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Chapter 99: The Plan
🕑 Added 2024-12-07 17:53:15 +0000 UTCInside the Breaking Clan's patriarch's secret chamber, Yang Wudi, Yang Wushuang, Yang Zhentian, and Yang Podi were seated together.
"Podi, what idea do you have to address the current crisis in our clan?"
Yang Podi looked at his two grandfathers and his father. "Grandfather, Second Grandfather, Father, since we don't want outsiders to know that Second Grandfather has also broken through to Titled Douluo, why not just have Second Grandfather disappear?"
The three were immediately speechless. How could their son (grandson) come up with such an absurd suggestion? Did he really think disappearing would solve everything?
Yang Podi noticed their confusion. "Father, Grandfathers, when I say disappear, I mean completely vanish from the Douluo Continent, leaving no trace for anyone to detect. That way, there won't be any risk."
Yang Wudi pondered aloud, "Your Second Grandfather is such a prominent soul master. How could he possibly just vanish?"
"As long as we find a sufficiently hidden place and ensure no one can find him, wouldn't that count as disappearing from the Douluo Continent?"
"Are there places like that in this world?"
Looking at the three men in front of him, Yang Podi was exasperated. How could his two grandfathers and father fail to grasp something so simple? Didn't they even know how to hide? In the original story, the Clear Sky Clan managed to remain hidden for over twenty years, only for five Titled Douluo elders to suddenly emerge. During that time, neither the Spirit Hall nor any other power got wind of their whereabouts.
"Grandfather, I have three plans. Would you like to hear them?"
Seeing no objections, Yang Podi continued, "The first plan is that during the upcoming trip to the Star Dou Forest to hunt soul beasts, we fake Second Grandfather's death at the hands of a soul beast. The clan then proceeds with normal funeral arrangements while Second Grandfather retreats to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. There, he can refine medicines and also guard the area to prevent outsiders from finding it."
"The second plan is similar: we still fake Second Grandfather's death at the hands of a soul beast. But then, we contact one of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, or the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family and negotiate with them to hide Second Grandfather within their ranks. They certainly have hidden locations suitable for seclusion."
"The third plan is for Second Grandfather to either fake a fallout with the clan or feign his death, then take a group of clan members to Sea God Island or find an isolated island overseas to remain hidden. When the clan faces an existential crisis, he can return."
After hearing these suggestions, the three were visibly relieved. To think that such a significant problem could have so many solutions.
The three exchanged puzzled glances, each silently wondering: What kind of brain does this son (grandson) have to come up with so many seemingly ridiculous yet workable ideas?
In truth, Yang Podi's primary intention was to implement either the first or third plan. As for the second plan, it was merely a test to gauge his two grandfathers' stance. If both opted for hiding within one of the major powers, it would indicate that the Breaking Clan and the Spirit Hall were already locked in a life-and-death struggle. If his Second Grandfather were to hide within one of these factions, they could perhaps even exploit the Spirit Hall's soul-hunting operations to counter them.
At this moment, Grandfather Yang Wudi and Father Yang Zhentian both looked at Second Grandfather Yang Wushuang, waiting for his decision.
After some deliberation, Yang Wushuang finally spoke. "I'll retreat to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. That way, I can guard our treasure trove while focusing on refining medicines."
Yang Podi seemed to have thought of something and asked, "Grandfather, Second Grandfather, Father, all of you are nearing breakthroughs to Titled Douluo. Will you also hide yourselves when that time comes? And Mother won't take many more years to reach the Titled Douluo level as well."
Grandfather Yang Wudi replied after some thought, "Podi, the reason your Second Grandfather has to hide is that he and I have trained together since childhood, and our soul power levels are nearly identical. If I break through to Titled Douluo, others might suspect and probe your Second Grandfather."
"Your parents, however, have always kept a very low profile. They've never revealed their strength to outsiders, and most people don't even know they've reached the Soul Douluo stage. As long as they continue keeping a low profile, it shouldn't draw any attention."
"Grandfathers, have you decided on what kind of soul rings you're going to choose?"
"We've planned to head to the Star Dou Forest in a few days to hunt for soul beasts. We're aiming for beasts in the 60,000 to 80,000-year range."
Yang Podi mulled over this before replying, "Father, do you remember the Titan Python we encountered last time? Based on your estimate, it's likely close to 100,000 years old. Why not consider it?"
Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang exchanged glances and couldn't help but chuckle.
Finally, Yang Zhentian said, "Podi, while a 100,000-year-old soul ring is indeed remarkable, the energy it contains is overwhelming. With your grandfathers' current physical conditions, they wouldn't be able to withstand it."
"I recall Grandfather absorbed a 60,000-year-old soul bone, didn't he?"
"Soul bones can indeed enhance physical strength, but having just one is insufficient. To absorb a 100,000-year-old soul ring, you'd need at least three high-quality soul bones or an exceptionally strong body."
Still unwilling to give up, Yang Podi asked, "Grandfathers, isn't there any way to further enhance your physical strength? A solitary 100,000-year-old soul beast should be relatively easy to hunt."
Yang Zhentian gave him a playful look. "Podi, judging by your tone, do you think 100,000-year-old soul beasts are so easy to kill? Or do you have another method?"
"Father, don't forget that I have Scarlet Swan's Kiss. Combined with the Breaking Clan's poisons, what 100,000-year-old soul beast couldn't we take down?"
Before Yang Podi could finish, Yang Wudi immediately interjected, "Podi, I didn't expect you to have something as potent as Scarlet Swan's Kiss. Why don't you hand it over so I can study it?"
Second Grandfather Yang Wushuang also looked intrigued.
Yang Podi silently cursed himself. I slipped up and exposed the Scarlet Swan's Kiss. With how fanatical my grandfathers are about refining medicines and poisons, how could they possibly resist? He still remembered how his father took his Yearning Heartbroken Red last time, and he hadn't seen it since.
After some quick thinking, Yang Podi finally said, "Grandfathers, I left the Scarlet Swan's Kiss in my room earlier. I'll fetch it for you later."
He didn't dare reveal his hidden soul tool, which contained numerous treasures. If his grandfathers discovered it, it would certainly be raided.
However, his grandfather Yang Wudi continued, "Podi, how could you be so careless? You know how dangerous Scarlet Swan's Kiss is. A single mishap could wipe out the entire clan. Go retrieve it immediately and leave it in my care for safekeeping."
Hearing this, Yang Podi was speechless. If you want it, just say so. Why come up with such an excuse?
In the end, Yang Podi reluctantly pretended to return to his room. He transferred the Scarlet Swan's Kiss into his commonly used soul tool, then returned to the secret chamber and handed it over to his grandfathers.
As expected, the two grandfathers were ecstatic upon seeing the Scarlet Swan's Kiss, much like their reaction upon encountering the Delicate Fragrant Immortal Grade herb before. They immediately plunged into a state of obsession.
Meanwhile, Yang Podi noticed his father, Yang Zhentian, sitting leisurely on the side with a contented expression, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
Yang Podi instantly understood: this time, he'd been set up by his father.
