“Grandpa.”
Tai Long replied deferentially.
Tai Tan said:
“Tomorrow you’ll also go participate in the gathering with young master. You have to follow next to young master, learn from young master. As long as you can learn from young master to some degree, later I can also be at ease in leaving the Strength Clan to you. You’re considered possessing rare talent in the clan, you can have some accomplishments in the future. See how much you can learn from young master. Tai Nuo, after we’ve left, the clan will be in your hands. While we’re away, you remodel the interior of the clan buildings, we’ll go back and talk over the initial remodelling procedures.”
“Yes, father.”
Returning to Shrek Academy, Tang San came straight to the residence, by now there was already the four of them living in the log cabin. Tang San naturally wouldn’t hide anything from Oscar and the others, and simply explained his plans and the Strength Clan’s support.
“Little Ao, you and Rongrong have finally reunited with great difficulty, you stay at the Academy. Fatty, you going with me tomorrow?”
Ma Hongjun grinned, saying:
“Alright, staying idle is staying idle anyway. Besides, later I’m also a Tang Sect vice sect master.”
Ning Rongrong smiled:
“Third brother, you can’t favor one and discriminate against another. You let Fatty be the vice sect master, I want to as well.”
Tang San somewhat helplessly said:
“Do as you wish, as long as uncle Ning doesn’t object, I approve.”
Oscar said:
“Little San, let’s all go with you tomorrow. Since you know the resentment between the four single attribute clans and Clear Sky School is very deep, just in case they’re unfavourable to you, it would be better for all of use to go together.”
Tang San shook his head, saying:
“You stay. Even if the four single attribute clans had even deeper resentment, the Clear Sky School can still be said to be their birthplace, they won’t do anything to me. Moreover, this side still needs some preparatory work. Rongrong, I’ll trouble you to let uncle Ning know that I’ll hurry back, in one month at the earliest, two months at the latest.
Ning Rongrong nodded agreement,
“Third brother, take care as you go. Will you still bring Xiao Wu along?”
Tang San looked at Xiao Wu in his arms, nodded and said:
“I won’t leave Xiao Wu again. Don’t worry, I have the Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse, if I meet danger I’ll protect Xiao Wu first.”
Oscar pondered, saying:
“The effect of my mirror sausage is limited for you, but if used, it’ll screen your own abilities. I’ll make you some. Little San, if you still have something to deal with on this side, just leave it to us. We’re brothers, you don’t need to be polite. Spirit Hall is our common enemy.”
After five years of learning from experience, Oscar was a lot more stable than before.
Tang San pondered, saying:
“There’s nothing at the moment, you continue cultivating at the Academy. If you have time, you can go take a look at the auction house, bring back some rare metals. Find uncle Ning for the money. Uncle Ning will back us all out financially.”
After Tang San said goodbye to Grandmaster, Flender and the others, the next morning, he and Ma Hongjun came once again to the Strength Clan.
Tai Tan was ready since earlier, and after talking over the Strength Clan’s interior remodelling plans with Tang San, he left them for Tai Nuo to implement. The party then got under way.
Tai Tan didn’t bring a lot of people. Besides Tai Long, there were still four disciples from the same second generation as Tai Nuo. They were all over forty, Spirit Kings with spirit power over the fiftieth rank.
Tang San still held Xiao Wu to his chest. When there was no danger, he was reluctant to leave Xiao Wu alone in the Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse. Even though Xiao Wu’s body had no awareness, it was still extremely cute, and also hated parting with Tang San. perhaps it was because the Yearning Heartbroken Red still hadn’t been completely assimilated, but what it liked the most was laying in Tang San’s arms, sleeping.
Eight people setting off couldn’t walk the whole way, so Tai Tan had specially transferred two carriages from the sect. He and Tai Long, Tang San and Ma Hongjun were in one, the four clansmen in the other.
