Breaking Clan: Two Elders Toying with a Child

If they were going to make a move against the Breaking Clan.

Jiang Nanchen pondered for a moment.

"I'll go with you. There's strength in numbers; you can't handle this alone."

"I can't handle it? You really underestimate me."

Qian Renxue snorted softly.

Underestimating me comes at a price.

Jiang Nanchen shook his head, his tone serious.

"It's not that Brother Crown Prince can't handle it. Yang Wudi may look reckless, but he's actually stubborn and has a very strange temper. Relying solely on your status as Crown Prince to pressure him would only provoke his rebellious streak and backfire. It would be safer if I went with you."

Qian Renxue raised a brow, her fingertips tapping against the desk.

"Oh? Then how do you plan to deal with him? The Breaking Clan has never involved itself in court factions. They won't yield to pressure or persuasion. I sent people with an invitation before, but he refused on the grounds that he was in seclusion refining medicine."

"It's true that he's obsessed with medicine refinement." Jiang Nanchen's voice remained calm. "Yang Wudi has devoted most of his life to pills."

Jiang Nanchen paused, then continued, "What I mean is, we shouldn't put on airs as the Crown Prince at first. We'll visit in the name of exchanging pointers. The Breaking Clan has always taken pride in its offensive strength. If you and I face him head-on and beat him into submission, he'll finally take us seriously. Once we've worn down his pride, we can bring out an Immortal Herb he has long sought but never obtained as leverage and discuss cooperation."

"Just one Immortal Herb?" Qian Renxue was somewhat puzzled. It seemed far too simple.

"There's one more crucial factor."

Jiang Nanchen added.

"Back when the Clear Sky Sect sealed itself away in seclusion, it was already harsh toward its four affiliated clans. The Breaking Clan helped the Clear Sky Sect fend off many enemies and suffered terrible casualties, only to be abandoned in the end.

Yang Wudi never says it aloud, but he has long held resentment toward the Clear Sky Sect. We won't use sect rules to pressure him. We'll only speak of mutually beneficial cooperation—give him resources, give him channels, give him sufficient respect. He has no reason to refuse."

Qian Renxue's eyes lit up at once, and the entire train of thought instantly became clear to her.

Previously, she had only considered using force to pressure him or simply tempting him with benefits. She had overlooked the need to first blunt his edge, then offer what he desired. She had also failed to account for his old grievance against the Clear Sky Sect.

Jiang Nanchen's words had laid out the breakthrough point with perfect clarity.

"You're right." Qian Renxue found the plan exceedingly feasible. "I was thinking too shallowly before. A proud man like Yang Wudi will only resent you more the higher you hold your status. Beating him into submission first, then offering him enough benefits, is the approach most suited to him."

If Yang Wudi could be won over and took an Immortal Herb to break through to Titled Douluo, it would undoubtedly be like adding wings to a tiger for her.

The Soul-Breaking Spear focused entirely on offense and had no other defensive methods.

There were not many Martial Souls with such extreme offensive power.

The Strength Clan had already made its choice, so they could be ignored for now. If they came looking for trouble, they would be crippled anyway; after all, they were already at odds with Spirit Hall.

"We'll head out tomorrow. Also, have Uncle Pufferfish make a move as soon as we meet."

Qian Renxue made an OK gesture, anticipation glinting in her eyes. "It's settled, then."

Jiang Nanchen said nothing further. He bowed and took his leave, returning directly to his room to cultivate and rest.

Early the next morning, while the sky was still barely light, a carriage from the Crown Prince's Residence quietly rolled out.

Inside the carriage, Qian Renxue wore ordinary clothes while Jiang Nanchen sat opposite her with his eyes closed in meditation.

Outside, Porcupinefish Douluo wore a black robe and concealed his aura, while Snake Lance Douluo traveled alongside them as well.

Qian Renxue had initially thought Porcupinefish alone would be enough, but on second thought, the Breaking Clan was known for its fierce temperament. Having another Titled Douluo present would be more reliable, so she summoned Snake Lance Douluo to accompany them at the last minute.

The carriage traveled steadily, arriving at the mountain gate territory of the Breaking Clan several hours later.

