Tang Hao: I'm Useless! Nine-Colored Glazed Tile Dragon, Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Junlan!

He would rather face the Elders' rebukes and punishments than see those pitying eyes.

"Big Brother... Elders..."

Tang Hao's voice was hoarse and dry, like two sheets of sandpaper grinding together.

Tang Hao struggled to sit upright, but he could not muster even a shred of strength.

"It was me... I was useless..."

Lying there, he looked at Tang Xiao and the Elders around him. His reddened eyes instantly filled with tears.

"I originally wanted to... use the descent of the Sky Screen and its ranking of the First Martial Souls of the two continents to return to the sect and fight for it...

To clear the Clear Sky Hammer's name, to win back the lost glory of our Clear Sky Sect..."

"But in the end... in the end, I ended up like this..."

Tang Hao's voice choked up as he abruptly turned his head away.

He no longer dared to look into their eyes, his voice filled with endless regret and self-reproach.

"I have tarnished the Clear Sky Sect's reputation for nothing... I have sullied the legend of the Clear Sky Hammer as the 'number one Tool Martial Soul in the world'...

And I have made the title 'Clear Sky Douluo' into a laughingstock across the entire continent..."

"It was me... I have let down the sect!

I have let down Father!

I have let you all down!"

By the end, this iron-blooded man who had once stood tall and never bowed, even if broken, could no longer hold back the collapse within his heart.

Tang Hao buried his head in Tang Xiao's embrace and let out muffled, agonized sobs like a helpless child.

Tears streamed down his face.

Those murky tears soaked Tang Xiao's robes, and seemed like blazing brands searing themselves into the hearts of every Clear Sky Sect Elder present.

At that moment, all blame, rage, and dissatisfaction turned into a heavy sigh.

A deathly silence filled the council hall.

Only Tang Hao's sobs, laced with regret, humiliation, and pain, echoed through the empty hall.

Meanwhile.

Sun Moon Empire, capital, Ming Capital.

Imperial Palace Banquet Hall.

In stark contrast to the oppressive sorrow at the Clear Sky Sect, this place blazed with lights and melodious music, brimming with the joy of victory and imperial pride.

The long banquet tables were draped in luxurious silk and laden with delicacies from across the continent, as well as dishes made from Soul Beasts.

The Empire's highest officials, nobles, and representatives of the major powers had gathered together, raising cups and laughing merrily.

"Hahaha!"

"As expected of the number one Titled Douluo of our Sun Moon Empire's Royal Family!"

Wei Ang, dressed in a purple-and-gold dragon robe, sat at the head of the table. He stroked his beard with immense satisfaction, his booming voice drowning out the clamor in the hall.

"When this boy was level ninety-five, he condensed his second Soul Core. With two Martial Souls, eight Hundred Thousand Year soul skills, and six Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone skills, he defeated me despite being two levels below me."

"Now, under orders, he has gone on an expedition to Sea God Island and decisively defeated Sea Horse Douluo and Clear Sky Douluo, bringing glory to our Sun Moon Empire in the Douluo Continent beyond the vast seas. He truly is the Wei Family's qilin child!"

The Soul Core had naturally first been created by Wei Yuan and passed down throughout the Sun Moon Continent.

To be precise, Di Tian among the Soul Beasts also possessed one.

It was simply that the Douluo Continent had never possessed the Soul Core Method.

Wei Tianchen had awakened Dual Birth Innate Martial Souls at the age of six: the Purple Blazing Sky-Destroying Dragon and the Purple Flame Dragon Spear.

Innate Full Soul Power.

Exceptional talent.

He had grown up in boundless splendor from a young age.

Though proud, he had also desperately pursued greater strength.

Relying on the unique nature of his Innate Martial Souls and his extraordinary comprehension, he broke through to the Titled Douluo rank at the age of just thirty-seven.

He became the second-youngest Titled Douluo in the history of the Sun Moon Continent.

