Regardless of how the outside world viewed the Breaking Clan, Yang Podi and his companions, along with his grandfather Niu Gao and others, began their journey to the northern Almo Mountain.
Among those heading north, except for Tianyue, the weakest were Soul Kings. All of them traveled quickly without using carriages.
However, the distance between Heaven Dou City and Almo Mountain was indeed quite far, over 3,000 kilometers. Some of them took more than ten days of rapid travel to reach Almo Mountain.
The largest city near Almo Mountain was Monet City, about 70 kilometers away. It was considered relatively developed economically for the region.
But when the group arrived in Monet City, they were momentarily speechless.
The city walls of Monet City were particularly small, and the urban area was tiny as well, with very few inhabitants. Compared to Soto City, it was much smaller and exemplified the characteristics of a northern city: sparse population and settlements.
According to statistics, the entire 300-kilometer radius around the region had a population of about 5 million, which was about one-tenth of a northern province in Yang Podi's previous life. It was one of the least densely populated areas of the Heaven Dou Empire. The total population was even smaller than Soto City, and Monet City itself was roughly the size of Notting City.
Upon seeing Monet City, Niu Gao seemed hesitant. "Podi, do we really need to build a city here? Even if we establish it, there might not be many people coming."
Yang Podi shook his head. "Although Monet City is small, it has relatively complete facilities. When the time comes, we can expand the city's dimensions by about five times and make it one of the largest cities in the north. Through the Breaking Clan's medicinal herb trade and other commercial activities, the population should gradually increase."
"Besides, our primary goal is not this city. It is just an economic base for us and won't require much energy. Our greater focus should be on constructing the sect on the mountain, particularly addressing defensive concerns."
After observing Monet City for a day, the group headed straight for Almo Mountain.
As recorded, Almo Mountain was extremely tall and perilous.
The foot of the mountain was lush and green, suitable for planting herbs. As they ascended to the midsection, the temperature began to plummet drastically, making it unsuitable for ordinary people. The summit was covered in perpetual snow, and only soul masters could survive there.
After discussions and geographical analysis conducted by Niu Gao, the group finalized the preliminary plans for the future sect.
At the mountain's base, in addition to establishing large medicinal fields, they planned to build an academy for the future children of the various families and any children with awakened martial souls from within a few hundred kilometers to study.
The midsection of the mountain would serve as the main residence of the sect, divided among the major families. It would include various training grounds and housing, concentrating most members there.
The summit would become the core area for the sect, reserved for the residence of core disciples and those being specially trained. Despite the harsh environment, it was more suitable for soul masters' cultivation and physical refinement.
The main defensive concerns of the sect would also focus on the midsection, which served as a natural barrier.
Secret escape routes were planned, all leading to the mountain's northern side. If an attack occurred, the clan could quickly evacuate through these routes into the snowy wilderness of the north.
In the snowy region north of Almo Mountain, various training facilities were to be built for physical conditioning.
Niu Gao, a seasoned expert in architecture, effortlessly devised these plans. Even the intricate defensive measures and strategic considerations for the sect were completed with ease.
Notably, the snowy summit became a natural barrier for the sect's core, making it nearly impossible for outsiders to locate or attack the heart of the clan.
After several days of planning, Niu Gao and a few clan members cleared a small living area at the summit for Yang Podi and the others to train. The other construction tasks were left to Niu Gao and his clan members to handle, as cultivation remained the priority for Yang Podi and the younger generation.
To their delight, the surrounding area of Almo Mountain was found to be teeming with spirit beasts. Due to the stark environmental contrast between the summit and the foot of the mountain, the variety of spirit beasts was rich, making it akin to a small spirit beast forest. This would make obtaining ordinary spirit rings convenient for the clan in the future.
In the following months, members of the Breaking Clan and the Defense Clan began moving from the Heaven Dou region to Almo Mountain. Just the two clans alone brought over a thousand soul masters, filling Monet City to capacity.
Niu Gao, holding his marquis appointment letter, arranged for clan members to take over Monet City and began large-scale construction efforts.
Over the years, the Defense Clan's population had grown to over 500, most of whom were soul masters specializing in defense, with awakened martial souls like the Armored Giant Rhinoceros. They were naturally skilled in construction, and whether building the city or the sect, their efficiency was astonishing. It was estimated that the entire project would be completed within six months.
Yang Podi was deeply impressed by their speed, comparing them to "infrastructure maniacs" with unparalleled efficiency.
Meanwhile, significant events unfolded across the Douluo Continent.
The first major event was the shocking news that the renowned Breaking Clan and Defense Clan had completely relocated from Heaven Dou City.
In recent years, the two clans had become prominent in the soul master world. Both patriarchs, Yang Wudi and Niu Gao, had broken through to Title Douluo, a rare achievement in recent times.
Their victory in the revenge battle against Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo of the Spirit Hall was particularly shocking. The two Spirit Hall elites were severely injured, and their whereabouts had since become unknown, marking a significant blow to the Spirit Hall's reputation.
Additionally, the clans' younger generations won the Soul Master Tournament championship, with several prodigies gaining nationwide fame.
Yet, contrary to expectations, these two flourishing clans chose to move to the remote Almo Mountain, isolating themselves from the world. This decision baffled everyone.
Typically, powerful clans or sects would expand their influence, recruit disciples, and establish dominant sects. However, these clans' retreat puzzled countless observers.
In the eyes of many, the combined strength of the Breaking Clan and Defense Clan rivaled the Upper Three Sects and even surpassed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Their retreat was seen as a wasted opportunity.
