Heaven Dou Disturbance, Assassination Mission

The Continental Soul Master Elite Tournament had ultimately ended with Spirit Academy claiming the championship, while Chen Changfeng, Spirit Hall's Judgment Elder, had inevitably been thrust into the spotlight across the entire Douluo Continent.

An eight-ring Soul Douluo who had slain Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Douluo and once the greatest genius on the Douluo Continent.

Dark horse Shrek Academy had suffered defeat in the finals.

Grandmaster, Flender, and Liu Erlong, the three headmasters of the founding academies, had all died in Spirit City. Even Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, who had close ties with the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, had not been spared. Shrek Academy was left with the dead dead, the crippled crippled, and the captured captured. The flame of hope that had just been kindled was snuffed out in an instant.

The entire Douluo Continent was shaken by this.

Like a Tornado Storm, the incident swept across the entire Douluo Continent.

Many factions and Soul Masters even began to feel endangered. Spirit Hall had killed so openly during the Soul Master Tournament; it was bound to make further major moves next. More importantly, Tang Hao, Yu Xiaogang, and Liu Erlong had been killed in Spirit City. The long-secluded Clear Sky Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, which had merely watched from the sidelines, would certainly not let this go.

Spirit Hall's move had been one of striking the mountain to frighten the tiger.

Almost everyone could smell the storm gathering.

One month later.

Worship Hall.

Great Enshriner Qian Daoliu wore a worried expression as the Six Great Enshriners stood on either side, listening to a scout's report.

A secret letter from the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace reported that, due to the Judgment Elder's killing spree during the Soul Master Tournament, Xue Ye had flown into a rage. Regarding the deaths of Shrek Academy's three headmasters and honorary headmaster Dugu Bo, he demanded that Spirit Hall give the Heaven Dou Empire—and the entire Douluo Continent—an explanation within seven days.

At the same time, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family had dispatched an envoy to Longxing City. According to information sent back by Young Mistress Qian Renxue, the envoy should be an important figure of the empire. Furthermore, the mission was highly classified; even she had been unable to uncover any information. However, Young Mistress suspected that the Soul Master Tournament incident had made Xue Ye sense danger, and that this trip was likely related to seeking peace with the Star Luo Empire. Spirit Hall should prepare a response.

Moreover, the envoy traveling to Star Luo was personally escorted by the Dugu Family and five hundred Soul Masters from the Heaven Dou Royal Soul Master Corps. According to an investigation by Spirit Hall guards planted within the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, at least one-fifth of the Soul Masters in the Heaven Dou Royal Army had been replaced. An unidentified force had infiltrated its ranks. This matter also required serious attention.

After hearing the report, Qian Daoliu waved a hand at the scout. "I understand the general situation. You may leave."

He watched the scout depart.

The brows of the enshriners furrowed slightly.

Golden Crocodile Douluo finally said, "Great Enshriner, this matter is probably not so simple."

"That's right. If it were only the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, Xue Ye would not openly question Spirit Hall over a mere Shrek Academy."

Qian Daoliu nodded and analyzed calmly, "At present, there is only one possibility: a force is backing the imperial family from behind."

Golden Crocodile Douluo's sword-like brows tightened. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has always been close to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family."

Qian Daoliu said, "I now suspect that the neutral Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has begun showing goodwill toward the Heaven Dou Empire. They would not outright submit to it; they are likely merely offering support. Otherwise, Xue Ye would not have such confidence."

"After all, Yu Yuanzhen only had Yu Xiaogang as a son."

"According to intelligence from the branch halls, many Spirit Hall branch halls in border cities have been destroyed in just a few days. This is most likely connected to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Clear Sky Sect. Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong are dead, so the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan certainly will not let it go. Yet they have not made any statement on the matter. That is the most abnormal behavior of all, and the most unsettling."

"The Clear Sky Sect?!"

