Far in the south of the Star Luo Empire lay Clear Sky City... Its prosperity and population were second only to Star Luo City, the empire's capital.
Here stood the Clear Sky Clan—the clan hailed as number one under heaven.
The city was also home to the four single-attribute clans and other subordinate clans of the Clear Sky Sect.
In truth... this city existed solely for the Clear Sky Clan.
And at its very heart stood the clan itself.
The buildings were plain yet solid, while the encircling walls soared twenty meters high, towering and protective like an unyielding mountain.
As a whole, the place resembled a fortress stretching for miles.
After days of travel, Tang Xiao finally arrived.
Stepping down from the carriage, he fixed his gaze on the massive entrance gate of his clan. He could not help but marvel...
Unlike any city or estate gates he had seen along the way, the Clear Sky Clan's gate rose thirty meters high and four meters thick.
Though he knew of this through his predecessor's memories, they had never been so vivid. Seeing it with his own eyes, he truly wondered how it had been built.
"To construct something like this without modern technology... Heh, this truly is a magical world," Tang Xiao mused inwardly.
The moment he disembarked, the guards began opening the gate. Even with its mechanisms, four men were needed to push it aside.
With steady steps, Tang Xiao, guided by memory, walked toward the main hall.
---
"Father, Elders, I have returned..."
The moment he entered, Tang Xiao saw his father, Tang Zhen, seated at the head of the hall. He bowed in greeting and did not forget to salute the seven elders.
News of his return had long since spread. With the Speed Clan serving as their subordinate, nothing within Clear Sky City could escape the clan's notice.
The moment Tang Xiao set foot in the city, they knew. They also knew Tang Hao had not returned with him. Thus, they had gathered in the hall to discuss what they had already learned—the news that Tang Hao and Tang Xiao had journeyed with a woman these past three years.
"Xiao'er, it is good you are back... Come, let me look at you," Tang Zhen, the clan leader and his father, said warmly.
Tang Xiao complied, walked up the steps, and knelt on one knee before his aged father, playing the part of a dutiful son.
He also observed the man who, in the novel, had died of anger...
Tang Zhen looked like an ordinary middle-aged man. His body was sturdy, his complexion strong and vigorous.
Though already in his nineties, he appeared no older than his late forties. The only hints of age were his gray hair and long beard... With cultivation at level 95, such vitality was natural.
He patted Tang Xiao's shoulder, then grasped his neck, releasing a hearty laugh...
"Good, good... Level 87. You've grown stronger. It won't be long before our clan welcomes another Titled Douluo. Hahaha!" Tang Zhen laughed with joy.
"Yes, yes... With the Grand Chief and Clan Leader, we'll have three Titled Douluo!"
"Indeed, old third, what you said is true. Haha."
"Yes, yes."
The seven elders seated in the hall also joined in laughter.
But Tang Xiao could only smile wryly and answer humbly.
"Father, Elders, you flatter me too much. But do not forget Brother Hao... He has already broken through to level 84. With his talent, I am certain he will become a Titled Douluo before me," Tang Xiao said generously.
"Ahahaha. Yes, yes..." The elders laughed, yet wisely said no more. Though they knew the brothers' bond was firm, still they avoided comparisons openly.
Tang Xiao, however, paid no mind. Whatever they thought was of little concern.
He was clear about his body's achievements. Though his soul power surpassed Tang Hao's by three levels, he was fifteen years older. Tang Hao was forty, while he himself was fifty-five.
From his knowledge of the story, Tang Hao would reach Titled Douluo at forty-four, while he himself would only succeed at sixty. He was still a year slower.
"It's unfortunate to have such a gifted younger brother..." Tang Xiao sighed in silence.
Yet the current him was not the original Tang Xiao... He now possessed knowledge of countless opportunities.
In the canon, Tang Xiao reached level 97 after thirty long years. But now, he was confident he could become a Limit Douluo within ten years at most, fifteen at the least.
And how? Hehe... by devouring all the immortal herbs.
"To prevent dreams from dragging on, I should head to Sunset Forest sooner," Tang Xiao thought, all the while massaging his father's leg like a dutiful son.
After asking about his well-being and his experiences of the last eight years, Tang Zhen turned the topic.
"Xiao'er, why did Hao'er not return with you?" he asked, though suspicion already lingered in his mind.
"Ah... Brother Hao... It seems he has fallen in love..." Tang Xiao replied with a meaningful, benevolent smile.
Tang Zhen and the elders exchanged knowing, pleased looks.
The Clear Sky Sect valued strength above all else. That was why they never married early. Compared to the rest, the sect's twin stars were even more extreme. Even at their age, neither had married nor loved.
To state... Tang Xiao was already fifty-five...
In a world where people married at twelve or thirteen, it was astonishing that he had remained single until now.
Tang Xiao himself felt speechless at his predecessor's feat.
"Man... I salute you. Now I can't even blame you for those masochist tendencies..." Tang Xiao thought, pitying the original.
But when he remembered how this Tang Xiao had stayed single until the end of the story—all because he could not forget Ah Yin, his brother's wife—he felt like hanging himself on the spot. Shame weighed heavily on him.
"Man... You're a total simp..." Tang Xiao muttered inwardly, helpless.
"Oh... Tell me about the girl..." Hearing Tang Xiao speak openly, Tang Zhen and the others leaned forward, curious about Ah Yin.
With no choice, Tang Xiao described her. Naturally, he concealed her soul beast identity... Only a fool would reveal that. Instead, he praised her talent and other admirable qualities.
At last, after much discussion, the matter faded.
Yet, by some twist of fate, the focus turned back to him.
"Son... Do you have someone you like? You should also marry someone and have child."