Chapter 187: Body Sect

Yang Xiong looked at Ning Fengzhi's hesitant expression and had to speak again.

"Sect Leader, have you considered that this war has lasted so long that everyone within dozens of miles should feel its ferocity, yet so far the Heaven Dou Imperial Family seems to have received no news and has not dispatched troops to assist."

Ning Fengzhi's face startled: "Xiao Xiong, what do you mean by that?"

Yang Xiong's mouth curled into a bitter smile: "Sect Leader, the Spirit Hall deployed a full ten thousand Soul Grandmasters this time; even if they made a long‑range raid, there must be some trace."

"Given the current state of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, they apparently have received no information; to conduct such a massive operation within the Heaven Dou Empire, either the Imperial Family tacitly approved it, or someone blocked the reports."

Ning Fengzhi hurriedly replied: "That's impossible; over the years the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's relationship with the Spirit Hall has been extremely poor, and they are very wary of it. They could never allow the Spirit Hall to wipe out our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, lest they sever the Imperial Family's allies."

"Moreover, for years our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has always strongly supported the Heaven Dou Imperial Family; Qinghe is my direct disciple, so they could never betray our sect."

Yang Xiong felt helpless at that moment; Ning Fengzhi trusted the Heaven Dou Imperial Family far too much and was overly concerned with profit.

If the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect moves to Heaven Dou City now, it could indeed recover quickly in the short term, but in the long run it may invite disaster.

Ning Fengzhi, after hearing Yang Xiong's words, looked unusually conflicted; the sect's losses this time were huge, and without strengthening cooperation with the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, recovery would be even harder.

Yang Xiong thought for a moment before continuing: "Sect Leader, I heard the sect's losses this time amount to only about seven hundred Soul Grandmasters, but the one‑tenth of Soul Grandmasters who were on external missions suffered severe losses, most of them were slain."

"These Soul Grandmasters are not as concentrated as those within our sect; even the Spirit Hall finds it extremely difficult to obtain their information. Now, not only has the timing been pinpointed, but their movements are crystal clear. Achieving such an effective strike must be due to specific intelligence from the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, which is why our people suffered heavy losses."

Ning Fengzhi, hearing this, was astonished again: "Little Bear, are you saying that high‑ranking members of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family are colluding with the Spirit Hall?"

Yang Xiong nodded: "That person holds an extremely high position in the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, capable not only of shielding the Spirit Hall's ten thousand Soul Grandmasters' operation but also of knowing the exact details of our disciples on external missions, and is even intimately familiar with the internal affairs of our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect; otherwise the Spirit Hall's attack wouldn't be so targeted."

"They deployed exactly four Title Douluo, targeting the two teachers of Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, and even the numbers of Soul Douluo and Soul Saints were basically in a three‑to‑one ratio; even many insiders wouldn't have such clear information."

Ning Fengzhi then nodded: "I understand. The Heaven Dou Imperial Family must have a very high‑ranking insider. It seems I need to communicate carefully with the Imperial Family; otherwise, if the Spirit Hall launches such an operation again, we'll be truly in trouble."

This war's decisive victory was partly because over the past year the sect had contracted its strength, with about ninety percent of Soul Grandmasters remaining within the sect, concentrating the vast majority of power.

Another reason was the cooperation with the Offensive and Defensive Alliance of the three single‑attribute great families.

The three single‑attribute great families were truly instrumental in the victory; not only did several Title Douluo fight with all their might, but Bai He also provided timely information that bought the sect extremely precious time.

Yang Xiong thought and said: "Sect Leader, I suggest you speak with Emperor Xue Ye alone; matters internal to the Imperial Family are best left for us not to interfere too much, letting Emperor Xue Ye investigate himself."

"On the other hand, Rong Rong is still in Heaven Dou City; Sect Leader, you should bring Rong Rong back to the sect, as she is the heir of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and can boost morale at a time like this."

Ning Fengzhi nodded: "Very well, Xiao Xiong, you stay within the sect to recuperate. I will go to Heaven Dou City to meet Emperor Xue Ye and bring Rong Rong back."

"By the way, Xiao Xiong, do you think the Spirit Hall will only target us?"

Yang Xiong's mouth showed a hint of a smile: "Sect Leader should know better than I do; since the Spirit Hall launched the Soul Hunting Operation, it cannot be aimed solely at our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect—likely all forces opposing them will be targeted."

Ning Fengzhi recently gave a bitter smile: "That makes things even more troublesome; in the future we may have to face the Spirit Hall alone, and the pressure would be overwhelming."

Yang Xiong said helplessly: "Sect Leader, why must we confront the Spirit Hall? After all, we are merely a support‑type sect; the one truly meant to oppose the Spirit Hall is the Number One Sect Under Heaven."

"At a time like this, we must find a way to get the Clear Sky Sect to emerge; otherwise we can simply stop meddling in the Soul Master World affairs and, like the Clear Sky Sect, go into seclusion to build strength. I think the Soul Master World won't strike us again."

Ning Fengzhi, pondering Yang Xiong's words, after handling everything, quickly left the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect together with a few Bone Douluo.

In fact, Yang Xiong's words carried deeper meaning; the Spirit Hall has always worshipped Six‑Winged Angels, upholding Angelic justice, and outwardly represents the Soul Master World's righteousness, so they wouldn't blatantly attack other sects.

Just as in the original work, the Spirit Hall annihilated the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and crippled the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, yet they still shouted "catch the thief" and claimed to investigate the perpetrators behind the attacks on the two major sects. Though this tactic is somewhat deceptive, their stance limits their actions.

After Ning Fengzhi and the Bone Douluo left, Yang Xiong gathered with several senior elders of the Body Sect.

Lin Gong was a bit puzzled: "Xiao Xiong, with the Soul Master World still unsettled and the Spirit Hall attacking the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, they will likely also attack the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. This may not be a good time for the Body Sect to appear in the world."

Yang Xiong laughed: "Teacher Lin, on the contrary, the current turmoil in the Soul Master World is precisely our best opportunity."

"Senior Bai He, could you dispatch a Min Clan Soul Grandmaster to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan as soon as possible to check their situation, and if the Spirit Hall hasn't started an attack, give them a warning."

"If the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has already been wiped out, we will simply observe and wait for the Soul Master World's upheaval."

"The Spirit Hall's ruthless move suggests there will be follow‑up actions; they definitely aren't aiming merely to destroy two sects."

Bai He nodded at this and immediately assigned personnel to investigate the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

Lin Gong was a bit confused: "What does the possible extinction of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan have to do with us?"

Yang Xiong's mouth showed a hint of ruthlessness: "Of course it matters. Haven't you always wanted to know my thoughts on a new residence for the Body Sect? Actually, I've long coveted the Thunderclap Gorge of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan; it's a true cultivation treasure, even better than the location of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."

Everyone was startled, never expecting that Yang Xiong's earlier mention of a sect residence referred to Thunderclap Gorge.

Lin Gong, with a serious expression, asked: "Xiao Xiong, did you already anticipate that the Spirit Hall would strike the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"

Yang Xiong shook his head: "It's not that I guessed it; after analyzing the Spirit Hall's actions and Bibidong's behavior, I found Bibidong to be extremely ruthless and domineering, even bordering on madness."

"The Spirit Hall's power has reached an unprecedented pinnacle, commanding over half of the Soul Master World's Soul Grandmasters. They certainly won't be content as a mere ordinary organization, so they will eliminate everyone who opposes them, with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan bearing the brunt; thus this clash was inevitable."

After a moment, Lin Gong spoke: "So Xiao Xiong, you've already been making arrangements for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect; not only can the Body Sect provide support at any time, but you've also specifically brought Dugu Bo into the plan."

Yang Xiong nodded: "These arrangements are just some of my ideas; whether it's me or the Body Sect, what we truly lack is time and foundation, and only by cooperating with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect can we truly grow."

Yang Wudi said: "So what should we do now? Once we get the information, should we immediately prepare to occupy Thunderclap Gorge?"

Yang Xiong smiled: "Old Goat, you're being a bit too hasty."

"Now the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is in a state of ruin; whether it's constructing the sect, transmitting messages, or treating the many seriously injured, massive medicinal herbs are needed. Our Body Sect's close cooperation with them can not only earn a hefty profit but also prepare for future sect establishment."

"Moreover, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has just been hit; if we occupy now, we risk public criticism, so we should wait until the surroundings calm down."

"However, I am determined to claim Thunderclap Gorge, so Senior Bai He, please assign personnel to focus on it."

"Moreover, there are important tasks now; I am already Level 70, and we are preparing to head to the Star Dou Great Forest soon, where lies my ideal Seventh Spirit Ring."

At that moment Yang Xiong seemed to recall something and hurriedly said to Bai He: "Senior Bai He, in at most five days we will go to the Star Dou Great Forest; please dispatch ten experts to covertly scout the forest's outskirts and confirm whether any top‑level Soul Grandmasters have recently entered, otherwise it will hinder our quest for the Soul Ring."

Bai He nodded and immediately arranged for Min Clan experts to head to the Star Dou Great Forest's perimeter.

Lin Gong, hearing this, was astonished again: "Xiao Xiong, are you thinking of striking at the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python? The Titan Giant Ape would indeed be suitable for my Seventh Spirit Ring. However, both the Titan Giant Ape and the Azure Bull Python are too formidable; we probably couldn't kill them."

Yang Xiong smiled: "The Titan Giant Ape is indeed fine, but I have a more suitable Soul Beast in mind, and that beast's strength is far weaker than the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python; with a little strategy, it should be no problem."

After Yang Xiong's arrangements, everyone in the Body Sect sprang into rapid action, either venturing out to gather intelligence to prevent the Spirit Hall from targeting the Body Sect, or assisting the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect in tidying up the aftermath.

Yang Wudi even took out a large stock of medicinal herbs and sold them to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

This time the Body Sect's large force joined the battlefield last, suffering no losses.

On the contrary, thanks to various dealings with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, it seems we can make a hefty profit.

After Yang Xiong finished communicating with several Body Sect elders, he met Dugu Bo once more.

Dugu Bo looked rather pale: "Little Monster, this time you really plotted against me hard; I've already offended the Spirit Hall. How can you compensate me?"

Yang Xiong quickly replied: "Thanks for senior Dugu's help this time; consider my Body Sect indebted to you for a favor. From now on, whatever you need, as long as we can do it, we will do our utmost to help."

Dugu Bo's expression finally eased: "Fine, it's not a loss that you owe me a favor; if it weren't for you and Old Goat, I wouldn't have bothered coming to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."

Yang Xiong, puzzled, said: "Senior Dugu, didn't you just do the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect a great favor? Didn't the Sect Leader tell you anything?"

Dugu Bo snorted coldly: "I am not the type to demand repayment for a favor, and I don't like dealing with people like Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo. Anyway, you kid, remember this: this time you owe me thousands of lives, and sooner or later you'll pay the price."

Yang Xiong was at a loss for words upon hearing this; was Dugu Bo being so treacherous, not only slacking off during the battle but also speaking with an overbearing tone afterward, leaving me not knowing what to say.

But Dugu Bo said nothing more and, with a flick of his sleeve, left the place.

This time Dugu Bo truly had a huge impact on the battlefield; without him the war would probably have been even more brutal, yet the old fellow is extremely proud, and this time the favor owed is massive.

After handling everything, Yang Xiong returned home alone to go into seclusion; the injuries from the hard clash with Demon Bear Douluo were too severe, and he needs to recover peacefully.

Moreover, at this point Yang Xiong should also have a thorough talk with Ning Fengzhi; the Body Sect can no longer remain obscure, and his future focus will likely be spent more on the Body Sect.

And from now on, everything will proceed at a very fast pace; whether it's the Heaven Dou Palace Coup or sect construction, both will probably be rather troublesome.

(End of Chapter)