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After hearing Yang Wudi's accusations, Tang San's face darkened significantly.
As Yang Wudi had pointed out, Tang San's so-called compensation for the three single-attribute families was merely an attempt to recruit them into the Tang Sect—entire families included—to contribute to the sect's growth.
In Tang San's eyes, the Tang Sect held limitless potential and would one day stand unshakable in the Douluo Continent. Through the sale of hidden weapons, it would generate immense profits, eventually surpassing even the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to become the wealthiest sect in the world.
Unfortunately, it seemed that Yang Wudi and the others weren't giving him a chance to explain or recognize the Tang Sect's promising future.
At this moment, Tang San gritted his teeth: "Senior Yang Wudi, I'm not trying to annex your family. Instead, I've established a new sect called the Tang Sect. If you join, you'll all be core members, and your families will benefit greatly. This is my way of making amends on behalf of my father."
Yang Wudi snorted coldly: "That won't be necessary. I don't care what you're thinking or what Tang Hao has in mind. In any case, I don't want anything to do with your Tang family ever again."
Behind him, Tai Tan couldn't tolerate Yang Wudi's attitude: "Old Goat, what do you mean by that? Young Master is doing this for your own good. Do you know how unparalleled his talent is? His strategies and vision far surpass yours. This is truly an opportunity for your Breaking Clan to rise!"
Yang Wudi glared fiercely at Tai Tan: "Old Gorilla, I don't know what's gotten into you—why are you so obsessed with following the Hao Tian Sect and sticking with Tang San? My Breaking Clan will never entrust our lives to anyone from the Tang family again. We don't want to be backstabbed by another Tang family member."
Tang San quickly interjected: "Senior, if you join the Tang Sect, we'll be one family. I swear on my life that I won't betray anyone, nor will I allow the Breaking Clan to suffer any harm."
Yang Wudi's face suddenly twisted into a ferocious expression: "You little brat Tang San, on what basis do you dare speak like this? Is it your strength or your father Tang Hao backing you up that makes you so arrogant?"
"Don't forget, not long ago, you were nearly killed by the Spirit Hall. Now you're spouting nonsense—do you really think anyone believes you?"
After Yang Wudi spoke, the entire scene fell into an eerie silence.
Whether it was Yang Wudi, Niu Gao, or Bai He standing nearby, they all looked at Tang San with disdain.
In the world of soul masters, strength was everything. But Tang San was only a Soul Emperor—what weight did his grand promises carry? They were utterly devoid of credibility.
Looking at their dismissive expressions, Tang San's face turned icy: "Senior Yang Wudi, I'm only twenty years old and already a Soul Emperor. I will undoubtedly reach unprecedented heights in the soul master world. Are you not afraid of regretting this decision in the future?"
Yang Wudi laughed bitterly: "You little brat, you're truly Tang Hao's son. Your talent surpasses even your father's in his prime."
"But have you forgotten? You're just a mere Soul Emperor now, leagues below me. Do you think I'd hesitate to kill you here and now to prevent you from becoming a future threat?"
Tang San's face paled in shock. Though he was usually proud, even with Tai Tan—a top-tier soul master—by his side, the opposition consisted of a Title Douluo and two elite Soul Douluos. It was far beyond what he could handle at his current level.
Yang Wudi continued: "Compared to your selfish father, you're even more despicable. Tang Hao may have been a coward who retreated, but you? Under the guise of compensation, you're just trying to exploit us. Do you think everyone in the world is a fool?"
"None of us wants to rely on you. You think you can say these things just because of your talent? If not for your father being Tang Hao, you'd have died countless times already."
Tang San's face turned ashen: "Senior Yang Wudi, you can criticize me all you want, but you have no right to insult my father."
Yang Wudi snorted coldly: "Am I wrong? After killing Qian Xunji, Tang Hao unilaterally announced his withdrawal from the soul master world and the Hao Tian Sect, disappearing without a trace. Did he ever think about our survival? Did he ever consider the Hao Tian Sect that raised him?"
"Wasn't it enough that my Breaking Clan sacrificed hundreds of lives back then? Are you suggesting we should spend our lives serving your Tang family for generations? I want nothing more to do with your family—not even a shred of connection."
Even Tang San was momentarily speechless. The Breaking Clan had always been the victim, and his attempts at reasoning now felt like shameless nagging.
Initially, Tang San had hoped to use the pretext of compensating the three single-attribute families to bring them into the Tang Sect. Through the sale of hidden weapons, he aimed to amass wealth and ease their resentment toward his father.
Unfortunately, neither Yang Wudi, Niu Gao, nor even Bai He took his words seriously. They looked down on the Tang Sect he intended to build.
Gritting his teeth, Tang San spoke: "Senior Yang Wudi, Senior Niu Gao, I'd like to make a bet with you—a duel. If I lose, I'll leave immediately and never bother you again."
