Dai Ya's words shook Ye Tian's heart.
These past days, he had indeed neglected her.
In the vast Spirit Hall, he had many friends.
Hu Liena and Bibi Dong were always by his side.
But Dai Ya only had him.
Losing him meant losing everything.
Feeling overwhelmed by the contrast and disparity, it was no wonder that Dai Ya was in a low mood.
Ye Tian tightened his grip on Dai Ya's broad hand, adding a bit more strength.
"I promise you, Sister."
"In the days to come, no one will be able to separate us."
It was Ye Tian's solemn vow.
His sister's future would be safeguarded by him.
Dai Ya's beautiful eyes instantly welled up with tears.
She threw herself into Ye Tian's embrace, hugging him tightly.
With this one sentence from Xiao Tian, she was already content.
At this moment, Dai Ya had already come to terms with everything.
The hatred she bore towards the Star Luo Royal Family—whether it was avenged or not—no longer mattered.
What was most important was that her younger brother could live in peace.
Dai Ya had already decided to bury that deep-seated hatred in her heart forever.
She would not add unnecessary trouble to Ye Tian.
The kindness Ye Tian's father had shown her was already enough for her to repay for a lifetime.
She could not, for the sake of revenge, drag Ye Tian—who was on the rise—into this mess.
If she did, she would regret it for the rest of her life.
"Sister, I'm heading to Elephant Armor City, where the Elephant Armor Sect is located. Come with me," Ye Tian suggested, lightly patting Dai Ya's shoulder.
Bringing Dai Ya along would make this trip feel more like a vacation.
It had been years since they last met, and their bond had somewhat weakened.
This journey would be the perfect opportunity to rekindle their sibling connection.
"Alright." Without hesitation, Dai Ya nodded in agreement.
As long as it was Ye Tian's proposal, she would accept it.
Ye Tian moved swiftly.
That very day, he gathered Sea Witch and the others and set off for Elephant Armor City.
At the same time, he sent a letter to Zhou Long, who was far away in East Sea City, instructing him to personally lead the Polaris Squad to rendezvous at the Elephant Armor Sect.
Leaving Spirit City behind, they traveled tirelessly.
In just seven days, they arrived at Elephant Armor City, located within the Star Luo Empire's territory.
Elephant Armor City was a massive metropolis.
One side was flanked by mountains.
Two sides were bordered by rivers.
A perfect feng shui location.
(T/N: Chinese geomantic practice in which a structure or site is chosen or configured so as to harmonize with the spiritual forces that inhabit it.)
The bustling trade routes, with ships coming and going, added a strong commercial atmosphere to the city.
Walking through the crowded streets, Sea Witch curiously glanced at the numerous blacksmith shops on both sides.
She asked in surprise, "Why are there so many blacksmith shops here?"
Ye Tian smiled as he studied the map in his hands. "The southern part of Elephant Armor City has one of the Star Luo Empire's most famous iron mines."
"The Elephant Armor Sect rose to prominence because of this iron mine."
"It's no surprise that the city is full of blacksmith shops."
The Elephant Armor Sect had built a thriving weapons business across the continent.
Not only did Spirit Hall purchase from them, but even the two great empires placed frequent orders.
For over a hundred years, their weapons trade had made them unimaginably wealthy.
In truth, this was precisely why Bibi Dong had made repeated efforts in recent years to win over the Elephant Armor Sect.
She had provided them with countless rare treasures.
The sect's inherited martial soul, the Mammoth, was originally just a second-rate martial soul.
Due to talent limitations, most of its users struggled to break through to the Spirit Saint level.
But under Bibi Dong's strong support—
She had forcefully helped the Elephant Armor Sect's leader, Hu Yanzhen, reach the eighty-seventh level, making him a Spirit Douluo.
Because of this connection, the Elephant Armor Sect had gradually aligned itself with Spirit Hall.
This was also why Bibi Dong had confidently handed Ye Tian a letter, knowing that the entire sect would obey him without question.
Following the map, Ye Tian walked for over half an hour before finally reaching the Elephant Armor Sect's main gate.
To his surprise—
The sect's headquarters was not located in the city center.
Instead, it stood near the western edge of the city, among a cluster of rugged buildings.
In terms of aesthetics, the architecture was utterly disastrous.
It could barely even be called "buildings."
It was more accurate to describe it as a chaotic pile of massive boulders.
"What a bizarre structure! This is my first time seeing something like this," Sea Witch remarked, curiously studying the Elephant Armor Sect's entrance.
At that moment—
Gu Yuena, who had been holding hands with Xiao Bai, also turned her head curiously, examining the two burly guards at the entrance.
The two men easily weighed over three hundred jin each, with bodies as thick as tree trunks.
