As expected, the door soon reopened, and an elderly man, surrounded by members of his clan, stepped out personally. He was none other than the patriarch of the Po Clan—Yang Wudi.
Yang Wudi stood nearly two meters tall, his figure long and lean. Though advanced in age, his hair was jet black, and his complexion ruddy with health. However, his expression was somewhat grim, and his deep-set eyes exuded a sharp, menacing aura.
"Greetings, Senior Yang,"
Chen Feng and Yu Tianlong cupped their fists in respect.
Yang Wudi nodded slightly, a stiff and strained smile appearing on his cold face.
"So, you two young ones are the ones who claimed to bring the Youxiang Qiluo Immortal Herb?"
Chen Feng nodded.
"Indeed. I have long admired the Po Clan and came specifically to visit, hoping to establish a friendly relationship."
Chen Feng purposely refrained from bringing up the herb again. He knew that if this Immortal Herb was as important to Yang Wudi as he believed, the man would certainly bring it up himself.
Yang Wudi's hawk-like gaze flickered with slight displeasure, but he still asked:
"What sect are you from? And what's this talk about the Youxiang Qiluo Immortal Herb?"
The name of the Immortal Herb mattered more to him than any so-called visit.
Without it, Yang Wudi likely wouldn't have greeted them in person—Chen Feng and Yu Tianlong would have been turned away without a second thought.
In response, Chen Feng pulled out a token and handed it to Yang Wudi.
"This is...?"
Yang Wudi's expression eased slightly when he saw the familiar symbol engraved on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's elder token.
In the world of soul masters, Yang Wudi had three sworn enemies: Spirit Hall, the Clear Sky Sect, and a certain local sect in the same city.
At first, Yang Wudi suspected these visitors might have been sent by that local sect—the one that had long coveted the Po Clan and attempted to bring them under its wing.
Now that he saw the token of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, his suspicion faded. That sect was far away in the Heaven Dou Empire and carried a good reputation. That alone was enough to earn some trust.
Still, he couldn't help wondering: Why bring up the Youxiang Qiluo Immortal Herb?
After a moment of thought, Yang Wudi waved his hand, signaling his clan members to step aside.
"I apologize for the earlier reception. Please, come inside."
At the very least, he couldn't turn away guests who brought such a rare item, especially not that herb.
Under Yang Wudi's guidance, they proceeded to the Po Clan's discussion hall.
On the way, Chen Feng observed the Po Clan's current state. Once a subordinate clan to the Clear Sky Sect, they had fallen on hard times since being abandoned.
The clan's compound was pitifully small, just a dozen or so courtyards and several dozen rundown buildings, now crammed with over a hundred people.
Even so, the space had to accommodate their medicine hall, training grounds, discussion room, and more.
The so-called "discussion hall" was merely a slightly larger room. Inside, besides the main seat, there were only three chairs on each side.
Chen Feng and Yu Tianlong took their seats. Before they could even sip their tea, Yang Wudi spoke impatiently:
"You two come from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Are you here on official business? Forgive my bluntness—but if you came here under the name of the Youxiang Qiluo Immortal Herb, you'd best not be deceiving me."
Chen Feng smiled.
"Of course not. That Immortal Herb was something my grandfather acquired by chance. Our visit today isn't for official matters—we came simply to build a friendship with the Po Clan."
He deliberately credited Sword Douluo as the source to avoid attracting unwanted attention or suspicion.
Yang Wudi asked curiously:
"And who is your grandfather?"
"Sword Douluo," Chen Feng replied.
At once, Yang Wudi sat up straighter, his expression turning serious.
As a powerful Soul Douluo who had devoted his life to the Broken Soul Spear, Yang Wudi was naturally familiar with the legendary strength of Sword Douluo.
At that moment, Chen Feng reached into his storage and carefully brought out a large pink flower.
Immediately, a delicate fragrance filled the entire room, soothing and refreshing. All eyes turned toward the flower.
It was a large, pink, petal-less bloom with a stem nearly a meter long. Each crystalline petal sparkled like it was carved from crystal.
It was the Youxiang Qiluo Immortal Herb.
Though it was missing two petals, it remained breathtaking in beauty.
As soon as he saw it, Yang Wudi's eyes locked onto the flower. His body trembled with excitement, and his eyes gleamed like never before.
Step by step, he walked toward Chen Feng, never looking away from the flower.
"May I... touch it?" he asked, his voice trembling.
Chen Feng smiled.
"Of course. This Immortal Herb is a gift for you, Senior."
"What...?"
Yang Wudi froze, his body rigid.
"You... you're giving it to me?"
"Naturally," Chen Feng said firmly. "Only in your hands can it fulfill its true purpose."
With trembling hands, Yang Wudi accepted the flower, cradling it as if it were the most precious thing in the world.
"Tell me what your sect wants. As long as it doesn't harm the Po Clan, I'll agree to anything."
Yang Wudi was no fool—he knew there was no such thing as a free lunch.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was one of the two greatest sects in the world. Ever since the Clear Sky Sect withdrew from the public eye, its reputation has grown even more. Why would they come to visit a fallen clan like his?
If anything, it should've been his clan visiting them.
Chen Feng gave a light cough, then got to the point.
"Senior, I came today for two reasons. First, I wanted to discuss the current state of the soul master world. Senior, do you plan to keep the Po Clan hidden away in this little town forever?"
Yang Wudi sighed.
"What choice do I have? The Clear Sky Sect abandoned us. Spirit Hall hunts us. What else can we do but live in hiding?"
His tone was heavy with bitterness—a man without a place in the world.
Chen Feng shook his head.
"Forgive me, Senior, but I must be honest. Hiding like this is only a temporary solution. Have you ever heard the saying, 'Under a toppled nest, how can any eggs remain intact?'"
Yang Wudi's brows furrowed.
"What do you mean?"
Chen Feng leaned in and lowered his voice mysteriously.
Spirit Hall's ambitions are vast. Ever since Bibi Dong ascended as the new Supreme Pontiff, their movements have only grown more aggressive. I fear that a major reshuffling of power in the soul master world is inevitable. Senior, you'd best prepare early."
Yang Wudi's eyes narrowed.
"Has the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect received news?"
Chen Feng nodded.
"The sect is already making preparations."
By attributing everything to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Chen Feng made his words far more convincing.
Sure enough, Yang Wudi's expression turned grim as he began to ponder.