At the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Yang Xiong was currently training in the back mountains.
Dressed in combat attire, Yang Xiong wore a set of deep-sea sunken silver weights totaling several thousand jin (hundreds of kilograms).
Before him stood an enormous iron ball, 2.5 meters in diameter and weighing over ten thousand jin (5 tons).
Yang Xiong pushed the iron ball slowly up the mountain path, each step seemingly exhausting all his strength.
Without using his martial spirit, he had to use every ounce of his willpower to keep the iron ball moving. Every muscle in his body seemed to be under immense pressure.
This iron ball training method devised by Yang Xiong was not only for strengthening muscles but also for improving overall bodily endurance.
After more than two hours, Yang Xiong finally pushed the massive iron ball to the mountaintop, letting out a deep sigh of relief.
The journey had been fraught with peril—uneven terrain and various obstacles had nearly caused the iron ball to slip and crush him.
Upon reaching the summit, Yang Xiong sat down with Lin Gong, both gulping water greedily.
Lin Gong sighed helplessly: "Xiao Xiong, why do you always come up with such torturous training methods? If you're not careful, this iron ball could easily injure others. Aren't you worried about accidents?"
Yang Xiong smirked: "Teacher Lin, pushing the iron ball is actually quite effective. You should consider customizing iron balls of various sizes—they can serve as part of the Body Academy and Body Sect's training regimen."
Lin Gong nodded: "I watched your training earlier—it's indeed an excellent way to build physical strength. However, ordinary students don't have your physique, so it might be relatively dangerous for them."
Ever since absorbing his seventh soul ring, Yang Xiong's strength had surged again, and his control over his power had improved significantly. Even without using his martial spirit, lifting ten thousand jin wasn't too troublesome.
And that was without activating his martial spirit or strength-enhancing soul skills—if he did, Yang Xiong couldn't even imagine the extent of his power.
Lin Gong hesitated before speaking: "Xiao Xiong, Yunwu Mountain seems lively now. Don't you plan to take a look?"
Yang Xiong shook his head: "It's their gathering—I won't interfere. I hope they enjoy themselves."
Lin Gong looked puzzled: "From what I've heard, Tai Tan has arrived, and he brought along a young man—your classmate, Tang San."
"I see that kid's ambition and talent are impressive. Aren't you worried he'll convince the three single-attribute families to leave?"
Yang Xiong sneered: "Everything in this world revolves around benefits. If they truly want to leave the Body Sect, I won't interfere too much. There's no point in forcing someone who doesn't want to stay."
"But without the benefits I've provided and the support of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, could the three single-attribute families live as carefree as they do now? Could they focus on their cultivation and self-improvement?"
Lin Gong frowned: "But from what I see, the Strength Clan seems to already follow Tang San's lead. The Strength Clan has some influence in Tian Dou City, which might allow Tang San to grow stronger."
Yang Xiong sighed helplessly: "Teacher Lin, stop testing me. We both know the current situation in Tian Dou City—it's like a huge melting pot, ready to explode at any moment."
"I'm just waiting for it to explode, waiting for the Spirit Hall's next move. Only then can we truly rise with the tide."
Lin Gong suddenly grew serious: "Xiao Xiong, I must remind you—you hail from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. If you were to establish your own sect, you'd face countless difficulties. Especially since the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is a mountain you cannot climb over."
Yang Xiong grabbed the water flask and guzzled the entire contents, exhaling deeply: "Thank you for the reminder, Teacher Lin. I'll find time to talk to the sect leader soon. Some matters require proper resolution."
…
On Yunwu Mountain, when the mysterious figure appeared, Yang Wudi and the others fell silent.
The man was none other than Tang Hao. Even Tang San was surprised: "Father, why are you here?"
Tai Tan, however, seemed overwhelmed with emotion: "Master, you've finally appeared! I've missed you so much!"
Tang Hao merely nodded slightly at Tang San and Tai Tan before turning his gaze to Yang Wudi and the others.
At this moment, Yang Wudi and the others' expressions became exceptionally solemn. Their eyes reflected anger, confusion, and a hint of bewilderment.
Tang Hao had once been designated as the next successor of the Hao Tian Sect and held immense prestige within it. His cultivation talent was extraordinary, and many called him the next generation's Hao Tian Douluo, the next Tang Chen.
Unfortunately, after a catastrophic event, Tang Hao vanished without a trace, causing the sect to suffer immense losses.
In Yang Wudi's eyes, Tang Hao had once been someone they deeply respected, yet he was also the source of their endless suffering and the destroyer of their faith.
Tang Hao addressed Yang Wudi and the others: "Clan Leader Yang, Clan Leader Niu, Uncle Bai—he hasn't been long."
Yang Wudi sighed heavily: "Tang Hao, you disappeared for countless years. Why have you reappeared now?"
A flicker of hesitation crossed Tang Hao's eyes, but it quickly turned resolute: "I wronged everyone back then. My reckless actions caused you immense losses. You may punish or scold me as you wish—even if you demand my life, I won't complain."