"They look really fierce," Gu Yuena commented.
Her voice was no longer childish.
Her speech was clear and articulate.
It was worth noting that Gu Yuena had been born less than a month ago.
Yet, her body had already grown significantly.
In less than a month, she had grown a full ten centimeters taller.
Her intelligence was now comparable to that of a five- or six-year-old girl.
"Papa, will they attack us?"
Gu Yuena asked worriedly, looking up at Ye Tian.
Ye Tian couldn't help but chuckle as he gently patted her silver-white hair.
"The sisters around you are all Title Douluo-level powerhouses. Who would dare to make a move?"
"Besides, didn't we make an agreement?"
Gu Yuena lowered her head, mumbling, "I know… Outside, I have to call you 'big brother'."
"That's more like it." Ye Tian grinned, holding her other hand.
"I'll go knock on the door."
Ghost Elder stepped forward and approached the burly guards standing before the Elephant Armor Sect's gate.
To keep things discreet, he did not reveal his identity.
"Inform your sect master—someone is here with a weapons order worth a million gold soul coins."
The burly guard quickly glanced at Ye Tian and the others.
Not daring to delay, he respectfully said, "Please wait a moment. I will immediately inform the sect master."
With that, he hurriedly ran inside.
At this moment—
Inside the Elephant Armor Sect's discussion hall.
The sect master, Hu Yanzhen, was lounging in a rattan chair, conversing with a golden-haired youth across the tea table.
"Haha! Rest assured, Second Prince! A mere ten thousand sets of heavy cavalry armor?"
"If the disciples of my sect work at full capacity, we can complete it in five months!"
Hu Yanzhen pounded his chest in assurance to the young man beside him.
That golden-haired youth was none other than the Second Prince of the Star Luo Empire, Dai Mubai.
When Dai Mubai personally sought him out, Hu Yanzhen was quite surprised.
Normally, those purchasing weapons from the Elephant Armor Sect were merchants or local military forces.
Direct dealings with the Star Luo Royal Family were unheard of.
After all, everyone in the soul master world knew that the Elephant Armor Sect was closely allied with Spirit Hall.
They were practically inseparable.
And Spirit Hall and the Star Luo Empire were enemies in the shadows.
Logically speaking, the Elephant Armor Sect and the Star Luo Empire should have no dealings with each other.
Helping an enemy acquire weapons? That was practically aiding the enemy!
Though he found it odd—
The order for ten thousand sets of heavy cavalry armor was too lucrative to refuse.
Each set was worth nearly two hundred gold soul coins.
A total of two million!
If completed, the sect would earn at least four hundred thousand gold soul coins in profit.
Under normal circumstances, even if they worked for a year and a half at full capacity, they wouldn't make that much.
So, without hesitation, Hu Yanzhen agreed.
Dai Mubai glanced at Hu Yanzhen indifferently, a faint smile on his face as he took a leisurely sip of tea.
From his robe, he retrieved a pre-prepared order and slowly pushed it in front of Hu Yanzhen, squinting as he said:
"When I set out, my royal father specifically instructed me that he hopes this collaboration will help establish a good friendship with your sect."
"Come now, no need for such words!" Hu Yanzhen laughed heartily. "Our Elephant Armored Sect has always been a good friend of the Star Luo Royal Family!"
Hu Yanzhen swiftly took the order and pretended to scrutinize it carefully.
He wasn't concerned about the Star Luo Empire playing tricks with the contract—after all, a massive empire wouldn't ruin its reputation over a small sect like his.
After looking through it briefly, Hu Yanzhen directly took out a pen and signed his messy signature.
At the same time, he casually asked, "I wonder why the Second Prince is in such a hurry to produce ten thousand sets of heavy cavalry armor within five months?"
Dai Mubai, however, merely smiled and avoided the question. "The empire's arsenal could use some new equipment."
As they completed the signing, a burly man suddenly barged into the discussion hall.
In a rough, loud voice, he announced, "Sect Master, a Spirit Emperor-level soul master outside says he has brought a million-gold order and wishes to cooperate with our Elephant Armored Sect!"
At these words, Hu Yanzhen's eyelid twitched.
What's going on today?
First, Dai Mubai personally delivered a two-million-gold order.
And just after signing that, another million-gold order appears?
This truly was a lucky day for the Elephant Armored Sect.
Hearing the report, Dai Mubai raised an eyebrow.
Who was trying to interfere with his plans?
Winning over the major sects within the empire was a set policy of the Star Luo Royal Family.
Yet, this was just the first sect he approached, and already someone had come to cause trouble?
Dai Mubai did not believe this was a coincidence.
