Douluo: The Ultimate Self

Seeing the way Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong were passing the responsibility back and forth, Yang Xiong directly opened the fourth jade box. 

Inside the jade box was an enormous tulip, exuding an alluring fragrance with a surface as radiant as a rainbow. 

Ning Fengzhi was immediately astonished: "How is this possible? Little Xiong, you actually found the Beautiful Silk Tulip—a treasure of such caliber shouldn't exist in this world. Our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has searched for countless generations." 

Yang Xiong was somewhat puzzled: "Sect Leader, are you familiar with the Beautiful Silk Tulip?" 

Ning Fengzhi's face revealed a bitter smile: "I don't personally recognize it, but I've read some ancient records of our sect. The first sect leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda as their martial soul, and its evolution was due to consuming the Beautiful Silk Tulip. 

Yang Xiong nodded: "I've seen the Breaking Clan's inherited records. The Beautiful Silk Tulip gathers the essence of heaven and earth, embodying the energy of the sun and moon. It's known as the king of immortal herbs, capable of discerning the properties of all spiritual objects and commanding them. It complements the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda perfectly and might even allow it to undergo a transformation. This is what I've prepared for Rongrong." 

Ning Fengzhi gazed at the four immortal herbs, knowing that each one was worth a fortune, demonstrating just how much Yang Xiong valued the sect. 

After much thought, Ning Fengzhi finally spoke: "Little Xiong, I understand the value of these immortal herbs. From now on, you will be the greatest benefactor of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Whatever you wish to do, I'll support you fully—even if it costs me my life." 

Yang Xiong quickly responded: "Sect Leader, you're exaggerating. I'm a member of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect; the sect's strength is my greatest backing." 

Ning Fengzhi sighed: "Perhaps I'm overthinking things. In the future, no matter what you choose to do, I won't obstruct you. I'll support you fully—this promise will always stand, no matter when." 

… 

After some communication, Yang Xiong taught the four individuals how to consume the immortal herbs and then left on his own. 

Providing these immortal herbs had been something he'd considered for a long time. Whether it was for establishing a new sect or pursuing other goals, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was an insurmountable presence. Especially with the Spirit Hunt operation looming in five years, preparations were essential. 

By providing these immortal herbs, the top-tier strength of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect should significantly improve, ensuring the safety of his family. 

Moreover, whether from an emotional standpoint or otherwise, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was his best refuge in the short term and his strongest backing. 

If he were just an ordinary person, how could he even think about founding the Body Sect? He doubted that Yang Wudi and the others would show him any respect. 

After leaving Ning Fengzhi, Yang Xiong sought out Zhao Wuji first. Zhao Wuji had been lured away from the Tian Dou Imperial Academy with certain promises, though it was also due to Zhao Wuji's trust in him. 

Zhao Wuji looked puzzled: "Little Xiong, why did this trip take so long? Didn't you invite me to be your private coach? I've been itching for action lately." 

Yang Xiong asked curiously: "Teacher Zhao, aren't Oscar and the other two enough for you to train? And didn't my parents ask you to help train their combat abilities too?" 

Zhao Wuji snorted: "Oscar and the other two have far too weak bodies and combat abilities—it's utterly uninteresting to train them. I doubt all three combined could match you alone." 

"As for your parents, though their soul power is higher than yours, it's clear they lack battle experience. They probably haven't trained much over the years." 

"Especially your older brother. With thirty-five levels of soul power, his combat ability is shockingly poor compared to those little monsters from Shrek back in the day." 

Hearing this, Yang Xiong broke into a cold sweat. His older brother likely focused solely on meditation and neglected physical training, which was why Zhao Wuji looked down on him. 

After a long silence, Yang Xiong finally spoke: "Teacher Zhao, I'll prepare a detailed training plan for my older brother as soon as possible. I'll need your help supervising it." 

Yang Xiong didn't dwell on the matter further but retrieved a jade box from his person. Inside was an exceptionally unique plant, golden all over with a golden fruit at its tip, looking extraordinarily extraordinary. 

Zhao Wuji looked puzzled: "What is this thing? What does it do?" 

Yang Xiong replied: "Teacher Zhao, before you came to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect with me, I promised to help you break through to Title Douluo within ten years. This is the Vajra Arhat Fruit, a legendary herb. Consuming it enhances physical cultivation, granting the strength of a Vajra Arhat, making it a perfect match for your martial soul, the Vigorous Vajra Bear."

Zhao Wuji hesitated as he gazed at the Vajra Arhat Fruit, finally replying: "You little monster, is this thing really that good?" 

Yang Xiong nodded: "I can confirm the effects of this immortal herb, but please don't mention it to outsiders—it might attract unwanted attention." 

Zhao Wuji nodded: "I'm not a rigid or ungrateful man. I won't speak of this lightly. If I manage to break through to Title Douluo, I'll forever support you, no matter the cost—even if it costs me my life." 

Yang Xiong smiled: "Thank you, Teacher Zhao. I hope you break through soon." 

