The gray-robed man who had already made it to the shore possessed terrifying arm strength. A thousand-meter iron chain — even if only half that length — was staggeringly heavy on its own, let alone when dragging three living people along with it. Yet in his hands, it might as well have weighed nothing at all. The chain whizzed upward, carrying all three to the summit.
They finally reached the mountaintop.
Having just clawed their way back from the brink of death, anyone would have been rattled.
The lead gray-robed man let out a long, relieved breath, his gaze fixing on Tang San, who remained calm and composed. Without warning, he threw a punch at Tang San's shoulder.
Tang San's shoulder shifted slightly, then stilled. He didn't bother blocking it, because he could clearly sense that the gray-robed man's punch carried no ill will.
With a soft thud, the fist landed on Tang San's shoulder. The lead gray-robed man burst into hearty laughter. "Good brother — thanks for that."
Tang San smiled ruefully. "Big brother, could you ease up next time? Your fist is incredibly heavy!"
The gray-robed man clapped Tang San's shoulder hard. "Don't give me that — it's clearly your bones that made my hand sting. I have no idea how you train. Name's
Tang Tian and Tang Yu already had looks of deep gratitude plastered across their faces. They nodded to Tang San, and Tang Tian said, "Brother, a great debt needs no words."
Tang San replied with an easy smile, "We're all family here — why stand on ceremony? If roles were reversed, you'd have saved me too. Right?"
Tang Yu's face twisted into a grimace. "We'd need to have the ability first! I heard you have a Twin Martial Soul. That
Tang San nodded.
Tang Long grinned. "Second Aunt wouldn't stop singing your praises — said you were practically floating among the clouds. I wasn't fully convinced before, but I am now. At your age, to have reached this level of cultivation — that's no small feat. Looks like you've broken through to rank fifty already. Not one bit worse than these two."
Tang Tian and Tang Yu exchanged a glance. They said nothing aloud, but privately thought: Not one bit worse? Before, he was channeling his own Soul Power to help us along. Not to mention — when the three of us were plummeting, he managed to react in time to save everyone, himself included. That kind of reflexes isn't something ordinary people possess.
Tang Long glanced at the snapped iron chain and muttered irritably, "That piece of junk needs replacing. What awful luck today — ran into some kind of bird. But I was careless too. If I'd been paying attention and spotted it sooner, this wouldn't have happened. When we get back, the Sect Master is sure to chew me out."
Watching his deflated expression, Tang San couldn't help but find it a little amusing. This rough-and-ready elder cousin of his was quite straightforward after all.
Tang Tian said, "Big brother, let's head back quickly. No point keeping the Sect Master waiting. The chain breaking wasn't your fault — we just had bad luck. If the Sect Master punishes anyone, we'll take it together."
Tang Long cracked a grin. "Good lad. Next time I get my hands on good wine, drinks are on me. Let's go."
This fifth peak was the last one before reaching the Clear Sky Sect. The reclusive Clear Sky Sect perched upon this very mountain.
Though there were no pavilions or towers in sight, a sprawling, castle-like structure spread across the summit when one looked around — gray all over, so seamlessly blended into the mountain that it seemed almost like a natural extension of the rock itself, occupying nearly the entire peak.
Having grown more familiar with his three companions, Tang San no longer kept them at arm's length the way he had before. He couldn't help but ask, "Brother Tang Long, the Clear Sky Sect is in such a remote and treacherous location — how do you get supplies in? Also through those iron chains?"
Tang Long nodded. "That's actually one of the sect's special training methods. Every disciple of the sect who reaches the age of sixteen has to participate in supply transport. Of course, the safety ropes we normally use aren't the kind we had today. Those come with locking clips — even if the chain snaps, they can still guarantee your safety. Who could've predicted today's bad luck? I still remember the first time Tang Tian here crossed the chain bridge. He was so scared he cried — hah!"
Tang Tian shot Tang Long an embarrassed glare. "That was ages ago! Why are you bringing up my embarrassing stories in front of Brother Tang San? Come on, let's get back to the sect before the Sect Master loses his patience."
Tang San understood in his heart. They had been wearing ordinary safety harnesses and hadn't offered him one earlier — most likely to test his strength. He smiled to himself. Aunt, what on earth did you tell them about me to make them so hostile? But judging by the way things had gone, these blood-related cousins of his were actually quite straightforward people.