Gazing at the scattered houses ahead, their roofs buried under thick snow, Ye Cien stroked his long beard. Surprise flashed through his eyes, followed by deeper contemplation.
Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang exchanged glances. They saw the same disbelief mirrored in each other's eyes.
The Breaking Clan itself was not considered a wealthy clan, but their territory was still fairly expansive. And yet, who would have expected that a sect with at least two Title Douluo experts would choose to live in seclusion in such a harsh environment—its station unremarkable, inferior even to some of the wealthier villages?
The Grand Elder took in the expressions of the people behind him and smiled faintly.
"Forgive us for making you laugh.
Due to some special reasons, our sect finds it difficult to openly appear before the world.
The environment here is indeed harsh,
but its concealment is more than sufficient—
which is exactly what our sect desires."
Hearing this, everyone quickly reined in their wandering thoughts and repeatedly expressed their understanding.
Especially Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang—on the way here, they had learned from the Grand Elder that the power which had produced both him and the mysterious Sect Master was called the Body Sect.
Body martial souls.
In the mainstream soul master world of the Douluo Continent, this term was almost synonymous with "half-useless martial souls."
Except for a few rare mutants, the vast majority of soul masters with body-type martial souls were believed to be far inferior to those with tool or beast martial souls.
This was the "common knowledge" of the soul master world, a "truth" supposedly proven by countless examples.
Yet the existence of the Grand Elder—and the equally unfathomable Sect Master—stood like two towering sacred peaks, boldly shattering this so-called truth.
Not only did a sect composed entirely of soul masters with body-type martial souls exist,
it had even produced almighty experts who had reached the summit.
If this news ever spread, it would surely stir up a storm across the entire Douluo Continent.
Just as they reached the village entrance and paused to take in the scene of this hidden settlement, a black shadow suddenly glided out from deep within the village like a ghost.
The figure moved so fast that only the faintest trace of footprints could be seen on the snow. One moment, he was in the distance; the next, he appeared right before them.
The newcomer wore a black robe. His frame was sturdy. It was the Third Elder who had gone to Gengxin City to construct the alchemy furnace.
"Grand Elder."
The Third Elder halted and bent his head in a slight bow toward the Grand Elder. His voice was somewhat hoarse.
"Third Elder, you've worked hard."
The Grand Elder nodded.
Chen Yi also quickly cupped his hands.
"Third Elder."
Seeing the Third Elder respond with a gentle nod, Chen Yi let out a subtle breath of relief. The elder then turned to Ye Cien and the Yang brothers, clasped his fists, and said:
"Patriarch Ye, Patriarch Yang, Elder Yang."
Ye Cien smiled and returned the greeting. He had long guessed that experts of the Body Sect were as numerous as clouds. Another Title Douluo appearing now was surprising, but still within the bounds of what he could accept.
Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang, however, couldn't help but draw a sharp breath.
Another one—
another Title Douluo!
The Third Elder's aura was not as unfathomable as the Grand Elder's, but the distinct pressure and soul power fluctuations of a Title Douluo could not be faked. Both of them were Soul Douluo-level experts themselves; they would never mistake the presence of a Title Douluo.
In this seemingly ordinary village, they had encountered two Title Douluo in a very short time.
And judging by his title of "Third Elder,"
did that not imply there was at least a Second Elder above him—perhaps even more?
The thought made Yang Wudi's throat go dry.
The strength of the Body Sect was truly unfathomable—far beyond anything they had ever imagined.
This was no hidden village.
It was a gigantic beast lurking quietly amidst ice and snow.
After greeting the Grand Elder and Chen Yi, the Third Elder's expression turned more serious. He lowered his voice and said to them:
"Grand Elder, Young Sect Master,
Second Elder has an important matter to discuss with you.
Please return to the ancestral hall as soon as possible."
Hearing this, a flicker of understanding flashed through the Grand Elder's eyes. He nodded, then turned toward Ye Cien and the Yang brothers with a slightly apologetic expression.
"Patriarch Ye, Patriarch Yang, Elder Yang—
there are some sect affairs that require our immediate attention."