Yang Wudi forced a bitter smile: "Why go through all this? We didn't hold your killing of the Pope against you."
"What truly disappointed us was your disappearance. You abandoned the name of Hao Tian Douluo."
"Had you shown up back then, even if my Breaking Clan had perished entirely, I wouldn't have said a word. But you chose the most despicable path—both you and the Hao Tian Sect betrayed our faith. That's what I cannot forgive."
Beside him, Niu Gao and Bai He nodded. They were not cowards, but they could not tolerate betrayal, especially from someone they once revered.
Pain flickered across Tang Hao's face as memories of the past surfaced. It was because of him that the once-great number one sect in the world had collapsed overnight.
Tang San, standing beside him, looked pained: "Senior Yang, you don't know what happened back then. My father endured immense suffering, and his injuries still haven't healed."
Tang Hao barked angrily: "Xiao San, enough! What happened back then was my fault. As a man who stands tall, there are no excuses."
With that, Tang Hao bowed slightly to Yang Wudi and the others: "Clan Leader Yang, Clan Leader Niu, Uncle Bai—I was wrong back then. I apologize."
Expressions varied among Yang Wudi and the others. Though they had hated Tang Hao over the years, they also felt helpless about the events of the past. After all, the true culprit was the Spirit Hall, and their enemy remained the Spirit Hall.
Finally, Yang Wudi sighed: "Tang Hao, let's not dwell on the past. This apology is what you owe us. Take your son and leave. From now on, I have no further connection with the Hao Tian Sect."
Niu Gao also nodded: "Tang Hao, we watched you grow up. Your talent was unparalleled. Unfortunately, when it mattered most, you didn't think of those around you. Both you and the Hao Tian Sect have disappointed us. Henceforth, my Defense Clan will have no ties with the Hao Tian Sect. There's no need for further words."
When Yang Wudi and Niu Gao finished speaking, Bai He hesitated before finally biting his lip: "Tang Hao, we were once close. But you were wrong back then, and so was the Hao Tian Sect. My Speed Clan has already left the Hao Tian Sect, and we want nothing more to do with your Tang family."
"From now on, let's not meet again. Whether your Hao Tian Sect rises or falls, my Speed Clan will not rely on you."
After the three expressed their stances, Tang Hao's face relaxed slightly. This apology had come late, but it fulfilled a long-standing wish.
"Thank you, all three of you. If you ever need me, Tang Hao, I will not hesitate."
Yang Wudi and the others remained silent, clearly wanting no further connection with Tang Hao.
Tang Hao glanced at Tang San, gritting his teeth before speaking: "Three seniors, I admit I was wrong back then. But all the mistakes were mine—they have nothing to do with Xiao San. I hope you'll hear him out."
Yang Wudi snorted: "Never thought Tang Hao would consider his son. The once-arrogant Hao Tian Douluo has changed after all."
"But it's a pity. No matter what your son says, it has nothing to do with us. We won't involve ourselves with whatever 'Tang Sect' he's talking about."
Tang Hao looked confused: "Because of my past mistakes, do you despise my son so much? My son Tang San surpasses me countless times in both talent and responsibility."
Yang Wudi laughed coldly: "What does that have to do with us? To be honest, five years ago, our three single-attribute families united to form a new sect. Do you think a sect like ours would join the Tang Sect your son speaks of?"
Both Tang San and Tai Tan were shocked to learn that the three single-attribute families had already formed a new sect.
With nearly a thousand soul masters, including Niu Gao, a Title Douluo, their strength surpassed the lower four sects.
Tai Tan looked frustrated: "Old Goat, even if you don't want to join the Tang Sect, why deceive us? I've never heard about your new sect's formation!"
Yang Wudi smiled bitterly: "Old Gorilla, there's much you don't know. Five years ago, our Breaking Clan, Defense Clan, Speed Clan, and the Dragon Serpent Family secretly formed a new sect. Due to special circumstances at the time, it was done covertly, and we began collaborating with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
"Now that the world is in chaos, we no longer hide it. Our new sect is about to emerge, and it may cause a seismic shift in the soul master world, potentially replacing the former upper three sects."
"And I'll tell you, Old Gorilla, we once considered pulling you into our sect based on old ties. But your relationship with the Hao Tian Sect and Tang Hao was too complicated, so we decided against it."
Tang Hao, Tang San, and Tai Tan were stunned. After the fall of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the upper three sects had become a mere shell of their former selves.
But with the three single-attribute families plus the Dragon Serpent Family, they were indeed a formidable force. With two Title Douluos and Yang Wudi, whose strength rivaled a Title Douluo, their overall power was comparable to the once-mighty Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Both Tang San and Tai Tan understood that the three single-attribute families would never join the Tang Sect. Simply in terms of strength, they had already surpassed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. In the soul master world, it was unheard of for such a powerful sect to join another faction—even the Spirit Hall couldn't achieve that.
Tang Hao, having seen much in his life, didn't press further: "Congratulations, then. May I ask—who will be the sect leader?"
Yang Wudi grinned strangely: "No need to concern yourself with that. For now, it's confidential."
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