Chapter 129: Yang Wudi's Choice

Yang Wudi heard this and a hint of doubt appeared on his face: "Could it be that you still have your eyes on something from my Po Yi Clan?"

Yang Xiong smiled: "The Po Yi Clan's alchemy is unrivaled in the world; naturally I hold it in admiration."

Yang Wudi's expression darkened: "How audacious. The alchemy secret is an unsheathed secret of my Po Yi Clan; even when the Clear Sky Sect was powerful back then, we never handed it over."

Yang Xiong shook his head: "Senior Yang, you're overthinking. I'm not interested in your alchemy knowledge; I'm interested in your expertise on medicinal herbs. I assume you have a complete study on herbs, and that's what I need."

"Of course I won't take it for free. I have a Nine‑grade Purple Ganoderma; it's not a top‑tier Immortal Herb, but it is a top‑tier Spirit Herb, and I can trade it for your herb knowledge. I'm sure you understand the value of a Nine‑grade Purple Ganoderma—its worth far exceeds your herb knowledge."

Yang Wudi's mouth twitched at this. He was even more aware of the Nine‑grade Purple Ganoderma's worth, especially since he loves alchemy and longs for Immortal Herbs; he hadn't expected Yang Xiong to possess such a premium Immortal Herb.

In fact, for Yang Xiong, he could simply recognize the Nine‑grade Purple Ganoderma, yet it has absolutely no use for him.

According to the original work, the Nine‑grade Purple Ganoderma is the finest among lingzhi, possessing effects that strengthen the root, nurture the essence, benefit Qi and increase merit. In the original, Yu Xiaogang took it, not only breaking the Level 29 bottleneck but eventually reaching Title Douluo level, its effect already comparable to an Immortal Herb.

Yang Wudi had long been stuck in a bottleneck, and due to prolonged alchemy his progress stalled; his situation resembles Yu Xiaogang's. The Nine‑grade Purple Ganoderma's effect could compensate for his deficiency, perhaps allowing further advancement.

However, Yang Wudi's face flickered: "Yang Xiong, your terms are indeed very good, but a Soul Grandmaster ultimately must be based on strength. Even if you now lean on the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, lacking power is just empty talk."

Yang Xiong said: "That's simple. I heard the Po Yi Clan excels in combat, so pick a Soul Grandmaster below Level 60; I'll fight them once."

Yang Wudi's face darkened: "Yang Xiong, you're too arrogant. You're only a mere Level 45; can you even defeat a high‑rank Soul King? You should know my Po Yi Clan uses purely offensive martial souls; a Soul King's attack power is far stronger than imagined."

Yang Xiong's face looked casual: "It's just a Soul King. As you said, sometimes strength decides. If I didn't have absolutely overwhelming power, there'd be no point in coming to the Po Yi Clan."

At that moment, Yang Wudi didn't hesitate and called out to the doorway: "Wuwei, come here."

Sure enough, as Yang Wudi's words ended, a young man looking about thirty‑five entered the hall; in appearance he resembled Yang Wudi somewhat.

"Yang Xiong, this is my son Yang Wuwei. If you can defeat Wuwei, I can agree to your cooperation; otherwise, you may return directly. Even without the fragrant exquisite Immortal Items, I cannot sacrifice hundreds of my Po Yi Clan members."

Yang Xiong didn't hesitate, stood up and walked toward the center of the hall.

Yang Xiong and Yang Wuwei faced each other; to the onlookers, it seemed a completely uneven duel.

Yang Xiong spoke first: "I am Yang Xiong, Level 45 Strong Attack System Battle Soul Sect, please advise."

Yang Wuwei's face was full of arrogance: "Yang Wuwei, Level 59 Strong Attack System Battle Soul King, our soul power gap is huge; you should be careful from now on, and all of my Soul‑Breaking Guns are pure attack skills."

Yang Xiong laughed: "I almost forgot to mention, I can be Strong Attack System, Agility Attack System, or even Defense System; you should also be careful."

Both quickly displayed their martial souls and Soul Rings; Yang Xiong's whole body instantly turned Silver, showing two Yellow, one Purple, one Black Soul Rings, while Yang Wuwei had two Yellow, two Purple, one Black Soul Rings.

Both Yang Wuwei and Yang Wudi were shocked: "Yi Wan Nian Fourth Soul Ring, how is that possible?"

Yang Xiong smiled: "Nothing in this world is impossible; perhaps even more interesting things will appear in the future."

Yang Wuwei instantly understood; this Soul Sect in front of him wasn't easy to handle. To absorb an Yi Wan Nian Fourth Soul Ring, one's physique must be at Soul King level.

Yang Wuwei brandished a Soul‑Breaking Gun over three meters long and charged at Yang Xiong at full speed, looking utterly fearless and death‑defying—truly worthy of the Po Yi Clan.

Yang Xiong's hands became claw‑like, forcibly grabbing at Yang Wuwei's Soul‑Breaking Gun; the gun felt extremely sharp, emitting a terrifying force that forced his body to recoil several meters involuntarily.

In terms of strength, although Yang Wuwei is still only a Soul King, his combat power is likely at Soul Emperor level, especially his attack being extremely fierce, perhaps no weaker than Qin Ming.

Especially regarding age, Yang Wuwei and Qin Ming should be about the same; it seems the Po Yi Clan's recuperation over the years has indeed been good.

Yang Wuwei's combat power was indeed impressive; wielding the Soul‑Breaking Gun in both hands, each shot faster than the last, his attacks like a sudden storm. In strength, he truly was the strongest Soul King Yang Xiong had ever seen.

