But Tang Hao had offended Spirit Hall and harmed the sect by bonding with a Soul Beast.
He was nothing but a scourge, a sinner of the sect!
Viewing Tang Hao as a scourge and a sinner of the sect was the normal mindset a Soul Master of the Douluo Continent should have.
Other than the Tang father and son, who the hell in the entire Douluo Continent would bond with a Soul Beast?!
Once a powerful force discovered this, how could they possibly not come to seize it or attack you? This was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, a resource even Title Douluo powerhouses dreamed of obtaining!
If the Clear Sky Sect had merely been a small sect, it would have been a catastrophic disaster!
Countless powerful Soul Master forces would have stormed the sect to snatch it away, wiping out the entire sect outright.
Therefore, in the eyes of those from the Elders' faction, they hated Tang Hao even more than Spirit Hall.
The Elders no longer wanted the next generation of Tang Xiao and Tang Hao's branch to continue taking the position of Sect Master.
And Tang Xiao had no children.
Though Tang Hao had a son, Tang San was currently not qualified to compete for the position of Sect Master.
At present, there was only Tang Long.
Although Tang Long was merely Tang Xiao's stepson, he was still his son and part of the family.
The Elders did not particularly want Tang Long to inherit the position of Sect Master in the future either, but among the Elders, only Tang Hu could rival him, and even then, Tang Hu would most likely lose to Tang Long in the future.
Now that Tang Yu had suddenly emerged, the Elders had finally seen hope.
And since Tang Yu was Tang Tian's son, he would naturally stand with the Elders' faction. Even if he ultimately did not want the position of Sect Master, it would be passed to Tang Hu, whom the Elders had cultivated.
"I'll work hard." Tang Yu nodded, then said,
"Elders, now that I have returned, I wish to challenge the top three among the younger generation of the sect and earn the Sect Master and Elders' recognition to learn the Clear Sky Nine Techniques."
The Elders reacted just as Tang Tian had at first. Second Elder frowned. "You may challenge them, but do not place too much hope or confidence in yourself."
They feared that Tang Yu would lose his courage and confidence if he lost.
He then continued, "The current top three among the younger generation are First Chief Disciple Tang Long, twenty-four years old, with Soul Power at level fifty-three."
"Second is Tang Hu, nearly twenty-four years old, and he has just reached level fifty-one."
"Third is Tang Yan, twenty-five years old, with Soul Power at level fifty-two."
"Are you certain you want to challenge them now?"
The Elders had deliberately stated their ages, meaning they wanted Tang Yu to wait a little longer.
"I am certain." Tang Yu's gaze was resolute.
"Good!" Since that was the case, the Elders stopped hesitating and immediately agreed. "If you can defeat any one of those three, you will no longer need to undergo the sect's and Elders' assessment. We will directly teach you the Clear Sky Nine Techniques."
"After all, if you can defeat them at the age of fourteen, forget earning the Sect Master and our recognition—by then, the entire Clear Sky Sect will recognize you!"
"Tell us, which one do you wish to challenge?"
Tang Yu did not hesitate in the slightest. "I want to challenge the strongest chief disciple, Tang Long."
He had calculated it already.
Like Seventh Elder, Blazing Sun Douluo, Tang Yan possessed a Clear Sky Hammer with the Fire Attribute.
As for Tang Long and Tang Hu, both had lightning attributes.
Tang Yu possessed the Thunder Dragon Wings, which granted lightning immunity and could absorb lightning attributes, so fighting Tang Long and Tang Hu would be easier.
And if he challenged Tang Hu, those from Tang Xiao's faction would have grounds to claim Tang Hu had held back.
Since that was the case, Tang Yu might as well challenge Tang Long directly!
"What?! Tang Long?"
"Good kid, you actually chose the strongest one! Good, good, good! You've got guts!"
"Immediately gather everyone in the Clear Sky Sect at the sect's main hall!!"
One hour later.
All one thousand-plus members of the Clear Sky Sect had gathered in the sect's main hall, standing neatly in place as they waited.
"What is going on?!"
"Why did the Elders suddenly call everyone here? Did something major happen?!"
"I don't know! But I heard Tang Yu has returned."
"Why did he come back? Didn't they say he went outside to train?"
A group of disciples looked utterly confused.
Tang Xiao sat in the seat of honor, equally unable to understand what the Elders were doing.
Soon.
The stone doors of the main hall were pushed open.
The Five Great Elders entered the hall with Tang Yu.
"Brother Yu!" Tang Hu walked over with a smile and warmly punched Tang Yu in the chest.
Tang Yu smiled. "Brother Hu, it has been a while."
"Yeah!"
The two chatted.
At that moment.
The Elders got straight to the point. "According to the rules of our Clear Sky Sect, anyone who ranks among the top three of the younger generation and gains the recognition of the sect and Elders may learn the Clear Sky Nine Techniques."
"Sect Master, if Tang Yu can defeat Tang Long, Tang Hu, and Tang Yan, the top three, will he earn your recognition?"
"What?! Tang Yu wants to challenge the top three?"
The moment those words were spoken, everyone present was stunned.
Tang Xiao was stunned as well. He even wondered if he had remembered incorrectly. "Elders, if I remember correctly, this child Tang Yu has only been out training for eight months, right?"
"Wasn't he only level twenty-nine eight months ago? At most, he should only be level thirty-three now, right?"
"Do the Elders believe Tang Yu, who is barely above level thirty, can defeat the top three of the younger generation? Heh, Elders, do not treat this as child's play!"
Tang Tian said with a serious expression, "Sect Master, just answer whether Tang Yu will gain your recognition if he becomes one of the top three."
Tang Xiao replied, "At Tang Yu's age, if he can truly defeat Tang Long, Tang Hu, and Tang Yan, then naturally he will earn my recognition and directly learn the Clear Sky Nine Techniques!"
"But can he win?"
Tang Yu stepped forward, his two words firm and forceful. "I can!"
"Ahahaha!" Tang Xiao could not help laughing upon hearing this. He shook his head speechlessly. "Arrogant!"
He knew Tang Yu's talent was indeed quite good.
But he was far too young, around ten years younger than Tang Long and Tang Hu.
Even if he were beaten to death, Tang Xiao would never believe Tang Yu could win.
Those from Tang Xiao's faction immediately mocked him on the spot. "No way, no way, Tang Yu! You went out for a few months and now you think you're all that, huh?!"
"You think you can defeat the top three? Hahahaha! Stop making us laugh!"
"Yeah! You only became a Soul Elder not long ago, right? The top three are all Soul Kings now!"
"You think you can challenge opponents two whole realms above you? That's hilarious!"
"Hahaha! If you can beat them, I'll fucking eat shit on the spot!!"
The Third Generation disciples present mocked and ridiculed him wildly, as though they were watching some ridiculous joke, bursting into laughter.
"Who said I am a Soul Elder?"
Tang Yu's lips curled upward. "Tang Yu, level forty-three Soul Ancestor. Brother Tang Long, please enlighten me!"
Soul Rings emerged beneath his feet.
The ridicule throughout the hall immediately turned into shock.
"A level forty-three Soul Ancestor?!"
"A ten-thousand-year Soul Ring! A ten-thousand-year Fourth Soul Ring! Holy shit!!!"
"What is going on?! How did Tang Yu suddenly become so strong?! This... this is impossible!"
The entire hall erupted. Those who had mocked Tang Yu were dumbfounded.
Tang Xiao was shocked as well.
"Hey, after I'm done fighting, I'll head to the toilet right away. Remember to hurry over, pick it up, and eat it while it's hot!" Tang Yu pointed at the peer who had just said he would eat shit.
Before you continue