Chapter 32: The Breaking Clan

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Xinglong City

"Finally, after fifteen days of travel, I've arrived. Now, I just need to find the location of the Breaker Clan."

Dugu Bo stopped a passerby in Xinglong City and asked for the whereabouts of the Breaker Clan's base.

Outside the Breaking Clan's Gates

"Damn you, Hao Tian Sect! Damn you, Spirit Hall! It's all because of them that our Breaking Clan has suffered so much. My wife died during the clan's relocation!"

One of the guards at the gate cursed loudly, and even the other guard nodded in agreement, their faces filled with hatred.

"You're absolutely right. That arrogant Hao Tian Sect never gave us a second glance. Their core disciples looked down on everyone. And what about our clan leader? He lost his wife and children, and Elder Wu Shuang went missing. 

Now, Spirit Hall keeps pressuring us. Fortunately, our clan's alchemy skills are top-notch, so we can make money quickly. But pity the Agile Clan—they live in poverty."

The two guards kept talking, lamenting the plight of the Agile Clan, another of the four single-attribute clans.

Dugu Bo had been listening for a while. 'So this is how cowardly the Hao Tian Sect is—abandoning even their affiliated clans. And they call themselves the number one sect in the world? Hmph, I have no respect for them.'

'If it weren't for Tang Chen, and later Tang Hao, rising to prominence, who knows where they'd be now. Tang Hao made quite a name for himself when he killed Pope Qian Xunji, though he was exiled from the sect afterward. "Hao Tian Hammer, Majestic Hao Tian Sect"? Ha! They're nothing but cowards.'

Dugu Bo didn't hold the Hao Tian Sect in high regard. As a lone-wolf Title Douluo, no one dared to provoke him, and he had no interest in meddling in the sect's affairs.

As for Tang Chen, he respected him deeply. After all, Tang Chen had led the Hao Tian Sect to become the number one sect in the world. A 99-level Limit Douluo, Tang Chen was truly remarkable. As for Tang Hao, Dugu Bo thought of him as a madman—someone bold enough to fight and kill even the Pope.

With a flicker of movement, Dugu Bo appeared at the gates of the Breaking Clan.

"Who goes there!"

The two guards immediately shouted, releasing their martial souls. Four soul rings appeared around each of them, and a pitch-black spear, over ten feet long, materialized in their hands. The spear gleamed coldly, its shaft eight feet long and its broad spearhead four feet in length, as thick as an ordinary person's arm.

The Soul Breaking Spear, a pure offensive weapon-type martial soul, was one of the top five most powerful offensive martial souls on the continent. Unfortunately, the Breaking Clan currently lacked a Title Douluo.

"Hmph," Dugu Bo sneered, releasing the imposing aura of a Title Douluo. He addressed the guards, "I am Dugu Bo. I seek an audience with your clan leader."

The overwhelming presence of a Title Douluo caused the two Spirit Sage guards to break into a cold sweat. Moments later, a powerful aura emerged from within the Breaker Clan.

A sharp point of light shot toward Dugu Bo's heart. It was Yang Wudi, the clan leader. Yang Wudi had been preparing to refine medicine when he sensed the powerful presence at the gates. Thinking that Spirit Hall had sent someone to cause trouble, he immediately activated his True Body to confront the intruder.

"Hmph, Fifth Soul Skill: Serpent Qi Shield."

Dugu Bo unleashed his fifth soul skill for defense. At this time, Yang Wudi was only a Spirit Sage. His official debut in canon would show him at level 82 as a Spirit Douluo, but this was fourteen years earlier, and his current spirit power was only at level 78.

How could he possibly match Dugu Bo, who possessed level 93 spirit power? With a flick of his left arm, Dugu Bo activated the fifty-thousand-year Mandrake Snake King left arm bone, unleashing the Snake King Binding.

Green snake-like shadows shot out from his left arm, binding Yang Wudi tightly. At the same time, Dugu Bo released his soul rings—two yellow, two purple, and five black—a standard nine-ring configuration for a Title Douluo. This display completely overwhelmed Yang Wudi.

"Clan Leader Yang, is this how the Breaking Clan treats its guests? Abandoned by the Hao Tian Sect and oppressed by Spirit Hall, do you really want to provoke me as well?"

Dugu Bo's words were sharp, sending cold sweat down Yang Wudi's spine. Stubborn and prideful as he was, Yang Wudi wasn't foolish. Offending a Title Douluo could lead to the annihilation of his entire clan. Moreover, he recognized Dugu Bo as the Poison Douluo, a Title Douluo whom even great families avoided provoking.

"My apologies, Lord Dugu. It was my mistake. Lately, Spirit Hall has been harassing us relentlessly, sending Spirit Sages to provoke us. I've injured several of them already. Please forgive me, Your Excellency."

Yang Wudi bowed his head low. Though proud by nature, as the clan leader, he had no choice but to humble himself. The Poison Douluo had the power to annihilate the Breaking Clan entirely.

Dugu Bo had no patience for Yang Wudi's complaints. He came here with a specific goal in mind. With a wave of his left arm, the snake shadows binding Yang Wudi disappeared. He then spoke:

"I'm not here to listen to your grievances. I have business to discuss with you."

Yang Wudi didn't know why Dugu Bo had come, but he could only invite him into the meeting hall.

Inside the Breaking Clan's Meeting Hall

Dugu Bo took a seat in the meeting hall, and Yang Wudi ordered tea to be served. Dugu Bo sipped the tea and glanced at the members of the Breaking Clan. He noticed the strong scent of medicinal herbs emanating from them.

As an expert in poisons, Dugu Bo also had some knowledge of medicine. The more he observed the Breaker Clan's heritage, the more interested he became.

"Clan Leader Yang, what I'm about to say is extremely important. Clear the room—I wish to speak with you alone."

Dugu Bo spoke calmly. Yang Wudi had no choice but to comply. What could he do against such a powerful figure? With a wave of his hand, he dismissed all the clan members.

"Your Excellency, everyone has left. What is it you wish to discuss?"

"Heh, I want your clan's Herb Record and medicinal formulas."

Dugu Bo got straight to the point, his green eyes fixed on Yang Wudi.

"Impossible! These are the secrets of our clan. Even if you are a Title Douluo, even if you destroy our clan, we will not hand them over. The Breaking Clan would rather die standing than live on our knees."

Yang Wudi stood up and shouted angrily. He thought Dugu Bo was mocking him. How could he casually hand over the secrets of their clan?

"Hmph, I haven't finished speaking yet. This is a trade, not coercion. Even if I forced your clan to comply, what's to stop you from tampering with the formulas you give me? 

I don't want any trouble. Clan Leader Yang, take a look at this item and see if it meets the terms of our trade."

A large, pale pink flower appeared in Dugu Bo's left hand. It was leafless, with a three-foot stem and an enormous bloom, nearly a foot in diameter. Each petal shimmered like crystal, and the pistil was a light purple, resembling tiny purple diamonds embedded within.

"The Aromatic Silk Beauty?! It's really the Aromatic Silk Beauty! Hahahaha! I've been searching for you my entire life! Hahahaha!"

Yang Wudi went wild with excitement, flailing his arms and legs. Watching this, Dugu Bo wondered if the flower had some kind of hallucinogenic effect. Was it not just the nemesis of all poisons but also a dream-inducing herb?

"Your Excellency, forgive me, forgive me! I'm simply overjoyed. I've been searching for the Aromatic Silk Beauty my entire life—it will bring immense benefits to our clan."

Yang Wudi regained some composure, but his excitement showed no signs of fading. In fact, he seemed ready to leap into action.

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