đ If you enjoy my work, consider supporting me on Patreon! I'm offering advanced chapters there as a thank-you to readers.
--------------------
Check out advanced chapters on : patreon.com/Veni_V
---------------
"You may go. After you return, just go straight to the academy and find Dugu Bo or Ning Rongrong. Tell them that I sanctioned your request." Hearing this, Tang Chen paused for a moment. He saw a rare look of determination in Oscar's eyes, so he didn't hesitate for long and nodded his head in agreement.
Having received a positive reply, Oscar's tight nerves finally relaxed a little bit. He nodded his head heavily and said, "Thank you very much!"
Tang Chen said nothing more. The matter was settled now, and he had much more important things to do. Immediately after that, he nodded slightly toward Oscar. Then, he moved his body and lightly flipped over to land back on the Crimson King's broad and warm back. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Ruier.
"Once you absorb the Spirit Bone, you should leave this troubled place as quickly as you can," Tang Chen advised. "I have important business to attend to, so I will take my leave first."
As his voice faded away, the Crimson King let out a low roar. Its four hooves stepped on fire, and its massive body soared into the sky, kicking up a blizzard of snow.
"We shall meet again if fate allows it."
Tang Chen's voice drifted down from the cold air, becoming quiet and indifferent. The next moment, a crimson streak of light carrying the two of them disappeared at the boundary between the vast ice plain and the gray sky. It was as if they had never even been there.
Meanwhile, in Heaven Dou City, at the base of the Strength Clan, things were moving forward. The heavy hall door slowly closed behind Tang San, cutting off the loud noise from the outside world. Inside the hall, the atmosphere was a hundred times more serious than it was outside the door.
Tai Tan, the Clan Chief of the Strength Clan, was a muscular man as massive as a tall iron tower. He was currently bowing slightly while standing before Tang Hao. His face, which usually commanded respect without any anger, was now a mix of excitement, deep reverence, and even a hint of hidden sadness.
"Master! This old servant finally sees you again!" Tai Tan's large eyes, which looked like brass bells, were slightly red. His voice was clearly choked with emotion. As he spoke, he actually started to bend his knee to kneel on the floor.
For Tai Tan and the Strength Clan, Tang Hao's past kindness and recognition were deeply engraved in their souls. Decades of separation and hard times had not stopped their loyalty. Seeing this, Tang Hao quickly grabbed Tai Tan's arm to stop him from kneeling. He looked at his loyal subordinate, and a flash of complex feelings crossed his firm eyes.
He said in a deep voice, "Uncle Tai, there's no need for this. You all have suffered a lot during these past years. It is the Clear Sky Sect and it is I, Tang Hao, who have wronged you."
"Master must not say that!" Tai Tan shook his head vigorously. He said, "It is a great honor for this old servant and the Strength Clan to serve you again!"
When Tang Hao explained his purpose, he said he hoped the Strength Clan could return under the banner of the Clear Sky Sect. He wanted them to join together to fight against Spirit Hall. Tai Tan agreed almost without any hesitation.
"Master, please rest assured! Everyone in the Strength Clan follows your lead! Those bad people from Spirit Hall forced the Mistress to her death and hunted you down back then. Now they are destroying the continent. The Strength Clan and Spirit Hall are enemies that cannot live under the same sky! As long as Master gives the order, this old servant and the clansmen are willing to die for you!"
This total trust and support moved even Tang San, who was standing nearby. It also made a warm feeling surge through Tang Hao's heart. It made him feel the heavy weight of his responsibility.
However, when Tang Hao later suggested that Tai Tan should take the lead in finding the other three Single Attribute Families, the Clan Chief of the Strength Clan suddenly looked very troubled. Tai Tan rubbed his hands together. His brow was furrowed tightly into a knot, and he let out a long sigh.
"Master, if it is about gathering our brothers to fight Spirit Hall to the death, I will be the first one to charge! But going to persuade the other three families, especially the Defense Clan and the Breaking Clan, I am afraid it won't be easy."
He paused for a moment, glanced at Tang Hao's expression, and then continued. "Old White Bird from the Speed Clan might be easier to talk to. He is your biological maternal uncle, so the blood relationship is still there. Although life has been very tough these years and resentment certainly exists, there is still room to talk for your sake."
"But," Tai Tan changed his tone, and his voice became extremely heavy. "The Old Rhino from the Defense Clan and the Old Goat from the Breaking Clan are different. Master knows how their tempers are!"
"That Niu Gao fellow is very stubborn and he will not yield. When the Clear Sky Sect closed its doors back then, his Defense Clan suffered heavy losses. They were nearly wiped out by Spirit Hall. The hatred he feels for being abandoned is probably deeper than anyone else's! As for Yang Wudi..."
Mentioning that name made Tai Tan's face show a hint of helplessness. "That man only cares about his medicine and his spear. He is cold, stubborn, and will not change his mind! Regarding the events of that year, he is probably the one with the greatest anger. Over the years, he has rarely even spoken to Bai He or me. He focuses only on his research and stays away from the outside world. Trying to get him to return to the Clear Sky Sect is as difficult as reaching the heavens!"
By the end of his speech, Tai Tan was shaking his head over and over. He clearly had no confidence in talking to those two families. "Master, it's not that I am trying to avoid work, but these matters are truly troublesome. Just thinking about how to talk to the Old Goat gives me a headache!"
As Tai Tan's voice fell silent, the hall became quiet. The only sound was the crackling of charcoal in the heater. Tang San also felt how difficult the situation was, and he looked toward his father.
However, Tang Hao's face did not show much surprise. It was as if he had already expected Tai Tan to react this way. He slowly raised his hand to stop Tai Tan's complaints. In his deep eyes, a trace of sadness flashed, but it was replaced by strong resolve.
"I understand your difficulty. The resentment in their hearts and the wounds on their bodies were all caused by the Clear Sky Sect and me. This debt must be paid by me, Tang Hao, and this burden must be carried by me personally. Don't worry. Since I have come, I have my own method. You just need to prepare and take me to see them."
Looking at Tang Hao's strong gaze, Tai Tan swallowed the worries he had. He remembered the Tang Hao of the pastâthe man with the spirit that looked down upon the world. Since he said he had a way, perhaps there was some hope.
"Yes, Master!" Tai Tan stopped talking and clasped his fists. He said respectfully, "This old servant will go prepare now and then take you to see them!"
In the core region of the Extreme North Land, the scenery was completely different. It was no longer just snow, but a total silence that was scary. It felt like even time could be frozen. The sky was a deep blue color, and huge glaciers stood like pillars reaching the heavens. The air was filled with dense ice energy. You could see light blue ice crystals drifting down like dust.
Just as the Crimson King's massive body, burning with dark red flames, stepped into this core area with Tang Chen and Xiao Ruier, something happened. An invisible and terrifying pressure spread out in all directions. It was like a giant rock being thrown into a calm lake.
"ROAR!"
A loud roar that could shatter mountains erupted from the distance. The sound waves were like physical hits. The snow for miles was shaken high into the sky. Then, a ten-thousand-year ice wall exploded. Countless chunks of ice flew like rocks.
Through the snow, a figure over thirty meters tall appeared. It was covered in thick white fur and had muscles filled with power. It was the Titan Snow Devil King, one of the Three Great Heavenly Kings of the Extreme North. At the same time, the sky turned a beautiful emerald green color.
"Three-Headed Crimson Devil Mastiff? Emperor Auspicious Beast? Why have you come to my Extreme North Land?"