The second major event that occurred on the Douluo Continent was the sudden appearance of many strange secret manuals in the black market.
These manuals looked very peculiar, containing various intricate cultivation techniques, including an incredibly advanced meditation method that surpassed even the top-tier methods passed down by the major clans. High-level soul masters who came across these manuals regarded them as priceless treasures and began studying them enthusiastically.
Among these manuals, the most significant one featured a spiritual cultivation method that could enhance spiritual power—something entirely unprecedented on the Douluo Continent.
Additionally, there were various methods for crafting weapons. These weapons were extremely precise and challenging to manufacture. However, to high-level blacksmiths, these methods were priceless. Unfortunately, these blacksmiths found that the crafting process required many rare and valuable metals, and mysteriously, all the metals in Gengxin City had been swept away by an unknown party. This led to a sharp increase in metal prices.
For a time, the entire soul master community was abuzz. Such invaluable treasures were being spread openly, which seemed utterly inconceivable.
Yet no one could trace their origin. All that was known was that two mysterious individuals dressed in black were selling these items in various black markets and even secretly to the major clans at exorbitant prices.
Some tried to track these two mysterious individuals, but they seemed to appear and disappear without a trace. It was evident they were high-level soul masters, leaving no clues behind. Even the most skilled tracking soul masters failed to uncover any leads.
According to those who had interacted with the sellers, these manuals came from a mysterious ancient ruin, which was the former site of a great sect from ten thousand years ago. For unknown reasons, the sect had been destroyed by a natural disaster, causing these techniques to be lost.
The two mysterious individuals had discovered this ancient ruin through their explorations and were now selling the manuals to obtain resources for their own breakthroughs in cultivation.
The final major event was the fallout between Dugu Bo and Prince Xue Xing. The exact details were unclear to the outside world, but it was rumored that the conflict stemmed from Crown Prince Xue Beng provoking someone he shouldn't have. Under pressure, Prince Xue Xing had to use an old favor owed by Dugu Bo to resolve the situation.
From that point onward, Dugu Bo severed all ties with Prince Xue Xing. However, under Emperor Xue Ye's repeated requests, Dugu Bo continued to serve as an imperial consecrator for the Heaven Dou Empire. Still, seeking his assistance in the future would not be easy.
Crown Prince Xue Beng's reputation in the Heaven Dou Empire hit rock bottom. Rumors about him spread incessantly. Some even suggested that the deaths of Emperor Xue Ye's other two sons were orchestrated by Xue Beng in his bid for the throne. Words like scheming, treacherous, cruel, and ambitious became synonymous with Xue Beng's name. If not for his status as a prince, he would have been universally reviled.
At Prince Xue Xing's residence, both he and Xue Beng wore extremely dark expressions. On Xue Beng's face, there were two glaring slap marks.
Prince Xue Xing was visibly furious. "I told you to pretend to be a wastrel, not to become one! Even if you want to recruit talents, you cannot use such despicable methods. Not only have you made enemies for yourself, but you've also created enemies for the entire Heaven Dou Empire!"
It turned out that Crown Prince Xue Beng, acting on advice from an unknown strategist, had heard of the exceptional strength of the Dragon Duke and Dragon Duchess. He decided to recruit them but failed to win their favor.
After analyzing the couple, he discovered their immense affection for their granddaughter, Meng Yiran. Xue Beng then schemed to use Meng Yiran to gain leverage over them.
However, upon meeting Meng Yiran, Xue Beng was overcome by lust and attempted to assault her. He nearly succeeded.
Fortunately, the Dragon Duke and Dragon Duchess arrived just in time to stop him. Enraged by the near-violation of their beloved granddaughter, the Dragon Duke disregarded Xue Beng's royal status and attacked him directly.
Xue Beng had been relying on the protection of a Spirit Douluo from Spirit Hall, which emboldened his actions. Yet, much to his shock, the Spirit Douluo was defeated by the Dragon Duke within just a few moves.
Even Prince Xue Xing's intervention couldn't appease the couple's fury. In the end, they had to ask Dugu Bo to step in.
Dugu Bo engaged in a fierce battle with the Dragon Duke and Duchess and managed to eke out a victory. However, the conflict created a significant rift between them.
Feeling humiliated for having to clean up after Xue Beng's mess, especially over such a disgraceful matter, Dugu Bo angrily severed ties with Prince Xue Xing.
When Emperor Xue Ye learned of the incident, he was so enraged that he nearly coughed up blood. He slapped Xue Beng twice, furious that a hard-earned favor from Dugu Bo had been squandered.
Back at Prince Xue Xing's residence, he, being a shrewd and experienced man, seemed to realize something. With a grave expression, he questioned Xue Beng, "Where is the person who advised you to target the Dragon Duke and Duchess? Where is he now?"
Xue Beng hesitated before responding, "That person disappeared suddenly, perhaps frightened by the outcome. I can't find him, and even his family is gone."
Prince Xue Xing was livid. "You fool! You've been set up! This was a deliberate scheme, using you to settle Dugu Bo's favor!"
"And now, not only is my favor with Dugu Bo gone, but you also owe Spirit Hall a favor!"
Xue Beng hesitated and said, "But aren't we in a cooperative relationship with Spirit Hall? How does that make me owe them?"
Prince Xue Xing was exasperated. "What kind of cooperation do you think this is? Just because you're a prince? The Spirit Douluo risked his life to protect you and is now gravely injured. Sooner or later, they will come to collect this debt."
"Especially after this incident, which caused such a huge loss to the empire. Even the Emperor is now disgusted with you. Tell me, what hope do you have of claiming the throne in the future?"
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