Hyde Clan

Zhao Nan looked at the people blocking his way. He released his soul force and sensed that they were all Level Five warriors. He couldn't help but raise his opinion of the Hyde Clan.

"Friend, what brings you here?

If you're here to buy weapons, please get in line!" one of the guards' leaders said to Zhao Nan politely.

"I'm not here to buy weapons. I've come to see Vincent!

Please announce my arrival!" Seeing how polite the guard was, Zhao Nan spoke in a mild tone as well.

But Zhao Nan knew perfectly well that he had no connection to Vincent, and the other man might simply refuse to see him. So beneath his gentle words, he let the aura of a Saint-level powerhouse bear down on the guard captain.

He withdrew his aura almost as soon as he released it, though, and didn't embarrass the guard captain.

The guard captain had naturally sensed Zhao Nan's terrifying aura. His already respectful manner grew even more deferential. Instead of telling Zhao Nan to wait while he went to announce his arrival, he said, "Sir, please come with me. I'll take you to see the clan leader!"

The guard captain wasn't a fool. After feeling Zhao Nan's aura and noticing that the others hadn't reacted, he realized Zhao Nan wanted to keep his identity hidden.

So he simply addressed him as "sir."

Zhao Nan was pleased with the guard's reaction. He nodded slightly and followed the captain deeper into Hyde Ridge, toward the place where the Hyde Clan resided.

Zhao Nan and his companions walked at an unhurried pace, but the guard captain had already sent his men to inform the clan leader to welcome their honored guest.

By the time Zhao Nan reached the Hyde Clan residence, Vincent Hyde was already waiting at the entrance with the clan's most important members.

When the Hyde Clan members saw Zhao Nan, many of them felt indignant.

They felt the guards had fooled them. How could such a young man be an honored guest? Their expressions were all unpleasant, and only Vincent maintained the polite bearing of a nobleman.

Zhao Nan noticed their expressions. With a thought, he unleashed a vast aura that bore down on the members of the Hyde Clan.

This time, he didn't release it only to withdraw it at once. He kept up the pressure, even letting it grow stronger by degrees.

As Zhao Nan's aura became more oppressive, some members of the Hyde Clan slowly bent at the waist, their legs beginning to tremble.

Only when he saw this did Zhao Nan ease the pressure.

As soon as his aura let up, the entire entrance to the Hyde Clan filled with the sound of people gasping for breath.

The guard captain was quite pleased to see it.

He wasn't a fool, after all. He could tell that those people hadn't thought Zhao Nan was an honored guest.

Clearly, they had doubted him.

How could the young guard captain, who had already become a Level Five warrior, not feel indignant?

Zhao Nan paid no attention to the captain's resentment. Instead, he looked toward the man at the head of the group, who had never shown any other expression.

"Mr. Vincent, hello. My name is Zhao Nan." Zhao Nan spoke for the first time, briefly introducing himself.

Vincent had only just recovered from the pressure of Zhao Nan's aura. He treated Zhao Nan with great respect. First, he gave him a nobleman's salute, then said, "Welcome to the Hyde Clan, Mr. Zhao Nan.

"Is there anything my clan can do to help you?"

After what had just happened, Vincent knew Zhao Nan hadn't come looking for trouble. He must have come to ask the Hyde Clan for help.

As the clan leader of a family with a five-thousand-year legacy, Vincent spoke with great tact. He also had a guess about Zhao Nan's purpose: the man was probably there to have a weapon forged. After all, that was about all the Hyde Clan was good for.

"Mr. Vincent, I haven't come to ask you for help. I've simply heard that the Hyde Clan is home to the Violet Flame Warrior, one of the Four Ultimate Warriors.

"And I have some connection to the Four Ultimate Warriors, so I'm saddened to see the Violet Flame Warrior in decline.

"I came here to choose a young member of the Hyde Clan and take him as my disciple!"

As soon as Zhao Nan said this, he caught the attention of every member of the Hyde Clan.

Although the Hyde Clan was still considered a noble family, it had fallen into decline and had no way to connect with powerful figures.

What's more, members of their clan could cultivate battle aura only if their bloodline met the requirements. Those who didn't qualify could only train their bodies.

As a result, the clan's fortunes had steadily worsened.

If no powerhouse emerged, their clan of Violet Flame Warriors might soon decline completely, just like the other three Ultimate Warriors.

Now that they had a chance to join a powerful figure's tutelage, how could they not be excited?

They still didn't know what level of powerhouse Zhao Nan was, but it was enough that he was stronger than them.

Zhao Nan was very pleased to see their reaction.

After all, he was a mighty Saint-level powerhouse who had come to take on a disciple. If no one was excited, he would have to wonder whether he'd been far too kind.

"Ah, it would be an honor for our Hyde Clan if someone could become your disciple, Mr. Zhao Nan.

"But this is no small matter. Why don't you come inside first, and we can discuss it at length?" Vincent had been tempted by Zhao Nan's offer as well.

Vincent had children of his own, after all.

Perhaps because the Dragonblood Warriors were so formidable, with evenly matched and powerful offense, defense, and speed, their bloodline had never spread very widely. But the Violet Flame Warriors were different.

In a clan with a five-thousand-year history, there were already many branches.

They had simply been too weak before, so they had stuck together for survival without any conflict.

But now that they had a chance to place someone under a powerful master's tutelage, Vincent knew the Hyde Clan would soon be thrown into turmoil.

If he wasn't careful, someone might even take the clan leader's position away from him.

So Vincent could only keep Zhao Nan there for the moment, until he had settled the clan's internal conflicts.

Zhao Nan knew nothing about these matters, but he accepted Vincent's suggestion.

He had to cultivate wherever he was, and staying with the Hyde Clan might even be more convenient!

Vincent was delighted when Zhao Nan agreed. He personally led the way and arranged a room for him.

As soon as Vincent had settled Zhao Nan in, Zhao Nan began cultivating. Meanwhile, a meeting of the Hyde Clan was called!