The Storm Rises

The Storm Rises

The Sect Competition was held in Spirit City.

Compared to the capitals of the two great empires, Spirit City was much smaller, not even a tenth their size. Yet compared with Heaven Dou City and Star Luo City,

Spirit City was far more luxurious. Its ancient cityscape and peaceful streets inspired an instinctive reverence in every Soul Master who set foot within it.

Every Seven Great Sects reelection conference was a grand event in the Soul Master world, far surpassing the Pan-continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament. The participants in the Pan-continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament were all geniuses of the younger generation, while the Seven Great Sects reelection conference required even Titled Douluo to take the field and fight for their sects' rankings.

A sect that claimed the title of one of the Upper Three Sects could not only leave its Titled Douluo's Spirit on the Papal Token, but Spirit Hall would also carve reliefs into the remaining three walls of Spirit City.

Such an honor was enough to drive any Soul Master sect mad. It signified that the sect's standing in the Soul Master world had been recognized by Soul Masters across the land, allowing it to attract more Soul Masters from the continent and strengthen its ranks.

As the Sect Competition drew nearer, upheaval swept through the Soul Master world of Douluo Continent.

Spirit City.

The flow of people on its bustling streets had increased by countless times. All of them were Soul Masters drawn here to watch the Sect Competition. Yet Soul Masters below the Soul Emperor rank were not even qualified to be spectators. Only sects with Soul Douluo could bring along some lower-ranked disciples to watch the competition.

Even so, many Soul Kings and Soul Ancestors still came. Their thoughts were much the same as Jade Flute Douluo's when he watched the battle between the Three Great Limit Douluo. Even if they could not see the battle clearly, merely sensing the fluctuations from their clash—even if it was only like watching a slideshow—was enough to satisfy them.

For lower-ranked Soul Masters, being able to witness a battle between Titled Douluo in their lifetime was something they could boast about for the rest of their lives.

The Titled Douluo were more than happy to see it happen. They needed these people to spread their fame throughout the Soul Master world. The greater their renown, the higher the prestige of their sects would naturally become.

Outside Pope Palace, Qian Xunji stood with his hands behind his back, watching the crowds flowing through Spirit City.

"It would be better to hold more events like this. It stimulates Spirit Hall's economy."

"Clear Sky Hammer, let me get a good look at how you fight. Are you truly the kind of Spirit that never misses when it swings its hammer?"

Qian Xunji's true purpose in convening the Seven Great Sects reelection conference was to observe the battle methods of these world-renowned Spirits, especially the Clear Sky Hammer.

He knew full well that the Clear Sky Hammer was not a Spirit with target-locking abilities. Otherwise, it would not merely be a top-tier Spirit; it could be called a God King-tier Spirit. But this concerned the dignity of the Angel Spirit, so he had no choice but to take it seriously. As the new generation's Angel Douluo, he would have to reclaim the face his side had lost.

Clear Sky Sect.

Sect Master Tang Zhen sat upon the sect master's throne, while the Haotian Six Elders sat in their respective seats. Because they had been too obsessed with pleasure in their prime, even with Clear Sky Sect's abundant resources and five years of diligent cultivation, not one of them had broken through to become a Titled Douluo at their current age.

Tang Xiao was there as well. He was nearly forty-three and had already broken through to Soul Douluo, qualifying him to serve as Clear Sky Sect's Eighth Elder. However, he did not wish to sit as an equal with his uncles, so he remained standing.

After receiving the news, Tang Zhen had yet to speak when the Seventh Elder, Tang Lie, stomped his foot and began cursing. "The old sect master has been gone for five years, and those bastards from Spirit Hall have finally lost their patience. They're preparing to strike at our Clear Sky Sect's title as the number one sect under heaven! If the old sect master were still here, how would they dare?"

At the previous Seven Great Sects reelection conference, Clear Sky Sect had not competed at all. More accurately, they had not attended. With Tang Chen's Rank 99 cultivation, no one on the continent could rival him. After he founded Clear Sky Sect, it had been directly acknowledged by the Soul Master world as the number one sect under heaven, while the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan fought over second place.

"Seventh Brother, restrain that temper of yours. At this Seven Great Sects reelection conference, our Clear Sky Sect must hold on to first place. Otherwise, I will have no face to meet Father."

Tang Zhen sighed. "I am not worried about Yu Yuanzhen of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has recruited the Sword Bone Dual Douluo. With my strength alone, I fear I cannot withstand the two of them fighting me in succession."

At those words, every elder present showed shame. If they had not indulged in pleasure, then if even one of them had broken through to Titled Douluo, he could have helped the sect master share one opponent.

At that moment, a sudden commotion erupted outside Clear Sky Sect, loud enough to reach the sect master's hall.

"What is happening?" Tang Zhen said. "Xiao'er, go outside and take a look."

Before long, Tang Xiao returned to the sect master's hall. His face was filled with excitement, for behind him followed a younger man who bore some resemblance to him. The man's face was cold and stern, as though he had not smiled in ages. Astonishing chill radiated from his entire body; passing by him felt like falling into an ice pit.

"Father, Hao has returned!"

"Hao'er! Wonderful! Wonderful!"

Tang Zhen rose excitedly. Five years ago, after Tang Hao learned the Great Sumeru Hammer, he had resolutely gone to train in the City of Slaughter. Over those five years, Tang Zhen had suffered countless nightmares of Tang Hao dying in the City of Slaughter. Now, he had finally returned.

The six elders were equally thrilled. Having passed through the City of Slaughter meant that Tang Hao had obtained Divine Slaughter's Domain!

"Father, Uncles!" Tang Hao cupped his hands and said, "Father, Uncles, has something happened?"

Tang Xiao said heavily, "The Seven Great Sects reelection conference is about to begin. The major sects are all eyeing our Clear Sky Sect's title as the number one sect under heaven."

"Hmph. If Grandfather were still here, who would dare covet the title of our number one sect under heaven?"

Tang Hao snorted coldly. The terrifying killing intent within him surged out uncontrollably, making Tang Zhen and the six elders shudder inwardly.

Tang Zhen said, "Hao'er, you passed through the City of Slaughter, but you still cannot perfectly control the killing intent brought by Divine Slaughter's Domain. Go to Yuehua's place in Heaven Dou City and cultivate in quiet seclusion for a time."

Tang Hao asked, "Yuehua? Heaven Dou City? What happened to her?"

An irrepressible smile appeared on Tang Zhen's lips. "Yuehua founded Moonlight Pavilion and takes in noble disciples to study etiquette and refinement. Every year, forty percent of our Clear Sky Sect's Gold Soul Coins are earned by her."

"That girl."

A doting smile also appeared on Tang Hao's lips. When he had gone to the City of Slaughter, Tang Yuehua had been only eighteen. Because of a Spirit mutation, she had Innate Soul Power of Rank Nine, yet could never cultivate in her lifetime. As a result, Tang Yuehua had not grown into a graceful beauty until she was eighteen, with lips like crimson cherries and eyes like autumn waters. Five years had passed; who knew just how far her charm had grown?