Niu Gao's Reversal: From Dismissive Contempt to Trembling Respect

The three of them stepped inside and, in the blink of an eye, arrived outside Longxing City.

After entering the city, they did not spend much time before stopping in front of an enormous residence as solid as a fortress.

Above the main gate hung a heavy plaque.

Defense Clan.

"This is the place."

Dugu Bo glanced at the massive gates, stepped forward, and shouted:

"Old Rhino, honored guests have come calling. Why aren't you coming out to welcome us?!"

His voice, infused with Soul Power, instantly spread throughout the entire residence.

Before long, the gates slowly opened with a deep rumble.

An exceptionally burly, rough-looking old man strode out, towering like an iron pagoda. His voice boomed like a bell:

"Who dares make such a racket outside the gates of my Defense Clan?!"

When the old man saw the three people outside, his pupils suddenly contracted, and his expression darkened at once:

"Bone Douluo?

Poison Douluo?

Why have the two lofty Titled Douluo come to my insignificant Defense Clan instead of staying at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and with the Heaven Dou Imperial Family?

This Old Niu cannot afford to associate with such distinguished figures!"

Gu Rong snorted coldly, folding his arms across his chest.

"Old Rhino, your information is far too outdated.

I left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect long ago.

I am now an elder of the Ling Tian Sect.

This one is the sect master of our Ling Tian Sect—and also my grandson, Han Yu."

"Ling Tian Sect?

Sect master?"

Niu Gao glanced at the absurdly young Han Yu, his brows tightly furrowed as he waved dismissively.

"What Ling Tian Sect? Never heard of it!

No matter which sect you belong to, my Defense Clan made a rule long ago: we will never again submit to any sect power!

Please leave!"

With that, Niu Gao turned to shut the gate.

"Clan Head Niu, don't be so absolute."

Han Yu's tone was calm, yet it carried an authority that could not be questioned.

"Clear Sky Sect treated you as abandoned pawns back then, but that does not mean every sect in the world is as cowardly and incompetent as they are."

Niu Gao abruptly stopped and turned around, a faint blaze of anger burning in his eyes.

"Boy, don't think that having two Titled Douluo backing you means you can use Clear Sky Sect to provoke me!

Though my Defense Clan has fallen on hard times, we are not some soft persimmon for others to squeeze!"

"I did not come to provoke you. I came to discuss a deal."

Han Yu smiled faintly and looked straight into Niu Gao's eyes.

"Our Ling Tian Sect has just been established and needs an absolutely sturdy sect headquarters. No one but your Defense Clan can handle this job."

"I already said it. We do not take work from sects!"

Niu Gao said through gritted teeth.

Han Yu merely smiled.

They were turning down business delivered right to their doorstep?

"Don't rush to refuse."

Han Yu raised three fingers.

"First, I am not asking you to submit to us. I am inviting you to join us.

You will become founding elders of the Ling Tian Sect and establish the Defense Hall as a separate branch. You will still have the final say over its internal affairs."

"Second, the Defense Hall will receive core treatment when it comes to Ling Tian Sect resources."

"Third—and most importantly..."

Han Yu paused and pointed at Gu Rong and Dugu Bo beside him.

"Our Ling Tian Sect currently has one level ninety-six Peak Douluo and two ordinary Titled Douluo.

As long as the Defense Clan agrees, no force will ever be able to bully your clan again."

Clear Sky Sect could not give you the protection you needed, but the Ling Tian Sect can!"

The impatience on Niu Gao's face vanished completely after hearing those words, and he stood frozen in place.

He stared at the confident Han Yu, then at the proudly smiling Bone Douluo and Poison Douluo beside him. His throat bobbed involuntarily.

"One sect... three Titled Douluo?!"

Seeing Niu Gao's stunned expression, Dugu Bo chuckled and nodded.

"Of course.

However, Old Rhino, your Defense Clan was not the first target we recruited."

Niu Gao froze.

"Who else?"

"You have heard of the Dragon and Snake Duo, Dragon Duke Meng Shu and Snake Granny Chao Tianxiang, haven't you?"

Dugu Bo stroked his beard, his expression arrogant.

Niu Gao nodded instinctively.

"Of course I have. Their Martial Soul Fusion Skill is extremely powerful, and they are considered notable figures in the Soul Master world."

"That is all in the past."

Dugu Bo's lips curled up, his tone carrying a hint of smugness.

"They were fortunate enough to pledge themselves to our sect master early on.

With the sect master's help, Meng Shu has now broken through his bottleneck and reached level ninety.

A few days ago, with Old Bones's and my help, he obtained his ninth Spirit Ring and officially stepped into the realm of Titled Douluo!"

"Not only that, even Chao Tianxiang broke through to level seventy Soul Saint with the sect master's help.

Now, when the two of them use their Martial Soul Fusion Skill together, its power is already comparable to that of a Super Douluo!"

Niu Gao sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes widening like bronze bells, his face full of disbelief.

"Meng Shu... became a Titled Douluo?!"

Dugu Bo snorted and continued.

"They have already returned to Balak City to relocate their entire clan and Exotic Beast Academy here, merging them into our Ling Tian Sect."

"Old Rhino, the Ling Tian Sect has only just been founded. We are desperately short on manpower, and everything still needs to be built from the ground up.

If your Defense Clan joins now, you will be indisputable founding elders."

The resources you will receive in the future will far exceed anything you can imagine.

What I have said is not some empty promise meant to fool you!"

Niu Gao's chest rose and fell violently, clearly shaken to the core.

He stared fixedly at Han Yu, his voice somewhat hoarse.

"You... you can really help people break through Martial Soul bottlenecks?"

Han Yu stood with his hands behind his back, his expression composed.

"Senior Meng is the best proof. Clan Head Niu, I know that Spirit Hall has suppressed your Defense Clan over the years, and life has not been easy for you.

Join the Ling Tian Sect, and we will bear Spirit Hall's pressure for you.

Besides, you are not my only target."

Niu Gao was taken aback.

"What do you mean?"

Han Yu smiled faintly.

"I also plan to bring the Breaking Clan and the Speed Clan under my command.

When the time comes, you old brothers can reunite in the Ling Tian Sect and never again have to bow to anyone. Wouldn't that be satisfying?"

Niu Gao's entire body trembled, and a flash of excitement appeared in his eyes.

"You even want to recruit Old White Bird and Old Goat?

Their tempers are even worse than mine!"

Gu Rong curled his lips impatiently at the side.

"No matter how foul their tempers are, they will still have to submit before absolute strength and benefits!

Old Rhino, be straightforward and give us an answer!

If Yu'er did not value your craftsmanship, I would not have bothered wasting words with you!"

Niu Gao's expression shifted repeatedly. After struggling for a long while, he finally let out a long sigh. His once-straight back relaxed slightly.

He stepped aside, making way at the gate and gesturing for them to enter.

"The three of you... please come in.

This concerns the lives and fortunes of every member of my Defense Clan. Let us... discuss it properly inside."

Han Yu exchanged glances with Gu Rong and Dugu Bo, a satisfied smile rising on his lips as he stepped through the gates of the Defense Clan.