Inside the Qi Blood Soaring Hall, the dark-red walls gleamed with a gloomy sheen under ever-burning lamps, shrouding the entire space in a solemn, slightly oppressive atmosphere.
Chu Shanhe sat upright in the main seat. The Grand Elder, the Second Elder, the Third Elder, and Chen Yi sat on both sides.
Unlike their earlier excitement and joy when departing, the Yang brothers now wore obvious restraint—and a faint trace of resolve.
They stood in the hall, facing Chu Shanhe's slightly tired yet still profound gaze, as if they had returned to their youth to be examined by elders—somewhat uneasy.
Chu Shanhe glanced at their lean figures. The seriousness on his face melted like ice and snow, and a gentle smile appeared as he took the lead to break the silence. His voice was calm, carrying authority.
"Clan Head Yang, Elder Yang—you left and returned. What important matter could it be? But it doesn't matter. In this sect, there's no need to be so stiff."
His tone was warm, like speaking with old friends, intentionally easing the invisible pressure.
Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang exchanged a look, complex emotions passing through their eyes.
In the end, the more thoughtful and eloquent younger brother, Yang Wushuang, took a deep breath, stepped half a pace forward, clasped his hands, and spoke. His voice was heavy, slow.
"Sect Master Chu—this time, my two brothers returned without permission. There is indeed one matter—one that concerns the survival of the Breaking Clan. I must be bold."
He adjusted his words and continued.
"To be frank: ever since leaving the Clear Sky Sect and coming to the Heaven Dou Empire, I have lived in seclusion in Stone City near the imperial border. I thought we could quietly recover in a corner, and barely maintain the clan's livelihood through alchemy."
A trace of bitterness crossed his face.
"But… wait for prosperity, then protect what matters? The past—our Breaking Clan once belonged to Clear Sky—has become like an original sin. Even after independence, forces close to Spirit Hall suppress and exclude us."
"Acquiring medicinal materials is restricted. Selling spirit medicines is blocked. Even our clan's children suffer countless difficulties just walking outside."
"Over the years, we look peaceful on the surface, but in truth we struggle day by day, declining."
His words carried deep helplessness and anger—of a once-glorious clan crushed by reality's weight.
Seated above, Chu Shanhe's brows knitted slightly; sympathy and indignation surfaced on his face. He tapped the armrest lightly with a soft pon, and his voice dropped.
"There's such a thing?!"
"The Clear Sky Sect closed its mountain gate and hid like a turtle, yet left its old affiliates to be suppressed—truly despicable."
"Clan Head Yang, Elder Yang—your experience is suffocating indeed. If our Body Sect can help, then so long as you speak, within the limits of our power, we will not refuse!"
His tone was sincere, righteous—like one ready to take a knife for a friend. In an instant, it narrowed the psychological distance between him and the Yang brothers.
Feeling the support in Chu Shanhe's words, Yang Wushuang seemed to realize the groundwork was enough. It was time to enter the core.
He clasped his hands again, sharpened his gaze, and raised his voice:
"Sect Master Chu—my brothers are grateful. But this time, we came not only to ask for help…"
He looked up and stared directly at Chu Shanhe, analyzing:
"From our recent observations of your sect—and from this alchemy—your sect's strength already far surpasses the former three upper sects. With your achievements in creation and reaching the peak realm, your rise is even more unstoppable."
"Yet such a powerful Body Sect chose to live in seclusion in this bitter, frigid far north. Your sect's disciples rarely walk the outside world."
"These facts suggest only one thing: your sect may carry an unknown secret or mission—one that is the fundamental reason you chose seclusion."
"And that day, when you stepped into the secular world—the heaven-and-earth visions you triggered, along with what you called the 'Three Awakenings'…"
"I boldly infer that your sect's seclusion is closely tied to the mystery of this martial soul."
Yang Wushuang watched Chu Shanhe's expression. Seeing not displeasure but rather a hint of encouragement, he continued:
"But times have changed. With Sect Master Chu's powerful emergence, the sect's strength has reached a higher level. Combined with this refinement—gaining dozens of spirit pills in one stroke…"
"In the future, your sect will certainly enter an era of explosive growth."
