Tai Tan leaned down to examine the map closely, his thick fingers slowly moving across it before finally stopping at a point. He said confidently, "This is Cloud Mist Mountain. It's only a hundred miles from Heaven Dou City, and its terrain is treacherous, easy to defend and difficult to attack. Most importantly..."
Tai Tan pointed to three dots on the map. "It forms a triangular distribution with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. The three schools can support each other from all sides, echoing each other's movements. Once war breaks out, they can quickly support each other, allowing for both offensive and defensive maneuvers."
Tang Feng and Tang Lie exchanged a glance and nodded simultaneously. Tang Lie stroked his beard and smiled, "Good eye! This place is indeed the best."
"Then it's settled." Tang Feng made the decision. "Once the Breaking Clan, Speed Clan, and Defense Clan are all present, we can secretly begin construction under the guise of expanding the Strength Clan's new mansion. To the outside world, we'll say it's the four clans banding together for mutual support; internally, it's about rebuilding the sect's foundation! I will send a message to the sect leader, instructing him to secretly inform Xue Ye, without letting anyone else know."
Tang Feng put away the map, his heart filled with boundless ambition. "Two years from now, I will let the Spirit Hall see a Clear Sky Sect that is even more glorious and powerful than it was back then, rising atop Cloud Mist Mountain!"
Tang Feng took out a dark gold soul coin card from his pocket, handed it to Niu Gao, and said solemnly:
"Clan Chief Niu, here is one million Gold Soul Coin, which you may use for now as start-up capital for building the new sect. Don't hesitate to spend on building materials and labor as needed. As for subsequent expenses, I will inform the sect to provide support."
Niu Gao chuckled, not refusing, and carefully put away the Gold Soul Coin card. "Young Sect Master, rest assured, I will definitely build you an impregnable mountain gate!"
Tang Feng nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, and said in a serious tone, "Everyone must keep this a secret absolutely. To the outside world, declare that it's the Strength Clan expanding their villa. For now, we cannot let the Spirit Hall detect even a whisper of it."
"Understood!" the four clan leaders replied in unison.
The agreement was reached, and it was already late at night; everyone's expressions gradually relaxed.
Tai Tan grinned, the gloom in his eyes vanishing. "Today is a joyous occasion! We must have a feast! I'll give the order right away to prepare wine and meat. I may not be able to boast about anything else, but wine and meat are plentiful for the entire Strength Clan!"
Everyone burst into laughter, and the old-fashioned drinking party began again.
After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere was quite lively when Tai Tan's large, fan-like hand slapped Tai Long's shoulder, almost knocking the boy over. " Tai Long! Stop grinning like an idiot, quickly toast the young sect leader!"
Tai Tan grinned at Tang Feng and said, "Young Sect Master, this kid may be a bit simple-minded, but he's quite strong. Don't hesitate to use him if you need him in the future!"
" Tai Long, a level 35 Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder, greets the Young Sect Master..." Tai Long said shyly, scratching the back of his head in a deep voice.
Tang Feng looked at the honest-looking young man, who was several years older than him but half a head shorter, and couldn't help but feel a little strange. He quickly raised his wine bowl and said, "Brother Tai Long, there's no need for formalities. From now on, we'll be fellow disciples. We're about the same age, so we can just call each other brothers. This bowl of wine is for you!"
"Brother?" Tai Long's eyes lit up, and he scratched his head with a silly grin. "Alright! Young Sect Master... no, Brother Tang Feng! I... I'll do it!"
Tai Long picked up the large wine jar, tilted his head back and gulped it down, but choked and coughed, which caused everyone to burst into laughter again.
Bai He chuckled softly and waved behind him, " Chenxiang, you've also come to greet the Young Sect Master."
She was an eleven or twelve-year-old girl, dressed in white, her figure as light as a swallow, her almond-shaped eyes exceptionally bright, her silver hair tied in a high ponytail that swayed gently with her movements, and her whole being exuded a clever and lively spirit.
Bai Chenxiang bowed generously to Tang Feng: " Bai Chenxiang, a level 24 Agility Attack System Soul Grandmaster. Please forgive my rudeness, Young Sect Master."
Tang Feng returned the greeting straightforwardly. "Miss Bai, you're too kind!"
Niu Gao, not to be outdone, shouted at the top of his lungs, " Niu Zhen! You brat, stop hiding in the back and come out to see the young sect leader!"
A stocky young man walked out. Niu Zhen was short and stocky with dark skin. When he smiled, he revealed a set of white teeth and looked extremely honest and reliable.
Niu Zhen walked up to Tang Feng, cupped his hands, and said, " Niu Zhen of the Defense Clan, a level 34 Defense System Battle Soul Elder, greets Young Sect Master! From now on, I'll take care of building houses and shielding you from attacks!"
Upon hearing this, Tang Feng quickly smiled and said, "Brother Niu Zhen, we are all from the same sect, there's no need for such formalities."
