After everything was arranged, Yang Xiong and Lin Gong finally left Yunwu Mountain.
On the way, Lin Gong seemed a bit puzzled. "Xiao Xiong, your idea for the Body Sect is truly impressive. Our generation already has the potential to become a powerful sect. In terms of sheer strength, we're definitely not weaker than the four lower sects. And in ten years, we may even rival the top three."
"But compared to them, we still lack a true inheritance,especially in terms of Martial Souls."
Yang Xiong smiled slightly. "Teacher Lin, I understand what you mean. But our Body Sect's inheritance will be different from that of the top three. They pass down Martial Souls through family bloodlines. Our Body Sect will focus on Body Martial Souls and pass them down through a master-apprentice system."
Lin Gong looked doubtful. "Master-apprentice? Can that really work as a form of inheritance?"
Yang Xiong chuckled. "Family inheritance has its limits. A single Martial Soul type will always have its shortcomings. What I want is to gather all the Body Martial Souls from across the Douluo Continent. They may not be valued elsewhere, but in the Body Sect, they'll receive the best education. We will have the best inheritance of Body Martial Souls."
Soon, the two returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Yang Xiong went directly to see Sect Master Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Fengzhi was quite pleased to see Yang Xiong coming to him alone. The relationship between the two had become much more relaxed lately. They met privately, without even Sword Douluo or Bone Douluo present.
"Xiao Xiong, I've heard from Jian Shu and Uncle Gu that your cultivation has been going well. Are you here about the three single-attribute clans?"
Yang Xiong shook his head. "Sect Master, I came to ask for your help with something."
Ning Fengzhi replied, "Speak freely. I've said before,any resources of the sect are at your disposal."
After thinking for a moment, Yang Xiong said, "Sect Master, I'd like to request your order to collect children with Body Martial Souls from across the continent. I'll arrange their training."
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "That's not a problem. People with Body Martial Souls aren't valued much by other soul master families. As long as we offer them decent treatment, they should be more than satisfied."
"But judging by your expression, it seems you've found a suitable training method for Body Martial Souls. Still, they are rare and difficult to inherit. There may only be a few hundred such people across the continent, and most have poor innate soul power. You'll need to pay attention to that."
Yang Xiong nodded. "Thank you for the guidance, Sect Master. I'll personally train them at Yunwu Mountain."
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was the wealthiest sect on the continent, with the most extensive network. Their influence spanned the entire Heaven Dou Empire, and they even had reach in the Star Luo Empire. Gathering students with Body Martial Souls wouldn't be too difficult. In fact, the Body Sect and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were a perfect match.
Just as Yang Xiong was preparing to leave, Ning Fengzhi suddenly turned serious.
"Xiao Xiong, regarding your so-called Body Martial Soul inheritance, and your invitation to the three single-attribute clans to join the Heaven Dou Empire,whatever little schemes you may be up to, you'd best remember your identity."
Yang Xiong was taken aback. This was the first time Ning Fengzhi had spoken to him in such a stern tone, quite unlike his usual gentle demeanor.
"Sect Master, I will always be a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. I would never betray the sect."
Ning Fengzhi smiled. "No need to be so nervous. Everyone has their own thoughts. That's normal. But in the world of soul masters, aside from strength, tactics are equally important."
"You should understand the situation of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. The Glazed Tile Pagoda is only a support-type Martial Soul, yet it's the sect's foundation. Naturally, we have a comprehensive system of management."
"I don't know how you convinced the three single-attribute clans to follow you, but remember: to be a true leader, you need more than strength,you need strategy."
Yang Xiong began to sweat slightly. He had thought about these things before, but not in depth. From Ning Fengzhi's words, it was clear he had already seen through his little tricks.
"Sect Master, I..."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "I'm not bothered by these minor issues. If I didn't know about them, I wouldn't deserve to be the sect master."
Yang Xiong swallowed. "Thank you, Sect Master, for your understanding."
Ning Fengzhi said, "Xiao Xiong, you may be able to recruit some people through benefits in the short term, but remember,being a leader requires careful thought. You must balance kindness and authority with your subordinates, or you'll lose control."
"When dealing with people like Yang Wudi, you must not only give them benefits but also impose restrictions. Human nature is the hardest thing to control, or chaos will ensue."
