The Breaking Clan, though residing in Windy City alongside the Wind Sword Sect, had no dealings with them in their alchemy business. This was because the Wind Sword Sect was too closely aligned with Spirit Hall.
Consequently, Yang Wudi's knowledge of the Wind Sword Sect was extremely limited. The little he knew came from living in Windy City for over a decade, where he'd incidentally overheard things.
Lin Rong didn't pay much mind to this situation.
After all, he had merely asked casually and didn't hold many expectations for Yang Wudi, an old shut-in.
At the same time, the Wind Sword Sect having five Soul Douluo aligned with his initial estimations.
The original work didn't focus much on the Lower Four Sects, with the Elephant Armor Sect appearing most frequently, primarily as stepping stones for the protagonist's group.
Therefore, Lin Rong's estimation of the overall strength of the Lower Four Sects was based on Yang Wudi's statement in the original work: "When our four clans join forces, we have nearly a thousand Spirit Masters. With our strength combined, we are not much weaker than any single one of the Lower Four Sects."
The four clan leaders of the Single Attribute Four Great Clans were all Soul Douluo. If they were slightly weaker than the Lower Four Sects, then adding one to the base four would make five.
Five Soul Douluo and slightly over a thousand Spirit Masters should represent the average strength level of the Lower Four Sects.
The Wind Sword Sect's old sect master having a Soul Power cultivation of level eighty-seven was also within Lin Rong's expectations.
After all, if the highest Soul Power cultivation in the Wind Sword Sect were level eighty-nine, then during the Jialing Pass campaign, this individual would have broken through to Titled Douluo, just like Hu Yan Zhen, instead of being an unnamed character with no mention.
In the newly renovated living room, Lin Rong sat in the main seat, lowering his head in thought:
"With the Wind Sword Sect having five Soul Douluo and over a thousand Spirit Masters, their strength is such that I and Grandpa Yu don't need to act. Yang Wudi and Dugu Bo can handle this by themselves."
"Coincidentally, we can also pin the blame for the destruction of the Wind Sword Sect on Spirit Hall. Whether those factions close to Spirit Hall believe it or not, through word of mouth and misinterpretation, falsehoods can become truth."
"After all, within the territory of the Star Luo Empire, the only force capable of destroying the Wind Sword Sect overnight, openly speaking, would be Spirit Hall alone."
With that, Lin Rong looked up at Dugu Bo, who was admiring himself in a mirror, and commanded:
"Alright, stop preening. I have a task for you."
From his seat beside Lin Rong, Dugu Bo, who had been observing the lightening color of his pupils in the mirror, immediately put the mirror down upon hearing this and said solemnly:
"My Lord, you may speak."
"Tonight, you will take Yang Wudi and destroy the Wind Sword Sect for me," Lin Rong said unhurriedly.
"Remember, when you're collecting spoils, keep your eyes sharp and don't miss anything valuable, especially the inheritance Spirit Bone of the Wind Sword Sect."
"Also, before you act, tie up the Cardinal of Windy City's Spirit Hall and dump him in the Wind Sword Sect's headquarters after you've dealt with them."
"Understood," Dugu Bo replied concisely.
For a city of Windy City's caliber, the Spirit Hall Archbishop would be at most a Soul Saint.
He, a dignified Titled Douluo of level ninety-five, could easily handle a mere Soul Saint.
Yes, not level ninety-three, but level ninety-five.
During the process of detoxification, the Soul Power contained within the potent poison was released as it fused with the pill essence, causing his Soul Power cultivation to advance two levels in just three days, from the original level ninety-three to the current ninety-five.
In reality, the Soul Power contained within the poison was enough for Dugu Bo to break through to level ninety-six. However, having already absorbed two Ten Thousand Year Spirit Bones, his innate potential was still slightly lacking to reach the threshold for breaking through to level ninety-six.
As long as he absorbed one more Ten Thousand Year Spirit Bone, his potential would be sufficient to break through to level ninety-six.
Therefore, Dugu Bo was paying close attention to the task Lin Rong had just assigned him.
As the main force in destroying the Lower Four Sects, he was certainly qualified to pick out a Ten Thousand Year Spirit Bone from the spoils of the Wind Sword Sect as compensation for completing the mission.
"My Lord," Yang Wudi said at this moment, having heard that he would be involved in this task and that Spirit Hall was implicated. He then offered his suggestion:
"Since you intend to destroy the Wind Sword Sect, why not destroy Windy City's Spirit Hall as well?"
His words did not question why Lin Rong wanted to destroy the Wind Sword Sect. To Yang Wudi, the Wind Sword Sect's close ties with Spirit Hall undoubtedly made them lackeys of Spirit Hall.
And Yang Wudi harbored a deep-seated hatred for Spirit Hall. As one of the canine units of Spirit Hall, the Wind Sword Sect naturally bore the brunt of his animosity.
Seeing the fierce look on Yang Wudi's face, Lin Rong knew that his hatred had gotten the better of him.
For this reason, Lin Rong patiently explained:
"When you beat a dog, you have to consider its owner."
"Although the Wind Sword Sect has secretly pledged allegiance to Spirit Hall, they are still an independent force on the surface. Therefore, destroying them would be acceptable, and Spirit Hall wouldn't make a big fuss over it."
"But destroying Windy City's Spirit Hall would be a different matter entirely."
"The destruction of a main hall of Spirit Hall in a major city would be an immense provocation to Spirit Hall."
"Great powers care most about face. To maintain and salvage their dignity, Spirit Hall would definitely mobilize the manpower and intelligence networks of their Spirit Hall branches across the continent, determined to find the culprits behind the scenes."
"With Spirit Hall's branches distributed in all towns and villages across the continent, once truly mobilized, what a formidable intelligence network that would be."
"At that time, Spirit Hall would be watching every town on the continent like a hawk, and how could I carry out my unfinished plans in secret then?"
"I know you have a grudge against Spirit Hall, but now is not the time to deal with them."
"Destroying the main hall of Spirit Hall in one city would not cripple the behemoth that is Spirit Hall; instead, it would bring us unnecessary trouble."
"Yes, old man, I understand." These words brought Yang Wudi back to his senses.
However, his anger towards Spirit Hall still lingered, and he decided to vent his pent-up fury on the Wind Sword Sect when carrying out the mission tonight.
Having settled things with Yang Wudi, Lin Rong turned his gaze back to Dugu Bo and asked:
"How's your practice of the Mysterious Jade Hand coming along? I told you to focus on it."
"Uh." Upon hearing this, Dugu Bo paused for a moment before replying, "Time was too tight, and my proficiency isn't quite there yet. I can use the Mysterious Jade Hand, it's just not as smooth as it could be."
Hearing this answer, Lin Rong nonchalantly said, "It doesn't matter, as long as you can use it. To ensure tonight's mission doesn't get out, I'll lend you this."
As he spoke, a crystal-clear, snow-white medicinal herb appeared in Lin Rong's hand.
"Holy crap!"
The moment the herb appeared, Dugu Bo, upon seeing it, looked as if he'd encountered something terrifying. He tumbled from his chair and scrambled backward, backing away with profound fear etched on his old face.
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