For some time afterward, all the adults seemed extremely busy. His father, Yang Zhentian, in particular, was nowhere to be seen for long stretches. Even the time he spent seeing his mother had dwindled considerably.
Yang Podi himself did not mind. He no longer clamored to go out and play, instead working even harder at cultivation, practicing his spear techniques, building his stamina, soaking in medicinal baths, and reading. His days were packed full.
In just a few short years, he had read nearly all the ordinary books in the Breaking Clan. What remained were mainly books on medicinal herbs and Martial Soul cultivation. These were stored separately, and Yang Podi could not access them yet.
Of course, the clan kept these books separate mainly for the disciples' safety. For a child who had not awakened his Martial Soul, exposure to this knowledge could be very dangerous.
Three months after his grandfather, Yang Wudi, arrived in Heaven Dou City, most of the sect's experts gathered one day on a mountain east of the city.
The mountain was only of middling height and was not particularly rugged, but it covered a fairly large area, nearly ten kilometers across. More importantly, there was a large valley within it, with a climate very suitable for growing medicinal herbs. This mountain was called Clear Source Mountain.
At that moment, on Clear Source Mountain, Yang Wudi and his companions watched the people bustling about below, looking somewhat gratified.
Over the past three months, the Breaking Clan had spent more than half its savings and invited the Defense Clan to build its new grounds. Now, the work was finally nearing completion.
The Breaking Clan's grounds stood at the foot of Clear Source Mountain, spanning two thousand meters like a small city. Many buildings had been erected within, including several hundred residences, as well as numerous medicine-refining rooms, cultivation rooms, weapons workshops, and even several large martial practice fields. There was also a small lake at the edge of the grounds.
It could be said that almost everything a sect needed was there. Even the water supply had been developed. Of course, Yang Wudi had also secretly arranged for an escape tunnel to be dug, something almost no one knew about.
Just then, Niu Gao, who had been busy for half the day, came up to them and boasted outright, "Old Goat, what do you think? Are you satisfied with these newly built clan grounds?"
"Old Rhino, the craft you make your living by really is impressive."
"Old Goat, I really don't understand why you chose this place. Can't medicinal herbs be grown anywhere? The mountains and waters here may be lovely, but this place has one enormous flaw."
"Old Rhino, of course I know about that flaw. My Breaking Clan may have nothing else, but our clansmen aren't afraid to die. If someone attacks us, at worst, our whole clan will die."
The Breaking Clan's grounds were well built in every respect, with the sole drawback being inadequate defenses. There were practically no natural barriers, and the clan's main gate had only a few dozen meters of city wall, which was nowhere near enough against Soul Masters.
Yang Wudi did not care about that, however.
"Old Rhino, how much longer until you finish?"
"We'll be done in three days at most. Three days from now, your entire Breaking Clan can move in."
"Thank you so much for this. Without your Defense Clan throwing its full strength into the construction, our clan grounds would never have been finished so quickly."
"Old Goat, you're treating me like an outsider. With the relationship we have? By the way, when are you planning to move in?"
"Since you'll finish within three days, our Breaking Clan will move in three days from now. Why don't we all get together then?"
"That sounds good. It'll be a perfect chance to see my little grandson. It's been a while since I last saw him."
"Good, then it's settled!"
And so, three days passed. Accompanied by his parents and grandfather, Yang Podi arrived at the Breaking Clan's new grounds for the first time.
The towering walls and brand-new buildings immediately astonished him. From the look of things, everything had been newly built. In other words, they had completed the grounds in less than three short months. The Defense Clan certainly lived up to its reputation.
Yang Podi followed his father and mother to their family's home. Compared with their old home at the clan grounds, it was much better in both size and luxury.
Just the three of them occupied an enormous courtyard residence, fully equipped with every facility. There were more than ten rooms alone, along with a study, storeroom, medicine-refining room, kitchen, main hall, and more. It was truly luxurious.
There was even a large training ground and a pond in the backyard. The training ground measured several dozen meters in both length and width, no smaller than a basketball court in his previous life. The pond's water was crystal clear, with all kinds of fish swimming about. In terms of surroundings, it was far better than those so-called luxury villas from his previous life. Its only drawback, instead, was that there were a few too few people.
Everyone was very pleased and excited upon arriving at their new home.
For some reason, however, his mother seemed rather awkward and hesitant. During dinner, she said directly to Yang Podi, "Podi, how do you feel about our family of three as it is now? You don't seem to like playing with those other children very much."
Yang Podi was somewhat speechless. "Huh? Those kids are all too childish. I prefer reading or training."
"Son, you're such a good boy. But don't you feel a little lonely this way?"
"Mom, why are you saying that? I'm just a child. What would I have to feel lonely about?"
"Son, children should still spend more time playing with everyone, especially looking after the children younger than you. That's how you'll become an outstanding leader of the Breaking Clan in the future."
Yang Podi was rather speechless. "Mom, I'm still little. Why think that far ahead? Besides, you've said so much today. What exactly are you trying to say?"
His mother, Niu Jinfeng, hesitated for a long time before finally speaking. "Son, would you mind having a little brother or sister?"
"Mom, don't tell me you're pregnant?"
At these words, both his father and mother fell silent. Yang Podi understood at once: he was going to be an older brother.
"Mom, being pregnant is a good thing. It means I'm going to be an older brother. Why do you both have such strange expressions?"
The two hurriedly spoke up. "It certainly is a good thing. Son, no matter what, you'll always be our most beloved son."
But seeing Yang Podi's completely unconcerned expression, the two could not help grumbling inwardly, Has our son gone silly? He's about to have a little brother or sister, yet he doesn't seem to care at all.
After dinner, his father, Yang Zhentian, looked somewhat serious. "Son, I've been planning to tell the clan about the effects of whale rubber soon. What do you think?"
Yang Podi thought for a moment as well. "Dad, the clan suffered quite a few deaths and injuries in this crisis. Telling Grandpa and the others about the effects of whale rubber would be a good thing for the clan, too."
Life had been rather difficult for Yang Zhentian lately. Ever since word spread that he was going to take whale rubber, everyone had been giving him strange looks. Even his father, Yang Wudi, had sought him out and told him to take care of his health, leaving him utterly speechless.