A few days later, Tianlin's group finally arrived at the city of the Speed Clan.
The four single-attribute clans—except for the Strength Clan—all resided in Star Luo. The Defense Clan was in Longxing City, while the Speed Clan was in a small city called Yunhe City.
Yunhe City was small and remote. In the past, the four single-attribute clans were prestigious, but now they'd fallen to this remote place.
It was cheap and far from other sects, so there was little conflict. That's why Clan Chief Bai He chose to live here.
Their carriage stopped in front of a large mansion. Tianlin helped Ning Rongrong down and looked around. The mansion was big, but the walls were shabby, and the golden "Speed" character on the plaque was peeling. Years of hardship had left the Speed Clan in poor condition.
A family with a Soul Douluo, yet other clans could rise just with a Soul Sage. But because they'd offended Spirit Hall, everyone avoided them. On this continent, strength and power did speak louder.
A Soul Douluo was strong to ordinary people, but compared to Spirit Hall, they were still small fry.
"So, this is the Speed Clan… It's even more…" Ma Hongjun started to sigh, then, seeing Bai Chenxiang, quickly shut up.
"You mean rundown, right? Compared to your Seven Treasure Sect, my home is nothing." Bai Chenxiang wasn't angry, since the Seven Treasure Sect had helped her, and Ma Hongjun was now one of their disciples. Plus, Tianlin and Gu Ran had mentioned his strength as second among the young generation, so she couldn't look down on him like in the original story.
"I didn't mean that," Ma Hongjun said hastily.
"No need to worry, it's just on the surface. Brother Jun and Sister Rongrong gave us plenty of money to renovate. We just haven't had time because Spirit Hall and the lower four sects have been pressuring us. Our lives are much better now." Bai Chenxiang smiled and pushed open the door. "Brother Jun, Sister Rongrong, Lord Dragon and Lady Snake, and… Hongjun, welcome to my home, please come in!"
"Sorry to intrude!"
Everyone entered the yard. Ma Hongjun sidled up to Tianlin and Ning Rongrong, whispering, "Boss, Rongrong, did you hear that? Miss Bai called me Hongjun!"
"That means your efforts these past days are paying off," Tianlin laughed.
Ma Hongjun looked very grateful. "Hehe, I owe it all to your advice, boss!"
Tianlin had told him: If you like Bai Chenxiang, there's nothing wrong with being attentive, but don't go overboard—that would just make you seem creepy.
So, these days, Ma Hongjun had looked after Bai Chenxiang but hadn't hovered around her. He trained when he needed to, and this made Bai Chenxiang think he was not only gentle but also hardworking.
Plus, after Qin Ming's training, Ma Hongjun was no longer fat—just sturdy. With decent features, he wasn't handsome, but at least average.
All in all, Ma Hongjun didn't need to fawn over anyone. With Tianlin's help, he'd easily become a Title Douluo, and his true destiny was godhood.
No matter how pretty Bai Chenxiang was, could she be above someone with divine potential?
As for the future, Tianlin would help him. As long as Ma Hongjun didn't give up, won Bai Chenxiang's heart, and overcame his laziness, Tianlin would do everything to help him achieve the rank of Fire God.
The tragic fate of the Phoenix becoming a god but losing his wife and her soul would never befall his brother.
"Grandpa, I'm home!" Bai Chenxiang called as she entered.
Soon, a tall, thin old man with gray hair came out from the main hall. He was the continent's top speed-type soul master, the eighty-first-level pure agility Soul Douluo—Bai He.
Beside Bai He was another old man, with black hair, a sharp aura, and a face a bit stern. His energy was extremely fierce; if not for the lack of sword intent, he'd be a weaker version of Chen Xin.
"Grandpa Yang, you're here too?" Bai Chenxiang asked in surprise.
From her greeting, Tianlin knew this was none other than Yang Wudi, the chief of the Breaking Clan, an eighty-second-level power-attack Soul Douluo. No wonder he could stand equal to Bai He.
"After Wind, Thunder, and Bee left, I worried they'd come back to trouble Old Bai, so I stayed. With me here, those two won't dare act up." Yang Wudi explained, his words filled with confidence—and pride.
But Tianlin knew he had the right. Though only an eighty-second-level Soul Douluo, in a real fight, he could even trade blows with some weaker Title Douluo.
For example, Dragon Duke behind Tianlin—if he didn't use martial soul fusion with Lady Snake, he'd win a spar with Yang Wudi, but in a real fight to the death, most likely both would be seriously injured.
"Xiangxiang, are these your Seven Treasure Sect friends?" Bai He asked. "Aren't you going to introduce them?"
"Yes, Grandpa." Bai Chenxiang pointed to Dragone Duke and Lady Snake. "These are the chiefs of the Seven Treasure Sect's affiliated families—Excellency Dragon Duke and Lady Snake."
"Excellency?" Bai He and Yang Wudi were surprised. They knew of Dragon Duke, but wasn't he just a Soul Douluo?
"Haha, clan chiefs, nice to meet you! I had a recent breakthrough, just advanced—news hasn't spread yet, so few know." Dragon Duke spoke, releasing his nine soul rings—two yellow, three purple, four black—the clearest proof.
Bai He and Yang Wudi immediately cupped their fists in respect. "Greetings, Your Excellency!"
Though proud, these two Soul Douluo remained respectful to a benefactor and a Title Douluo—on the continent, Title Douluo were as respected as emperors.
"Oh!" Dragon Duke clutched his chest in pride. Compared to little Bai Chenxiang, being called "Your Excellency" by two Soul Douluos felt even better.