Yang Podi put away the two soul bones, feeling somewhat speechless.
This time, they hunted three soul beasts and obtained three soul bones: a 70,000-year-old Gale Demon Wolf's left leg bone, an 80,000-year-old Diamond Gorilla's right arm bone, and a 40,000-year-old Unihorn Tyrant Dragon's left arm bone.
These three soul bones were all considered top-quality treasures in the outside world. Their quality exceeded the expectations of many, and at any auction house, they could easily fetch tens of millions of gold soul coins or more.
The three soul bones were from different parts of the body. With this hunt, Yang Podi had already collected half of his body's soul bones. However, he found them somewhat lacking because their ages were relatively low. After all, with his twin martial souls, wouldn't it be better to eventually collect a full set of 100,000-year-old soul bones?
Yang Podi couldn't help but think that, given the circumstances, if he invited Dugu Bo along for future soul hunts, all the soul beasts could be half-poisoned before the kill. Wouldn't the probability of obtaining soul bones be much higher then?
After thinking it through, Yang Podi took out the 40,000-year-old Unihorn Tyrant Dragon's left arm bone from his soul tool and handed it to Dugu Bo.
Although Dugu Bo was not related to him by blood, their families had a good relationship. In this soul hunt, Dugu Bo contributed greatly. Relationships could sometimes be maintained, but allies should not lack tangible benefits, as benefits form the basis of relationships.
Receiving the soul bone, Dugu Bo was also somewhat speechless. This little treasure hoarder actually had moments when he would give something away. Moreover, this soul bone, dropped when Yang Podi absorbed the soul ring, would have greatly benefited Yang Podi himself.
Second Grandfather Yang Wushuang watched Yang Podi's actions with a gratified nod, while his maternal grandfather, Niu Gao, appeared somewhat awkward. After all, he had been protecting his grandson throughout the journey but hadn't received a soul bone. However, recalling that he had advanced to Titled Douluo thanks to treasures given by his grandson, he felt a bit guilty.
Time in the Star Dou Forest seemed to pass extremely slowly. It took Grandfather Yang Wudi a full 30 hours to absorb the soul ring from the Diamond Gorilla, leaving Yang Podi feeling somewhat existential.
When Yang Wudi finished absorbing the soul ring, the two corpses had already been dissected, presumably by his grandson, leaving him speechless.
Just as everyone was preparing to leave the Star Dou Forest, Yang Podi suddenly stopped them.
"Grandfather, Second Grandfather, shouldn't we start executing our plan now?"
Second Grandfather Yang Wushuang was momentarily speechless. "We're still in the core area of the forest. Isn't it too early?"
"Second Grandfather, if we're going to do this, we need to make it look real. If we run into anyone on the way, won't we be exposed?"
After some thought, Yang Wushuang nodded. "Alright, let's start here."
Meanwhile, Dugu Bo and Niu Gao were utterly confused, having no idea what Yang Podi was talking about.
They saw Yang Wushuang sit on the ground, take out a pill, and swallow it.
Moments later, the pill took effect, and Yang Wushuang collapsed, appearing lifeless with no breath, heartbeat, or soul power remaining.
Yang Podi then took out a knife and shredded his second grandfather's clothes, making them look tattered as though he had been through a fierce battle.
Next, he took large amounts of blood from the Diamond Gorilla and splattered it all over Yang Wushuang's body, even messing up his hair to make him appear like a casualty of a great battle.
Yang Podi then turned to his grandfather and did the same: slashing his clothes, making cuts, and applying blood.
Not stopping there, he dragged the bewildered Dugu Bo and Niu Gao over to similarly "process" them.
Niu Gao couldn't help but ask, "Podi, what exactly are you doing?"
"Grandfather," Yang Podi explained, "the Breaking Clan suddenly has two Titled Douluos. It's too conspicuous. We've decided that Second Grandfather will fake his death in a soul beast attack to reduce the attention on us."
Niu Gao gulped and turned to Yang Wudi. "Old Goat, how did you come up with such an idea?"
