Inside Tang Feng's room at the Dugu Manor.
Tang Feng and Tang Lie sat facing each other, with two cups of tea on the tea table.
Tang Lie leaned back on the sofa, his brows furrowed into deep lines, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the armrest, making a dull "tap-tap" sound.
" Feng'er," Tang Lie finally spoke, his voice low, "Today is the gathering of the four clans. Have you come up with a plan to subdue them?"
Tang Feng put down the teacup he was playing with, his eyes clear and deep. "Grandpa, I have a general idea now."
Tang Feng stood up, walked to the window, and looked in the direction of the Strength Clan's mansion in the distance.
" The Breaking Clan goes without saying; with my maternal grandfather's bloodline involved, it's almost certain." Tang Feng paused, a bitter smile playing on his lips. "Otherwise, based solely on interests, I really wouldn't have much of a chance."
Tang Lie nodded, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes. Tang Lie knew his in-law Yang Wudi's personality all too well; he was a stubborn man, but he could be completely devoted to his blood relatives.
Tang Feng turned around and continued his analysis, " The Speed Clan is easier to deal with. Clan leader Bai He is the sect leader's maternal uncle. They suffered the least losses in the great war, so the hatred isn't deep. Besides, they don't have any means of making a living and have relied on the Breaking Clan for support all these years. As long as Grandfather nods, Bai He will definitely follow."
Tang Feng's tone suddenly turned serious as he said this, "But the Defense Clan and the Strength Clan are the biggest troubles."
Tang Lie's gaze also darkened. Tang Lie understood, of course, that the Defense Clan had suffered heavy casualties in that battle as the main force of the Clear Sky Sect's outer defense. After the battle, they were "abandoned" by the sect, and this hatred had long been etched into their bones.
" Niu Gao, the patriarch of the Defense Clan, is an honest and straightforward man, but also a man of principle who sticks to his principles," Tang Feng said in a low voice. "His hatred for the sect cannot be resolved with just a few words. Therefore..."
Tang Feng looked at Tang Lie with burning eyes. "Show us our talent, that we have the hope of leading them to revitalization, and then if we show our utmost sincerity, we will surely be able to persuade him."
Upon hearing this, Tang Lie sighed and said, "In the end, we were the ones who let them down regarding what happened back then."
"And then there's the Strength Clan." Tang Feng changed the subject again, this time with a hint of headache in his voice. "Clan Chief Tai Tan has always regarded Tang Hao as his master and himself as his slave. I'm afraid only by accepting Tang Hao back can he willingly return."
Upon hearing the name " Tang Hao," Tang Lie stiffened, his fingers instinctively gripping the sofa armrest until his knuckles turned white.
Tang Feng immediately noticed the change in his grandfather's emotions. Tang Feng knew that the name Tang Hao was a thorn in his grandfather's heart.
Tang Feng took a deep breath, his gaze unwavering. "I'll try to persuade him with reason first. If he refuses, then I'll offer to accept Tang Hao as a condition."
Tang Lie sighed deeply and slowly released the armrest, " Feng'er, go ahead and do it. Grandpa will support you no matter what."
Outside the window, moonlight poured down like quicksilver, illuminating Tang Feng's young face. Tang Feng nodded slightly, having already made his decision.
As night fell, Tang Feng and his companion quietly left the Dugu Manor and headed towards the Strength Clan.
In the Heaven Dou City, the night was as dark as ink, yet it could not conceal the brightly lit mansion of the Strength Clan.
The mansion occupies a vast area, with blue bricks and black tiles. A gilded plaque bearing the inscription " The Strength Clan " Lou Gao, flanked by imposing stone lions cast from black iron, exuding a sense of weight and grandeur.
At this moment, the front yard was brightly lit, and the children of the four clans sat around a long table, drinking wine from large bowls and eating large chunks of meat. Their laughter made the wind chimes on the eaves hum.
In the reception hall deep in the backyard, the atmosphere was much quieter. The hall doors were closed, sandalwood incense wafted through the air, and only a few clan leaders and younger members who truly held the power of speech remained.
At the head of the table sat Tai Tan, whose hair and beard were like steel needles, and whose bronze skin gleamed with a metallic sheen under the lamplight. His Level 85 Soul Power was contained yet undisguised, as steady as a mountain. Below him sat his grandson, Tai Long, whose youthful physique already showed signs of his grandfather's imposing presence.
On the left, Niu Gao was sturdy with broad shoulders and a loud laugh. His Level 84 Soul Power was fierce and domineering. Beside him was his grandson Niu Zhen.
On the right, Bai He, dressed in a green robe, had a lean face and sharp eyes; he was also a level 82 Soul Douluo. His granddaughter Bai Chenxiang, stood quietly behind him, her figure light and graceful, as if she might turn into a gentle breeze at any moment.
