Douluo Dalu:Breaking Clan

Yang Podi no longer paid attention to the people from Shrek Academy and instead hurried home.

The killing intent within him was becoming increasingly uncontrollable. After slaughtering several soul beasts in the Star Dou Forest, he found it even easier to lose himself, becoming more unrestrained and impulsive.

After traveling for four or five days, Yang Podi finally returned to the Breaking Clan's territory, feeling a sense of relief wash over him.

When Yang Podi knocked on the gates of the clan's territory, the guards seemed puzzled. It was unusual for someone to visit so late.

However, the moment they saw Yang Podi's face, they were shocked. "Podi, why are you suddenly back? What happened to you?"

Yang Podi suppressed his tumultuous emotions and said, "I'm fine. Please inform my parents and grandfather that I've returned."

The guards quickly opened the gate, allowing Yang Podi to enter.

After stepping inside, Yang Podi didn't head straight home. Instead, he went directly to his grandfather's alchemy room.

Soon, his grandfather, Yang Wudi, along with his father and mother, arrived at the alchemy room.

Yang Wudi carefully examined Yang Podi's condition, his expression extremely grave. Meanwhile, his parents stood worriedly nearby. His mother, Niu Jinfeng, was especially concerned, her eyes welling up with tears as she took in her son's current state.

Yang Podi was clad entirely in black—black clothes, black pants, and a black hat—seeming reluctant to be seen.

Moreover, his body emanated a strong scent of blood, an aura so oppressive it made anyone nearby feel a chill, as though standing near a feral beast solely driven by the urge to kill.

After completing his examination, Yang Wudi's expression grew even graver. "Podi, this killing intent you carry must have been developed in the City of Slaughter. It seems you've obtained the Killing God Domain, but you didn't return to our clan immediately after. Instead, you've been relying on medication to suppress the killing aura within you, which has only made it harder to control."

"I've seen Tang Hao's Killing God Domain before, even witnessing the state he was in when he obtained it. Controlling this killing aura will take time—at least a year, and at most three to five years."

"During this period, you must avoid killing and suppress all murderous thoughts."

Niu Jinfeng looked deeply worried. "Father, how is Podi's condition? Is there anything we can do to help him? Looking at him like this, I'm really scared."

Yang Wudi's face darkened. "When Tang Hao was controlling his Killing God Domain and killing aura, he relied on his sister, Tang Yuehua's Noble Circle. I'm afraid we'll have to use a similar method to help Podi."

Before Yang Wudi could continue, Yang Podi interrupted him. "Grandfather, please don't. Our Breaking Clan has only just severed ties with the Clear Sky Clan. We must not get involved with them again."

Before Yang Wudi could respond, Niu Jinfeng immediately interjected, "Podi, this is not your decision to make. If I have to beg Tang Yuehua, I will do it, no matter what it takes, to heal you."

Yang Podi gritted his teeth, suppressing the killing intent inside him. "Mother, I truly have my own way. I don't need Tang Yuehua or the Clear Sky Clan to help me."

Yang Wudi looked resolute. "Child, what solution could you possibly have? Back then, Tang Hao was already over thirty when he obtained the Killing God Domain, and even he needed countless years to master it. You're only seventeen. Let us old ones bear the burden for you."

"Grandfather, I truly have a way."

"What is your way? What do you plan to do?"

"I remember that in the back of our clan's land, there's a large empty area. Please have someone clean it up and build a small isolated house for me. It must be absolutely quiet. Also, prepare plenty of paper, pens, and books for me."

Niu Jinfeng was puzzled. "Podi, will this really work? Can it help you control the killing aura inside you?"

"Mother, trust me. This method will work."

Niu Jinfeng wiped her tears and reluctantly agreed. "Alright, Podi. I'll personally go to the back of the mountain and build a small house for you. For now, please endure a little longer. You'll be fine soon."

His father, Yang Zhentian, quietly looked at Yang Podi. "Podi, is there anything else you need me to handle?"

Yang Podi thought for a moment before replying, "Father, please notify my teammates at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Let them know I've returned safely so they won't worry. I'll go back as soon as I can."

"Alright. I'll send someone to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy tomorrow. You focus on your recovery and leave everything else to us."

The next morning, Niu Jinfeng had worked tirelessly through the night to build a small house in the back of the mountain.

The house was modest, constructed entirely of ordinary wood rather than stone, but it was well-equipped with a large desk, writing materials, a kitchen, a bathroom, and even a bathtub. The water supply came directly from the mountain springs, and there was even a small well behind the house.

Yang Podi moved into the house alone, beginning his new life to control his killing aura.

The killing aura stemmed from excessive slaughter. This energy had merged into his blood and bones, amplified by the Shura God's divine power that enveloped the City of Slaughter.

In the original Douluo storyline, both Tang Hao and Tang San controlled their killing aura with the help of Tang Yuehua's Noble Circle, using the etiquette training of Yuexuan to cultivate inner peace.

However, Yang Podi had a completely different idea.

When it came to cultivating one's state of mind, how could Douluo Continent compare to the five-thousand-year heritage of Earth?

Douluo Continent had developed countless training methods and powerful clans, but it resembled a primitive society where everyone pursued raw power without considering spiritual enlightenment.

In contrast, Earth, despite its shorter history, excelled in fostering personal refinement and inner peace. Two of the most profound philosophies were Buddhism and Daoism.

Buddhism was renowned for its teachings on detachment, as exemplified by the Sixth Patriarch Huineng's "Bodhi Verse" during the Tang Dynasty:

"Bodhi has no tree,

The bright mirror has no stand.

Originally, there is not a single thing,

Where could dust alight?"

This simple verse carried deep meaning, urging people to let go of attachments and realize their true nature.

Another profound Buddhist text was the Heart Sutra:

"Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, while practicing deeply the Perfection of Wisdom, clearly saw that all five aggregates are empty and thus relieved all suffering..."

This text emphasized the concept of emptiness, advocating wisdom to overcome suffering and achieve enlightenment.

On the Daoist side, the Tao Te Ching by Laozi stood as the pinnacle of spiritual philosophy. It advocated living in harmony with nature and achieving balance through simplicity and detachment.

Yang Podi believed that by immersing himself in these philosophies, he could master his killing intent.

From then on, Yang Podi lived like a hermit. He spent his days tending to plants, gazing at the trees, and immersing himself in simple, peaceful activities.

At night, he read and copied texts like the Heart Sutra and Tao Te Ching. His meals were simple, consisting of vegetables he grew himself, and he drank pure mountain spring water.

This tranquil life continued for nearly a year.

By the end of that year, the violent killing aura that once plagued him had completely dissipated. In its place was a serene and harmonious presence.

Yang Podi no longer emitted any spirit power fluctuations, embodying the Buddhist concept of "form is emptiness" and the Daoist principle of "the Way follows nature."

When he stood in the forest, he seemed to blend seamlessly with the surroundings, as if he were part of the natural world itself.

During this year, Yang Podi's spirit power advanced from level 58 to level 60 without deliberate cultivation, the process as natural as water flowing downhill.

Finally, he left the tranquil mountain valley, ready to face the world once more.