"Clan Leader Tang, to be frank, we’ve come to the Tang Family this time because we have a favor to ask," said the elder from the Shangguan Family.
"Haha, Master Yuda, please excuse the disturbance. Feel free to speak your mind," Tang Haotian said with a magnanimous smile, seemingly unbothered by what had just occurred.
In the past, Tang Yi’s inability to cultivate had made him reserved, cowardly, and utterly listless. As his father, Tang Haotian felt deeply guilty. After all, Talent was something one was born with, passed down from one’s parents. For Tang Yi’s inability to cultivate, he and his wife bore a certain amount of responsibility.
But the Tang Yi of today, no matter how much of a scene he caused or how discourteous he was, had a faint spark of confidence in his eyes. He carried an air of being Fearless and Unstoppable, which put Tang Haotian’s heart at ease.
Regardless of whether what he’d seen last night was real, and regardless of whether Tang Yi could now cultivate, this confident version of his son was something Tang Haotian was delighted to see—something he had longed for.
’So what if he lacks some manners?’
’His son had found his confidence. He was no longer a coward, no longer spirit-broken. For a father like him, wasn’t that worth a little indulgence?’
"Clan Leader Tang, do you happen to know who this is?"
Master Yuda smiled back and gestured toward the graceful young woman beside him.
"Her?" Tang Haotian frowned and scrutinized the graceful young woman. His pupils suddenly contracted in realization. "Could it be... Siyu?"
"That’s right!" Master Yuda nodded with a smile.
"Greetings, Uncle Tang." Shangguan Siyu stood, bowed slightly, and then returned to her seat.
A flash of joy crossed Tang Haotian’s face, but when he glanced at the handsome young man beside Shangguan Siyu, his expression darkened. He fell silent for a long moment, his thoughts unreadable.
"Lian’Er, who are these people?" The strange atmosphere in the room piqued Tang Yi’s curiosity, and he leaned in to whisper in Tang Lian’s ear.
"They’re from the Shangguan Family of the Northern Domain, and..." Tang Lian whispered back. "Shangguan Siyu and Master Yuda are both from the Shangguan Family. As for that young man—see the purple cloud emblem on his chest? That’s the mark of a Purple Cloud Sect disciple. If I’m not mistaken, he must be from the Purple Cloud Sect."
"The Purple Cloud Sect? Are they that impressive?" Tang Yi asked, his curiosity piqued.
"In the Northern Domain, the Purple Cloud Sect is one of the three great Major Sects. They’re incredibly powerful and influential. They have tens of thousands of Outer Disciples alone, and it’s said that most of their Inner Sect Disciples are as strong as the elders of the Noble Families. They’re on another level," Tang Lian explained in detail.
’No wonder that guy acts so high and mighty, looking down his nose at everyone. Turns out he’s got a Major Sect backing him up.’
It all made sense to Tang Yi. From the moment he’d arrived, the handsome young man had kept his chin tilted up, utterly disregarding everyone from the Tang Family. It was as if they were all just air to him. Even during the earlier commotion, a contemptuous smirk had played on his lips, as if he were watching a troupe of clowns perform.
’What a fine disciple of a Major Sect!’
’Tang Yi had thought he was already pretty arrogant since getting his system. At his current rate of leveling, it wouldn’t be long before he became a powerhouse who would shock the world. And yet, this young man from the Purple Cloud Sect was actually more arrogant than he was?’
’What gave this young man the right to be so conceited?’
’The Purple Cloud Sect?’
’Interesting!’
Turning to look at Shangguan Siyu across from him, Tang Yi noticed that she, too, had a vibrant purple cloud emblem embroidered on her chest. ’So that means Shangguan Siyu from the Shangguan Family has also joined this Purple Cloud Sect?’
"Brother Tang Yi..." Noticing Tang Yi’s gaze lingering on Shangguan Siyu, Tang Lian spoke up, a hint of displeasure in her voice.
"What is it?" Tang Yi asked, confused.
"Do you... want to know who that Shangguan Siyu is?" Tang Lian asked.
Tang Yi replied, "Shangguan Siyu? Isn’t she just someone from the Shangguan Family? Who else could she be?"
"She... She’s your fiancée," Tang Lian said, finally blurting it out after a moment’s hesitation.
"What!" Shocked, Tang Yi’s head snapped toward Shangguan Siyu.
’She’s actually my...’
’Then their purpose for coming to the Tang Family is...’
"Siyu, my dear niece, we haven’t seen each other in years. You’ve grown into such a fine young woman that your Uncle Tang didn’t recognize you at first. I hope you’re not offended," Tang Haotian finally said, breaking his long silence and turning to Shangguan Siyu with a smile.
Hearing Tang Haotian speak, Tang Yi and Tang Lian stopped whispering. They both sat up straight, no longer leaning in toward each other.
Seeing the two of them, Tang Fangzhou, who was sitting nearby, was practically fuming.
’What’s so good about Tang Yi, anyway?’
’He has no strength, no looks... how could someone like that possibly win Tang Lian’s affection?’ Tang Fangzhou couldn’t understand it at all.
"Uncle Tang, you’re too kind," Shangguan Siyu replied with a faint smile, shaking her head.
"There were rumors that you had joined the Purple Cloud Sect, Siyu. I didn’t believe them at first, but now it seems they were true. Your Talent is truly remarkable," Tang Haotian praised with a smile, though he sighed inwardly.
’Shangguan Siyu has found herself a powerful backer, a gateway to the ranks of the truly strong. If she had come today with only Master Yuda, it would have been fine. But she brought a disciple from the Purple Cloud Sect, and such an arrogant one at that... The implications were much greater.’
’She’s showing off. The intention is perfectly clear!’
’And just now, Master Yuda mentioned having a favor to ask. It seems this "favor" won’t be good news.’
’In fact, Tang Haotian had already guessed what it was about.’
"You praise me too much, Uncle. I’m not that outstanding; I was just lucky," Shangguan Siyu said with a gentle smile.
"Siyu, you’re too modest." Tang Haotian chuckled, not pressing the issue. He turned to Master Yuda. "Master Yuda, you mentioned earlier that you had a favor to ask of my Tang Family. May I, Tang, be so bold as to ask what matter would bring you to my humble Tang Family for a favor?"

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