White Crane(Bai He)'s arrival at the Power Clan felt strange from the outset.
Following closely behind him was a girl around 14 or 15 years old. Her skin was as white as snow, her clothing simple yet clean, and her eyes brimmed with life and curiosity.
It was hard to imagine that such a modestly dressed girl was the granddaughter of a Spirit Douluo-level powerhouse. Her entire outfit was worth less than a single gold spirit coin.
Her name was Bai Chenxiang, a prodigy of the Sensitive Clan.
"Xiangxiang, don't you think the atmosphere here is a little off?" White Crane asked, his expression calm and composed.
Even if there were issues, he trusted that Titan wouldn't harm him. Perhaps something had happened within the Power Clan.
White Crane wasn't expecting a definite answer. His question was more a test of Bai Chenxiang's observational skills. As a scout, keen perception was vital, and hands-on experience was the best way to teach.
Bai Chenxiang froze momentarily before scanning her surroundings with fresh eyes.
She had visited the Power Clan in the past as a child, and back then, the place had been lively and noisy with the constant sound of hammering steel.
But now, it was too quiet.
Eerily so.
Even with visitors, the Power Clan wouldn't halt all activity. And yet, not a single clang of metal could be heard from afar.
"Grandfather, something does seem strange. It's far too quiet for the home of blacksmiths," Bai Chenxiang said after a moment of thought.
White Crane nodded approvingly. She had noticed the key detail he was testing her on. At her age, that was already an impressive observation.
"Xiangxiang, you truly are a talent of the Sensitive Clan—so attentive."
His voice was filled with pride. She was his granddaughter, after all. Who else was he supposed to praise?
As the grandfather-granddaughter duo chatted, Dai Mubai and his group entered the reception hall.
White Crane's slender frame stood out, a reflection of his role as a speed-type Spirit Master. A bulkier physique would only hinder his movements.
Dai Mubai glanced briefly at Bai Chenxiang. Though her beauty was evident, he felt no particular attraction.
It wasn't that Bai Chenxiang lacked charm—Dai Mubai simply didn't have the energy for more entanglements.
The Douluo Continent was practically teeming with attractive individuals. In this anime-inspired world, even the random passersby were likely to have above-average looks.
How could he possibly pursue everyone?
He had enough women in his life already. It was time to focus.
"Ha! I knew you'd be the third to arrive!" Titan greeted White Crane with a hearty laugh, clapping him on the shoulder.
"You still beat Old Yang here. His speed's got nothing on yours!"
White Crane winced at the force of the blow, gritting his teeth.
"Titan, you do realize I'm a speed-type Spirit Master, right? If you smash me to pieces, my clan might just camp out here permanently as compensation!"
Though his tone was exasperated, it was all in good humor. They were old friends, and such banter was par for the course.
"Grandpa Titan, Grandpa Niu Gao."
Bai Chenxiang greeted them with poise before retreating behind White Crane.
"Is this Xiangxiang? She's grown so much in just a few years!" Titan's deep voice rumbled with both fondness and a trace of melancholy.
But the sorrow in his eyes didn't linger.
The dead can't come back to life…
Wait. Could they?
A sudden thought struck Titan.
With Dai Mubai being the inheritor of the God of Death, was it possible that his son Tai Nuo and grandson Tai Long could be resurrected?
Swallowing hard, Titan glanced toward Dai Mubai.
I'll have to ask the Cult Leader about this later.
"Yes, she's grown into a fine young lady," Niu Gao added. He remembered Bai Chenxiang as a little girl, but now, she was nearly as tall as her grandfather.
"Greetings, Uncle White," Niu Ben said respectfully before stepping back behind Niu Gao.
White Crane's eyes flickered with curiosity and suspicion.
Something wasn't adding up.
As the host, Titan's son and grandson should have been present to greet them. Where were they?
And who was this young blond man?
White Crane didn't trust blond men. As someone with a granddaughter, he instinctively disliked anyone who might look at her twice.
This blond kid doesn't seem like a good guy…
Still, he held his tongue, choosing instead to address Titan.
"Titan, where are your son and grandson?"
The room fell silent.
Titan's expression darkened as he exchanged a helpless glance with Niu Gao.
First Niu Gao, now White Crane? Are we just going to go through this every time someone arrives? And when Old Yang shows up, is he going to ask the same thing too?
Titan sighed deeply. Can't anyone stop bringing up these painful memories?
"It's a long story. Let's wait for Old Yang to get here before we talk about it," Titan finally said, waving the matter aside.
White Crane: "???"
He could tell something was off. The expressions on Titan, Niu Gao, and even Niu Ben's faces carried a tinge of sorrow. Had something happened to Tai Nuo and Tai Long?
Still, Titan's words discouraged further questions, and White Crane let the matter drop.
"Old Bird," Titan said suddenly, his voice serious.
White Crane blinked, surprised by the abrupt shift in tone.
"We've been brothers for decades, so I won't beat around the bush. I'll ask you directly."
"???"
White Crane was thoroughly confused. He had only just arrived, and the tea hadn't even been served yet. What could be so urgent?
"What's your stance on the Clear Sky Sect?"
Titan's question was calm, yet it carried an undeniable weight.
Niu Gao's expression was equally impassive, as if the question were routine.
White Crane froze, his thoughts racing.
What was going on here? In all their past gatherings, the Clear Sky Sect had been an unspoken taboo—never discussed.
Now, barely minutes after his arrival, Titan was bringing it up.
What's happening here?
"Titan… something's off about you. Very off," White Crane said, taking two cautious steps back.
He'd known Titan long enough to recognize that something wasn't right.
Titan had always been loyal to Tang Hao and the Clear Sky Sect. Why would he suddenly broach this topic now?
"Off? In what way? Enlighten me," Titan said with a faint smile, his voice steady.
But White Crane wasn't buying it. Something about the entire situation was deeply unsettling.
(Chapter Ends)