Thank you to our new Patrons: Soultech, Dominic, BerialAstral, Conner LaFleur, Daniel Thomsen, NeroSolas, Michael Thomas, Takatchi, Heavenfall, Josh, Nilist, Neopolitansoso, Foolie, Resid Kuliyev, Bodybags87, Jaden Henderson, spiritwolf86, Kyle Bates and Macabre Threener! Your support means the world to me <3 We are up to Chapter 520: The New King Ascends, the Old Emperor Falls - Part 4 on Patreon!
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)
I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! It's called Douluo: Brains Over Bloodline. As always, Patrons will have unrestricted access to all of my stories including futures ones!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Carrying the lives of his entire clan on his shoulders, Yang Wudi hadn't slept a wink all night. His eyes were bloodshot, but for a soul master, such sleepless nights were nothing out of the ordinary.
For years, though constantly exploited by the Hao Tian Sect, the Breaking Clan had fallen into a prolonged period of complacency. They hadn't even prepared a proper refuge, and the major cities dared not welcome them.
In the past, city lords would show great respect to Soul Douluo level masters when they traveled. Now, however, the Breaking Clan was treated like stray dogs—city gates wouldn't even open for them.
In the original story, the reason the Breaking Clan was able to settle in the Star Luo Empire was largely due to the empire sensing the threat posed by the Spirit Hall.
Moreover, in terms of sheer attack power, the Breakthrough Clan could be considered equivalent to a Titled Douluo. It made sense for them to be accepted. However, the current White Tiger Emperor hadn't yet considered this option, so the Breaking Clan remained relentlessly hunted.
The only hope now lay in the neutral territory of Tian Xing Town. Perhaps there, the Spirit Hall would refrain from further attacks.
"Pack up, prepare to move out. We'll reach Tian Xing Town in two days' time—we can rest there."
After a brief packing session, the members of the Breaking Clan resumed their escape.
Because they had to account for weaker clan members, Yang Wudi couldn't push their speed too high.
Suddenly, a strange fragrant breeze wafted through the air—an unnatural occurrence. Yang Wudi's face turned pale as he shouted for everyone to scatter.
"Fifth Soul Skill—Gathering of Cold Petals!"
A streak of golden light shot straight toward Yang Wudi from afar.
This soul skill was all too familiar to him—it was the same one that had led to his younger brother's capture during a fierce battle just days ago.
But Yang Wudi wasn't one to back down. He summoned his thick, black Soul Breaking Spear and hurled it with tremendous force.
"Sixth Soul Skill—Break!"
The collision of these two powerful soul skills unleashed a hurricane that tore apart the surrounding earth.
"Yue Guan!" Yang Wudi roared in anger.
Summoning his martial soul back into his hand, though the Breakthrough Clan lacked the Hao Tian Sect's famed Hao Tian Nine Absolutes, they had their own unique inheritance system. All of Yang Wudi's soul rings came from the same type of spirit beast, ensuring extreme attack power.
And aside from its devastating offensive capabilities, the Soul Breaking Spear possessed innate abilities that many soul masters could only dream of.
Yellow—Yellow—Purple—Purple—Black—Black—Black—Black!!!
Though still a relatively young Soul Douluo who had just broken through to level 80, Yang Wudi possessed eight soul rings, allowing him to rival Titled Douluo level masters in short bursts.
"Seventh Soul Skill—True Form of the Breakthrough Soul!
Eighth Soul Skill—Finality!
Ninth Soul Ring Innate Skill—Momentum!"
(A/N: Original creation. While the manga describes innate soul rings vaguely, during battles, Yang Wudi often emphasized going with the flow. Hence, this setup.)
An overwhelmingly powerful black light surged toward Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Faced with this unstoppable, ferocious attack, even Chrysanthemum Douluo's expression changed drastically.
At that moment, a shadow appeared beside Chrysanthemum Douluo—it was Ghost Douluo, who often acted alongside him.