Yang Xiong quickly responded, "Thank you for your guidance, Sect Master."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "It's not much. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has been passed down for many generations. People often wonder how our sect always has Titled Douluos in every generation, yet the sect master is usually just a Soul Saint. Don't you think the Titled Douluos ever wanted to take over?"
"Of course they did. But it depends on the current sect master's tactics, and many subtle factors."
"Titled Douluos are the greatest pillars of a sect, but that doesn't mean they should be the decision-makers. This ties back to trust and personal relationships."
"I've been friends with Jian Shu and Gu Shu for many years. To me, they're seniors, elders, and comrades. Your relationship with the three single-attribute clans will be more complex. People have ambition, and their clans are full of internal politics,things could become unstable."
Yang Xiong fell silent. He realized he had been too simplistic in his thinking. Founding a sect would involve many unexpected challenges.
"Please continue to advise me, Sect Master."
Ning Fengzhi smiled. "It's not too complicated. Ultimately, it comes down to tactics, interests, and people. Within a sect, you must balance all interests, check each power, and gain absolute trust from your people. Master these three, and major issues shouldn't arise."
"You're still young, and you've only touched on these areas superficially. Sometimes you're too idealistic. But with your intelligence, you'll catch on eventually."
"You should be familiar with the Golden Iron Triangle. Among them, Yu Xiaogang had the weakest strength,far below the others. Yet he was the core of the group. That's not just because his Martial Soul was central to their synergy, but also due to the emotional bonds they built over time and his influence in their youth. You might learn something from him."
After Yang Xiong left Ning Fengzhi, his back was soaked with sweat.
This was perhaps their first truly open and honest conversation. Though Ning Fengzhi spoke calmly, his tone left no room for dispute.
Yang Xiong had always slightly underestimated him, thinking this top-three sect master seemed more like a merchant than a great leader.
Only today did he begin to understand,Ning Fengzhi might be the most tactically adept and intelligent man on the continent. Even his controversial full investment in Tang San might have been one of his most successful strategies.
Consider this: thousands of years later, the Clear Sky Sect had vanished, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was no more, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect,once the most distant from Tang San,preserved its legacy and remained a major power. It had fared far better than the other two sects.
Moreover, Ning Fengzhi's control over the sect was terrifyingly precise. Not only did he gain the full support of two Titled Douluos, but the entire sect operated in perfect unity. Under his leadership, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was like an iron fortress,an impressive feat.
The sect thrived under his rule. Disciples trained hard and regarded the sect as their home, willing to sacrifice themselves for it.
Even ordinary patrol disciples carried out their duties with vigilance and discipline. There was no arrogance here, unlike the other top sects.
After Yang Xiong left, Ning Fengzhi sighed. "A talent like Yang Xiong is truly rare,ambitious, insightful, talented, and fortunate. I wonder why Rongrong chose someone like him."
Just then, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo appeared in the room. Clearly, they had been watching the conversation the whole time.
Ning Fengzhi gave a bitter smile. "Sword Uncle, Bone Uncle, you've been training Yang Xiong for nearly a month now. What do you think of him?"
Bone Douluo spoke first. "Fengzhi, Yang Xiong's talent is flawless, and he's incredibly determined. In the path of defense, he might even surpass me one day."
Sword Douluo nodded. "He's exceptionally gifted, with strong comprehension and willpower. He has everything needed to become a top-level expert. Unfortunately, his Martial Soul isn't sword-type, or he could've inherited my sword techniques perfectly."
Ning Fengzhi said, "It seems I underestimated his potential. Do you think he could one day reach the level of that man from the Clear Sky Sect?"
Sword Douluo shook his head. "That's hard to say. That man once led the Clear Sky Sect to unprecedented glory, earning the title of the continent's number one sect. He was arguably the greatest genius of the millennium,unmatched in both talent and tactics. If he hadn't vanished, the Clear Sky Sect might have ruled the world."
Ning Fengzhi thought for a moment before saying, "Let's forget it. Sword Uncle, Bone Uncle, focus on cultivating this disciple. Perhaps Yang Xiong really can bring our sect to unprecedented heights. Maybe his little schemes could change the entire structure of the soul master world."
After leaving, Yang Xiong began to reconsider all his plans. Compared to Ning Fengzhi, his thinking had been too naïve and idealistic.
It was clear he needed to rework his entire layout,or trouble might arise in the future.
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