Before coming, he had investigated thoroughly—
In the past twenty years, the Elephant Armored Sect had never received an order worth a million gold coins.
And now, two appeared on the same day?
If there wasn't something fishy about this, he wouldn't believe it.
Despite his deep suspicions, Dai Mubai maintained his calm exterior.
He stood up, gave Hu Yanzhen a slight bow, and chuckled, "Congratulations, Sect Master Hu, on receiving two large orders in one day."
Hu Yanzhen almost burst into laughter. He quickly waved his hand and said, "It's all thanks to Your Highness's good fortune!"
With that, Hu Yanzhen also stood up and said to the burly man at the door, "Lead the way, I shall personally greet this esteemed guest."
Dai Mubai took a step forward and said nonchalantly, "If I accompany you, Sect Master wouldn't mind, would he?"
Then, with a smirk, he added, "I'm just curious to see what kind of wealthy guest is as extravagant as myself."
"Haha, Your Highness jests," Hu Yanzhen waved his hand. "Having you accompany me is an honor! How could I possibly mind?"
"Please, Second Prince."
Though he didn't know what Dai Mubai was planning, the prince's status was simply too noble for Hu Yanzhen to refuse.
He had no choice but to agree.
"Please, Sect Master," Dai Mubai replied with a polite smile.
—
Ye Tian had been waiting outside for about ten minutes.
Finally, he saw a burly man with graying mutton chops leading a group of strong subordinates out of the sect's main gate.
At first glance, there was nothing unusual.
But soon, Ye Tian locked onto a figure within the crowd—a blonde youth whose physique stood out sharply from the rest.
"Dai Mubai? What's he doing here?"
Ye Tian was secretly surprised.
As he looked at Dai Mubai, the latter also noticed him.
Their expressions instantly became rather… interesting.
The two locked eyes briefly before both shifted their gazes elsewhere.
At that moment, Hu Yanzhen spoke up:
"Haha, I am Hu Yanzhen, Sect Master of the Elephant Armored Sect. May I know the name of our esteemed gu—"
He hadn't even finished his polite greeting before his expression stiffened.
Because standing before Ye Tian was none other than the Elder of the Spirit Hall—Ghost Douluo.
In that instant, Hu Yanzhen immediately understood.
This wasn't some million-gold order.
It was an Elder from the Spirit Hall coming to discuss important matters.
The so-called order was just an excuse to lure him out.
Normally, this wouldn't be a problem.
But today, of all days, it had to coincide with Dai Mubai's visit.
If Dai Mubai saw him being too close with the Spirit Hall, he might cancel the order out of anger—
That would be a huge loss for the Elephant Armored Sect!
Hu Yanzhen could only silently pray that Dai Mubai hadn't recognized Ghost Douluo.
If so, there might still be room to maneuver and avoid an awkward situation.
But Hu Yanzhen had forgotten—Dai Mubai had participated in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament.
There was no way he wouldn't recognize a Spirit Hall Elder.
At this moment, Dai Mubai's expression was beyond fascinating.
First, he glanced at Ghost Douluo.
Then, he turned his gaze back to Ye Tian.
He recognized both of them.
Dai Mubai's pupils shrank slightly as he narrowed his eyes and said,
"So it's the Spirit Hall Elder Ghost Douluo… and an old acquaintance of mine."
He didn't mention Ye Tian's name.
To him, Ye Tian was just an insignificant side character.
Unlike Yu Tianheng, the heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Dai Mubai had never suffered a humiliating defeat at Ye Tian's hands.
He merely assumed that Ye Tian, fearing the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's revenge, had sought refuge within the Spirit Hall.
For an ordinary person, this was understandable.
Everyone had the right to choose their path.
But recalling how he had previously purchased over a million gold worth of Fire Spirit Chickens from Ye Tian, Dai Mubai suddenly found himself a little disgusted.
To him, Ye Tian's defection to the Spirit Hall reeked of opportunism.
Wherever the wind blew stronger, that was the direction he leaned.
Such a person wasn't worth remembering.
That was why Dai Mubai had deliberately ignored Ye Tian's name just now.
Seeing the disdain in Dai Mubai's eyes, Ye Tian merely frowned slightly but said nothing.
Right now, resolving the internal conflicts within the Spirit Hall was his top priority.
External matters could wait.
Standing at the entrance, Hu Yanzhen noticed the awkward silence and hurriedly tried to smooth things over.
"Haha, as long as you're at my Elephant Armored Sect, you're all honored guests! Please, come inside!"
Though the tension between the Spirit Hall and the two empires was high in the shadows, on the surface, both sides still maintained a basic level of decorum.
At least outwardly, they were still considered 'friends.'
(End of Chapter)