A Conversation with Yang Wudi

Shen Lian deliberately lowered his voice, then continued speaking to Yang Wudi:

"Senior, do you know that if we had a large number of Soul Tools, or developed even stronger ones, both the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall could be wiped out?"

Upon hearing Shen Lian's words, Yang Wudi's fingers dug deeply into the edge of the shield, his leather-wrapped knuckles turning white.

He suddenly began coughing violently, making the medicine pouch on his chest rustle. Afterward, however, he let out a hoarse laugh:

"Young friend, this thing of yours can be called exceptionally precious. It gives low-level soul masters the ability to kill high-level soul masters. And you even said that stronger Soul Tools could be developed."

The laughter abruptly ceased. Yang Wudi suddenly leaned close and said to Shen Lian:

"Speak. What exactly do you want this old man to do for you, or what do you hope to gain, in exchange for such a priceless treasure?"

Shen Lian stood in the main hall of Yang Wudi's residence. The candlelight flickered, casting a distorted outline of him upon the walls.

The air was thick with medicinal fragrance, mixed with a faint trace of blood. At this moment, it only added to the tension of the conversation about to unfold.

Yang Wudi's question struck like a heavy hammer, shattering the brief silence.

A faint smile curled Shen Lian's lips, though there was not the slightest hint of amusement in his eyes as he said:

"Senior, you jest. This is simply my gift of thanks."

Shen Lian's voice was steady, carrying an unquestionable firmness, as though he truly only wished to thank Yang Wudi for treating Zhu Zhuqing.

However, Yang Wudi was not someone who could be fooled so easily.

The battle-hardened patriarch of the Breaking Clan stared intently at Shen Lian with his clouded eyes, like an eagle scrutinizing its prey.

Yang Wudi mercilessly set the two Soul Tools down with a heavy crash. The loud clang made even the ground tremble slightly.

"Young friend, you should just say it directly. Otherwise, I would not dare accept these things."

Yang Wudi's words carried obvious dissatisfaction and wariness. His fingers unconsciously rubbed the Soul-Breaking Spear, his Martial Soul, as though using it to calm the turmoil in his heart.

Seeing this, Shen Lian knew the time had come.

He leaned forward slightly, met Yang Wudi's gaze, and slowly said:

"Senior, some days ago, I spoke with Yang Cheng and learned that many members of the Breaking Clan deeply resent the Clear Sky Sect now, especially Tang Hao. They hate them even more than Spirit Hall. As the patriarch of the Breaking Clan, what do you think?"

This question was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring towering waves.

Yang Wudi's eyes immediately sharpened like blades, as though he wished to see straight through Shen Lian.

He stared at Shen Lian, his voice filled with long-suppressed fury:

"I feel the same as my clansmen. I cannot understand why the Clear Sky Sect abandoned our Breaking Clan. Were we trash in the eyes of the Clear Sky Sect, something they could discard whenever they wished?"

As he spoke, Yang Wudi grew increasingly agitated. His body trembled slightly, his voice rose higher and higher, and his words brimmed with resentment toward the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Hao, and Spirit Hall.

Those past events, buried beneath the dust of time, now surged forth like floodwaters breaking through a dam.

Only after a long while, following another violent fit of coughing, did Yang Wudi gradually calm down.

Yang Wudi took a deep breath. His gaze regained its composure as he looked straight at Shen Lian and said:

"Young friend, you did not bring this up just so you could hear me curse the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall, did you? Speak. What exactly do you want?"

Shen Lian nodded to himself. Yang Wudi truly was a smart man.

He organized his thoughts and slowly said:

"Senior, look at these two Soul Tools. As long as one has Soul Power, one can research and use them. But if one's Martial Soul possesses a spiritual attribute, there will be enormous advantages in researching and operating Soul Tools."

As Shen Lian spoke, he picked up the defensive shield Soul Tool and gently stroked the flowing runes upon it, a trace of pride flashing through his eyes.

Yang Wudi stared closely at the Soul Tool, curiosity and contemplation glimmering in his eyes.

After pondering for a moment, he looked at Shen Lian and asked:

"You mean that Soul Tools like these can be mass-produced, and can even become stronger?"

Shen Lian said nothing, only nodding solemnly.

He knew that, at this moment, silence was more persuasive than any words.

A flicker of shock passed through Yang Wudi's eyes, but it was soon replaced by vigilance as he said to Shen Lian:

"Could it be that you are from some secluded sect? Since you possess the method to make such Soul Tools, do you want our Breaking Clan to join your sect?"

Shen Lian smiled faintly and said:

"Senior, you guessed half of it right. The force behind me does indeed possess the method of making Soul Tools, and it does wish to invite your clan to join it. But there is one thing you guessed wrong. The force behind me is not a secluded sect, but a nation countless times stronger than both the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire."

After speaking, Shen Lian fixed his eyes on Yang Wudi's expression, observing every subtle reaction from him.

At the same time, he silently contacted Huang Tian within his Consciousness Sea, preparing for the worst.

If Yang Wudi refused, then to avoid exposing the Sun-Moon Empire ahead of time, he would not rule out extreme measures. He could not allow this secret to leak.

Yang Wudi's fingers clawed tightly into the armrest of his grand chair, veins bulging beneath his loose skin like the roots of an ancient tree.

He stared fixedly at Shen Lian, his clouded eyes bloodshot, as though he wanted to see through the young man before him:

"Young friend, you are not joking, are you? Aren't the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires the only two great empires on the Douluo Continent? How could there be a third empire?"

Shen Lian stood with his hands behind his back, the Dragon-Slaying Blade resting diagonally at his side. Its dark golden patterns flickered beneath the candlelight like a slumbering beast.

A confident curve lifted his lips, and his eyes shone with a light that spoke of certain victory:

"I am not lying to you, Senior."

As he spoke, he flicked a finger. A thread of crimson Soul Power burst from his fingertips and condensed into an illusory map in the air.

Upon the map, the territories of the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires were clearly visible. Far beyond them, a vast and boundless continent slowly emerged, its Sun Moon totem gleaming brilliantly. Shen Lian then said to Yang Wudi:

"There truly is an empire behind me—the Sun-Moon Empire. Its territory is as vast as the sea, its resources as abundant as mountains, and it is far stronger than Heaven Dou and Star Luo."

Shen Lian slowly stepped forward, and the illusory map expanded with him. Mountains, rivers, cities, and fortresses appeared one after another.

Shen Lian raised a hand and swept it across the map's densely scattered markings of Soul Tool workshops, continuing:

"In our Sun-Moon Empire, Soul Tools and traditional Martial Souls now hold equal status.

A Soul Grandmaster wielding a Soul Guidance Cannon can contend with a Soul King; the Royal Soul Master Legion, marching in formation, can flatten mountain ranges in an instant."