Since you have no beef with us, why did you come running to our Clear Sky Sect?

Tang Xiao asked cautiously, "Father, has... has something happened?"

Tang Zhen let out a long sigh. Without holding back, he said in a low voice, "I just received word. Martial Soul Hall Pontiff Qian Xunji has personally brought Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo from the Elder Hall, along with over a dozen powerhouses at the Soul Douluo level. They have already entered the territory of our Clear Sky Sect and are heading toward the mountain gate. Judging by their posture, they have not come with good intentions."

"What!"

Upon hearing this news, Tang Hao and Tang Xiao both gasped in shock, the color instantly draining from their faces.

Qian Xunji had come in person?

And he brought Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and so many Soul Douluos?

With a lineup like this, they weren't here for a visit—they were an army sent to level the mountain and exterminate the sect!

"This... how is this possible!"

Tang Hao reflexively retorted, a sliver of wishful thinking still lingering in his eyes as he tentatively asked, "Father, could there be a mistake? Or... perhaps Qian Xunji is here for something else? It might not necessarily have anything to do with us."

Even as he said it, he felt his own lack of conviction.

What other matter could the Clear Sky Sect possibly have that would warrant the Pontiff of Martial Soul Hall to mobilize such a force?

But for now, he could only pin his hopes on this.

Because once it was confirmed that Martial Soul Hall was here for the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, trying to withstand their edge with the Clear Sky Sect's current strength would be no different from a mantis trying to stop a chariot—an act of self-destruction!

Even when their grandfather, the world-renowned ninety-nine-level Peerless Douluo Tang Chen, was still alive, he had harbored reservations about Martial Soul Hall, advocating for keeping a low profile and avoiding a full-scale war.

Let alone now, with their grandfather missing and the sect's strength severely diminished!

Tang Zhen slowly rose from his seat and walked toward the hall entrance with heavy steps. He shook his head as he walked, his voice filled with deep exhaustion and helplessness:

"Unlikely. If it were for any other matter, whether to discuss or to notify, Qian Xunji, as Pontiff, would have shown enough courtesy by sending a single elder. His personal arrival is already an anomaly, let alone bringing such a powerful entourage..."

He reached the doorway and gazed toward the misty mountain path in the distance, his eyes sharp and heavy:

"This makes it clear: those who come are not good, and those who are good do not come. He intends to use an absolutely overwhelming posture to force us into submission, or... to hold us accountable."

Tang Hao and Tang Xiao gasped, feeling a chill run from the soles of their feet straight to their scalps.

Though young and vigorous, they were not ignorant fools; they naturally understood the weight of their father's words.

"Then... Father, what should we do now?" Tang Xiao's voice carried a trace of imperceptible trembling.

Faced with such naked military intimidation from Martial Soul Hall, a massive panic began to spread in the hearts of the two brothers.

Tang Zhen remained silent for a moment, a look of determination flashing in his eyes.

Regardless, as the Sect Master, he could not lose his composure.

"If it is a blessing, it is not a disaster; if it is a disaster, it cannot be avoided."

Tang Zhen said in a deep voice, his tone regaining the steadiness befitting a Sect Master as he decided: "First, gather everyone in the sect."

"We shall see exactly what this Pontiff intends. Remember, without my order, no one is to act without authorization, and no one is to speak recklessly!"

"Yes, Father!" Tang Hao and Tang Xiao accepted the order solemnly.

Knowing that the sect had reached a moment of life and death, they dared not show the slightest hesitation. They turned and sprinted out to relay the orders and sound the alarm.

Soon, the long, urgent tolling of bells echoed over the Clear Sky Sect, shattering the usual tranquility of the mountains.

Figures darted out from various halls and meditation chambers, gathering toward the front mountain plaza with tension and confusion.

An oppressive atmosphere, like a storm about to break, quickly enveloped the entire Clear Sky Sect.

When Qian Xunji, Sea Dragon Douluo, and the group of Martial Soul Hall powerhouses stepped unhurriedly onto the massive plaza of the Clear Sky Sect's main peak—a space specifically leveled for martial arts and welcoming guests—the sight before them caused Qian Xunji's brows to lift slightly.

He saw Sect Master Tang Zhen leading the way, with several elders of the Clear Sky Sect standing on both sides, their auras restrained and heavy.

Behind them were dozens of pillars of the sect, all with strong soul power fluctuations, at least at the Soul Saint level.

Further back was a dense crowd of ordinary sect disciples.

Everyone was lined up in formation, their expressions solemn, faintly forming a defensive array. The air was thick with tension and vigilance.

Clearly, the Clear Sky Sect had already received the news and was prepared for battle.

"Heh, they aren't slow to react."

Seeing this, Qian Xunji sneered inwardly, though a calm and inscrutable smile appeared on his face.

It was good that everyone was here; what he feared most was someone sensing the danger and slipping away early, or hiding.

With this formation, he could catch them all in one net, saving him the extra trouble.

Seeing Qian Xunji and the others come to a halt, Tang Zhen took a deep breath, suppressing the unease in his heart.

He stepped forward a few paces and cupped his hands slightly toward Qian Xunji. His tone was neither servile nor overbearing, but the vigilance and questioning were clearly discernible:

"Your arrival is an honor, Pontiff, and I apologize for not welcoming you sooner. May I ask what brings you and your entourage to our Clear Sky Sect?"

His gaze swept quickly over the lineup behind Qian Xunji.

Aside from Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, those two long-famed elders of Martial Soul Hall, there were over a dozen Soul Douluos with profound soul power.

And there was that strange, burly man standing behind Qian Xunji, whose aura was as deep and steady as a mountain, exerting a powerful sense of oppression upon him.

This lineup was by no means the standard for a friendly visit.

Qian Xunji's smile remained unchanged upon hearing this, growing even more gentle, if anything.

Yet, the words that followed carried a tone of matter-of-fact certainty:

"Sect Master Tang is too modest. Since this Pontiff has come in person, it is naturally for a matter of great importance."

He swept his gaze across the battle-ready members of the Clear Sky Sect, his tone as relaxed as if he were discussing the weather:

"Otherwise, could it be that This Seat has nothing better to do than to bring these elders and colleagues along to admire the mountain scenery of your esteemed sect?"

Though spoken casually, the words carried an invisible pressure that caused the expressions of many Clear Sky Sect disciples to shift.

Tang Zhen's brow furrowed even tighter, his premonition of disaster growing ever more intense.

Suppressing his anger and unease, he asked once more: "I do not know where my Clear Sky Sect has offended the Martial Soul Hall, that it would labor the Pontiff to come in person to demand an accounting? I ask the Pontiff to clarify; if my sect is truly at fault, this Tang will certainly provide the Martial Soul Hall with an explanation."

He attempted to frame the matter within the scope of a grievance between the Clear Sky Sect and the Martial Soul Hall.

This was the most direct, and seemingly the most likely, explanation.

However, Qian Xunji slowly shook his head, a look of slight regret appearing on his face as he denied Tang Zhen's conjecture:

"Sect Master Tang is mistaken. Ever since the esteemed senior Tang Chen of your sect went on his travels, while our Martial Soul Hall and your sect could not be called close, we have always... well, kept to our own affairs, with no direct grievances or entanglements."

Once these words were spoken, it was not only Tang Zhen who was stunned.

Even the elders behind him, who were equally tense and confused, exchanged bewildered glances, their faces filled with incomprehension.

If you have no damn grievances with us, then what the hell are you doing at our Clear Sky Sect?