As Lin Yu filled with scorn and disdain in his heart, Niu Gao wasn't buying Tang San's hollow apology either. He found it so absurd that he laughed in disbelief.
"Give you a chance? Who gave us of the Defense Clan a chance back then?"
Looking at Tang San, Niu Gao sneered, releasing the full might of his Spirit Douluo-level spirit power. The oppressive force crashed down on Tang San like a tidal wave, making his disdain known not just with his words but through sheer force.
Without holding back, Niu Gao reminded everyone that back when the Clear Sky Sect retreated into isolation and Tang Hao challenged Spirit Hall, neither he nor the Four Great Clans had been given any consideration. There had been no "chance" for them, so why should he offer one to Tang San now?
Furious, Niu Gao ordered Tang San to leave, or face consequences.
Despite Niu Gao's wrath, Tang San remained calm and composed, as though none of this could faze him. On the other hand, Tai Tan, ever the loyal dog to Tang Hao, erupted in fury. But before he could act, Tang San raised a hand, stopping Tai Tan, saying this was his matter to handle.
In the livestream audience, Niu Gao was seething with frustration. He couldn't understand why his old friend Tai Tan was so blindly loyal to the Tang family. What good had it done for the Strength Clan? They'd gained nothing from their loyalty to the father-son duo. In fact, in the future, they were destined to face extinction.
This wasn't just speculation anymore—previous live streams had already revealed Tang San's true nature. He had taken numerous immortal herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and despite Tai Tan's unwavering loyalty, he hadn't even gifted a single herb to the Strength Clan. How could such a master be worth following?
Niu Gao wanted nothing more than to spit in disgust at Tang San.
In the livestream, even as Niu Gao unleashed his spirit pressure, Tang San, despite only being at the Spirit Emperor level, stood firm. Thanks to the tempering of his body in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, his Blue Silver Emperor bloodline, and the protection of his Blue Silver Domain and Killing God Domain, he wasn't the least bit intimidated.
After all, spirit pressure was merely a manifestation of aura. And since domains like his were also a type of aura, they could easily cancel each other out.
As Niu Gao's overwhelming force approached, Tang San calmly activated his Killing God Domain, transforming it into a razor-sharp barrier that sliced through Niu Gao's spirit pressure like butter.
Seeing that Tang San could withstand his pressure, Niu Gao was visibly surprised. He asked Tang San how old he was, and upon learning that the young man was only twenty-one, his shock deepened.
A twenty-one-year-old capable of resisting the spirit pressure of a Spirit Douluo? Such talent was unheard of! Not even the Clear Sky Sect of old had produced someone so monstrous. The most talented of their younger generation had only reached the level of Spirit Ancestor or Spirit King by twenty-one. For Tang San to face off against a Spirit Douluo like him was beyond comprehension.
What level had Tang San reached? Spirit King? Spirit Emperor?
For a moment, Niu Gao's heart was filled with fear. If he rejected Tang San now, would this boy, once he became a Titled Douluo, come back to seek revenge on the Defense Clan?
In the livestream audience, the future Niu Gao could barely contain his frustration. He knew exactly what his past self was thinking—and it infuriated him.
"Don't be scared! What's there to fear? Is this brat going to become a god and come back to bully us?"
But he also knew the bitter truth. If they accepted Tang San now, the Defense Clan would only become his slaves, reaping none of the benefits, and facing a very real possibility of annihilation in the future.
Desperate, the future Niu Gao mentally screamed at his on-screen counterpart to wake up and not doom their clan by giving Tang San a chance. But alas, the Niu Gao in the livestream was trapped in his own time, bound by the constraints of that predetermined fate, unable to see the future.
And so, in the livestream, Niu Gao, out of caution and fear, chose to relent. Feigning frustration and irritation, he challenged Tang San, saying that if the young man could hold out against him for the time it took for one incense stick to burn without destroying anything around them, he would allow Tang San to stay.
For most Spirit Kings and even Spirit Emperors, this task would have been impossible. But for Tang San, who had already resisted Niu Gao's spirit pressure without even summoning his spirit, it was an easy challenge.
Hearing Niu Gao's offer, Tai Tan was overjoyed and asked if he was serious. Annoyed by his friend's disbelief, Niu Gao confirmed his words, though he added that there was no way Tang San could endure the full time.
But Tai Tan laughed, boasting that Niu Gao had underestimated Tang San. According to him, Tang San was the top talent of the Clear Sky Sect's younger generation, a third-generation leader, and a prime contender for the next sect master.
At this point, the future Niu Gao in the live stream audience was beside himself with rage.
"This Tai Tan is so desperate to suck up to the Tang family, he's willing to sell out the Defense Clan! He's been lying this whole time about Tang San not being connected to Tang Hao and the Clear Sky Sect! Who is he trying to fool?!"
But in the livestream, Niu Gao, either oblivious or pretending to be, continued to play along, his face showing renewed shock and concern.
Yet Tang San, ever the picture of calm, didn't seem phased by Tai Tan's praise. Instead, he suggested a simpler solution: rather than engage in a full-on fight, why not exchange three punches each? If Tang San could take three blows from Niu Gao, then he should be allowed to stay.
Niu Gao, who had already made up his mind, agreed. However, as the elder, he insisted that Tang San strike first.
Tang San, in turn, showed Niu Gao respect by delivering a light blow, saying that there was no need for him to hit harder since he knew a real punch wouldn't faze someone with the Defense Clan's legendary durability. It would be better for him to conserve his strength for the elder's punches.
This show of humility left Niu Gao feeling somewhat gratified.
But in the livestream audience, the future Niu Gao was growing more frantic by the second. He knew the Defense Clan's future was sealed the moment they aligned with Tang San, leading to their eventual destruction. The more respectful and humble Tang San appeared the colder Niu Gao's heart grew.
After all, no matter how polite or deferential Tang San acted, it couldn't hide his true, hypocritical nature. The better Tang San performed in front of Niu Gao, the more obvious it became to the future Niu Gao that he was nothing more than a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Now, the more Tang San bowed before them, the harsher the eventual betrayal would be.
Though no one could hear Tang San's inner thoughts, it didn't matter. For the future Niu Gao, it was clear: no matter how well Tang San behaved, his attitude only proved how deceitful and dangerous he was.
This was a case where attitude determined perception.