On the other side, led by Qian Xunji, Sea Dragon Douluo and his party crossed mountain after mountain until, at last, they spotted the Clear Sky Sect's mountain gate in the distance.
The Clear Sky Sect was nestled among a range of towering, treacherous mountains.
Its main peak looked as though it had been split apart by a giant axe, its sides sheer and steep.
The sect's buildings clung to the mountainside, tier upon tier, disappearing into the clouds and mist.
Only the occasional upturned eave and bracketed roof peeked through, giving the place an ancient, imposing air.
The road leading to the mountain gate was narrow and rugged.
On either side were bottomless cliffs. Several natural ravines and precipices lay across their path as well, linked only by flimsy rope bridges or narrow stone beams.
It was truly a place where one man could hold the pass against ten thousand.
"What a formidable natural stronghold."
Sea Dragon Douluo surveyed the perilous terrain and gave a slight nod.
The Clear Sky Sect's position as the greatest sect in the world was thanks not only to Tang Chen, the level-ninety-nine Peerless Douluo, but also to this location, so easy to defend and so difficult to attack.
At his words, Qian Xunji merely glanced at the forbidding chasms and let the faintest trace of a cold smile curl his lips.
A natural stronghold?
In the face of absolute strength, such so-called strongholds were nothing but a joke.
The dozen or so Soul Douluo behind him could all hover in the air and fly for short periods.
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei were among the finest Titled Douluo, their methods strange and unfathomable.
As for Qian Xunji himself and Sea Dragon Douluo, they stood at the very pinnacle of the Soul Master World.
The obstacles that ordinary armies and low-ranked Soul Masters could scarcely overcome were no different from an open road to this elite force.
"Let's go." Qian Xunji said no more. He strode forward first and stepped onto the ancient rope bridge, which swayed as if it might snap at any moment.
His steps were steady, as though he walked on level ground. Soul Power stirred faintly around him, easily smoothing away the mountain winds and the bridge's swaying.
Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo followed close behind, like two shadows.
The dozen or so Soul Douluo trailed after them in silence, their formation perfectly orderly.
Sea Dragon Douluo walked along the flank, his keen eyes sweeping the surroundings for possible hidden sentries or traps.
This was his first time in Douluo Continent, and he had come face-to-face with the greatest sect in the world as soon as he arrived.
It was impossible not to feel nervous.
They had only just entered the Clear Sky Sect's outer perimeter, not even formally knocked on the mountain gate, when news of their arrival had already grown wings and raced back into the depths of the sect.
The Clear Sky Sect's main hall.
Tang Zhen sat in the high-backed chair that symbolized the sect leader's authority, his features square and his gaze sharp.
But now his thick brows were knitted tightly together, and his face bore an unprecedented gravity and unease.
"Qian Xunji... the Spirit Hall's Supreme Pontiff... is personally leading the party here? And he's brought Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, along with more than a dozen Soul Douluo-level experts?"
Tang Zhen repeated the scout's report under his breath. His fingers tapped unconsciously against the hard armrest, making a dull, steady thudding sound.
A chill rose uncontrollably up his spine.
Something was wrong!
Very wrong!
If this were just an ordinary diplomatic visit, or if there were some matter to discuss, why would the Supreme Pontiff come in person?
And why bring such an imposing retinue?
With two Elder Hall elders and more than a dozen Soul Douluo, this looked nothing like a visit to negotiate. It was clearly a demand for an explanation—or an attempt to apply pressure!
But what had the Clear Sky Sect done lately...
That might have provoked the Spirit Hall?
Ever since his father, Tang Chen, had mysteriously disappeared, everyone in the Clear Sky Sect had reined in their former arrogance.
They had become exceptionally cautious and low-profile, afraid of bringing disaster down on their now outwardly strong but inwardly weak sect.
They had kept to their own side of the river and avoided conflict with the Spirit Hall. How could they have suddenly drawn such a grand visit from Supreme Pontiff Qian Xunji?
The only recent matter that might involve an outside power—and that had not been entirely aboveboard—was the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast Tang Hao and Tang Xiao had brought back not long ago.
But at the time, the two boys had sworn that the Soul Beast and its guardian had nothing to do with the Spirit Hall.
They had never seen or even heard of the Spirit Hall having a Titled Douluo with water-based abilities.
Could the information be wrong...?
Or had those two boys concealed something?
The more Tang Zhen thought about it, the more uneasy he became. He sprang to his feet and called sharply toward the door, "Someone! Bring Tang Hao and Tang Xiao here at once!"
Before long, hurried footsteps sounded, and the brothers Tang Hao and Tang Xiao strode into the hall.
Sweat from their training still clung to their faces, along with a trace of confusion at being summoned so suddenly.
"Father, you sent for us?" Tang Xiao spoke first.
Tang Zhen did not answer at once. Instead, he studied their faces with a piercing gaze, as if he could see straight through them, then asked gravely:
"Hao'er, Xiao'er, I'll ask you again. That Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast you brought back last time, and the Titled Douluo you... defeated—are you certain, absolutely certain, that they had nothing to do with the Spirit Hall?"
Tang Hao and Tang Xiao were taken aback by their father's sudden, stern question, which seemed to come out of nowhere.
They exchanged a glance instinctively, each seeing the other's confusion.
They had already answered this when they brought back the Soul Beast and reported what had happened.
Why was their father asking again now?
And judging by his expression, something serious had happened.
Though confused, Tang Hao stepped forward, straightened his back, and answered firmly, "Father, my elder brother and I already explained this to you. We observed that Titled Douluo carefully when we ambushed him. His Martial Soul was water-based. His fighting style and Soul Skills didn't match any Titled Douluo known to the Spirit Hall. We've never even heard of anyone like him belonging to the Spirit Hall. As for that Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, it was extremely elusive. The Spirit Hall couldn't possibly have known its exact location and laid an ambush in advance. This truly had nothing to do with the Spirit Hall!"
Tang Xiao nodded beside him and added, "Father, my second brother and I would stake our lives on it. We didn't seize it from the Spirit Hall. Our actions may have been... inappropriate, but we'd never be so foolish as to provoke the Spirit Hall on purpose."
Hearing his sons make another emphatic promise, Tang Zhen's brows did not relax. They furrowed even more deeply, and confusion and worry nearly spilled across his face.
If Tang Hao and Tang Xiao were telling the truth, then why had the Spirit Hall mobilized such a force?
Could word have leaked out, and the Spirit Hall wanted a share of the spoils—or even planned to seize the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast by force?
But if it were after a treasure, the Spirit Hall's usual approach would be to apply pressure or negotiate in secret.
Making such a public show of force at their door would only escalate the matter, benefiting no one.
Seeing their father's shifting, troubled expression, Tang Hao and Tang Xiao finally realized how serious the situation was.