Clear Sky Sect (3)

"The current Pope died because of Tang Hao. This matter could no longer be suppressed as it had been before.

"Even with Tang Chen in the Clear Sky Sect, this battle had to be fought.

"Back then, Tang Zhan, the Clear Sky Sect's leader, understood as well that after losing a Pope, Spirit Hall could no longer back down as it had before.

"While Spirit Hall mobilized personnel and prepared for war, the Clear Sky Sect began recalling its disciples from across the continent and contacting potential allies.

"After a month of tentative clashes, Tang Zhan discovered that the Clear Sky Sect's reputation was simply too foul. No one was willing to help them. Even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, which shouted about the Upper Three Sects being bound by common cause, merely sent a token force.

"In the end, Spirit Hall received a corpse—the corpse of Tang Zhan, the Clear Sky Sect's leader—along with a letter.

"The letter's general meaning was that Tang Hao had been expelled from the sect, Tang Zhan would pay for a life with his own, and the Clear Sky Sect would seal itself away, hoping Spirit Hall would pursue the matter no further.

"After reading the letter, we understood that Tang Chen must have died. Otherwise, with the Clear Sky Sect's usual conduct, they could never have humbled themselves so much.

"At the time, we believed we should seize the opportunity to wipe out the Clear Sky Sect directly. But Big Brother's old habit of cherishing old ties acted up again, and he agreed to the Clear Sky Sect's request."

Qian Daoliu gave a bitter laugh before continuing, "This time, I truly did act out of old sentiment. At the time, I thought Tang Chen was already dead, and Tang Chen's son was willing to use his own life to repay my son's.

"The price the Clear Sky Sect paid was considerable enough. And without Tang Chen, the Clear Sky Sect was merely a minor nuisance, destined to vanish into history sooner or later. There was nothing to fear.

"There was no need to exterminate the descendants of these old friends."

Tian'e remained expressionless as he listened.

"You just never expected the Clear Sky Sect to pull a trick and stab you in the back, did you, Big Brother?

"The letter said Tang Hao was expelled from the Clear Sky Sect, but it became Tang Hao voluntarily leaving the Clear Sky Sect.

"Tang Zhan, who had clearly offered his life in exchange for another, became someone who died of rage over Tang Hao's actions in the Clear Sky Sect's version.

"Do the people of the Clear Sky Sect even think before they speak? Could a Title Douluo be angered to death by his own son?

"As Shuang'er would put it, that was enough to make the whole continent laugh for a year.

"Still, their sealing of the sect was real. They honestly fucked off to some remote mountain corner and sealed themselves away."

Qian Daoliu could only say helplessly, "Second Brother, there's no need to dwell on such minor details. Once they seal themselves in the deep mountains and ancient forests, the Clear Sky Sect will truly disappear into the river of history within three hundred years."

Tian'e did not dwell on those details and continued speaking.

"The Clear Sky Sect may disappear, but Tang Hao is still out there, alive and kicking.

"He comes to cause trouble for Spirit Hall every other day.

"This time, Big Brother, you shouldn't stop us from capturing Tang Hao again, right?"

Qian Chongling, who had been listening, was somewhat confused. Could it really be as Qian Ningshuang said? Did Spirit Hall's average intelligence need improvement?

"Leaving aside whether Xiao Liuer would stop you, the continent is so vast. What are the odds of you few catching one rat?"

"But that's the only thing we can do, Ancestor. We can't just let that rat Tang Hao keep jumping around outside and disgusting people, can we?"

This time, Tian'e was the one who gave a bitter smile. He knew it would indeed be difficult to catch a single Tang Hao on such a vast continent, but this was the only clumsy method available.

"It seems Shuang'er was right after all. Spirit Hall's political education really needs improvement."

Qian Chongling let out a faint sigh.

The High Priests exchanged glances. In the end, Yin Long stepped forward despite himself.

"Ancestor, what brilliant plan do you have? Forgive our dullness. Please enlighten us, Ancestor."

"If the mountain won't come to me, then I'll go to the mountain! Have you all stayed cooped up in Spirit City so long that your brains have gone dull?

"It's difficult for you to catch Tang Hao when he runs around like a rat, but surely the Clear Sky Sect can't run all over the place!

"No matter how heartless and ruthless Tang Hao is, even if only for the sake of his reputation, he must care about his brothers and sisters!"

