Tang Xiao hadn't even walked halfway toward the main hall of the Breaking Clan when he saw Yang Wudi rushing forward to greet him.
"Greetings, young master."
Just as Yang Wudi was about to kneel on one knee to salute, Tang Xiao quickly stopped him and helped him up.
"Brother Wudi, I've told you many times—there's no need for you to bow before me. Have you forgotten how we grew up together? If you treat me the same as the others, it only dishonors our friendship." Tang Xiao spoke, his tone carrying a trace of displeasure, as though he truly cherished their bond.
From his predecessor's memories, Tang Xiao knew that Yang Wudi was his peer, close in age. In their youth, they had been good friends, growing up together and sharing countless joys and hardships alike…
But in the end, talent created separation. Tang Xiao's cultivation soared far beyond Yang Wudi's and the others, leaving them behind step by step. And once they reached adulthood, the gulf between a master clan and a subordinate clan became unavoidable. Friendships could not always endure when disparity in strength grew too wide.
Now, though they were of similar age, Tang Xiao was already a level 87 Soul Douluo, while Yang Wudi had only just broken through to the Soul Saint realm at level 71.
And only recently had he succeeded as the patriarch of the Breaking Clan.
"Hehe, young master, I understand." Yang Wudi smiled with an obedient look. But as for whether he would truly stop kneeling before Tang Xiao? Hah. Subordinate is subordinate, master is master. Such distinctions could not be erased with mere words.
"Young master has come to this humble one's clan—may I ask what instructions you have for me?" After a few polite exchanges, Yang Wudi asked directly, true to his forthright nature.
Tang Xiao didn't beat around the bush either, speaking bluntly.
"Nothing much… Recently, I've developed an interest in the study of medicinal herbs and plants. And who could be more knowledgeable about that than your Breaking Clan? So I came here right away."
"Haha, so that's the reason. Please, young master, follow me—I'll take you to our library."
Although Yang Wudi found it strange that this young master of his—who normally cared only about cultivation and had nothing but the hammer in his heart—suddenly became interested in herbal lore, he dared not ask unnecessary questions. He immediately led Tang Xiao toward the clan's library.
The Breaking Clan's library was a four-story tower. The first three floors contained their records on the soul master world, knowledge of spirit beasts, and other cultivation manuals. The top floor housed their most treasured inheritance—knowledge of herbs, medicine, and poison. A dedicated guard was always stationed there.
Seeing his clan leader and one of the Clear Sky Sect's young masters arrive, the guard immediately dropped to one knee and hurriedly opened the door.
"Is the Clear Sky Sect even more domineering than the royal family? I suppose even before emperors, Soul Saints or Soul Douluo wouldn't kneel, right?" Tang Xiao silently mused. If his understanding was correct, once one reached level 80 or higher, they usually no longer placed much importance on the royal family or even the empire. At most, they would offer a shallow bow.
After all, excluding Titled Douluo—whose numbers could be counted on two hands and who stood at the very pinnacle of the world—Soul Douluo was the next highest level of cultivation, commanding respect and reverence from all.
Yet here were the subordinate clans of the Clear Sky Sect… Even after reaching Soul Saint or Soul Douluo, they still acted humbly like servants. Did the Clear Sky Sect truly wield such power?
"Hm… It must be because of my grandfather, Tang Chen…" With that thought, Tang Xiao quickly understood the reason.
His predecessor's grandfather—now his own—was Tang Chen, a Limit Douluo, equal in standing to Sea God Island's High Priest, Bo Saixi. With such a figure presiding over the sect, their reverence and fear were only natural.
"Brother Wudi, you may leave. I'll come down later." Entering the top floor, Tang Xiao spoke while slowly scanning the shelves.
"Yes, young master." With understanding, Yang Wudi withdrew, taking the guard with him and leaving Tang Xiao in privacy.
It didn't take Tang Xiao long to spot the book he sought. The volume was old and worn, and rather thin.
On the cover were the words: "Myths of Legendary Immortal Herbs and Life-Reviving Plants."
Opening it, Tang Xiao quickly skimmed through the contents, eyes alight with expectation. Soon, they gleamed with brilliance.
"Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng… Beautiful Silk Tulip… Fragrant Silk Beauty… Odd Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum… Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone…" As he read through the records, Tang Xiao found five immortal herbs listed.
"Only these five…" He couldn't help but feel disappointed.
But upon reflection, Tang Xiao found it understandable. After all, the Breaking Clan wasn't blessed with cheat-like fortune as Tang San was. That they even knew of these five herbs must have been the result of ancestral experience passed down through generations.
Whether it was the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng held by Bai He, the Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum associated with Yue Guan's martial soul, or the Fragrant Silk Beauty that Yang Wudi himself had long sought—all three had some trace in the continent's history. Only, the other two—the Beautiful Silk Tulip later consumed by Ning Rongrong, and the Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone Herb taken by Zhu Zhuqing in the story—were recorded additionally. Fortunately, the details were comprehensive, including clear instructions on their methods of consumption.
"Other than these five, there are also records of two extraordinary herbs—the Nine Treasure Purple Zoysia and the Ginseng King…" Tang Xiao murmured, closing the book with a blank expression.
"But there's no mention of the herb Oscar took, nor of the fiery immortal herb consumed by Ma Hongjun… Even the Yearning Heartbroken Red, or the three immortal herbs taken by Tang San, are absent. Alas…" Tang Xiao's brows furrowed slightly as he sighed in disappointment.
"As for the two Ice and Fire herbs Tang San consumed, those are straightforward. Though I don't know their names, their usage is simple and was clearly described in the novel. But the others… sigh." Tang Xiao now regretted why he had skipped that section without even bothering to read.
Had he at least looked through them once—had he put in some effort—perhaps with the aid of spiritual power, he could have recalled them with difficulty. But unfortunately, he had not even scanned them and had skipped them entirely.
Even when watching the donghua, he had only admired the dazzling special effects on screen, completely ignoring the subtitles.
"Nothing to be done… I can only try to swindle Tang San in the future…" With a heavy heart, Tang Xiao quietly placed the book into his storage ring and turned to leave.
As for returning the book to the library after reading it? Laughable. Since the book itself referred to these herbs as "myths," then let the knowledge remain a myth forever. Tang Xiao, after all, was a benevolent man.