"I... I understand... The Clear Sky Sect will seal its gates from now on and not emerge for a hundred years!"
After saying those words, Tang Tian seemed drained of all his strength. His once-straight back hunched over.
The sect disciples behind him were filled with humiliation, but they didn't dare act out in front of dozens of Titled Douluo. They could only retreat to the corners and lick their wounds.
Golden Crocodile looked at Tang Tian with a trace of approval. He'd thought the other man would lead his disciples in flipping the table and making a desperate last stand. It seemed he knew when to bend and when to stand firm.
"Also, Spirit Hall will hunt down Tang Hao, that heretic, across the continent. The Clear Sky Sect must not interfere in the slightest. Otherwise..."
He left the threat unfinished, but everyone present understood. Tang Hao, once the sect's pride, would begin drifting farther and farther from the Clear Sky Sect as of that day.
Even if he didn't die in Spirit Hall's pursuit, the continent's youngest Titled Douluo would have to hide in some remote mountain wilderness, never venturing out—like a rat in the sewer.
"U-understood..."
Compared to the other disciples, Tang Tian felt as though his heart were being torn apart. Tang Hao was his son, yet now he couldn't shield him from the storm. As sect master, he couldn't even protect his sect. He felt his own helplessness keenly.
Behind him, Tang Hao's elder brother, Tang Xiao, was just as ashen-faced as their father. From that day on, the Clear Sky Sect would never again shine with its former glory.
As a sect slave like Tang Hao, he was heartbroken.
"Remember: you are not to reenter the world for a hundred years."
After one final warning, Golden Crocodile turned and headed out through the Clear Sky Sect's gates. There was no need for any so-called contract. If they had the guts, they could send their disciples out and see what happened.
As for the Clear Sky Sect's businesses in the secular world, Golden Crocodile didn't mention them at all. Tang Tian didn't dare hope for anything, either. All he wanted now was to put the ruined sect gates back in order.
After everyone from Spirit Hall had left, the Clear Sky Sect's disciples slumped to the ground as though their souls had left their bodies. Some even began wailing aloud, as if mourning their parents.
Tang Xiao forced down his grief and slowly approached Tang Tian. He knew his father, as sect master, bore a greater burden than he did and must be suffering even more. As his son, it was his duty to comfort him.
But the moment he laid a hand on his father's sunken shoulder, Tang Tian's grief surged. He spat a stream of blood from his mouth, then pitched straight forward.
"Father!"
"S-Sect Master!"
Catching Tang Tian, Tang Xiao was overcome with panic. If his father fell, he truly didn't know what he would do.
"Xiao... Xiao'er, I have failed you. The Clear Sky Sect... I leave it in your hands from now on."
"No, Father. You'll be all right. The sect disciples are still waiting for you to lead them back to glory."
"I don't have much time left. After you inherit the position of sect master, announce that Tang Hao has been expelled from the sect. Choose a new, remote site for our headquarters. Rest and rebuild while waiting for the right moment. Don't hesitate, or Spirit Hall won't spare us."
"Y-yes..."
Looking at Tang Tian, whose breaths were growing weaker by the moment, Tang Xiao's grief overwhelmed him. Yet all he could do was reassure his father in his final moments and accept the responsibility, tears in his eyes.
The next day, news that the continent's number-one sect, the Clear Sky Sect, had sealed itself away spread like wildfire. Word also got out that Tang Hao, the youngest Titled Douluo in history, had been expelled from the sect.
Commoners made the matter a topic of conversation over meals, while the other two of the Upper Three Sects and all of the Lower Four Sects began to fear for their own safety.
After all, if even the mighty Clear Sky Sect had been taken down, how were they supposed to withstand Spirit Hall's iron fist?
Fortunately, the newly enthroned Bibi Dong wasn't yet planning to expand her territory and overreach. After a period of silence, the other sects finally breathed a sigh of relief, while once again reassessing Spirit Hall's strength.
As far as the outside world knew, Spirit Hall had no more than a handful of top-tier experts. But judging by its lightning-fast operation against the Clear Sky Sect, it was clearly hiding more than that.
Inside Pope Hall, Bibi Dong was getting used to reviewing and handling state affairs when footsteps sounded suddenly outside the hall, drawing her attention.
She watched Qian Renxue approach with an expressionless face and furrowed her brow.
She couldn't do anything to the girl for now, but the Little Angel—whom she regarded as the humiliation of her life—kept appearing before her, giving her a constant headache.
"What is it?"
"Heaven Dou. I'm going to the Heaven Dou Empire and take the throne from the imperial family."
"Oh?"
Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow. Now that she was Pope, she naturally had the same ambition to unify the world that Qian Xunji had. Destroying the Angel Clan was another of her goals. She hadn't expected her convenient daughter to volunteer to help her achieve her grand plans.
In truth, when Qian Daoliu first proposed the idea, Qian Renxue had resisted it from the bottom of her heart. But she didn't want to stay in Spirit Hall and endure Bibi Dong's contempt and mistreatment, either. And she wanted to prove to Bibi Dong that she had a reason to exist, so she accepted her grandfather's proposal.
She believed she could bring down the colossal Heaven Dou Empire through her own wits, without having to send a single soldier into battle.
"Go if you want. Don't blame me if you die."
Her words were still cold and heartless, as if Qian Renxue were nothing more than an insignificant underling.
Qian Renxue clenched her fists. Even though she'd expected this, seeing how little Bibi Dong cared about her still made her heart ache for no reason.
"Then I'm off, big sister."
Bibi Dong's hand stopped instantly as she reviewed the memorials. She found this strange form of address less distasteful than "Mother."
With a soft laugh, she waved Qian Renxue away.
Qian Renxue gave Bibi Dong one last, lingering look, then turned and left Pope Hall. She wandered aimlessly over the familiar stone paving until she reached the Central Garden in Douluo Hall, where she stopped.
"What's wrong? You seem distracted."
A familiar voice drew her back to the present. She looked up and saw Lin Beiya's handsome face.
Forcing out a faint smile, Qian Renxue slowly spoke.
"Bei Ya, I'm leaving."
Lin Beiya's heart stirred. It seemed everything was unfolding as it should. The Little Angel still had to carry out that idiotic mission. Whether it was the world's power to repair itself or her grandfather's loving concern, there was no way he could make sense of Qian Daoliu's thinking.
He could have stayed in the Angel Temple and cultivated in seclusion for decades, emerging invincible. Instead, he'd sent her to Heaven Dou City to waste her time.
But there was nothing he could do about any of that. He could only shrug helplessly.
Now it was Qian Renxue's turn to be surprised.
"You... aren't you curious? Or did you know something in advance?"
"It's no surprise. The killing intent in the New Pope's eyes whenever she looks at you is impossible to hide. It's only natural that the old man would want to move you out of her sight so she can't persecute you."
Unable to reveal that he knew what was coming, Lin Beiya could only force himself to offer an explanation he didn't truly believe.
Qian Renxue didn't suspect a thing. She smiled bitterly and nodded.
"I'm going to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace as an undercover agent. Before that, I need to absorb a Soul Bone passed down through the generations. Afterward... I'll come say goodbye to you."
"You make it sound so final. Going to Heaven Dou doesn't mean we won't see each other again. Once I've grown a little stronger, I'll come visit you in Heaven Dou City."
Seeing another trace of sadness creep into the Little Angel's eyes, Lin Beiya rubbed her smooth golden hair and offered some comfort.
His words made the Little Angel feel a little better. For the first time in ages, she smiled charmingly.
"Then it's a promise. I'll go prepare to absorb the Soul Bone."
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