2: The evolution of the Azure Dragon, the fighting spirit within the clan!

"Head of the Four Symbols? The Azure Dragon of the East?"

Yu Mengzhang's breath hitched as he recalled the voice in his mind.

He knew of the Four Symbols, which maintained the Yin and Yang balance between heaven and earth and the harmony of nature, often called the Four Saints or the Four Sacred Beasts. And the Azure Dragon was the God of the East, the head of the "Four Spirits of Heaven."

It was the "noblest of the Heavenly Gods," with legends even claiming it created heaven, earth, and the four dimensions.

It was even the totem of a certain great nation and one of the sources of an emperor's power... the True Dragon Son of Heaven.

But Yu Mengzhang preferred his divine title, "Divine Lord Mengzhang!"

At this moment, he hugged the "Green Lizard" tightly, their hearts no longer separated by any barrier. He understood more clearly than ever how great and sacred his Spirit was!

One person, one Spirit, their souls blending as if becoming one.

A faint green light radiated from the "Green Lizard," bleeding into Yu Mengzhang's body.

Together, they exuded a faint divinity.

Countless pieces of information were transmitted from the "Green Lizard" to Yu Mengzhang.

After a long while.

Yu Mengzhang opened his eyes, and all his doubts vanished.

He finally knew why he had awakened a "Green Lizard."

For how could the Azure Dragon of the East fully manifest in his current self?

His Innate Full Spirit Power was only just enough to summon it.

Only now, through telepathy, had he truly merged with it.

But to manifest the true Azure Dragon, he had to become stronger and find ways to make the "Green Lizard" evolve!

Yu Mengzhang looked into the "Green Lizard's" eyes and saw in their reflection that his own pupils had turned gold!

As the head of the Four Symbols, the Azure Dragon could actively sense what it lacked.

It was as natural as a person feeling hunger when they needed energy.

"I need to increase my Soul Power, purify my Bloodline, absorb Dragon Qi, and accumulate Karma... only then can the Azure Dragon gradually manifest."

Yu Mengzhang frowned slightly; there were many paths, but none were simple.

He clenched his fist, feeling the power contained within his body.

Although it was still just a "Green Lizard," the boost it gave him was definitely incomparable to ordinary Spirits!

"Ying ying..."

The "Green Lizard" let out a cry, its figure fading and gradually dissipating.

Yu Mengzhang snapped back to his senses, a strange thought suddenly occurring to him.

"Could the reason Yu Xiaogang never discovered the miraculous nature of his Spirit be because he never truly accepted Luo San Pao?"

...The next day.

Yu Mengzhang slept until the sun was high in the sky before waking up.

As soon as he stepped out, he heard the sound of discussion outside.

"My lord, could you offer a bit more? Our land consists of good fields; you're driving the price down too hard..."

"Indeed, it's only a drought this year. In previous years, the harvest was quite good. You can't do this."

"We are of the same Family, how can you, how can you do this?"

"..."

In the courtyard, the villagers were pleading with a young man, their complaints bordering on begging.

The young man said indifferently, "This is the price. If you sell these fields to the Family, you'll be farming for the Family from now on, and you'll have security. It's for your own good, so don't be ungrateful."

"Otherwise, you can just wait for rain. The Heaven Dou Empire is overwhelmed and won't care about you, haha..."

The young man curled his lip; there was a severe drought around Heaven Dou City, and it might not even rain this year!

The villagers looked miserable and hesitant.

Yu Mengzhang couldn't help but feel a surge of anger.

"For their own good" my foot!

If the fields were sold, they would effectively become tenant farmers for the Family.

They would be like the "beasts of burden" from his previous era before the liberation!

What Family sentiment? This was clearly the work of blood-sucking local tyrants!

Yu Mengzhang clenched his fists, feeling the fire of his rage intensify.

He stepped forward quickly.

"Fine..." the Village Head was just about to agree.

"Don't sell! We're not selling!"

Yu Mengzhang suddenly spoke up, interrupting the Village Head.

"Mengzhang..."

The villagers looked embarrassed, glancing at Yu Mengzhang with some apology.

The Village Head sighed, his old face flushing. "Mengzhang, we woke you up... don't worry about this, we know what we're doing..."

Yu Mengzhang grabbed the Village Head's large hand and said seriously:

"Grandpa Village Head, trust me, there's no need to sell!"

"..."

The Village Head looked at Yu Mengzhang's small face, hesitated, and then nodded helplessly.

"Alright..."

The young man said impatiently, "Stop dawdling. The longer you wait, the lower the price will be! You won't be able to get a better price later! You're Yu Mengzhang, right?"

"That's me."

"Good, follow me. Newly awakened Family Disciples all have the chance to participate in the sacrificial rites and pay respects to the ancestors."

After saying this, the young man turned and left.

Yu Mengzhang glanced at the Village Head and the others. "Grandpa Village Head, I have a way. Don't sell the land yet!"

After shouting this, he followed the young man... Inside the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Dragon Valley.

This was the burial ground for all Spirit Masters within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Rows of tall tombstones stood, crafted from white marble.

Thunder rumbled from thin air occasionally, and banners fluttered loudly.

In an open area, about seventy or eighty children who had awakened this year stood with older youths, following the Second in Command in the ritual.

"Ancestors and sages of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, this year, seventy-six children have awakened their Spirits..."

Yu Luomian, the Second in Command, announced loudly.

Yu Mengzhang stood in the crowd, gazing at the various foods on the sacrificial altar, his eyes cold.

Those sacrificial foods were delicacies that the villagers might not even taste once a year!

While the village was plagued by drought.

The Family, instead of offering support out of Family sentiment, took the opportunity to engage in land annexation, forcing people into being beasts of burden.

Was such a Family truly worthy of his respect?

Yu Mengzhang clenched his fists, a surge of anger roiling in his heart.

Soon, another strange sense of "resonance" echoed within him.

Giving him a strange feeling of wanting to "burst forth."

At this time, Yu Luomian called upon the youth representative, Yu Tianheng, to come forward and speak.

Yu Tianheng was three or four years older than Yu Mengzhang and was the Family's number one Genius, enjoying boundless glory.

But not everyone was convinced... "This guy again! Isn't it just because he's from the direct line? Otherwise, I don't think he's necessarily stronger than you, Brother Tianxin!"

"The Clan Spirit Battle is about to begin this year. Brother Tianxin, you'll definitely be able to knock him down! Win back all the prize money and honor!"

"..."

Several youths were muttering in Yu Mengzhang's ear.

He looked back and saw those youths surrounding a boy of similar age who bore some resemblance to Yu Tianheng; this was the Yu Tianxin they were talking about.

"Everyone shut up, don't talk nonsense. The Clan Spirit Battle depends on one's own ability, not on talk..."

Yu Tianxin said indifferently.

The several youths nodded repeatedly.

Yu Mengzhang suppressed the strange feeling and moved his gaze away from the graveyard. He could tell that the other boy also harbored resentment in his heart!

However, the Clan Spirit Battle was also an opportunity he valued.

The participants were all youths under the age of ten, competing to determine the strongest.

The winner would receive a massive prize of five hundred gold coins.

Along with some sort of Family honor.

Yu Mengzhang didn't care about the latter, but he desperately needed the gold coins!

Right now, with the Azure Dragon's enhancement, he might just be able to go toe-to-toe with Yu Tianheng!

For the village!!!"