Once Tang Yin departed from the Tang Sect, he made a casual detour to Lanba Academy, where he found Tai Long flexing his biceps at Jiang Zhu near the training grounds.
"Long time no see, Tai Long. I see you're busy impressing someone," Tang Yin said with a teasing smile, his eyes shifting playfully to Jiang Zhu, who blushed and looked away.
"Uh..? Brother Tang Yin!" Tai Long laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head, clearly flustered in front of his crush. "It's good to see you too. Are we heading out already?"
"Let's not dawdle," Tang Yin replied, his tone brisk. "I need you to take me to your Strength Clan. I have important business with your grandfather. Chop chop—time's ticking."
Tai Long blinked, caught off guard, but quickly nodded. "I'll inform the academy and get leave from Dean Flender right away."
Lanba Academy, unlike Shrek, was a place of structure and order—a structure Tang Yin had personally instilled. He made sure Lanba was under his control, a foundation for his growing influence across the continent.
As Tai Long arranged his departure, Zhao Wuji caught sight of Tang Yin and gave him a hearty slap on the back. "Little Monster! You're back? I haven't seen you in six months!"
Tang Yin grinned. "Still as full of spirit as ever, Teacher Zhao. I won't be staying long—just some business with Tai Long. After that, I'm heading off for two years of training."
"Two years?" Zhao Wuji raised a brow. "You already have monstrous strength—I can't even imagine how strong you'll be after that. Anyway, don't forget the way back, Tang Yin."
"I'll try my best," Tang Yin replied with a playful wink. Before long, Tai Long returned with a leave of absence granted.
Less than two hours later, the two arrived at the Strength Clan's estate, nestled just outside Tian Dou City. The guards didn't stop them—Tai Long was the young heir, after all.
"Young Master, welcome back!" the guards immediately greeted him with cupped fists.
"Where's my grandpa?" Tai Long asked, strolling in with an arrogant sway.
"Patriarch is in his quarters, resting," one of the guards replied "He just returned from the city."
Tang Yin's eyes narrowed with a smirk thinking inwardly. "Perfect timing. He'll be tired. Easier to deal with him when his guard's down."
"Alright. He's a guest of mine—I'll take him to see Grandpa," Tai Long said firmly. As they neared the patriarch's residence, Tang Yin suddenly placed a hand on Tai Long's arm, stopping him just short of the door.
"Let's wait a bit. He's probably exhausted. Why don't you go have them prepare a feast to welcome me?" He suggested.
Tai Long beamed. "You got it, Brother Tang Yin! I'll make sure it's a grand one!"
The moment Tai Long left, Tang Yin stepped silently into Tai Tan's quarters. The old Titan was snoring loudly, fast asleep. Perfect.
Tang Yin closed his eyes and released his Telepathy, a powerful wave of spiritual energy radiating outward like a ripple through water.
A few threads of spiritual energy snaked their way in, weaving through the old man's deep memories. Although he did struggle a little to modify the memory of a powerful soul douluo.
Quietly, like a craftsman etching his very loyalty into a soul, Tang Yin began forging his presence deep inside Tai Tan's subconscious mind—rebranding himself as— A benefactor. A master worthy of absolute loyalty.
By the time he withdrew, Tai Tan's will had been rewritten. The elder patriarch would now worship the very ground Tang Yin walked on.
Only Tai Nuo, Tai Tan's son, remained a potential problem. He would surely question why his father and son were suddenly treating him like the second coming of Dragon God.
A few minutes later, Tai Long burst into the room, shouting loudly cheerful as always.
"GRANDPA! WAKE UP! THE FEAST'S READY!"
"YOU DAMNED BRAT!" Tai Tan roared, jolting upright and slamming a meaty fist onto Tai Long's head. "Yell in my ear again and I'll rearrange your teeth!"
"Oh look who it is Lord Tang yin!" Cupping his hands Tai Tan bowed "You've graced our clan with your presence, my lord. Would you honor us by joining the feast? A welcome banquet has been prepared in your name."
Tang Yin watched the performance unfold with quiet amusement, hands clasped behind his back. "Very well," he said calmly. "But before we enjoy the meal, I have an important task for you, Tai Tan."
He stepped closer, his voice lowering to a more commanding tone. "Write to the leaders of the Speed, Defense, and Breaking clans. Tell them that you have something of grave importance to discuss. Arrange a secretive meeting—one week from now in the Defense clan's base."
"And summon your son," he added, his gaze sharp. "There's something I must handle."
"As you command, Lord Tang Yin." Tai Tan bowed once more, wasting no time. He began writing the letters with urgency, sealing each one and sending them off with the flying soul beast which were subdued and trained for the communication purpose.
Tang Yin turned to look out the window as the beast soared into the clouds. His plan was unfolding and this was only the beginning.
Soon he would have the four clan at his grasp.
A week later…
In front of the Defense Clan stronghold, Tang Yin and Tai Tan stood side by side as they stepped down from their carriage.
Towering walls loomed over them—solid, grim, and unyielding. It was no exaggeration to say that even a Soul Emperor would struggle to breach these defenses. The Defense Clan truly lived up to its name.