"Soul Fusion Technique—Dual-Stasis Field!!!"
The overwhelming force of the fusion technique forcibly intercepted Yang Wudi's attack mid-air.
Seeing their seamless coordination, Yang Wudi's face darkened.
"Damn those two bastards! I might have a way to deal with them individually, but their combined Soul Fusion Technique is utterly disgusting."
Having narrowly escaped death, Chrysanthemum Douluo smirked triumphantly.
"Yang Wudi, the Pope decrees that if your clan surrenders and joins the Spirit Hall, all past grievances will be forgiven."
Summoning his Soul Breaking Spear back into his hands, Yang Wudi began summoning layer after layer of his True Body Armor, enveloping himself completely.
"Our Breaking Clan may accept betrayal, but we will never bow to another as our master."
"Tsk, tsk, looks like negotiations have failed.
Then allow me to send you all to your deaths!
Sixth Soul Skill—Golden Petals Flowing Rosy Clouds—"
Without hesitation, Chrysanthemum Douluo launched another attack. His martial soul, the Odd Velvet Sky-Piercing Chrysanthemum, transformed into countless golden petals that surged toward the fleeing members of the Breaking Clan.
Witnessing this, Yang Wudi's eyes nearly burst with rage as he screamed, "Chrysanthemum Guan! You despicable wretch, no honor in combat—I'll fight you to the death!"
{T/N: In Chinese, chrysanthemum is a slang for an*s and Guan means pass/passage. Yang Wudi literally called him 'An*l Passage'}
With that, Yang Wudi charged forward recklessly.
Both Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo revealed sinister smiles. Individually, they might be slightly inferior to Yang Wudi, but together, their combined strength far exceeded a simple 1+1=2 equation.
Almost simultaneously, both Douluos unleashed their offensive soul skills, clashing fiercely with Yang Wudi.
Due to the earlier scattering of the clan members, the Breaking Clan hadn't suffered catastrophic losses, but over a dozen clan members had perished.
Watching their new clan leader being overwhelmed by two Titled Douluo, the hearts of the Breaking Clan members were filled with sorrow. They knew that if this continued, their new leader would likely fall as well.
On this Douluo Continent, the fate of a large clan without the protection of a Soul Douluo was grim.
Even though the Breaking Clan's soul masters could often take on two opponents at once, surrounded by wolves, how could they possibly survive intact?
More and more pieces of Yang Wudi's True Body Armor shattered, and rivers of blood flowed freely from his wounds.
"Damn it! Is this where I, Yang Wudi, am destined to fall?"
His consciousness was fading, and Yang Wudi could only weakly defend himself. But with two against one, he eventually collapsed, unable to maintain his martial soul.
However, Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo didn't deliver the killing blow immediately. Instead, they looked down at him condescendingly.
"Clan Leader Yang, care to reconsider?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo spoke again, though his eyes brimmed with murderous intent. Clearly, Yang Wudi's earlier insult about him being a "dead shemale" had struck a nerve.
If Yang Wudi refused to comply in the next second, he would strike the final blow.
Dazedly staring at the two Titled Douluo who had beaten him nearly to death, Yang Wudi felt a flicker of confusion. His Breaking Clan was strong, but was it really worth the Spirit Hall going to such lengths to recruit them?
"Hmph!"
Even with his face swollen from the beating, Yang Wudi sneered disdainfully.
"Kill me. The Breaking Clan has no cowards who surrender."
Ghost Douluo stepped forward, praising him mockingly. "You're a real man, but please, die now."
He gathered soul power in his hands, preparing to deliver the fatal blow.
Yang Wudi's eyes dimmed—he knew there was no escape.
Suddenly—
A surge of intense soul power fluctuations erupted in the distance, catching the attention of Ghost and Chrysanthemum Douluo.
At a battlefield of Titled Douluo level combatants, who dared to intrude with such weak soul power?
The newcomer was none other than Yang Wuhui.
