On the morning of the fourth day, sunlight filtered through the morning mist and scattered across the tiles of the Yang family estate.
The usually quiet courtyard had already become lively far earlier than usual.
Soon after, the sound of steady footsteps came from outside the courtyard, accompanied by children’s laughter and a few hearty chuckles, as several towering figures entered one after another.
These people were all tall and robust, both men and women among them, each accompanied by several sharp-eyed children.
Their auras were calm and heavy, carrying a sense of deep stability.
“Hahaha, Wushuang, has this old bull arrived late today?” A thunderous laugh erupted like a bolt of lightning.
At the very front stood a towering man, as massive as a small mountain, striding forward.
He wore a gray cloth short coat that had been washed until it was pale, and his bronze skin glowed under the sunlight.
His arms were as thick as an ordinary man’s thighs, and with every step he took, the blue stone pavement beneath him seemed to tremble slightly.
Most striking of all was that his left hand was missing two fingers, and his right ear had been severed at the root, leaving only a faint scar.
Yet this did nothing to diminish his fierce and imposing presence; instead, it added an even sharper edge, honed through countless battles.
Seeing the newcomer, Yang Wushuang, who had been standing at the gate, finally let the stiffness on his face melt away.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
“Brother, what are you saying?
As long as you come, that is already the best gift.
The good wine and meat are already prepared inside—please, come in.” No sooner had Yang Wushuang spoken than the burly man grinned widely, revealing a row of strong white teeth, his voice booming like a great bell.
“Good wine and meat?
That’s perfect!
This old bull has been craving them all the way here!” As he spoke, his gaze passed over Yang Wushuang and landed on Yang Chang’an beside him.
Today, Yang Chang’an was dressed in a dark blue training outfit, making his figure appear even more upright, his eyes bright like stars.
“Oh my, Little Chang’an, it’s only been a few days, and you’ve already grown stronger!” The burly man looked at him with clear fondness, his tone softening considerably.
Hearing this, Yang Chang’an immediately broke into a bright smile, revealing his neat little white teeth.
He stepped forward with quick little strides, raised his head, and tightly hugged the man’s lowered right arm.
“Grandpa Yue, you’re finally here!
I’ve been waiting for you for so long!” This burly man was none other than Niu Yue, the head of the Niu family of the Defending Clan.
Back when Spirit Hall launched its purge, Yang Wushuang led his group in a breakout, while Niu Yue stayed behind with his clan to cover their retreat.
The Soul Breaking Spear was known for its unmatched offensive power, while the Armored Earth Rhinoceros Martial Soul possessed terrifying defensive strength.
The two clans complemented each other perfectly, and so they chose to advance and retreat together.
During that perilous breakout journey, if not for Niu Yue leading his Armored Earth Rhinoceros Spirit Masters in blocking wave after wave of encirclement with overwhelming defense, the losses of their lineage would never have been kept to a minimum.
Feeling the strength in the child’s grip, Niu Yue looked down at his upturned face and could not help but reach out with his other hand to gently rub Yang Chang’an’s hair.
“Good boy, now that’s what a man should look like.
Much sturdier than the little calves in our family!” “Brother Niu is right,” a gentle female voice sounded from the side.
The speaker was an elderly woman standing nearby.
Her hair was already white, tied into a simple bun.
She wore a plain cotton dress, her expression kind and benevolent, yet her spirit remained remarkably sharp.
Her eyes were not fierce, but carried a deep clarity that seemed to see through the world.
This old woman was an elder of the Yang family, named Yang Xue.
She was a few years younger than Yang Wushuang and held considerable prestige within the clan.
In everyday life, she was especially fond of Yang Chang’an.
She spoke as she did so, casting a meaningful glance at Yang Wushuang beside her.
Upon hearing this, Yang Wushuang’s expression remained calm, the corners of his mouth still carrying a faint smile.
Yet a clear trace of evasion flashed deep within his eyes, and his fingertips moved slightly, though he did not respond.
Sensing the atmosphere growing somewhat stagnant, Yang Chang’an quickly raised his little face toward Niu Yue and deliberately spoke in a louder tone.
“Oh right, Grandpa Yue, has Wenchuan come?
I haven’t seen him for several days, I kind of miss him!” Niu Wenchuan was Niu Yue’s youngest grandson, only three days older than Yang Chang’an.
