3: Dragon energy! The Empire's salvation?

Yu Tianheng said something.

Yu Mengzhang didn't listen; his entire mind was currently drawn to the surrounding tombs.

He finally understood what was resonating with him.

Dragon Qi!

The traces of Dragon Qi left behind by the deaths of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan Spirit Masters.

His Azure Dragon was calling out to that Dragon Qi.

For the Azure Dragon to fully evolve, it needed three paths.

Purify the Bloodline to forge its body, gather Dragon Qi to condense its soul, and reach Karma Perfection to summon its divinity.

And the Dragon Qi remaining in this entire Family graveyard...

...was the best supplement for the Dragon Soul!

The natives of the Douluo Continent didn't know its value; let alone absorbing Dragon Qi, they couldn't even perceive this high-dimensional energy.

But he was different!

"The ceremony is over. Everyone return to rest. Tomorrow is the internal clan Spirit Fight..."

The Second in Command, Yu Luomian, led the way out.

Yu Mengzhang didn't move. Looking at the white tombstones, he could see dragon-shaped figures floating above them.

Soon, most people had left.

The Tomb-guarding Spirit Master responsible for the graveyard walked up and urged, "Go back, don't linger here..."

Yu Mengzhang looked up at him and asked, "Can I stay a bit longer?"

The Spirit Master frowned, just about to speak.

"If he wants to stay, then let him be. His parents are buried here too; he should be allowed to pay his respects."

Yu Tianxin approached with several children of the same age and spoke to the Spirit Master.

The Tomb-guarding Spirit Master glanced at Yu Mengzhang in surprise. "Ah... alright, but be mindful and don't damage the offerings."

After saying that, the Tomb-guarding Spirit Master gave Yu Tianxin a flattering smile before leaving.

Yu Tianxin looked at Yu Mengzhang and nodded slightly. "Yu Mengzhang, I know you. You are a member of our branch."

"Thank you," Yu Mengzhang nodded in gratitude.

A smile appeared on Yu Tianxin's face as he sized up Yu Mengzhang.

He was willing to help because of Yu Mengzhang's excellent appearance; he didn't look like an ordinary person.

Several teenagers also began to strike up a conversation.

"Mengzhang, we are the real Family. As long as you follow Brother Tianxin, we'll be good brothers!"

"Right, the main house is too overbearing. We have to stick together! Watch the clan Spirit Fight tomorrow and cheer for Brother Tianxin!"

"Mengzhang, you have Innate Full Spirit Power after all. The main house actually refused to nurture you because of your Spirit. They're really blin—cough cough."

"..."

The teenagers' voices were filled with resentment.

Yu Tianxin coughed lightly and frowned. "Don't talk nonsense. You can't afford the sin of disrupting Family harmony!"

Yu Mengzhang suddenly asked, "The Family wants to buy our village's land. Brother Tianxin, do you know about this?"

A flash of embarrassment crossed Yu Tianxin's face.

"Perhaps... it's the people below acting on their own. After all, our Family isn't as wealthy as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."

"But selling the land to the clan isn't necessarily a bad thing. At least no one will starve. Besides, there's no other way now, is there?"

Yu Tianxin sighed, seemingly losing interest in the conversation.

The other teenagers stopped their clamoring as well.

After a few brief words, they turned and left.

"..." Yu Mengzhang watched their retreating figures, understanding something.

Buying the land of branch clan members at a low price was not something the Upper Three Sects would normally do. However, what was originally a high-price purchase became like this after layers of exploitation.

There was a high probability that Yu Tianxin's branch was also involved.

Yu Mengzhang shook his head. Regardless, he wouldn't let the villagers who had raised him for years lose their final reliance.

He looked up at the sky. The thin white clouds couldn't block the harsh sunlight, which still baked the skin dry.

The ground was even more unbearable... In this kind of weather, could it really rain?

Yu Mengzhang wove through the tombs with practiced ease, stopping in front of a small grave in a corner.

The tombstone was very short, and the small altar was covered in dust, neglected by everyone.

He knelt before it and cleaned it with his sleeve.

This was where his parents were buried.

Shortly after he was born, a Spirit Beast suddenly appeared near the village and went on a rampage. His parents stepped forward and unfortunately died.

He didn't actually feel much familial affection for this couple.

But blood is thicker than water. In front of this grave, he felt an inexplicable connection.

Looking up, he saw two faint dragon shapes looking down at him, their eyes filled with pity and love.

He kowtowed three times.

As he straightened up, a green light flashed beside him.

The "Green Lizard" appeared, its golden eyes shining brightly. It looked around and stomped its short legs in excitement.

Yu Mengzhang curled his lips slightly and opened his arms as if to embrace the World.

The two dragon shapes above his parents' grave transformed from wisps of smoke into a young man and woman.

They dove down simultaneously into Yu Mengzhang's embrace.

After a momentary embrace, they both entered Yu Mengzhang's body.

"Help me gather Dragon Qi today, and in the future, I shall avert the calamity of the Family's destruction." Yu Mengzhang spoke softly.

Immediately after, the Dragon Qi in the entire Dragon Valley seemed to receive a summons, flocking toward Yu Mengzhang.

"Ying...!"

The "Green Lizard" let out a cheerful cry.

As the Dragon Qi continued to pour in...

...both Yu Mengzhang and it were replenished.

A sacred and noble temperament was being continuously molded.

Even if there was no change in his appearance, he already possessed a hint of the Azure Dragon's charm.

His golden eyes shimmered with divinity.

A faint green light radiated from the "Green Lizard," rising upward as if trying to condense into something.

Hundreds and thousands of strands of Dragon Qi were continuously empowering Yu Mengzhang!

...In the village.

The village chief and the others weren't worried when they didn't see Yu Mengzhang return; instead, they were very happy.

"Mengzhang must have been accepted by the clan, right? That's how it should be! Only then will our hearts not be chilled!"

The village chief said excitedly to the villagers beside him, his face beaming with smiles.

The villagers were also full of pleasant surprise.

"That's wonderful. Mengzhang has suffered with us for so many years. His parents were heroes!"

"That child Mengzhang will surely make a name for himself!"

"Wuwuwu, I'm going to miss Mengzhang..."

"..."

A sentimental village woman grabbed her apron and wiped the uncontrollable tears from her face.

The village chief fell silent for a moment, then wiped the corners of his eyes and suggested:

"In a few days, we'll sell some land and save up some money to send to Mengzhang. Being in the clan costs money, and without it, the child might not be able to hold his head high."

"Right, right, right..."

The villagers all nodded in agreement.

Just then, a simple-looking young man walked in, looking dejected.

"Shazhu, what's wrong?"

The village chief asked.

Shazhu's face flushed red as he said angrily, "Father! The Empire wants to provide relief to the disaster-stricken villages, but because we belong to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the Empire can't interfere! They can only issue orders to supervise..."

"..."

Everyone's heart couldn't help but darken.

The Family wanted to "buy" their land.

How could they possibly give them relief money?

An imperial order, in the eyes of the Upper Three Sects, was nothing more than a fart!