The guards at the gate didn't stop them. At a glance of Tai Tan's unique identity plaque, they respectfully stepped aside and escorted the two guests toward the clan's meeting hall.
Inside, Niu Gao's boisterous laughter echoed the moment he laid eyes on his old friend.
"Haha! Old Tai, long time no see! Your hair's getting whiter by the day—what happened? Is that unfilial son of yours still giving you headaches in your old age?" he bellowed, arms wide in welcome.
Tai Tan grunted but didn't resist the embrace. He reached into his storage ring and pulled out a large barrel of alcohol, setting it down with a heavy thud. "A gift," Tai Tan said, voice flat. "Don't get used to it Old Gao."
Niu Gao blinked, then roared with laughter. "The sun must've risen from the west today! You, giving me alcohol? Let's drink before the others show up. I'll have my men prepare a Grand feast! hahaha"
"Hmph! Do you take me for some miser, Old Gao?" Tai Tan snorted, arms crossed. "Maybe I brought it just to shut your Stinky mouth."
The two old titans bantered like quarrelsome brothers, their gruff exchange drawing no suspicion. As they reminisced about battles past and days long gone, Niu Gao took a hearty swig of the wine—completely unaware of the subtle herb blended within.
What he didn't know was that the alcohol had been laced with Whisper Root, a rare herb known for softening spiritual defenses.
Harmless on the surface, it quietly dulled the mind's resistance to spiritual intrusion—especially effective against Soul Masters who lacked a spiritual-type martial soul or a head-soul bone from a powerful beast.
Fifteen minutes in, Niu Gao's robust posture slackened slightly, his words slower, gaze softer. He seemed merely tipsy—but Tang Yin's sharp eyes saw the signs.
Without a word, Tang Yin closed his eyes. A faint ripple of spiritual energy spread outward like a quiet breeze, and in the next moment, he silently entered Niu Gao's spiritual sea.
Unlike before, there was little resistance. The once solid mental defenses of the Defense Clan leader had thinned considerably—like frost melting under morning sun.
Tang Yin's spiritual presence invaded like a whisper, graceful and undetected, weaving itself deeper into the core of Niu Gao's consciousness.
A memory nudged here. A belief softened there. With deliberate precision, he began to forge a powerful spiritual link, subtly rewriting the threads of loyalty within Niu Gao's mind—binding them to himself.
The transformation was seamless.
To Niu Gao, nothing felt amiss. But deep within, his subconscious now recognized Tang Yin not just as an ally… but as a leader, a savior—a master worth serving.
An hour later, the Speed Clan's leader, Bai He, arrived with his stunning granddaughter at his side—Bai Chenxiang.
As soon as she laid eyes on Tang Yin, her breath hitched. His long, flowing hair, those clear blue eyes—calm yet distant—caught the light of the golden afternoon. He didn't try to draw attention. And yet, he radiated a quiet, striking charm that left her utterly captivated.
Tang Yin noticed her dazed stare and offered a gentle smile, raising his hand in a polite wave.
Bai Chenxiang quickly looked away, cheeks flushing. She sat down beside her grandfather, but her eyes kept drifting back toward Tang Yin—glancing, retreating, glancing again. Each time their gazes met, she jolted like a startled sparrow.
Tang Yin felt a flicker of sympathy. She was just a girl caught in tragic love, in the original story, ended in heartbreak and sorrow.
"Don't worry," he whispered inwardly, eyes softening for a brief moment. "I'll make sure both you and your clan have a better ending. No tragic love stories this time… and the Speed Clan will flourish under my Tang Sect."
Bai He was a man of few words, quietly observing the conversation between Tai Tan and Niu Gao. The two were well aware of his withdrawn nature and didn't press him.
After fifteen minutes,
Tang Yin activated his Telepathy. His spiritual energy flowed out silently, effortlessly slipping into Bai He's slightly weakened spiritual sea. The elder's guard was already dulled by age, distraction—and a bit of wine.
Just like before, Tang Yin reshaped memories —recasting himself as a benefactor, a guiding star, someone worth trusting. In minutes, the old man's loyalty had shifted drastically.
Tang Yin wouldn't control their lives. But he refused to let them offer themselves to the Hao Tian Sect, or to the future path of Tang San. The speed Clan had a new home now, and a better one that would make history.
Only one remained.
Yang Wudi, leader of the Breaking Clan—and by far the most difficult one to subdue.
Tang Yin already knew spiritual manipulation wouldn't work on him. Yang Wudi was a little too sharp, and far too knowledgeable in herbs and spirit medicine to fall for tricks.
So instead of diplomacy, Tang Yin had chosen a harsher route—joining forces with the three clan leaders to shatter Yang Wudi's will and spiritual defenses with overwhelming force.
To avoid raising suspicion, Tang Yin instructed Niu Gao to quietly replace the wine they were drinking with an ordinary barrel—one free of Whisper Root.
After all, Yang Wudi was a master of herbs, and even the slightest hint of tampering would unravel his entire plan. Before long, the man had arrived Infront of the defense clan.