Yang Wudi chuckled strangely: "Hahaha, interesting. But we have no interest in your so-called bet. No matter how talented or promising you are, my Breaking Clan wants nothing to do with you."
A hint of provocation flashed in Tang San's eyes: "Senior Yang Wudi, are you afraid? Are you scared of losing?"
Yang Wudi smirked faintly: "If it were just for myself, I might humor you, little one. But I won't risk putting my Breaking Clan in your hands."
"I see through your cunning nature, your outstanding strength, and your peerless talent. But just the fact that you're proposing this bet makes me look down on you—even more so than before."
A flicker of confusion appeared in Tang San's eyes: "Senior, what do you mean? Are you worried about the fairness of the bet?"
Yang Wudi shook his head: "You're mistaken, boy. I'm not concerned about winning or losing or the fairness of the bet. Your gambling tendencies outweigh your current strength."
"Under no circumstances will I gamble with the lives of my loved ones—even in a guaranteed victory. As long as there's even the slightest chance of losing, I won't sacrifice my clansmen's lives."
"And let me give you some advice—don't gamble recklessly, especially with the lives of your family. In this world, all bets are decided by the strong. Encountering people like us is one thing, but if you run into the Spirit Hall, you'll die before you even realize it."
"Take yourself, for example. Would you gamble with the lives of your father or your beloved? Would you put them in danger, no matter the potential gain?"
Tang San was once again speechless. He had spent his life relying on Tang Hao and deeply cherished Xiao Wu. He would never place them in even the slightest danger, no matter the stakes.
Tai Tan, sensing Tang San's predicament, bellowed angrily: "Old Goat, don't overstep. Tang San is young—he won't stay young forever."
Yang Wudi snorted coldly: "Old Gorilla, you're getting carried away. It's obvious this brat Tang San has ulterior motives and boundless ambition. If you want to gamble with the lives of your Strength Family's hundreds of members, that's your business. But don't drag my Breaking Clan into it."
A flicker of anger appeared in Tai Tan's eyes: "Old Goat, don't forget how the Breaking Clan was established. Old Rhino, Old White Bird, don't forget how your families came to be."
"All the single-attribute families were originally supported and established by the Hao Tian Sect. Without our master, you wouldn't be where you are today."
Niu Gao roared angrily: "Old Gorilla, it's your choice to follow this brat. Do you think Tang San would even have the right to speak here if he weren't Tang Hao's son?"
"Forget about you—even if Tang Hao himself showed up or the Hao Tian Sect returned, my stance wouldn't change."
Seeing that the situation was on the verge of escalating into violence, Tai Tan turned his gaze to Bai He.
"Old White Bird, is this how you feel too? Don't you want to give this youngster a chance?"
Yang Wudi and Niu Gao's attitudes were already clear—they completely rejected Tang San and the Hao Tian Sect.
But Bai He hadn't spoken a word from the start, and his face had briefly shown a flicker of emotion.
After all, in terms of relationships, Tang Hao and Tang San were closest to Bai He. Bai He was even Tang Hao's uncle and Tang San's great-uncle.
However, after hearing Tai Tan's words, Bai He's expression remained unchanged: "Old Gorilla, we've had some history over the years. But for the sake of Tang San, you're willing to throw away our long-standing friendship? I think you've lost your mind."
"My Speed Clan has finally stabilized and begun to thrive. I will never put my family in danger."
Tai Tan quickly spoke: "Old White Bird, how can you distrust me? Tang San has a complete plan for establishing the new sect. He can ensure its safety and secure a brilliant future for us."
"You've worked with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect for so long—you've seen the hidden weapons they use. Those weapons were provided by Young Master, and they're perfectly suited for your Speed Clan."
Bai He shook his head: "Old Gorilla, I think you've been bewitched. While those hidden weapons are impressive, you've forgotten the essence of a soul master. A soul master's foundation lies in their martial spirit and soul power—it's the only path to true strength."
Since joining the Body Sect, Bai He's family had received a heavenly herb, giving him a chance to become a Title Douluo. Additionally, he had learned the Rasengan from Yang Xiong and benefited greatly from the Body Sect's physical training methods. These gains fundamentally resolved the Speed Clan's weakness in offensive capabilities.
Compared to hidden weapons, these benefits were far greater.
Moreover, the hidden weapons had always been supplied by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Even though Bai He didn't know their exact origin, he wasn't about to stake his entire family on mere tools.
Tai Tan sighed helplessly. As a top-tier Soul Douluo himself, he understood what hidden weapons meant for high-level soul masters like him.
At this moment, a towering figure suddenly appeared at the entrance. The man was dressed in tattered clothes but exuded an overwhelming presence.
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