Qian Chongling finally could not restrain his anger. Had these juniors lived in a stable continental situation for too long?

"But Tang Hao left the Clear Sky Sect. That would be unreasonable."

Qian Chongling could not resist slapping Tian'e across the head.

"And you said Xiao Liuer didn't know how to adapt. You're no better!

"When I was Pope, I didn't care whether someone had left their sect or not. Causing trouble and then taking all responsibility onto yourself just by leaving the sect? Wishful thinking!

"You care about preserving your feathers and protecting your reputation, but what about the people under Spirit Hall who died because of the Clear Sky Sect?!

"What about those whose families were exterminated and who were oppressed by the Clear Sky Sect?!

"Don't forget why Spirit Hall has always been obsessed with unification!

"Don't get things backward!"

As Qian Chongling erupted, the High Priests all lowered their heads in shame. They had all read Spirit Hall's historical records, and even knew them by heart.

Spirit Hall had originally been established by Spirit Masters who followed the Angel God. At first, it merely hunted down Evil Soul Masters. When Qian Chongling became Pope, another principle was added: to govern Spirit Masters across the world, so that those who wielded the continent's greatest force would have something to fear and would not act recklessly.

"Ancestor's lesson is correct!"

Qian Chongling swept his gaze across everyone present.

"I don't need to teach you what to do next, do I?"

Tian'e asked tentatively, "Gather enough men and wipe out the Clear Sky Sect?"

"What else?"

"Yes, Ancestor!"

Tian'e answered with excitement written all over his face. He had endured the Clear Sky Sect for far too long. At last, he could vent the resentment he had accumulated over the years.

"I'll go as well this time. I haven't fought in thousands of years. I'd like to see what is so remarkable about this Clear Sky Sect that ever since it emerged, it has thrown the continent into chaos."

Qian Chongling said with narrowed eyes. The Clear Sky Sect's style and everything it had done since emerging reminded him of the methods the gods had used in the God Realm to disrupt the affairs of the lower world.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing that Qian Chongling was going too, Tian'e could not hide the wild joy on his face. This time, even if Tang Chen returned to life, the Clear Sky Sect would not escape the calamity of annihilation!

"Go make your preparations.

"Oh, and bring Shuang'er along this time. Let her see the world."

Letting her see the world was one reason. The other was that Qian Chongling suddenly recalled the strange questions Qian Ningshuang had asked about the Xuantian Sect when they first met Gu Yuena in the Star Dou Forest.

If the Clear Sky Sect truly was a chess piece the God Realm had used to disrupt the continent, Qian Chongling should be able to see it. But when it came to the Xuantian Sect, Gu Yuena, who spent all day following behind Qian Ningshuang, likely knew more.

"Yes, Ancestor. I'll go inform Shuang'er immediately."

The Seventh High Priest, Jiang Mo, responded. He had no objection to bringing Qian Ningshuang. Safety? Without Tang Chen, if a group of Super Douluo, one Limit Douluo, and Qian Chongling still could not protect Qian Ningshuang, they might as well find a block of tofu and bash themselves to death.

Oh, not just one Limit Douluo. If Qian Ningshuang went, Gu Yuena would definitely go too. And if Gu Yuena went, Di Tian would certainly follow.

After watching his brothers leave Douluo Hall, Qian Daoliu still could not help stepping forward.

"Ancestor, the place where the Clear Sky Sect sealed itself away is the site where Tang Chen and I fought our decisive battle.

"I promised Tang Chen back then that everyone in Spirit Hall..."

"Hm?"

Seeing Qian Chongling's cold gaze, Qian Daoliu did not speak the rest.

Qian Daoliu understood in his heart as well that promises were sometimes worth less than a sheet of toilet paper.

For example, Tang Hao, who kept jumping around everywhere. When Qian Daoliu had pursued Tang Hao back then, Tang Hao promised him that if Qian Daoliu spared him, he would never seek revenge against Spirit Hall again.

Qian Daoliu understood how troublesome a wild Title Douluo could be if he let loose and sought revenge. Without that promise, even if Qian Daoliu cherished old ties, he would still have had to kill Tang Hao.

But now, Tang Hao showed no sign of keeping any promise, and it was the Clear Sky Sect that had broken their word first.