Originally, Niu Wenchuan was supposed to undergo his Martial Soul awakening three days ago, but Niu Yue had considered that today was Yang Chang’an’s birthday.
Instead of separating the two occasions, he decided to let both children awaken their Martial Souls on the same day, so as to bring double happiness, and thus postponed Niu Wenchuan’s awakening by a few days.
Hearing Yang Chang’an mention his grandson, Niu Yue immediately snapped back to attention and said: “That little brat?
He came along ages ago.
He’s probably at the alley outside right now, bragging with the other kids.
I’ll go call him in!” With that, Niu Yue suddenly bellowed toward the courtyard entrance.
“You little bastard, get your ass in here right now!” His voice was like rolling thunder, shaking dust down from the courtyard ceiling and startling even the distant birds into flapping away in panic.
As the roar faded, hurried footsteps immediately came from outside.
It seemed the children gathered there had been startled by the shout.
After shouting, Niu Yue turned toward the main hall behind Yang Wushuang, patted his stomach, and chuckled, his tone carrying a hint of urgency.
“Uh, Wushuang, I rushed all the way here and I’m starving.
Let’s not stand around anymore—let’s go inside and eat while we talk, eat while we talk!” Without waiting for Yang Wushuang’s reply, he threw an arm around his shoulder and half-dragged, half-guided him toward the main hall.
Seeing this, Yang Xue let out a soft snort toward Niu Yue’s back, though there was helpless amusement in her eyes.
She then turned head and waved her hand toward Yang Chang’an, a kind smile appearing on her face as she followed into the main hall as well.
In an instant, only Yang Chang’an remained in the courtyard.
Just as he was about to step forward and follow, a series of hurried footsteps approached from afar, accompanied by panting shouts.
“I’m coming, I’m coming!
Grandpa, I’m here!” A chubby little boy, built like a young bull calf, rushed in from outside the courtyard in a fluster.
He was wearing a red short jacket, his round face flushed bright red, his short legs moving frantically, and the fat on his body jiggling slightly with every step.
Niu Wenchuan’s chest rose and fell heavily as he panted.
When he looked up, he only saw Yang Chang’an standing in the courtyard smiling at him—his grandfather was nowhere to be seen.
He couldn’t help but stop in his tracks, blinking his round eyes and swallowing nervously as he looked at Yang Chang’an in confusion.
“Chang’an, where’s my grandpa?
Didn’t he call me in?
Where is he?” Seeing him drenched in sweat, Yang Chang’an couldn’t help but laugh.
He tilted his head toward the main hall and nodded in its direction.
“Where else?
He went inside to drink and eat meat.
He probably already forgot about you, his grandson.” “What?
Drinking?” Niu Wenchuan’s eyes immediately widened, his confusion turning into urgency in an instant.
He quickly wiped the sweat from his forehead and said hurriedly, “Then what are we waiting for?
If we’re late, all the meat on the table will be eaten by those uncles and uncles!” As he spoke, he grabbed Yang Chang’an’s wrist and was about to drag him toward the main hall.
After running a couple of steps, he suddenly stopped again, looking Yang Chang’an up and down with a puzzled expression.
He poked Yang Chang’an’s arm and said, “Wait, Chang’an, how exactly are you training?
It’s only been a few days and your build is almost bigger than mine.
Look at your arm—it’s even thicker than mine.” “Anyone who didn’t know better would think you were the one with the surname Niu, not me!” As he spoke, he even looked down at his own round arm, clearly unwilling to accept it.
Hearing this, Yang Chang’an raised an eyebrow and deliberately shrugged with a smug expression, revealing a neat row of white teeth as he said in a slightly annoying tone, “No choice, talent.
I was just born like this.” “Yeah right!” Niu Wenchuan immediately rolled his eyes and pushed him lightly, his face full of disbelief.
“Cut it out.
You think you’ve got better natural strength than me?
Our clan is born sturdy.
You’re just training harder.
If you’ve got the guts, let’s compete today and see who’s stronger!” “Compete then.
Who’s afraid of who?
The loser today has to give the winner the braised pork knuckle on the table!” Yang Chang’an did not back down at all, raising his chin with fighting spirit in his eyes.
“Deal!” Niu Wenchuan immediately agreed, slapping palms with him.
The crisp sound echoed through the courtyard.
After that, the two little fellows continued bickering back and forth as they linked arms and walked toward the main hall together.