The Clear Sky Sect

Tang San snapped out of his thoughts, turned around and walked to the clothes rack to start getting dressed.

He moved very gently, but the five girls on the bed still woke up one after another.

Qian Renxue was the first to open her eyes.

She turned her head, her golden eyes watching Tang San's retreating figure as he dressed, a hint of reluctance flashing in them.

Are you leaving?

Qian Renxue's voice was somewhat hoarse.

Tang San turned around, walked to the bedside, bent down and kissed her forehead. "Yes. We're leaving today. You're going back to the Worship Hall too. Have you arranged the substitute?"

Qian Renxue nodded, sat up from the bed, her long golden hair falling over her shoulders.

"It's all arranged. That person looks exactly like Xue Qinghe, and his mannerisms have been trained for over half a year. You can't tell them apart without a close look."

Qian Renxue's voice was calm, but a complex emotion still flashed in her eyes, "It's just... I don't know how long it will be before I see you again."

Tang San reached out and pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head. "It won't be long. I'll come back to find you after I finish the assessment."

Qian Renxue leaned against him and hummed in agreement.

The other four girls got up one after another, washed up, and changed their clothes.

The bedchamber became lively, with some scrambling for mirrors, others for combs, and still others complaining about who had stepped on whose hair the night before.

Tang San stood aside, watching this scene, a smile he couldn't suppress curving his lips.

This is life.

After the six had breakfast, Qian Renxue, not wanting to show herself, left first.

Tang San led Dugu Yan, Xiao Wu, Shui Bing'er, and Ye Lingling to the front courtyard of the Prince's Mansion.

The four commanders, Tai Tan, Yang Wudi, Niu Gao, Bai He, were already waiting there.

Tai Tan stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and said in a loud voice, "Young Master, please rest assured. There are four of us old fellows keeping an eye on things at the Prince's residence; nothing will go wrong."

Yang Wudi, Niu Gao, Bai He also stepped forward and said, "Take care."

Tang San clasped his hands in return, saying, "Thank you all for your hard work."

He turned around and led the four girls out of the palace gate.

Outside the door, a spacious carriage was already prepared.

Four strong horses pulled the carriage, and the driver was a capable man arranged by Tai Tan.

Dugu Bo stood beside the carriage, his hands behind his back.

When he saw Tang San come out, his gaze fell on Dugu Yan.

"Yan Yan, Grandpa is still worried. Let me go with you."

Dugu Bo's voice carried a concern and worry unique to an elder.

"Soul Beasts that are seventy or eighty thousand years old are already close to the peak Soul Master level, Soul Douluo, and some top-tier Soul Beasts have even reached the strength of Titled Douluo. This is no joke..."

Tang San stepped forward and comforted him gently, "Grandpa, don't worry. We know what we're doing. Two years ago, we were able to kill opponents at the Soul Douluo level, so it goes without saying now. Moreover, the five of us work together seamlessly, so even if we encounter Titled Douluo- level Soul Beast, we can handle it completely. You can stay in Heaven Dou City and keep an eye on things, so that we can have someone to rely on if anything unexpected happens."

Dugu Bo frowned, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something.

Dugu Yan stepped forward, took her grandfather's arm, and said coquettishly, "Grandpa, don't worry. Third Brother is right, we're very strong now. Besides, don't you always say that fledglings have to fly on their own? You can't protect me forever, can you?"

Dugu Bo's expression changed from worry to helplessness after his granddaughter said that.

He sighed, "Alright, alright, Grandpa won't go. But you must promise me you won't be reckless if you encounter danger."

Dugu Yan smiled and nodded, then tiptoed and kissed Dugu Bo on the cheek. "I understand, Grandpa."

Dugu Bo was stunned for a moment by his granddaughter's kiss, then burst into laughter, his wrinkles smoothing out.

Tang San spoke a few more words with Dugu Bo, then turned around and boarded the carriage with Dugu Yan, Xiao Wu, Shui Bing'er, and Ye Lingling.

The carriage was spacious, with soft leather seats covered with thick wool cushions, making it very comfortable to sit in.

Five people sat inside, and it wasn't crowded at all.

Tang San sat down by the window, lifted the carriage curtain, and waved to Dugu Bo and the four commanders outside.

"Set off!"

With a shout from the driver, the carriage slowly pulled away, heading along the main street of Heaven Dou City towards the south gate.

Dugu Bo stood at the entrance of the Prince's mansion, watching the carriage gradually disappear into the distance until it vanished at the end of the street before turning his gaze away.

He sighed, turned around, and walked back to the palace.

The four commanders then dispersed, each going about their own business.

The carriage exited the east gate and headed east along the official road.

Tang San leaned against the carriage wall, gazing absently at the rapidly receding scenery through the gap in the curtain.

Clear Sky Sect, the clan he was related to by blood, yet a place he had never set foot in.

I can't say I'm looking forward to it; in fact, I feel a bit resistant. It's like a thorn buried deep in my heart—it doesn't hurt or itch, but it always makes me uncomfortable.

Dugu Yan leaned on his shoulder, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.

A hint of worry flashed in her eyes. "Third Brother, do you think the people of the Clear Sky Sect... will accept us?"

Tang San turned his head to look at her, gently flicked the tip of her nose, and laughed, "What do you mean by accepting you? You're mine. What does it matter whether they accept you or not? I'm not going back to acknowledge my ancestors; I'm just going to see my uncle and pay my respects to my grandfather."

A smile curved Dugu Yan's lips, and most of the worry in her eyes dissipated.

Tang San then looked at the other three. "Don't worry about what others think. We'll just walk our own path."

Xiao Wu, Shui Bing'er, and Ye Lingling nodded vigorously, their eyes filled with determination.

Three days passed quietly as we traveled and rested.

The Clear Sky Sect is located at the Bright Moon Mountain, three hundred miles east of Heaven Dou City.

Although it is called a mountain, it is actually a continuous mountain range. The main peak, Bright Moon Peak, is several thousand meters above sea level and is covered with snow all year round. The mountain is steep and easy to defend, making it a natural barrier.

After the Clear Sky Sect announced its return to the Soul Master World, it built a magnificent mountain gate at the foot of the mountain.

On either side of the gatepost stands a huge stone sculpture, shaped like the Clear Sky Hammer, with the hammerhead pointing downwards and the handle upwards, its entire body jet black.

Four gatekeeper disciples patrolled in front of the mountain gate, all dressed in the Clear Sky Sect's uniform black outfits, with upright postures and sharp eyes.

As a carriage approached from afar, all four men's eyes fell upon it simultaneously, filled with scrutiny and wariness.

The carriage stopped in front of the gate.

Tang San and his companions alighted from the carriage, straightened their clothes, clasped their hands in a fist and palm salute, and said politely, "I am Tang San, and I have come to pay my respects on the orders of the sect leader."

"You're Tang San?"

The leading disciple's brow twitched slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

The name Tang San had already spread throughout the Clear Sky Sect.

The son of Haotian Douluo Tang Hao, the champion of the Soul Master Competition, and recently bestowed the title of Blue Hao King of the Heaven Dou Empire...

How can this be proven?

The leading disciple's voice remained calm, but his tone was more polite than before.

Without hesitation, Tang San opened his left hand.

The jet-black Clear Sky Hammer emerged from his palm, with blue arcs of electricity coursing across its surface.

"Does this prove it?"