"Elephant Armored Sect!"
At the commotion outside, Niu Gao and the others from the Defending Clan rose to their feet with grave expressions.
Niu Zhen muttered, "Hu Yan Ting is an elder of the Elephant Armored Sect and the younger brother of the Sect Master, Hu Yan Zhen. This isn't his first visit. His aim is clear—he wants to annex our Defending Clan and turn us into a subordinate hall of the Elephant Armored Sect."
Chen Feng nodded. He remembered this bit of history—among the Seven Great Sects, the Upper Three Sects shared aligned interests, while the Lower Four all supported the Spirit Hall. It was likely that the Elephant Armored Sect's bold ambitions were backed by the Hall's tacit approval.
As they spoke, a towering man nearly two and a half meters tall walked through the entrance.
He appeared to be close to seventy, with graying hair, dark skin, and a body that resembled a mountain of flesh—this was Hu Yan Ting himself.
Behind him followed two equally massive men, each over two meters tall—direct disciples of the Elephant Armored Sect.
Even Chen Feng and his group, already familiar with the Defending Clan's considerable physiques, couldn't help but be stunned. Next to the Elephant Armored Sect's men, they truly appeared inferior in size.
"Hahaha, Sect Leader Niu, it's been a while. I hope you don't mind this unannounced visit?" Hu Yan Ting said with a booming, reverberating voice that seemed deliberately meant to jar the ears.
"Hmph."
Niu Gao gave a cold snort, clearly displeased. Hu Yan Ting called it a "visit," but in truth, he had barged in uninvited.
"I've said it before—our Defending Clan does not welcome you. What are you doing here again?"
Hu Yan Ting gestured for his men to put down the "gifts" and said:
"Sect Leader Niu, let's speak frankly. This is my second time visiting on behalf of the Elephant Armored Sect. My purpose remains unchanged: if your Defending Clan joins us, I guarantee you a life of prosperity and honor."
Niu Gao coldly replied:
"We appreciate the gesture, but it's unnecessary. Even without joining you, the Defending Clan is doing just fine."
Hu Yan Ting's face darkened.
He cupped his hands and said with a cold tone:
"Then I'll make this clear. Do not force the Elephant Armored Sect to act after words have failed."
With that, he turned and left with his two disciples.
The moment they were gone, Niu Gao slammed his fist onto the granite table.
Crack!
A jagged fracture split the thick stone surface, sending dishes and wine splashing into the air.
"Chen Feng, you were right. 'The tree may wish for peace, but the wind will never cease.' Some things truly can't be avoided by simply keeping your head down," Niu Gao said solemnly. "You've seen it now—despite our repeated restraint, all we've received is greedy encroachment. I believe it's time we finalized the alliance."
Chen Feng nodded.
"Once I return, I'll inform Uncle Ning and have the clan prepare territory for both the Breaking Clan and Defending Clan to settle."
Niu Gao looked uncertain.
"Would that put you in a difficult position?"
Chen Feng smiled lightly.
"You think too much of it, Clan Leader Niu. As an elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, I still have enough authority to handle something like this."
At that, Niu Zhen and Yang Dianfeng were stunned.
"What? You're a clan elder?" they said in unison.
Only Yu Tianlong continued calmly eating, unfazed.
Both men stared, jaws slack in disbelief.
They had assumed Chen Feng merely carried an elder's token for convenience, granted temporarily by the clan. They never imagined...
Niu Gao, on the other hand, simply sighed.
"I already suspected it, but I didn't dare confirm it. No clan has ever appointed an elder this young. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has high hopes for you."
Chen Feng chuckled modestly.
"It's just an honorary title. Compared to my grandfather, it's nothing. He's a Guardian Elder, entrusted with life and death decisions in the clan."
Niu Gao's eyes widened at once.
Chen Feng… Chen Xin…
"That explains it," he muttered to himself.
The heir of the Seven Kill Sword.
It was almost certain that one day, the clan would gain another Guardian Douluo. If he were Ning Fengzhi, he would do the same.
Chen Feng and his companions stayed only two more days with the Defending Clan before preparing to leave.
He had to recruit Ning Rongrong and Oscar as soon as possible—he couldn't allow them to grow too close to Tang San.
Niu Zhen officially joined the team.
Before parting, Niu Gao pulled Chen Feng aside and gave him a serious word of advice.
"Chen Feng, my grandson Niu Zhen is almost eighteen, yet his spirit power is only at level thirty-four. His talent is decent, but far from what you'd call exceptional. He's not like your other teammates."
"Both Yu Tianlong and Dianfeng far surpass him in talent. I only ask that you guide him well and not let him become a burden. If in the future you find someone more suitable, feel free to send him back—I won't let him affect your results in the tournament."
This sincere old man, despite being a titled Douluo, showed no arrogance—only the concern of a grandfather worried for his grandson.
Niu Zhen muttered in embarrassment, "Grandpa, why are you saying all this…"
Niu Gao glared at him.
"Do you even know your limits, brat? Their goal is the championship! When you get there, you'd better pull your weight. Don't hold them back!"
"Got it…" Niu Zhen mumbled.
Chen Feng smiled:
"Please don't worry, Senior Niu. Since I've welcomed Niu Zhen into the team, I won't cast him aside lightly. The Armored Titan Rhinoceros's defense is even sturdier than the Diamond Mammoth's. With him on our side, our support-type soul masters will have a solid frontline. We offensive fighters will be much more at ease."
Niu Gao nodded repeatedly, satisfied.
With this journey, Chen Feng had secured three new teammates:
Yu Tianlong, wielder of the top-tier beast martial soul, Mutated Firestorm Dragon.
Yang Dianfeng, master of the Breaking Soul Spear, with pure offensive power.
Niu Zhen, possessor of the Armored Titan Rhinoceros, with top-tier defense.
And more importantly, he had forged alliances with both the Breaking Clan and Defending Clan—a major windfall. These alliances would undoubtedly bolster the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's defenses and, crucially, would weaken Tang San's future Tang Sect.
After all, these two clans didn't just resent the Clear Sky Clan—they also deeply loathed Tang Hao. Their eventual alignment with the Tang Sect had only been out of necessity.
As for the seventh team member, Chen Feng wasn't planning to search deliberately for now.
His top priority was to recruit Ning Rongrong and Oscar, and to use the opportunity to challenge Shrek Academy.
A head-on clash would be the best whetstone for what's to come.