Chapter 8

Niu Gao spoke in a deep, gruff voice: "Even if you've become clan chief, what of it? You're just a wet‑nosed brat; I ask you, Old Goat—what have you done to him?"

Yang Yun focused his gaze on Niu Gao, revealing a contemptuous smile.

"Chief Niu Gao, I call you senior out of respect for your close friendship with my clan's Grand Elder; but if you're trying to lord your age over me, I, Yang Yun, won't stand for it."

"You've lived half a life and only reached the rank of Soul Douluo; give you another hundred years and what then? You're still just a Soul Douluo who forever looks up to Title Douluo."

Having spoken, eight soul rings rose from beneath his feet; the aberrant soul‑ring configuration and the terrifying hundred‑thousand‑year eighth ring made everyone suck in a breath of cold air.

"You—" Niu Gao hadn't expected Yang Yun to be so headstrong, launching a full‑power attack the moment they came face to face.

It left him with no preparation at all.

He was instantly choked, his face flushing red, unable to utter a word.

Bai He reached out to stop Niu Gao, lest this old rhinoceros's temper flare and make things spiral out of control.

"Chief Yang, Old Rhino is merely worried about his friend's safety; if his words were out of line, please forgive him."

"From what you say, Old Goat—that is, your Grand Elder Yang Wudi—where is he now? Is he still well?"

Yang Yun's aura withdrew, and his originally undulating soul rings drew together.

These two—one putting on a white face, the other a black—were probing each other's strengths, never expecting to unleash a full‑power move and catch the other off guard.

These two are ultimately close brothers of Yang Wudi; if we could win them over, that would be best.

As for the Strength Clan, they are the loyal hounds of Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Sect; they are not on our list to be won over.

"The Grand Elder fortuitously broke through to Title Douluo and is now hunting for his ninth soul ring; as for you two clan chiefs, I have important matters to discuss with you."

"Having you both come here saves me the trouble of seeking you out!" Yang Yun's formerly overbearing aura dissipated completely.

He wore a smile as warm as spring breeze, looking at the two of them.

"I don't know what Chief Yang wishes to discuss with us."

The more this happened, the more Niu Gao and Bai He grew wary; his ability to change expression so quickly reveals a deep and scheming mind.

They didn't even have time to be surprised that Yang Wudi had actually broken through to Title Douluo.

Old Goat had been stuck at rank eighty‑nine for years; breaking through after the clan chief's battle is only natural.

But when Yang Yun suddenly brought up matters to discuss with the two of them, a bad premonition rose in the minds of Niu Gao and Bai He.

Before Yang Yun could speak, Bai He chuckled and said, "Chief Yang, could it be that you want to take this opportunity to unify the four single‑attribute clans, making us and Old Rhino subsidiary sects of the Breaker Clan?"

These words spoken,

Niu Gao's eyes widened like copper bells; his bad premonition was instantly confirmed as he gazed at Yang Yun in the chief's seat.

"Impossible!" The three words burst out involuntarily.

Yang Yun wasn't angry; he merely took a light sip of tea and slowly rose to his feet.

"Chief Bai He, Chief Niu Gao, to be precise I intend to unite the power of the three single‑attribute clans; the Strength Clan bears too deep an imprint of the Tang family, so it is not in my considerations."

Bai He pondered carefully, then asked uncertainly, "Chief Yang, are you doing this to counter the impending retaliation of the Elephant Armor Sect? If the Breaker Clan runs into trouble, my Agility Clan and Old Rhino's Defense Clan will certainly not stand by idly."

"You need not worry overly about that, Chief Yang."

Niu Gao glanced at Bai He; though the four single‑attribute clans are said to share the same breath,

yet the lives of the Agility and Defense Clans are far harder than those of the Breaker Clan.

Saying that is nothing but trying to fool people.

Yang Yun could hardly miss the perfunctory tone in Bai He's words; he wouldn't ignore matters, but when real trouble strikes, distant help can't put out a nearby fire—not to mention that even if the Breaker Clan's chief were himself or Yang Wudi, the Agility and Defense Clans lack the spare strength to assist.

