After visiting the Strength Clan, Tang San and Tang Sui returned to the academy to pack and informed Ning Rongrong and the others about the plan, seeking their opinions on the Tang Sect.
With a bond forged through life and death, they were naturally happy to see Tang San establish a sect.
After finalizing the alliance and recruitment matters, the next morning, Ma Hongjun, along with the siblings, set off in a carriage sent by the Strength Clan.
Tang San and Titan were in one carriage, continuing their engrossed discussion on the casting of hidden weapons. Tang Sui, on the other hand, shared a carriage with Ma Hongjun and Tailong. This time, Tailong's father, Tainuo, stayed behind to manage the Strength Clan's main base.
The journey was uneventful, with Tang Sui spending most of her time meditating and cultivating.
Tainuo, witnessing the "roller king" phenomenon firsthand, looked on with awe at Tang Sui, who sat meditating and absorbing moonlight not far from the orange-red campfire, still cultivating.
“My heavens, isn't the young lady too diligent? I haven’t seen her rest in these five days!”
She cultivated during the day, didn't sleep at night, and even after basking in the moonlight, she was energetic the next day, completely different from them who cultivated for long periods and sometimes became restless or felt fatigued, slacking off.
“Young Master, can the young lady handle this?”
Tailong asked with concern.
What if she collapses from exhaustion?
Ma Hongjun, like an experienced hand, patted Tailong’s shoulder and said, “Don’t worry. Brother San and Sui Sui are both monsters who become more energetic the more they cultivate; there’s no need to worry about them getting tired.”
Tang San smiled helplessly, looking at Tang Sui bathed in the serene moonlight, the smile in his eyes spreading, a hint of realization dawning.
His Profound Heaven Skill could operate on its own, ceaselessly. Coupled with meditation, it could dispel mental and physical fatigue.
Sui Sui couldn't practice the Profound Heaven Skill, but she must have her own methods, likely related to the mysterious other bloodline within her. Her cultivation effects were similar to his Profound Heaven Skill, never leading to fatigue.
However, continuing with such monotonous cultivation wouldn't do. He needed to think about how to plan their cultivation after they returned.
Tang San was already worrying about matters after their return.
Completely oblivious to Tang San’s thoughts, Tang Sui cultivated, absorbing moonlight to enhance her demon power, while communicating with the masked consciousness in the spirit space, multitasking.
…
This journey, apart from a little trouble just before reaching their destination, Dragon Xing City, was otherwise uneventful, with no bandits encountered.
Dragon Xing City was a border city located in the northern part of the Star Luo Empire. Strictly speaking, it was not directly governed by the Star Luo Imperial family but was a territory within a subordinate kingdom.
It was less than two hundred li from the border of the two empires, a rather remote location. However, due to trade, it was not poor but prosperous, with an endless stream of passing merchants.
After being charged an entrance fee of one Soul Coin per person and per horse, they finally entered Dragon Xing City.
Arriving in a new city, Tang Sui finally stopped cultivating. She lifted the curtain and looked at the dazzling stalls outside the carriage and the crowds of people.
No matter when, buying things was indeed a woman's innate shopping nature.
She would come to shop after dealing with the affairs of the four clans.
Tang Sui silently wrote "shopping" in her little notebook and lowered the curtain, still with lingering interest.
After entering the city, the carriage quickly arrived at their destination – the mansion of the Control Clan.
Tang Sui and the others disembarked from the carriage, observing the architectural style that was remarkably similar to that of the Strength Clan's mansion, except that the character "Strength" hanging on the grand building at the entrance had been replaced with "Control."
Titan explained with a smile, “The architectural designs of our four clans were all done by the Control Clan. Although the overall buildings look rough, they actually hide many defensive mechanisms internally.”
“You must know that the Control Clan's talent in architecture is no less than that of our Strength Clan in the forging world. It is said that the City Lord's mansion in Dragon Xing City was also remodeled by them, and it was because of that project that they were able to establish their roots here.”
As he spoke, two tall, burly men rushed out from the gate of the Control Clan mansion.
They appeared slightly shorter than the members of the Strength Clan, but they were equally sturdy, clearly suited for heavy labor.
One of the burly men quickly stepped forward, clasped his hands, and bowed slightly, saying respectfully, “Greetings, esteemed Patriarch Titan. Welcome to our clan on behalf of the Strength Clan.”
Titan waved his hand and chuckled, “No need for formalities. Is Old Rhino here at the sect?”
The two burly men, upon hearing their sect leader's nickname, paused imperceptibly. They lowered their heads to hide the twitching at the corners of their eyes and replied in an unchanged tone, “The Sect Leader is here. Please wait a moment. We sent someone to report as soon as we saw the Strength Clan's carriage.”
Before he finished speaking, a deep voice came from behind the burly men—
“You old ape! I heard your booming voice before I even reached the entrance! You old ape, how dare you call me by my nickname in public!”
Hearing this voice, a genuine smile appeared on Titan's face. He raised his head and retorted with a laugh, “Don’t agree? Then let's have a strength contest if you dare. If you win, I won’t call you Old Rhino anymore, how about it?”
An old man, only half a head shorter than Titan, strode out from the mansion.
His complexion was ruddy, his short hair like steel needles was white like Titan's, his bell-like eyes were piercing, and his broad shoulders stretched his outer robe, making him appear like a copper wall and iron bastion. He exuded an indescribable sense of steadiness and gravitas.
The two old men, upon meeting, spread their arms almost simultaneously.
Their sturdy chests collided heavily with a dull thud, as if it were not flesh hitting flesh but hard stones.
Tang Sui, the only girl present, surveyed the tall, sturdy men around her and silently moved behind her relatively tall and slender brother. She watched as the two men began to banter and reminisce, exchanging laughter and lighthearted scolding.
Ma Hongjun also clicked his tongue, watching the two old men. Tailong, beside him, looked as if he were used to it, and quietly explained to them, “You'll get used to it. Among the single-attribute four clans, our relationship with the Control Clan is the best. My grandfather and Grandpa Niu are iron buddies; they grew up together, and this is how they are every time they meet.”
Just as he finished speaking, Titan on the other side called out to Tailong, “Tailong, come here and pay your respects to your Grandpa Niu Gao!”
Tailong quickly straightened up and bowed to Niu Gao, the leader of the Control Clan, “Greetings, Grandpa Niu.”
—Author’s Notes—
Updated on time today!
At the end of this month, I’ll finish my internship and pack up to return to school. After returning, it will likely be a growth period, and I can post an extra chapter daily. There's also good news being discussed, which will be announced in a few days. Woohoo.