Even though everyone’s statures were very imposing, the Strength Clan’s carriages were hardly small, pulled by four horses, four people sitting inside was still extremely spacious. As for food and drink, everyone carried spirit tools, so there was no need to take up space in the carriages.
Whether Ma Hongjun or Tang San, it wasn’t the first time using carriages, but sitting in this carriage was extremely smooth, padded with soft thick cushions. This was a clear and refreshing autumn day, the air outside cool and refreshing. Pulling open the curtains, a cool breeze swept by, exceptionally enjoyable.
Sitting in the carriage, Ma Hongjun couldn’t help sighing:
“Elder, these carriages of yours really are comfortable, how come I don’t feel any bumps?”
Tai Tan said somewhat proudly:
“This was made by us, the carriage’s base is made with refined iron, and below are sixteen thick springs that can filter out the bumps, most suitable for long journeys. Were it not for the cart itself being so heavy, it wouldn’t need to be pulled by four horses. The carters are also clan disciples.”
Tang San smiled:
“Before I really had eyes but failed to recognize Mt Tai, I didn’t think you really were a grandmaster blacksmith. I haven’t had time to ask you, where are we meeting the other three clans this time?”
Tai Tan said:
“This time the road won’t be short, we have to pass through half the Heaven Dou Empire, and enter the borders of Star Luo Empire, we’ll meet with them in Rising Dragon City not far from the border. The gathering will be hosted by the Defense Clan this time, they’re rooted in Rising Dragon City, apart from our Strength Clan, they’ve gotten along the best. Young master still doesn’t have an understanding of the four great clans. This journey will be leisurely, I’ll tell you about our four single attribute clans.
This was also what Tang San most wanted to know right now. Immediately focusing, he listened to Tai Tan.
Tai Tan said:
“The four single attribute clans really weren’t established at the same time. Considered subsidiary sects of the Clear Sky School, the first clan chiefs were all related outside relatives of the Clear Sky School. Like our Strength Clan, was considered established the earliest of the four clans, my great grandmother was considered a directly related disciple of the Clear Sky School, and my great grandfather’s strength was considerable, close to Title Douluo. He was himself interested in forging, and under the support of the Clear Sky School, established the Strength Clan, subordinate to the Clear Sky School. Afterwards it gradually became one of the important economic sources of the Clear Sky School. Any one clansman of the four single attribute clans isn’t very powerful, young master should also have seen that the only merit of our Strength Clan is great strength, when meeting Spirit Masters with controlling spirit abilities, we basically don’t have any means. This is also why Spirit Hall hardly cared about us. Frankly, the Strength Clan’s great strength and blocking characteristics are more or less the same as the Defense Clan, only we’re more partial to forceful attacks, while they’re more partial to tough skin and thick meat. In terms of defense, the Defense Clan absolutely isn’t inferior to the Elephant Armored School of the seven great sects, their spirit is the Plate Armored Giant Rhinoceros, just that their attack power can’t compare to the Elephant Armored School.”
“The other three were all established within a hundred years, their history isn’t as long as our Strength Clan, but each clan all has their own strength, thereby making up the deficiencies of the Clear Sky School. Like our Strength Clan is expert in forging, the Defense Clan is
expert in construction. Originally, when the Clear Sky School grounds was being built, it was all done by the Defense Clan. And what the Speed Clan is good at is scouting, because they cultivate speed with all their heart and soul, they’re astonishingly quick, they can be said to be the best scouts. And the Breaking Clan relies mainly on attacking, they’re actually expert in making medicine.”
“At present, our Strength Clan has set roots in Heaven Dou City, considered the best adapted. Even though the losses of the Breaking Clan were disastrous back then, any country would welcome their medicine refining, therefore their circumstances are roughly the same as the Defense Clan. Only the Speed Clan is currently the most miserable, they don’t want to join other Spirit Master clans, on their own they also don’t have any good trade skills. If not for our other three clans frequently supporting them, I’m afraid the Speed Clan would have waned even faster.”
