Douluo: The Ultimate Self

After staying with the Breaking Clan for several more days, Yang Xiong left ahead of schedule with Lin Gong. There were matters that needed to be resolved back at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

Before leaving, Yang Xiong made sure to sign a cooperation agreement between the three single-attribute families and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. This included clauses on mutual alliance, defense-offense cooperation, and profit-sharing, among other things.

The cooperation agreements between the three single-attribute families and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect varied. The Breaking Clan focused on pharmaceutical trade, with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect agreeing to purchase their products at a price 20% higher than the current rate.

The Defense Clan engaged in deep construction-related cooperation. As the most renowned construction family on the Douluo Continent, the Defense Clan would assist the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, whose business spanned across the Tian Dou Empire, with numerous building projects. With hundreds of people working together, they could easily settle down, and the payment terms were even more favorable.

The Speed Clan's situation was relatively more complicated, but they signed an agreement to establish an information and reconnaissance network with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. The sect would pay a fixed amount to hire the Speed Clan to create a rapid-response information network within hundreds of miles around the sect. This arrangement was far better than their independent development, providing them with a relatively stable income.

As for Yang Xiong's establishment of the Body Sect, only Yang Xiong and the clan leaders were aware of it. It wouldn't be disclosed easily. On the surface, Yang Xiong served as the intermediary between the three single-attribute families and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

Regarding the advancement of Bai He and Niu Gao, as well as the cultivation of future disciples of the Body Sect, Yang Xiong was still pondering. Some things he didn't want outsiders to know about—especially since the Body Sect wasn't ready yet. He decided to consider these matters further upon returning to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

Yang Xiong followed Lin Gong on a long journey, taking over ten days to return from the Star Luo Empire to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Along the way, Lin Gong remained relatively relaxed, while Yang Xiong ran tirelessly with hundreds of kilograms of weight strapped to his back, using this as a form of physical training.

Yang Xiong strongly suspected that Lin Gong was deliberately bullying him. The distance between the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Star Luo Empire was thousands of kilometers. Lin Gong had justified this as special training for Yang Xiong, claiming the journey was effortless for him—but Yang Xiong was carrying hundreds of kilograms of additional weight.

Upon returning to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Yang Xiong immediately sought out Ning Fengzhi and handed over the signed cooperation agreement between the three single-attribute families and the sect.

Both Ning Fengzhi and Sword Bone Douluo were astonished by the agreement, as was Ning Rongrong nearby.

They understood the immense value of this agreement. For the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, which had only around five thousand soul masters in total—including many auxiliary-type soul masters, food-based soul masters, and even some with relatively weak martial spirits—the addition of the three single-attribute families, with their combined one thousand soul masters, was significant. Their strength already amounted to nearly one-fifth of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's power. Moreover, with three top-tier Soul Sages among them, the combined strength of the three families rivaled nearly half of the lower four sects.

For the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, whose strength was difficult to improve in the short term, forming an alliance with the three single-attribute families was a tremendous surprise. As for financial concerns, money was no issue for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Fengzhi remained relatively calm: "Little Xiong, besides this alliance, did you promise anything else to the three single-attribute families? Even if I personally intervened and offered better terms, I doubt I could have convinced them to leave the Star Luo Empire for the Tian Dou Empire."

"Over the years, I've tried to recruit many soul master families, including the four single-attribute families, offering better terms than this agreement. Unfortunately, there weren't any significant results."

After careful thought, Yang Xiong replied: "Sect Leader, the three single-attribute families naturally have their own needs and shortcomings. The Speed Clan lacks offensive capabilities, so I traded with them using the Rasengan."

"The Defense Clan excels in defense but ultimately falls short—they've never been able to produce a true Title Douluo. So, I plan to invite Teacher Bone Douluo to provide some guidance to the Defense Clan, and similarly ask Teacher Sword Douluo to guide the Speed Clan."

"As for the Breaking Clan, they are highly skilled in alchemy but are extremely particular about medicinal herbs. By chance, I obtained two rare herbs, which is why the Breaking Clan agreed to come to the Tian Dou Empire with us. Since the Breaking Clan specializes in offense, I'll also ask Teacher Sword Douluo to provide them with some guidance."

Hearing this, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo exchanged glances. Despite their high status within the sect, they were now being asked to handle such tasks.

Sword Douluo spoke gravely: "The Breaking Clan's Soul Breaking Spear is a top-tier weapon spirit. Yang Wudi's attack prowess among Soul Sages is unparalleled. I'd like to spar with him—it might benefit me as well."

Bone Douluo snorted: "I've heard that the Defense Clan's Armor Plated Giant Rhinoceros and the Elephant Armor Sect's Diamond Mammoth are considered the strongest defensive spirits in the world. I'd like to see them and test whether my Bone Dragon spirit is truly superior."

Yang Xiong: …

Clearly, Ning Fengzhi understood the weight of this alliance and the personalities of Yang Wudi, Niu Gao, and Bai He: "Little Xiong, what do you think our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect should do to cooperate with the three single-attribute families? How should we arrange things for them?"

Yang Xiong quickly responded: "Sect Leader, I've already thought this through and communicated with them. Thirty kilometers east of our Seven Treasures City, there's a mountain called Yunwu (Cloud Mist) Mountain. We'll settle all three families there, and they can handle the construction themselves."

"The distance between our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the three single-attribute families will be just right. For soul masters, traveling back and forth will take only half an hour, making it convenient for both sides to cooperate in defense and offense."

