In a dense forest three hundred miles from Clear Sky City, the four clans' disciples were taking a brief rest.
A faint whooshing sound came from the distant horizon as over a dozen figures sped toward them—it was Yang Wudi and the others who had escaped.
"Clan Leader!"
"Father!"
Seeing the arrivals, the four clans' members breathed a sigh of relief. After Yang Wudi set down Yang Wushuang from his back, he asked the people who had come: "The casualties... how many?"
Upon hearing this, Niu Gao, Tai Tan, Bai He, and the others also stared intently at the clansmen present.
The clansmen, seeing the expectant looks in their eyes, these usually steadfast men instantly had reddened eyes, tears glistening, and trembling voices: "The casualties are heavy. The Strength Clan lost nearly a hundred people, and the remaining brothers are all injured."
"The Speed Clan is about the same, but Brother Bai Xun also..."
"Our Defense Clan lost sixty-two people, and the remaining clansmen are all seriously injured; they probably can't use their Martial Souls again for a short time."
"Clan... Clan Leader, our Breaking Clan suffered... nearly half casualties!"
Hearing such severe losses, everyone's eyes dimmed. Yang Wudi staggered, nearly falling.
"Clan Leader!"
The Breaking Clan's members were shocked and moved to support Yang Wudi.
"Ah—"
Pushing away the clansmen, the collapsing Yang Wudi roared at the sky.
Half the clan!
The others were all injured too. The Breaking Clan had almost lost two entire generations—these were the future and foundation of the Breaking Clan, yet they had died miserably outside Clear Sky City.
"Clear Sky Sect—Tang Xing!"
"Damn Clear Sky Sect, I'll fight you to the death!"
"Tang Xing! You deserve to die!"
The others also roared in anger. If not for the Clear Sky Sect fleeing alone, forcing them into a hasty breakout, how could the four clans have suffered this?
The mournful cries echoed through the forest, laced with chilling killing intent.
Once their emotions had slightly calmed, the clansmen asked: "Clan Leader, are you all okay?"
Bai He shook his head: "Spirit Hall's powerhouses are beyond us. If not for a powerhouse assisting at the critical moment, we might all have been left there."
"A powerhouse?"
With Spirit Hall's Great Worship personally targeting the Clear Sky Sect, and the new Pope Bibi Dong ordering a complete eradication, the soul master world treated anything related to the Clear Sky Sect like the plague.
Even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, which always shouted about the upper three sects being united, had fallen silent. Even the Clear Sky Sect itself had fled without fighting.
In such a situation, who would dare risk universal condemnation to help?
Sensing the crowd's surprise, Niu Gao beside him said with a bitter smile: "This person's strength is unfathomable; he casually blocked old Dawn's killing move. His strength is at least that of a level 96 Super Douluo."
"Super Douluo?"
Everyone present gasped. After a soul master obtains their ninth soul ring and breaks through to Titled Douluo, they stand at the pinnacle of the soul master world, with status equal to kings and emperors of the two great empires.
But Titled Douluo are divided into three levels: levels 91 to 95 are ordinary Titled Douluo, levels 96 to 98 are Super Douluo, and level 99 is the legendary Limit Douluo.
Super Douluo, as the top among Titled Douluo, transcend the world. It's been at least twenty years since any news of a super Douluo on the Douluo Continent.
Even the upper three sects at the top of the soul master world currently have no Super Douluo. Whether it's Clear Sky Sect's Clear Sky Douluo Tang Xing, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's Thunder Douluo Yu Yuanzhen, or Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Sword and Bone Douluo, they're all stuck at level 95 without breaking through.
In fact, in the nearly hundred years since Tang Chen, the seven great sects haven't produced a single Super Douluo.
Now, Niu Gao was saying the helper was a Super Douluo—how could they not be shocked?
Whoosh—
Just as everyone was astonished, a black-robed figure appeared before them, startling the four clans' members into activating their soul rings.
"Stop! This is the senior who helped us outside Clear Sky City; he has done our four clans a great favor!"
Seeing the arrival, Yang Wudi and the others quickly stopped their reactive clansmen, lest they offend the mysterious person. Though he had helped them escape, whether he was friend or foe was still unclear.
"Heh, no need to flatter me. This old man offended Spirit Hall by helping you this time; naturally, I have demands."
The mysterious person under the black robe chuckled, not bothering to hide it, and spoke directly.
Yang Wudi and the others had expected this. After all, risking so much to help must come with a request.
Moreover, in such times, having demands was the most reassuring.
"What does senior want? Or what can our four clans do for senior?"
"This old man wants your Breaking Clan's medicine refining method. Additionally, I just smelled a qi-blood treasure medicine on this little bird; that's also something I need."
As soon as the words fell, everyone's faces changed drastically. Who didn't know that the medicine refining art was the foundation of the Breaking Clan? Even the Clear Sky Sect had asked for it multiple times without success. This powerhouse wanted that, and given the Breaking Clan's value of it, it would be extremely difficult. As for Bai He having a qi-blood treasure medicine, that was unexpected.
"Qi-blood treasure medicine?" Bai He pondered briefly and guessed what it was—the rare herb "Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng" he had obtained in his early years.
It wasn't of much use to him, and if it could repay this favor, he couldn't ask for more. Thinking this, a jade box appeared in his hand.
"This is something this junior obtained by chance. Since it's useful to senior, please accept it."
With a mental scan, the eyes under the black robe lit up. His main goal this trip was the Breaking Clan's medicine refining art, but he had unexpectedly smelled a faint fluctuation on Bai He. If not for his profound attainments in qi-blood, he might not have noticed it.
Taking the jade box, the black-robed man turned his gaze to Yang Wudi and the others. This was an unexpected joy, but his true target was the Breaking Clan's medicine refining method.
The others, seeing this, looked toward the Breaking Clan's position with worry.
"Cough—cough—"
Just as everyone was uneasy, Yang Wushuang, who had recovered some vitality, immediately took out two thick books from his soul tool and respectfully handed them over.
"This is our Breaking Clan's medicine refining method, along with this junior's insights on medicine refining. Please accept them, senior."
Yang Wudi beside him remained silent, tacitly approving. After all, the method could be lost and recreated as long as the people survived.
A trace of appreciation flashed in the eyes under the black robe. Taking the books, he said lightly: "You, not bad."
"Senior overpraises," Yang Wushuang replied respectfully, then tentatively asked the black-robed man: "Our four clans are now like rootless duckweed. Might senior point us to a clear path?"
"Qian Daoliu is a grand master; as long as you don't seek revenge on Spirit Hall, he won't care about your lives." After a pause, the black-robed man continued: "The Clear Sky Sect has offended too many in the Star Luo Empire over the years. If you stay here, your situation will be difficult."
He then turned, transforming into a streak of light and departing, leaving only his voice echoing in the forest: "This seat has said all there is to say; whether to go or stay is up to you."
PS: Bonus chapter at 200 Power Stone