Douluo: The Ultimate Self

Yang Wudi frowned slightly upon hearing this: "Are you saying you're also interested in something else from the Breaking Clan?"

Yang Xiong smiled: "The Breaking Clan is unparalleled in the art of alchemy. Naturally, I hold great admiration for it."

Yang Wudi's face darkened: "How dare you! The secrets of alchemy are the Breaking Clan's most guarded mysteries. Even under the immense pressure from the Hao Tian Sect back then, we never surrendered them."

Yang Xiong shook his head: "Patriarch Yang, you're overthinking this. I'm not interested in your alchemical knowledge—I'm interested in your expertise regarding medicinal herbs. I believe you must have comprehensive research on herbs, and that's what I need."

"Of course, I won't take it for free. I have a Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia lucidum with me. Though it's not a top-tier immortal herb, it's still a supreme immortal herb. I propose exchanging it for your herbal knowledge. You should understand the value of a Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia—it far exceeds the worth of your herbal knowledge."

Upon hearing this, Yang Wudi's lips twitched involuntarily. He was well aware of the immense value of the Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia, especially since he adored alchemy and yearned for immortal herbs. He hadn't expected Yang Xiong to possess such a rare and precious herb.

In truth, Yang Xiong happened to recognize the Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia, and coincidentally, it held no practical use for him.

According to the original storyline, the Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia was the pinnacle of Ganoderma species, possessing properties that stabilized one's foundation, nurtured vitality, and enhanced cultivation. In the original story, Yu Xiaogang consumed a Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia, which not only helped him break through the bottleneck at level twenty-nine but also eventually allowed him to reach the level of a Title Douluo. Its effects were comparable to those of immortal herbs.

Yang Wudi had long been stuck at a bottleneck and had stagnated due to years of alchemical practice. His situation was somewhat similar to Yu Xiaogang's, and the effects of the Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia could potentially fill the gaps in his cultivation, possibly allowing him to advance further.

However, Yang Wudi paused briefly before replying: "Yang Xiong, your offer is indeed excellent, but strength remains the foundation of everything for soul masters. Even if you're backed by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, without sufficient strength, all this talk is meaningless."

Yang Xiong responded: "That's simple. I've heard that the Breaking Clan excels in combat. Have one of your members below level sixty challenge me to a duel, and we'll settle it."

Yang Wudi's expression grew cold: "Yang Xiong, you're too arrogant. You're only at level 45—do you really think you can defeat a high-level Soul King? Remember, our clan wields pure attack-type martial souls. The combat power of a Soul King from the Breaking Clan far exceeds your expectations."

Yang Xiong's demeanor remained casual: "So what if it's just a Soul King? As you said, strength ultimately decides everything. If I didn't possess overwhelming strength, I wouldn't have come to the Breaking Clan in the first place."

Yang Wudi didn't hesitate further and called out toward the door: "Wuwei, come here."

Sure enough, following Yang Wudi's words, a young man around thirty-five years old entered the hall. His appearance bore some resemblance to Yang Wudi.

"Yang Xiong, this is my son, Yang Wuwei. If you can defeat Wuwei, I'll agree to your proposed collaboration. Otherwise, you can leave immediately. Even without the Aromatic Silk Beauty, I cannot sacrifice the hundreds of lives in the Breaking Clan."

Yang Xiong didn't hesitate either. He stood up and walked to the center of the hall.

Yang Xiong and Yang Wuwei faced each other. To everyone present, this seemed like a completely uneven match.

Yang Xiong spoke first: "My name is Yang Xiong, a forty-five-level power-type battle Soul Ancestor. Please guide me."

Yang Wuwei's face was filled with arrogance: "Yang Wuwei, fifty-nine-level power-type battle Soul King. The gap between our soul powers is enormous. Be careful—my Soul Breaking Spear consists entirely of pure attack skills."

Yang Xiong chuckled: "I almost forgot to mention—I can fight as a power-type, agility-type, or even defense-type. You'd better be careful too."

The two swiftly revealed their martial souls and soul rings. Yang Xiong's body turned silver, displaying two yellow, one purple, and one black soul ring, while Yang Wuwei showed two yellow, two purple, and one black soul ring.

Both Yang Wuwei and Yang Wudi were astonished: "A ten-thousand-year fourth soul ring? How is this possible?"

Yang Xiong smiled: "Nothing is impossible in this world. Perhaps even more interesting things will happen in the future."

Yang Wuwei instantly realized that this Soul Ancestor wasn't going to be easy to deal with. At the very least, absorbing a ten-thousand-year fourth soul ring required a physical constitution equivalent to that of a Soul King.

Yang Wuwei gripped his Soul Breaking Spear, which was over three meters long, and charged at Yang Xiong with reckless abandon—a true representation of the Breaking Clan's fearless spirit.

Yang Xiong's hands moved like claws, grabbing directly onto Yang Wuwei's spear. He felt its sharpness and the terrifying force behind it, causing his entire body to be pushed back several meters.

From a power perspective, though Yang Wuwei was only a Soul King, his combat strength was already on par with a Soul Emperor. His attack power was incredibly formidable, rivaling even Qin Ming's.

Especially considering their ages—Yang Wuwei and Qin Ming were likely similar. It seemed the Breaking Clan had truly thrived during their years of recuperation.

Yang Wuwei's combat prowess was indeed impressive. Gripping his spear with both hands, he unleashed attacks faster than lightning, resembling a storm of relentless strikes. In terms of strength, he was undoubtedly the strongest Soul King Yang Xiong had ever encountered.

