Titan chuckled, speaking with an almost teasing tone.
"Old Rhino, I understand your hesitations, but have you considered the future of the Defense Clan? Sure, staying low and safe sounds good, but take a look at your son, Niu Ben. There's fire in his eyes!"
His words hit home. Niu Gao might have the patience to endure a quiet life, but could his people? Could his son?
Dai Mubai wasn't in desperate need of manpower—he was giving the clans an opportunity to gain foundational merit by aligning with him early. If he wanted, he could simply return to the Star Luo Empire, mobilize his forces, and march against the Clear Sky Sect.
Titan understood this clearly. Joining Dai Mubai wasn't about their value in battle; it was about establishing legitimacy and providing Dai Mubai a justifiable reason to act.
Niu Gao turned to glare at Niu Ben, who stood silently but whose shining eyes betrayed his eagerness.
"Father… why don't you listen to Uncle Titan? When has he ever led us astray?" Niu Ben finally said, his voice tinged with nervous determination.
From the snippets he had heard and seen, Niu Ben could already sense Dai Mubai's potential. Following someone like him promised a far brighter future than remaining tethered to past grievances.
"You… you… Are you trying to anger me to death?"
Niu Gao was incensed, pointing at his son in frustration. He didn't want to join any faction again, especially after the betrayal by the Clear Sky Sect. He had no faith that this time would be any different.
"Father, you've grown old. You've lost the courage to take risks. But the younger generation in our clan—they're still full of life and ambition!"
Niu Ben raised his voice, his suppressed emotions erupting in a passionate outburst.
"To strive for greatness, to leave an immortal legacy—is that not the duty of a man standing between heaven and earth? Why should we confine ourselves to a corner of safety? If the Clear Sky Sect could sit atop the upper three sects, why can't we aim to take their place with our united strength?"
His voice reverberated through the hall, and even Titan's expression showed a trace of approval.
Niu Gao stood frozen, stunned by his son's fiery declaration. He knew the state of his clan well. Niu Ben was right—the clan's younger generation yearned for more, but his own fear of repeating past mistakes held them back.
For years, Niu Gao's sole focus had been survival. As long as the clan could live peacefully, he was content. With Niu Ben's talent, the clan's continued survival was secure, as he was certain his son would one day ascend to the rank of Spirit Douluo.
But now, he realized that his desire for safety might be suffocating their potential.
Dai Mubai, watching silently, hadn't expected the discussion to escalate into a clash between father and son. In the original timeline, Niu Ben had outright refused to join Tang Sect, owing to Tang San's ties to the Clear Sky Sect.
After a long pause, Niu Gao let out a heavy sigh and turned to face Dai Mubai.
"Youth have their own ambitions. Even if I refuse now, who knows what choices they'll make when I'm gone? Better to take the plunge myself while I still have the strength to guide them."
He knelt on one knee, clasped his hands, and declared, "Niu Gao greets the master!"
Dai Mubai: "…"
Niu Ben: "…"
"What are you standing there for? Kneel and greet the master!" Niu Gao barked at his son, his voice laced with annoyance.
Niu Ben, stunned for a moment, quickly recovered and knelt down as well. "Niu Ben greets the master!"
Dai Mubai hurried forward, helping them both to their feet.
"?"
Niu Gao was momentarily bewildered. He wasn't a weakling—his defensive martial spirit endowed him with tremendous strength. Among the four clan leaders, only Titan surpassed him in raw power. Yet Dai Mubai had effortlessly lifted him as if it were nothing.
"You really did kill Tang Hao, didn't you?" Niu Gao muttered, half to himself, his tone filled with newfound respect.
Dai Mubai: "???"
What just happened?
Dai Mubai hadn't noticed that Niu Gao had been subtly testing his strength. All he had felt was a bit of weight, likely due to Niu Gao's armored physique. He had no idea he'd inadvertently proven his power in the process.
"Your strength… I'm impressed," Niu Gao said earnestly.
Dai Mubai: "…Thank you?"
It was an awkward moment, but Dai Mubai managed to hide his confusion.
"With the Defense Clan joining us, our strength will be greatly enhanced," Dai Mubai said with a warm smile.
In truth, he valued the Defense Clan more for their expertise in construction than for their combat capabilities. Together with the Power Clan, they could accomplish incredible feats of engineering—even build a fortress-city of steel.
"It's time to give our sect a name. Does anyone have any ideas?"
Niu Gao and Titan exchanged surprised glances. The sect didn't already have a name?
Typically, sect names were derived from their legacy martial spirits, like the Clear Sky Sect (Clear Sky Hammer), Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect (Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda), and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect (Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon).
But with the reformation under Dai Mubai's leadership, it wouldn't make sense to name the sect after the Power or Defense Clans.
Dai Mubai's martial spirit, the White Tiger, had evolved into the Holy King White Tiger.
"White Tiger Sect? No, that name's already associated with the Star Luo royal family," Titan thought.
"Master, how about Holy King Sect? It reflects your Holy King White Tiger martial spirit," Titan suggested hesitantly, stroking his chin.
"Holy King Sect?"
Dai Mubai's mouth twitched. The name sounded grand, sure, but wasn't it a bit… overdramatic?
It felt like the kind of name a boastful, overconfident teenager might come up with.
"Master, there are rumors that you've inherited a divine legacy," Niu Gao added cautiously.
Though he left the statement unfinished, his implication was clear: if Dai Mubai was indeed a divine inheritor, naming the sect after the divine aspect would lend it unparalleled prestige.
(Chapter Ends)