High above the outskirts of Heaven Dou City, a mighty dragon flew east.
Suddenly, on the broad back of the Light Holy Dragon, Chu Chengzhou raised an eyebrow and looked back into the distance.
"What is it?"
Tang Yuehua asked.
Glancing at Tang San beside him, Chu Chengzhou sent a voice transmission: "Our second brother is here, but it looks like he doesn't plan to show himself."
In his senses, a powerful expert was following behind. The aura felt familiar. It was Tang Hao, without a doubt.
Only, judging by Tang Hao's intent, he did not plan to come forward, merely tail them from afar.
"Hmph. Hiding his head and showing his tail."
Looking back at the empty sky, Tang Yuehua replied, displeased.
To be honest, Tang Yuehua was very unhappy with her second brother Tang Hao.
They were siblings, one family. There had been plenty of time to catch up, but Tang Hao? In the past ten plus years, she had only seen him once, when he brought her nephew Tang San to Yuexuan.
If Tang Hao had urgent matters and could not get away, that would be one thing. But the problem was he was just guarding the single blade of grass his second sister-in-law had become. Are you telling me that in all these years he could not spare any time to see his sister?
They were blood siblings, yet he made it feel as if they were unrelated strangers. Did Tang Hao have a problem with her as his younger sister?
In fact, Tang Yuehua had it wrong. Tang Hao did not show himself simply because he felt ashamed to face her, his elder brother Tang Xiao, and many fellow sect members.
After all, the Haotian Sect was in its current state because of the trouble he had caused back then.
Originally, Tang Hao had intended to brazen it out and bring Tang San back to the Haotian Sect to acknowledge his lineage.
He himself could stay away. On the one hand, that would not give Spirit Hall an excuse to make things hard for the sect. On the other, most in the sect would likely not welcome a sinner like him back.
But his son Tang San, with innate full soul power and twin martial souls, absolutely could not be kept away.
Tang Hao firmly believed that under his fine son's lead, the Haotian Sect would regain its former glory and even surpass it.
What Tang San and Tang Yuehua could think of, Tang Hao could think of as well. Without him going together, and relying only on his not-very-forceful elder brother Tang Xiao, the elders would not easily accept his son.
But after seeing that Chu Chengzhou was going too, and that this fellow had not only reached nine rings as a Titled Douluo but also had a four-black-five-red ring configuration, Tang Hao dropped his original plan.
Tang Hao had already noticed how close his younger sister Tang Yuehua was with Chu Chengzhou. That meant Chu Chengzhou was no longer an outsider, but his real brother-in-law, and his fine son's real uncle-in-law.
A four-black-five-red ring configuration meant Chu Chengzhou had five summoned spirits whose strength matched hundred-thousand-year soul beasts. Even Tang Hao himself might not be his match, let alone the elders who had not even been Titled Douluo ten-plus years ago.
Since it was inconvenient for him to show up, with a powerful uncle-in-law backing his fine son, acknowledging his lineage would be no problem.
Because Tang Hao also knew a bit of this brother-in-law's character. He was definitely a forceful type.
His elder brother Tang Xiao was the sect master. As sect master, there were things he could not do and sometimes had to compromise. Chu Chengzhou had no such scruples. Disagree? He would beat you until you agreed.
Of course, Tang Hao could not help a bit of gossip in his heart. Who would have thought his little sister would eat tender grass as an old cow.
As for this brother-in-law being a philanderer and perhaps not a good match?
Leave other things aside. Even if his little sister found a philanderer, that was better than growing old alone.
Far ahead, a small village nestled among surrounding mountains came into Chu Chengzhou's view.
The village lay three hundred li east of Heaven Dou City. This was not the Haotian Sect's seat, just a forward outpost. The real Haotian Sect lay in the mountains behind the village.
Without stopping, Chu Chengzhou put away the True Spirit Banner martial soul and had the Light Holy Dragon summoned spirit Xiao Guang, its aura suppressed and its size reduced, fly toward the sect's mountain seat.
Thanks to his powerful control of soul power, putting away his martial soul and soul rings did not affect a summoned spirit already called forth.
Why bother with this extra step?
Heh. If he exposed his strength, how was he supposed to happily show off?
Tang Yuehua: "…"
Tang San: Here it comes, here comes my good uncle-in-law's bad taste.
Soon, after crossing several more peaks, a complex of buildings on a mountaintop came into view for the three on the dragon's back.
There were no pavilions or towers. At a glance, it was a castle-like complex. The buildings were all gray, looking like part of the mountain, and almost covered the whole summit.
"Aunt, is that the Haotian Sect?"
Staring at the mountaintop complex below in the distance, Tang San turned to ask Tang Yuehua.
"Yes. This is where the sect has resided after sealing the mountain and going into seclusion."
Tang Yuehua nodded, her face tinged with sadness.
Suddenly, Tang Yuehua thought of something important. Her expression changed in surprise as she turned to ask Chu Chengzhou, "I don't recall telling you where the sect is. How did you know the Haotian Sect was here?"
At that, Chu Chengzhou thought for a moment, spread his hands, and said, "It's not far from Heaven Dou City. I passed by not long ago when I went out. It nearly scared me. Five Titled Douluo squatting in these mountains. If that isn't the Haotian Sect's hidden seat, what is?"
Mm. That was an excuse. He could hardly say he had expected from birth that the Haotian Sect would hide in these mountains.
Tang Yuehua: "…"
"Five Titled Douluo?"
Tang San could not help a soft exclamation.
In his understanding, the Haotian Sect had only two Titled Douluo: his eldest uncle, Haotian Douluo Tang Xiao, and his father Tang Hao, who had long since been expelled.
He had not expected that aside from his father, the Haotian Sect would have as many as five Titled Douluo.
"Sigh, Xiao San, hardship is not necessarily required to become strong, but those who endure hardship are indeed more likely to become strong.
Times have changed. After the sect was forced by Spirit Hall to seal the mountain and go into seclusion, everyone in the sect held back a breath. Aside from your eldest uncle, four of the five elders have, in these years, achieved nine rings as Titled Douluo.
It's just a pity that without Grandfather holding the fort, even with six Titled Douluo including your father, the sect is still far behind Spirit Hall."
Tang Yuehua sighed, her face heavy.
"Don't worry, Yuehua. You still have me. I won't sit by while Spirit Hall bullies the Haotian Sect."
Chu Chengzhou offered a word of comfort.
Mm. Limited to not sitting by if Spirit Hall bullied the Haotian Sect. As for other matters, forget it.
After all, Elder Sister was his wife, but the little angel and little fox were also his wives.
T/N: For 40 chapters ahead on my translations, become a p@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle