The main hall of the Breaking Clan's banquet was brightly lit. The roughly hewn stone architecture emanated the rugged solidity unique to border regions. Dried herbs and mineral specimens hung on the walls, along with several coldly shining models of the Soul Breaking Spear, underscoring the very foundation of the clan's existence.
A massive log table was already laden with all kinds of dishes. They weren't as exquisite as those of restaurants in major cities, but the portions were generous. Most of the dishes featured local specialties—game meat, hardy root vegetables that could survive the cold, and distilled liquor brewed by the clan itself. The air was thick with a strong fragrance and a heroic atmosphere.
When the Grand Elder, guided by Yang Wushuang, slowly walked into the hall, Yang Wudi's gaze immediately locked onto him.
At just one glance, Yang Wudi's fingers involuntarily tightened slightly around his wine cup. A deep, uncontrollable shock flashed through his eyes.
This Grand Elder didn't have an especially burly build, nor did he exude an aggressive aura. Instead, he possessed a tranquility that felt like a return to the fundamentals.
With the spiritual perception of a Soul Douluo, Yang Wudi tried his best to probe the other party's depths. Yet the man's soul power felt like a mud ox plunging into the sea—vanishing without a trace. All he sensed was a boundless, bottomless abyss.
This feeling was completely different from when he faced Tang Xing, the former Sect Master of Clear Sky Sect. Tang Xing's power was outwardly explosive, as overwhelming as the Clear Sky Hammer itself—massive and domineering, as if it could crush everything.
But the Grand Elder before him was different. His power was reined in and concealed, like a silent iceberg. Only a small part of it was visible above the surface, while the true behemoth lurked beneath.
Compared to Tang Xing's crowning might, this one was far more difficult to gauge—
yet Yang Wudi instantly arrived at a conclusion in his heart:
This man's strength… absolutely surpassed Tang Xing's—by far!
His heart pounded, skipping several beats. At the very least, this was a level-96-plus peak Title Douluo. Just thinking about the power that stood behind such a person made Yang Wudi's chest tighten. Yang Wushuang's earlier suggestion echoed again in his mind, impossible to suppress.
In contrast to Yang Wudi's turmoil and inner conflict, Yang Wushuang was much calmer. A composed yet warm smile rested on his face.
He quickly stepped forward and bowed to the Grand Elder, Chen Yi, and Ye Cien.
"Grand Elder, Young Sect Master Chen, Patriarch Ye—please, have a seat.
Our remote little city is far less prosperous than the outside world,
and we were in a hurry, so we could only prepare rather simple wine and dishes."
The Grand Elder smiled faintly.
"Elder Yang is too polite.
When in the countryside, we follow its customs.
Such hospitality is rare and precious."
Ye Cien also smiled kindly, stroking his beard.
"The Nine-Heart Begonia line of the Ye clan and the Breaking Clan have long been old acquaintances.
Elder Yang, there's no need to treat us as outsiders."
"The flavor of this stone city is quite unique.
It actually reminds me of the days of traveling everywhere in my youth."
Ye Cien's refined demeanor formed a vivid contrast with the rugged environment, and yet, strangely, it blended in perfectly.
Chen Yi walked in behind the two elders, his eyes sweeping keenly across the assembled crowd. From the moment they had entered the banquet hall, aside from his initial surprise, his expression had remained slightly stiff. His smiles felt somewhat forced, and he looked rather contemplative.
His mood seemed slightly out of sync with the gradually warming atmosphere of the banquet.
By contrast, Yang Wushuang moved freely among everyone, arranging seats, introducing dishes, greeting the clansmen, and keeping everything in order.
"Interesting," Chen Yi mused inwardly.
"This Yang Wudi may be called the clan head,
but he clearly doesn't like dealing with people.
His heart is focused on cultivation and old grudges."
"The one actually supporting the clan's day-to-day operations,
the one handling all these mundane matters,
is most likely this elder brother Yang Wushuang.
He appears rough and bold, but in truth, he's meticulous."
"Within the Breaking Clan, he should be playing the role of a great steward."
This internal and external division of labor matched the impression Chen Yi had received from Ye Cien earlier: Yang Wudi is straightforward; Yang Wushuang is strategic.
At the same time, Chen Yi quietly circulated his soul power, carefully sensing Yang Wudi's aura. Though he couldn't judge as precisely as the Grand Elder, he could clearly feel the fierce and incomparable fluctuations of soul power within Yang Wudi's body, heavy and solid.
