This made Sikong Zhan involuntarily swallow a mouthful of saliva, "In nearly a decade, just what realm has Third Brother reached? Even among Innate Martial Artists, this is extraordinary, isn’t it?"
In the past ten years, Sikong Zhan became the Gang Leader of the Giant Whale Gang and also cultivated the Giant Whale Skill. With the financial resources and assets of the Giant Whale Gang, he progressed remarkably, but compared to Su Changkong, it was completely a different dimension!
Gathering his emotions, Sikong Zhan cooperated with Su Changkong, and with the assistance of the Mysterious Turtle True Essence, Su Changkong helped to refine Sikong Zhan’s physique, then aided him in cultivation, completing the step from Acquired to reverting to the Innate.
"My physique... has undergone a metamorphosis!"
When Su Changkong withdrew his hand, Sikong Zhan could distinctly feel that his physique had undergone a metamorphosis, far surpassing his previous state.
"The third brother is simply omnipotent." Sikong Huang, witnessing this scene, also felt complex emotions inside, clearly sensing the distance between herself and Su Changkong growing more and more distant.
Following that, Su Changkong repeated the process, helping Sikong Huang to also improve her physique and assisting her in reverting from Acquired to Innate.
After doing all of this, Su Changkong took out some Pill Medicines that could bolster Qi and Blood, which he had obtained from places like the Profound Darkness Sect. Since they were of no use to him, he handed them to Sikong Huang and Sikong Zhan, helping them quickly reach the pinnacle of Qi and Blood and step into the Innate Realm!
Originally in the Giant Whale Gang, although the relationship between Su Changkong and the Sikong Family was mutually beneficial, Sikong Huang and Sikong Zhan had also shared adversities with him and even drank sworn-sibling wine. Helping them within his capabilities was just a small matter for him.
Su Changkong decided to stay at the Giant Whale Gang for a while to rest, planning to wait until Sikong Huang and Sikong Zhan broke through to the Innate Realm successfully before he left.
Such comfortable days were indeed rare for Su Changkong.
"I hope for a bit more peace and quiet for a little longer!" Su Changkong also secretly wished in his heart that the peaceful days could last a bit longer so he could cultivate in peace and accumulate strength.
Two months passed, and in the dead of night, the Giant Whale Gang was deeply silent apart from the disciples on night watch patrolling back and forth.
In a grand hall, with flickering candlelight, Sikong Zhan looked at Sikong Huang before him and said earnestly, "Huanger, you are usually decisive, so why do you hesitate when it comes to your own lifelong matters? There’s nothing to hesitate about; Third Brother has finally returned after such a long time."
Sikong Zhan understood that Sikong Huang had feelings for Su Changkong. When Su Changkong left, Sikong Huang grew melancholic for a long time. In his view, now that Su Changkong had finally returned to the Giant Whale Gang, for the sake of her own happiness, Sikong Huang needed to make a move.
Sikong Huang forced a smile and shook her head, "I can tell... Third Brother’s ambition is not here, I don’t want to become a burden to him."
Sikong Huang was strong-willed and could see that Su Changkong had lofty aspirations. Even if she were to reveal her feelings, Su Changkong would likely decline her as he had previously done, tactfully, making the situation incredibly awkward for both. Maintaining the status quo, with Su Changkong occasionally visiting the Giant Whale Gang, was good enough.
"The two of you, if there’s anything troubling you, feel free to speak to me."
Sikong Zhan was about to continue persuading, but a placid voice suddenly echoed in the grand hall.
"Who’s there?"
Sikong Zhan and Sikong Huang’s expressions changed simultaneously, and they both narrowed their eyes, turning toward a man sitting quietly on a chair not far away in the middle of the hall.
The man had long black hair and an unremarkable appearance, but what was truly eerie were his eyes—one black and one white—inspiring a deep sense of dread in those who saw them.
Both Sikong Zhan and Sikong Huang wore extremely grave expressions. They had no idea when the black-haired man had arrived; had he chosen to attack them by surprise just now, they probably wouldn’t have been able to react in time!
This was a terrifyingly powerful being!
The black-haired man carefully observed Sikong Huang and Sikong Zhan, showing a slight surprise, "Strange... despite being in the Qi-Blood Realm, your bodies contain Innate Qi as if you have an Innate Body. Have you consumed some sort of heavenly material or earthly treasure?"
To not be Innate Martial Artists but to possess Innate Bodies was a situation that even the black-haired man found surprising and unprecedented.
"Who are you, sir? What brings you here in the dead of night, and what advice might you have?" Sikong Zhan didn’t lose his composure as he spoke with a bow.
The reason for the other party’s stealthy entry into the Giant Whale Gang at night was unknown, but since he hadn’t directly attacked them just now, it meant he had another purpose. It was worth probing for information.
As for Sikong Huang, she was extra vigilant. She felt that despite the man’s average appearance, there was a terrifying sensation that seemed to instill fear into her soul!
The black-haired man came back to his senses, and with a smile, he looked at Sikong Zhan, "You must be the Gang Leader of the Giant Whale Gang, Sikong Zhan, right? I am here to make you submit to us, to work for me. Now, kneel down and swear your loyalty to me, and there are benefits beyond your imagination!"
Upon hearing this, Sikong Zhan’s expression immediately darkened. Was this black-haired man here to subjugate the Giant Whale Gang?
Despite the other’s calm tone, there was an undeniable sense of superiority.
To demand that he kneel and swear fealty, outright, showed complete disregard for him.
"You’re rather presumptuous, sir!"
Sikong Zhan said sternly. Within Ink Forest Prefecture City, as the Gang Leader of the Giant Whale Gang, he had never been looked down upon so condescendingly, let alone the notion that the other person intended to take over the entire Giant Whale Gang!
The black-haired man answered with a light smile, "It’s not that I disregard others... but in my eyes, you are as insignificant as ants. The fact that I am willing to communicate with you is already an honor beyond your imagination!"