The Pill Saturation Point!

After breaking through to level ninety-six, Dugu Bo did not continue taking pills.

It was not that he did not want to, but that his body had sent a clear signal: it was saturated.

The medicinal effects of those pills had not yet been fully digested. They had settled deep within his meridians, bones, muscles, and internal organs, requiring time to be absorbed slowly.

Taking more in a short period would only be a waste.

At the Super Douluo level, the effects of pills had already been greatly diminished.

It was not that the pills were ineffective, but that the energy required for further advancement was simply too vast.

The medicinal power contained in a Singular Velvet Pill, if used to cultivate a Soul Saint, would be enough to raise him three levels in a row.

But for a level ninety-six Super Douluo, it could not even fill a small notch of Soul Power. The gain simply could not keep up with the cost.

For the first time, Dugu Bo understood why so many Super Douluo were stuck at level ninety-six, unable to step into level ninety-seven for their entire lives.

It was not because their talent was insufficient, nor because they lacked resources. It was because their comprehension was inadequate and their understanding of their own Martial Souls had not reached that level.

From level ninety-six to ninety-seven, what was needed was not the accumulation of Soul Power, but a deeper understanding of the Martial Soul's origin.

Those Super Douluo who had been piled up through pills and heavenly treasures had unstable foundations and insufficient comprehension. They would remain at level ninety-six for the rest of their lives.

Only by truly understanding the essence of one's Martial Soul and touching the depths of its origin could one continue forward.

Dugu Bo was not in a hurry.

The Nether Refining Chapter of the Nine Nether Divine Dragon Art was the key that guided him toward comprehending Nine Nether Power.

Nether Poison, Nether Earth, Nether Thunder, Nether Cold, Nether Domain, Nether Might, Nether Soul, Nether Silence, Nether Annihilation.

Each of the nine dimensions required time to comprehend.

Once he understood them, advancement would come naturally. If he could not comprehend them, then no amount of pills would be of use.

He stood up, his Dark Golden Dragon Eyes gazing toward the distant sky.

Life at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes was peaceful and fulfilling, but he could not remain here forever.

Nine Nether Hall needed manpower, and he had long decided on his first target.

The Xingluo Empire, the Breaking Clan.

The Breaking Clan had once been one of the Clear Sky Sect's Four Affiliated Clans, renowned for both pills and battle.

Their Martial Soul was the Soul Breaking Spear. Its offensive power was exceptionally tyrannical, and the longer they fought, the fiercer they became. They feared neither injury nor death.

When the Clear Sky Sect went into seclusion, the Four Affiliated Clans were also forced to disband, scattering in all directions.

The Strength Clan settled in Heaven Dou City, the Speed Clan barely survived in the forests, the Defense Clan took up construction work in the Xingluo Empire, while the Breaking Clan's leader, Yang Wudi, led his people to the Xingluo Empire as well, making a living through pills.

The Breaking Clan's days were not easy either.

Although Spirit Hall had not wiped them out completely, it had continually suppressed them in secret.

Yang Wudi was a stubborn and unyielding man. He would rather let his clansmen suffer than bow his head to Spirit Hall.

But backbone alone was useless. His clansmen needed food, and the younger generation's cultivation resources could not be cut off.

Yang Wudi had endured until now only through sheer resolve.

But that resolve would not hold out much longer.

Dugu Bo had three reasons for choosing the Breaking Clan.

First, the Breaking Clan was an affiliated clan ruthlessly abandoned by the Clear Sky Sect. They hated both the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall to the bone. With such natural hatred, he did not need to worry that they would defect to Spirit Hall or return to the Clear Sky Sect.

Second, although Yang Wudi had a foul temper, he valued loyalty and righteousness. If you showed him kindness, he would repay it with his life.

Third, the Breaking Clan's Martial Soul was the Soul Breaking Spear, a pure offensive Martial Soul whose attack power ranked among the best of all Martial Souls. If they obtained the cultivation method of the Nine Nether Divine Dragon Art, then given time, the Breaking Clan's overall strength would undergo a qualitative leap. Moreover, he possessed a way to resolve the flaws in their Martial Souls.