Hearing Tai Tan say this, Tang San had an initial understanding of the four single attribute clans, secretly thinking that it was no wonder the Clear Sky School was number one under heaven back then, when these four subsidiary single attribute clans were already so outstanding. Unfortunately the sect was sealed too impetuously back then, without asking these talents to stay. Otherwise, it would be a lot easier for the Clear Sky School to rise again.
“Elder, you just said the Breaking Clan was experts in medicine, what medicines can they refine?”
Tang San asked.
Tai Tan said:
“I’m not to clear on the details either. It seems they’ll refine medicinal drugs, but will equally refine poisons. Among the four clans, the Breaking Clan could be said to be the most mysterious. Back when they originally attached themselves to the Clear Sky School, they were the ones most distantly related to the sect, and moreover kept their clan’s drugs confidential. The old sect master once got dissatisfied with them. But they were nevertheless most severely implicated with the sect. Could be said to be truly unfortunate.”
The corners of his mouth revealing a faint smile, Tang San secretly already had some plans.
“Elder, how many clansmen does the four clans have right now?”
Tai Tan said:
“Our Strength Clan has more than two hundred directly related disciples, the total number of family members exceeding five hundred. Of the other three clans, the Defense Clan and the Agility Clan is more or less the same as us. The Breaking Clan’s directly related disciples should be just a hundred. Their vitality is far from recovered.”
Tang San said somewhat pondering:
“That means the four single attribute clans added together has close to a thousand people.”
Tai Tan said:
“Back when the Clear Sky School was like the sun at zenith, the directly related clansmen were still only three hundred, but the subsidiary Spirit Masters still numbered more than five thousand. They were also split into a number of small clans, and our four single category clans were the leaders among these clans. The Clear Sky Clan going into seclusion lead to the monkeys scattering when the tree falls. Only a tiny handful really stayed behind. Our four clans directly suffered Spirit Hall’s formidable pressure and couldn’t get the backing of any sect, compelling us to collapse and fall apart, those small clans scattered even faster, there were a lot of them who chose to accept being incorporated into Spirit Hall. You might say that even though the Clear Sky School and Spirit Hall didn’t have a true battle, the sect being sealed was already a major defeat. If not for being forced, who would want to give up on their homeland and separate from their sect?”
At the end, Tai Tan’s voice clearly grew heavy. One could imagine, when a former big player of the Spirit Master World fell from the heavens without even a fight, what kind of heavy blow it was to these subsidiary clans.
It was quiet in the carriage, but the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.
After a long time, Tai Tan spoke up once again,
“Actually, I know the sect’s choice really was the smartest. The old sect master was dead. The new sect master had just taken the position. The master had also killed the Supreme Pontiff. There was already rigid hatred between our Clear Sky School and Spirit Hall. Spirit Hall even had enough reason to forcefully invade. Even if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan wanted to help us, there would still be more than a seventy percent chance of the Clear Sky School being exterminated. And choosing to live in seclusion could undoubtedly preserve the Clear Sky School’s true strength. Even if the subsidiary clans scattered, the sect wouldn’t lose its own force. If the sect stood again in the future, still with the force to resist Spirit Hall, would there be any lack of Spirit Masters joining?”
This old man’s voice was filled with bleakness. He was secretly telling Tang San that common Spirit Masters and clans were only chess pieces for those great powers. When they had to be abandoned, they would be kicked and trampled. This was also an important reason they had such resentment towards the Clear Sky School.
Drawing a deep breath, Tang San didn’t know how he should comfort the old man, empty promises held no meaning.
“Young master. I have a request.”
Tai Tan’s gaze suddenly grew fiery.
“Elder, speak.”
Tang San hurriedly said.
Tai Tan lowered his voice:
“If the Clear Sky School truly returns again, and you want to join with the Clear Sky School, please let me lead the Strength Clan to withdraw from Tang Sect.”
