The Clear Sky Sect, once a top power that had shaken the continent with its reputation as the strongest sect in the world, had long since lost its former supremacy amid the shifting tides of Douluo Continent.
The glory of its past was due not so much to the Clear Sky Sect's deep foundations and generations of outstanding talent
as it was to the weight of a single man's name.
That man was Tang Chen, a peerless genius who had reached the realm of a level-99 Peerless Douluo with a mortal body.
It was Tang Chen who, with the Clear Sky Hammer in hand, had forged the Clear Sky Sect's reputation as the strongest sect in the world and the Clear Sky Hammer's fame as the strongest tool-type Martial Soul.
He had made the Spirit Hall wary and forced other top powers, such as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, to avoid his edge.
In that era, it was less that the Clear Sky Sect was powerful than that Tang Chen's personal glory had shone upon the entire sect.
Simply put, the Clear Sky Sect had become the strongest sect in the world because it had Tang Chen—not the other way around.
The rulers of the continent's top powers knew this perfectly well.
So when Tang Chen had mysteriously disappeared years ago, never to be heard from again, the Clear Sky Sect's claim to being the strongest sect in the world had already become an empty one.
The current sect master, Tang Zhen, was also a Titled Douluo and no weakling, but compared with his father, Tang Chen, he was like heaven and earth.
There was no one else in the sect who could truly shoulder its burdens and intimidate the world.
Having lost its pillar of the sky, all that remained was a towering structure whose foundations had already begun to crumble.
That was precisely why Qian Xunji dared to bring only Chrysanthemum and Ghost, two Titled Douluo, along with more than a dozen Soul Douluo experts, to demand an explanation at the Clear Sky Sect's gates.
Without Tang Chen, the Clear Sky Sect was no match for the colossal Spirit Hall.
In fact, even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, famed for its support-type Martial Souls, might have been able to bring down the Clear Sky Sect if it committed all its strength and spared no expense.
It would simply have suffered far greater losses than the Spirit Hall.
That was also why, when Ye Qing had brought up taking revenge on the Clear Sky Sect, he had used the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to put pressure on the Spirit Hall.
To anyone with eyes to see, the Clear Sky Sect had lost Tang Chen, and its reputation no longer made the top powers hesitate.
It had gone from an unshakable mountain to a tough bone to chew—not an impossible one.
Just as Sea Dragon Douluo and Qian Xunji's group left Spirit City with a chilling aura of slaughter, heading toward the Clear Sky Sect,
in a quiet courtyard reserved for honored guests, beside the Pope Palace in the depths of the Spirit Hall,
Ye Qing had just washed up and changed into comfortable clothes.
The morning light streamed through the window lattice, casting dappled shadows across the polished floor.
He was wondering what to have for lunch when a gentle knock came from the courtyard gate.
"Knock, knock, knock."
The sound was unhurried, yet clear.
Ye Qing raised an eyebrow, puzzled.
Who would come looking for him at this hour?
Uncle Sea Dragon had gone with Qian Xunji.
As for Qian Daoliu...
The Grand Pontiff seemed troubled; he probably didn't have time.
Could it be that woman, Bibi Dong?
That didn't seem likely.
Still puzzled, he stepped into the courtyard and pulled open the heavy wooden gate.
Two people stood outside.
The one in front was Qian Daoliu, dressed in a plain white robe, his golden hair combed with meticulous care. His dignified face carried a hint of complicated emotion.
Beside Qian Daoliu, standing a little behind him, was a young girl.
She looked about Ye Qing's age, perhaps a little younger.
Her striking golden hair seemed to shimmer like flowing sunlight, its soft glow catching the morning light.
She wore a finely made pale-gold dress, simple in style but unmistakably elegant.
Beneath the hem, her slender legs were as fair as jade.
Her eyes were an exceptionally rare deep purple, clear and bright as a reflection of the starry sky.
Now they studied him with undisguised curiosity, not blinking once.
The girl's features were so delicate she looked like a doll. Her skin was fair and luminous, and even at such a young age, she already showed the promise of future beauty.
Ye Qing's gaze lingered on the girl for a moment, and he immediately understood.
He had never met her before, but her distinctive features, her age, and the fact that Qian Daoliu had brought her here himself made her identity obvious.
"Senior, did you need something?" Ye Qing withdrew his gaze and asked Qian Daoliu in an even tone.
"Nothing in particular."
Qian Daoliu answered casually, then shifted aside to indicate the little girl beside him. "I thought you might feel lonely staying here in the Spirit Hall by yourself. Xiao Xue has nothing to do today, so I brought her over to keep you company. You two can get to know each other and have someone to talk and play with."
Ye Qing fell silent for a moment.
Keep him company?
Get to know each other?
He looked at Qian Daoliu, then at the golden-haired, purple-eyed little girl staring at him curiously.
The purpose behind Qian Daoliu's sudden attempt to find him a companion was practically written all over his face.
It had only been three days since the proposal of an arranged marriage, and the Grand Pontiff was already creating opportunities for the two involved to meet and develop feelings?
That was almost too efficient.
Ye Qing let out a soft sigh, his voice edged with helpless sincerity. "Senior, you really don't have to. I'm fine on my own. I can cultivate and think about things. I don't feel lonely."
He meant it.
In his previous life and this one, he had long since grown used to being alone with his thoughts.
Besides, what was he supposed to talk about with a child this young?
He wasn't some kind of freak who electrocuted people to death as soon as he caught them.
Qian Daoliu acted as though he hadn't heard the refusal. Instead, he put on the air of someone doing this for Ye Qing's own good, insisting that the Spirit Hall had to treat its guests properly. His enthusiasm left no room for argument.
"How can that be? You're the most honored guest of the Spirit Hall. If we leave you alone in the courtyard, wouldn't that make it seem like we've neglected you?"
He patted Ye Qing's shoulder, then gave his granddaughter a fond look and spoke quickly.
"All right, you're about the same age, so you'll surely have plenty to talk about. Xiao Xue, be sure to keep Brother Ye Qing company. Ye Qing, you two can do whatever you like. If you need anything or want to go somewhere, just come find me at the Worship Hall, or ask a servant to pass along the message."
With that, he didn't give Ye Qing another chance to refuse.
Qian Daoliu nodded to them both, wearing a satisfied smile as though his task were complete, then took a step back and closed the courtyard gate behind him.
"Click."
The latch fell into place with a faint sound that rang clearly through the quiet courtyard.
Only Ye Qing and Qian Renxue remained inside. They stood a few steps apart, staring at each other in awkward silence.
A faint, wordless awkwardness hung in the air.