"Deep down, the power the Body Sect has accumulated for years has already reached the critical point of eruption. The day you display your might on the mainland is likely not far away!"
The analysis was clear and rigorous, striking the core: not only did it pierce possible reasons for the Body Sect's isolation, it accurately predicted the imminent trend of the sect's "emergence" onto the grand stage.
Chu Shanhe listened, gratitude unhidden in his eyes.
This Yang Wushuang was meticulous indeed—able to deduce a conclusion close to truth from limited clues. His wisdom and perspective were truly extraordinary.
Chu Shanhe nodded lightly, neither confirming nor denying, and asked with interest:
"Elder Yang is truly sharp-eyed. In your view—so what?"
Chu Shanhe's appreciative gaze seemed to spur Yang Wushuang as he reached the key moment. He inhaled deeply, his voice steady:
"Sect Master Chu—a powerful sect's rise cannot rely only on top experts and deep bloodlines. It must also have foundations and reach—an information network across the continent, resource channels, and the support of subordinate forces—so it can take root in this complicated world like a towering tree."
"So what?" Chu Shanhe's smile deepened. He leaned forward slightly, as if anticipating the next words.
At that moment, the normally silent and rock-steady Yang Wudi suddenly stepped forward.
Tall and resolute, the hesitation and restraint on his face vanished, replaced by cauldron-like determination.
He knew Yang Wushuang could negotiate and analyze as the clan's spokesperson. But when it came to deciding the fate of the entire clan—when it came to showing the final will of surrender—the clan head had to speak personally, to show maximum sincerity and weight.
Yang Wudi clenched his fists, lowered his head, and gave Chu Shanhe an extremely solemn salute. His voice rang out like metal and iron, deep and powerful, echoing through the hall:
"Sect Master Chu—the Breaking Clan has endured hardship and decline. Our strength is no longer what it once was. But every child of our clan is skilled in pharmacology, and none fear death."
"If… if the Body Sect does not despise our weakness, then I, Yang Wudi, on behalf of the entire Breaking Clan, am willing to lead the whole clan to submit."
"From this day forward, the Body Sect will be our master. We will follow only the sect master's command—through sword mountains and seas of fire, we will not speak a second word!"
When the words fell, Yang Wudi kept his head bowed. Yang Wushuang immediately followed and bowed deeply as well.
The two brothers stood like statues, waiting for judgment.
In the Qi Blood Soaring Hall, one could hear a pin drop. All eyes focused on Chu Shanhe.
In the next moment, an uncontrollable bright smile spread across Chu Shanhe's face—genuine joy and excitement.
He rose abruptly from the main seat and strode like a dragon to the Yang brothers. Extending both hands, he personally helped Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang up.
"Good! Good! Good!"
Chu Shanhe said three "good"s in a row, his voice loud with delight.
"Clan Head Yang, Elder Yang—rise quickly! Your clan joining our Body Sect is a gift in the snow—icing on the cake!"
"With you to assist me, for our sect it is more than a tiger with wings—it is as though the heavens have granted our Body Sect reliable arms from nothing!"
"From now on, the sect has nothing to fear—this is great joy!"
He gripped Yang Wudi's arm and shook it vigorously, his eyes burning with a hunger for talent impossible to conceal.
"Since you are willing to bring the entire clan into my sect, then you will be core pillars of the Body Sect. With your abilities and the Breaking Clan's potential, you should be ranked among the elders."
"From today on, you two are elders of the Body Sect—Founding Elders of this sect—holding equal status and sharing authority!"
The Grand Elder, Chen Yi, the Second Elder, and the Third Elder immediately smiled, stepping forward together. They clasped their hands toward Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang and spoke warmly and properly:
"Greetings, Elders!"
This "Elder" represented the official recognition and acceptance of their identities by the sect's highest level.
Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang looked at the enthusiastic Chu Shanhe and the elders, listening to their sincere voices. The great stone that had long hung in their chests—bearing the fate of their clan—finally slammed to the ground.
An indescribable surge of excitement and grounding flooded their hearts. Their eyes grew slightly hot as they returned the salute.
"Thank you, Sect Master—thank you! We will devote our lives to the sect!"
For a time, the hall's atmosphere was warm and harmonious, filled with celebration.
Afterward, Chu Shanhe and the elders—along with the newly joined Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang—held preliminary discussions and arrangements regarding the specifics of relocating the Breaking Clan into the sect.
When the rough agreement was reached, the meeting should have ended—but Chu Shanhe noticed hesitation in Yang Wudi's expression. His lips pressed together several times, as if he wanted to speak but found it difficult.
Chu Shanhe already understood, but he feigned curiosity and asked gently:
"Elder Yang Wudi—now that you and I are family, is there anything else you can't say directly? Speak freely—there's no harm."
Yang Wudi opened his mouth, then finally looked to Yang Wushuang.
Yang Wushuang understood. Knowing his elder brother's straightforward nature—and that some words were hard for him to say—he stood again to speak in his place.
"Sect Master has keen insight. What my brother was thinking of… were the other three clans who once belonged to Clear Sky Sect."
He sighed and continued:
"Back then, our four single-attribute clans were like brothers, working together for Clear Sky. But later, because of Clear Sky's injustice, we were forced to break apart. Over time, contact grew distant, yet it was difficult to sever our bond completely."
"Now the Breaking Clan has found strong support in the Body Sect, and the future is hopeful. But seeing our three old brothers and their clans still wandering outside, suppressed, sinking day by day—our hearts ache…"
"The truth is, it's unbearable."
At this time Yang Wudi also nodded heavily, his voice low but forceful:
"Sect Master… I don't want to say it. But if possible… I'm only thinking—could we… bring them too?"
"If the four clans reunite and can work together under the sect master, it will surely add strength to the sect."
After speaking, Yang Wudi looked at Chu Shanhe, a little tense—afraid the request was too sudden and might offend him.
They had only just joined. Asking for such a favor truly felt like overstepping.
Chu Shanhe looked surprised. He thought for a moment. He didn't agree immediately, but swept his gaze across everyone present, then returned it to the Yang brothers and spoke slowly:
"I understand."
"You two elders value loyalty and righteousness, and cherish old feelings. This sect understands—and appreciates—that virtue greatly."
Before they could smile, Chu Shanhe's tone shifted, his expression turning serious.
"However, this sect has its own rules."
"You may recruit them. But there are things this sect must explain in advance."
"In the process of recruitment: if the other three clans sincerely wish to accept our Body Sect, then the sect's secrets cannot be revealed."
"But if they do not wish to, then the Body Sect is not the kind of sect to spit in others' faces."
Hearing this, Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang were overjoyed—Chu Shanhe had even considered accepting the other three clans, beyond their expectations.
They hurriedly bowed and made a solemn promise together:
"Sect Master, rest assured. We will follow the sect's rules and never leak any secrets."
"Good!" Chu Shanhe smiled again.
"Then let's act at once. You two elders depart immediately. Whatever the outcome, go meet them—and report back as soon as possible."
"Yes, Sect Master!" the Yang brothers replied in unison, their faces full of vigor and hope.
They saluted Chu Shanhe and the elders again. Without delay, their figures blurred into two fast streaks, shooting out from the hall and vanishing into the distant sky.
Inside the hall, Chu Shanhe stood with hands behind his back, staring in the direction they had left. His eyes glowed with deep light.
The Grand Elder walked up slowly and said softly:
"Sect Master—this move seems like the correct judgment."
Chu Shanhe smiled faintly.
"The Breaking Clan is a piece of jade. The other three clans each have their own strengths. If all of them come in, then the foundation for our Body Sect's birth upon the stage can be considered preliminarily laid."
"Next… let's see where the winds of this Douluo Continent will blow once our sect is emerge."
...
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