Tang San said resolutely without the slightest hesitation:
“That won’t happen. Tang Sect is Tang Sect, Clear Sky School is Clear Sky School. Even if I’m a Clear Sky School descendant, I’ve always wanted to establish the Tang Sect as a Spirit Master Sect. Impossible to merge with the Clear Sky School.”
Hearing him say this, Tai Tan’s expression clearly relaxed somewhat,
“When young master says so, I’m relieved.”
Tang Sect was Tang Sect, those were all of Tang San’s memories of his last life, raising and developing the Tang Sect in another world was the only though he had when he just came to this world, how could he easily leave the Tang Sect to others? Let alone merging with the Clear Sky School, leaving authority to the Clear Sky School.
In order to keep Tai Tan from sinking into painful memories again, Tang San said:
“Elder, you’re a leading scholar of the world of forging, the road is long, it would be better for us to discuss some hidden weapons.”
Hearing the words ‘hidden weapons’, Tai Tan’s spirit was immediately roused, gasping in praise:
“Those blueprints young master found could be said to be art surpassing nature, even though I can roughly understand them, if you had me design them, there would definitely be no designs.”
Tang San smiled slightly saying:
“Actually, there are still a lot of hidden weapons more tremendous than the Godly Zhuge Crossbow. Among them there’s one kind of hidden weapon that’s quite small, equally only one chi, but it’s cylindrical, if it could be made, by conservative estimates, it could at least split open the defense of Spirit Sage level Spirit Masters, including Spirit Avatar. Even if it was Title Douluo, if caught off guard, might still be seriously injured.”
Tai Tan’s eyes brightened, crying out:
“There’s still such tremendous hidden weapons?”
Tang San nodded with certainty:
“Just that manufacturing them is seriously difficulty. Not only are the material demands extremely high, but the manufacturing skill needs to be even more perfect, with just a hair fine error, it couldn’t be made.”
Tai Tan was the celebrity of a generation in the forging world. Hearing Tang San say this, he immediately had an itch that was difficult to scratch,
“Young master, what’s this hidden weapon called, do you have the designs? I don’t dare speak of other things, but on the Continent, in terms of skill, if I can’t make it, perhaps no one can.”
Tan
g San said:
“Back then I recorded all the plans in that secret book in my mind, I can easily give you an introduction. When this hidden weapon is fired, it’ll be like a peacock spreading its tail, gloriously brilliant, but while the eye is dazzled, it will take your life. Therefore it’s called Peacock Plume.”
Tai Tan sighed:
“Good, good Peacock Plume, if it’s like you say, and we can make large quantities of Peacock Plume, how Spirit Hall will shiver.”
Tang San smiled wryly:
“It’s not that easy. Even though the Peacock Plume’s power is out of the ordinary, not only are the demands for skill extremely difficult, but furthermore, the material demands are also extremely high. Otherwise, how could it break Spirit Sage level defenses? Making the Peacock Plume requires profound iron. Only mechanical and spray hidden weapons made from profound iron can reach that kind of power.”
Tai Tan looked distracted a moment,
“Profound iron? What metal is that? How come I haven’t heard of it?”
Tang San’s heart twitched, thinking to himself that what was called profound iron in his previous world might not be called the same in this world,
“Profound iron is a kind of extremely rare metal, several times heavier than the same volume of ordinary iron, as long as a smidgen is included in hidden weapons they can become sharper. If weapons were made from pure profound iron, it could practically restrain any other metallic weapon.”
Tai Tan’s eyes revealed a trace of pondering light,
“Don’t tell me what you call profound iron is black lined iron? Black lined iron seems to have roughly the same effects as the profound iron you speak of. It’s really also extremely rare. Its price a lot higher than gold, it’s always forged the king of metals.”
Hearing Tai Tan say this, Tang San immediately exulted. What he most feared was that this world didn’t have profound iron. That it was rare was very ordinary, but as long as it existed, there was the chance of creating the Peacock Plume.
Tang San smiled slightly, saying:
Douluo Dalu - Volume 01-48 Page 300