As for the youngest?

Naturally, it was ancestor Wei Yuan.

Wei Ang's laughter echoed through the banquet hall. Everyone stopped talking and raised their cups in agreement, while praise poured forth without end.

After enjoying the flattery for a moment, Wei Ang shifted his gaze to a dignified and noble woman seated midway down the long table.

Wei Ang said with a smile:

"Sect Master Ning."

The woman he had addressed was none other than Ning Junlan, the current Sect Master of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

She wore a sapphire-blue Long Dress, its hem embroidered with the totem of the Nine-Colored Glazed Tile Dragon in silver thread. Her jet-black hair was pinned high, revealing her smooth forehead and slender neck.

Though she was already over sixty, time seemed not to have left many traces upon her face. Instead, it had bestowed upon her a unique charm.

Her Martial Soul was the mutated Nine-Colored Glazed Tile Dragon. Her Soul Power had reached level ninety-six, and she was also an eighth-level Soul Engineer, holding an esteemed position within the Empire.

Ning Junlan set down her wine cup and gave a slight nod. Her phoenix eyes calmly regarded Wei Ang.

"What are Your Majesty's orders?"

The smile on Wei Ang's face deepened as he spoke with a hint of warmth.

"Sect Master Ning, I heard that your daughter, Ning Jinlan, has also been in seclusion recently to break through to the Titled Douluo realm. That is truly cause for celebration."

"Your Majesty flatters her. Whether my daughter can succeed remains uncertain."

Ning Junlan answered with neither servility nor arrogance.

"Ah, Sect Master Ning, there is no need for such modesty."

Wei Ang waved a hand, then abruptly changed the subject and got straight to the point.

"I have long heard that your daughter and my disappointing nephew, Wei Tianchen, are mutually in love. Yet for some reason, they have been unable to come together all this time.

Today, I shall presume upon my age and propose marriage to your Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect on Tianchen's behalf. I hope Sect Master Ning will not refuse!"

The entire banquet hall fell silent the instant those words were spoken.

Everyone's gazes immediately converged on Ning Junlan.

A marriage alliance between the Royal Family and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!

This was an earth-shaking matter!

One was the imperial clan that controlled the Sun Moon Empire.

The other was a super sect that possessed the continent's number one support Martial Soul and had deeply integrated itself into the Soul Tool system.

If these two houses joined together, the entire structure of the Sun Moon Empire would change!

A trace of barely perceptible surprise flashed across Ning Junlan's face, but she quickly regained her composure.

She lifted her wine cup and gently swirled the amber liquid within, as though considering the matter.

Naturally, she knew about her daughter and Wei Tianchen.

The two children were both outstanding talents, admired each other, and had developed affection for one another. They had seemed like a match made in heaven.

It was only because both were proud and neither was willing to lower their head first, compounded by the delicate relationship between the sect and the Royal Family, that the matter had remained deadlocked.

Now, Wei Ang had publicly proposed marriage before the entire imperial court. It not only gave the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect ample face, but was also an open scheme that could not be refused.

If she agreed, the relationship between the Royal Family and the sect would become as solid as gold, and her daughter would have her wish fulfilled.

If she refused, she would publicly humiliate the Royal Family. The consequences would be unthinkable.

Ning Junlan's thoughts raced, yet a faint smile appeared on her face.

Ning Junlan raised her head and met Wei Ang's gaze, filled with expectation and pressure, before slowly speaking.

"Your Majesty's favor leaves Junlan and the entire Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect deeply grateful.

Tianchen is indeed an unparalleled talent of this age. For my daughter Jinlan to earn his favor is her good fortune."

She first affirmed Wei Tianchen, giving the Royal Family sufficient face.

The smile on Wei Ang's face grew even more radiant, as he thought she was about to agree.

However, Ning Junlan changed the subject and continued.

"However, marriage concerns the lifelong happiness of two children."