"Additionally, we'll announce to the public that this is purely a commercial partnership, without disclosing our alliance. If problems arise, this secrecy might deliver a fatal blow to our enemies."

After much thought, Ning Fengzhi finally spoke: "Little Xiong, your planning is very thorough. Just proceed as you've said. I'll arrange for Yunwu Mountain to be prepared soon, and I'll discuss the specific cooperation details with them later."

"By the way, did the Star Luo Empire say anything? Such a large-scale migration of soul masters is likely to draw attention from both the Star Luo Empire and the Spirit Hall."

Yang Xiong shook his head: "I've already spoken with Dai Weisi, the Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire. The Star Luo Empire won't interfere. In about half a month, the three single-attribute families should complete their relocation."

Though Ning Fengzhi found it somewhat strange, he didn't press further: "Little Xiong, you've worked hard during this trip to the Star Luo Empire. You've made a tremendous contribution to our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. If you have any requests, feel free to make them."

With that, Ning Fengzhi waved his hand, and a lead box appeared in his palm. Red light flickered within—it contained a soul bone.

Ning Fengzhi explained: "Little Xiong, this is a thirty-thousand-year-old Earth Demon Bear right arm soul bone. It's an exceptional strength-type soul bone, comparable to the three soul bones from the Spirit Hall. Given your focus on strength, it suits you perfectly. I originally planned to give it to you later, but considering your contributions to the sect, I've decided to award it to you early."

"Of course, given your talent and strength, you shouldn't lack soul bones in the future. But remember this—don't absorb any soul bones below thirty thousand years, no matter how suitable they seem."

Before Yang Xiong could refuse, Ning Fengzhi used his soul power to float the lead box into Yang Xiong's hands—it seemed he had prepared this in advance.

After some thought, Yang Xiong finally spoke: "Sect Leader, during my visit to the Great Star Dou Forest, I gained quite a few rewards. After communicating with Clan Leader Yang Wudi, I believe we might significantly enhance our sect's strength."

Ning Fengzhi looked puzzled: "How is that possible? I understand the sect's current situation. Over the years, using whale glue has improved the core disciples' abilities, increasing overall strength by about ten percent. However, the sect has hit a bottleneck and won't see further improvements anytime soon."

Yang Xiong didn't hesitate. He retrieved four jade boxes he had prepared earlier. Even the knowledgeable onlookers could sense the extraordinary contents within.

Yang Xiong opened the first jade box, revealing a peculiar medicinal herb. The plant had only three leaves, but its presence evoked a sense of tranquility.

"This is the Clear Heart Three Leaf Clover. It enhances one's understanding of their martial spirit. Teacher Sword Douluo, your martial spirit is the Seven Kill Sword. Perhaps this herb can deepen your understanding of the Seven Kill Sword, allowing your swordsmanship to reach new heights."

Even the usually composed Sword Douluo was startled. The Seven Kill Sword was one of the most powerful martial spirits in history, but he had been stuck at the peak of level ninety-six for years. His stagnation might stem from insufficient understanding of his martial spirit, and the Clear Heart Three Leaf Clover could potentially offer great benefits.

Next, Yang Xiong opened the second jade box, revealing a yellowish sweet potato with a faint aura of a dragon emanating from it.

"This is the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd, a heavenly treasure of the earth attribute imbued with dragon essence. Legend has it that it possesses the effect of 'Earth Dragon Turning Over.' Teacher Bone Douluo, your ancient dragon martial spirit combines earth and dragon attributes. Consuming the Earth Dragon Golden Gourd might help you advance further."

Bone Douluo was equally surprised. Due to his innate limitations, he had been unable to progress for years and was likely to remain stuck at level ninety-five until his death. Now, encountering such a heavenly treasure, his Bone Dragon spirit seemed to stir with anticipation—it was a perfect match for him.

Yang Xiong didn't stop there. He opened another jade box, revealing a purple ginseng root over a foot long. Its purple energy radiated outward, exuding an extraordinary aura.

"This is Purple Essence Dragon King Ginseng, containing the essence of heaven and earth. Sect Leader, if you consume this ginseng, it might help you overcome your limitations and break through the constraints of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."

Ning Fengzhi was already ecstatic after seeing the first two immortal herbs. If Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo's powers increased significantly after consuming these herbs, it would be the greatest blessing for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. If their soul power broke through, not only would their strength increase dramatically, but their lifespans would also extend significantly, allowing the sect to continue its glory.

But now, there was even a immortal herb that could help him break through his limits. Could the breakthrough he had pursued his entire life be within reach?

Ning Fengzhi grew visibly excited: "Little Xiong, does this Purple Essence Dragon King Ginseng really have such effects? Can it really help me break through my limits?"

Yang Xiong's expression turned unusually serious: "Recently, I discussed some herbal knowledge with Yang Wudi. Sect Leader, you should know that the Breaking Clan has its own heritage in herbal research. Their information is unlikely to be incorrect."

Ning Fengzhi hesitated, then sighed: "Such herbs are exceedingly rare. I think it would be better for Rongrong to consume it. With Rongrong's talent and age, she might elevate the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda to new heights."

Ning Rongrong quickly interjected: "Father, don't say that. I'll work hard in my cultivation and improve myself in the future. Please take this immortal herb yourself—I still hope Father will protect me for a little longer."

Then Ning Rongrong glared at Yang Xiong: "Father should know that Little Bear and I are together now. His things are mine too. I'm sure he won't neglect me."

Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi wore an expression of helplessness, while Yang Xiong felt speechless. Did these father and daughter need to decide before he even finished speaking?

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