"No need, I'm already here!" A loud, resonant voice suddenly came from nearby.
Everyone looked up, and all members of the Breaking Clan hurriedly bowed respectfully.
"Clan Leader" ×N
Yang Wudi casually waved his hand, signaling everyone to step back, then turned his gaze toward Dugu Bo.
"Dugu Bo, it's been a long time. I didn't expect you to make such a grand entrance," Yang Wudi said indifferently.
Yang Wudi, nicknamed "Old Mountain Goat," was an 82nd-level Power Attack System Soul Douluo with the martial soul Soul-Breaking Spear. He was of the same generation as Dugu Bo, Sword Douluo, and the Bone Douluo. Additionally, the ancestral teachings of the Breaking Clan—preferring straight paths over crooked ones—gave him no sense of inferiority when facing ordinary soul masters, even those who were Title Douluos.
Furthermore, he specialized in extreme offensive power. In terms of pure combat strength, he was no weaker than a Title Douluo, which gave him confidence.
Unlike the other three single-attribute affiliated families, the Breaking Clan was the only one among the four great families with a Weapon Martial Soul.
After breaking through to the Soul Sage level, his strength had undergone an epic leap. Not only had he awakened his Weapon Martial Soul's True Body, but he had also unlocked a special talent allowing his martial soul to gain an additional ten-thousand-year soul ring. Moreover, his mastery of the Soul-Breaking Spear was unparalleled, akin to controlling an extension of his own limbs. No longer limited to close-range combat, his Soul-Breaking Spear at this stage functioned like a magical artifact, excelling in both ranged and melee attacks without any significant weaknesses.
Thus, although Yang Wudi wasn't a Title Douluo, his overall combat ability reached the level of a Title Douluo. He was also the strongest among the four single-attribute families.
Additionally, due to the Breaking Clan's alchemy skills, Dugu Bo had once sought their help for medical purposes in the past, though his request clearly hadn't been fulfilled.
Ye Wen took a moment to observe Yang Wudi.
Although his nickname was "Old Mountain Goat," he appeared to be a middle-aged man with rosy cheeks, looking nothing like other seventy or eighty-year-old soul masters who resembled withered old men. Ye Wen inwardly remarked, 'No wonder he's skilled in alchemy—he truly knows how to maintain his youthful appearance.'
In contrast, contemporaries like Titan and Niu Gao already looked like frail elders.
A flicker of confusion passed through Ye Wen's eyes.
He recalled that in the manga version, Bai He, the leader of the Agile Clan and Tang San's great-uncle, also maintained the appearance of a young nobleman.
But Bai He wasn't a Title Douluo and was dirt poor! How could he still look so young? Could it be that their clan carried some kind of innate youthful gene?
At this moment, Dugu Bo chuckled. "Enough small talk, Yang Wudi. Have you made a decision regarding the letter I sent you?"
Yang Wudi's expression darkened.
The reason Dugu Bo wrote to Yang Wudi was naturally under Ye Wen's instructions, aiming to bring the Breaking Clan under the Medical Alliance's banner.
To be honest, when Yang Wudi first received the letter, he was indeed intrigued.
After all, in the extraordinary ecosystem of the Douluo Continent, strength reigned supreme. Without power, survival was impossible. If the Breaking Clan didn't have someone like him—a Soul Douluo—and instead relied solely on their refined alchemy skills, they would have long been devoured by other families.
However, after experiencing betrayal by the Hao Tian Sect and the disappearance of his younger brother, Yang Wudi found it hard to trust large, powerful factions again—even if the Medical Alliance offered generous terms that aligned perfectly with the Breaking Clan's expertise.
Yang Wudi calmly replied, "I apologize, Dugu Bo, for troubling you to come all this way. But my answer is no—we will not join."
Dugu Bo's eyes narrowed instantly, and an invisible aura of soul power began to spread.
Though Dugu Bo's temper had improved significantly, that didn't mean he had none. Having traveled all the way from the Tian Dou Empire to Star Luo to extend this invitation, only to be flatly rejected, did he, a proud Title Douluo, not have any dignity?
But just as Dugu Bo was about to explode, Ye Wen gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Teacher, please calm down."
To Yang Wudi's astonishment, Dugu Bo actually retracted his aura. He had been prepared for a confrontation.
At this moment, Ye Wen turned his gaze toward Yang Wudi and softly spoke.
"Senior Yang, please don't reject us so hastily. I believe everything can be discussed. Our Medical Alliance sincerely hopes the Breaking Clan will join us. Why don't you tell us why you're hesitant to accept our invitation?
After all, our alliance offers excellent conditions, high benefits, and minimal restrictions. There shouldn't be anything objectionable about it."
Ye Wen's words felt like a warm breeze to Yang Wudi, who immediately developed a strong liking for this young man. In the soul master world, where power was king, people willing to reason were rare.
Moreover, avoiding conflict was always preferable. Though Yang Wudi believed his strength was no weaker than Dugu Bo's, the latter specialized in poisons. While Yang Wudi himself might remain unharmed in a fight, his younger clansmen would suffer greatly.
Yang Wudi cleared his throat and said, "This must be Young Master Ye. Dugu Bo, you've truly taken on an excellent disciple."
Dugu Bo snorted coldly, but his pride was unmistakable.
Then, Yang Wudi looked at Ye Wen earnestly. "Young friend, I'm sure you're aware of what our Breaking Clan has endured in the past. As a result, we find it difficult to trust outsiders.
So please don't think I'm targeting your group specifically. Even though the Star Luo Empire has sheltered us, we haven't joined them outright. Instead, we rely on our own abilities to survive.
Our clan now firmly believes that as long as we stay out of trouble and use our skills, living well isn't difficult.
Furthermore, our Breaking Clan no longer wishes to be entangled in the conflicts of other factions. We simply want to live peacefully. I deeply regret having to decline your invitation, but the Breaking Clan cannot join."
Ye Wen understood. The Breaking Clan had been thoroughly beaten by the Spirit Hall and had since realized they shouldn't meddle with larger factions.
This was wise, unlike the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect in the original storyline, who could have remained neutral but kept jumping around, nearly leading to their destruction.
At this point, Dugu Bo retorted indignantly, "Are you growing senile, Yang Wudi? What makes you think our Medical Alliance will stir up trouble?
Didn't I say when I founded the Medical Alliance that we adhere to a principle of neutrality and won't interfere in other factions' disputes?"
Yang Wudi's attitude toward Ye Wen, a reasonable person, was warm. However, toward Dugu Bo, who was notoriously stubborn, Yang Wudi rolled his eyes and sarcastically retorted:
"The one growing senile is you, Dugu Bo. On the Douluo Continent, when has anyone been allowed to declare neutrality just because they wanted to? When conflicts arise, every faction schemes against each other. Whether you like it or not, your Medical Alliance will be dragged into the fray.
Do you really think other major factions will let a powerful group like yours sit idly by and watch without taking action?"
------------------------------------------------------
Join my Patreon to read an exclusive novel – 'Douluo: Rebuilding Hao Tian Sect'
Support my writing journey: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
40+ Chapters Ahead Guaranteed.