Yang Wudi, seated at the very bottom, possessed the most imposing aura. His black robe was as black as ink, his white beard fluttered, and his Level 88 Soul Power subtly emanated outwards, like a spear pointing to the sky, sharp and intimidating. Having advanced two levels in two years, Yang Wudi looked much younger.
Seeing that all three of his friends were with their grandchildren, Yang Wudi felt a fleeting, almost imperceptible, sadness. His three old friends were enjoying the company of their grandchildren, while he alone was all alone. He suddenly thought of his grandson, Tang Feng, and wondered if he would arrive soon.
" Old Goat, your Soul Power has increased quite a bit again!" Niu Gao noticed the slight melancholy in Yang Wudi's eyes, as if he had guessed something, and grinned, his voice booming, "The sharpness you exude is almost as strong as you were back in the great battle. Don't hold back any benefits, and don't forget your brothers!"
Upon hearing this, Yang Wudi burst into loud laughter, his pride soaring. "Hahaha! Don't worry, Old Rhino, you'll certainly get your share of the benefits!"
Before the laughter had even subsided, hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall door.
"Reporting to the clan leader!" A member of the Strength Clan strode in and knelt on one knee. "Two guests have arrived outside the mansion, claiming to be acquaintances of the clan leaders."
Tai Tan raised an eyebrow and said in a deep voice, "Please let them in."
A glint flashed in Yang Wudi's eyes, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips. Here it comes!
Niu Gao and Bai He exchanged bewildered glances, filled with doubt: An acquaintance? Who would visit so late at night?
A short while later, the hall door was slowly pushed open.
The moonlight and lamplight intertwined, casting two tall and straight figures.
The young man at the head of the group was dressed in a black outfit with dark gold patterns on the cuffs that resembled dragons swimming around. His eyes were like cold stars, and he had a smile on his lips.
The old man behind him was dressed in gray, his aura as imposing as a mountain, his Titled Douluo held back but not revealed, yet it made everyone present hold their breath slightly.
Yang Wudi suddenly stood up, laughed loudly, and took the lead in greeting him. "Hahaha! I knew it was you, kid!"
Tang Feng stepped forward and quickly bowed to his grandfather, saying, "Greetings, Grandfather!"
Yang Wudi strode forward, put his arm around Tang Feng's shoulder, and laughed so hard his white beard trembled, "Good grandson! You've come at the perfect time! Let grandpa introduce you!"
Yang Wudi's gaze swept over his three old friends, and his voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable air of pride. "This is Yang Wudi grandson, Tang Feng, fifteen years old. He has probably already broken through to the Soul King realm. I dare say he is the most outstanding genius in the Soul Master World today, even surpassing the former sect master Tang Chen!"
Tang Feng bowed to the other three clan leaders and said in a clear voice, " Tang Feng greets Clan Leader Tai Tan, Clan Leader Niu Gao, and Clan Leader Bai He!"
All three men's pupils shrank suddenly, their faces filled with astonishment, and their expressions quickly turned grim.
The hall fell silent for a moment, then erupted into chaos.
" Clear Sky Sect?" Niu Gao's eyes widened, and his face instantly darkened.
Tang Feng, ignoring the stares of the crowd, calmly and clearly stated, " Tang Feng, the young sect leader of the Clear Sky Sect, has come to pay my respects to the four clan leaders on the orders of the sect leader, accompanied by my grandfather, the Seventh Elder Tang Lie."
Yang Wudi was stunned, blinked, and suddenly turned to look at his grandson. He hadn't expected that Tang Feng had already been appointed as the young sect leader! But after thinking for a moment, he immediately understood. In the Clear Sky Sect, where strength was the most important thing, it was not surprising that his grandson had been appointed as the young sect leader, given his strength and temperament.
Yang Wudi slapped Tang Feng on the shoulder and said with satisfaction, "Good lad! Not bad, not bad!"
At this moment, Tai Tan, as the host, finally spoke, his voice low. "Young Sect Master, what brings you here so late at night?"
Tang Feng's gaze swept calmly over the other three clan leaders. His expression turned solemn, and he clasped his hands in a deep bow, sincerely saying, "I've come specifically to apologize for the disbandment back then!"
Niu Gao's face instantly darkened. He took a step forward, his powerful voice filled with years of suppressed anger, and said in a deep voice, "Haven't you Clear Sky Sect hurt us enough? We don't need your apology, and we don't want any more entanglement with you!"
Yang Wudi had already accepted the Clear Sky Sect at this point, needless to say. His precious grandson was now the young sect leader, the future sect leader of the Clear Sky Sect, so he was no longer an outsider. Seeing Niu Gao's anger, he quickly tried to calm him down, saying, " Old Rhino, don't be hasty, let Feng'er finish speaking first!"
Niu Gao grunted and turned his head away, his anger slightly suppressed, but his chest was still heaving violently.
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