7: They deserve to die.

Inside the grand arena of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, a stage was set. Standing upon it was the valiant and heroic Yu Tianheng, surrounded by an audience of the clan's youths who cheered for the battle on the stage from time to time.

By now, Yu Tianheng had already defeated several youths of his age within the clan.

He was currently in his moment of glory.

On the higher viewing platform, the central chair remained empty, while on the right sat the Second in Command, Yu Luomian, leaning his head on his hand with an expressionless face.

The other high-ranking members beside him were all smiles, offering their praise one after another.

"Tianheng has the potential of a Titled Douluo. Not bad; at such a young age, he already possesses some of the First Master's demeanor."

"In this year's Internal Clan Spirit Fight, Tianheng should be the winner again."

"Tianheng should go to the Heaven Dou Imperial Spirit Master Academy. Studying there will also allow him to get to know the Heaven Dou Nobles..."

"..."

Hearing the praise from the surrounding high-ranking members, Yu Luomian's brow furrowed slightly.

He grew even more impatient!

Yu Tianheng belonged to his elder brother's lineage, and he certainly did not like that!

At that moment, a Spirit Master came running up and reported, "Second in Command, the thunder just now caused the main gate to collapse, and a Deacon has died..."

Yu Luomian waved his hand dismissively and said, "If the wall collapsed, fix it; if someone died, bury them."

The Spirit Master looked embarrassed and added, "Also, the First Prince of Heaven Dou, Xue Qinghe, has arrived and wishes to see you."

"Bring him over."

Yu Luomian sat up straight, adjusting his attitude.

Although Xue Qinghe was currently just a youth and his status could not be compared to his own, he still could not be underestimated!

Soon, Xue Qinghe and a guard were brought in.

Yu Luomian invited him to sit beside him.

"What brings Your Highness to our place at this time?" Yu Luomian asked, knowing the answer full well while watching the battle on the field.

Xue Qinghe smiled slightly and explained, "Second in Command, I have come for the relief funds. This year's severe drought means the harvest is looking grim, and the farmers are bound to suffer. My Father Emperor is concerned for the people and hopes that the nobles and Sects of each fief can contribute together to provide relief..."

Yu Luomian didn't wait for him to finish before suddenly bursting into laughter.

Xue Qinghe was slightly taken aback and asked in confusion, "Second in Command, did I, Qinghe, say something discourteous?"

Yu Luomian waved his hand and laughed, "No, you weren't discourteous, just too naive... Your Highness, do you really want to provide relief to those who dig for food in the dirt?"

Xue Qinghe looked at Yu Luomian in confusion, not understanding his meaning.

Yu Luomian yawned, and seeing Xue Qinghe's innocent expression, he grew interested. "Your Highness, do you think the Empire's wealth is insufficient to solve the disaster?"

"This..." Xue Qinghe hesitated for a moment.

"A single gold coin can feed an ordinary family of three for several months. Five gold coins are enough for them to survive a year without starving to death. I don't know how many gold coins are in the Heaven Dou Empire's treasury, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School can easily produce fifty million gold coins, which could help ten million households live for a year without worrying about their livelihood."

Yu Luomian said indifferently, "If it were only a matter of wealth, there should be no refugees in the World."

"..." Xue Qinghe opened his mouth and stared at Yu Luomian.

Yu Luomian continued, "But no one would do such a stupid thing. Neither the Empire, the nobles, nor the Sects would ever go that far."

"Why?" Xue Qinghe's voice was somewhat raspy.

Yu Luomian chuckled and said, "Human desires only grow. When they are hungry, they want to eat; when they have food, they want to eat well. Once their appetite is satisfied, they will have even more desires... But, are they worthy?"

"..." Xue Qinghe was left speechless.

Yu Luomian lamented, "This World is meant to be divided into ranks and classes. If everyone could eat well and enjoy the offerings of others, then what would be the point of our existence?"

"The only purpose for those incompetent fools to live is to serve us. There are many of them, and they are inexhaustible. They are like wheat; once one crop is harvested, another will always grow."

"Only through constant harvesting can we prevent them from growing ambitious and coveting our status. Therefore... they deserve to die, and they must die. We cannot let them eat their fill, and we certainly cannot let them live well."

Yu Luomian smiled and took an emerald-green Crystal Grape from the fruit plate, placing it in front of Xue Qinghe.

"This Crystal Grape costs one gold coin for a single bunch, which is equivalent to..."

Xue Qinghe swallowed hard. "Equivalent to several months' worth of food for a family of three..."

"Exactly. They are merely beasts of burden who happen to look like us. Would you have the nobles and Sects cut off their own flesh for the sake of beasts of burden? It is a thankless task. Your Highness, if I were you, I would simply issue a call to action. On the surface, you can provide some relief around Heaven Dou City just for show, and that will be enough."

Yu Luomian looked at the stage. At this moment, Yu Tianxin had stepped up and was fighting intensely with Yu Tianheng.

He was still fiddling with that Crystal Grape in his hand.

Xue Qinghe's expression was conflicted, and he subconsciously bit his lip, a look of terror flashing across his face from time to time.

Yes, terror. She looked at the fair hands on her lap.

They seemed to be covered in scales; they were no longer human hands, but those of a demon, a predator.

Yu Luomian glanced at Xue Qinghe's reaction with great interest.

"Your Highness, do not feel any psychological pressure. Survival of the fittest is how it should be. Didn't it rain today? Perhaps those who dig in the dirt can pray for another rain... Heh, though that is basically impossible now."

"..." Xue Qinghe was unable to respond.

Yu Luomian pointed at the two youths on the stage and continued:

"Your Highness, do not have any psychological burden. Everything we enjoy is because we are stronger. For example, those two boys—if you look outside, among a million of those who dig in the dirt, you probably wouldn't find a single one who could stand as their equal."

"We only look alike, but we have long since ceased to be the same species."

Yu Luomian shrugged, speaking as if it were a matter of course.

Xue Qinghe replied with a raspy voice, "As expected of the talents from the Upper Three Sects..."

On the stage, the two youths had reached a fever pitch in their battle.

The fight was intense and exciting; the audience didn't even dare to cheer, fearing they might affect the two on the stage.

"Whiz...!!!"

Yu Luomian suddenly flicked the Crystal Grape from his hand.

The Crystal Grape struck Yu Tianxin just as he was about to release a Spirit Ability.

Yu Tianxin's body stiffened for a moment.

Yu Tianheng seized this opportunity, striking first with his Spirit Ability and knocking Yu Tianxin off the stage.

Immediately, a thunderous roar of applause erupted from below.

Yu Tianheng was panting heavily on the stage, his face filled with excitement.

"Who else wants to challenge me?!"

Yu Tianheng asked loudly.

His unrestrained and bold voice drowned out the applause.

The youths below looked at each other.

Even Yu Tianxin was no match for him; it was even more impossible for others of the same age to contend with Yu Tianheng.

The referee stepped onto the stage, about to announce the winner of the Spirit Fight.

An ethereal voice suddenly rang out.

"Me."

Everyone looked around in surprise, trying to find the source of the voice.

While no one was paying attention, a figure had already appeared on the stage.