Coming out of the council hall, Tang Xiao looked up at the night sky. Under the soft breeze, he leisurely walked through the sect grounds.
Initially, he had expected his first council meeting to last much longer, allowing him to discuss many of his plans for the future of the Clear Sky Sect. Even more so, he wanted to make arrangements for the four main subordinate clans—Strength, Defense, Speed, and Attack—and utilize their full power effectively.
In the current situation, compared to the Clear Sky Sect itself, those four single-attribute clans had a far greater possibility of bringing tangible benefits to help him achieve his goals.
After all, those four clans were specialized to the extreme in four different fields: forging, construction, intelligence gathering, and medicine. Even the two great empires and the Spirit Hall might not possess such useful and highly efficient subordinate clans under their command.
It was truly a pity that, despite subduing them for so long, the Clear Sky Sect had never properly utilized them, instead relegating them to nothing more than four-directional guards.
What was even more ironic was that when the Clear Sky Sect was attacked in the novel, they directly abandoned these four loyal clans and went into hiding. In the end, this enormous boon fell into Tang San's hands, allowing him to reap all the benefits.
Now that he had become the sect master and clearly understood their true value, Tang Xiao naturally would not let them remain idle.
As he pondered ways to make use of them, Tang Xiao unknowingly arrived at the destination he had intended to visit.
The stone building in front of him was comparable to a villa in terms of area. However, this was the Clear Sky Sect—such buildings were everywhere.
Of course, the person residing inside was no ordinary disciple of the Clear Sky Sect.
He was none other than Tang Ritian, the one and only on the continent.
"Big Brother, you are here."
As Tang Xiao pushed open the door and entered, Tang Hao called out to him.
"Alas… Brother Hao. It must have been hard on you and Ah Yin, living underground for the past few days."
"Not at all, Big Brother. Compared to the seven months we spent constantly running, life here is comfortable. Lavish food, a comfortable bed, and a safe place to cultivate peacefully… the outside really can't compare to home."
"Haha. Since you put it that way, I'm relieved. For the next few days, you should move out from underground and live here in this building. I'll arrange for someone to secretly build a large mansion to your liking at the back of the sect."
"Don't trouble yourself, Brother. There are only Ah Yin and me—there's no need for a large mansion. This building alone is more than enough. It would only arouse suspicion if anyone noticed something amiss."
Hearing Tang Xiao's concern, Tang Hao felt deeply moved.
"Alas… If I hadn't married, the two of you could have lived with us in the family mansion. But now that your sister-in-law Ruoyan is here, I really don't want her to know about you or Ah Yin…" Tang Xiao sighed with emotion.
"Don't say that, Brother. Don't strain your relationship with Sister-in-law over this matter. Being able to live with Ah Yin, I can only choose one thing, and I am already content. You should focus on sect matters, Big Brother. I know you must be under great pressure because of the Spirit Hall."
Tang Hao spoke while lowering his head in shame. After all, everything had started because of him.
Hearing Tang Hao's words, Tang Xiao secretly rolled his eyes, but he still told him not to worry.
Afterward, Tang Xiao recounted the events that had taken place with those old fossils in the council.
"These elders have long lost the drive to strive for progress. They only know how to act arrogantly under the glory our grandfather left behind. I saw their true nature even more clearly when the Spirit Hall sent that letter demanding your capture. Each one was faster than the last to wash their hands of the matter and shift all the blame onto Ah Yin. Only the First Elder still had a clear mind."
Tang Xiao spoke with suppressed anger filling his voice.
Hearing this, Tang Hao could not help but feel hatred toward the elders as well. Ah Yin was his reverse scale. He hurriedly affirmed Tang Xiao's actions.
"What you did today was right, Big Brother."
"Mm. Yes. I must shatter their ignorance. Otherwise, sooner or later, our sect will face its end."
"Yes, Big Brother. You are right."
"…"
For everything Tang Xiao said, Tang Hao nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, greatly pleasing Tang Xiao.
He had no intention of informing Tang Hao or Tang Zhen about his deeper plans or explaining his actions in detail. Some things needed to be taken slowly, before the right time arrived.
…
After their conversation drifted through several lighter topics, Tang Xiao finally spoke, his tone casual—almost offhand.
"Brother Hao… I want you to teach me the Great Sumeru Hammer Technique."
A sharp glint flashed through Tang Xiao's eyes as he spoke.
With the sudden arrival of Tang Hao and Ah Yin, many of his plans—almost all of them—had to be changed, placing immense pressure on Tang Xiao's already overworked cute little brain.
But fortunately, although the flapping of the butterfly's wings had brought many troubles, it also brought at least one benefit.
That was the opportunity to learn the one and only divine technique of the entire Douluo Continent ahead of time.
"Big Brother…" Hearing this request, Tang Hao felt conflicted.
That day, when Tang Xiao had revealed his 'true' talent, it was already decided that he was qualified to learn the technique. If Tang Hao were truly a good younger brother, he should have volunteered to teach it himself.
And he did consider himself a good younger brother to Tang Xiao.
Yet, for reasons even he could not understand, he had never brought up the matter.
Perhaps it was fear.
Perhaps envy.
Or perhaps… a final fragment of pride he had yet to let go.
Now, days later, Tang Xiao had inherited the position of sect master and stood before him—not just as his elder brother, but as the sect master, there was no room left for refusal.
"I'll teach you, Big Brother."
Though discomfort filled his heart, Tang Hao maintained a smile and nodded.
Seeing this, Tang Xiao smiled as well.
"Then let's not waste time, Brother Hao. Teach me now."
Tang Xiao spoke with a grin.
"This… alright."
Tang Hao could only comply.