I Can See Your Combat Power

“Hey, you there!” A radiant young boy came under the Ascending Sky Tower and asked Cai Buchu, “Is my brother up there now?”

Seeing the visitor, Cai Buchu didn’t even bat an eye, he coolly responded, “The Chief Strategist is naturally on the platform.”

Having answered Tang Xing’s question, the young Wind Media practitioner further asked, “Shouldn’t Master Xing be retreating with the first sequence clansmen now? Why are you here?”

Yesterday, clan leader Tang Zhi had issued a retreat order for the entire clan, requiring all first-sequence clansmen to prepare for retreat within a day. As the second son of the Sect Head, he should be leading by example at this time, but he was curious about Tang Xing’s presence here and asked another question.

“None of your business.” Tang Xing casually replied. He looked up at the tower, which was now just a small dot in the sky, and looked around curiously, as there were no ladders or flying beasts to aid him. He then turned to Cai Buchu and asked, “How do I get up there?”

Just as Cai Buchu was about to reply, he heard a voice from the Ascending Sky Tower, which rang in their ears like the toll of a bell.

“Climb up by yourself.”

As early as in the Minor Spiritual Realm Underground Palace, Tang Xing had heard the resonant voice of Tang Luo; he was very familiar with this voice. However, the little prince who was used to having his way in front of the young Wind Media practitioner was filled with a bitter expression when he heard his brother’s command.

Looking up at the four pure white Sky Pillars, Tang Xing was momentarily puzzled, but he was well aware of his brother’s character. If his brother asked him to climb up, then he wasn’t allowed to take any shortcuts.

Although they had learned some wall-climbing techniques in the training grounds, it was embarrassing to climb a stone pillar in front of others.

As an 11-year-old boy who cared about his image, how could he show weakness? Immediately, he took a step forward with his left foot and leaped up, his right foot landed on the eastern stone pillar, and with a backflip, he shot himself in the opposite direction, sending his body towards the western stone pillar.

Like a bolt of black lightning, Tang Xing shuttled back and forth between the east and west pillars, ascending higher and higher.

However, the cultivation of a Mortal Realm martial artist, after all, was shallow. Tang Xing was inevitably exhausted after several dozen backflips, and he clung to the pillar, intending to take a rest to restore his strength.

After a few rounds of ‘jump-stop’, little Tang Xing finally clambered onto the Sky Tower platform. Looking back, he couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow, so beautiful!”

The mountainous landscape was covered in white as far as his eyes could see. The towering mountains looked like small mounds, and the panoramic view of the world gave birth to a sense of inexplicable pride.

“So, why aren’t you in the manor at this time; why have you come to me?” Tang Luo sat with his chin propped on his hand, watching as the child was lost in the scenery, he asked seemingly without care.

The little boy, hearing his brother’s voice, reluctantly turned his head and sat obediently on the cushion across from Tang Luo. He clasped the teacup on the tray with both hands and pushed it towards Tang Luo, his face full of eagerness.

Tang Luo smiled broadly, picked up the teapot, and poured a cup of tea for the youngster, then refilled his own. The tea aroma, accompanied by the gentle heat, diffused under Luo’s parasol, adding a touch of warmth to the cold winter.

The little boy was not afraid of the hot tea, he held the hot cup with both hands, mimicking the adults and blew on it, then he sent it to his mouth. After taking a sip, his facial features scrunched together, he swallowed the tea with difficulty, then dejectedly set the tea cup back down. Now, he was facing Tang Luo’s rather amused gaze.

“Heh heh heh.” The boy who had just set down the teacup scratched his head and said shyly, “Brother, why is your tea so bitter?”

Tang Luo picked up his cup and gulped down the bitter tea, closed his eyes to savour the taste, then set down the empty cup and replied, “This is bitter tea. It’s bitter initially, but it has a delightful aftertaste. It symbolises life’s hardships and pleasures, making it the top-grade tea.”

The boy, looking at Tang Luo savouring the tea, smacked his lips. The bitter taste in his mouth had faded, leaving a mild fragrance. The tenacious young boy once again picked up the tea cup and tried to gulp down a mouthful in the way Tang Luo had.

“Wow!” The handsome little face once again crinkled into a grimace. All he could taste was the intense bitterness, causing his tongue to tremble. Where was the sweet aftertaste?

He really doubted whether he and Tang Luo had drunk the same tea. He couldn’t help but wonder if he had been tricked.

The suspicious little eyes kept scrutinising the empty cup in front of Tang Luo. Little Tang Xing wanted to confirm his suspicions.

“Alright, alright, don’t drink anymore.,” Seeing the little boy’s eyes, Tang Luo knew what he was thinking, he said helplessly, “Let’s get down to business.”

Running all the way from the Martial Hall to the Ascending Sky Tower just to see him, Tang Luo did not believe Tang Xing had come merely because he was missing his brother. There had to be a favour to ask, just like when he called mom and dad from college. He missed them, sure, but most of the time it was because he was short on money.

“Heh heh heh heh.” After another silly giggle, the little boy revealed the purpose of his visit, “Brother, I have a favour to ask.”

“I haven’t settled the bill for the farewell feast you attended with your little girlfriend last time, and now you’re asking for something again?” Tang Luo asked with an inexplicable expression on his face, as the clan leader had ordered a total retreat, what mischief was he planning to cause this time?

The mention of the farewell feast made the little boy blush uncontrollably. The memory of sitting amidst a group of elders with his girlfriend still sent chills down his spine. Apart from that, a big battle broke out afterwards, and the lady whom Cunfu represented, died.

Tang Xing, who never quite understood what had happened, had always felt guilty for causing a big mess. Now that Tang Luo had brought this matter up, he felt even more embarrassed. He patted his chest and said, “Brother, let’s not talk about that. I assure you I won’t cause any more trouble this time. It’s just a small matter.”

“Tell me what it is first.” Tang Luo replied, noncommittal. He poured himself another cup of tea with the conviction that anything requiring the Ward Commander’s approval wasn’t a small matter. It was better to get all the facts straight.

“It’s just.. just.. heh heh heh,” After a shy laugh, the little boy said in a soft voice, “I want Tang Zhen to go with me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I want Tang Zhen to retreat with the first sequence, but the guard in charge won’t allow it!” The young boy roared with rage, “He said only the Ward Commander or the clan leader could allow Tang Zhen to move to the first sequence.”

Tang Xing was somewhat angry as he said this. As the daughter of a serving Martial Ancestor and a student of the First Cultivation Ground, she was originally to retreat with the second sequence, which was almost similar to the first sequence. He didn’t understand why the guard in charge had refused his request and used the Ward Commander and the clan leader to pressure him.

Had the Ward Commander still been Tang Zhen, Tang Xing would never have dared to come. But knowing that Tang Luo was temporarily taking on the duties of the Ward Commander, he had built up the courage to sneak into the Ascending Sky Tower.