How Could Uncle Possibly Be Dead

All he could say was that Gu Qingshan with the Blue Silver Emperor Spirit Bone was just too unfair. Unless you killed him instantly, he was like a cockroach that refused to die—and one with an absurd ability to recover, too.

As for Yang Wudi, his five organs had been shattered. He'd died with his eyes wide open!

The elders sat in their chairs, stunned like wooden chickens. Yang Wudi might have had a foul temper and a foul mouth, but his strength was genuinely absurd. He could take on opponents ten levels above him.

And now he'd been wiped out in a single strike, right before their eyes.

The Martial Soul Hall Holy Son was terrifying!

The elders stayed perfectly still. Not one of them dared speak.

Gu Qingshan brushed the dust off himself and spoke again. "Now, who's in favor, and who's opposed?"

The elders exchanged glances, then stood together and walked to the center of the hall. Facing Gu Qingshan, they bowed low.

"The Breaking Clan is willing to submit to Spirit Hall."

Not one person objected. Not one hesitated.

They'd been dissatisfied with Yang Wudi for more than a day or two.

His temper was too foul, his personality too stubborn, and he'd offended far too many people.

Now that Yang Wudi was dead, they actually felt relieved.

With someone else in the patriarch's seat, the Breaking Clan's business could flourish, and its people could live better lives.

What was so bad about submitting to Spirit Hall?

The Speed Clan had submitted, and they were living just fine.

The Strength Clan and the Defense Clan had refused—and now there wasn't even ash left of them.

Gu Qingshan was pleased. These old fellows knew how to read the room.

"The Breaking Clan can carry on with its business. Spirit Hall won't interfere. But when Spirit Hall needs you, you must give us your full support. Spirit Hall can also provide you with medicinal herbs—high-quality herbs you couldn't buy even with money."

The elders' eyes lit up. They gazed at Gu Qingshan eagerly.

"What kind of herbs?"

Gu Qingshan took out a long, narrow wooden box and opened it. A blood-red herb shaped like a ginseng root appeared inside.

The white-haired First Elder couldn't take his eyes off it. He was so excited he nearly jumped, his trembling finger pointing at the box.

"Th-this is a Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng?"

It was the tremor from the depths of a lifelong alchemist's soul upon seeing the peerless medicinal herb he'd dreamed of.

That Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng had always been hidden away by that old Bai He. He wouldn't even let them touch it.

Who would've thought the old man would be willing to offer it to the Holy Son?

Gu Qingshan watched the elders' expressions, closed the wooden box, and lightly tapped its lid with his fingers.

Their gazes followed the box, shifting from Gu Qingshan's hand to his face.

"This Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng is yours."

The First Elder shuffled his knees across the floor, inching closer to Gu Qingshan, then knocked his head heavily against the ground.

The other elders did the same.

"Thank you, Your Highness the Holy Son!"

"Your Highness the Holy Son, the Breaking Clan will never forget your great kindness!"

Watching the elders kowtow, Gu Qingshan continued, "If you perform well from now on, even immortal-grade herbs may be within your reach."

The kowtowing stopped. Their kneeling bodies went rigid, and all the elders raised their heads at once, eyes wide.

"I-immortal grade?"

Immortal-grade herbs were said to be born from the essence of heaven and earth, possessing wondrous effects beyond belief.

The Holy Son even had herbs of that caliber?

They'd made the right choice!

Submitting was wonderful!

They had to submit!

"Work hard. I have high hopes for you."

Gu Qingshan handed the wooden box to the First Elder.

Seeing Gu Qingshan give the Breaking Clan her family heirloom, Bai Chenxiang felt conflicted.

Even when the Speed Clan could barely afford to eat, her grandfather had never considered selling it. Yet now, the Holy Son had given it away with ease.

It wasn't that she resented Gu Qingshan. She simply couldn't help reflecting: power and influence really were wonderful things!

Strength and authority were the foundation of everything!

With power and influence, you could do whatever you wanted!

Something you treasured like a priceless gem might be nothing more than an ordinary object in the eyes of the powerful.

Chrysanthemum Douluo glanced at the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

He'd seen plenty of treasures. He'd even seen heaps of Immortal Herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. A spiritual herb like the Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng no longer stirred his heart much.

Still, he had to admit this ginseng was a fine specimen: five thousand years old, with its medicinal potency perfectly preserved and its roots in flawless condition.

Ghost Douluo didn't even open his eyes. He'd never been interested in rare treasures of heaven and earth—though he made an exception for the Nether Other Shore Flower His Highness the Holy Son had given him.

Clear Sky Sect.

After reading the intelligence Tang Hao had sent, Tang Xiao sat in silence for a long time.

The First Elder noticed the change in Tang Xiao's expression and furrowed his brow slightly.

Tang Xiao wasn't one to show his emotions. Over the years, the First Elder had seen him handle countless difficult affairs, yet he'd never seen him wear an expression like this.

The First Elder set his teacup on the table and leaned forward slightly. "Sect Master, what news is it?"

Tang Xiao didn't answer. His eyes remained fixed on the page, his fingers rubbing its edge as he sat there, stunned.

The First Elder's brow furrowed further, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

"Sect Master?"

Tang Xiao finally looked up. His face was ashen.

Only after a moment did he speak.

"Brother Hao sent word that our grandfather, Tang Chen, passed away not long ago."

A deathly silence fell over the hall.

Then came disbelief and doubt.

"How could Uncle possibly be dead? He's a Level 99 Limit Douluo! No one on the continent could kill him!"

"Exactly. That brat Tang Hao must be talking nonsense!"

"This is outrageous! How could anyone joke about something like this?"

The elders nodded in agreement. They simply didn't believe it.

Tang Chen was a legend of the Clear Sky Sect, one of the strongest men on the continent and its greatest genius in hundreds of years.

Tang Chen was the faith and confidence of the Clear Sky Sect.

After a long while, once everyone had calmed down, Tang Xiao continued, "Brother Hao wouldn't joke about something like this. He said he saw it with his own eyes, in the City of Slaughter."

"He also said that our grandfather's death was connected to the Holy Son of Spirit Hall."

The First Elder's pupils contracted sharply. Gu Qingshan again.

The astonishing deeds Gu Qingshan had performed one after another had been spreading like wildfire.

What kind of monster was that boy?

How had he managed to do so much in just one year?

How had he, at such a young age, thrown the entire continent into chaos?

Tang Xiao picked up the page from the table, unfolded it, and read it once more.

"Brother Hao became the new King of Slaughter, and his Soul Power even rose to Level 97. Knowing him, I believe the message is genuine."

The First Elder swayed, nearly collapsing.

"You saw it with your own eyes?"

Tang Xiao didn't answer.

At last, the First Elder could no longer hold himself up. It was as though every bone had been pulled from his body, and he slumped into his chair.

The sky had fallen!