Chapter Fifty-Three: The Three Great Families of East Gate City

In an instant, the Black Wind Crimson Tiger transformed into a colossal beast more than half a man’s height, its pair of fiery red wings fluttering twice with a whoosh. The young noble guards opposite instinctively took a step back. The pressure emanating from this demonic beast was overwhelming, as if failing to retreat would mean being crushed under its sheer presence.

The Black Wind Crimson Tiger crouched slightly, and Gu Zhenzhen lightly leapt up, standing on its back. Hua Ruoxue released the little white monkey, which then began to grow even more dramatically. Before long, the little white monkey had reached a towering six meters in height, its massive form occupying nearly half the width of the street. At this size, it was more fitting to call it a giant monkey. The enlarged giant monkey spread one enormous palm and placed it on the ground, allowing Hua Ruoxue to climb aboard. It then hoisted her onto its broad shoulders. The pampered sons of noble families retreated step by step, only able to look up and take in the full grandeur of the giant monkey.

“Yo!” came a long cry as the small bird perched on Liu Yuefeng’s shoulder spread its wings and took flight. After circling the sky twice, it transformed into a majestic bird nearly four meters long, hovering about four meters above the ground. Liu Yuefeng soared like a fairy, graceful and ethereal, landing delicately on the bird’s back.

“Wow, what a beautiful flying technique! Oh, a great mage!” someone shouted in surprise. In truth, Liu Yuefeng’s flight was nothing more than a standard flying skill, capable only of short-distance gliding, not suitable for long journeys. With cultivation at the Spirit Tranquility stage, she still could not ride a sword in flight. Of course, with the super ring forged by Tang Yi, things were different. As long as one had at least Foundation Establishment stage cultivation, they could soar through the air like a master at the Spirit Division stage, though speed varied by individual.

Seeing the enlarged white monkey and the giant bird, the Black Wind Crimson Tiger let out a mighty roar and grew even larger, transforming into a beast nearly three meters tall and five meters long.

Faced with three such terrifying magical beasts, someone shouted, “Run for your lives!” Thirty men scattered like startled birds, vanishing without a trace within ten seconds. The onlookers lining the street remained silent for a moment before erupting into loud chatter, eventually dispersing.

No fight would come of it. The three spiritual beasts gradually returned to their small, adorable forms and nestled into their owners’ embraces.

“Hmph, you’re quick to run. Otherwise, I’d have made you cry with a rhythm,” Hua Ruoxue mumbled as she cradled the little white monkey.

“Ah, I say, ladies, causing such a commotion, I’m afraid you won’t have any peace from now on,” Tang Yi’s voice suddenly sounded behind the three of them.

“Tang Ge, when did you get here? Aren’t you supposed to have class today?” Hua Ruoxue hurried over to him.

“Hehe, that’s nothing. I mastered it a few days ago. They’re still figuring out how to arrange my courses. Come on, after making such a scene, there’s plenty to deal with,” Tang Yi said, beckoning the three to follow him.

For convenience, Tang Yi had outright purchased the main store at the East Entrance of Xuan Island—officially named the Xuan Island Specialty Flagship Store—along with several large courtyards behind it, investing heavily to renovate them. The group then settled in.

Just as Tang Yi predicted, visitors arrived that afternoon. The Huang family, the Tai family, and the Simpson family—all came, each bringing along their three young masters.

The three young masters might not have known the full implications, but the high-ranking elders of their families certainly did. Xuan Island was shrouded in mystery, and the unknown was the most terrifying. If influential political figures from Dongkou City had come, it would be manageable; inviting political dignitaries was simply a matter of money. But the founders of the Three Talents Academy attending in person? That was beyond wealth. It meant Xuan Island possessed formidable military strength. Without sufficient power, the three top experts of the academy would never be tempted.

“Lord Tang, I sincerely apologize for my son’s youthful ignorance and any offense we may have caused your esteemed island. Please accept this humble gift as a token of goodwill,” Huang Shidong, the current head of the Huang family, said as attendants wheeled in a large box. The Tai and Simpson families echoed similar words, each bringing in their own boxes of gifts. Tang Yi glanced at them without moving to open them and said,

“Heh, you family heads are too polite. It’s a trivial matter; I never gave it a second thought. But seeing your sincerity, I won’t refuse. Haha… please, have a seat. Serve some tea—this is a special Xuan Island variety. I hope you’ll enjoy it.” The tea was actually a rare, exquisite brew from Yunwu Peak in Mount Shu, specially cultivated in a controlled environment aboard the spaceship to preserve its unique characteristics. Tang Yi had sacrificed some energy to replicate the misty conditions, though with the mineral resources from Dream Blue Star, this was now a minor effort.

While Tang Yi and the family heads sipped tea, Huang Binghe and two others were standing in the courtyard outside as punishment, supervised by a Grand Mage-level expert. As the trio exchanged sly glances and whispered schemes, Gu Zhenzhen, Hua Ruoxue, and Liu Yuefeng just happened to return and, seeing them standing there, began to tease.

“Oh, look at you three kids. What brings you to our courtyard for a time-out today?” Gu Zhenzhen said, her tone playful yet teasing.

“Hmph,” the three punished youths snorted in unison, turning their heads away.

The three girls smiled faintly and entered the main hall of the courtyard. The three family heads’ eyes narrowed sharply as they watched the young women enter. Despite their youthful appearances, Hua Ruoxue and her companions possessed the rank of Mage. The family heads themselves barely reached the rank of Grand Mage at level twenty-two. It was understandable that someone like Hua Ruoxue could have such cultivation, but they found it puzzling that Tang Yi, the island lord, appeared to have only beginner-level cultivation—between levels four and six. This was due to Tang Yi’s recent focus on martial and magical arts; otherwise, they might have mistaken him for an ordinary person with no training at all. Still, the respect they held for him was palpable, even tinged with admiration.

“Ladies, please forgive my son’s youthful disrespect,” Huang Shidong said, representing the others in apologizing to the three young women.

“No need for such formality; they’re just children. There’s no need to make a fuss,” Gu Zhenzhen replied. In truth, aside from Hua Ruoxue’s young age, Gu Zhenzhen and Liu Yuefeng were already over a hundred years old and would not bother with childish quarrels.

After several rounds of tea, as Tang Yi prepared to see them off, the heads of the Huang, Tai, and Simpson families exchanged glances. Finally, Huang Shidong spoke for them all.

“Lord Tang, to be frank, the reason the three of us have come is twofold: first, to apologize for my son’s behavior, and second, to ask the three young ladies for assistance. We hope you might grant us this favor.”

“Oh? Is that so? Please tell me about it. If we can help, we will try. But I must warn you, if we can’t, I won’t pretend otherwise. Of course, if we can help, we will, though as for remuneration…” Tang Yi deliberately left the sentence hanging.

“Of course, Lord Tang, please don’t worry about compensation. There is no such thing as a free lunch, and likewise, we will not ask you to help without reward. Whatever you require, just say the word,” Huang Shidong replied, a seasoned man well aware of the unspoken rules.

“Then first, please explain your situation so I can judge whether we can assist,” Tang Yi said, cutting straight to the point.