Yang Wudi sighed. "Old Rhino, this wasn't my idea. Your grandson came up with it."
Feeling it was still insufficient, Yang Podi continued, "Grandfather, Second Grandfather, Senior Dugu, this time, during our hunt in the Star Dou Forest, we managed to kill an 80,000-year-old Diamond Gorilla. While Grandfather was absorbing the soul ring, a furious Titan Giant Ape suddenly attacked. Second Grandfather fought to protect Grandfather and unfortunately died heroically."
"Reportedly, the Titan Giant Ape and the Diamond Gorilla have a close relationship. Many have observed them playing together and suspect they might be family."
(Titan Giant Ape Er Ming: ?)
(Diamond Gorilla: ?)
Dugu Bo and Niu Gao were speechless, thinking, Where did you see a connection between the Titan Giant Ape and the Diamond Gorilla? This little rascal is too devious!
Still, they didn't object. Given their relationship, they could keep this secret, especially since Dugu Bo had just received a soul bone.
Reluctantly, they let Yang Podi manipulate their appearances. Originally, the group had barely expended effort and no one was injured, but now, after Yang Podi's handiwork, they all looked like heavily injured survivors.
Once everything was prepared, Yang Podi cleaned up the two soul beast corpses and said, "Grandfather, let's head back."
Yang Wudi was slightly surprised. "Podi, since all of us are disguised, shouldn't you do the same?"
Yang Podi rolled his eyes. "Grandfather, we fought an 80,000-year-old Diamond Gorilla and a 100,000-year-old Titan Giant Ape. Do you think I could participate in battles of that level? If I were injured, wouldn't that raise suspicion?"
Yang Wudi was momentarily at a loss but had to admit that Yang Podi had a point.
After some discussion, Niu Gao carried Yang Podi, while Yang Wudi carried the bloodied "corpse" of Yang Wushuang. The group quickly left the forest.
When they arrived at the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest, they instantly attracted attention.
Dugu Bo, a guest elder of the Heaven Dou Empire, was widely recognized. Seeing the group's battered condition, many assumed something had gone terribly wrong during their hunt, especially as one member appeared to have died.
Ignoring the onlookers, Yang Wudi quickly returned to the Breaking Clan.
Soon, rumors spread across the continent, detailed and vivid:
Breaking Clan patriarch Yang Wudi had broken through to Titled Douluo. He invited Poison Douluo Dugu Bo and Defense Clan patriarch Niu Gao to the Star Dou Forest to hunt for a soul ring. They successfully killed an 80,000-year-old Diamond Gorilla, but during the absorption process, the Titan Giant Ape appeared. To protect his brother, Yang Wushuang fought the Titan Giant Ape to the death, ultimately perishing.
The Breaking Clan was now in mourning, preparing for Yang Wushuang's funeral.
Yang Wudi reportedly planned to rally forces to hunt the Titan Giant Ape and avenge his brother.
This news shocked various factions. While some sent representatives to offer condolences, none dared underestimate the Breaking Clan anymore. With a Titled Douluo patriarch, their strength was formidable.
At Spirit Hall, Pope Bibi Dong deliberated over the situation. She instructed her subordinates, "I want Yang Wudi and Niu Gao in Spirit City within five years."
The greatest impact, however, was felt by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, originally boasting two Titled Douluo, had long been a dominant force in the Heaven Dou Empire. In terms of strength, it was widely regarded as the number one clan in the world.
Now, however, the single-attribute clans had produced two Titled Douluo, and the Breaking Clan and the Defense Clan were even related by marriage. As a result, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's advantage was no longer as pronounced. Fortunately, these two clans appeared to be keeping a very low profile, seemingly uninterested in meddling in external affairs.
As for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, they were even more distressed. Though they were still one of the upper three sects, they had only one Titled Douluo, Yu Yuanzhen, barely holding things together. Despite the clan pouring vast resources into cultivating another Titled Douluo, their efforts had yielded nothing.
Meanwhile, the Breaking Clan and the Defense Clan had unexpectedly produced two Titled Douluo, threatening to greatly diminish the prestige of the upper three sects in the future.