Star Luo City.
Perhaps because Grandfather Yang Wudi led the journey personally, the Elephant Armor Sect dared not interfere again.
They arrived in Star Luo City without incident.
Yang Fan stood at the gate, struck by an unprecedented sense of grandeur.
The walls followed imperial capital standards—eighty meters high, over thirty meters thick, forged from solid granite.
Patrol squads in Star Luo military uniforms marched the ramparts; squad leaders were Soul Kings, deputies Soul Ancestors.
Even before entering, Yang Fan felt the empire's military might and solemn dignity—already surpassing Tian Dou Empire's defenses.
Inside, the capital's depth unfolded: wide clean streets, bustling shops, endless crowds—a world beyond remote Yunluo City.
Yang Wudi's gaze swept the thoroughfares, thoughtful…
He'd long dreamed of the Breaking Clan establishing roots here—a symbol of rising prominence.
Yang Fan learned en route: this trip wasn't just to deliver pre-ordered Blood-Clotting Powder. His grandfather aimed to expand their market.
Their target: the Zhu Family of Star Luo!
Though nobles, the Zhu Family was virtually royalty.
Due to the imperial martial soul fusion skill—Nether Spirit White Tiger—Zhu descendants were destined to intermarry with the imperial line, securing their extraordinary status.
Yang Fan had once assumed his clan's Blood-Clotting Powder reached the Zhu Family during his forest encounter. Now he knew: it had only been used by Zhu Zhuqing—not disseminated.
The delivery went smoothly!
Selling 300,000 gold soul coins' worth of powder yielded a 600,000 profit.
Soul Land's sole specialized hemostatic medicine—zero competition.
That afternoon, Yang Wudi brought him to the Zhu estate.
"Xiao Fan," Grandfather warned, "don't wander once inside."
Though Zhu Feng was also a Soul Douluo, his family's status dwarfed the Breaking Clan's.
Yang Fan nodded inwardly: This is parenthood.
No matter his strength or future achievements, family elders would always see him as a child.
The estate defied expectations.
Jet-black gates, unadorned save for Nether Spirit Cat carvings. Four vigilant soul masters stood guard.
"This is the Star Luo Zhu Family Estate. State your business."
Blunt yet polite—the guard's icy tone echoed Zhu Zhuqing's voice.
"I am Yang Wudi of the Breaking Clan, here to pay respects to Family Head Zhu."
After a brief verification, a steward led them inside.
Eight dueling platforms.
One after another—each over a hundred meters wide.
Yang Fan stood stunned.
He'd heard of the Zhu Family competition… but this?
Now he understood how Star Luo endured for ten thousand years while Tian Dou crumbled.
Just take the Imperial family's martial soul for example. Star Luo's Nether Spirit White Tiger versus Tian Dou's near-defenseless swan.
But the true divide lay deeper: a cultural hunger for strength.
Of course—not all were bloodbath pawns.
The clan selected top youths to compete for heirship.
The victor ascended while the loser's fate needed no words.
Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun were this generation's chosen rivals.
Other youths competed too—but without such lethal stakes.
Otherwise, only one survivor would remain… and what future would the clan have?
Three minutes later, they reached the reception hall—spartan as a military barracks.
A middle-aged man rose from the main seat: Zhu Feng, Zhu Family head.
Yang Fan's eyebrows twitched.
This rugged, merely-burly man possessed the Nether Spirit Cat martial soul—and was an agility-attack soul master?
To Zhu Feng's left stood Zhu Zhuqing.
Their eyes met—a flicker of recognition.
They'd fought a 3,000-year Flame Tiger together.
To his right: Zhu Zhuyun, six years older, killing intent shadowing her brow.
In the Zhu Family's eyes, Zhu Zhuqing existed only to sharpen Zhu Zhuyun's resolve.
Behind them stood two young men—likely male heirs competing for clan leadership.
"Clan Head Yang, I've long admired your name."
"Family Head Zhu, you're too kind!"
After pleasantries, Yang Wudi placed a Blood-Clotting Powder bottle before Zhu Feng.
"Please test it. Guaranteed satisfaction." Confidence radiated from him—forged by countless praises.
Zhu Feng handed it dismissively to Zhu Zhuqing.
She knelt, exposed a fresh calf wound, applied the powder—and declared coldly:
"Not effective."
Yang Wudi's expression tightened. First time anyone called it ineffective.
Before the words faded—
A black shadow snatched the bottle!
Zhu Zhuyun.
Ruthless.
She sliced a five-centimeter gash on her arm. Blood welled.
Applied the powder.
Instant clotting.
She shot Zhu Zhuqing a contemptuous, murderous glare.
"Truly remarkable!" Zhu Feng approved. "Zhuyun, collect a thousand-year Whale Glue from the Second Elder later."
Whale Glue! Yang Fan's eyes lit up.
Legend claimed thousand-year Whale Glue could transform a soul master; ten-thousand-year was near-mythical.
Though exaggerated, its value was undeniable.
"Thank you, Father!" Zhu Zhuyun beamed, triumphant glare aimed at Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing offered only a faint, cold smile.
This was routine.
Nothing she did earned approval. In their eyes, she was already a dead woman.
"Clan Head Yang," Zhu Feng asked, "how much do you have?"
"The Zhu Family desperately needs this. Our competition means there's frequent injuries."
"As much as you need!" Yang Wudi declared boldly.
Storage held 500,000 gold worth of herbs; his pockets held hundreds of thousands more.
"Excellent. We'll purchase 100,000 bottles initially."
Even draining the Zhu Family's blood wouldn't consume them all—but Zhu Feng's ambitions stretched far beyond his clan…
…
While negotiations continued, Yang Fan wandered the estate—forgetting Grandfather's warning.
Claw scars scarred every dueling platform. Brutality made visible.
Then—through a corridor window—he spotted Zhu Zhuqing hurrying past.
"Hey—"
"Thanks."
His grandfather didn't understand her "not effective" remark—but Yang Fan did.
"I didn't help you," she replied coolly.
Still, he felt gratitude.
Had she praised the powder, Zhu Zhuyun would've opposed it fiercely.
Would the deal have survived?
He placed a pill on the sill: "Take it. It temporarily boosts strength."
A Tier-3 Soul-Exploding Pill—refined by him based on Yao Lao's research.
It was her choice now whether to accept.
…
On the return journey, Yang Wudi's uncharacteristic emotion surprised Yang Fan.
"You returned just in time. Ten days later, the Breaking Clan might've collapsed—and lost this buyer."
Understandable.
This was their largest deal in three years.
Securing the Zhu Family's partnership meant upward momentum. Even the long-dreamed simulated cultivation environment might materialize soon.
Clan growth required more than martial soul legacy—financial backing was vital.
"Hehe—" Yang Fan smiled.
Bringing back over a million gold soul coins mattered—but the Breaking Clan's true gratitude belonged to Yao Lao.
He'd merely fulfilled a clansman's duty; Yao Lao was the catalyst for their turnaround.
Yang Wudi knew this too.
What could the Breaking Clan offer?
Their pride—Blood-Clotting Powder—came from that reclusive master.
They had no soul bones.
Even the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum was Yao Lao's gift.
Inviting him as a guest elder? Impossible. Such a low-profile master would never entangle himself in secular affairs. Attempting it would make the Breaking Clan seem like a toad coveting swan meat.
After some deliberation…
Yang Wudi resolved to visit Star Luo City's auction house.
Gifts convey sincerity.
Perhaps he'd find something worthy to express the Breaking Clan's gratitude.
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