After finishing his discussion with Ning Fengzhi, Yang Xiong left alone.
Suddenly, two figures appeared beside Ning Fengzhi—it was Jian and Gu Douluo.
Bone Douluo spoke with a hint of confusion: "Fengzhi, from what I know of Xiao Xiong's personality, if you had tried to persuade him, he might have stayed in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. This would have been better for both the sect and Rongrong."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head: "If someone's heart is no longer here, why force them to stay?"
"Besides, Xiao Xiong has contributed greatly to the sect over the years. Without his efforts, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect might have already perished. Rather than forcing him to stay, it's better to let him soar freely like a bird in the sky. Perhaps this will benefit our sect even more."
As Ning Fengzhi said, if Yang Xiong remained in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, at most he would become a guardian Douluo. But if he went to Thunderclap Gorge, he would become the founder of the Body Sect. Moreover, the future cooperation between the Body Sect and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect could benefit both sects.
In truth, Ning Fengzhi had long suspected that Yang Xiong was secretly establishing the Body Sect. However, Yang Xiong's contributions to the sect over the years were immense. Furthermore, since Yang Wudi and the others arrived at Yunwu Mountain, Yang Xiong's influence had grown significantly, making it impossible for even Ning Fengzhi to suppress him.
Bone Douluo sighed: "I just feel sorry for Rongrong. If Yang Xiong stayed in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, he and Rongrong wouldn't have to be separated."
…
After walking around the sect, Yang Xiong first visited Sword Douluo.
Over the past few years, especially after becoming Sword Douluo's disciple, the latter had provided tremendous help, guiding Yang Xiong on the path of cultivation.
When Yang Xiong arrived at Sword Douluo's residence, the latter appeared calm, as if nothing mattered to him.
Yang Xiong bowed deeply: "Teacher, I plan to leave the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. I hope you'll approve."
Sword Douluo nodded slightly: "I've already heard about your plans. Everyone has their own path to walk, just like a sword that must endure various trials to become a true treasure. Since you've decided to leave the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, walk your path with determination. Don't disappoint yourself or tarnish my reputation."
Yang Xiong quickly responded: "No matter what, I will train hard in swordsmanship and not disappoint you."
Sword Douluo continued: "You've always had your own thoughts and methods of cultivation. Today, I'll teach you my final lesson. Having learned my Seven Kill Sword Technique, you must see yourself as a true sword—unyielding and straightforward, never wavering or overthinking."
As Sword Douluo spoke, an overwhelming aura of killing intent emanated from him. The Seven Kill Sword descended from the sky, and even with Yang Xiong's current strength, he felt completely suppressed, his heart trembling.
When the massive Seven Kill Sword plunged into the ground before Yang Xiong, even he felt a chill run through his body. He couldn't resist it—the sword radiated boundless killing intent, embodying Sword Douluo's solitary pride, rebellious spirit, and transcendence.
Sword Douluo continued: "Yang Xiong, your comprehension and combat ability are unmatched in my experience. You also have your own path of cultivation. Though you may not match Qian Renxue or Tang San in innate talent, your combat experience surpasses theirs, and your training is even more arduous."
"But whether in cultivation or swordsmanship, there's still much room for improvement. Soul masters ultimately rely on soul power. Only true experts can suppress their opponents with soul power. When you reach the limits of cultivation, every level gap becomes an insurmountable chasm."
At this moment, Sword Douluo displayed his peak 97th-level soul power, along with his terrifying sword intent. Even with Yang Xiong's formidable combat strength, he felt the vast chasm between them.
Sword Douluo continued: "Although I've gained some insights and opportunities over the years, I'm still only at the peak of level 97, still far from level 98."
"But do you know the true peak of the soul master world? It's the hidden Great Elder of the Spirit Hall, Qian Daoliu. My father's soul power reached level 98, but even with all his strength, he couldn't harm Qian Daoliu. Qian Daoliu, with the perfect fusion of his martial soul and body, blocked my father's nine consecutive 'kill' strikes and then used angelic soul power to injure my father's internal organs, leading to his death. That's the power of a 99th-level Title Douluo, also known as a Limit Douluo."
"Though your current strength is commendable, you're still far behind in swordsmanship and soul power. This gap cannot be bridged by merely acquiring more spirit bones."
Yang Xiong was shocked. Although his strength had increased significantly recently, the gap between him and the true experts was still vast.
Especially now that his soul power had reached level 70, his cultivation speed had begun to slow. Once he broke through to become a Title Douluo, his progress would likely slow even further. At that point, his current advantages would quickly be erased by Tang San and Qian Renxue.
Yang Xiong bowed deeply: "Thank you, Teacher, for your guidance. I will work hard to cultivate my soul power."
…
After meeting with Sword Douluo, Yang Xiong sought out his other teacher, Bone Douluo.
Compared to Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo appeared more somber, but his assistance to Yang Xiong had been even greater. Especially in his early years of physical training, Bone Douluo had been quietly supporting and helping him.
Upon seeing Bone Douluo, Yang Xiong bowed deeply: "Teacher, I plan to leave the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. I hope you'll understand."
Bone Douluo spoke calmly: "It's good that you have your own plans. Leaving the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect might be better for your personal development. But have you considered that founding a sect isn't as simple as it seems?"
Yang Xiong quickly asked: "Please, Teacher, give me your guidance."
Bone Douluo shook his head: "This isn't about soul master cultivation but about running a sect."
"A sect's development requires not only inheritance but also goals, revenue, and the ability to handle complex situations."
"Your idea of founding the Body Sect is commendable, and you've gathered many skilled individuals, forming the basic framework of the sect. But have you thought about how your Body Sect will pass down its legacy? Can it remain under your control?"
"There's another issue—your subordinates come from diverse backgrounds. While you might be able to suppress them now, will your descendants have your same cultivation talent? Will they be able to manage such a complex web of forces? Will they be able to contain everyone's ambitions?"
Hearing this, Yang Xiong was startled. He had indeed planned for the Body Sect, ensuring resources and cultivation methods were in place, but he hadn't thoroughly considered how to maintain control in the future.
Yang Xiong was well aware that body martial souls were rare and difficult to cultivate in the soul master world, with the biggest challenge being their unstable inheritance.
In the original story, why did the Tang Sect decline thousands of years later? It was due to a lack of true martial soul inheritance.
The entire Tang Sect, in pursuit of so-called orthodoxy, chose Blue Silver Grass soul masters as leaders—even from the so-called Blue Silver Royal Family—but in the end, they were still ordinary Blue Silver Grass wielders.
From any perspective, Blue Silver Grass was too ordinary, weak in both offense and defense, lacking any inheritable qualities.
Even if the Tang Sect still had Title Douluos thousands of years later, and even if their hidden weapons were replaced by soul tools, the Tang Sect should have remained a respectable force. At the very least, their lineage shouldn't have nearly been severed.
As for the so-called second awakening of body martial souls, Yang Xiong had spent years researching and had some rough ideas, but he couldn't achieve stable inheritance or eliminate the risks involved. Not everyone could endure extreme physical training like him, nor did everyone have a hundred-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor spirit bone to fall back on.
After some thought, Yang Xiong finally spoke: "Thank you, Teacher, for your guidance. I understand what I need to do next."
Bone Douluo roared: "No, you don't understand! A sect's true growth and prosperity depend not on a single person or a single martial soul."
"Take our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, for example. Though the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda is hailed as the strongest auxiliary martial soul, there are others that can rival it, like the Brilliant Golden Scepter or the Nine-Heart Begonia. They're not much weaker than the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda."
"But only the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect remains one of the top three sects, dominating the world. Beyond the martial soul itself, it's about strategy. Every generation of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has produced Title Douluos who loyally serve the sect. This isn't something that can be explained in just a few words."
"This path is filled with bloodshed and intricate schemes. Do you think an ordinary disciple knows as many resources as you do? Do you think they receive the protection of a Soul Douluo at all times like you did? That's because you're special, and your innovative ideas have made significant contributions to the sect."
"But even so, you still want to leave the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Are you saying that Old Sword and I don't have the strength to leave? Or that we couldn't establish our own sect?"
Hearing Bone Douluo's words, Yang Xiong felt a chill run down his spine, yet he also felt awakened.
Though everyone in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect regarded Sword Douluo as the true pillar of stability, given his superior combat abilities and higher soul power compared to Bone Douluo, the reality was different.
Sword Douluo didn't need to handle any mundane affairs within the sect; he focused solely on cultivation. The sect provided him with the best environment for training, something even the Spirit Hall couldn't offer.
In contrast, Bone Douluo was often responsible for protecting the sect leader, handling various matters, and personally dealing with the sect's darker and bloodier affairs. In a sense, Bone Douluo was the true foundation of the sect.
Seeing Yang Xiong's pale expression, Bone Douluo showed no sign of stopping and continued: "Within any sect, power dynamics are complex, and people's thoughts vary. Even clans like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Hao Tian Sect, which are tied by martial souls and bloodlines, have internal conflicts."
"For example, in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Luomian and Yu Yuanzhen are brothers, yet their minds differ. One supports Yu Tianheng, while the other supports Yu Tianxin. The situation in the Hao Tian Sect is similar—there are differences between Tang Xiao and the elders."
"And your so-called Body Sect lacks bloodline ties. These issues will be even more severe in the future. How will you prevent the sect from splitting apart and collapsing?"
"Moreover, every person has selfish desires. Won't you consider your own children and family? But what right do your children and family have to inherit everything you've built?"
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