzhen seemed to consider Dugu Bo's proposal, his pride getting the better of him. "Fine," he said, releasing his spirit rings with a flourish. "Yu Yuanzhen, rank 94 Thunder Douluo." The ground seemed to tremble beneath him as 2 yellow, 2 purple, and 5 black spirit rings floated around him in a majestic display.

Grandpa's smile widened. His spirit rings emerged in a brilliant display as well: 2 yellow, 2 purple, 4 black, and 1 red ring. The sight of the 100,000-year-old spirit ring caused an audible gasp from Yu Yuanzhen and Liu Erlong.

"Dugu Bo," my grandfather announced, "rank 93 Poison Dragon Douluo."

Yu Yuanzhen's brows furrowed in confusion. "Dragon?" he repeated, clearly surprised. He didn't know that my grandfather's martial soul had evolved.

Without further words, Grandpa summoned his martial soul. A magnificent Poison Dragon appeared, its form radiating toxic energy. Its scales glimmered with a sickly green sheen, and its eyes burned with a deadly glow. Yu Yuanzhen's shock was evident as he realized the significance of Dugu Bo's transformation.

I couldn't help but grin wider. This was going to be good.

Yu Yuanzhen quickly recovered, releasing his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. The air crackled with electricity as a colossal dragon wreathed in lightning emerged, its aura dominating the battlefield. The two dragons faced each other, their roars echoing through the forest.

The battle began.

Yu Yuanzhen was the first to attack, striking with a bolt of lightning aimed directly at Dugu Bo. Grandpa dodged it and countered with a wave of poisonous mist that spread rapidly. The mist reacted as it clashed with the residual electricity in the air, creating a toxic storm around them.

"Is this all you've got, Poison Dragon Douluo?" Yu Yuanzhen taunted, his voice laced with disdain. He surged forward, his claws crackling with electricity, aiming to pierce through the mist.

Grandpa smirked, summoning a barrier of green energy. The barrier absorbed the lightning attack, dispersing it harmlessly. With a swift motion, he unleashed another ability sending tendrils of toxic energy spiraling toward Yu Yuanzhen.

The Thunder Douluo countered with his third spirit ability, Lightning Shield. A protective dome of electricity surrounded him, neutralizing the toxic tendrils. He then retaliated with a thunderous roar that sent shockwaves rippling through the air, forcing Grandpa to brace himself.

"Not bad," Grandpa admitted, his tone almost casual. "But let's see how you handle this."

He activated his new domain, Poison Dragon's Domain. The air around him turned a sickly green as the domain spread, saturating the battlefield with corrosive energy. Yu Yuanzhen's lightning flickered and dimmed within the domain, its potency weakened by the oppressive poison.

Yu Yuanzhen snarled, his pride refusing to let him falter. He unleashed his seventh spirit ability, Spirit Avatar, fully transforming into the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. His massive form towered over Grandpa, his electric aura intensifying as he prepared a devastating attack.

Grandpa followed activating his own Spirit Avatar. The Poison Dragon Emperor grew larger and more menacing, its toxic presence becoming nearly unbearable. The two dragons clashed in a fierce fight, their roars shaking the forest.

Yu Yuanzhen struck with his claws, each swipe crackling with lethal electricity. Grandpa countered with his tail, its venomous barbs forcing Yu Yuanzhen to dodge carefully. The ground beneath them scorched and corroded from the sheer intensity of their battle.

The fight was a spectacle of power and strategy. Yu Yuanzhen relied on his overwhelming strength and speed, while Grandpa used his poison and cunning to wear down his opponent. Each exchange was a dance of life and death, neither willing to yield.

As the battle dragged on, it became clear that Yu Yuanzhen was starting to feel the effects of Grandpa's poison. His movements grew slightly sluggish, and his breaths came heavier. The poison wasn't enough to incapacitate him yet, but it was undoubtedly affecting him.

Grandpa noticed this and pressed his advantage, launching a barrage of toxic blasts that forced Yu Yuanzhen to stay on the defensive. The Thunder Douluo countered with his ninth spirit ability, Heavenly Thunderstorm. Bolts of lightning rained down from the sky, striking indiscriminately within the battlefield.

Grandpa narrowly avoided the lightning strikes, his movements agile despite the chaotic onslaught. He retaliated with his ninth spirit ability, Poison Dragon's Wrath. A massive surge of poisonous energy erupted from him, clashing with the lightning in a dazzling display of power.

The forest around them bore the scars of their battle. Trees were charred or dissolved, the ground cracked and scorched. The sheer intensity of their attacks left no doubt that this was a clash of titans.

As the battle reached its climax, both fighters paused momentarily, their breathing heavy. Grandpa smiled, his eyes gleaming with determination. "You're strong, Clan Leader Yu. But you should know my poison has already begun to affect you. The longer this fight continues, the more dangerous it becomes."

Yu Yuanzhen's expression tightened. He knew Dugu Bo was right. The poison in his body was growing more potent with each passing moment, and while he could still fight, the risk of lasting damage was becoming too great.

Grandpa, sensing the opportunity to end the battle without escalating further, offered a proposition. "Let's call it a tie. No need to continue this fight and risk unnecessary harm. What do you say?"

Yu Yuanzhen hesitated, his pride clashing with his practicality. After a moment, he nodded grudgingly. "Very well. A tie it is."

The tension in the air dissipated as the two Titled Douluos retracted their spirit avatars and returned to their human forms. Grandpa's smile remained, his victory hidden behind the guise of diplomacy.

As the dust settled, an uneasy silence hung over the battlefield. But my grin widened once more as I heard Yu Yuanzhen mutter under his breath, "Dugu Bo, you have earned my respect today."