Golden Crocodile Douluo paused in surprise, then shook his head. "The Clear Sky Sect has secluded itself for decades. Tang Hao was expelled from the sect back then as well. Even if Tang Hao has died, the Clear Sky Sect may not necessarily reemerge because of him. After all, the previous sect master of the Clear Sky Sect is already dead."

As Golden Crocodile finished speaking.

The enshriners exchanged glances and nodded one after another.

Second Worship's analysis was not without merit.

With Great Enshriner guarding Spirit Hall, the Clear Sky Sect might not emerge because of Tang Hao's death. But if it did, that would truly be troublesome.

The enshriners all had their own thoughts, but they all felt that the Judgment Elder had gone somewhat too far this time.

Killing Tang Hao was understandable, since he deserved to die. But Dugu Bo, Yu Xiaogang, and Liu Erlong had all ultimately been killed by him. This had undoubtedly pushed all of Spirit Hall into the eye of the storm. Dugu Bo had aligned himself with the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, while Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong came from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. If this also provoked the Clear Sky Sect into action, Spirit Hall's advantages of several decades would be entirely wiped out.

Impulsive. Bloodthirsty.

At least half the people in Worship Hall felt that Chen Changfeng had gone too far.

They simply did not dare point it out for the sake of Great Enshriner's dignity.

His strength was widely acknowledged, but so was his recklessness.

"Let us hope, as Second Worship said, that the disturbance in Heaven Dou has nothing to do with the Clear Sky Sect."

After a long while, Qian Daoliu finally broke the silence in Worship Hall. "However, there is no need for concern. Papal Palace has also received the news and has notified the branch halls within the Heaven Dou Empire to assemble one thousand elite Soul Masters. They will establish control over the towns along the northeastern edge of the Star Dou Great Forest, the route the Heaven Dou Empire's envoy must take to Longxing City, and interfere with them."

"Interfere?"

At that moment, a familiar voice came from outside the hall. "Why not destroy them?"

Upon hearing the voice.

The bodies of the Six Great Enshriners trembled simultaneously.

Even the corner of Qian Daoliu's eye twitched involuntarily twice.

Who had come?

Who else could it be but Chen Changfeng? He was currently at the height of his notoriety. Not only was the outside world terrified at the mere mention of him, even Spirit Hall's own people were plagued with headaches over him. It was no wonder that even Qian Daoliu could not remain calm.

Chen Changfeng walked to the center of the hall and stopped, then faced Qian Daoliu. "I have also heard about the destruction of Spirit Hall branch halls. I came here specifically to inform Great Enshriner that I will personally investigate."

"You want to go?"

Before Qian Daoliu could speak, Golden Crocodile Douluo frowned. "There are many forces targeting Spirit Hall. Such incidents have occurred from time to time over the years. This is neither a matter of utmost importance nor a powerful enemy. Sending scouts to investigate will suffice. Wouldn't it be making too much of it for the Judgment Elder to go personally?"

"Second Worship thinks this matter is simple?"

The corners of Chen Changfeng's lips lifted slightly as he sneered. "To silently eliminate two Spirit Hall branch halls, no ordinary force could accomplish such a thing apart from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Clear Sky Sect. You just mentioned that Tang Hao's death would not be enough to make the Clear Sky Sect reemerge as a whole, but you overlooked the most important point. The old sect master of the Clear Sky Sect is dead, but Tang Xiao, one of the former Clear Sky Twin Stars, is not. He should now be the sect master of the Clear Sky Sect."

"Tang Hao was killed by someone else."

"Does Second Worship still believe Tang Xiao can sit peacefully within the Clear Sky Sect and remain its sect master?"

Golden Crocodile Douluo said, "This..."

Qian Daoliu also nodded thoughtfully.

The enshriners likewise found it reasonable.

"This matter began because of me, so I should handle it."

Chen Changfeng did not give them much time to deliberate. The older these people became, the more concerns they had. "Those wastes in Papal Palace could not even complete an assassination mission against a Soul Ancestor, yet they think one thousand Soul Masters can obstruct a meeting between Heaven Dou and Star Luo?"