Seeking the Defense Clan in Longxing, Breaking the Deadlock Through Combat Against Spirit Hall

As morning light spread across the blue bricks of the Tang Sect residence in Heaven Dou City, Tang San had already set off in a carriage with Lin Zhixia and Tai Tan, bound for Longxing City in the Star Luo Empire. Inside the carriage, Tang San unfolded a hand-drawn map showing the locations of the four clans and tapped the label for the Defense Clan. "Senior Tai Tan, this gathering is key to winning over the other three clans. We must proceed carefully."

Tai Tan rubbed the Bronze Token, his eyes full of certainty. "Rest assured, Eldest Young Master! Old servant and that old brat Niu Gao share a life-and-death friendship. It's just that what happened with the Clear Sky Sect back then left him with a grudge. As long as you show him your strength, he'll acknowledge you!" Lin Zhixia nodded as well, the Star Pattern Bracer glimmering faintly. "I've raised Star Breath Perception to its limit. If Spirit Hall makes any moves along the way, I'll detect them in advance."

Three days later, the carriage entered Longxing City and finally stopped before an estate surrounded by towering wooden barricades—the territory of the Defense Clan. The character "Defense" was carved above the gate, while clan members holding enormous shields could vaguely be seen behind the barricades. Tai Tan stepped forward and called toward the entrance in a deep voice, "Strength and Defense share the same roots; the Clear Sky spirit endures forever!"

As the passphrase fell, the wooden barricades creaked open. An old man even more burly than Tai Tan strode out, his face covered in a thick beard and two Mysterious Iron Shield Axes hanging from his waist. He was Niu Gao, chief of the Defense Clan. At the sight of Tai Tan, he froze for a moment