Chapter 70

Lin Wei and the others were in low spirits. They had been in Sanhun City for quite some time, but they had never felt so frustrated.

Luo Yi suddenly raised his head: "That guy only has a third-rank strength, how can he bring a sixth-rank Soul General?"

This question immediately caught the attention of the others. Indeed, Tang Tian clearly only had third-rank strength, how could he have the ability to bring a sixth-rank Soul General? For families with deep roots, obtaining a Soul General was much easier than cultivation, so their research on Soul Generals was far more profound than that of ordinary people. They had long discovered that any martial artist could only have a Soul General one rank higher than themselves.

If the Soul General was two or more ranks higher than the martial artist, it was extremely dangerous.

Yu Xi thought for a moment and said: "It might be due to the other Soul General he has. That Soul General has no face, which is very strange. I can't see through its depth, and its origin is likely to be extraordinary."

Hua Ling pouted, her eyes still red: "He even said I don't know manners! How despicable!"

Yu Xi took a deep breath and said: "This is also why I suspect his background. 'Sword Surrender and Tribute,' I read about this in a book. It's an ancient ritual where captives surrender and offer their weapons. No one uses this anymore, but the other party actually follows these ancient rituals..."

The others' expressions became even more grim. For them, from prominent families, etiquette had always been a symbol of status. They always respected the ancient and profound etiquette, and any family or clan would try to connect themselves with those ancient and prestigious families to appear noble and deep-rooted. Etiquette was often the point they liked to mock nouveau riche.

If Tang Tian heard this, he would definitely think it was all nonsense.

But when Lin Wei and the others heard these words, their expressions became serious. They were very clear about the family's obsessive pursuit of ancient etiquette.

"Sword Surrender and Tribute? I've never heard of it," Lin Wei shook his head. "Which dynasty is it from?"

"The era of the Three Great Armies," Yu Xi replied.

The others drew a sharp breath. Luo Yi stammered: "There shouldn't be any family that old in this world!"

"Definitely not!" Lin Wei said decisively. "But it could be a branch that traces back to that era."

Yu Xi suddenly said: "Did you notice where he hung his sword at the end?"

"It seemed to be on the bronze mechanical ostrich," Lin Wei recalled.

"Yes, it was hung on the saddle. I'm not sure if it's a coincidence, but I've seen some ancient paintings of the Southern Cross Army. Their war trophies were all hung in the same position," Yu Xi said. "And 'Sword Surrender and Tribute' was also the surrender ritual of that time."

Everyone's expression turned grim.

Yu Xi was meticulous, and her family was the most profound among the four. She knew much more than they did. This was an unremarkable detail, but precisely because it was unremarkable, it was more credible.

That young man... what is his background?

The group was filled with unease. They could act recklessly outside, and their families wouldn't care. But if they offended a powerful family, their families would suffer. Hua Ling even burst into tears.

Yu Xi quickly comforted everyone: "Don't worry. If he really is as we suspect, and he accepted our self-redemption, it means our grudges are settled."

Everyone still looked gloomy.

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Tang Tian had long forgotten about what happened earlier.

He was riding the bronze mechanical ostrich, racing down the street, attracting the attention of countless passersby. Although the bronze mechanical ostrich was not ornate, its massive size, agile movements, and incredible speed amazed everyone.

"Wow, wow, wow, Uncle Soldier, you guys had it so good back then, riding birds every day!" Tang Tian hugged the bronze mechanical ostrich's neck and shouted excitedly. He had never felt so fast before, it was like flying.

"Only new recruits ride birds!" the soldier, floating behind Tang Tian, said casually.

"Then what did you ride before?" Tang Tian asked curiously.

"… Also birds…" the soldier paused for a moment, then added: "As an instructor, I have to set an example! This isn't because I lack strength…"

"Back then, you guys must have had a blast, riding birds and charging all day!" Tang Tian thought that if every day was like this, it would be incredibly exhilarating.

"Actually, it was quite boring," the soldier said frankly. "After a while, you'll feel like throwing up."

"Really? How can something so fun make you want to throw up?" Tang Tian found it hard to imagine.

"The ostrich tactics include six major subjects and thirteen minor subjects. You need to achieve seventy percent to pass," the soldier explained.

"Wow, sounds fun!" Tang Tian opened his eyes wide.

"Fun?" the soldier sneered. "One of the simplest tasks is to navigate around twelve randomly placed poles in two seconds."

Tang Tian was stunned: "That's impossible!"