Yang Wudi stroked his beard, looked at the four young men and women, and laughed heartily, "Excellent! Today, the four clans are united, and the younger generation is gathered together. This is truly a sign of great prosperity! Feng'er, you are now the young sect leader, but you are about the same age as these little ones. You should get closer to them in the future."
Tang Feng nodded solemnly, his gaze sweeping over the three men. " Tai Long, Chenxiang, Niu Zhen, from this day forward, we are brothers and sisters. Our four clans will be of one heart and mind, sharing both glory and hardship!"
"Okay!" the three said in unison, their eyes blazing with a burning hope for the future.
Tang Feng looked at them, a slight smile playing on his lips. Suddenly remembering something, he took something out of his storage ring.
It was a bluish-gold arm bone, about the length of a forearm, with countless tiny wind blade patterns engraved on it.
It was the Right Arm Bone of the " Blade-Hunting Golden Eagle " that Tang Feng obtained during his training in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Tang Feng handed the Soul Bone to Bai Chenxiang: "Sister Chenxiang, this is a gift for you. Right Arm Bone the 12,000-year-old Blade-Hunting Golden Eagle. Although it's not very old, it's perfectly compatible with your wind attribute. Absorbing this Soul Bone will not only greatly increase your speed, but you should also gain wind blade attack skills, making up for the lack of attack power in your Martial Soul and giving you a trump card for self-defense."
Bai Chenxiang was shocked upon hearing this and instinctively took a half step back. Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone! And one that perfectly matched her wind attribute! Even her grandfather had never received such a precious gift; how could she dare accept it?
Bai Chenxiang looked to her grandfather, Bai He, for help, but saw a smile in his eyes as he nodded slightly, "Since it's a gift from the young sect leader, accept it. But remember, since the sect has bestowed this opportunity upon you, you should work even harder to cultivate and repay the sect."
Bai Chenxiang, her hands trembling, accepted the Soul Bone. She looked up at Tang Feng, tears welling in her eyes, and said, " Brother Feng! Chenxiang will train diligently every day, and will never let this Soul Bone down, nor will I let the sect down!"
Tai Long and Niu Zhen watched with envy, their fists clenched tightly, but they wisely kept silent.
Tang Feng seemed to sense something and turned to look at them. "Brothers, don't be in a hurry. Soul Bone are a matter of fate. Once I find suitable strength-type and defense-type Soul Bone in the future, I certainly won't be stingy."
Tang Feng paused, then said with a more solemn expression, "But remember, Soul Bone are external forces. True strength comes from one's own efforts!"
"Yes!" the two replied in unison.
After the banquet, Tai Tan, as the host, personally arranged the best guest rooms for Tang Feng and Tang Lie.
"Young Sect Master, please rest assured and stay here. If you need anything, just let me know!" Tai Tan patted his chest heartily, his eyes still slightly tinged with alcohol.
Tang Feng didn't rest immediately. He smiled slightly and took out a piece of dark, heavy iron from his storage ring. Nine silvery lines flowed across the surface of the iron, as if dragons and snakes were swimming around it. This was the " Nine Revolutions Wrought Iron " that Tang Feng had won at the auction. Then he took out the old Ruyi Jingu Bang. The two heavy objects weighed nearly four thousand jin, and even with Tang Feng's current arm strength, they felt heavy.
Tang Feng held it up with both hands and presented it to Tai Tan, saying, "Senior Tai Tan, there is indeed something I need to trouble you with."
" The Strength Clan is renowned throughout the world for its forging skills. I would like to request that you, senior, use this piece of Nine Revolutions Wrought Iron as the main material to forge another one in the shape of this Golden Cudgel. The length should be increased by two feet, the shaft by fifty percent, and the weight should be as heavy as possible."
Tai Tan, who was still somewhat drunk, immediately had a frighteningly bright eye when he saw the iron, and reached out to take it.
"Fine iron!" Tai Tan exclaimed in admiration. " Nine Revolutions Wrought Iron, ten times denser than ordinary black iron, yet its toughness remains undiminished. I haven't touched such a superior quality in over ten years! Young Sect Master, rest assured, I will begin work immediately, keeping the furnace burning continuously. In three days at most, the new staff will be ready!"
Having said that, Tai Tan didn't even bother to say goodbye. He grabbed the iron material and the sample rod and rushed towards the foundry in the backyard.
Tang Feng watched the burly figure disappear at the end of the corridor before gently closing the door.
Tang Lie looked at his grandson with satisfaction and slowly said, " Feng'er, today's matter was handled with a perfect balance of kindness and severity. Now that the four clans are united and the situation is settled, you have done very well."
Tang Feng poured his grandfather a cup of tea, his voice low but firm. "Grandpa, you flatter me. Although the four clans have been settled, our journey is still long, and it's about time we set off."