Clear Sky Sect, Council Hall.
Tang Xiao sat in the sect master's seat, clutching an urgent secret letter that had just arrived from Suotuo City. His hand trembled slightly.
His gaze swept over the letter again and again. His broad chest began heaving violently, each breath heavier than the last.
"Hahahaha—!"
A thunderous laugh suddenly erupted, making every window in the hall buzz and tremble.
Several sect elders discussing matters in the side chamber jolted in fright and turned in unison toward the sect master.
Tang Xiao laughed so hard that tears nearly spilled from his eyes.
He flicked the secret letter into the air. Held aloft by Soul Power, it floated in the center of the hall, every word on it shining with a blinding light.
"Self-Condensed Soul Rings! Self-Condensed Soul Rings have appeared! And they're the Self-Condensed Soul Rings without Soul Skills that we hoped for!"
"Hahahahaha! Heaven truly favors our Clear Sky Sect!"
The elders quickly gathered around and finished reading the letter. One after another, they broke into smiles identical to Tang Xiao's.
Those smiles carried wild joy, the exhilaration of finally releasing eleven years of pent-up frustration, and an extreme sense of relief that only members of the Clear Sky Sect could understand.
"Sect Master! This is... this was practically tailor-made for our Clear Sky Sect!" Second Elder's beard trembled with excitement. "Self-Condensed Soul Rings come without Soul Skills. Every Soul Master who breaks through using the Ring Condensation Technique can only fight with Self-Created Soul Skills or ordinary techniques!"
"But our Clear Sky Sect!" He slapped his thigh fiercely, his voice shaking dust from the rafters. "Our Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer and Clear Sky Nine Absolutes aren't Soul Ring Soul Skills at all! They are Self-Created Battle Techniques of our Clear Sky Sect!"
"With