Clear Sky Sect Leader Dies, Clear Sky Sect Seals Its Mountain

A completely snow-white carriage rolled over slowly, bearing no emblem. Only white gauze curtains hung around the carriage.

After the carriage stopped, a White-Haired Old Woman lifted the curtain and beckoned to Ye Lingling.

Ye Lingling said nothing, merely nodding gently before boarding the carriage.

Before getting in, she glanced back, her gaze lingering on Gu Ci and Dugu Yan for a moment before shifting away.

The curtain fell, and the carriage departed without a sound.

Gu Ci withdrew his gaze and followed Gu Xiao into their family's carriage.

Inside, Dugu Yan leaned against him and asked quietly, "Brother Gu Ci, who do you think Ye Lingling's family is? I've never seen anyone from her family come for her."

Gu Ci shook his head. "I don't know. The Nine-Heart Begonia lineage has always been mysterious and uninvolved in worldly affairs."

"But they sent someone to pick her up this time. It looks like this really is a major matter."

Gu Xiao sat across from them, his voice grave. "It's more than major."

"The Pope of Spirit Hall is dead. The entire continent will be shaken to its core. The Clear Sky Sect has already gone into complete lockdown, and Tang Hao's whereabouts are unknown."

"Three Titled Douluo from Spirit Hall have joined forces to investigate. They say even old monsters who have lived in seclusion for years have emerged."

He paused and looked at Gu Ci. "Foster Father asked me to tell you to stay obediently in the manor for the next month. Don't go anywhere."

"He has a feeling this is only the beginning."

Gu Ci nodded without asking further.

The carriage rumbled onward through the streets of Heaven Dou City.

The streets were far quieter than usual. Pedestrians hurried along, while merchants packed up their stalls early.

Occasionally, several patrols of soldiers passed by, their expressions vigilant.

The entirety of Heaven Dou City was shrouded in an invisible oppression.

When they returned to the Marquis Mansion, Dugu Bo was already waiting in the Main Hall.

Seeing the two return safely, he sighed in relief. He waved Dugu Yan over, inspected her carefully, and only relaxed once he confirmed she was unharmed.

"Grandpa, are you all right?" Dugu Yan asked.

Dugu Bo shook his head. "What could possibly happen to me? It wasn't me who killed Qian Xunji."

He looked at Gu Ci, his gaze deep. "Ci'er, what do you think of this matter?"

Gu Ci pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "With Qian Xunji dead, Spirit Hall is bound to undergo major changes."

"Tang Hao's whereabouts are unknown, and the grudge between the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall has now been set in stone."

"Next, either Spirit Hall will launch a massive attack on the Clear Sky Sect, or both sides will sit down and negotiate—but given Spirit Hall's style, the former is more likely."

Dugu Bo nodded, signaling for him to continue.

"There's one more thing." Gu Ci paused.

"After Qian Xunji's death, who will inherit the position of Pope of Spirit Hall? If I'm not mistaken, it should be his disciple, Bibi Dong."

Dugu Bo raised a brow. "Bibi Dong? That woman in her twenties? Can she keep those old fellows in Spirit Hall under control?"

"The position of Pope has always been held by someone with the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul. Will Spirit Hall's higher-ups agree to this?"

Gu Ci shook his head. "Hard to say. But I think she's no simple person."

Dugu Bo fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "No matter what, this has nothing to do with us."

"For the time being, the two of you will stay home and cultivate properly. Return to the Academy in a month, and carry on as usual."

Gu Ci nodded and led Dugu Yan away.

After returning to his courtyard, Zi Dian and Night Shadow emerged from the Soul Spirit Space and stretched their limbs in the yard.

Ice Fire and Mo Jiao came out as well, and the four Soul Spirits each found a place to lie down.

Dugu Yan sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, resting her chin on her hand as she stared blankly into space.

"What are you thinking about?" Gu Ci asked.

Dugu Yan shook her head. "Nothing. It just feels like... the world suddenly changed."

Gu Ci smiled and sat down beside her.

Yes, it had changed.

