A few days after devising a plan, here I am, standing before the residence of the Breaking Clan. The first thing I noticed was the pitiful state of the place.
The situation was far worse than I had imagined for a clan. I spent several days analyzing the Breaking Clan, and it quickly became evident that the city's inhabitants avoided them. Even doing business with them was rare, which explained the miserable condition they were in.
Furthermore, I learned that some time ago, an envoy from the Spirit Hall visited the clan. It wasn't clear what was discussed, but the envoy left with a satisfied expression, which only heightened my suspicions.
Using an illusion to make myself appear as a noble-looking adult, I approached the gate. There were no guards or doormen; the place seemed deserted.
Without hesitation, I touched a special kind of bell commonly used in this world. Moments later, a middle-aged man with a weary expression appeared. He looked at me without much interest.
"We're not available for discussions today. Please, leave," said the man bluntly, waving me off as he prepared to retreat into the residence.
"Sir, I am here to speak with the clan master, Yang Wudi." As I spoke, I revealed a symbol representing the royal family of the Star Luo Empire.
The man observed the symbol for a few seconds before sighing and allowing me inside. He led me to a shabby-looking room, where I was left to wait without even being offered tea.
After some time, a tall and lean man with a stern, weary face entered the room. His long hair fell to his waist, and his unkempt beard gave him a rough appearance. His muscular frame was accentuated by an X-shaped scar on his left chest.
Without ceremony, he rudely sat in the chair across from me.
"And what do I owe the pleasure of hosting an envoy from the royal family of the Star Luo Empire?" Yang Wudi's voice was sharp.
"I should be the one to say it's an honor to meet the master of the Breaking Clan, Yang Wudi. My name is Lin Dayu, and I represent the second prince of the imperial family." I introduced myself briefly, adopting Chinese etiquette. For now, I chose to use a false identity.
"Ah, the second prince… If I'm not mistaken, the boy is only seven years old. What could he possibly want with this ruined clan?" Yang Wudi spoke coldly before grabbing a gourd tied to his waist and taking a sip.
"The second prince is aware of your clan's situation and wishes to help," I replied calmly, maintaining a neutral expression.
"Hahaha! What a joke! In the state we're in, what could a child possibly do to help us?" Yang Wudi laughed disdainfully, slapping the table. When he stopped, he cast me a cold glance.
"The second prince knows that the Spirit Hall has restricted your access to supplies and imposed impossible demands on the Breaking Clan. He can help not only with supplies but also to remove your clan from the Spirit Hall's crosshairs." Under the illusion created with the help of Sister Daydream's power, Yang Wudi couldn't see through it.
"Oh? And what exactly would the second prince do? Bow down before the Spirit Hall to beg for mercy? Doesn't he know that no one, no sect or clan, is willing to help us since it would mean facing the wrath of the Spirit Hall?" Yang Wudi averted his gaze, now completely indifferent.
"Not exactly. If the clan joins the second prince, the Spirit Hall won't be able to touch you."
Finally, a flicker of curiosity appeared on Yang Wudi's face.
"Are you aware of the Soul Beast attack that occurred last year? The blame fell on the Spirit Hall, and our Star Luo Empire suffered significant losses because of it. Over the past year, we've had various negotiations with the Spirit Hall. So, if your clan allies with the second prince, the Spirit Hall won't have the freedom to act against you."
I quickly explained the context. The beast attack, which happened while I was obtaining my first Soul Ring, put the Spirit Hall in a precarious position. Although there was no definitive solution to the conflict yet, it was enough of a deterrent to prevent them from provoking the imperial family if the Breaking Clan came under my protection.
Yang Wudi took another sip from his gourd, seeming thoughtful.
"So, the second prince wants my clan to swear loyalty to him?" He looked at me with a neutral expression.
"Exactly," I replied without hesitation.
Suddenly, a powerful aura emanated from Yang Wudi's body. The aura of a Spirit Douluo with eight Soul Rings filled the room. However, I stood firm, showing no reaction.
"Does he think he's worthy of that? No matter how ruined we are, we are not desperate enough to swear loyalty to someone who doesn't even have the courage to come in person." With each word, his aura intensified, to the point where the already fragile floor began to crack.
"Out of respect for the royal family, I won't kill you. Now leave my residence while I still have patience." Yang Wudi stood, ready to leave.
"If the second prince were present before you, would you be willing to speak with him?" I asked, frowning. Yang Wudi clearly wasn't a patient man.
"Hahaha! The prince is just a cowardly child who sends emissaries in his place. There's nothing more to discuss." He gave me one last glance and turned to leave.
However, before reaching the door, he stopped abruptly. His surprised expression was evident as he realized the man who had been there was now gone.
In his place stood a seven-year-old child with long golden hair. My appearance exuded a touch of royalty, and my features already suggested I would become a remarkable man in the future.
"Now, are you willing to continue the conversation?" I asked, looking directly at Yang Wudi.
"That. How did you appear here? No... You've been here the whole time. Haha, it seems the second imperial prince is full of mysteries. Very well, I am willing to continue this conversation." Yang Wudi, still surprised, sat back in his chair.
