Douluo: The Ultimate Self

After Niu Gao withdrew the pressure, he looked at Yang Xiong with a puzzled expression and asked: "Yang Xiong, your physical strength doesn't even seem like that of a Soul Ancestor anymore. Who did you learn body refinement from?" 

Yang Xiong smiled: "Patriarch, you flatter me. My teachers are Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo. As for my body refinement methods, they're derived from my teacher Bone Douluo's cultivation techniques." 

Niu Gao suddenly seemed to understand: "So it's Bone Douluo! No wonder your physical strength is so extraordinary. When it comes to pure defense, Bone Douluo is unmatched in this world. It's just a pity that the Bone Dragon martial soul is so rare." 

… 

Everyone present fell silent. Clearly, both Niu Gao and Bai He were deeply reluctant about Yang Wudi and the Breaking Clan leaving. 

The three single-attribute families in the Star Luo Empire had relied on each other for mutual support, enabling their flourishing development over the past decade. Now that the Breaking Clan was leaving, the Defense Clan and Speed Clan would be left uncertain about their future, especially the Speed Clan. 

In truth, Yang Xiong had always found it strange that the Speed Clan, with its rare pure agility-type soul masters, possessed the Needle-Tailed Swift martial soul—the fastest martial soul in the world—yet in the original storyline, the Speed Clan was portrayed as pitiful. In reality, Yang Xiong believed the Speed Clan had great potential and couldn't possibly lack all offensive capabilities. 

Especially considering that Bai He was also a top-tier Soul Sage—if he wanted, he could easily deal with bandits or other minor threats and live quite comfortably. How could their situation have become so dire? 

At this moment, Yang Wudi finally spoke: "Yang Xiong, I've just discussed things with Old Rhino and Old White Bird. If your strength proves sufficient and you can consider their interests, they might be willing to return to the Tian Dou Empire." 

Hearing this, Yang Xiong felt a wave of confusion. Though his discussions with Yang Wudi had gone well, he had already paid the price of two immortal herbs. Essentially, the entire Breaking Clan was following him, and they would become one of the core pillars of his future sect. 

But the Defense Clan and Speed Clan weren't so easily swayed. To put it bluntly, even if sold, these two clans might not be worth two immortal herbs. While Yang Xiong could perhaps bribe them with immortal herbs, the long-term implications were uncertain. 

Moreover, Yang Xiong's primary reason for approaching Yang Wudi was to gain knowledge of immortal herbs; everything else was secondary. Otherwise, how could he justify paying such a steep price of two immortal herbs? 

However, Yang Wudi was now winking and gesturing covertly, completely unlike the straightforward man everyone expected him to be. 

Yang Xiong couldn't help but sigh: "Patriarch Niu Gao, Patriarch Bai He, to be honest, I plan to establish a completely new sect in the future. This sect won't rely entirely on anyone—it will be centered around me. The Breaking Clan will form the main force, and I'll also recruit some independent soul masters, including Teacher Lin Gong." 

"In the future, this new sect will cooperate closely with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, relying on their financial resources and other forms of support. We'll even form a defensive alliance with them." 

Niu Gao and Bai He grew even more confused. This didn't align with what Yang Wudi had said earlier. Based on this explanation, it sounded like both families would fully follow Yang Xiong, even regarding him as their leader. 

At this moment, Yang Wudi cleared his throat lightly: "Ahem! Old Rhino, Old White Bird, Yang Xiong is one of the main reasons I'm willing to go to the Tian Dou Empire. From now on, Yang Xiong will be the leader of my new sect. Would you two consider joining this new sect? Perhaps your families could achieve new growth opportunities." 

Niu Gao frowned: "Old Goat, are you feeling dizzy? Although this kid Yang Xiong has decent talent, is he really worth sacrificing your entire clan for?" 

"The imperial family of the Star Luo Empire may be domineering, but we've developed fairly well over the years. Leaving abruptly might not be wise." 

Yang Wudi remained silent for a moment before speaking: "Enough—I'll be blunt. We're all on the same side anyway." 

"Though Yang Xiong is still young, his combat abilities and overall competence are exceptional. Moreover, he has clear development goals. I believe that if our three single-attribute families unite under Yang Xiong, we'll be able to establish an unprecedentedly powerful sect—one that could even rival the upper three sects." 

Niu Gao and Bai He exchanged glances, finding it hard to believe. These words came from Yang Wudi, who was usually straightforward and proud. Could it be that this old goat had been bewitched by this young man? 

In truth, Yang Xiong initially hadn't intended to communicate much with Niu Gao and Bai He. They weren't as constrained as others, and he lacked the background of someone like Tang San or the means to create hidden weapons. Recruiting them into his sect would come at a significant cost. 

For example, to win over the Breaking Clan, both he and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had to pay a heavy price. Just the cost of pharmaceutical cooperation alone would likely be astronomical. 

After much thought, Yang Xiong finally spoke: "Elders, I intend to establish a new sect. If you're willing, I can help resolve all issues, including financial resources." 

"But my current strength is too low, and I'm still too young. For now, I only plan to accumulate resources. Both the sect's name and the cultivation model for its members will undergo changes. It will take at least ten years before we truly make our presence known on the continent." 

"You elders are veterans of the soul master world. Many forces must be eager to recruit you. I know this might come as a surprise, but I hope you'll join my future sect. That way, you won't need to rely on anyone else." 