Next, Yang Xiong went straight to Oscar. Among everyone, Yang Xiong valued Oscar the most—he was the one who could truly influence the balance of power in the world. 

Seeing Yang Xiong, Oscar was overjoyed: "Brother Xiong, you're finally back! I've missed you so much. You don't know how miserable my days have been—I've been getting beaten by Teacher Zhao every day!" 

Yang Xiong chuckled: "Oscar, how's life at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect treating you? Nothing unsatisfactory, I hope." 

Oscar didn't hesitate: "The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is excellent, especially since I get to spend every day with Qin Shuang. It's just that Teacher Zhao's training is a bit harsh—we've been getting thrashed recently." 

"By the way, Brother Xiong, didn't you say I needed to go out and gain experience? I've already decided to go out with Qin Shuang." 

Yang Xiong shook his head: "You fool, Qin Shuang is a genius the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is grooming. If she really runs off with you, I think Sect Leader Ning will want to beat you up." 

Oscar quickly interjected: "It's not like I'm running off with Qin Shuang! It's the result of my hard work lately. She agreed to date me because she saw how hard I've been working." 

Yang Xiong didn't dwell on it further but retrieved a jade box containing a snow-white, crystal-clear orchid. 

"Oscar, this is the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid, the finest among orchids. Its effects are gentle yet potent, able to fortify your foundation and purify impurities from your body. It's a perfect match for your martial soul." 

Oscar was thrilled and immediately moved closer to Yang Xiong, grabbing his hand: "Brother Xiong, you're too kind to me. I don't know how to repay you!" 

Yang Xiong couldn't help but laugh and scold him: "Stay away from me a bit—I don't want Qin Shuang to misunderstand. We're good brothers. Since you followed me out of Shrek, I'll find a bright future for you. After consuming this immortal herb, your talent will truly be unmatched. Perhaps you'll reach unprecedented heights for a Food soul master." 

Oscar quickly replied: "Brother Xiong, rest assured. I'll always stay by your side. If you tell me to go east, I won't go west. Even if it's a dragon's lair or a tiger's den, I'll follow you through it." 

Yang Xiong smiled: "There's no need for such words between brothers. I hope we'll always remain good brothers and reach the pinnacle of soul masters together." 

… 

Just as Yang Xiong was about to leave Oscar's room, he handed him another jade box: "Oscar, inside is Bodhi Transformation Sap (original text is translated as 'Bodhi Transformation Saliva' let me know if you prefer 'Sap' or 'Saliva'. It's very suitable for Qin Shuang's martial soul and should greatly enhance her attack power and physical capabilities. The opportunity is yours—make sure to seize it." 

Oscar was ecstatic: "Brother Xiong knows me so well! I'll go give this to Qin Shuang right away." 

Yang Xiong couldn't help but shake his head as he watched Oscar's excited demeanor. This guy was sharp-minded and exceptionally talented, but unfortunately, he was love-struck, unable to escape the allure of women both now and in the original story. 

After handling everyone and everything around him, Yang Xiong returned home. 

This time, Yang Xiong had given away so many immortal herbs—for recruiting others, for his own future development, for cultivating his own faction, or for his brothers and loved ones. 

At least for now, Yang Xiong enjoyed this environment and wanted to maintain it. But the prerequisite was having sufficient strength; otherwise, both his family and the sect would be in danger. 

Now came the most crucial part—his family. 

Yang Xiong had always felt a sense of guilt toward his family. Growing up, he'd been showered with love from his parents and older brother, but he hadn't done much specifically for them. 

When he returned home, his older brother Yang Wei looked rather miserable, clearly having suffered under Zhao Wuji's training recently. 

Seeing Yang Xiong, Yang Wei was delighted: "Little Xiong, you're finally back! Weren't you hunting soul beasts? Why were you gone for so long?" 

"Life has been tough for me lately. Teacher Zhao shows no mercy—it's far more painful than my time at Zixing Academy. And it feels like he's targeting me specifically—I'm always the one getting beaten the most." 

Yang Xiong chuckled: "Big Brother, you lacked systematic physical training in the past, so your physical fitness is far behind those from Shrek." 

"Remember, I'm already at level forty-five, while you're only at thirty-five. I need to think of a proper training plan for you—it might help you improve." 

Yang Wei's face turned pale with fear—he knew better than anyone how intense Yang Xiong's training regimen could be. 

"Little Xiong, I think my current strength is passable. There's no need for targeted training—you should focus on your own cultivation." 

Yang Xiong was speechless. His older brother was twenty years old with thirty-five levels of soul power, which barely qualified as a substitute-level strength at a high-ranking soul academy. If he worked hard, reaching level forty by age twenty-five was entirely possible—around the level of a main team member in the Soul Master Tournament. 

But considering the impending crisis facing the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, this level of strength was far too weak. 

Especially as his older brother, Yang Xiong felt he needed to show some favoritism. Otherwise, it would disregard their bond as brothers.

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