"We won't be able to stay with you for a while.
I'll have some disciples arrange accommodations for you so you can rest well tonight.
Tomorrow, we will host a proper banquet to wash away the dust of your journey."
Ye Cien brought his hands together.
"Grand Elder is too polite.
Matters of the sect should naturally come first."
Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang also spoke up quickly.
"It's quite all right."
The Grand Elder casually beckoned to a few young disciples nearby, all dressed in plain cotton clothes, though their eyes shone brightly. He gave them a few quiet instructions.
The disciples received the orders respectfully, then made a polite "please" gesture to Ye Cien and the others—their attitude humble but not servile.
Once the arrangements were made, the Grand Elder did not delay further. Along with the Third Elder and Chen Yi, his figure flickered several times and disappeared into the depths of the village, heading toward what looked like an ordinary stone house.
Watching the three figures leave, Yang Wushuang finally lowered his voice and said to his brother:
"Brother…
The Third Elder just said that the Second Elder has an important matter to discuss with them."
"From the way he said it…
does that mean this Second Elder is also a Title Douluo?"
His voice trembled slightly.
In the mainstream soul master world, any clan or sect that possessed even one Title Douluo would be considered a first-rate force.
In powers like the lower four clans, most sect leaders were only at Soul Douluo level.
And yet, in the Body Sect, a Title Douluo was…
apparently the standard for an elder?
Wasn't this the kind of narrative usually reserved for the Spirit Hall?
Yang Wudi drew in a deep breath of the frigid air, forcing himself to calm down. His deep gaze lingered on the depths of the village, and he spoke slowly:
"Nine times out of ten, yes…
Moreover, this Second Elder is likely even stronger than the Third Elder."
"We've clearly underestimated the Body Sect before—
far too much."
The Breaking Clan was famous throughout the continent for its terrifying offensive power. Yang Wudi was a once-in-a-century genius even by his clan's standards, and he carried a fierce pride and strong sense of self-worth.
Yet at this moment, confronted with just the tip of the Body Sect's iceberg, he couldn't help but feel a profound sense of awe.
This was not fear, but a sober acknowledgement of absolute strength.
Ye Cien, listening to the brothers' murmured discussion, chuckled softly and stroked his beard.
"Old Yang, Elder Yang, you need not be too shocked.
The Body Sect has a long heritage and a deep foundation—
so deep it's impossible to fully measure."
"As for the Second Elder…"
Ye Cien paused, a hint of reminiscence and gratitude appearing in his eyes.
"Speaking of which, the two of you may have heard his name before."
"Oh?"
Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang's attention was immediately captured. Any Title Douluo renowned enough to be mentioned like this could not be some nameless figure.
Ye Cien said slowly:
"Ten years ago, my Ye clan suffered a great catastrophe.
The lineage was nearly annihilated."
"The old man sent urgent pleas for help to many powerful figures,
and among those who responded was the Second Elder of the Body Sect."
"It was he who forcefully broke into city
and preserved the final honor of my clan."
He sighed, his voice thick with emotion.
"If not for the righteous intervention of the Second Elder back then,
the Ye clan would not exist in the world as it does today."
Hearing this, Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang both wore expressions of sudden realization.
"So that's how it is!"
Yang Wushuang clapped his palm.
"I've heard of that crisis your Ye clan faced back then.
They said some mysterious power intervened to protect your family—
but who would have thought that it was actually the Second Elder of the Body Sect!"
Yang Wudi also sighed inwardly, his tone complicated.
"The strength of the Body Sect is truly beyond imagination."
"Three elders, all Title Douluo…
and as for the Sect Master who hasn't even shown himself yet—
what level has his strength reached?"
"Terrifying…
it's very likely he's already at the peak of Title Douluo."
He turned to Ye Cien and said sincerely:
"Patriarch Ye, your clan is truly fortunate—
to have such a powerful pillar of support."
Ye Cien smiled and nodded. His gaze too was fixed on the depths of the village—
where the great hall of the Body Sect lay.
"Yes.
It was fortune… and a chance that changed our entire destiny."
...
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