When the disciples guarding the mountain saw the carriage markings exclusive to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family from afar, their hearts skipped a beat. They dared not show the slightest negligence and immediately turned to sprint into the mountain gate, hurrying to report to Clan Chief Yang Wudi.

The other disciples at the mountain gate also tensed up. The Crown Prince's personal arrival was unprecedented for the Breaking Clan, and no one could tell whether it was a blessing or a disaster.

Once the carriage came to a stop, Qian Renxue lifted the curtain and stepped down first, her robes fluttering lightly as she carried herself with calm poise.

Jiang Nanchen followed closely behind, standing quietly at her side.

Porcupinefish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo took positions to her left and right. Their black robes stirred without wind, and though the aura of Titled Douluo remained restrained, it carried an innate, crushing pressure.

Footsteps sounded from the mountain gate as Yang Wudi strode out to greet them. He was powerfully built, dark-skinned, with short, stiff stubble lining his jaw. A faint scent of medicinal dregs still clung to him, while his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.

He swept his gaze over the group, stopping on Qian Renxue's face. His voice rang deep as a bell. "Your Highness the Crown Prince honors us with your presence. May I ask what brings you here?"

"Senior Yang, let's not beat around the bush." Qian Renxue's tone was calm and direct. "I came today on behalf of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family to discuss cooperation with the Breaking Clan. To put it plainly, I want to recruit you into my service."

Yang Wudi burst into laughter, his voice carrying a trace of arrogance. Then he waved his hand, his tone crisp and decisive.

"I appreciate Your Highness's goodwill, but the Breaking Clan has grown accustomed to a life of leisure and has never involved itself in disputes among court factions. I must decline. Please return, Your Highness."

A faint smile curled across Qian Renxue's lips, her tone casual. "That really is a pity, Clan Chief Yang."

Yang Wudi's heart stirred. He instantly sensed something wrong in her words and sharply turned his gaze toward the two black-robed figures behind Qian Renxue. They stood silently, their auras restrained yet as heavy as mountains. They were certainly no ordinary guards. He silently cursed inwardly.

"Do it."

Qian Renxue spoke lightly.

Porcupinefish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo moved at the same time. Their black robes snapped in the air as two incomparably powerful auras erupted, attacking Yang Wudi from both sides.

Yang Wudi did not dare let down his guard. With a low shout, the crimson Soul-Breaking Spear Martial Soul instantly possessed him. A long spear appeared in his hand, its tip flickering with sharp, destructive battle energy. He darted away, his spear techniques fierce and domineering, every strike dangerous as he tangled with the two of them.

But at the very first clash, Yang Wudi's expression changed drastically. Their Soul Power was vast and deep as an abyss, and their techniques were seasoned and ruthless. Every collision numbed his palms and sent his blood surging. The longer he fought, the more alarmed he became. These were no ordinary experts—these were clearly two genuine Titled Douluo!

He had never imagined that, merely for his Breaking Clan, the Heaven Dou Crown Prince would deploy two Titled Douluo at once. This was no visit; it was plainly an attempt to force him into submission.

After only a few exchanges, Yang Wudi was steadily driven back.

Porcupinefish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo attacked with ease, like two old men toying with a child. They had not even pushed their Soul Power to its limits, yet their techniques alone sealed off every path of Yang Wudi's spear.

One defended while the other attacked, their coordination seamless. No matter how fierce Yang Wudi's Soul-Breaking Spear was, it could not break through the net of Soul Power they had woven.

Yang Wudi drove his Martial Soul with all his strength, but his spear attacks were dissolved at every turn. Every clash made his blood churn violently.

In less than the time it took to burn half an incense stick, Porcupinefish Douluo struck his shoulder with a palm. Yang Wudi staggered back several steps, and the Soul-Breaking Spear nearly flew from his hand.

Yang Wudi supported himself with his long spear as he knelt on one knee. His chest heaved violently, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. None of his former arrogance remained.

He looked up at the two black-robed figures, and only horror remained in his heart.

With two Titled Douluo joining forces to suppress him, he could not even put up a respectable resistance.