Hearing Tang San’s words, Titan’s eyes instantly lit up. "A good idea, truly a good idea. From the perspective of Soul Masters, no matter how hard we try, we can never catch up to Spirit Hall. If we can use equipment to narrow the gap between ordinary people and Soul Masters, then Soul Masters won't have such an absolute advantage. Especially low-level Soul Masters—when facing a large-scale army equipped with these high-lethality weapons, they'd be in a miserable state. Young Master, did you invent this, or did Master?"
For Titan's question, Tang San already had an answer prepared. "I happened upon a secret manual. These weapons are collectively called Hidden Weapons. Their greatest characteristic is their suddenness. In terms of power, the Zhuge Divine Crossbow only ranks in the middle among them. However, the more powerful a Hidden Weapon, the more complex its creation. I established the Tang Sect with the intention of developing Hidden Weapons to their fullest. Using Hidden Weapons as capital to trade with the Tian Dou Empire, I believe they will greatly appreciate our equipment."
Titan laughed. His two thick hands turned into afterimages, sweeping past in front of him. Those scattered parts miraculously reassembled themselves, at a speed at least ten times faster than Tang San could manage. In just a few breaths, the Zhuge Divine Crossbow was restored to its original state. This godlike skill left Tang San sighing in admiration.
"It seems your sect, Young Master, won't cost me money but will instead earn a great deal of it. No wonder you said blacksmiths wouldn't remain humble in the future. This will be the turning point for the entire blacksmithing industry!"
If Titan's earlier decision to support Tang San was more about seeing Tang Hao's relationship and Tang San's potential, then now his support was completely wholehearted. The gaze with which he looked at Tang San was even filled with admiration. To elevate the blacksmithing industry was the lifelong wish of the Titan Giant Ape, Titan. He was perhaps even more excited than Tang San. If his son and grandson weren't present, he might have been unable to contain his joy.
Tang San thought for a moment and said, "All of this must be done in secret. For now, we also cannot have any dealings with the Tian Dou Empire's imperial family. As for the creation of Hidden Weapons, I will move over as soon as possible, and then we can begin the operation of the Tang Sect. I have already reached an agreement with the Ning Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. He will provide substantial financial support to the Tang Sect, with the required return being the Hidden Weapons we manufacture. Therefore, you don't need to worry about funds. However, some rare metals will need to be collected by ourselves. Our Tang Sect's Hidden Weapons are definitely not just aimed at those low-level Soul Masters. We want to make even opponents of the Titled Douluo level tremble—that is my true purpose."
Titan chuckled, "Young Master, you need not worry about these matters. I have another identity—I'm the Vice President of the Continental Blacksmith Association. Purchasing rare metals won't be a problem. It will just take some time. In a few days, once the Tang Sect is stable, I will personally make a trip to Gengxin City. That's where the Blacksmith Association headquarters is, with the largest metal trading market. We should be able to obtain many good things there. We might even be able to recruit another batch of blacksmiths. How about this, Young Master? Once I've handled one important matter, I'll carry out a comprehensive renovation of this place. Since we're doing this, let's do it on a grand scale!"
Hearing Titan's words, Tang San's first feeling was relief. Establishing a sect was by no means easy, but with the support of the Titan Giant Ape clan and Titan's achievements in forging, everything to be done next would be much easier.
"Elder, when the time comes, I will accompany you to Gengxin City. I'd like to see the splendor of this metal city for myself."
Titan nodded. "Young Master, your timing today is perfect. If you had come tomorrow, I'm afraid you wouldn't have been able to see me."
"Oh? Elder, are you going on a long journey?" Tang San asked, puzzled.
Titan sighed. "Speaking of which, this is also related to the Clear Sky School. Before the Clear Sky School secluded itself, it was the number one sect under heaven, with many subordinate Soul Master factions, of which our four single-attribute clans were the most prominent. This included my Titan Giant Ape clan, as well as the Chasing Spirit clan, the Agility clan, and the Breaking Force clan. After the Clear Sky School's incident, when the school announced its seclusion, we successively withdrew from the Clear Sky School. But our four single-attribute clans have always watched out for each other, so every two years, we gather together. This year, it's time for us to gather again. Recently, Spirit Hall has been very active, and in another year, they will re-elect the Seven Great Sects. Our gathering this time is essential. I'm setting off tomorrow to participate in this meeting. It will take at least a month. Please don't blame me, Young Master. For the preliminary work of establishing the Tang Sect, I will leave Tainuo to cooperate with you. Whatever ideas you have, just have him implement them."
