One day after the war ended, the Four Single-Attribute Clans arrived in Heaven Dou City.
The four clans did not follow Prince Xue Xing's arrangements, instead going their separate ways. The Strength Clan had a small business of its own in Heaven Dou City and went straight back to its own premises, while the other three clans each booked an entire hotel and settled in.
Yang Wudi took several elders straight to the residence where the children had been arranged to stay. His younger brother, son, and grandson were there, and he had many things to discuss with his younger brother, Yang Wushuang.
Prince Xue Xing did not go home, instead heading straight to the imperial palace.
Inside the palace, Xue Ye's expression grew grave after he heard about the war. Spirit Hall had always placed immense pressure on the Heaven Dou Empire. Now even the mighty number one sect under heaven had suffered devastating losses and been forced into seclusion. How were they supposed to contend with Spirit Hall in the future?
However, when Xue Ye heard that the Four Single-Attribute Clans had come to Heaven Dou City, his expression eased considerably.
"Xue Xing, you did very well this time. Although the Four Single-Attribute Clans are only average in strength, they have over a thousand Soul Masters between them. Even if they don't join our Heaven Dou Empire, they'll still stand with us against Spirit Hall."
"Invite the four clan chiefs to the palace tomorrow so we can discuss arrangements for the Four Single-Attribute Clans together. Remember, you must make sure they stay in the Heaven Dou Empire."
Prince Xue Xing hesitated. "Imperial Brother, I know the Four Single-Attribute Clans are important, but won't this put us on bad terms with Spirit Hall? Besides, after being abandoned by the Clear Sky Sect, I'm afraid the Four Single-Attribute Clans won't pledge themselves to any other faction."
"Xue Xing, remember this: Spirit Hall is already our greatest enemy. Even the Star Luo Empire poses less of a threat than Spirit Hall."
Xue Ye had ruled the empire for many years. Although he could hardly be called an enlightened ruler, he still had his own understanding of the state of the world and knew all the more clearly who his enemy was.
When Yang Wudi and the elders arrived at the residence and saw the children playing and training around them, faint smiles finally appeared on their faces. All their exhaustion and pain vanished like smoke and clouds.
Yang Wushuang, Yang Zhentian, and the others were very excited. "Big Brother, you're finally here. How are things now?"
Yang Wudi glanced at the children again. "Let's go inside before we talk."
Once they entered the room, there were nine people present: Yang Wudi, Yang Wushuang, Yang Zhentian, and six Soul Saints from the Breaking Clan. These were all the Soul Saints the Breaking Clan had, and all nine had the Soul Breaking Spear as their Martial Soul.
Yang Wudi described the course of the battle in detail, including how they had been abandoned by the Clear Sky Sect and hunted by Spirit Hall.
After hearing everything, Yang Wushuang was furious. "That fucking Clear Sky Sect! Our Breaking Clan risked our lives for them for generations, and they just abandoned us without even a word. Big Brother, what do you think we should do now?"
Yang Wudi fell silent for a moment. "There are several main issues right now. I specifically gathered everyone here to discuss them."
"First, should our Breaking Clan develop in the Heaven Dou Empire, or return to the Star Luo Empire?"
Everyone present offered their opinions. Some supported returning to the Star Luo Empire, while others favored developing in the Heaven Dou Empire. Yang Zhentian remained silent throughout.
"Zhentian, where do you think we should develop?" Yang Wudi asked directly.
"Dad, the Heaven Dou Empire is actually quite good. Besides, you came to Heaven Dou City with Prince Xue Xing. I'm afraid leaving now won't be so easy."
"And the Star Luo Imperial Family is rather domineering. If we go to Star Luo City, we could easily be absorbed by the Star Luo Empire. But if we don't stay in Star Luo City, Spirit Hall could easily target us. So I suggest we stay near Heaven Dou City. At least the Heaven Dou Imperial Family isn't as domineering."
After hearing this, everyone fell silent. In the end, Yang Wudi decided that the Breaking Clan would rebuild its clan grounds near Heaven Dou City and develop independently.
After deciding to remain in the Heaven Dou Empire, Yang Wudi spoke again. "Our clan was abandoned by the Clear Sky Sect in this war. The Heaven Dou Empire, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan have all tried to recruit us, but I turned them all down. From now on, our Breaking Clan will develop independently and no longer rely on any sect."
"There's also the matter of the exact location of our new clan grounds. Everyone, give it some thought. Our Four Single-Attribute Clans may be discussing this with the Heaven Dou Imperial Family in the next couple of days."
After discussing a few more matters concerning the clan's development, everyone dispersed to see their own little brats.
Yang Wudi went to Yang Podi's room. As Yang Podi looked utterly bewildered, he hugged his grandson and refused to let go, making it a little difficult for him to breathe.
"Grandpa, you're finally here! Your grandson missed you so much. Podi never wants to be separated from Grandpa again."
Yang Wudi stroked his grandson's little head, rubbing it over and over. "Podi, Grandpa missed you too. Our family won't be separated again."
In this war involving the Clear Sky Sect, without the children holding them back, the Breaking Clan had suffered the fewest losses among the Four Single-Attribute Clans. They still had over four hundred disciples after the war, far better than the mere hundred-odd disciples left in the original story. The other three clans had all lost over half their members, leaving each with only three hundred or so disciples.
It could be said that after this battle, both their current fighting strength and the development of their younger generation were the best among the Four Single-Attribute Clans. After all, the children, who were the most likely to die in war, had been protected ahead of time.
An unintentional act by his grandson Yang Podi had actually brought the clan such enormous help. It counted as a considerable contribution to the clan, and even the other elders said he should be rewarded, leaving Yang Wudi rather speechless.
The next day, at the invitation of Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire, Yang Wudi and the other three clan chiefs arrived at the palace. After some discussion, all four decided to establish their clans near Heaven Dou City, at most a few dozen kilometers away. It was relatively convenient in every respect.
The Breaking Clan's grounds lay roughly forty kilometers east of Heaven Dou City and included a mountain and a valley, mainly to make growing medicinal herbs and the like easier. After all, refining medicine was the most important thing for the Breaking Clan. The location was also only sixty kilometers from Sunset Forest, making it convenient for Breaking Clan members to enter the forest to gather medicinal herbs and the like.
The other three clans were also scattered in different locations outside Heaven Dou City, all very close to the city.
This brought the Four Single-Attribute Clans into a closer relationship with the Heaven Dou Empire. They also reached an understanding with the empire that, should an outside enemy attack, they would assist the Heaven Dou Empire in resisting them. This counted as siding with the Heaven Dou Empire, but the empire was not permitted to interfere in the four clans' internal affairs.
As for any other demands, neither the Heaven Dou Empire nor the Four Single-Attribute Clans raised many. This was only their first collaboration, and neither side would become too deeply involved.