Defense Clan, Niu Gao

Early the next morning, at the entrance of the Defense Clan.

Dai Mubai arrived with Zhu Zhuqing and Su Xiong.

Just then, a member of the Defense Clan spotted Dai Mubai, and his expression changed drastically.

He immediately leaned close to one of the gate guards and whispered something.

Clearly, he had recognized Dai Mubai as the person who had injured Niu Ben yesterday.

At the gate.

The guard's gaze instantly turned wary, with a hint of hostility.

"Stop. Who are you people?"

the guard asked sternly.

"I'm here to see your Clan Leader. The Young Clan Leader will do as well."

Su Xiong frowned as he spoke.

Today's guards were not the same two from yesterday, so they did not know that they had come before.

"The Young Clan Leader isn't seeing anyone. Leave now. Go on, get out of here."

The gate guard spoke impatiently, waving them away.

They had injured someone yesterday, and today they wanted to see the Young Clan Leader?

How could that be possible?

"Hm?"

Hearing that, Su Xiong felt a surge of anger rise within him. Eight Soul Rings rose behind him in succession.

An immense pressure immediately descended upon the gate guard.

"Th-this..."

Eight rings?

A Soul Douluo!

The instant the Eight Soul Rings appeared, the gate guard panicked.

This...

Were they here to cause trouble?

"A misunderstanding, it's a misunderstanding! Senior, please wait in the main hall. I'll go call the Young Clan Leader right away."

He hurriedly had others receive the three of them while he rushed back to report to the Young Clan Leader, Niu Ben.

Watching them scramble about in panic, Dai Mubai

seemed to understand that they must have misunderstood something.

However, Dai Mubai did not care much.

After all, he only intended to ask for directions before leaving.

Dai Mubai strolled inside at an unhurried pace.

With the shop in his possession, he was not particularly anxious to find Yang Wudi.

Sooner or later, he would be able to refresh the Compendium of Medicinal Herbs.

As he entered the Defense Clan, he surveyed his surroundings and found that the clan was indeed doing quite well.

The buildings were splendid, and the population was sizable.

It would be even better if he could take them in while he was at it.

If he did not take them in now, they would only benefit Tang San in the future.

He might as well poach them first.

Both of these clans currently bore a deep hatred for the Clear Sky Sect.

They believed that if the Clear Sky Sect had not abandoned them, they would not have had to leave their homeland.

And he had information about Immortal Herbs.

Winning Yang Wudi over would be easy.

As for Niu Gao,

because he had honored his promise and lost a bet to Tang San,

although unwilling in his heart, he had still resolved his grievances with the Clear Sky Sect.

Later, because he valued Tang San's talent, he joined the Tang Sect.

There was no reason he should be inferior to Tang San.

Speaking of which, he was only a Soul Ancestor now, while Tang San had already been in his twenties when he competed against Niu Gao.

At that time, Tang San had been a level 66 Soul Emperor. With the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer and Divine Slaughter's Domain, he had defeated Niu Gao in a contest of strength.

He was now 15 Years Old, a level 46 Soul Ancestor, with the combat strength of a Soul Emperor.

And that was without taking any Immortal Herbs.

He was no worse than Tang San at all.

In fact, Dai Mubai felt that he was far better than Tang San.

"The Young Clan Leader will be here shortly. Please wait a moment, the three of you."

The gate guard led Dai Mubai and the other two into the main hall.

At the same time, Niu Ben entered as well.

He courteously received Dai Mubai and the others.

"Rhino King of Strength?"

Dai Mubai recognized the person before him at a glance.

He could not help speaking up.

No wonder that gate guard had been so nervous earlier.

The member of the Defense Clan he had injured yesterday was actually their Young Clan Leader, Niu Ben.

"That's me."

Niu Ben nodded. "What is your purpose in coming to the Defense Clan?"

"I'm looking for Yang Wudi to ask where the Breaking Clan is located."

Dai Mubai did not hide it.

"What do you want with the Breaking Clan?"

"I want Yang Wudi to identify a medicinal herb."

"Identify a medicinal herb?"

Niu Ben frowned upon hearing that, his expression somewhat hesitant.

That was certainly a legitimate reason.

Yang Wudi of the Breaking Clan had always been obsessed with researching medicinal herbs...

He truly was exceptionally skilled.

However, he did not know whether the people before him were friend or foe.

"Who are you?"

Niu Ben asked directly.

"How could someone like you be qualified to ask about the young master's identity?"

Su Xiong had already been angry, but it was not appropriate to take it out on a gate guard.

He immediately vented his displeasure on the Young Clan Leader instead.

He stepped forward, his aura pressing down upon Niu Ben.

This was the Star Luo Empire.

Although Su Xiong had now achieved Breakthrough to Soul Douluo, he was still somewhat weaker compared to Dai Weisi's forces.

It was best to remain cautious.

Niu Ben was suppressed by Su Xiong's aura.

His heart sank.

He knew that Su Xiong was a Soul Douluo!

But he had not expected Su Xiong to call Dai Mubai young master!

This...

What respectable family would use a Soul Douluo as a guard?

A Soul Douluo in the Defense Clan possessed strength comparable only to their Clan Leader.

Could it be...

Had the Clear Sky Sect come looking for them?

Niu Ben immediately panicked.

Those with such strength were likely limited to Spirit Hall and the Upper Three Sects.

Just then,

a voice rang out from outside.

"Who dares behave so recklessly in my home?!"

The group looked toward the door.

Niu Gao was striding into the room with vigorous steps, his face alert and his aura imposing.

Seeing his father arrive, Niu Ben immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Niu Gao stared at Su Xiong, releasing his own aura.

Su Xiong did not yield in the slightest.

Their powerful forces collided in midair, producing waves of humming sounds.

Both were level 82 Soul Douluos, evenly matched in strength. Now that they were facing each other head-on, the atmosphere became incomparably tense.

At that moment,

before Dai Mubai could say anything, Niu Ben hurriedly explained to his father.

"Father, they aren't here to cause trouble. They came to ask about the whereabouts of the Breaking Clan and seek Yang Wudi's help in identifying a medicinal herb."

Niu Ben said.

"Looking for Yang Wudi?"

Niu Gao looked at the other party, who did not seem like enemies.

Upon hearing this, he slowly withdrew some of his aura.

Yet he continued to ask, "Who exactly are you?"

This concerned an old friend, so he had no choice but to be cautious.

Moreover,

with strength like theirs...

Only a major force like the Upper Three Sects could have someone of such distinguished status.