I Have No Choice

Some are joyful, others are sorrowful.

Tang Xiao, having already succeeded as the Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect, did not take this matter to heart at all.

"Elders, rest assured. Grandfather and Qian Daoliu have an agreement; Martial Soul Hall would never dare do anything to us."

Those belonging to Tang Xiao's faction, unlike the worried elders, naturally felt no concern and were quite pleased with themselves.

"Qian Daoliu is nothing but a coward. Even if you gave him a hundred guts of a bear and a leopard, he wouldn't dare come to our Clear Sky Sect!"

"Exactly! What kind of key does Martial Soul Hall think they are to fit our lock? That Qian Daoliu is only fit to sniff the farts of our ancestor Tang Chen!"

"A mere stinking bird like Qian Daoliu isn't even fit to wash or wipe the shoes of our ancestor Tang Chen!"

Indeed, ever since the previous Sect Master—Tang Hao's father and the elders' eldest brother—was literally angered to death by this affair, the Clear Sky Sect had split into two factions.

One faction, led by Tang Xiao, believed that Tang Hao had done nothing wrong, and that it was Martial Soul Hall's arrogance and tyranny, relying on their own formidable power to pressure the Clear Sky Sect, that was the issue; they not only coveted the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast but also intended to harm the sect.

The other faction, led by the few remaining elders of the older generation, believed that Tang Hao had acted without careful thought, and that his union with a soul beast had led to the current situation, causing the sect to lose face entirely and even angering Sect Master Tang Tian to death—a crime beyond forgiveness.

These elders found the thoughts of the younger generation of disciples utterly incomprehensible; did they spend every day lifting iron until their brains turned to mush?

They immediately cursed in anger: "What do you know! Is the Clear Sky Sect still what it was when Sect Master Tang Chen was here? If not for the lingering prestige of Sect Master Tang Chen, would you even be able to stand here and speak so brazenly!"

They knew better than anyone that the entire Clear Sky Sect was actually propped up by Sect Master Tang Chen, and that the rest of the Clear Sky Sect members were essentially nothing.

When Sect Master Tang Chen was present, they could naturally be arrogant and domineering, with their tails raised to the ninth heaven, but with him gone, they had to restrain themselves and act only when necessary.

Yet Tang Xiao remained indifferent, saying: "Elders, you are worrying too much. Nothing will happen."

The Second Elder let out a cold snort and tossed out the declaration from Martial Soul Hall.

"Nothing will happen? The Pope of Martial Soul Hall has already made this matter public, and you still don't realize the severity of it! Once this is out, it's equivalent to roasting us over a fire! Do you not realize how other powers view us, or that we need to provide an explanation?"

Tang Xiao naturally retorted with annoyance: "An explanation? What kind of explanation do they want? What kind of explanation is their martial soul worth? Speaking of which, this is a matter for our Clear Sky Sect; what does it have to do with Martial Soul Hall? Why should our Clear Sky Sect need to explain anything to others? So what if Brother Hao likes a soul beast? As long as he breaks through level seventy, he is a true human!"

"Ridiculous! Do you think others care what you think? They will only seize upon this matter and refuse to let go. Even if Martial Soul Hall doesn't force our Clear Sky Sect, won't other sects? Won't the two great empires? With Martial Soul Hall throwing around accusations of wanting to subvert human governance, who else will take our Clear Sky Sect seriously!" the Fourth Elder said.

"Don't think that just because you rely on a tough attitude and strength, you can dismiss this. The most terrifying thing is the human heart!"

Then, the Fifth Elder, Tang Lie, stood up and suggested: "There is nothing more to discuss. To avoid being besieged by all sides, I propose we announce to the entire continent that Tang Hao was bewitched by a demoness, has defected from the Clear Sky Sect, and is no longer a disciple of our sect."

The Third Elder nodded: "I agree. This Tang Hao is a total jinx. I never expected him to harm our Clear Sky Sect so severely; our reputation has been dragged through the mud by him. He is not fit to be a disciple of the Clear Sky Sect!"