Before long, the Grand Elder's voice sounded in his mind. Yang Wudi's cultivation, he said, was actually inconsistent with what it had been in the original timeline.
In the original story, Yang Wudi had been at level 82, a Soul Douluo.
Now, however, he had already reached the peak of level 84, just one step away from the threshold of level 85.
"With Elder Brother Wushuang safe and sound by his side,"
the Grand Elder explained,
"Yang Wudi has no need to split his attention worrying about him or over clan affairs.
Over the years, he's had much more time to devote to cultivation,
and thus his progress has been rapid."
Chen Yi understood instantly.
In the original timeline, Yang Wushuang's disappearance—or capture—had dealt Yang Wudi a heavy blow and burden. It affected not only his mental state, but also forced him to spend large amounts of time and energy on clan matters, hindering his cultivation.
Now that Yang Wushuang was safe and able to share that heavy responsibility, Yang Wudi could focus himself more fully on his own cultivation, so his power had naturally risen to a higher level.
This seemingly small difference was like a butterfly effect, silently pushing the future in a different direction.
A peak level-84 Yang Wudi, wielding the Soul Breaking Spear…
The power of that combination would be terrifying beyond imagination.
On the surface, the banquet unfolded in a warm atmosphere, but beneath that warmth, everyone harbored their own thoughts.
The elders and core disciples of the Breaking Clan took turns raising their cups to the Grand Elder and Ye Cien, expressing respect for the strong and cordiality toward the Nine-Heart Begonia bloodline.
The Grand Elder never refused a toast. He downed his wine in one go each time, yet his demeanor remained mild. Occasionally, he would casually say a few words that directly pointed out key aspects of a soul master's cultivation, suddenly opening doors in the minds of the Breaking Clan's youths. The respect in their eyes only deepened further.
Ye Cien, meanwhile, engaged in an animated exchange with several elders who were skilled in pharmacology, trading experiences with herbs and medicine. The atmosphere at their side was harmonious.
Yang Wudi was mostly silent. From time to time, he would lift his cup politely at his brother's prompting and say a few courteous words. Every so often, he would glance at the Grand Elder, his gaze complex and difficult to read.
After three rounds of wine and five courses of food, the banquet neared its end. Servants began clearing away the remaining dishes and replacing the wine with clear tea. Yang Wushuang knew it was time to bring up the main topic.
He cleared his throat, stood up, and cupped his hands toward the Grand Elder, Chen Yi, and Ye Cien. Though he smiled, his tone grew more solemn.
"Grand Elder, Young Sect Master Chen.
Regarding the alchemical refinement you previously mentioned,
my brother and I have discussed it in detail."
"Your honorable sect has sincerely extended an invitation to us and entrusted us with a great favor.
My Breaking Clan is not ungrateful.
Since there is something your sect needs us to do,
it is only natural that we bear that responsibility."
This news was not unexpected to the Grand Elder and the others, but it still brought visible joy to their faces. If the Breaking Clan had refused such a great opportunity, that would have been strange.
Yang Wushuang continued:
"However, we will need a bit of time to settle internal clan matters before we depart."
"After all, we have long maintained friendly ties with the Defense and Speed clans who also live in this stone city.
For many years, we've worked together and supported one another."
"Please don't worry—
once everything is arranged, we will set off at once and travel alongside you."
Hearing this, a faint, serene smile rose on the Grand Elder's face. He slowly stood up and looked peacefully at the brothers Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang. His gaze seemed to pierce beyond appearances, reaching straight into their hearts. Then he spoke, his words meaningful.
"That is good.
Elder Yang, Elder Yang—you have made a wise decision."
"Rest assured…
We will never let you down.
Nor will we let Elder Yang down."
The words "rest assured" and "never let you down" were spoken particularly slowly and clearly by the Grand Elder, carrying undeniable force and profound meaning.
In that instant, both Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang felt their hearts jolt violently. A strange, spontaneous sense emerged—as if they had been completely seen through.
It was as if their intentions and plans were laid bare in front of this Grand Elder, leaving nothing hidden.
From his calm gaze, it seemed he had already understood their thoughts to the core.
Yang Wudi's expression became even more rigid. After being seen through so easily, he even felt a twinge of embarrassment—and an even deeper awe.
Yang Wushuang's smile stiffened for a moment, a flicker of unease passing through his eyes. But he quickly smoothed it over with an even more enthusiastic smile.
This Grand Elder…
was a far more terrifying existence than they had imagined.
…
Bonus chapter at 100 PS