Following the directions provided by her family, she had located their whereabouts. Sensing the battle's fluctuations just a few kilometers away, she rushed over without sparing any soul power, using Shave to close the distance quickly.
It must be said—fire-attribute soul power enhanced Shave significantly compared to other attributes.
Looking at the nine soul rings hanging behind the two Douluos, Yang Wuhui swallowed nervously before shouting loudly, "Stop! I am Yang Wuhui, a registered disciple under Master Ye Wen of Tian Xing Academy."
Though Yang Wuhui's cultivation was negligible to the two Douluos, being a registered disciple of Tian Xing Academy's inner academy carried immense weight.
It was now common knowledge across the continent that the entry requirements for Tian Xing Academy's inner academy were strict: one had to be of civilian origin, possess exceptional talent, and demonstrate absolute loyalty to the academy.
Though many soul masters were nobles, the four single-attribute families affiliated with the Hao Tian Sect disdained noble status. Being affiliated with the upper three sects was prestigious enough—they didn't need additional embellishments. Thus, they were essentially civilian-family soul masters.
No one knew what peculiar methods Master Ye Wen employed, but every attempt by major powers to poach these registered disciples or infiltrate the academy had failed miserably.
Since the person dared to intervene at such a critical moment despite their weak cultivation, they must have some backing.
Chrysanthemum Douluo, who appeared warm and sisterly, asked gently, "Little sister, what brings you here?"
Yang Wuhui was initially nervous but took a deep breath before retrieving Ye Wen's Sage Badge from her storage soul-guidance device.
She infused soul power into it, activating the information displayed on the badge.
"My master has agreed to offer protection to our Breaking Clan. As of now, the Breaking Clan officially becomes an affiliated family under Tian Xing Academy. Please, esteemed seniors, give my master face—I am deeply grateful."
Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo raised their eyebrows, carefully examining the displayed information. This type of identity-authentication badge couldn't be forged by any faction on the continent.
Ghost Douluo's hoarse voice confirmed, "It is indeed Master Ye Wen's identity badge. In that case, we'll grant Master Ye Wen face.
Additionally, the Pope has ordered us to inform Master Ye Wen to visit the Spirit City for an urgent matter."
"Yes, Your Eminence," Yang Wuhui replied respectfully.
With that, Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo left without a second glance, leaving Yang Wudi, who had been lying on the ground half-dead, feeling oddly unsettled.
That was it?
Yang Wuhui paid no heed to this and hurriedly helped her cousin up, feeding him a potent healing elixir specially prepared by Ye Wen.
These elixirs were all top-grade. Though Yang Wudi's external injuries didn't immediately improve, his chaotic internal wounds began to heal rapidly.
As someone deeply immersed in alchemy, Yang Wudi's eyes gleamed with admiration. He hadn't expected such a powerful alchemist to exist in the world.
Through brief exchanges, Yang Wudi reflected on how Master Ye Wen, who had been obscure just over a decade ago, now commanded such influence that even the Spirit Hall backed down, sparing their clan's lives.
Great kindness doesn't require words of gratitude. The Breaking Clan had once become affiliated with the Hao Tian Sect out of gratitude for their help. Now, having been saved by Tian Xing Academy, it was only right to repay the favor.
Joining was fine—as long as it didn't violate their principles. Yang Wudi was stubborn like that.
The two then began gathering the scattered clan members who had fled during the sudden attack. Seeing over a dozen more clan members dead, Yang Wudi's heart bled. Every member of a soul master family was precious.
The surviving members of the Breaking Clan set off toward Tian Xing Town. With the Spirit Hall abandoning their pursuit, they no longer needed to hide and reached Tian Xing Academy's territory in just a day.
As a local guide, Yang Wuhui naturally took charge of settling her large group of clansmen.
All of this had already been arranged by Ye Wen. After all, taking in an affiliated family required providing them with a territory.
------------------------------------------------------
Support my writing journey: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow