As soon as Yang Wudi mentioned that Spirit Hall had destroyed the Upper Three Sects in the live stream, it sent waves of shock and uncertainty through countless factions watching.
For the elite powers of the Douluo Continent—like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Clear Sky Clan, Heaven Dou Empire, and Star Luo Empire—the news wasn't entirely unexpected. They had long suspected Spirit Hall's ambitions.
So, while hearing that Spirit Hall had obliterated the Upper Three Sects wasn't exactly shocking to these top-tier forces, it still stirred concerns. Among them, only the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Clear Sky Clan, and the Heaven Dou Empire felt an immediate and intense sense of crisis. To them, the future depicted in the livestream seemed like a glimpse of their inevitable fate.
However, their reactions were primarily driven by weakness or existing enmity. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, blinded by their arrogance, and the Clear Sky Clan's long-standing feud with Spirit Hall naturally heightened their anxieties. Meanwhile, the Heaven Dou Empire, being relatively weak, was acutely aware of the looming threat.
On the other hand, Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan saw things differently. Given Spirit Hall's recent overtures, Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but ponder if aligning with them might not be such a bad idea. If Spirit Hall had the upper hand, why not join them? After all, the Douluo Continent's future would eventually see a unified rule, and following the victor would undoubtedly bring greater benefits to his clan.
As for Dai Tianfeng, Emperor of the Star Luo Empire, he too saw things through a more confident lens. Even if Spirit Hall aimed to unify the continent, that didn't necessarily mean they would triumph over his empire.
Though Spirit Hall had gained more rewards through the livestreams, the Star Luo Empire possessed the formidable Netherworld White Tiger Martial Fusion Ability. This ability passed down through the Evil-Eyed White Tiger family and the Nether Spirit Cat Clan, was a powerful asset. Dai Tianfeng believed this would give his empire the edge they needed to rival Spirit Hall.
After all, Dai Tianfeng had always been supremely confident in himself, a product of surviving Star Luo's brutal imperial succession. And his empire, with its robust high-end combat forces, was certainly not without the strength to stand against Spirit Hall.
"Please, don't expose me! Don't let them reveal my plans!"
In the Heaven Dou Empire's Crown Prince's Mansion, Qian Renxue, still disguised as Xue Qinghe, felt her heart pound as she watched the live stream. Yang Wudi had just brought up Spirit Hall's destruction of the Upper Three Sects—a key component of her mother Bibi Dong's plan, though it had been shelved for the time being. The plan was to crush the Upper Three Sects and seize the continent. If Bibi Dong's grand scheme were enacted, Qian Ren Xue would simultaneously launch her coup, taking the throne of the Heaven Dou Empire.
However, much to Qian Renxue's relief, Yang Wudi only briefly mentioned the destruction of the Upper Three Sects. He quickly shifted the conversation to the lower sects, explaining how one had come to threaten his Breaking Clan, demanding they submit or face annihilation.
After voicing his fury, Yang Wudi proposed that the Four Great Clans should unite to fight against Spirit Hall, showing the world that they were not to be trifled with.
Yet Tai Tan, ever the loyal ally to Tang San, immediately shut the idea down. He suggested that instead of rebelling, the clans should retreat to the Strength Clan's stronghold in the Heaven Dou Empire, where he had already established a solid foundation for them.
This naturally raised Yang Wudi's suspicion. He asked if the Strength Clan had the resources to support all four clans. After all, the Breaking Clan's specialty in medicine and poisons meant they could always generate significant income. But forging, which was the Strength Clan's forte, would be far less lucrative.
However, Tai Tan saw this as the perfect opportunity to introduce Tang San. He confidently declared that the Strength Clan could indeed support them all because they were about to establish a new sect—the Tang Sect, with Tang San at the helm as its leader.
Upon hearing Tang San's name and learning that he was the son of Tang Hao, Yang Wudi's anger flared. He felt betrayed by Tai Tan for bringing the son of his enemy into their midst. Without a second thought, he turned to leave.
"Well done!"
Watching this, the Yang Wudi in the livestream chat couldn't help but feel a sense of vindication. To him, aligning with someone like Tang San—someone deceitful and untrustworthy—would only bring ruin. He wasn't about to be like Niu Gao, constantly second-guessing himself and bending to Tai Tan's will.
The Breaking Clan didn't need the other clans to survive.
However, in the livestream, as Yang Wudi made to leave, Bai He of the Agility Clan quickly stopped him. Given their long-standing friendship, Bai He pleaded with Yang Wudi to stay, assuring him that he would explain.
Frustrated, the Yang Wudi watching the stream felt his blood boil.
"Just go! Why are you listening to that traitor?"
Bai He, who had once been their ally, was now nothing more than a betrayer in Yang Wudi's eyes. He had given up the priceless Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng, a treasure that could have saved his struggling clan, just to curry favor with Tang San and lure the Breaking Clan into submission.
It stung even more because Bai He knew full well that Yang Wudi's clan harbored a deep hatred for the Clear Sky Clan and Tang Hao. Despite all that, they continued to support the Agility Clan. But now, Bai He was repaying that kindness with treachery, throwing them under the bus for Tang San's sake.
Back in the livestream, while Bai He's persuasion managed to stop Yang Wudi from leaving, Yang Wudi made it clear that he would only stay if they got rid of Tang San and never mentioned the Tang Sect again in his presence.
At that moment, Tang San spoke up, offering to say a few words.
But Yang Wudi wasn't interested. His hatred for the Clear Sky Clan ran deep, and he coldly told Tang San to leave before he killed him.
Yet Tang San, confident in his strength and backed by the support of Tai Tan, Niu Gao, and Bai He, wasn't intimidated. He narrowed his eyes and challenged Yang Wudi to follow through on his threat, daring him to try.
Of course, Yang Wudi's threat had been born out of anger. With Tang Hao still alive, killing Tang San would undoubtedly lead to the destruction of the Breaking Clan. But Yang Wudi couldn't suppress his rage and ended up fighting Tang San, hoping that, as long as he didn't kill him, the Clear Sky Clan wouldn't retaliate.
Despite being a Spirit Emperor, Tang San was no ordinary opponent. Armed with two 100,000-year spirit bones, a 100,000-year spirit ring, his dual spirits, two domains, and an array of martial arts techniques from the Tang Sect and Clear Sky Clan, he overwhelmed Yang Wudi in their battle.
Tang San's finishing move, Eight Spider Lances, delivered a devastating blow to Yang Wudi.
With his defeat, Yang Wudi was bound by the terms of the wager they had made before the fight: if Tang San won, Yang Wudi would owe him a favor. In reality, this favor meant submitting to Tang San.
As Yang Wudi reflected on his defeat, he felt an overwhelming sense of sorrow.
It's over.
Although Tang San had behaved admirably during the duel, the livestream had already laid bare his true nature. Tang San was a deceitful, selfish, and vengeful man. And Yang Wudi had been nothing but hostile toward him. Now, having lost, Yang Wudi had no choice but to submit his clan to Tang San's will.
For now, Tang San might act respectfully, as the Breaking Clan still had its uses. But once Tang San gained more power—once he became a god—the Breaking Clan would be discarded like trash. Yang Wudi did not doubt that when the time came, Tang San would not hesitate to exact revenge for today's events.
The future of the Breaking Clan looked bleak indeed.
Note: If you are interested, read up to chapter 260 at patreon.com/MythMosaic.