Douluo: Divine Dragon Pattern Staff

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The Next Day—

Flender took Li Luochen and set off. Li Luochen's first destination was Tian Dou City, the capital of the Tian Dou Empire. He wondered if he might encounter someone with good fortune (or a fool willing to part with their wealth).

Meanwhile, in another part of the world—

Southwest Tian Dou Empire, Fasinuo Province, Notting City.

"Tang San, are you willing to become my disciple?"

The 'profound' Yu Xiaogang spoke to Tang San.

"I bow to you, Master."

Tang San knelt before Yu Xiaogang and kowtowed.

"Ai! A simple bow is enough for becoming a disciple. Kneeling is reserved for one's parents."

Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San with joy, but deep within his eyes lurked a ruthless glint.

"Spirit Hall, the ignorant masses of the continent, and those blind family members... just wait. I will achieve success and prove that my theories are correct. And as for Bi Bi Dong, that wretch who used me and then discarded me—just because she's the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall, I'd have already..."

He paused, shaking his head. "Never mind. At least there's Erlong. But now, that scoundrel Yu Luomian has his eyes on her. How infuriating!"

Thus, the historic scene of Tang San becoming Yu Xiaogang's disciple was completed. But what did this have to do with Li Luochen? At most, it was fodder for some mental rants. A useless person trying to cultivate a genius—telling a boy destined to become a Super Douluo that he could one day become a Title Douluo.

What kind of genius cultivation was this? Any influential faction could nurture a genius. What else did this twenty-nine-level Great Soul Master have besides common knowledge?

Tang San's Blue Silver Grass would undoubtedly be wasted under his guidance, but since he had the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline, it wouldn't matter once it awakened.

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Li Luochen and Flender sat in their carriage, studying the map. Their first stop was Tian Dou City.

"Xiao Chen, your first stop is Tian Dou City? The cost of living there is extremely high. Although we're not short on money now, expenses there are no joke."

Sigh. Flender's miserly tendencies were showing again. Despite his vast wealth—earned through Shao Xin's candies and the hefty bets he placed during Li Luochen's spirit battles—Flender still acted like a cheapskate.

With so much money, why was he still so stingy?...

"Cough, cough, Principal, didn't you say that one corner of your Golden Iron Triangle, the Killing Corner, Liu Erlong, runs an academy in Tian Dou City? Why don't we stay with her?"

Li Luochen decided to give Flender a nudge. Why bother pretending to be such a nice guy? Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong were cousins, yet Flender was still playing matchmaker? Clearly, he had been hung up on Liu Erlong for years.

Why keep being modest? Flender wasn't handsome, but he was strong. At just over forty years old and level 78, why worry about lacking women?

What was so great about Liu Erlong anyway? She was a hot-headed dragoness—a love-struck fool. Li Luochen couldn't understand her appeal.

"This... this isn't appropriate. How can we bother Erlong? She already helped us greatly when hunting my seventh soul ring. To impose on her further by staying at her place would be inappropriate."

Flender reminisced about Liu Erlong's figure from five years ago. She was still so beautiful, so striking. Her violent attacks made her the perfect goddess in his eyes.

Flender's smile grew increasingly lecherous, matching his naturally sly expression. This look left Li Luochen utterly speechless.

"Eh... Principal? Don't tell me you actually like Aunt Erlong? They say she's elegant and beautiful, but with that lecherous grin of yours, no woman would choose you."

Li Luochen decided to push his luck. Even if he got beaten up, it wouldn't kill him. Flender might not be handsome, but he was powerful. Flender and Liu Erlong were well-matched in strength, though Flender was over a decade older than her.

"Hmph! You little brat, how dare you tease me? Do you think I won't punish you? I'll make life difficult for you back at the academy!"

Flender's lecherous smile vanished instantly as he glared at Li Luochen, anger rising in his chest. This insolent brat dared to mock him? He had to teach him a lesson, or his authority as principal would be undermined.

"Come on, Principal, don't tell me I guessed right? You really like Aunt Erlong? Why haven't you won her over yet?"

Flender fell into a reflective mood and recounted the past of the Golden Iron Triangle to Li Luochen.

The general story was something Li Luochen already knew, but Flender added more details.

"So, according to you, Principal, your other friend, the Wisdom Corner, Master Yu Xiaogang, really messed things up. He seduced his own cousin, nearly consummated their relationship, and then fled when caught by his uncle.

Afterward, he abandoned Aunt Erlong to face rumors alone. Honestly, Principal, your friend doesn't seem like much of a man. From what you've said, Yu Xiaogang is good at sweet-talking naive girls.

In the end, you lost because you were too honest, and Yu Xiaogang swooped in. Think about it—he's all talk and no action. His theories are useless.

What's the point of theory at your level? You already know most of what's worth knowing, and knowing too much can be detrimental. The soul master world values strength above all. He probably couldn't even defeat a hundred-year soul beast.

How could Aunt Erlong fall for such a weak, irresponsible man? And why are you so tolerant of him?"

Flender was struck by Li Luochen's words. Yu Xiaogang was indeed nothing special—weak and pretentious. Flender's tolerance for him stemmed from his affection for Liu Erlong, who loved Yu Xiaogang. But Yu Xiaogong had deeply hurt Liu Erlong, and Flender secretly resented him.

Moreover, Flender knew that Yu Xiaogang had a past relationship with Bibi Dong, the current Pope of Spirit Hall and a stunning beauty. Yu Xiaogang had neither looks nor strength—so why did these women favor him?

It was a troubling question. If not for Li Luochen's insight, Flender might have continued tolerating Yu Xiaogang. As a brother, Flender sometimes wanted to punch Yu Xiaogang in the face.

That useless flirt hid behind others during spirit battles, only to return afterward with a mysterious air. Reflecting on it now, Flender found it nauseating.

"So, what brilliant advice do you have, brat? Yes, I admit I like Erlong. But Xiaogang and Erlong are cousins. As long as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family exists, they'll never be together."

Flender crossed his arms, curious to hear Li Luochen's plan.

"Principal, you're too honest. You missed the perfect opportunity. When Aunt Erlong was most vulnerable and hurt, you should have comforted her. Sure, it might feel disloyal to your 'brother,' but look at what a scumbag he is.

And they're cousins! For the sake of his pride, he left her to face the rumors alone. Frankly, it's shameful. You just lacked the guts to step in and console her.

You should have gradually made her comfortable around you, built dependence, and then made your move when the time was right. Cook the rice while the water's boiling, as they say. Given Aunt Erlong's personality, she's likely the type to be fiercely loyal once committed. Such people are hard to win over.

It's up to you, Principal, to break into her heart. Also, I suggest you improve your image. You're not unattractive—you just need better packaging."

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