55: Chapter 55 The Three Clans Gather, Resolutely Depart

Three days later.

Defense Clan Chief Niu Gao and Speed Clan Chief Bai He arrived side-by-side outside the Breaking Clan's residence.

Bai He frowned slightly, his face showing a hint of confusion.

"Old Rhinoceros, what do you think Old goat is up to this time? The date for the four-clan gathering is still far off, and besides, in the past, we were always the ones waiting for him to come. Why would he take the initiative to invite us this time?"

"Why think so much about it? We'll know soon enough."

Niu Gao waved his hand indifferently.

"Two Clan Chiefs, please follow me."

A Breaking Clan Disciple approached them, looking slightly unnatural.

Bai He and Niu Gao exchanged a look and, led by the Disciple, stepped into the residence.

Just as they stepped into the courtyard, Bai He scanned his surroundings and lowered his voice.

"Old Rhinoceros, have you noticed anything unusual?"

Niu Gao heard this, his brows furrowed tightly, and he said:

"Why is this courtyard so clean? Where did all the medicinal herbs usually laid out to dry go? And what about those medicine refining tools..."

Bai He quickly called out to the Disciple leading the way.

"What happened here? Why is this courtyard so empty?"

The Disciple's expression tightened, and he stammered:

"This... Clan Chief Bai, you will know in a moment."

Bai He and Niu Gao looked at each other, their expressions becoming serious.

As old friends of many years, they knew Yang Wudi's temperament too well; such abnormal behavior must mean something big had happened.

Soon, the two were led by the Disciple into the meeting hall.

But the scene before them left them both stunned.

They saw a strange youth sitting in the main seat, with Yang Wudi sitting respectfully below.

"Old Rhinoceros, Old White Bird, long time no see. Please, take a seat."

Yang Wudi stood up to welcome them, his tone carrying a trace of imperceptible complexity.

Bai He and the other walked to the chairs on the side and sat down, full of doubt.

Bai He scanned the hall.

"Has Old orangutan not arrived yet?"

"I didn't call Old orangutan," Yang Wudi replied calmly.

Niu Gao could not hold back and asked in a deep voice:

"Old goat, what is going on here? Who is this kid? And why did you ask us two here alone? What is this all for?"

Yang Wudi took a deep breath.

"Inviting you two here today is to inform you of a major decision: the Breaking Clan has chosen to follow Young Master Ji Xuan."

"Oh?" Niu Gao turned his gaze to Ji Xuan. "May I ask which faction you come from?"

Ji Xuan met his gaze calmly and said lightly:

"I come from Spirit Hall."

"What?!"

Bai He and Niu Gao stood up abruptly, their faces instantly turning livid.

"Old goat!" Niu Gao glared at Yang Wudi, eyes wide. "Do you know what you are doing?!"

Bai He suppressed his shock and said in a deep voice:

"Old goat, have you forgotten the irreconcilable hatred we have with Spirit Hall?!"

"How many clansmen did we lose in that battle back then? Have you forgotten all that blood?"

"Wasn't the culprit behind that incident Tang Hao?!"

Yang Wudi slammed the table and stood up, his voice carrying a trace of anger.

"Compared to Spirit Hall, I hate the abandonment of the Clear Sky Sect even more! In these years, our four clans have struggled to survive; has the Clear Sky Sect ever asked about us even once?"

Yang Wudi looked at Bai He with burning eyes.

"Especially you, Old White Bird. If it weren't for my Breaking Clan frequently helping out, your Speed Clan would have trouble even feeding yourselves!"

"Are you really willing to continue eking out an existence like this forever?"

Yang Wudi's words made Bai He and the other involuntarily clench their hands, their expressions shifting uncertainly.

Bai He asked in a deep voice:

"Old goat, what exactly did he promise you?"

"A chance for the Breaking Clan to regain its glory! Young Master Ji Xuan promises that if you are willing to follow him with me, he will definitely not treat you unfairly!"

"From now on, you won't have to worry about your livelihood!"

Niu Gao snorted coldly and said angrily:

"Even if there were immense benefits, don't even think about making us bow to our enemies!"

