Duoluo Dalu: Hail Hydra

Just as the referee raised his hand to announce the results, "Winner-"

"WAIT!"

Yu Zhenhai, the Grand Elder, roared loud enough to shake the entire arena.

The referee flinched so hard he nearly fell off the stage.

The crowd, who had already started cheering, froze mid-clap. One disciple was so stunned that he kept clapping alone for a full five seconds before awkwardly stopping.

Yu Feng, still lying on the ground, half-conscious, mumbled, "I'm not done yet..." before passing out again.

Xiaotian, standing in the center of the ring, sighed softly, the very image of patience and understanding.

Ah, the struggles of being an outstanding genius. I suppose absolute victory must be handled with grace.

With a calm smile, he looked at the Grand Elder.

"Is something wrong, Grand Elder?"

Yu Zhenhai narrowed his eyes. "That pill you took, what was it?"

The elders immediately murmured among themselves.

"Indeed, that pill seemed too powerful!"

"How could a child like him possess such a treasure? Did some hidden master take him as a disciple?"

"Was it given by an outsider, is he a traitor?"

"Did he steal it? Will a stronger sect member from another continent come looking for him?"

Xiaotian blinked. Then, with slow and deliberate movement he reached into his sleeve.

Pulled out another identical pill and popped it into his mouth.

He chewed. Loudly.

CRUNCH! CRUNCH!

Then, with an elegant motion,he stuck out his tongue.

A candy! A sugary, purple fruit-flavored candy.

"...It's candy," Xiaotian said, voice as calm as a lake.

The crowd went silent.

Yu Zhenhai's eyebrow twitched. "What...?"

Xiaotian held up the small bag in his sleeve.

"Would you like one?" he offered politely. "It's called 'Thunderberry Chewies.' Very popular among kids."

"...!!"

One elder nearly fainted, choking on his saliva.

The disciples who had accused him gaped like fish.

Even Yu Yuanzhen, the Clan Patriarch, sighed in sheer exhaustion.

With that, the pill issue ceased to exist.

Because no one, not even the most stubborn elder, Yu Luomian, was going to admit that they were fooled by a mere boy not even 10 years of age. They simply pretended it had never happened.

Yu Zhenhai, face dark as a thundercloud, growled, "Then what about your spirit ring? You claimed it was from a Void-Eyed Snake, but that spirit beast cannot create clones!"

Xiaotian nodded seriously.

"You are correct, Grand Elder," he admitted smoothly.

The elders leaned forward. The audience held their breath. Xiaotian smiled slightly.

"In truth, my spirit ring did not come from a Void-Eyed Snake."

"Then what was it?!"

He paused for effect. Then, in a calm and scholarly tone, he answered: "Mirrorcoil Viper."

GASP!

One elder actually fell off his chair.

The Mirrorcoil Viper. A rare snake-type spirit beast known for its ability to create two true clones of itself!

"That... That explains everything!"

"But Mirrorcoil Vipers are difficult to find!"

"His martial soul has such compatibility?"

Xiaotian, smiling warmly, nodded.

"It took me great effort, but I eventually found one. It was a valuable opportunity for growth."

Xiaotian lied through his teeth. For who's going to prove him otherwise?

The elders murmured in approval.

Yu Zhenhai still looked suspicious, but he couldn't refute the explanation.

One by one, other elders started asking questions. Xiaotian answered them all.

Every word calm, polite, and reasonable.

Every explanation flawless.

Every doubt expertly silenced.

And then he changed the flow of the conversation. "...As for my brother, Yu Feng," Xiaotian continued, voice filled with regret, "I must say, I did not wish for this outcome."

The elders turned their attention back to Yu Feng's unconscious body.

Yu Zhenhai frowned. "What are you implying?"

Xiaotian sighed. "The role of Clan Heir is an important responsibility. It requires not only talent but wisdom and decision making ability."

"You can't be serious!" one elder shot up, his voice laced with disbelief.

"Is this some kind of joke?! I know where you are leading the conversation. A mutated spirit as a clan heir? Have we fallen so low?" Yu Luomian sneered.

The crowd erupted in agreement.

"He tricked his opponent with deception! Is that what we want in a clan heir?"

"His talent is undeniable, but his character!"

"Void-Eyed Snake? Mirrorcoil Viper? Thunderberry chewies? What next? A Titled Duoluo's soul hides in his ring?"

