The Pope's Death

[Douluo Secret Ranking, Number Ten: Death of the Pope!]

The moment these words appeared, countless people froze.

Some were confused.

"Does 'Death of the Pope' mean the previous Pope, Qian Xunji?"

"Probably, but didn't he die after Tang Hao gravely wounded him? What's so secret about that?"

"Maybe there's more to it than that?"

"..."

Countless people voiced their doubts.

After all, everyone knew that Qian Xunji had died at the hands of the new Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao.

Back then,

Tang Hao had fought Qian Xunji.

Qian Xunji had died, and Tang Hao's fame had resounded across the continent.

But that had also led to war between the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall, and the battle had forced the Clear Sky Sect to seal itself off from the world.

It had shaken the entire Soul Master World.

Everyone knew Qian Xunji had died at Tang Hao's hands. Now that the Heavenly Ranking had brought up the matter again, was there more to the story?

Spirit Hall.

When the people saw the Sky Screen change, their expressions shifted dramatically.

This was especially true of the several Enshrined who knew what had really happened.

They knew exactly how Qian Xunji had died.

But they hadn't expected the Sky Screen to expose the truth!

Although this could only be considered a scandal, the interests involved were too great. Back then, Spirit Hall had forced the Clear Sky Sect to seal itself off from the world.

If this were exposed,

Spirit Hall's reputation would suffer severe damage, and its authority would gradually decline.

To them, it was no less devastating than losing a hand or a foot.

"Big Brother, this Sky Screen is deliberately exposing our shameful secrets. I was just grateful to it a moment ago. What a rotten thing!"

Golden Crocodile Douluo cursed angrily.

Qian Daoliu waved a hand. "Calm down. It was only a matter of time before this came out. What worries me now is that if Xiao Xue sees that her father died at her mother's hands..."

At those words, everyone's expressions changed.

"Then... should we bring the Young Master back?"

Someone made the suggestion.

Qian Daoliu nodded. "We do need to bring her back. The Heavenly Ranking exposing this matter isn't the biggest threat to her. It's her undercover mission."

"Big Brother, you mean the Heavenly Ranking might expose the Young Master's undercover mission?"

"That can't be ruled out."

Qian Daoliu's expression was grave. "With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in the Heaven Dou Empire, Xiao Xue is nominally Ning Fengzhi's disciple. If they decide to interfere, Snake Lance and Pufferfish won't be able to stop them."

"Send someone to deliver the message at once!"

"Yes!"

At the same time,

in a forest somewhere.

Blue Silver Grass swayed across the ground, sending out glimmers of Soul Power that gathered around a huge stalk at the center.

Beside it sat a middle-aged man in a black robe.

It was Tang Hao.

He looked up at the Sky Screen and froze for a moment, his shoulders trembling.

"I've already said it. Qian Xunji didn't die by my hand!"

Tang Hao gritted his teeth. "Back then, Spirit Hall blamed me and held the Clear Sky Sect responsible. I can't let this matter rest!"

He gently stroked the Blue Silver Grass beside him, Ah Yin.

The instant the Heavenly Ranking appeared, Ah Yin's life force had grown stronger. Her subconscious had already awakened, and now she was using her tendrils to gently stroke Tang Hao as well.

"Ah Yin, we'll meet again one day!"

Rumble!

As the Sky Screen changed, scenes appeared one after another.

The first scene showed Qian Xunji fighting Tang Hao.

"Majestic Clear Sky Sect, peerless battle soul hammer..."

Qian Xunji strode through the air, a phantom of a Six-winged Angel behind him. His might dominated every direction and awed all living things. He seemed like a god looking down upon the world as he stared at the figure atop the mountain and declared:

"Tang Hao, you colluded with a soul beast. Your crime is unforgivable!"

Atop the mountain, the young and spirited Tang Hao sneered. "How laughable. You just want to kill my wife and take her Soul Ring and Soul Bone. Why dress it up in such high-minded terms?!"

The two traded words, but neither held back in the fight.

Qian Xunji's Nine Soul Rings flared to life. Terrifying waves of energy gathered into a world-shaking tempest that swept across the land. Even through the light curtain, everyone could feel his overwhelming might. All beasts submitted, and all living things bowed before him.

The force of that presence bore down on Tang Hao, changing his expression.

He immediately used the Clear Sky Sect's secret technique.

Explode Ring!

Soul Power surged inside Tang Hao, forcibly lifting him into the air. Eight Soul Rings appeared around him as he gripped the Clear Sky Hammer and shouted, "Annihilation!"

Boom!

The Soul Rings behind him shattered, and their Soul Power flowed back into his body.

Tang Hao's aura suddenly rose, putting him on equal footing with a Titled Douluo. He was no weaker than Qian Xunji, who strode through the air.

When this scene appeared before everyone, they were all stunned.

"So that's the Clear Sky Sect's secret technique, Explode Ring?!"

"How terrifying! No wonder he could fight a Titled Douluo while only at the Soul Douluo rank."

Rumble!

As Tang Hao and Qian Xunji's attacks collided, the light curtain was swallowed by boundless Soul Power.

Watching this scene,

the people of the world couldn't help but be shaken.

At that moment,

Shrek Academy.

When Tang San saw the imposing figure on the Sky Screen, he couldn't help but gasp.

"Dad?!"

The words slipped out before he knew it.

The Shrek students around him, Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai, and the others all whipped around and said in unison:

"Dad?!"

They looked at one another.

"Third Brother, that's the Clear Sky Douluo!"

"Right! You can call him your adoptive father, but isn't that a bit too soon?"

"No!"

Tang San shook his head and stared at the figure on the Sky Screen. "I'm certain that's my father. I couldn't mistake him!"

But how could that be possible?

Even Tang San knew it was impossible.

As far as he could remember, his father had been nothing but a drunkard.

How could he be a Titled Douluo?!

"Ahem!"

Just then,

Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and the others walked over.

"Teacher!"

The students hurriedly greeted them.

"Mm!"

"Xiao San..." Yu Xiaogang stood with his hands behind his back, putting on the air of a worldly master.

"Teacher!" Tang San hurried over.

Yu Xiaogang gazed at the Sky Screen. "It's time I told you some things. Your father really is a Titled Douluo, and he's the famous Clear Sky Douluo."

Buzz!

Everyone's heads rang.

Xiao Wu was the most bewildered of all. She had spent the most time with Tang San. Hadn't he always said his father was a drunkard?

A Titled Douluo? What was that supposed to mean?!

A chill instantly crept through her.

Xiao Wu's eyes trembled as she looked at Tang San with greater wariness.

By now,

everyone present had already been overwhelmed by the revelation.

"Third Brother's father is a Titled Douluo?!"

"And not just that—he's the famous Clear Sky Douluo?!"

Hiss!

Everyone drew in a sharp breath.

Including Tang San.

He was stunned.

His father was really a Titled Douluo? How could that be?!

But he quickly composed himself and turned to Yu Xiaogang.

"Teacher, you already knew?"

Yu Xiaogang nodded. "Your father came to see me a long time ago. That was when I learned you were his son."

"I..."

Tang San started to speak, then stopped.

Yu Xiaogang then told everyone present about Tang Hao's past.

At the same time.

Whoosh!

The Sky Screen changed again.

The second scene appeared.

By then, Tang Hao was already in a sorry state, but he showed no fear.

By contrast, Qian Xunji and the other Spirit Hall Soul Masters had only slightly dirtied hems.