But Yang Xiong's speed was even greater. Despite the searing pain in his hands, he showed no fear of Yang Wuwei's Soul Breaking Spear.

Knowing the vast difference in soul power between them, Yang Xiong summoned the silver armor of the Xuanming Armor, which appeared on his body.

The onlookers were astonished. By now, Yang Xiong had gained some renown outside, and they had heard rumors of his external soul bone. But seeing it in person was another matter entirely—the defensive capabilities of the Xuanming Armor were truly extraordinary.

Yang Wuwei's soul rings flashed as he activated his first soul skill: Shock. A powerful explosive force surged through the Soul Breaking Spear, and his own aura reached its peak.

Yang Xiong, however, remained fearless. Clenching his fists, he charged forward, colliding directly with the spear using his self-created soul skill: Bone-Crushing Charge.

Though Yang Wuwei was formidable, this was merely his first soul skill. The clash of fist against spear left Yang Xiong unmoved, while Yang Wuwei himself was forced back a step.

Yang Wuwei was taken aback. At the very least, in terms of raw power, Yang Xiong was no weaker than him—and in some aspects, perhaps even stronger.

The two fought at blinding speeds. Yang Wuwei launched continuous attacks, but Yang Xiong's speed and strength matched him blow for blow, even gaining a slight upper hand.

The Soul Breaking Spear truly lived up to its reputation as a top-tier weapon martial soul, with devastating attack power. However, Yang Xiong's reactions were equally swift, especially with his mastery of teleportation. He countered sporadically, and the battle raged back and forth.

Yang Wuwei unleashed multiple soul skills, but Yang Xiong deflected them with incredible speed, occasionally retaliating with his self-created skills. For a time, the two seemed evenly matched.

All of the Soul Breaking Spear's soul skills were focused on a single word: destruction. Every skill was purely offensive, and Yang Wuwei's combat strength rivaled that of Yao Mei from the Spirit Hall team.

After several minutes of intense combat, Yang Xiong's fourth soul ring flashed. His muscles swelled, and his skin and bones hardened simultaneously, making him appear even more fearless and formidable. This was his fourth soul skill: Dragon Elephant Steel Body.

Yang Xiong had always adhered to the rules of his Body Martial Soul, avoiding the use of soul skills whenever possible. However, enhancement-type skills like Dragon Elephant Steel Body carried no tactical drawbacks, so he had recently begun using them more freely.

With Dragon Elephant Steel Body active, Yang Xiong's strength, attack, defense, and endurance skyrocketed. In terms of raw power, he now completely dominated Yang Wuwei.

Yang Wuwei felt both provoked and humiliated. A mere Soul Ancestor suppressing a Soul King—it was unacceptable.

Yang Wuwei's fifth soul ring flashed, and endless black flames erupted, enveloping the Soul Breaking Spear. This was his fifth soul skill: Break.

Seeing Yang Wuwei unleash his full attack potential, Yang Xiong remained unshaken. The Dragon Elephant Steel Body had drastically increased his resilience. His right hand condensed a massive golden Rasengan, which he hurled at Yang Wuwei with full force.

The collision of their ultimate attacks sent both flying backward several dozen meters. While Yang Xiong's enhancement-type Dragon Elephant Steel Body might have given him an edge, Yang Wuwei had also pushed the power of his weapon martial soul to its limits.

However, Yang Xiong managed to stand shakily, his body beginning to recover gradually. On the other hand, Yang Wuwei, struck by Yang Xiong's Rasengan, appeared to have sustained serious injuries.

Yet Yang Wuwei's fighting spirit burned fiercely. Struggling to his feet, he prepared to continue the fight. It was clear that the Breaking Clan truly lived up to its reputation as a warrior clan, with an indomitable combat consciousness.

At this moment, Yang Wudi finally spoke: "Enough, Wuwei. You've lost this time. Focus on cultivating and seek revenge another day."

Turning to Yang Xiong, Yang Wudi continued: "Yang Xiong, your combat strength surpasses even my expectations. Your unique martial soul and physical prowess ensure that no one within the Soul Emperor rank can match you."

"I, Yang Wudi, keep my word. The Breaking Clan will accompany you to the Tian Dou Empire. But I hope you won't disappoint me in the future. I don't want things to turn unpleasant between us."

Yang Xiong smiled: "I, Yang Xiong, always keep my promises. Whatever I set out to do, I accomplish. As long as the Breaking Clan follows me, I assure you that you won't regret it."

With that, Yang Xiong retrieved the Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia and the Aromatic Silk Beauty from his spirit tool, using soul power to float them before Yang Wudi.

Yang Wudi gazed at the two immortal herbs, his eyes filled with hesitation. Finally, he sighed and said: "Very well. These two immortal herbs are perfect for both me personally and the Breaking Clan. Perhaps I really need to give this matter serious thought."

"Yang Xiong, you've boldly presented these immortal herbs. Aren't you afraid I might renege on our agreement?"

Yang Xiong chuckled: "I have some understanding of your character, Patriarch Yang. I deeply admire the Breaking Clan's way of doing things. Though you may be solitary and stubborn, you are true warriors and honorable men. You act with integrity and would never violate your principles for mere immortal herbs."

Yang Wudi sighed deeply: "I never imagined someone in this world would appreciate the Breaking Clan's ways. Very well—you may rest in our clan for half a month. After that, we will follow you to the Tian Dou Empire. I hope this decision proves to be the right one."

Yang Xiong nodded twice: "Thank you for your trust, Patriarch Yang. I assure you, I won't let you down."

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