The Clear Sky Sect was hidden deep within a steep mountain range.
Amid swirling clouds, a swaying chain bridge stretched all the way to the mountain gate.
Looking at the scene before him, Tang San's expression turned exceedingly grim. He frowned and glanced at the young man beside him.
Because of the [Holy Demon Federation's] interference, the timeline had advanced dramatically, bringing him back to the sect ahead of schedule.
Now that he was only in his thirties, just climbing the steep cliff had already taken every ounce of his strength. How could he possibly cross the chain bridge?
Were they picking a fight? The thought flashed through his mind. Considering his father's past sins and the attitude of the people sent to meet him, there was no doubt about the answer.
"What are you looking at me for? Didn't you want to return to your ancestors?"
"Your family is right ahead. You'll have to rely on your own strength."
"If you can't even handle this little setback, what makes you think the others will accept you? Get moving!"
The speaker was Tang Long, the Clear Sky Sect's leading disciple among the younger generation. His tone was cold and merciless.
Seeing this, Tang San couldn't help cursing inwardly. The cliffs here were treacherously steep; a fall would mean certain death.
Beside them, the other two disciples exchanged glances and signaled to Tang Long, seemingly pleading on Tang San's behalf. Tang Long shook his head and cut them off.
"Let's begin. I'll lead the way."
"If you can keep up, follow the route."
"If you're afraid, you can still leave now. Once we reach the middle, it'll be too late to regret it."
After speaking, Tang Long stepped forward and stood steadily on the chain bridge. Soul Power swirled around his feet, ensuring he wouldn't fall.
Tang San followed his example and set off behind him. But with his limited strength, the journey was downright terrifying. Several times, he nearly bought the farm.
Fortunately, despite being only in his thirties, he had more than Soul Power: he also had the External Soul Bone, the Eight Spider Lances. Using the extra "skeleton" for support, he managed to make it across, barely.
By the time he reached the other side, Tang San was drenched in cold sweat.
He branded the faces of the young men before him with a death sentence.
These Clear Sky Sect bastards had actually dared to humiliate him like this! One day, he'd make them pay for today!
As he thought this, an old castle came into view. Tang Long led him into the council hall, where a crowd had gathered. They seemed to have been waiting for some time.
"So this is Tang San? Tang Hao's son?"
"Getting across the chain bridge was passable, I suppose."
"Boy, do you know what your father did? And you still have the nerve to come back to your ancestors?"
"Second Elder, why don't we first hear what he has to say? The situation sounds quite serious."
The crowd discussed him openly, making no effort to hide their words from Tang San.
Their unfriendly tone was obvious. Most of them were filled with hostility.
Only the burly man standing at the head of the group wore a trace of warmth on his face.
He was none other than the Clear Sky Sect's current leader, Howling Sky Douluo Tang Xiao, Tang Hao's older brother.
"You're Tang San, right? Tell everyone everything you learned on your way back. What's the situation like outside?"
"The clansmen who last went out to gather supplies said a mysterious force had appeared from nowhere and was challenging the Heaven Dou Empire."
"What's happening now? Has some major upheaval really taken place? Yue Hua said the Clear Sky Sect had been dragged into it too. What exactly did she mean?"
Tang Xiao raised a hand, stopping the elders from continuing to needle him.
He turned the conversation straight to the most important matter.
His words revealed that the reclusive Clear Sky Sect was seriously behind on the news.
They not only referred to the [Holy Demon Federation] as a mysterious force but also mistakenly believed that its only target was the Heaven Dou Empire. The outside world had already moved on from that.
By now, Spirit Hall had confirmed that it was entering the fray and was planning to form the [Douluo Federation] to fight their enemies from beyond the borders. The Clear Sky Sect knew nothing about it.
Disdain rose in Tang San's eyes.
They didn't know a thing. No wonder they dared to act so arrogantly.
He immediately described everything he had experienced firsthand, along with the clues gathered by the Heaven Dou Empire, in full detail.
He particularly emphasized the recent ambush that had nearly cost them their lives, as well as his father Tang Hao's conclusion: the enemy had set its sights on the Clear Sky Sect!
A moment later, Tang San fell silent in the hall.
The room was dead quiet. Every member of the Clear Sky Sect had been stunned.
If the boy wasn't making this up, then the resources of the [Holy Demon Federation] were terrifying beyond comprehension.
Even Spirit Hall probably couldn't stand against it. In that case, it made sense that they would try to form an alliance.
And more importantly... Tang Hao and Tang San actually believed that the Clear Sky Sect was among the targets of that colossal power?
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! We've stayed hidden for years. Even on the Douluo Continent, hardly anyone mentions us anymore."
"According to what Tang San just said, the [Holy Demon Federation] is terrifyingly powerful. Why would it set its sights on us? Why would it target him?"
The Second Elder snorted. Set in his ways, he still refused to believe it.
He even thought Tang Hao had made the whole story up.
Would he spout any nonsense just to get his son accepted by the sect? Then all the more reason not to let him have his way!
At once, several old men exchanged glances and, in perfect unison, voiced their opposition. They insisted Tang San shouldn't be allowed back.
"Isn't that a bit too rash? This is a serious matter. Shouldn't we at least investigate?" Tang Xiao stood on Tang San's side and frowned at their reaction.
"Hmph. We don't believe it, and we don't think the Clear Sky Sect should come out of hiding. Not unless the [Holy Demon Federation] comes knocking!" The Second Elder declared that he'd rather die than give in.
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense, with both sides sticking to their positions.
It looked as though the discussion was about to end in nothing.
Suddenly, a tremendous boom cut off their conversation, followed by one shock after another.
A disciple on guard outside came rushing in, shouting at the top of his lungs.
"Leader! Elders! A large number of mysterious experts have appeared near the mountain gate! It looks like they're preparing to attack!"
Some time earlier.
When the Tang father and son had secretly left Heaven Dou City,
Long Xingyu had also set out once more, returning to the City of Slaughter to borrow an elite force.
Although their journey was longer, every member of his force was at least seventh-tier, and ancient elven runes further increased their speed.
So, with a clear destination in mind, they raced forward at a tremendous pace and lost very little time.
Just as Tang San reached the foot of the mountain and followed Tang Long and the others through the trials, enduring the Clear Sky Sect's rejection, Long Xingyu's group arrived as well.
Three hundred miles east of Heaven Dou City, the sect's location was easy enough to pinpoint. The three hundred elite warriors split into groups and searched the area methodically.
Before long, the Insight Demon God Crocell keenly picked up on a trace.
The Clear Sky Sect might have seemed hidden, but to true experts, its concealment only made it look more suspicious.
They spread their spiritual power across the surrounding area. If it met resistance somewhere, or couldn't see through something, wouldn't that mean there was something wrong?
Following this line of thought, Long Xingyu's group zeroed in on their target.
The whole process took far less time than expected.
Next, they naturally worked out a plan to maximize their gains.
They still didn't know where their primary target, Tang San, was, but that didn't stop them from storming the Clear Sky Sect.
They quickly formed an encirclement, intending to attack from all sides. They had already made their preparations.
But then a thunderous crash shattered the silence, and the Clear Sky Sect immediately sounded the alarm, exposing their plans ahead of time...
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