Tang San's heart stirred. "Elder, if I wanted to go with you, would that be convenient? I understand that the four single-attribute clans left the Clear Sky School back then out of necessity. Over these years, due to the past conflict between the Clear Sky School and Spirit Hall, I'm afraid life hasn't been easy for them. I'd like to try and make contact with them. Perhaps..."
Titan waved his hand and said bitterly, "Young Master, there's no problem with you coming with me. However, the other three clan leaders hold even deeper resentment toward the Clear Sky School, and they are all extremely stubborn individuals. These years haven't just been 'not easy'—they've been so marginalized they didn't even dare to show their faces. Even if the Clear Sky School were to unseal itself, they would never serve the school again. If you hope to gain their support, I'm afraid you'd be wasting your breath."
Tainuo, standing nearby, interjected, "They all hold deep resentment against the Clear Sky School, especially the Breaking Force clan. Because of the Clear Sky School, they were once attacked by Spirit Hall, and the clan suffered nearly half its members. They still haven't recovered their vitality. And the Clear Sky School had already secluded itself at that time, only concerned with self-preservation, which chilled everyone's hearts."
Tang San sighed. He knew that in the matter of secluding the school, the Clear Sky School was indeed in the wrong. But at that time, the Clear Sky School was facing a huge crisis. His father had clashed with Spirit Hall, his grandfather, the previous sect master, had passed away, his uncle had recently inherited the sect master position, and the situation within the sect was extremely unstable. To protect themselves, the school had no choice but to seclude itself. But this brought hardship to these smaller affiliated clans. Spirit Hall, unable to find the Clear Sky School, naturally took it out on them. One could imagine how difficult these years had been for them. Not only did they have to live in hiding, but for a clan like the Titan Giant Ape, their situation was probably considered relatively good.
"The Clear Sky School owes them an apology, Elder Titan. Please let me go with you. What needs to be reconciled must be attempted. Even if they won't return to the Clear Sky School in the future, I still hope to try and do something for them, to make up for the trauma they've suffered over these years as much as possible. What do you think?"
Titan looked at Tang San with some surprise, and his expression softened. "Young Master, compared to Master back then, you lack none of Master's sharp edge, but you are even more comprehensive in handling matters. With these words from Young Master, this old man will certainly do his utmost. However, Young Master, you shouldn't get your hopes up too high."
Without trying, how could one prove it impossible? Tang San stood up. "Let's leave it at that for now. I'll go back first. The establishment of the Tang Sect is postponed. Tomorrow morning, I'll come to meet you, and we'll attend the gathering of the four single-attribute clans together."
Titan, Tainuo, and Tailong saw Tang San all the way to the gate, watching him depart.
Tainuo looked at his father, then at his son, and couldn't help but say, "The Young Master acts with such steadiness; he really doesn't seem like someone barely in his twenties."
Titan smiled slightly. "I truly hope to see the Clear Sky School rise again because of the Young Master. The Young Master establishing the Tang Sect is also a good thing. We won't be returning to the Clear Sky School either; from now on, the Titan Giant Ape clan belongs only to the Tang Sect. Tailong."
"Grandfather." Tailong responded respectfully.
Titan said, "Tomorrow, you'll also go with me and the Young Master to attend the gathering. You need to stay by the Young Master's side and learn from him more. If you can learn even a fraction of it, I can rest assured leaving the Titan Giant Ape clan to you in the future. You have rare talent within the clan, and what achievements you'll have in the future depends on how much you can learn from the Young Master. Tainuo, after we leave, the clan will be in your hands. While we're gone, you should renovate the buildings within the clan. Let's discuss the preliminary renovation plans when we return."
"Yes, Father."
Back at Shrek Academy, Tang San went straight to the residence. The wooden house was now occupied by the four of them. With Oscar and the others, Tang San naturally had nothing to hide. He briefly explained his plan and the support from the Titan Giant Ape clan.
