Chapter 249

Tang San managed a wry smile, glancing at Yin as if her words had already spoken the truth of his heart. "My sister has already spoken for me," he said, nodding to her. "There’s little more I can add. We’ve built a home for ourselves, and nothing—no name or grand School—could ever replace our home."

"I understand." The second elder shook his head, a faint smile softening his features. "It is alright." Beside him, the seventh elder muttered under his breath, while the fifth elder, after a moment’s hesitation, surrendered with a sigh and stepped forward.

"I have lost," he admitted, his face drawn tight, though a reluctant smile tugged at his lips. "I must take back what I said. I am sorry for insulting your mother and you. My words were wrong. I apologize. I will also recognise your right to pray to your ancestors, and if you ever wish it, you will both have a place in the clan."

The words hung in the air, and the Tang twins could only stare, caught off guard by the proud elder’s sudden humility.

"What are you staring at? I lost. When I agree to a bet and lose, I keep my word." He huffed, crossing his arms, pride still flickering in his eyes. "But I want to know—how did you two defend against my attack? I can’t leave without knowing."

Tang Yin almost laughed again, a spark of amusement flickering in her eyes. Was he always this stubborn, or was there a softer side beneath the bluster? Suddenly, he didn’t seem so unapproachable and arrogant, this fifth elder. She closed her eyes for a moment. "Alright, alright. Promise me, everyone, here, that you won’t speak of this outside these walls." She drew a slow breath, weighing trust against necessity. If she could not offer trust, how could she expect it in return? After a heartbeat’s hesitation, she relented. It wasn’t as if she could keep this secret forever, not with her future so tangled with Clear Sky. "I’ll trust in the same honour that’s kept your word until now."

The seventh elder nodded, then began ushering the others away until only he, the fifth elder, Tang Xiao, and the second elder remained. Tang Yin fixed the second elder with a steady gaze. He lifted his hands in surrender, a silent truce, before slipping away to help Tang Yuehua prepare for the ceremony.

Tang Yin let out a slow sigh. "I’ll be deeply insulted if this becomes gossip or drifts through the halls." With that, she unfurled her wings, their scales catching the light, and summoned her Blue Silver Emperor spirit. Five rings glowed around her, casting shifting colours across the floor.

Yellow. Purple. Black. Red. Red.

Gasps rippled through the room as the crimson light of Tang Yin’s spirit rings shimmered. "My wings come from a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, a Wyvern, long vanished from this world," she said quietly. "They let me withstand the attack of a spirit douluo, though it’s never easy. These wings are my freedom in the sky—and my shield in battle."

"How?" The seventh elder gasped.

"I’m a bit different," she admitted. "I gained these rings in a way unlike most. I’ve never killed a spirit beast. My wings came from a spirit stone, as did my other rings—except for my second century millennium ring. That one was given for a promise, made in grief, bound to a duty I’ll one day have to fulfil, by the spirit beast’s own will."

"Then..." Tang Xiao gulped. "You have two century-millennium spirit bones. Spirit rings given by my spirit beasts this old willingly always come with a spirit bone."

"Yes." She smiled, though there was a shadow in her eyes. "But my second spirit bone is tied to a story I’d rather not tell."

"It is a waste you have lost your arm..." The seventh elder muttered. "If you had your arm, you could be an even more monstrous spirit master than your brother."

Tang Yin shook her head, letting the glow of her rings fade as she folded her wings with careful, practised movements.

"There was nothing I could do about losing my arm. It was a small price for survival." She shrugged, a hint of defiance in her voice. "If it helps, I lost it to a god. Most days, I wear a prosthetic, so I hardly notice—except for the phantom pain that comes and goes. I’ve grown used to it. The only reason I’m not wearing it now is that it was ruined in a recent fight and is still being repaired."

"I see." Tang Xiao nodded and closed his eyes. "I am bursting from curiosity...whom did you go up against?"

"Ehhh... A Spirit Hall elder and a titled douluo. I had another douluo fighting with me, so it was two against one, but still... my prosthetic wasn’t made for that kind of battle."

The seventh elder shook his head as if those words did not surprise him anymore, when Tang San next to her seemed like he was reminded of something he wished he had forgotten. "Yeah. After you put Jiang and me to sleep, you sneaked off and went to that fight, almost dying. I still haven't forgiven you for that."

"I’m sorry," she said quietly, but her brother only gave her a frosty look in return.

"Sorry? You’re not the least bit sorry," he hissed, then jabbed a finger at Tang Yin, turning to Tang Xiao. "She’s trouble incarnate."

"Hey!"

The seventh elder watched the siblings bicker, feeling as if reality was slipping further from his grasp. Tang Yin pointed at him, her gesture sharp and unrestrained, and huffed. "And I am risking a lot by showing and telling you about my spirit rings and bones, but since you seem to have some honour, I am going to trust that and pray I am not going to regret being stupid, alright. If I even get wind of a peep about it going around, I will tell Jiang!".

Tang Yuehua walked over and came to a halt next to Tang Xiao. "I am here to pick you up. Also, little Yin, I do not believe your boyfriend is much of a threat to someone who does not know him."

"He’s an impressive threat," Tang Yin said, then jabbed a finger at her brother. "And if that’s not enough, I’ll threaten you with my brother."

"I feel so honoured." Tang San said and patted her head. "You know you are technically the older one. Or at least you claim to."

Tang Xiao leaned towards Tang Yuehua. "She has a boyfriend? Is he any good?" He asked. "I am her uncle I need to give a shovel talk

before... you know”

"Brother, I think that’s a lost cause," Tang Yuehua said, shaking her head.

"I won’t let you threaten Jiang!" Yin snapped, her voice edged with fierce protectiveness. "If you try, I’ll cut you to ribbons. The only one who has any right to choose my boyfriend is me!"

Tang Yuehua blinked at Yin’s outburst. "I’m not so sure about that," she said, her gaze flickering to Tang San before turning to Tang Xiao.

"Her boyfriend is a spirit master too—no less talented than these two. His martial spirit is the Dead Moon Dragon."