He stood at the main entrance, stretching out his arm, waiting for his beloved little sister to rush into his embrace.
But to his surprise, Tang Yuehua didn't do so. Instead, she turned her head away with clear displeasure.
"Big brother, what do you mean by this?" Tang Yuehua complained unhappily. "I rarely come back home, yet you shut me out like this. If I had known, I wouldn't have returned at all."
"Who dares do such a thing—was it you? Are you blind, not recognizing my own sister?" Tang Xiao gave an awkward smile, then turned to the young man standing at the side.
"Sect Master, it wasn't me."
"Enough, go and rest." Tang Xiao cut him off before he could finish.
The youth could only give a bitter smile before quickly slipping away.
"No wonder you didn't throw yourself into your big brother's arms like before. So it turns out… You came back with a man." Tang Xiao's tone turned heavy. "Tell me, who is he? Is he the reason you haven't come back these past two years?" His gaze fell upon Lin Fan, filled with displeasure and hostility.
At this moment, Tang Xiao looked very much like a father whose precious little sister had been stolen away by some yellow-haired brat.
"Hmph, this is my beloved, Lin Fan." Tang Yuehua walked over and proudly linked her arm with Lin Fan's.
"Lin Fan? That name sounds familiar…" Tang Xiao stared at him intently. The more he looked, the more he felt he had seen him somewhere before.
"Brother Tang, we meet again. My name is Lin Fan." Lin Fan greeted politely.
"Big brother, you've forgotten. Over twenty years ago, Father mistook Lin Fan for a freeloader and swindler and expelled him from the sect." Tang Yuehua reminded him.
"It was you!" Tang Xiao stepped forward, his body radiating immense pressure. "No wonder my sister stayed alone all these years—she was waiting for you, brat. And you dare to return here!"
Unfortunately for him, such pressure was nothing before Lin Fan. The difference between Rank 96 and Rank 98 Spirit Power might look like only two levels on paper, but in reality, it was a chasm as vast as heaven and earth.
Not to mention Lin Fan's twin martial souls and six 100,000-year spirit rings.
"Brother, what are you saying? If Father had listened to Lin Fan back then, would we have been forced into hiding like this?"
"If you really don't welcome us, then we'll leave right now." Tang Yuehua stood firmly at Lin Fan's side.
"Hmph! Lin Fan, let's return to Heaven Dou City." She tugged on Lin Fan's arm and turned to leave.
"All right, all right. You haven't even married out yet, and already you're siding with an outsider. Come in." Tang Xiao let out a bitter laugh.
Turning toward the courtyard, he shouted, "Prepare the food!"
"Yuehua, your brother has agreed." Lin Fan said with a smile.
"He wouldn't dare not agree." Tang Yuehua snorted proudly, pulling Lin Fan along as they entered.
Inside the gate lay a spacious courtyard, and behind it stood the tall stone buildings of the Clear Sky Sect. The architecture was neither luxurious nor plain—the most fitting word was solid and heavy.
They entered the main sect building, resembling a small fortress. Passing through the wide hall and climbing the inner staircase, they arrived at the second floor.
Tang Xiao's chamber was a modest hundred square meters. The furnishings were simple: just two long sofas, two bookshelves, and a desk—nothing more.
"Lin Fan, this is my elder brother, Tang Xiao, current Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect, Title Douluo 'Xiao Tian' (Howling Sky)." Tang Yuehua formally introduced him.
"Brother Tang, it's an honor." Lin Fan once again greeted politely.
"Sit." Tang Xiao pointed at the sofa.
"Thank you, brother." Lin Fan nodded and sat down.
"Little sister, Lin Fan, did you come back this time to hold a wedding ceremony?" Tang Xiao cut straight to the point.
"Big brother has sharp eyes. Yes, that's one of the reasons I came—to officially ask for Yuehua's hand. After all, the eldest brother is like a father." Lin Fan nodded seriously.
Tang Xiao fell into thought, then said, "If I remember correctly, you once told us your innate soul power was only Rank 6, and your martial soul was a green sword."
"Don't get me wrong—I just want to know whether, after more than twenty years, you now truly have the strength to protect Yuehua. Back then, you did not."
"You know of our conflict with Spirit Hall. Since you yourself said the eldest brother is like a father, then naturally, I worry for Yuehua. I hope you can understand."
Tang Yuehua rose with pride. "Big brother, you underestimate Lin Fan. Don't be fooled by his Rank 6 innate soul power—his current strength surpasses even yours. In the Spirit Master world, he is known as the 'Sword Shadow.' He even conquered the City of Slaughter not long ago!"
"Stronger than me?" Tang Xiao frowned deeply. With his understanding of cultivation, he immediately felt Lin Fan was deceiving his sister.
After all, someone born with only Rank 6 innate soul power couldn't possibly reach Title Douluo, let alone surpass a Rank 96 like him who possessed the top-tier Clear Sky Hammer.
"Brat, you know Yuehua couldn't cultivate. Do you think she's ignorant enough to be fooled by you? This is laughable! With Rank 6 innate soul power, you could never surpass me. Even with Rank 8, it would be impossible. If you're lying to my sister, don't blame me for being ruthless."
It wasn't that Tang Xiao didn't want to believe, but no one would believe someone with such a low starting point could surpass him.
"See, brother? You not only look down on Lin Fan, but you look down on me as well. I am now a two-ring Spirit Grandmaster." Yuehua proudly displayed her two century-old spirit rings.
"What?!" Tang Xiao's towering figure nearly knocked over the desk as he jumped to his feet. "Little sister… how is this possible? Has your marital soul defect been resolved?"
"Surprised, aren't you? It was all thanks to Lin Fan." Tang Yuehua beamed with satisfaction at her brother's reaction.
Tang Xiao immediately turned to Lin Fan, waiting for an explanation.
"Brother Tang, it's true that my innate soul power was Rank 6. But later, I had certain opportunities. While traveling the continent, I encountered several rare heavenly treasures capable of changing a spirit master's talent. After consuming one, my cultivation speed improved. Another was used to help Yuehua resolve her inability to cultivate." Lin Fan explained calmly.
"Heavenly treasures that can change one's innate talent and constitution?" Tang Xiao muttered in disbelief. He had never read nor heard of such things existing on the continent.
"Brother Tang, to be honest, my spirit power has already reached Rank 98." Lin Fan smiled confidently.
"Rank 98?! Boy, are you trying to fool me?" Tang Xiao exclaimed in shock, utterly unconvinced.
Of course, Lin Fan had anticipated his doubt. He summoned the Azure Shadow Sword and released his spirit rings.
Yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red—nine rings appeared.
The oppressive aura swept out. Even with Tang Xiao's strength, he could feel the overwhelming gap. Only now did he finally believe Lin Fan had truly reached Rank 98.
"The ninth ring… It's a 100,000-year spirit ring!"
The crimson ring shone even more brilliantly than black, and Tang Xiao was shaken to his core.