"Little Ao, you and Rongrong have finally been reunited; you should stay at the academy. Fatty, will you come with me tomorrow?"
Ma Hongjun chuckled. "Sure, I've got nothing to do anyway. Besides, in the future, I'm the Vice Sect Master of the Tang Sect."
Ning Rongrong laughed. "Third Brother, you can't play favorites. If you make Fatty the Vice Sect Master, I want a position too."
Tang San said somewhat helplessly, "It's up to you. As long as Uncle Ning doesn't object, I agree."
Oscar said, "Little San, tomorrow, we should all go with you. You know the four single-attribute clans hold deep resentment against the Clear Sky School. If they were to turn against you, it would be better if we were all together to watch each other's backs."
Tang San shook his head. "You should stay. No matter how deep the resentment of the four single-attribute clans toward the Clear Sky School, the Clear Sky School can still be considered their origin; they won't do anything to me. Besides, there are certain preparations to be made here as well. Rongrong, please tell Uncle Ning. I'll be back in a month at the earliest, two months at the latest."
Ning Rongrong nodded in agreement. "Third Brother, be careful on your journey. Are you taking Xiao Wu with you?"
Tang San looked down at Xiao Wu in his arms and nodded. "I won't be separated from Xiao Wu again. Don't worry, with the Myriad Treasure Pouch, I'll protect Xiao Wu first if danger arises."
Oscar thought for a moment. "My Mirror Douluo's Copy Sausage isn't very useful for you all. Once used, it would suppress your original abilities. I won't make any for you. Little San, if there's anything else you need us to handle here, just leave it to us. We're brothers, so you don't need to be polite. Spirit Hall is our common enemy."
Five years of training had made Oscar much more steady than before.
Tang San thought for a moment. "For now, there isn't anything. You should continue cultivating at the academy. If you have time, you can check out the auction house and buy some rare metals. Just get the money directly from Uncle Ning. He will fully support us financially."
After bidding farewell to the Great Master, Flandre, and the others, Tang San and Ma Hongjun arrived early the next morning at the Titan Giant Ape clan again.
Titan was already prepared. After discussing the preliminary renovation plans for the Titan Giant Ape clan's internal buildings with Tang San one more time, he handed the task over to Tainuo, and the group set out.
Titan didn't bring many people. Besides Tailong, there were four second-generation disciples of Tainuo's generation. They were all over forty years old, and their Soul Power exceeded level fifty—they were Soul Kings.
Tang San still held Xiao Wu in his arms. When there was no danger, he couldn't bear to let Xiao Wu be lonely inside the Myriad Treasure Pouch. Although this Xiao Wu's true form had no consciousness, it was very well-behaved and attached to Tang San. Perhaps because the effects of the Passion Love Red hadn't been fully absorbed yet, it most enjoyed sleeping in Tang San's embrace.
The eight of them couldn't just walk. Titan had specially called two carriages from the clan. He, Tailong, Tang San, and Ma Hongjun took one carriage, while the four clansmen took the other.
Although everyone was of imposing stature, the Titan Giant Ape clan's carriages were also quite large. Pulled by four sturdy horses, the four of them still sat very spacious inside. As for provisions, they were carried with Soul Guides and didn't take up space in the carriage.
Neither Ma Hongjun nor Tang San had ever ridden in a carriage before. This one was very smooth, with thick, soft cushions inside. It was currently a season of crisp autumn air; the outside air was cool. Pulling aside the curtain, the cool breeze blew in—it was indescribably relaxing.
Sitting in the carriage, Ma Hongjun couldn't help but exclaim, "Elder, your carriage is really comfortable. Why can't I feel any bumps?"
Titan said with a bit of pride, "This is one we made ourselves. The carriage chassis is forged from refined iron, with sixteen thick springs underneath that absorb the bumps. It's perfect for long-distance travel. If the carriage itself weren't so heavy, we wouldn't need four horses to pull it. The coachman is also a disciple of the clan."
Tang San smiled. "In the past, I really failed to see the mountain for what it was. I didn't realize you were a master blacksmith. I haven't had a chance to ask—where are we going to meet the other three clans this time?"