Taking In a Soul Douluo Branch, Golden Crocodile Returns, and Bibi Dong Opposes the Dragon-Serpent Sect?

The middle-aged man's gaze was calm.

"I've brought my clansmen here today to pledge ourselves to you. I wonder, young master, will you take us in?"

Dugu Ce's eyes shifted slightly.

"A Soul Douluo?

There's someone of your standing among the branch families?"

Yu Chengzhi gave a bitter smile.

"My branch is one of the larger ones. We've spent these past years hidden in the northern mountains, hunting Soul Beasts for a living. We've never meddled in the sect's disputes.

"Yesterday, when we heard that young master had wiped out the main clan, my clansmen discussed it and decided to come pledge ourselves to you."

Dugu Yan leaned close to Dugu Ce's ear and whispered:

"I've heard the name Yu Chengzhi. Grandpa told me he's the strongest among the branch families.

"He's always kept his clansmen in seclusion and never associated with the main clan."

Dugu Ce nodded and looked at Yu Chengzhi.

"You've been living in seclusion for years. Why come out now and pledge yourself to me?"

Yu Chengzhi sighed.

"Young master may not know this.

"Back then, when your father went to True Dragon Mountain, the main clan went too far. I once tried to persuade Yu Yuanzhen in secret to leave him a way out.

"But Yu Yuanzhen wouldn't listen. Instead, he scolded me and called me 'softhearted.'

"After that, I took my clansmen and hid in the north."

He paused, then continued:

"Now that the main clan has been wiped out, the younger members of my branch need somewhere to go.

"Young master is building the Dragon-Serpent Sect and needs people. I've brought my clansmen to help when you're in need.

"If you trust me, I'm willing to serve you.

"If you don't, I'll turn around and leave. I won't pester you."

Dugu Ce stared at Yu Chengzhi for a long while before asking:

"How many people did you bring?"

"Forty-seven. Seven are Soul Kings or higher; the rest are Soul Ancestors and Soul Elders,"

Yu Chengzhi replied.

"They're all waiting at the foot of the mountain. I brought a few trusted men up first to scout the way."

"Scout the way?"

Dugu Ce smiled.

"Afraid I'd kill you?"

Yu Chengzhi didn't dodge the question. He answered frankly:

"Young master's methods in wiping out the main clan were too ruthless. My clansmen are uneasy. That's understandable."

"Ruthless?"

Dugu Ce stood with his hands behind his back.

"When the main clan killed my father, they were far more ruthless than I was.

"But don't worry. I, Dugu Ce, am no indiscriminate killer.

"If you pledge yourselves to me in good faith, I'll make sure you have food and clothing, and plenty of cultivation resources."

He glanced at Dugu Yan and continued:

"My sister is the Dragon-Serpent Sect's vice sect master. Your branch will be under her jurisdiction.

"Any objections?"

Yu Chengzhi cupped his fists.

"We're grateful for young master's acceptance. We'll be loyal to you without fail."

Dugu Yan stepped forward and looked at Yu Chengzhi.

"Elder Chengzhi, are there any Soul Douluo-level cultivators among the clansmen you brought?"

"Besides me, there's an uncle from my branch who's at level eighty-one. But he's old now and can't fight anymore,"

Yu Chengzhi answered truthfully.

"That'll do."

Dugu Yan nodded.

"Bring your clansmen up the mountain and get them settled first. We'll assign specific duties once the sect is officially established."

Yu Chengzhi accepted the order and went down the mountain with four trusted men.

Dugu Yan turned to Dugu Ce.

"Do you think this Yu Chengzhi can be trusted?"

"More than Yu Chengsi,"

Dugu Ce replied coolly.

"At least he dares to speak honestly."

At the mention of Yu Chengsi, Dugu Yan furrowed her brows again.

"Ce, are you really planning to keep Yu Chengsi's group here until the Myriad Poison Array is ready?"

"No rush."

Dugu Ce looked toward the figures camped at the foot of the mountain.

"Let them stay for now.

"Once Yu Chengzhi's clansmen come up, the two groups will be living together. There's bound to be friction.

"Then we'll see at a glance who's loyal and who's treacherous."

