Niu Gao and Bai He

"His name is Tang San. He is the son of Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Douluo," Tang Wulin continued.

"What? You're saying your friend Tang San is the master's son?!"

Tai Tan shot to his feet in shock, overwhelmed with excitement. Clenching his fists, he asked Tang Wulin and Huo Yuhao:

"Has the Clear Sky Sect been unsealed?"

Huo Yuhao shook his head. "No. The Tang Sect represents Tang San's personal will and has nothing to do with the Clear Sky Sect."

"In short, the Tang Sect's current mission is to strengthen itself and provide hidden weapons to more sects, helping them increase their ability to resist Spirit Hall's aggression."

Tai Tan nodded. "I understand."

Under Tai Tan's guidance, Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin eventually arrived at the territory of the Imperial Clan.

Tai Tan asked the Imperial Clan disciple guarding the gate, "Is your clan leader, that old rhino, at home right now?"

Before the gatekeeper could answer, a booming voice came from within the estate:

"You old gorilla, I could hear that big mouth of yours from far away. What brings you here to visit today?"

Tai Tan got straight to the point. "I have two friends who want to discuss something with you. This is Huo Yuhao, and this is Tang Wulin."

Then, Tai Tan introduced Niu Gao to Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin. "This is the chief of the Imperial Clan, Niu Gao."

Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin clasped their hands in salute and said in unison, "Greetings, Senior Niu Gao."

Niu Gao waved a hand. "No need for formalities. Let's go inside and talk."

Niu Gao and Tai Tan sat in chairs, while Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin stood before them.

After Huo Yuhao explained why they had come, he accepted Niu Gao's challenge to prove himself within the time it took for one incense stick to burn, demonstrating that he had the strength and qualifications to invite Niu Gao into the Tang Sect.

"Brother Yuhao, let me face Senior Niu Gao instead. I want to see just how strong Senior's defense truly is."

Seeing Tang Wulin suddenly step forward and say this, Huo Yuhao pondered for a moment before nodding.

"Wulin, you specialize in strength. In that case, neither you nor Senior may use martial souls or soul skills in this battle. If you can break through Senior Niu Gao's defense within the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, you win."

Tang Wulin nodded in agreement, while Niu Gao raised an eyebrow. "Kid, you two are pretty arrogant. The gap in our strength is so great, yet you want to break my defense without using soul skills?"

Huo Yuhao smiled. "This battle is about combat techniques. I dare say that all the combat techniques you and Senior Tai Tan possess combined are probably fewer than Wulin alone has."

Niu Gao rubbed his hands together eagerly. "In that case, let's begin quickly. Let me see what he can do."

Huo Yuhao immediately used Ultimate Ice to form a wall around a large area.

Then, he lit an incense stick and shouted to Tang Wulin and Niu Gao within the ice wall:

"One-incense-stick countdown, begin!"

Golden light flashed in Tang Wulin's eyes as he instantly mobilized the power of his blood and qi, condensing it into strength in his palm.

Brilliant golden light burst from Tang Wulin's hand, taking the form of a golden dragon head. The golden dragon charged fiercely toward Niu Gao.

"Golden Dragon Shakes Heaven!"

Niu Gao immediately raised his hands to shield his chest and block the powerful attack of Golden Dragon Shakes Heaven. Even so, he staggered back several steps.

"What domineering power. I can even feel a dull ache in my arm muscles."

Niu Gao shook his arms. "Not bad. Again."

"Golden Dragon Shakes the Earth!"

Four dragon-shaped streams of air gradually condensed in Tang Wulin's hand before he hurled them out with explosive force. The dragon-shaped currents attacked Niu Gao from every direction, leaving him nowhere to evade.

Niu Gao was attacked from both front and back, his arms and back immediately taking tremendous impacts. Feeling immense pressure, he instinctively unleashed his martial soul—the Plate-Armored Giant Rhinoceros—to defend himself.

In the end, Niu Gao successfully blocked Tang Wulin's attack.

Tai Tan immediately laughed. "Old rhino, you used your martial soul just now. You lost, haha!"

Niu Gao curled his lip. "A bet is a bet. I'm willing to join the Tang Sect."

Tai Tan persuaded him, "Spirit Hall will definitely stir up a huge storm. Why don't we brothers unite, then bring in old white bird and old goat as well? We can all join the Tang Sect, strengthen our power, and fight Spirit Hall together. What do you think?"

Niu Gao rested his chin on his hand. "It's true that we brothers haven't gathered in a long time. But is the Tang Sect really reliable? It won't end up like the Clear Sky Sect again, will it?"

Huo Yuhao immediately stepped forward to explain, "The Tang Sect will never fear tyranny. We will stand together with everyone and fight Spirit Hall to the death."

Tai Tan raised his brows. "Besides, you've already witnessed the power of the Zhuge Divine Crossbow. I believe the Tang Sect can bring us a different future."

Niu Gao finally nodded. "All right, I've decided. Every disciple of our Imperial Clan will join the Tang Sect as well."

Huo Yuhao suggested, "I plan to expand the Tang Sect based on Senior Tai Tan's territory. Senior Niu Gao, you can have your disciples move to Heaven Dou City with us. That way, everyone can look out for one another."

After giving it some thought, Niu Gao agreed to Huo Yuhao's suggestion. He ordered his disciples to make preparations and commanded them to set out for the Strength Clan's territory in Heaven Dou City five days later.

As for Niu Gao himself, he went with Tai Tan, Huo Yuhao, and Tang Wulin to the territory of the Agility Clan the next day.

Upon seeing them, Bai He exclaimed in surprise, "Old gorilla, old rhino, what are you two doing here?"

Tai Tan and Niu Gao exchanged glances, then laughed in unison. "Of course, we came to visit you. And while we're here, we'll introduce you to the two friends behind us."

Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin bowed slightly, then introduced themselves and explained their purpose to Bai He.

After Bai Chenxiang greeted Tai Tan and Niu Gao, she voiced her doubts to Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin.

"We're neither relatives nor friends. You just said that if we join the Tang Sect, you won't charge us for hidden weapons. How could there be such a good deal in the world? Are you planning to trick us into joining the Tang Sect, then make us work for you?"

Tang Wulin smiled. "Miss Bai, you're overthinking it. The Tang Sect will never force anyone to do anything. We simply want to unite everyone in fighting Spirit Hall."

Huo Yuhao explained, "To be honest, Senior Bai He is the granduncle of the Tang Sect's leader. Therefore, helping the Agility Clan is also his personal wish."

Bai He's face filled with shock. "Who exactly is this leader of the Tang Sect you speak of?"

Tai Tan stepped forward to explain, "He is the son of Master Tang Hao—Tang San. Let me make this clear first, so you don't misunderstand. The Tang Sect has no connection whatsoever to the Clear Sky Sect, nor will it repeat the Clear Sky Sect's mistakes."

Niu Gao added, "You have already witnessed the power of the Tang Sect's hidden weapons. They can make up for your clan's weakness of limited attack range."

Stroking his white beard, Bai He slowly said:

"Old goat has often helped me. I need to hear his opinion. If you can persuade him to join the Tang Sect as well, then I will join you too."

On the road to the Breaking Clan's territory, Tang Wulin leaned close to Huo Yuhao's ear and asked softly:

"Brother Yuhao, why didn't Senior Bai He challenge us to a fight? I'm actually a little unaccustomed to it."

Huo Yuhao laughed softly. "We already told him that joining the Tang Sect meant we wouldn't charge any fees for hidden weapons. Of course he wouldn't challenge us to a match after that."

Tang Wulin gave him a thumbs-up. "That's why you're Brother Yuhao."