Not a Sect, but an Alliance-a Community of Shared Destiny! Yang Wudi Agrees? (Seeking Support!)

Yang Wudi drew a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the urge to kill and rob them.

He knew that since Dugu Bo had dared to come alone, he must have something to rely on.

Besides, although the old poison freak was usually vicious, he was reasonably trustworthy when it came to keeping his word.

"Hmph!

You'd better not try any tricks!"

Yang Wudi snorted coldly and turned to lead the way, though his steps were noticeably more hurried than usual.

Dugu Yan followed behind Dugu Bo, calmly surveying the Breaking Clan's manor.

Unlike the tranquil elegance of Dugu Manor and the glittering splendor of the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, everything here seemed especially rough and practical.

The air was thick with the scent of medicinal herbs, mingled with the chill of metal.

It suited the Breaking Clan's style of both refining medicine and forging guns.

The three of them arrived at the reception hall.

After taking their seats as host and guests, Yang Wudi couldn't even wait for the servants to bring tea before he blurted out,

"Old Poison Freak, let's speak plainly.

"What conditions do you want for that Aromatic Silk Beauty?

"Gold Soul Coins?

"Rare metals?

"Or do you want me to kill someone for you?

"As long as it doesn't go against my principles or harm the innocent, I can agree to it!"

Yang Wudi's tone was firm and decisive.

For this Immortal Herb, he was willing to pay a tremendous price.

With it, he could break through the bottleneck in his medicine refining.

He could also begin refining many poisonous medicines he'd never dared try before, raising the Breaking Clan's strength to a whole new level!

Dugu Bo picked up the cup of tea that had just been brought over and took an unhurried sip before slowly lifting his eyelids.

"Money?

"I'm not short of it.

"Killing someone?

"I can do that myself.

"As for rare metals... do I look like a blacksmith to you?"

"Then what exactly do you want?!"

Yang Wudi slammed his hand on the table in agitation, jolting the teacups into the air.

Dugu Bo set down his teacup. His expression turned serious as he looked straight at Yang Wudi.

"I want you—and the entire Breaking Clan."

The hall fell into deathly silence.

The anxiety on Yang Wudi's face gradually faded, replaced by an icy chill.

A razor-sharp spear intent rose slowly from him, as if it were cleaving the air around them.

"Dugu Bo, are you making a fool of me?"

Yang Wudi's voice was low and dangerous.

"You should know that ever since the Clear Sky Sect shut its gates and abandoned us like stray dogs, I swore an oath.

"The Breaking Clan will never depend on any sect!

"I don't even care about Spirit Hall, let alone you.

"If you want me to be your dog, then get out now! I'd rather go without the Immortal Herb!"

Though he said he didn't want it, the fleeting pain and reluctance deep in Yang Wudi's eyes didn't escape Yu Nan's notice.

In the face of Yang Wudi's outburst, Dugu Bo remained completely unfazed.

He hadn't even activated his protective Soul Power. He merely sneered.

"Depend on you?

"Be your dog?

"Yang Wudi, you think too highly of yourself—and too little of me.

"I have no interest in founding a sect, nor do I want to be your master.

"I just want to find you and the Breaking Clan a way to survive—and... a chance for revenge."

At the word "revenge," the aura around Yang Wudi faltered.

He stared fixedly at Dugu Bo.

"What do you mean?"

"It's simple."

Dugu Yan, who had been silent until then, suddenly spoke.

She slowly rose to her feet, still young in years.

Yet the aura she gave off made even Yang Wudi feel a strange pressure.

It was the pressure of a higher dragon lineage. Faint though it was, it reached straight for the soul.

Dugu Yan walked to the center of the hall and met Yang Wudi's sharp gaze. Her voice rang out, clear and resolute.

"Clan Chief Yang, we aren't asking you to join some sect and submit to its endless rules and formalities.

"We simply want to form an alliance, a community of shared interests.

"You'll provide medicine-refining techniques and military support. We'll provide the Immortal Herb you've dreamed of, protection, and the means to stand against Spirit Hall in the future."

"Stand against Spirit Hall?"

Yang Wudi scoffed as if he'd just heard the biggest joke in the world.

"Little girl, you certainly have a big mouth.

"You two, grandfather and granddaughter, and my Breaking Clan—nothing more?

"Do you know how many Titled Douluo Spirit Hall has? Do you know how terrifying their foundations are?"

"We know, of course."

Dugu Yan smiled faintly, her expression tinged with mystery and confidence.

"But what if we could make every member of the Breaking Clan a dragon among men?

"What if I told you that, besides the Aromatic Silk Beauty, we have other medicines that can improve your clan members' aptitude?"

At this, Dugu Yan paused, her gaze turning sharp as a blade.

"More importantly, Clan Chief Yang, are you content?

"Content to spend your whole life holed up in this little Dragon Rising City?

"Content to watch Spirit Hall grow stronger by the day while you can do nothing?

"Content to be cast aside by the Clear Sky Sect, then fade into obscurity and die?"

Each question landed like a heavy hammer against Yang Wudi's heart.

Of course he wasn't content!

He dreamed of trampling the Pope Order of Spirit Hall beneath his feet!

He dreamed of making those cowards hiding in the Clear Sky Sect see what a great loss it had been to abandon the Breaking Clan!

"Words are cheap!"

Yang Wudi gritted his teeth, his voice hoarse.

"Why should I believe you have that kind of power?

"Because your grandfather's a Titled Douluo who plays with poison?"

"Ninety-third rank."

Dugu Bo interjected at just the right moment.

At the same time, he released the full pressure of his rank-93 Soul Power!

Boom!

The entire hall trembled. Tables and chairs groaned and creaked.

Yang Wudi's expression changed. He involuntarily took half a step back, his eyes full of shock.

The last time they'd met, the old poison freak had only just passed rank 91. How could he have advanced so quickly?!

"And..."

Dugu Bo withdrew his pressure and raised his left hand. In an instant, his five fingers became a black ghostly claw, glimmering with a faint light.

"My Soul Power has soared, and I've also gained two Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones and two powerful attack Soul Skills.

"Yang Wudi, even if you fought with your life on the line, you might not last five moves against me now."

Yang Wudi fell silent.

Strength was the best passport.

Dugu Bo's explosive growth in power proved that they truly had some special means or fortuitous opportunity.

And then there was that Aromatic Silk Beauty...

The scales began to tip.

"You're really giving me this flower?"

Yang Wudi's voice softened, carrying one last trace of hesitation.

"As long as you agree, it's yours."

Dugu Bo flipped his hand, and the Aromatic Silk Beauty appeared once more. Its intoxicating fragrance filled the hall again.

"Not only that, I can also promise that I won't begrudge you any rare medicinal herbs you need for refining, so long as I can get my hands on them.

"Besides, we won't interfere in your clan's internal affairs. We'll simply support one another when needed."

Yang Wudi looked at the Immortal Herb. The struggle in his eyes vanished completely, replaced by a look of resolve.

He took a deep breath, sprang to his feet, and clasped his fists firmly toward Dugu Bo—or rather, toward the Immortal Herb.

"Good!

"I'll take that deal!

"From today on, the Breaking Clan is willing to form an alliance with Poison Douluo!"

Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan exchanged a glance, both seeing the smiles in each other's eyes.

The first cornerstone was secured!

Just then, Yu Nan's languid voice sounded once more in Dugu Yan's Sea of Consciousness.

"Now that you've won over that stubborn mule, don't just sit around.

"Ask him about the divine smith Lou Gao in Gengxin City, and... the Speed Clan.

"If we're going to do this, we might as well go big."