"Yang Wudi, since you have made this choice today, from now on, the Defense Clan breaks all ties with you!"

"Old White Bird, what about you?" Niu Gao looked at Bai He.

Bai He pondered for a moment, looked deeply at Yang Wudi with eyes full of heartache and disappointment, and finally let out a long sigh.

"The Speed Clan... is the same."

"Old White Bird, let's go!"

Niu Gao grabbed Bai He and strode away without looking back.

Watching the backs of his two old friends leaving resolutely, Yang Wudi stood alone in the empty hall and let out a heavy sigh.

"Forget it."

Yang Wudi shook his head, a trace of complexity flashing in his eyes.

Ji Xuan's expression was calm and waveless; he did not seem surprised by this result.

"Everyone has their own ambitions, why force it? Can you rest assured to leave now?"

Yang Wudi replied quickly:

"Reporting to Young Master, these three days I have had the clansmen rush to organize. All medicine refining tools, classics, and medicinal herbs have been packed. We can set off tomorrow."

"Very good." Ji Xuan nodded slightly. "Then we set off tomorrow. Go and prepare."

"Yes." Yang Wudi bowed and stepped back.

After he left, the figure of Gold Crocodile Douluo appeared silently beside Ji Xuan.

"Xiao Xuan, since the Defense and Speed Clans have refused, should we..."

Gold Crocodile Douluo made a throat-slitting gesture, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

"No need."

Ji Xuan raised his hand to stop him, a cold smile appearing on the corner of his lips.

"They cannot stir up any waves. Now that the Breaking Clan has just surrendered, if we move against the other clans, it will make them hold a grudge."

"In the future, they will realize what they missed today."

Ji Xuan stood up and looked out the door with his hands behind his back.

"If they don't know what's good for them in the future and throw their lot in with Spirit Hall's enemies... it won't be too late to deal with them then."

Ji Xuan's gaze gradually turned cold, his voice carrying a hint of killing intent.

...

Early the next morning.

Under Yang Wudi's arrangement, several clansmen possessing spirit tools for storage were carefully putting the last batch of goods into them.

A flash of light passed, and those mountain-like piles of boxes disappeared, leaving only an empty courtyard.

The hundred or so people of the Breaking Clan gathered in the front courtyard, all ready to depart.

Looking at the residence where they had lived for many years, now empty, they couldn't help but show reluctance.

However, despite the complicated feelings, the entire team was orderly.

Out of trust for Clan Chief Yang Wudi, they suppressed that unease in their hearts.

They understood that from the moment they made the choice, there was no turning back.

Three days ago.

When Yang Wudi announced that they would join Spirit Hall, most of the clansmen were firmly opposed.

Facing the fierce opposition of the clansmen, Yang Wudi was not surprised at all, but instead took out the Immortal Plant, the Delicate Apricot Fairy Silk.

The moment the Immortal Plant appeared, several elderly alchemists were extremely excited.

This Immortal Plant, which only existed in ancient records, had a fatal attraction for any alchemist.

Yang Wudi took the opportunity to state the benefits promised by Ji Xuan.

Yang Wudi also specifically emphasized that they were pledging allegiance to Ji Xuan personally, and not the current Spirit Hall.

As Yang Wudi recounted, everyone's attitude quietly changed.

Between regaining glory and eking out an existence, most clansmen finally chose the former.

...

Yang Wudi took one last look around the residence he had lived in for several years, his gaze lingering on every familiar corner.

He remembered the resoluteness of his two old friends when they left yesterday, and a sharp pain stung his heart.

But when he saw the clansmen ready to depart, his eyes became firm again.

"Set off!"

With Yang Wudi's order, everyone slowly walked out of the main gate.

Outside the gate, more than ten carriages were already prepared.

The women, children, and elderly, assisted by the young and strong, boarded the vehicles in an orderly manner.

In front of the carriage at the end of the procession, Ji Xuan and Gold Crocodile Douluo stood waiting quietly.

After the people of the Breaking Clan had all boarded, Ji Xuan nodded slightly to Gold Crocodile Douluo, and the two boarded the carriage together.