"As for the Elephant Armor Sect, there's no need to worry; if they dare to attack my Breaker Clan, they'll find us no easy opponent. Though I am only a Soul Douluo in rank, I can contend with a Title Douluo; the defensive power of that Diamond Rhinoceros martial soul is as flimsy as paper before me."

"Big talk is easy for anyone, but the truth of the matter is unknown." Niu Gao said with a sarcastic tone.

Bai He tugged at his sleeve from the side, yet also offered no rebuttal.

Yang Yun watched the two putting on clumsy acting and couldn't help feeling a bit amused; some people always like to judge strength by age.

Little do they know that geniuses and prodigies in this world are like carp crossing the river—far beyond what ordinary people can compare.

"If Chief Niu Gao doesn't believe me, we can simply spar; if you lose, you'll submit to my Breaker Clan—how does that sound?"

"Chief Bai He may join in as well; I'll meet any attack. Defeating the two of you single‑handedly would give both chiefs an explanation to their people."

Yang Yun straightened his waist, grasping the Flaming Spear Zhu Li in his hand; his aura that devoured mountains and rivers made both Niu Gao and Bai He shudder.

Niu Gao clenched his fist and slammed it hard onto the table.

"You'll make me die of anger, Old White Bird; if you won't go up, I will. Today's youngsters truly don't know the height of heaven or depth of earth—just a little talent and they dare to look down on the world."

"Armored Rhinoceros—Possession!"

The first three of his eight soul rings flared instantly, and Niu Gao's defensive power surged markedly.

The heavy aura made one feel oppressed.

Bai He and Yang Wudi are on the best of terms; he doesn't want to sour relations with the Breaker Clan, so he merely calls out a warning: "Old Rhino, Old Goat's Breaker Spear attack is terrifying;"

"Chief Yang managed to defeat Old Goat—you'd better be careful; don't take it lightly."

His own Swallow‑Tail martial soul took possession, letting him soar into the sky, with no intention of intervening in their duel.

Yang Yun chuckled lightly: "I don't know whether the Armored Rhinoceros's defense or the Diamond Rhinoceros martial soul's defense is stronger; even when Hu Yan Po unleashes his martial soul true form, I still pierce his defense with a single spear."

"If Chief Niu Gao looks down on me like this, don't blame me, Yang Yun, for showing no mercy."

First soul skill—Penetration (penetration +100%); Fifth soul skill—Thousand Jun (strength +100%). Niu Gao watched Yang Yun's hand holding the Flaming Spear Zhu Li, a sense of foreboding rising in him; the remaining soul rings lit up in succession.

Yang Yun lifted his gaze to Bai He in the sky and said, "Chief Bai He, since you're staying out of this, I won't hold back later."

Another person now felt an ominous premonition.

Bai He was about to leave when a voice sounded in his ear; at the same time a tremendous gravitational force acted upon him.

"Eighth soul skill—Gravity God Spear"

Bai He made a snap decision, unleashing his martial soul true form; his body grew light as he prepared to flap his wings and fly away from the area.

A glint of cold light had already appeared at his throat, making him dare not move an inch.

Yang Yun revealed a faint smile as he looked at Bai He and said: "Being careless means you two clan chiefs will have to pay the price!"

Bai He's gaze turned toward Niu Gao.

A female figure thrust the Flame Spear Chong Li into Niu Gao's arm; his proud defensive power had no effect at all.

Indeed, just as Yang Yun said, it's as flimsy as paper.

"What is that?"

Yang Yun retrieved the Flame Spear Chong Li from Bai He's neck, replying: "Ah Li, this is part of my martial soul; when it separates on its own and possesses the main body, it equals eighty percent of my strength."

"That's correct; my eighty percent strength is enough to easily break through the defense of Clan Chief Niu Gao."

Kill the person, exterminate the heart! (End of chapter)