Arriving at Spirit City

Spirit City, as the sacred land in the hearts of Soul Masters across the continent, held an exceptionally high status in the Soul Master world. This elevated Spirit Hall to a position equal to the Two Great Empires. As for this city.

At the same time, Pope's Palace, one of Spirit Hall's two great halls, was located within Spirit City.

Both Great Empires regarded it as a thorn in their side, yet due to the situation on the continent, neither would make a move against the city—especially the Heaven Dou Empire.

Though dissatisfied with Spirit Hall, they could only allow it to continue developing within their empire. After all, without Spirit Hall, the Heaven Dou Empire might not even have survived until now. Douluo Continent was currently maintaining a delicate balance.

And Spirit Hall was the scale that measured that balance. They would not allow one side to grow overly strong, nor would they permit the other to become too weak.

Thus, in recent years, as Heaven Dou had weakened and its national strength had fallen below that of Star Luo, Spirit Hall had secretly supported the Heaven Dou Empire, doing everything possible to restore balance between the Two Great Empires.

But given the Royal Family's current circumstances, there was truly nothing they could do. They already could not defeat the Star Luo Empire, yet their Royal Family had gone and started infighting. What a waste of an opportunity. The weaker the country became, the more fiercely they fought among themselves.

As Xue Ye's group traveled toward Spirit City, their initial party had not been particularly large, numbering fewer than a thousand. Yet as more and more people joined the escort, by the time they were about to leave Heaven Dou territory, the procession had stretched to more than ten thousand people.

Finally, twenty days later, the group arrived at Spirit City.

"So this is Spirit City."

Di Hong was somewhat surprised. He had assumed that, as the city where Spirit Hall was based, Spirit City would be extremely prosperous. But upon seeing it for himself, he found the city far too desolate.

Spirit City was not large, not even half the size of Silvis City. However, its defenses were exceptionally formidable. Every patrolman and guard was a Soul Master, and six powerful Martial Soul reliefs were carved into its six city walls.

Among them was the Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul.

"I wonder whether, in the future, my Vermilion Bird Martial Soul will be carved up there too."

Every Martial Soul carved there was unquestionably a powerful one.

"Perhaps there will be a chance." Xue Ye walked over and smiled at the towering city walls before them. Though Spirit City's walls were not as tall as those of Heaven Dou City, they still stood eighty meters high.

"This Spirit City was built entirely with Spirit Hall's own funds. Its defenses are extremely strong, and combined with Spirit Hall's formidable strength, even if the Seven Great Sects joined forces, they might not be able to conquer this place."

Ning Fengzhi could not help sighing as he looked at the city before him. He was confident that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's wealth ranked among the very best across Douluo Continent, yet even they could not build a city like this. First, there was no need for it; second, they simply could not afford it.

For a city like this, both the materials and craftsmen had to be the very best.

"No matter how strong its defenses are, one blow from the Clear Sky Hammer and these walls will still collapse."

Tang Hao and his group walked over. Tang Hao was not afraid of Spirit Hall at all. In his eyes, the Clear Sky Sect was the strongest; even Spirit Hall had to fear it somewhat.

He held not the slightest reverence for Spirit Hall.

Compared to Tang Hao, Tang Xiao was much more composed. Still, he largely agreed with his second brother, though not entirely. Others might not know, but how could he not? Though the Clear Sky Sect was glorious, its reputation was supported entirely by their grandfather, Tang Chen.

Their father, Tang Wei, was also a Titled Douluo, but he had suffered severe injuries in his early years. His health had remained poor ever since, and he could not fully wield the strength of a Titled Douluo unless he was willing to risk his life.

His second brother Tang Hao and he had been cultivating diligently for the future of the Clear Sky Sect. As long as the two of them became Titled Douluo, the Clear Sky Sect would remain the number one sect in the World. By then, it would no longer be one sect with two Douluo, but one sect with four Douluo.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince. Greetings, Sect Master Ning."

Tang Xiao clasped his hands and bowed to Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi.

The two returned the gesture slightly.

"The Clear Sky Sect truly lives up to its name. Judging from the bearing of you two alone, it deserves its title as the number one sect in the World." Ning Fengzhi offered his praise without reservation. As the leader of an auxiliary-type sect, he naturally needed to make more friends and fewer enemies.

Maintaining good relations with the Clear Sky Sect was essential.

"Sect Master Ning truly deserves to be the master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Your eye for people is indeed different." Tang Hao clasped his hands in greeting, his tone filled with pride.

As a disciple of the Clear Sky Sect, if he lacked pride, then he would not deserve to be called the Clear Sky Sect's greatest genius.

Tang Xiao smiled helplessly at the others. There was nothing he could do about his younger brother. Tang Hao had always been like this—somewhat reckless and unrestrained, with no filter on his words. Put nicely, he was simply frank and straightforward.

That made it far too easy for him to offend people.

Ning Fengzhi and Xue Ye merely smiled and shook their heads. They had both heard of Tang Hao's reputation.

Di Hong, however, found it rather strange. Was this Tang Hao really Tang San's father?

Why did this Tang Hao seem a little like an idiot to him?

At that moment, Tang Yuehua walked over and bowed to everyone. Her bearing was poised, elegant, and graceful, like that of a true noblewoman, forming a stark contrast with her two brothers.

Standing beside Tang Yuehua, Tang Xiao and Tang Hao looked more like her guards.

"Yuehua, you came too?" Di Hong was somewhat surprised. Tang Yuehua was not a Soul Master, yet she had come to attend the Soul Master Exchange Meet.

"I came with my two brothers, to broaden my horizons and cheer them on." Tang Yuehua spoke gently, a trace of indescribable emotion in her eyes as she looked at Di Hong.

"What do you mean? You obviously came for Di Hong, yet you're using us as an excuse," Tang Hao muttered quietly.

The smile on Tang Yuehua's face did not fade. She merely moved a little closer to Tang Hao without drawing attention, then viciously pinched him when no one was looking. But she was too weak for Tang Hao to feel any pain. After all, after cultivating for so many years, his muscles were incredibly tough.

Tang Hao looked Di Hong up and down, then strode over with a grin and lightly patted him.

Though the force seemed small to Tang Hao, it was truly not light for Di Hong. Had it been an ordinary person, those few pats would have knocked them flat. After all, this was a man who swung giant hammers.

"You saved my sister, and our Clear Sky Sect hasn't thanked you yet."

"If you ever need anything, come find me. As long as it doesn't violate my principles, I'll handle it for you."

"From now on, you're my brother-in-law."

"Huh?" Di Hong was greatly startled, staring at Tang Hao in astonishment. Even Ning Fengzhi and Xue Ye were dumbfounded. Not only them—everyone around them was stunned as well.

Everyone began speculating about Di Hong's relationship with the Clear Sky Sect.

Some people looked at Di Hong, then at Tang Yuehua.

Red and blue made quite a fitting pair. The only pity was that Tang Yuehua was not a Spirit Master, though that no longer seemed important. After all, she was the daughter of the Clear Sky Sect's Sect Master. Marrying her would mean becoming the Clear Sky Sect's son-in-law—the prized son-in-law of the number one sect in the World. Countless people could only dream of such a thing.

"Let me tell you, you can eat whatever you want, but don't talk nonsense."

Di Hong snapped back to his senses. What was going on? Why did he feel like Tang Hao was trying to take advantage of him?

"Second Brother, say less." Tang Yuehua helplessly pressed a hand to her forehead. She suddenly regretted coming. He really had no idea how to speak, calling someone her brother-in-law the moment they met.

Yet she did not seem to dislike it. In fact, she even found herself looking forward to it a little.