In two seconds, navigating around twelve randomly placed poles was simply impossible! The bronze mechanical ostrich, though powerful, could reach up to sixth-rank speed, but its weight was enormous, and its inertia was significant. Completing such complex turns in such a short time was absolutely impossible.

"Impossible?" the soldier's flat voice was as usual: "This is very simple."

Simple?

Tang Tian was stunned for a moment, then suddenly exclaimed: "Uncle Soldier, you guys were so amazing back then! Why don't you teach me the ostrich tactics?"

"These things are outdated," the soldier's voice was filled with deep disappointment: "Things destined to fail have no value."

"Why?" Tang Tian shook his head. "I think it's amazing. The things Uncle Soldier mentioned as simple, I don't think many people can do."

"Time is the fairest judge," the soldier's voice returned to normal: "If it's gone, it means its era has passed."

Tang Tian wanted to argue, but suddenly caught a glimpse of a sign in the distance and was immediately drawn to it: "Saireka Store! There it is! Little Ostrich, let's go!"

The bronze mechanical ostrich suddenly exerted force with one leg, made a quick turn, and charged toward the Saireka Store.

The soldier, floating behind Tang Tian, watched this, and it reminded him of the new recruits from back then.

When they reached the store, Tang Tian made an emergency stop, and the bronze mechanical ostrich came to a steady halt.

Tang Tian jumped off the bronze mechanical ostrich.

"Wow! A bronze mechanical ostrich!" A red-haired beauty rushed out, her eyes shining as she ran over. She circled the bronze mechanical ostrich, touching it here and there, and occasionally exclaiming in amazement.

"Are you Saireka?" Tang Tian looked at the red-haired beauty.

Her fiery red hair was like a burning flame, and her black tight leather outfit accentuated her perfect figure. She wore black stockings and high heels, and her chest was prominently displayed. Her red lips were sensually inviting, and her long eyelashes framed her sea-blue eyes. She had three tiny teardrop-shaped marks under her left eye.

"Little brother, how about giving this bronze mechanical ostrich to big sister?" The red-haired beauty looked up, revealing a charming smile, her eyes sparkling, and her chest heaving.

Tang Tian shook his head: "No way!"

The red-haired beauty's smile froze, and she muttered: "Am I too young? This trick doesn't work anymore?"

Tang Tian didn't pay much attention and asked curiously: "Are you Saireka?"

The red-haired beauty stood up, smoothed her red hair, and said with a seductive tone: "I am Saireka! Little brother, if you want to pursue big sister, just give this bronze mechanical ostrich to me, and I'll agree."

She winked at Tang Tian, and the strong allure made a few passersby nearly faint. One of them even fell into a ditch.

She bent down, revealing a deep cleavage, and said in a seductive voice: "At that time, you can do whatever you want with big sister!"

Tang Tian firmly shook his head: "I only like Chiharu."

Saireka's expression stiffened, and she straightened up, her seductive charm vanishing. She said irritably: "What do you want from me?"

"I came to buy Soul General cards," Tang Tian explained.

"Come in," Saireka said coldly, turning into the store.

Tang Tian followed curiously. As soon as he entered, he was immediately drawn to the Soul General cards covering the walls. Yu Bao was right; the cards in Saireka's store were not of high rank, the highest he saw was fifth-rank, but there were many unusual and strange cards.

"Who recommended you?" Saireka lit a cigarette, blew a smoke ring, and closed her eyes slightly, exuding a lazy charm. "Don't say you found me on your own; my store isn't well-known."

"Yu Bao," Tang Tian replied.

Saireka was taken aback; this answer was unexpected. Suddenly, she realized: "Is this bronze mechanical ostrich also from him?"

"You guessed right!" Tang Tian said. "We bought a bunch of junk and put it together ourselves."

"You put it together yourself?" Saireka sat up straight, putting down the cigarette at the corner of her mouth.

"Yes, Uncle Soldier put it together," Tang Tian pointed to the floating soldier.

Saireka had already noticed the two Soul Generals behind Tang Tian, especially the soldier. The soldier's blank face was too noticeable. When she heard that the bronze mechanical ostrich was put together by the soldier, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

She took a puff of her cigarette and said meaningfully: "Someone who can master such retro machinery is quite impressive."

"Exactly!" Tang Tian nodded in agreement. "Uncle Soldier is very impressive!"

Well… trying to find clues from this brat… what a naive idea…

Saireka propped her elbow on the table, resting her chin in her hand. In the dimly lit store, she looked like a sculpture under the light. "Alright, let's talk about the cards. What cards do you want to buy, young man?"