"Fifth Elder, Third Elder, how can you say that about Brother Hao!" Tang Xiao exclaimed.

"He is your own brother, so naturally you speak in his favor, but you should be considering the interests of the sect! Do you want the entire sect to bear the consequences of Tang Hao colluding with a soul beast?" the Fifth Elder pressed the point.

The Second Elder followed up with an objective statement: "Sect Master, we can let you be the Sect Master, but we can also remove you. The Clear Sky Sect can be united, but in this situation, the Clear Sky Sect cannot tolerate this!"

Facing the pressure from the elders, Tang Xiao was completely overwhelmed.

He had ascended to the position of Clear Sky Sect Master, and his strength was indeed that of a solid Titled Douluo, but in the face of the sect's righteousness, he was nothing.

His eyes were almost bloodshot, as if he were about to explode at any moment.

Seeing Tang Xiao get angry and prepare to strike, the other elders also stood up one after another.

"Tang Xiao, what do you think you're doing!"

"Tang Xiao, do you really want to place the sect in a position where everyone insults us!"

"Tang Xiao, if you truly intend to do this, then leave the sect! The sect does not need an irresponsible Sect Master like you!"

"Tang Xiao! Tang Xiao! Tang Xiao!"

"Enough!"

Tang Xiao suddenly rose, erupting with the aura of a Titled Douluo, but the elders did not show weakness; although they lacked the strength of a Titled Douluo, they were high-level Soul Douluos, not far from the level of a Titled Douluo.

Tang Xiao made a final struggle: "What you say is correct. According to your wishes, we capture Tang Hao and send him to Martial Soul Hall. But do you really think Martial Soul Hall will let our Clear Sky Sect go?"

"Today, Martial Soul Hall has pushed us into a corner where we have no choice but to do as they say. When we are pushed to the point of no return, will you still be able to remain so calm?"

"Hmph! Are you really going to let the entire Clear Sky Sect be shamed for his sake? This is not just a small disturbance; if it escalates, it could mean the destruction of the sect!"

The elders were truly furious, wishing they could pry open Tang Xiao's head to see what exactly he was thinking.

Don't let them fool you with their talk of Qian Daoliu not daring to attack the Clear Sky Sect because he feared their ancestor Tang Chen; that was under the premise of their sect being hidden away, not sitting in the public eye as it was now.

Tang Xiao's breathing grew heavy. He had tried his best, but even if he was a brother-obsessed fool, he couldn't hold it together anymore.

"Fine, let it be done as the elders say."

At this moment, a girl in her twenties, dressed in gorgeous attire that clashed with the brown, iron-lifting workwear of the Clear Sky Sect, burst in.

It was none other than the little princess of the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Yuehua.

She immediately accused them: "Big Brother, Elders, isn't Brother Hao just with the person he loves? Can our Clear Sky Sect not protect them? If so, are we even worthy of being disciples of the Clear Sky Sect!"

The Seventh Elder, Tang Lie, roared: "What does a woman like you know? Disciples of the Clear Sky Sect must naturally put the sect first. Since Tang Hao has done such a thing, he must pay the price, not to mention he angered our eldest brother to death! Your father!"

"Big Brother, say something! You are the Sect Master!" Tang Yuehua looked at her brother with anxiety.

Tang Xiao said helplessly: "Little sister, this is not a matter we can easily resolve. We might accept it, but the people of the entire continent will not. If we choose to protect Brother Hao, we are making enemies of all humanity. Even other powers that are on good terms with us will likely not let us off."

"Then you will just watch as Brother Hao is persecuted by them!" Tang Yuehua was so anxious that tears were already streaming down her face.

"There is no way. I have no choice."

Tang Xiao was in pain too; he couldn't protect his own brother, nor could he protect the woman he loved.

Tang Yuehua bit her lip, then spoke with shocking anger: "Then why don't you quit the Clear Sky Sect and go protect Brother Hao, and protect the person you love!"