Tang Xiao asked cautiously, "Father, did something... happen?"
Tang Zhen let out a long sigh. He didn't hide the truth, but spoke in a low voice. "I just received word that Spirit Hall's Pope, Qian Xunji, has personally brought Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo from the Elder Hall, along with more than a dozen Soul Douluo-level experts, into Clear Sky Sect territory. They're heading straight for our mountain gate. Judging by their appearance, they come in ill will."
"What!"
Tang Hao and Tang Xiao both cried out in shock at the news, the color draining from their faces.
Qian Xunji had come in person?
And he'd brought Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and so many Soul Douluos?
How could this be a friendly visit? It was practically an army come to level the mountain and wipe out the sect!
"This... How is that possible?"
Tang Hao instinctively protested, a glimmer of hope still in his eyes. He asked tentatively, "Father, could there have been a mistake? Or... maybe Qian Xunji came for something else? It might not have anything to do with us?"
Even he didn't sound convinced by his own words.
What other business could the Clear Sky Sect have that would make the Pope of Spirit Hall bring such a force?
But right now, he could only cling to that hope.
Because if it was confirmed that Spirit Hall had come over the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, then for the Clear Sky Sect to face Spirit Hall head-on with its current strength would be like an ant trying to stop a chariot—a sure path to annihilation!
Even their grandfather, Tang Chen, the level-ninety-nine Peerless Douluo who had shaken the world, had been wary of Spirit Hall while he was still alive. He had advocated keeping a low profile and building up strength, never daring to launch an all-out war against them lightly.
And now their grandfather was missing, and the Clear Sky Sect's strength had been greatly diminished!
Tang Zhen slowly rose from his seat and made his way toward the hall's entrance, his steps heavy. As he walked, he shook his head, his voice weighed down by exhaustion and helplessness:
"That's unlikely. If it were just some other matter, whether to discuss it or simply inform us, the Pope could have sent one of his elders. That would have been quite courteous. The fact that Qian Xunji came in person is already unusual, to say nothing of bringing such a powerful retinue..."
He reached the doorway and gazed toward the mountain path in the distance, veiled in clouds and mist. His eyes were sharp and grave.
"It's plain that they come in ill will. They're here to force us into submission through sheer force—or... to hold us accountable."
Tang Hao and Tang Xiao drew in a sharp breath, a chill shooting from the soles of their feet straight to their scalps.
Though they were young and hot-blooded, they weren't ignorant fools. They knew the weight of their father's words.
"Then... Father, what should we do now?" Tang Xiao's voice quavered almost imperceptibly.
Faced with Spirit Hall's naked show of force, a deep panic began spreading through the brothers.
Tang Zhen fell silent for a moment, then a look of resolve flashed through his eyes.
No matter what, as sect master, he couldn't let himself lose his composure.
"If it's a blessing, it isn't a disaster. If it's a disaster, there's no escaping it."
Tang Zhen spoke gravely, his voice regaining the steadiness befitting a sect master. He made his decision. "First, summon everyone in the sect."
"We'll see what this Pope wants. Remember, no one is to act without my orders, and no one is to speak out of turn!"
"Yes, Father!" Tang Hao and Tang Xiao answered solemnly.
Knowing that the sect had reached a crisis point where its very survival was at stake, they didn't dare waste a moment. They immediately turned and raced off to pass on the orders and sound the alarm bell.
Soon, the long, urgent toll of the bell rang out over the Clear Sky Sect, shattering the mountains' usual tranquility.
Figures streamed out from halls and meditation chambers throughout the sect. Tense and bewildered, they hurried toward the front mountain plaza.
An oppressive atmosphere, like the calm before a storm, quickly enveloped the entire Clear Sky Sect.
When Qian Xunji, Sea Dragon Douluo, and the Spirit Hall experts unhurriedly stepped onto the vast plaza atop the Clear Sky Sect's main peak—a space specially leveled for training and receiving guests—Qian Xunji's brows rose slightly at the sight before him.
At the head stood sect master Tang Zhen, flanked by several elders whose auras were steady and deep.
Behind them stood dozens of pillars of the sect, each with powerful Soul Power fluctuations and at least the strength of a Soul Saint.
Farther back stood a dense mass of ordinary disciples.
Everyone was already lined up in orderly ranks, their expressions solemn. They had loosely formed a battle formation, and the air was thick with tension and wariness.
Clearly, the Clear Sky Sect had already received word and was on full alert.
"Heh. They're quick to react."
Seeing this, Qian Xunji sneered inwardly, though a composed, inscrutable smile appeared on his face.
As long as everyone was here, that was good. What he feared most was that some might flee at the first sign of trouble or hide themselves away.
With everyone gathered like this, he could catch them all in one net and spare himself the extra trouble.
When Qian Xunji and his party came to a halt, Tang Zhen drew a deep breath and suppressed his unease.
He stepped forward and cupped his hands slightly toward Qian Xunji. His tone was neither servile nor arrogant, but the wariness and questioning in it were unmistakable.
"Your Holiness, we weren't here to welcome you. May I ask why you've brought so many people to the Clear Sky Sect?"
His gaze quickly swept over the group behind Qian Xunji.
Besides Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, the two long-renowned elders of Spirit Hall, there were also more than a dozen Soul Douluos with formidable Soul Power.
And then there was the unfamiliar, burly man standing behind Qian Xunji. His aura was as imposing as a mountain, and he made Tang Zhen feel intensely oppressed.
This was no lineup for a friendly visit.
At Tang Zhen's words, Qian Xunji's smile remained unchanged, growing even warmer.
But the certainty in his next words made it sound as though his presence here were only natural.
"Don't mention it, Sect Master Tang. Since I've come in person, I naturally have important business."
He glanced around at the Clear Sky Sect members standing on alert, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather.
"Otherwise, would I have brought all these elders and colleagues here just to admire the scenery?"
The words sounded casual, but carried an invisible pressure that made many Clear Sky Sect disciples' expressions change.
Tang Zhen's brows furrowed tighter, and his sense of foreboding grew stronger.
Suppressing his anger and unease, he asked again, "May I ask how the Clear Sky Sect has offended Spirit Hall, that Your Holiness has come in person to call us to account? Please make it clear. If our sect is truly at fault, I, Tang Zhen, will give Spirit Hall an explanation."
He tried to frame the matter as a grievance between the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall.
It was the most direct explanation, and seemed the most likely.
However, Qian Xunji slowly shook his head, a hint of regret appearing on his face as he dismissed Tang Zhen's guess.
"Nothing of the sort, Sect Master Tang. Since the senior Tang Chen of your sect went traveling, my Spirit Hall and your sect have never been close, but we've always... well, kept to our own sides of the river. We have no direct grievances or entanglements."
Those words left Tang Zhen stunned.
Even the elders behind him, who were just as tense and confused, exchanged bewildered looks.
If you have no damn beef with us, then what the hell are you doing at the Clear Sky Sect?