Qian Xunji was dead. Bibi Dong had taken power, and Spirit Hall was beginning its march toward that mad future.

And Tang Hao, along with Tang San, had vanished into some unknown corner.

Over the next month, the entire continent was engulfed in turmoil.

Within Thunder Tiger Marquis Manor, Gu Ci cultivated in the courtyard every day, with Zi Dian and Night Shadow by his side.

Dugu Yan also stayed put obediently, while Ice Fire and Mo Jiao occasionally accompanied her in practicing her Ice Fire power.

The two appeared cut off from the outside world, yet the information Gu Xiao brought back each day kept them keenly aware of what was happening beyond the manor.

Reports returned one after another.

"Spirit Hall has dispatched Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Ghost Mi to the Clear Sky Sect."

When Gu Ci heard this report, he was sparring with Zi Dian in the courtyard. He stopped, his brows furrowing slightly.

Chrysanthemum Douluo. Ghost Douluo.

Two Titled Douluo had been deployed at once. Spirit Hall was getting serious.

"What exactly happened?" he asked.

Gu Xiao shook his head. "We don't know yet. But word has it that the Clear Sky Sect has already gone on lockdown, with Tang Xiao, one of the Twin Stars, personally overseeing the situation."

Several days later, more detailed information arrived.

That day, the sky was gloomy, with dark clouds pressing overhead.

Before the mountain gate of the Clear Sky Sect, two figures descended from the sky.

One wore white robes, his face so handsome it was nearly bewitching, with a faint Chrysanthemum fragrance lingering around him—Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan.

The other wore a black robe, his entire body shrouded in shadow. His features could not be seen, only a pair of cold, ghostly eyes glimmering in the darkness—Ghost Douluo Ghost Mi.

Behind them stood several thousand elite Spirit Hall Soul Masters, a vast black mass filling the open ground before the mountain gate.

The Clear Sky Sect's mountain gate was tightly shut. Its walls were packed with disciples, every one of them grim-faced.

Yue Guan stood with his hands behind his back. His voice was not loud, yet it rang clearly in everyone's ears. "Clear Sky Sect Leader, come out and meet us."

After a long while, the mountain gate slowly opened.

A figure strode out, followed by dozens of Clear Sky Sect elders.

He was an old man with white hair and beard, broad and powerfully built. Yet upon closer inspection, his face bore an unnatural pallor. Though his steps were steady, they faintly revealed exhaustion.

The Clear Sky Sect Leader, son of Clear Sky Douluo Tang Chen—Tang Nian.

"Two Titled Douluo have come in person. Forgive me for failing to welcome you properly."

Tang Nian's voice was hoarse, yet it carried unquestionable authority.

Yue Guan smiled slightly. That smile appeared particularly eerie beneath the gloomy sky.

"Sect Leader Tang, the two of us have come under the Pope's orders to seek an explanation."

"What explanation?"

"Your son Tang Hao murdered Qian Xunji, the Pope of Spirit Hall. How should this debt be settled?"

Tang Nian's expression darkened. "What Tang Hao did has nothing to do with my Clear Sky Sect."

"He has already betrayed the sect. If you want him, find him yourselves."

Ghost Mi spoke in a sinister tone. "Betrayed the sect? Hehe, Sect Leader Tang, do you believe that yourself?"

Yue Guan continued, "When Tang Hao gravely wounded the Pope, he used the Clear Sky Hammer."

"Among all Martial Souls under heaven, who besides the Clear Sky Sect could teach someone to wield a Clear Sky Hammer capable of gravely wounding a Titled Douluo?"

Tang Nian fell silent.

He knew there was no way to explain this matter away.

"Sect Leader Tang."

Yue Guan's tone softened, but beneath that gentleness lurked a deeper chill.

"The Pope has given an order. As long as the Clear Sky Sect hands over Tang Hao and publicly apologizes to Spirit Hall, this matter can be put behind us. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?" Tang Nian's gaze flashed like lightning.

Yue Guan did not answer. He merely smiled.

Ghost Mi's cold voice rang out. "Otherwise, there will be no need for the Clear Sky Sect to exist."