Niu Gao responded: "Kid, do you know what a sect needs? The sects that have survived to this day either rely on powerful families or immense wealth. But fundamentally, they need a lineage of soul masters. Do you have any of those right now?" 

"Besides, you're just a genius of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Establishing a sect is still far beyond your reach—at least until you have the strength to convince others." 

Yang Xiong smiled: "Since we're being open, I'll naturally have a lineage. I'll create a new cultivation method—a system focused on body refinement." 

"The Defense Clan's Armor Plated Giant Rhinoceros is one of the strongest defensive martial souls in the world, but when it comes to pure defense, my teacher Bone Douluo is the true master. This isn't just about martial soul inheritance—it's about cultivation methods." 

"As for the Speed Clan, though their martial soul is the fastest in the world, they lack offensive capabilities. Coincidentally, I have several self-created soul skills that can address this weakness. Moreover, in terms of speed, I'm no weaker than the Speed Clan's soul masters of the same rank." 

"Of course, if you elders are willing to lead your families into my new sect, I'm prepared to share everything I know. But you should understand that within the sect, everything is mutually beneficial. No one sacrifices themselves for others. I consider the interests of everyone in the sect, but I also expect unity. Once you make a choice, there's no room for regret." 

… 

At this moment, Niu Gao suddenly spoke: "Yang Xiong, since Old Goat recommended you and you mentioned that benefits within the sect are mutual, what advantages would my Defense Clan gain by joining your new sect?" 

Yang Xiong retrieved a manual from his person and handed it to Niu Gao: "This is my teacher's research on the path of defense—the culmination of Bone Douluo's lifelong study of defense. It might benefit the entire Defense Clan." 

"As for the Speed Clan, my self-created attack soul skill, the Rasengan, should compensate for your lack of offensive capabilities. It could even make the Speed Clan incredibly formidable." 

After saying this, Yang Xiong immediately conjured a Rasengan in his hand and slammed it into the ground, creating a crater over a meter wide. 

Bai He, who had previously been aloof, was visibly moved. The power of the Rasengan was impressive—it seemed tailor-made for the Speed Clan, an absolute perfect match. 

As for Niu Gao, he gazed at the manual titled The Path of Defense with equal admiration. After all, neither the Defense Clan nor the Elephant Armor Sect had ever managed to reach the Title Douluo level. Among soul masters specializing in defense, only Bone Douluo had achieved that milestone. 

Yang Xiong seemed to grow increasingly enthusiastic: "My teachers are Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo. Perhaps I can invite them to guide the development of your two families. Whether it's defense for the Defense Clan or offense for the Speed Clan, they might bring your families to a qualitative leap forward." 

… 

Niu Gao and Bai He were somewhat intrigued. According to Yang Xiong's proposal, they would form an alliance with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect in the short term. Given the sect's reputation, they wouldn't betray their allies. 

Yang Xiong then remembered something and retrieved a set of hidden weapons from his spirit tool—originally a gift from Tang San. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had also provided a set for all direct disciples, though each set cost ten thousand gold spirit coins. 

Yang Xiong demonstrated the power of the hidden weapons to Niu Gao and Bai He: "These are called hidden weapons, purchased by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect at great expense—ten thousand gold spirit coins per set. If the Speed Clan joins us, I'll persuade the sect leader to equip all Speed Clan members with a set. This will undoubtedly address the Speed Clan's weaknesses." 

Niu Gao and Bai He exchanged another glance. Today, they had encountered many unexpected things that challenged their previous beliefs. 

At this moment, Niu Gao suddenly asked: "Yang Xiong, what will be the core focus of your future sect? Will it revolve around hidden weapons, defense, or something else?" 

Yang Xiong shook his head: "None of the above. The core of my future sect will be self-created soul skills, using them to compensate for everyone's weaknesses. I'll recruit soul masters whose martial souls are based on their bodies. I've gradually discovered a new cultivation path for this unique type of martial soul. In the future, they might shine brightly in the soul master world, potentially rivaling or even surpassing the upper three sects." 

"My new sect will be called the Body Sect, with self-created soul skills as its core. I call this path 'martial arts.'" 

Bai He frowned slightly: "Yang Xiong, according to your description, will this martial arts path impose limitations on the Speed Clan?" 

Yang Xiong shook his head: "On the contrary, I believe the Speed Clan has limitless potential. I also emphasize cultivating speed. Through my research, I've discovered that many people misunderstand soul masters—they seem to think soul masters rely solely on corresponding soul skills." 

"But I have a different perspective. To summarize my personal conclusion: speed equals power. If you're fast enough, you possess overwhelming attack power." 

After saying this, Yang Xiong tossed a piece of animal hide into the air. His right hand transformed into a blade-like shape and slashed through it at incredible speed. Despite appearing to use no force, the hide was instantly shredded. 

Everyone present was stunned. They never expected Yang Xiong to have such profound insights into speed. 

From the perspective of the three top-tier Soul Sages present, it was clear that Yang Xiong's strike hadn't relied on strength but rather on extreme speed and technique. That a tough piece of animal hide could be reduced to fragments was astonishing. 

Bai He muttered to himself: "Speed equals power, speed equals power… Why have I never thought of it this way before?"

(T/N: Although it makes them seem dumb, I have to agree. I've always felt that soul masters are always chasing 'power'. For example Tang Chen beating Qian Daoliu doesn't make any sense. I get that Titled Douluos can fly but it's not infinite as stated in the original works. Felt like the original author of Douluo just retconned a whole lot of stuff to make the Hao Tian Sect feel strong.)

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