Niu Gao sized up Tai Long and patted his shoulder with a smile, "Well done. Tai Long, you're quite strong, just like your grandfather back in his day! Your future achievements will surely surpass your father's."
Tai Long smiled bashfully. Niu Gao, looking at Tai Long's appearance, seemed to recall his father and sighed, "Speaking of which, the last time I saw that kid Tai Nuo was six years ago. He had good talent, just a bit too skinny. Tai Long, you must train hard and grow, don't be so frail!"
Hearing this, Tang San and the others behind them immediately felt ashamed, recalling Tai Nuo's sturdy physique, which even Ma Hongjun couldn't match!
Titan clapped Niu Gao on the shoulder, "Let's go, aren't you going to invite us in? Are you going to make us stand out here and freeze?"
Niu Gao waved his hand heartily and gestured them in, saying as he walked, "I was just too happy to see you and momentarily forgot! I've prepared your favorite strong spirits for you. Tonight, my brother and I will drink until we drop!"
Led by Niu Gao, everyone entered the main hall of the Yu Zhi clan.
Just as Titan had said, the architectural style of the Yu Zhi clan was almost identical to that of the Li Zhi clan, giving them a sense of familiarity upon entering.
The group was seated according to their positions. Titan and Niu Gao took the seats of honor.
Tai Long did not sit at the head of the guest seats. Instead, he gestured for Tang San to take the place, while he and Ma Hongjun sat in the third lower position, with Tang Sui naturally sitting next to Tang San.
This action caught the attention of Niu Gao, who was seated at the head of the main table. He narrowed his eyes.
He had initially thought that these three unfamiliar faces accompanying them had some sort of connection with Tai Long because of the girl, but Tai Long's attitude was clearly one of respect, not casual acquaintance.
Niu Gao's personality was quite similar to Titan's; both were straightforward types.
He immediately looked at Titan and asked, "Old ape, you haven't introduced these three to me yet. Let's not talk about this young lady for now, but the other two young men, though handsome, don't seem to be of the Li Zhi clan's style!"
Hearing Niu Gao's question, Titan glanced at the calm brother and sister, thought for a moment, and introduced, "Oh, these three are all friends of my grandson from the same academy. I've brought them out to see things this time."
Niu Gao's face clearly showed "Do you think I believe your nonsense?" He retorted, "Old ape, are you going to hide things from your brother?"
Although other powers knew about the gatherings of the four Single Attribute Sects, the details of these gatherings were highly confidential.
If they were just friends, they would still be outsiders. How could they participate in the internal gatherings of their Four Sects?
Moreover, don't think he didn't see how respectful Tai Long was towards the blue-haired young man and the delicate young lady.
Titan remained silent, while Tang San and Tang Sui exchanged a quick glance. They both rose from their seats and raised their hands to salute Niu Gao at the head table, "Greetings, Senior Niu Gao. I am Tang San, and this is my younger sister, Tang Sui. Our father is Tang Hao."
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, Niu Gao let out a roar that seemed to shake the entire mansion.
He abruptly stood up from his seat, his smiling face turning completely grim. He sharply turned to Titan beside him and said, "Old ape, what do you mean by this? Haven't the Clear Sky Sect harmed us enough? If it weren't for that Tang Hao, where would we be now!"
Titan sighed inwardly and also stood up, saying, "Old rhinoceros, calm down. If it weren't for the master's matter back then, would the Spirit Hall have let the Clear Sky Sect off?"
The news of the attack on the two Upper Sects, especially the severe losses suffered by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan, had spread throughout the continent over the past half month.
Ordinary people didn't know who the perpetrators were, but these old sect members knew what kind of power and courage it took to attack two powerful sects.
Niu Gao remained silent with a dark expression.
Titan looked at Niu Gao with clear eyes and said, "I also hate the Clear Sky Sect. It's hateful that the Clear Sky Sect treated us subordinate sects as pawns back then, but what does that have to do with Tang San and Tang Sui?"
Niu Gao didn't want to hear any of this.
He glared at Titan, waved his hand, and said coldly with his back to everyone, "Old ape, if it weren't for your sake, I would have kicked them out long ago! Tell them to leave quickly. I don't want to see anyone related to the Clear Sky Sect, or I won't show you any mercy!"
"You!" Titan was also getting angry.
Niu Gao's actions were a significant embarrassment to Tang San and Tang Sui, whom Titan valued highly. Furthermore, their Li Zhi clan had already pledged loyalty to the siblings, making this action akin to a slap in Titan's face.
He also turned around and said angrily, "Fine! We'll leave together. Our Li Zhi clan doesn't need to participate in this gathering!"
With that, he strode towards the door.
Niu Gao, who was facing away, heard this and his expression changed slightly. He turned to look at his old friend's retreating, angry back. He wanted to say something but couldn't get past the issue of the Clear Sky Sect. His face alternated between green and black. As the clan leader, he found it difficult to retract his words, so he could only glare at his friend's retreating figure.
"Senior, please wait."
Tang San leaped out with a Ghost Shadow Perplexing Trace and grabbed Titan's arm just as Niu Gao was about to touch the door. He exchanged a glance with Titan, who was suppressing his anger.
At the same time, a slightly cooler touch rested on Titan's other arm.
Titan turned and met Tang Sui's reassuring gaze.
Tang San had already turned, faced Niu Gao, and bowed deeply, "Senior Niu Gao, I apologize for the trouble that the Clear Sky Sect and my father caused the Four Single Attribute Sects in the past."
After the bow, he straightened up, lowered his tone and attitude, and said gently, "I know such an apology means little. My sister and I came with Senior Titan this time hoping to find a way to make amends to the Four Sects."
Tang San's words gave Niu Gao a way to save face.
He withdrew the complex emotions from his face, his eyes flashing with sharp light as he scrutinized Tang San, "Has your Clear Sky Sect been unsealed?"
"The sect remains sealed. This time, my sister and I represent only our father, not the Clear Sky Sect."
Tang San indirectly conveyed their stance to Niu Gao.
Niu Gao snorted coldly. The hostility in his eyes had lessened, but it still remained.
"Whether the Clear Sky Sect is unsealed or not, it has nothing to do with our Yu Zhi clan! We are living well and don't need your compensation!"
Even if they weren't sent by the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Hao was ultimately responsible. He still didn't want to see these siblings.
Were the hardships endured by the Yu Zhi clan and the other three clans over the years something that could be settled with a mere apology and compensation?
Thinking of this, he looked at the young siblings and added, "Moreover, you are just inexperienced youngsters. What can you possibly compensate?"