Most importantly, the Breaking Clan was currently at its lowest point. This was the best time to win them over.

Adding flowers to brocade could not compare to sending charcoal in the snow.

Dugu Bo told Dugu Xin and Lin Wan'er that he intended to leave.

Dugu Xin asked where his father was going. Dugu Bo said he was making a trip to the Xingluo Empire to subdue a clan and recruit the first batch of manpower for Nine Nether Hall.

Dugu Xin wanted to go with him, but Dugu Bo shook his head and refused.

"You stay here and protect Yan Yan. She comes back every week during her days off. Wait for her here."

Dugu Xin did not insist further and nodded.

Lin Wan'er did not say much either. She merely reminded her father to be careful on the road.

Dugu Bo left the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes and flew southeast.

The Xingluo Empire lay in the southeastern part of the continent, facing the Tiandou Empire across the Star Dou Great Forest.

The shortest route from the Tiandou Empire to the Xingluo Empire was through the Star Dou Great Forest. But that forest was a paradise for Soul Beasts, with more than one Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast dwelling within. Even Titled Douluo did not dare let their guard down there.

Dugu Bo chose to take a detour, entering the Xingluo Empire from the Tiandou Empire's eastern border.

This route was nearly twice as long, but it was safer. He had no desire to be surrounded and beaten by several Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts above the Star Dou Great Forest.

After flying for most of the day, Dugu Bo rested twice along the way.

After breaking through to level ninety-six, both his total Soul Power and recovery speed had undergone a qualitative improvement. Flying continuously for several hours no longer left him fatigued.

During his second rest, he hunted a twenty-thousand-year Soul Beast in a mountain forest, took its Soul Bone and materials, and tossed them into the Ruyi Hundred Treasure Pouch.

These things would be useful in the future. Rather than searching for them when he needed them, it was better to gather them whenever the opportunity arose.

At the Xingluo Empire's border lay the Breaking Clan's residence.

The Breaking Clan's residence was located in a desolate valley.

There were several dozen stone houses in the valley, most of them dilapidated, and the clansmen were dressed quite simply.

One of the former Four Affiliated Clans had fallen to such a state. It was truly lamentable.

Dugu Bo did not barge in directly. Instead, he concealed his aura and observed in secret.

There were only a little over a hundred men, women, old people, and children in the clan. Fewer than thirty Soul Masters possessed real combat strength.

Clan Leader Yang Wudi was an eight-ring Soul Douluo, and his Martial Soul was the Soul Breaking Spear.

There were also a few Soul Saints and Soul Emperors in the clan, but not many. Their overall strength was far inferior to what it had been in their prime.

Dugu Bo observed for half an hour before stepping out from the shadows.

"Who goes there!"

The guards at the entrance immediately became vigilant. Their Soul Breaking Spear Martial Souls appeared in an instant, their spearpoints aimed at Dugu Bo.

Dugu Bo ignored the two guards. Standing with his hands behind his back, his Dark Golden Dragon Eyes looked toward the depths of the valley.

"This old man is Dugu Bo, the Titled Nine Nether Douluo. I have come to visit Yang Wudi, leader of the Breaking Clan."

His voice was not loud, but it was wrapped in Soul Power and spread clearly throughout the entire valley.

Everyone heard the words "Titled Douluo."

Titled Douluo.

They were beings standing at the pinnacle of the continent. They were not someone the Breaking Clan, in its current state, could afford to provoke.

A burly old man emerged from a stone house. Broad-backed and powerfully built, with a resolute face and sharp, bright eyes, he was none other than Yang Wudi, leader of the Breaking Clan.

"Dugu Bo?"

"Nine Nether Douluo? When did you change your title?"

"Forget it."

Yang Wudi frowned. "Why have you come to my Breaking Clan? We do not seem to have any ties."

His tone was not particularly polite, but neither was it hostile.

That was simply Yang Wudi's personality. He treated everyone the same way.

The corners of Dugu Bo's mouth lifted slightly. "I came to discuss a deal with you. Shall we go inside and sit?"

Yang Wudi fell silent for a moment, then stepped aside to make way. "Come in."

After all, Dugu Bo was a Titled Douluo. He had to show him some respect.