"Your courage is truly commendable, second imperial prince. However, that alone is not enough for my Breaking Clan to swear allegiance to you. If it ever comes to the point where we must pledge loyalty, why not turn to the elder prince or His Majesty, the emperor?" Yang Wudi, as before, showed no hint of respect.
"As the leader of a clan, you must be aware of the royal family's custom. To become emperor, in the end, my brother and I will fight to the death. If you support a prince now, when he becomes emperor, your clan's status will be far greater than if you allied with the current emperor." I spoke without much thought, stating a point I had considered while planning my approach.
"Not to mention, even if you seek the emperor, he may not be inclined to accept your clan. With the ongoing negotiations involving the Spirit Hall, it could provoke their wrath, and there isn't much benefit for the Empire in allying with your clan." I lightly tapped the table with my index finger for emphasis.
Yang Wudi simply nodded and took a sip from his gourd. "You make a valid point, but the elder imperial prince remains an option." He said, wiping his mouth with his arm.
"After meeting me in person, do you still believe the elder prince has a chance to win?" I asked, letting out a slight chuckle.
"You are indeed a genius. At just seven years old, you've already reached level 17 and harbor some indescribable secrets. But that isn't enough to convince me to join you over the elder prince. He is older and still has greater chances of victory." Yang Wudi dismissed this reasoning, clearly expecting something more substantial in the negotiation.
I'm sorry, Yang Wudi, but now it's time to reveal my trump card.
"Yang Wudi, you are aware that the Star Luo Empire has six great clans and sects besides the royal family, correct?" I asked, staring directly into his eyes.
"What does that have to do with this?" He looked at me, puzzled.
"Perhaps you don't know, but apart from your clan, the Defense Clan, and the imperial family, the other clans and sects are colluding with the Spirit Hall." Upon delivering these impactful words, Yang Wudi stood from his seat, his gaze filled with astonishment.
"What do you mean by that? That's impossible. The Spirit Hall couldn't possibly control so many clans." Yang Wudi shook his head in denial.
"Hehe, you can deny it, but deep down you know there's something suspicious about the four lesser clans." He sat back down, his brow furrowed.
"To be clear, I suspect many of the continent's clans and sects were developed by the Spirit Hall itself. Otherwise, why would they be so restrained in their actions against the Spirit Hall? Beyond the imperial families, a few clans, and the so-called Three Upper Sects, few truly resist their power."
"Of course, this could be out of fear of the Spirit Hall's immense strength. But don't you find it strange how the Spirit Hall has been increasingly quiet while its influence only grows?"
"The attack by the Soul Beasts made the situation even more evident. Even though several forces on the continent suffered due to the Spirit Hall's interference, they emerged practically unscathed, merely offering some compensations. If it were any other clan or sect, what do you think the outcome would have been? They'd have been exploited to their last resource."
"With so many benefits and reasons to weaken the Spirit Hall, why do you think so many remain inactive? Do you really believe it's just fear?"
Yang Wudi remained silent, his expression growing increasingly unsettled.
"Even if this is true, what does it have to do with the elder prince?" He tried to shift the topic, but it was evident my words had struck a chord.
"On the night of the Soul Beast attack, I was in the Star Dou Forest, seeking my first Soul Ring. This is known within the royal family but a secret to the outside world. Dai Ming, the former elder prince, attempted to assassinate me in the Star Dou Forest. Unfortunately for him, he met his end by my hands. In the spatial ring he carried, I found this." I pulled out a pill from my own spatial ring.
"This is...?" Yang Wudi stared in shock at the red pill.
"I see you recognize it. It's a sacrificial pill. I imagine your clan suffered because of this pill during your conflict with the Spirit Hall." I extended the pill to Yang Wudi, who took it, examined it, and placed it back on the table before leaning into his chair.
"Now you understand my point. The Spirit Hall is attempting to infiltrate the imperial family. With Dai Ming's death, only two princes remain. If they haven't approached me, there's only one other candidate: Dai Weisi." I concluded, delivering what I considered to be my ultimatum.
"This appears to be the Spirit Hall's maneuver within the Star Luo Empire. I imagine they're executing a similar strategy in the Heaven Dou Empire." I added, before falling silent.
Yang Wudi also remained silent for several minutes, his expression betraying an internal conflict.
"If everything you say is true, why should I swear loyalty to you? In the end, the entire continent will be consumed by the Spirit Hall." He asked, his face showing defeat.
"The situation isn't irreversible yet. Many independent and powerful clans and sects remain: the Three Upper Sects, the imperial families, other clans, and academies. The Spirit Hall still hesitates to make a definitive move, which is evident in their willingness to negotiate a settlement."
"In this scenario, supporting me means thwarting the Spirit Hall's plan in the Star Luo Empire, as well as enabling your clan to recover its strength and influence with my assistance." These were my final cards. If the Breaking Clan didn't accept, my situation would become more complicated.
After a few more minutes of silence, Yang Wudi finally rose from his seat.
"The Breaking Clan pledges its loyalty to the second imperial prince, Dai Mubai." He bowed, his expression determined and his aura brimming with conviction.
Smiling, I extended my hand to help him up.
Breaking Clan acquired.