But Yang Xiong's speed was even greater; even though his hands throbbed faintly, he was not at all afraid of Yang Wuwei's Soul‑Breaking Gun.

Especially since Yang Xiong knew the soul power gap was huge, silver armor instantly manifested on his body—Xuanming Armor.

The crowd was also startled; Yang Xiong already had a reputation outside, and they had even heard he possessed an External Soul Bone, but seeing this now was a different matter—the defense of Xuanming Armor was indeed extremely strong.

Yang Wuwei's Soul Rings flashed, and he immediately used his first soul skill: Quake. The entire Soul‑Breaking Gun seemed to emit a massive explosive shock, and his own aura reached its peak.

Yang Xiong was not intimidated at all; he clenched his fists and charged, colliding directly with the Soul‑Breaking Gun, using his Self‑Created Spirit Skill: Crushing Bone Fist.

Although Yang Wuwei was fierce, this was only his first soul skill. After the fist‑gun clash, Yang Xiong remained motionless, while Yang Wuwei stepped back a step.

Yang Wuwei was also shocked; at least in terms of strength, Yang Xiong was certainly not weaker than Yang Wuwei, perhaps even stronger in some aspects.

Then both moved at blinding speed; Yang Wuwei kept attacking, while Yang Xiong's speed and strength were not inferior, perhaps even slightly superior.

The Soul‑Breaking Gun truly lived up to being a top‑grade Tool Spirit; its attack was indeed formidable, yet Yang Xiong's reaction was swift, especially since he also mastered Teleportation, launching counterattacks now and then, making the duel reciprocal.

Yang Wuwei released soul skills many times, but Yang Xiong swiftly nullified them at high speed, occasionally using Self‑Created Spirit Skills for counterattacks; for a moment they seemed evenly matched.

All the soul skills of the Soul‑Breaking Gun are single‑character, all attack‑type, and Yang Wuwei's combat power is extremely high; his strength is no weaker than the Spirit Hall team's Demon Charm.

After several minutes, Yang Xiong's Fourth Soul Ring flashed; his muscles instantly swelled, his skin and bones hardened, making him look even more bold and fearless—this was the Fourth Soul Skill: Dragon Elephant Sturdy Body.

Yang Xiong had always tried, per his core's rules, to avoid using soul skills, but this kind of amplification soul skill has no specific targeting, and using it he doesn't fear being targeted later, so recently he has gradually begun employing soul skills.

After using Dragon Elephant Sturdy Body, Yang Xiong's offensive and defensive power rose dramatically, as did his bodily endurance; in strength he could now fully suppress Yang Wuwei.

Yang Wuwei felt provoked and an unprecedented humiliation; a respectable Soul King being suppressed by a Soul Sect was utterly unacceptable.

Yang Wuwei's Fifth Soul Ring flashed, and endless black flames erupted from his body, quickly enveloping the entire Soul‑Breaking Gun—this was his Fifth Soul Skill: Break.

Seeing Yang Wuwei push his attack to the limit, Yang Xiong was unafraid; Dragon Elephant Sturdy Body had greatly boosted his body's endurance. He gathered a massive golden Spiral Sphere in his right hand and hurled it at Yang Wuwei with full force.

With both delivering their full‑force strikes, the two were blasted dozens of meters away. Yang Xiong's amplified soul skill Dragon Elephant Sturdy Body might be stronger, but Yang Wuwei also maximized the power of his Tool Spirit.

However, comparatively, Yang Xiong could still barely stand and began to recover, whereas Yang Wuwei, hit by Yang Xiong's Spiral Sphere, seemed seriously wounded.

Yet Yang Wuwei was exceptionally fierce, struggling to continue matching Yang Xiong; it showed the Po Yi Clan truly is a battle clan, with a very strong combat awareness.

At this moment Yang Wudi spoke: "Enough, Wuwei, this time you lost. From now on, train hard and strive to reclaim the arena."

Then Yang Wudi looked at Yang Xiong: "Yang Xiong, your combat power is stronger than I imagined, especially your unique martial soul and physique; perhaps within the Soul Emperor ranks no one can match you."

"I, Yang Wudi, keep my word. My Po Yi Clan is willing to go with you to the Heaven Dou Empire, but I hope you won't disappoint me in the future; I don't want both sides to end up looking terrible."

Yang Xiong smiled: "I, Yang Xiong, always keep my word; there's nothing I can't accomplish. As long as your Po Yi Clan follows me, I will never let you suffer losses."

Immediately, Yang Xiong took the Nine‑grade Purple Ganoderma and the fragrant exquisite Immortal Items from his Soul Guidance Device, and, using soul power, floated them before Yang Wudi.

Yang Wudi looked at the two Immortal Herbs, a hint of conflict in his eyes, then gave a wry smile: "Fine, whether for me personally or for my Po Yi Clan, these two Immortal Herbs are very suitable; perhaps I truly should consider this carefully."

"Yang Xiong, you just rashly produced these two Immortal Herbs—aren't you afraid I might backtrack?"

Yang Xiong laughed: "I know Senior Yang's character fairly well, and I also greatly like the Po Yi Clan's way of acting. Though you are a bit reclusive and stubborn, you are true warriors and true men, always upright and never would you betray your principles over just two Immortal Herbs."

Yang Wudi finally sighed: "I never thought anyone in the world could still endorse the Po Yi Clan's way of acting. Very well, you have half a month for my Po Yi Clan to rest; after half a month we will go with you to the Heaven Dou Empire. I hope my decision this time is correct."

Yang Xiong then nodded twice: "Thank you, Senior Yang, for your trust. I will certainly not disappoint you."

(End of chapter)