Chapter 165: Almo Mountain Plans
After returning to the Breaking Clan, everyone began discussing their next steps. Both Grandfather and Grandfather Niu had only sustained minor injuries from the recent duel and would recover quickly.
In the clan's secret chamber, several core elders gathered around a table laden with various prepared scrolls of techniques. Yang Potian selected the edited versions of the fourth and ninth levels of Mysterious Heaven Technique and set them aside.
He addressed the group, "Grandfather, I've made all necessary modifications to these manuals. We can make 50 to 100 copies and distribute them through the black markets across the continent. We should collect payment in valuable items or gold soul coins, avoiding bank cards to prevent tracking."
He continued, "Father, you and Shinian should head to Gengxin City and try to purchase as many precious metals as possible. We'll need them for future defenses."
"For now, Grandfather and Grandfather Niu can take advantage of their 'injuries' to enter seclusion. Meanwhile, the rest of us will start preparing for a large-scale relocation. Both clans will mobilize to Almo Mountain."
Grandfather Niu hesitated. "Potian, isn't this a bit rushed? We haven't even started construction at Almo Mountain yet. Just building the settlement could take a year or more."
Yang Potian shook his head. "After this duel, our clans have gained widespread recognition. With both you and Grandfather in seclusion, this is our best opportunity to leave. The Spirit Hall is weakened, but I worry that other powers might try to take advantage of this situation."
Grandfather Niu looked puzzled. "Potian, given the strength we displayed, would anyone dare scheme against us?"
Yang Potian chuckled. "Our strength will actually make us a greater target. I'd bet that representatives from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan are already on their way, likely with marriage proposals."
"Even the Clear Sky Clan might approach us. Having powerful allies willing to challenge the Spirit Hall isn't a common opportunity, especially after we injured Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo."
Father Yang Zhentian asked, "Wouldn't it be better to stay here and engage with these factions? Besides, Potian, aren't you already involved with Ye Lingling? Why would they still pursue marriage alliances?"
Yang Potian responded, "I don't fully trust Shinian. If you don't handle this directly, he might cause complications or let personal ambitions interfere. With you personally involved, we reduce the risk of anyone tracking us."
"As for marriage alliances, there are other potential matches within our clan besides me—Ping'an, Tianyue, and even my cousin. Each displayed remarkable talent during the tournament, and all have the potential to become Titled Douluo. Other families will surely take interest."
After further discussion, they agreed to begin preparations immediately.
Later, Yang Wudi brought Yang Potian to his first elder council meeting. In the council room, Yang Wudi took the main seat, flanked by Yang Zhentian and six other elders, while Yang Potian stood behind his grandfather.
Yang Wudi addressed the council solemnly, "Today, I've gathered all of you to make a few important announcements."
"Since leaving the Clear Sky Clan, we've steadily regained our strength. Combining the Breaking and Defense Clans, our power now rivals that of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
"Our businesses have also done well, and we've acquired a modest fortune. Recently, however, both the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan have sought to ally with us. They're hoping we'll join their resistance against the Spirit Hall."
"Our battle against Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo has cleansed our clan's past shame. Severely injuring both of them avenged our kin."
"After much deliberation, Grandfather Niu and I have decided to relocate the clan to Almo Mountain. Almo Mountain and the surrounding 300 kilometers belong to Potian's fief, which will serve as our new stronghold."
He continued, "Another matter concerns our young warriors, who won the championship in the Spirit Master Tournament and brought honor to our clan. I've distributed the awarded spirit bones among them, as they represent our clan's future."
"Does anyone have questions or concerns?"
The six elders were silent, having already anticipated the move to Almo Mountain. One elder eventually spoke, "Clan leader, once we move to Almo Mountain, will the entire clan live in seclusion like the Clear Sky Clan?"
Yang Wudi glanced at Yang Potian. "Potian, share our plans for Almo Mountain with everyone."
Yang Potian nodded. "Honored elders, our approach will differ from the Clear Sky Clan. In some ways, it may resemble the structure of other major sects."
"When we move to Almo Mountain, our main residence will be situated on the mountain itself. However, at the center of my fief, we will establish a city to serve as a resource hub for the clan, and a place where we can trade our crafted medicines."
"Following the model of the Spirit Hall, we'll help awaken martial spirits for children within 300 kilometers. We'll also establish an academy, open to all children, where we can recruit promising students into the Breaking Clan as outer disciples, with a path for top performers to join as inner disciples."
"As for the small sects around Almo Mountain, we'll either incorporate them as outer sects or encourage them to leave. Both outer and inner sect members will be treated equally, though clan resources will be reserved for family."
When Yang Potian finished, the elders appeared taken aback. His strategy reflected the operating methods of powerful sects, albeit in a more remote area.
The First Elder, Yang Wulei, asked, "If we proceed like this, could we face conflict with the Spirit Hall or Heaven Dou Empire?"
Yang Wudi shook his head. "With the combined strength of the Breaking and Defense Clans, the Spirit Hall will not interfere with our affairs. As for Heaven Dou Empire, this land belongs to Potian. The empire will not obstruct us."
Yang Wulei seemed reluctant. "We've established ourselves here in the Heaven Dou region for over a decade. Abandoning everything feels wasteful, and we'll suffer significant losses."
Yang Wudi replied firmly, "I understand everyone's concerns. Heaven Dou has indeed brought us stability, and we've prospered. But we all remember the Clear Sky Clan's downfall. With Spirit Hall turning its attention elsewhere, we're wise to avoid becoming the next target. For our clan's safety and future, we must leave this unstable region."
"As for our current base on Mount Qingyuan, we'll leave a single elder to maintain it. However, the rest of the clan must move. I refuse to risk the clan's safety by remaining here."
After further discussion, the council unanimously agreed to the relocation. The details concerning Mount Qingyuan would be resolved later.
In the following days, both the Breaking and Defense Clans moved swiftly. Everyone was busy gathering resources, equipment, and provisions, preparing for what felt like an exodus.
As Yang Potian had predicted, various factions soon arrived at their door with proposals for alliances, marriages, and joint ventures. These were all politely declined.
Yang Potian himself, along with his companions, accompanied Grandfather Niu and others to Almo Mountain to begin planning the new city and academy.
Shortly after their departure, Ning Fengzhi arrived with Sword Douluo, Ning Rongrong, and Ning Heng, clearly hoping for a marriage alliance.
Disappointed, they found none of the potential marriage candidates available, and the transaction regarding self-created spirit skills also fell through. Sword Douluo, however, took the opportunity to spar with Yang Wudi, a memorable exchange between the Seven Kill Sword and the Breaking Spear.
Witnessing the clan's preparations for relocation, Ning Fengzhi could only shake his head.
As soon as Ning Fengzhi departed, Tang Yuehua arrived with Titan and Bai He, seemingly hoping to rekindle old friendships.
Yang Wudi agreed to meet them out of respect for their past bonds.
Tang Yuehua expressed heartfelt apologies for past conflicts, implying that the Clear Sky Clan intended to return to the forefront and reclaim their title as the top sect. She suggested that the Breaking Clan could rejoin or ally with the Clear Sky Clan to stand together against the Spirit Hall.
Hearing this, Yang Wudi nearly exploded with rage, berating Bai He and Titan for lacking backbone and forgetting the hatred they once held for the Clear Sky Clan. Enraged, he promptly expelled the three visitors from the Breaking Clan.
(End of Chapter)