Yu Feng's closest supporters, still kneeling next to their unconscious young master, scowled. "He is a schemer! Who knows what kind of demonic tricks he's hiding?"

"Such a schemer! how can we trust him?"

The murmurs grew. A tide of doubt, anger, and resentment surged through the elders and disciples alike.

But in the eye of the storm, Xiaotian stood perfectly still.

He sighed. Softly, patiently.

Then, he raised a hand. And smiled.

Not in arrogance. Not in mockery.

But like a senior brother dealing with noisy juniors who still had much to learn. "Ah, I see. So this is the wisdom of our clan elders?" Xiaotian's voice was light, almost amused. "How fascinating."

The crowd stilled. Even Yu Zhenhai frowned. "...What do you mean?"

Xiaotian chuckled.

Then, with the ease of a man sharpening a blade, he spoke:

"You say my spirit is trash because it mutated? Yet, this so-called trash defeated the young master of our noble Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."

A sharp silence.

Xiaotian tilted his head, his smile deepening. "Tell me, then, dear elders. If my spirit is trash, what does that make Yu Feng?"

The words fell like a guillotine. The elders flinched. Yu Feng's supporters turned pale. The crowd gasped.

Xiaotian continued, voice smooth as ever. "If a mutated spirit is weak by nature, then Yu Feng, a proud inheritor of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, should have crushed me instantly. But he didn't."

He swept his gaze over the crowd, his expression one of pure curiosity.

"Why?"

No one dared to answer. Xiaotian didn't need them to.

"Perhaps," he mused, "it's because martial souls are not inherently weak or strong. Perhaps it is the wielder who determines their value. A lesson, I believe, we were all taught as children. But forgot later..."

He turned, looking directly at the elder who had mocked his 'trash' martial soul.

"Are you suggesting that our Clan's teachings are wrong?"

The elder turned red. "T-That's not what I-"

Xiaotian pressed on.

"You judge a spirit by its appearance. But wasn't my twin, Xiaogang's Luo San Pao ridiculed for being a 'useless' martial soul? And yet today, you all watched as he dominated the stage."

He gestured to the ring, where Xiaogang had won his battle.

"Was that victory an illusion? Did we all imagine it?"

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

Xiaogang, who had been watching with wide eyes, suddenly straightened in realization.

He... He's using me as proof. He's turning their own biases against them!

Xiaotian smiled warmly, as if addressing old friends.

"Now, let's return to Yu Feng. If mutated spirits are inherently weak, then how did he lose? If my win was deception, why did none of you call it out before he was defeated?"

He sighed. "Today, we saw how easily Yu Feng was tricked and overpowered."

Silence.

"How impulsively he acted."

More silence.

"How he could not see through the most basic deceptions."

A long, heavy silence.

Then, Xiaotian delivered the final blow.

"Would you entrust the future of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to someone who is so... gullible?"

No answer.

"You say I am unworthy because I am a schemer. Yet, our clan values wisdom, intelligence, and leadership. Would you prefer a leader who charges blindly into battle, or one who outsmarts his enemies?"

Still no answer.

He folded his arms, looking at the elders expectantly. But no one spoke. They couldn't.

Every argument they had raised, every accusation, had been flipped, twisted, and turned against them.

Xiaotian had given them only two choices:

1. Admit that martial souls are not trash, and that a fighter's skill matters more than their spirit.

2. Admit that Yu Feng was not qualified to be Clan Heir.

Either way, they lost. Slowly, reluctantly, the tide began to turn.

Some elders coughed awkwardly, pretending they had never doubted him in the first place.

Others looked away, ashamed.

One elder, unable to take the humiliation, forced himself to nod.

"...Xiaotian's words are reasonable," he muttered. "We should not judge purely based on spirit appearance."

"Indeed," another elder quickly added, "his battle strategy was... commendable. A true leader must have foresight."

One by one, they caved.

Even Yu Zhenhai, veins still bulging in frustration, could do nothing but scowl.

Xiaotian, ever gracious in victory, bowed politely.

"I thank the elders for their understanding," he said, voice laced with honey.

And then, Yu Yuanzhen, the clan patriarch, who had been silent the whole time, finally spoke.

"...You make a strong argument, Xiaotian."

Xiaotian bowed slightly. "I merely wish for the clan's future to be in good hands, Patriarch."

Yu Yuanzhen sighed. "...Xiaotian will replace Yu Feng as the new Clan Heir."

