Elsewhere, just outside Heaven Dou City, in a dense forest...
Following the conclusion of the livestream, Yang Wudi, Niu Gao, and Bai He exited the virtual realm one by one.
"Old Bai He, what's your stance on Tang Hao and his son now?" Yang Wudi wasted no time getting straight to the point as he addressed Bai He, who stood a few paces away.
In the live stream, Bai He had been a thorn in Yang Wudi's side. If it hadn't been for Bai He hinting at possibly joining Lin Yu's faction by the end of the broadcast, Yang Wudi might have taken Niu Gao and left immediately.
The Four Great Clans had always stood by one another, but their principles were starting to diverge.
Ever since the clans had suffered losses due to their entanglement with the Clear Sky Clan, Yang Wudi had made it a point to never neglect the Agility Clan, regardless of the difficulties faced by his own Breaking Clan. Every time the Four Clans gathered for their biannual meeting, he would ensure the Agility Clan received some form of support.
But who could have predicted that in the live stream, Bai He would repay the Breaking Clan's kindness with betrayal?
Granted, Yang Wudi understood that Bai He might not have intended to betray them outright. It was likely that Bai He had been captivated by Tang San's immense potential and hoped to lead the Four Great Clans to better opportunities by aligning with him.
What Bai He hadn't foreseen was that Tang San would turn out to be a treacherous ingrate.
Although the livestream had hinted that Bai He was starting to see the truth, Yang Wudi still needed to confirm whether Bai He had truly lost faith in Tang Hao and Tang San or if he was secretly considering becoming a spy for them in Lin Yu's camp.
Having known Bai He for so long, Yang Wudi believed he could tell if his old friend was lying.
After a brief silence, Bai He sighed deeply, his face etched with bitterness.
"Ah... Old Goat, you think I'd deceive you at this point? That livestream exposed the truth—Tang Hao and his son are not worth trusting anymore," Bai He admitted, his voice heavy with regret.
"Tang Hao has always cared only for the Clear Sky Clan, never for us. And Tang San, he only cares about Tang Hao. The lessons from the livestream were clear enough—I won't make that mistake again."
"You don't have to worry about me lying to you either. If it were just the livestream, I might have doubted it. But there was another broadcast that exposed how Tang Hao's family was hunted by Spirit Hall, all because of the Clear Sky Clan's actions."
"And yet, Tang Hao chose to protect the Clear Sky Clan's reputation over his own family, even if it meant breaking his home apart. If he can't even protect his own, how can we expect him to help us while we still bear our grudge against the Clear Sky Clan?"
Listening to Bai He's candid reflection, Yang Wudi nodded, satisfied that his friend was being truthful. Bai He's an expression of bitterness and disappointment solidified that he had truly given up on Tang Hao and Tang San.
Now, only Tai Tan's Strength Clan remained unaligned.
But if Lin Yu had heard Bai He's words, he would've probably smirked and added, "You're still thinking too small—Tang San's worse than you realize!"
In the future, the Agility Clan would have a sole survivor, Bai He's granddaughter Bai Chenxiang, who aligned herself with Ma Hongjun. And despite Tang San being fully capable of taking her to the God Realm, he conveniently left her behind, likely out of fear that she might hold a grudge for her family's demise. And to think, she was Tang San's cousin!
No matter how well you treat him, Tang San's narrow-mindedness ensures that even his kin aren't spared.
"Let's go. It's time to head to the Strength Clan and find out whether Old Gorilla has sheltered Tang Hao and his son," Yang Wudi declared in a low voice after confirming Bai He's loyalty. The group prepared to depart for the Strength Clan.
With Yang Wudi's orders, the members of the Breaking, Defense, and Agility Clans mounted their carriages and set off toward Heaven Dou City.
Meanwhile, back at the Strength Clan's residence...
At the end of the livestream, Tai Tan, Tang Hao, Tang San, and Yu Xiaogang all exited the virtual space. The atmosphere in the chamber was heavy and tense.
"Master, now that the broadcast is over, I should take my leave. You and Master Yu can continue your training and studies here," Tai Tan said respectfully to Tang Hao, bowing deeply. He then motioned for his son Tai Nuo and grandson Tai Long to follow him out of the chamber.
However, as Tai Tan's group left, Tang Hao's face remained impassive, though his brow furrowed slightly.
Even though Tai Tan still showed outward respect, Tang Hao knew that after this broadcast, it was unlikely the old servant would maintain the same level of loyalty as before.
If Tang Hao had discovered someone plotting the destruction of the Clear Sky Clan, he would never have tolerated it. He assumed Tai Tan must feel the same.
"Xiao San, from now on, whenever you leave the house, try to vary your disguises. Don't keep showing the same face. Understood?" Tang Hao advised, his sharp gaze following Tai Tan's retreating figure.
Tang San instantly understood the underlying message: his father was worried that the Strength Clan might betray them.
"Understood, Father," Tang San nodded.
"Good. Stay here with Master Yu and continue your studies. I need to step out for a bit," Tang Hao said as he donned a black robe. With a brief nod to his son, he exited the chamber, silently following Tai Tan and his family.
Under Tang Hao's watchful eyes, the trio did nothing suspicious. No one attempted to contact Spirit Hall, and Tang Hao allowed himself a moment of relief.
It seemed the old servant hadn't completely turned against him—yet.
Still, Tang Hao remained on edge. For the sake of his son's safety, he couldn't let his guard down, continuing to monitor Tai Tan in secret.
Meanwhile, after resuming their journey, Yang Wudi, Niu Gao, Bai He, and their respective clans soon reached the Strength Clan's residence.
"Hey, kid! I'm Niu Gao, clan leader of the Defense Clan. Tell your boss to come out here and meet me!" Niu Gao called out in his deep, booming voice as he crossed paths with one of the Strength Clan's guards.
Startled, the Strength Clan member recognized the leaders of the other three clans arriving for the scheduled Four Great Clans meeting. He hastily excused himself to inform Clan Leader Tai Tan of their arrival.
At the same time, within the city of Sunset...
Following the conclusion of the livestream, Bibi Dong and her entourage—Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and the Titled Douluos sent by the Supreme Pontiff Qian Daoliu—took to the skies, swiftly heading toward Heaven Dou City.
Their target? The Strength Clan.
Note: If you are interested, read up to chapter 275 at patreon.com/MythMosaic.