"Exactly."
Yu Nan confirmed:
"The Breaking Clan excelled at making medicine and refining poison.
Its clan leader, Yang Wudi, wielded the Soul Breaking Spear with peerless mastery. His attack power was the pinnacle among Soul Douluos.
He could even stand toe-to-toe with an ordinary Title Douluo."
It sounded a little outrageous.
But Yang Wudi's performance during the Heaven Dou Palace Coup had indeed been impressive.
"Why are we looking for them?"
Dugu Bo was somewhat surprised, his brow furrowing:
"Yang Wudi is a famously stubborn mule, as hard and unyielding as a rock. And because of what happened with the Clear Sky Sect back then, he's extremely hostile toward the outside world.
If we go looking for him, I'm afraid he'll shut the door in our faces."
"Shut the door in our faces?"
Yu Nan gave a mocking laugh, his voice brimming with the confidence of someone who had everything under control:
"That's what happens to other people.
For us, bringing the Breaking Clan to heel will be as easy as turning over a hand."
"You mean..."
"Building a faction."
Yu Nan's voice grew serious:
"You and your granddaughter alone are ultimately too weak.
If you want to establish yourselves in these troubled times, perhaps even stand as an equal to Spirit Hall, you need a team of your own."
Building a faction to stand as an equal to Spirit Hall wasn't realistic.
They could only rely on their own strength.
Still, building a faction was necessary.
"The Breaking Clan is the perfect foundation."
"They're not only powerful fighters. More importantly, their expertise in studying medicine would be just the thing to support Yan Yan's cultivation.
It would also help you make better use of the resources at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well."
Dugu Bo nodded repeatedly as he listened, though he still had some concerns:
"You're absolutely right.
But Yang Wudi won't yield to either force or persuasion. How are we supposed to bring him to heel?
Should we just beat him into submission?"
"Beating him into submission is only a last resort."
Yu Nan replied calmly:
"Winning his heart is the better approach.
Yang Wudi has two great obsessions in this life: taking revenge on Spirit Hall and refining medicine."
"And for someone obsessed with medicine, there's one thing he absolutely cannot refuse."
As he spoke, Yu Nan's thoughts stirred.
Dugu Yan felt her vision blur, and a strange Immortal Herb appeared in her hand.
It was a large, pale pink flower without leaves. Its stem was three feet long, and its blossom was enormous.
Layer upon layer of petals gave off a faint fragrance.
The fragrance wasn't strong, but it held a magic that soothed the spirit, as though it could calm all the unrest in the world.
"This is..."
Dugu Bo's pupils contracted. As a master of poison, he recognized at a glance that this Immortal Herb was extraordinary:
"The Aromatic Silk Beauty?!"
"At least you know your stuff."
Yu Nan replied proudly:
"This flower is the bane of all poisons. It can neutralize every toxin, and it never wilts.
To an alchemist, it's a priceless treasure, a divine object beyond their wildest dreams."
"Just put it in front of Yang Wudi, and he'll agree without hesitation—not only to join us, but even to work like an ox and a horse for you."
Dugu Bo gazed at the Aromatic Silk Beauty and couldn't help swallowing.
It was tempting to him as well, but he knew that using it to win over the Breaking Clan was certainly making the best use of it.
"Brilliant!
Absolutely brilliant!"
Dugu Bo gave him a heartfelt thumbs-up:
"With your methods, Yang Wudi will be wrapped around your little finger."
"Then let's set off at once!"
Several days later.
Dragon Rising City, Star Luo Empire.
The Breaking Clan's residence stood in the north of the city. It covered a large area, yet felt quiet and austere.
The four characters "Breaking Clan" were carved with powerful strokes across the tall gate, radiating a pride that would rather snap than bend.
"Stop!
Who are you?"
Two Breaking Clan disciples dressed in black blocked Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, their expressions wary.
Dugu Bo stood with his hands behind his back, his dark green robe stirring though there was no wind.
He let a sliver of his Title Douluo pressure seep out, and the two disciples went pale, their legs weakening.
"Go tell Yang Wudi that his old friend Dugu Bo has come to visit."
Dugu Bo's voice was quiet, yet it carried clearly into the depths of the residence.
"D-Dugu Bo?
Poison Douluo?!"
The two disciples were scared out of their wits. They didn't dare stop him and scrambled inside to report his arrival.
A moment later.
A hearty voice, edged with hostility, rang out from within the residence:
"Old Poison Freak?
Why aren't you enjoying the good life in Heaven Dou City? What brings you to this backwater?
Are you looking to spar with me?"
As the voice fell, a tall, rugged-looking old man strode out.
His hair and beard were white, but he was vigorous and hale, with bright, piercing eyes. A fierce spear intent radiated from him.
He seemed less like a man than a drawn spear.
He was none other than Yang Wudi, the Breaking Clan's leader!
Seeing Yang Wudi looking ready to fight at any moment, Dugu Bo didn't get angry. Instead, he laughed heartily:
"Old Goat Yang, it's been all these years, and you're still just as hot-tempered."
"Cut the nonsense!"
Yang Wudi snorted, warily sweeping his gaze over Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan behind him:
"No one comes to the Three Treasures Hall without a reason.
You Old Poison Freak never do anything unless there's something in it for you. So, what do you want?
If you're here to recruit me into some faction, don't bother. Turn around and leave!"
Dugu Bo wasn't offended. He simply smiled mysteriously and flipped his hand.
The Aromatic Silk Beauty appeared in his palm.
Its faint fragrance drifted on the breeze and slipped straight into Yang Wudi's nostrils.
Yang Wudi had been wearing an impatient expression, but the instant he caught that scent, he froze.
His nostrils twitched twice. Then his eyes flew open, and he stared at the large pink flower in Dugu Bo's hand.
His gaze was like that of a beggar who hadn't eaten for three days and had just spotted a feast fit for an emperor.
Or a lecher who'd just laid eyes on a peerless beauty.
It was filled with shock, longing, disbelief, and... madness!
"This... this is..."
Yang Wudi's voice trembled. He shakily reached out, wanting to touch it, yet not daring to, as if afraid it was only an illusion.
"The Aromatic Silk Beauty?!"
"It really is the Aromatic Silk Beauty?!"
Watching Yang Wudi lose all composure, Dugu Bo was secretly delighted. On the surface, however, he wore the serene air of a master:
"Clan Leader Yang, you have a keen eye.
It is indeed the real thing."
"Well?
Are you interested in sitting down and talking?"
"Please!"
Yang Wudi practically ground the word out between his teeth. He stepped aside and gestured for them to enter.
But his eyes never left the Aromatic Silk Beauty in Dugu Bo's hand.
He seemed afraid the treasure would fly away if he blinked.
The corner of Dugu Bo's mouth lifted. He turned his palm, and the Immortal Herb that had captivated Yang Wudi vanished into his Soul Tool.
"You—!"
Yang Wudi's breath caught, and his face flushed red as if someone had grabbed him by the throat.
"Don't rush, Old Goat."
With his hands behind his back, Dugu Bo strode grandly over the threshold, speaking at his leisure:
"The thing's right here with me. It's not going anywhere.
Since we're discussing a deal, we should sit down and talk it over slowly."
Before you continue