Dugu Yan nodded thoughtfully.

Just then, a golden figure streaked across the distant sky at tremendous speed.

"Teacher?"

Dugu Ce raised an eyebrow.

"You're back already?"

The golden light landed. Golden Crocodile Douluo stood with his hands behind his back, his expression somewhat gloomy.

"Teacher, what happened?"

Dugu Ce sensed something was wrong.

Golden Crocodile Douluo gave a cold snort.

"Ce'er, something's happened at Spirit Hall."

"What is it?"

"After returning to Spirit Hall, I told the Great Worship about your plans to establish a sect.

"The Great Worship agreed to recognize the Dragon-Serpent Sect as one of the Upper Three Sects. He also agreed to allocate resources to you."

Golden Crocodile Douluo paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"But someone disagreed."

Dugu Ce's gaze sharpened.

"Who?"

"Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan,"

Golden Crocodile Douluo said coldly.

"He said you took his Immortal Herb and that he wanted to settle the score with you.

"Ghost Douluo Gui Mei joined in too, saying things like, 'The Dragon-Serpent Sect has no reputation or standing. It doesn't deserve to be one of the Upper Three Sects.'"

Dugu Ce was stunned for a moment, then laughed.

"Elder Yue Guan? Since when did he get so bold?"

"He's not very bold, but he has someone backing him."

Golden Crocodile Douluo lowered his voice.

"I looked into it. Yue Guan and Gui Mei have been getting close to Hu Liena lately, and Hu Liena... is Bibi Dong's disciple."

Dugu Ce narrowed his eyes.

"You mean the Pope is backing them?"

"Hard to say."

Golden Crocodile Douluo shook his head.

"Bibi Dong is inscrutable. Even I can't see through her.

"But one thing is certain: someone within Spirit Hall doesn't want the Dragon-Serpent Sect to grow powerful.

"Ce'er, what do you plan to do?"

Dugu Ce pondered for a moment, then asked:

"What's the Great Worship's position?"

"The Great Worship hasn't taken a position,"

Golden Crocodile Douluo replied with a frown.

"He said, 'Let the young people settle their own disputes.'

"His meaning was clear:

"He won't intervene, but he won't stop anyone else from getting involved either."

Dugu Ce gave a cold laugh.

"If that's the case, then we'll play by the rules."

"What rules?"

"Doesn't Spirit Hall have something called the 'Golden Generation'?"

Dugu Ce looked at Golden Crocodile Douluo.

"Yue Guan and Gui Mei are using Hu Liena as an excuse, so I'll go straight to Hu Liena.

"If I beat her, let's see who still dares say the Dragon-Serpent Sect doesn't deserve its place."

Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyes lit up.

"You're going to challenge Hu Liena?"

"No."

Dugu Ce shook his head.

"I'm going to challenge the entire Golden Generation.

"Don't they claim to be the pinnacle of Spirit Hall's younger generation?

"Then I'll crush that ceiling right in front of everyone at Spirit Hall."

"Good!"

Golden Crocodile Douluo burst out laughing.

"That's the spirit!

"I'll head back and make the arrangements.

"In half a month, at the Martial Soul Hall Martial Arts Arena, you'll have your moment in the spotlight."

"Wait."

Dugu Ce called after Golden Crocodile Douluo.

"Teacher, can you help me find a suitable Soul Beast within the next half month?

"I need my fifth Soul Ring."

Golden Crocodile Douluo raised an eyebrow.

"You've broken through level fifty?"

"Not yet."

Dugu Ce lifted his right hand. The Calamity Sacred Dragon's dark golden flames danced in his palm.

"But I still have Immortal Herbs.

"I didn't have any extra time back at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

"Half a month will be enough for me to refine the Immortal Herbs and raise my Soul Power from level forty-five to level fifty!"

Golden Crocodile Douluo stared at the dark golden flames, a look of amazement flashing through his eyes.

"Not bad, kid. Your Martial Soul is more than a little stronger than before.

"All right. I'll find a suitable Soul Beast as soon as I get back, and make sure you get a ten-thousand-year fifth Soul Ring worthy of your Martial Soul."

"Thank you, teacher."