Crowd cheered!

An elder who had been the loudest in criticizing Xiaotian suddenly, exclaimed. "Yes... It's only fair that Xiaotian becomes the clan heir!"

Another elder nodded hastily. "Indeed. It is only right."

The elders, now enthusiastically supported him as the new clan heir. Even those who had doubted him earlier now spoke in his favor, eager to align themselves with him.

Xiaotian smiled internally. And that, my dear elders, is how you win a fight without lifting a finger.

Meanwhile, Xiaotian remained the very image of humility.

He simply nodded, giving a gentle smile.

"This victory is not mine alone," he said, voice steady and graceful. "It is the victory of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, as we strive together for a brighter future."

The disciples nearly exploded in cheers.

"How wise!"

"So calm and composed!"

"A true leader!"

Elders couldn't help but be impressed.

Xiaotian turned to his father, the Patriarch.

Yu Yuanzhen studied him for a long moment before nodding...You truly are my son.

For just a second, something warm flickered in his eyes. Xiaotian saw it. And for the briefest moment, he felt a little warmth too. Not that he would admit it.

With a respectful bow, he stepped down from the stage. His gang rushed to greet him, celebrating loudly.

And as for Yu Feng... Well, he was still unconscious.

Xiaotian sighed dramatically. "Truly, my dear brother," he murmured to himself, "you have given me such an opportunity. I shall be forever grateful."

And with that, the new Clan heir made his way to his new home. A grand mansion filled with all the resources he could ever need.

Later that evening, Xiaotian was summoned to his father's office.

Yu Yuanzhen leaned back in his chair. "Xiaotian, I must ask you about Xiaogang's martial soul."

Xiaotian kept his expression neutral. "What about it, Father?"

"How did he grow so strong? That beast was weak before."

"Ah." Xiaotian nodded knowingly. "It is due to his Thunderquill Hawk lineage."

Yu Yuanzhen frowned. "But why not get a draconic snake or a reptilian spirit ring instead? Surely, that would be better?"

Xiaotian chuckled softly.

"Father, do you know what creature is actually closest to dragons?"

Yu Yuanzhen raised an eyebrow. "Snakes and other lizards, obviously."

Xiaotian smiled.

"Wrong."

"…What?"

"It's birds."

Yu Yuanzhen narrowed his eyes. "Explain."

Xiaotian casually listed the evidence.

"Birds have hollow bones, just like ancient dragons."

"Birds have scales on their legs, just like dragons."

"Birds have a wishbone, which is present in ancient dragon fossils."

"Thus, biologically speaking... birds are closer to dragons than snakes."

Yu Yuanzhen was speechless. The sheer logic overwhelmed him.

"...Xiaotian, this contribution to the clan's knowledge is significant." He exhaled deeply. "As a reward, you will receive a weapon… when you turn 14."

Xiaotian bowed gracefully. "Thank you, Father."

A grand feast was underway.

Mou San, Si Lin, Hou'er, Kong, the twins, and even Croc Hua were celebrating.

"To Young master!" Mou San cheered.

"To our new clan heir!" Si Lin shouted.

"To our new senior brother!" Hou'er shared the enthusiasm with a slight blush on her face.

Meng Kong? Well, he was in his own world making out with beef ribs.

Xiaotian raised a cup of tea, maintaining his refined senior brother persona.

"Everyone, gather here tomorrow at noon," he said calmly.

"Why noon?" Hou'er asked.

"Because in the morning, I will receive the fresh batch of Clan Heir's cultivation resources."

The group exploded in cheers.

Xiaogang, looking around his new mansion, sighed. "Do I really have to live here?"

Xiaotian patted his shoulder. "Yes."

"...Fine."

Croc Hua had already claimed the lotus pond in the backyard.

Xiaotian stood on the wooden bridge leading to the gazebo in the middle of the pond, gazing at the moonlit water.

He turned to Croc Hua.

And in a deep, philosophical voice, he said, "A pond is only as strong as the crocodile that rules it."

Croc Hua looked at him with puzzled eyes.

"You didn't understand a word, but yet you enjoyed it's beauty didn't you?"

Croc Hua nodded.

"That, my dear jade... Is the peak of 'The Art of Bullshit'!"

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A/N: I've decided to upload more chapter sin my free time, rather than putting this on hiatus completely.

Also, join my discord channel: https://discord.gg/Kqz6d4hE