Clear Sky Sect

Three hundred miles east of Heaven Dou City stood a range of perilous peaks, each one linked to the others by countless thick iron chains.

A row of houses stood atop the tallest and most treacherous peak. This was the hidden sect, the Clear Sky Sect.

Inside the Clear Sky Sect, Sect Master Tang Xiao sat in his seat, staring at the latest news in the newspaper in his hands. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.

Spirit Hall had taken the Heaven Dou Empire overnight and established the Spirit Hall Empire... Even a novel couldn't be written like this.

And wasn't Qian Daoliu supposed to stay out of worldly affairs? Why had he suddenly changed his ways and taken down the Heaven Dou Empire?

Would he bring up old grievances in a few days and wipe out the Clear Sky Sect too?!

Tang Chen was no longer there to protect the sect. Only Tang Xiao remained, struggling to hold it together, and he had no idea where Tang Hao had gone.

If Spirit Hall really came for them, the Clear Sky Sect's only fate would be annihilation.

"It's all that unfilial Tang Hao's fault! He fell for a stalk of Blue Silver Grass and forced our Clear Sky Sect to keep our heads down!"

The Clear Sky Sect's Seventh Elder, Tang Lie, roared. If not for Tang Xiao, he would have killed Tang Hao with his own hands to eliminate the sect's misfortune.

Looking at Tang Lie, who had lost control of his emotions, Tang Xiao sighed helplessly.

As Tang Hao's elder brother, he couldn't bring himself to act against him. Besides, he had once loved Ah Yin too. To execute Tang Hao over this would be a betrayal of her.

"Enough. Seventh Elder, say a little less. What we need to discuss now is what our sect should do if Spirit Hall attacks. That's far more important than Tang Hao."

Tang Lie snorted, still angry, but the survival of the sect was a grave matter. They could discuss Tang Hao later.

(Note: From this point onward, the Clear Sky Sect characters will be based on the manga.)

The First Elder, Tang Ming, nodded and stroked his white beard.

"That's right. Spirit Hall is the greatest threat to our Clear Sky Sect. Now that the Heaven Dou Empire has become the Spirit Hall Empire, we must decide what to do about our sect's survival."

"Why don't you let me go to Heaven Dou City and sound them out?"

The Second Elder, Tang Qingqing, was the swiftest among the elders. She offered her suggestion.

Tang Xiao thought it was a good idea. He decided they should first send someone to gather intelligence and find out Spirit Hall's attitude before making any further plans.

"Then we'll do as the Second Elder suggests."

The once-prosperous palace in Heaven Dou City was now deserted. On some of the stones, traces of blood still remained.

In the king's bedroom, Golden Crocodile Douluo lazily got out of bed.

He rubbed his eyes, ready to enjoy another wonderful day.

At the Worship Hall, Qian Daoliu had kept him on a tight leash. He had to get up earlier than a rooster and go to bed later than a dog. His only job all day was to sit in the Worship Hall and pray to the Angel God.

He hadn't had a moment's freedom. But now things were different. He'd been appointed the temporary king of the Spirit Hall Empire, free from Qian Daoliu's restrictions. He could do whatever he wanted.

In just the past few days, he'd already visited every tavern in the city. Beautiful women and fine wine were everywhere.

No wonder so many people wanted to be emperor. This was the life! Hahaha!

Outside the room, Tang Qingqing pressed herself against the window and listened to what was happening inside. It sounded as if the person within had woken up.

Creak.

The door opened, and Qian Daoliu appeared in front of Golden Crocodile Douluo. At the sight of him, Golden Crocodile Douluo's heart gave a jolt.

Just what he feared most had come to pass.

"Big brother, what brings you here?"

Looking at Golden Crocodile Douluo's disheveled appearance, Qian Daoliu sighed helplessly. He stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and said,

"Golden Crocodile, you've been enjoying yourself a little too much these past few days. I heard about your tavern-hopping all the way back at Spirit Hall."

"Haha, big brother, you've got the ears of the wind. Nothing gets past you."

Golden Crocodile Douluo forced a smile.

Looking at him, Qian Daoliu didn't know what to say.

"Enough, don't try to fool me. Golden Crocodile, I'm not here to punish you this time. I came for another reason."

At that, Golden Crocodile Douluo let out a long breath of relief.

So he'd come for something else. He'd worried for nothing.

"Then, big brother, what is it?"

"You must know that when Spirit Hall took the Heaven Dou Empire without warning and established the Spirit Hall Empire, many factions resisted us.

"They called us bandits and wanted to drive us out of the Heaven Dou Empire. Some sects and families that have always been at odds with us have also joined together to oppose the Spirit Hall Empire. Golden Crocodile, you know what to do, don't you?"

Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded and replied confidently,

"Don't worry, Grand Elder. I'll make sure everything is handled cleanly and come back without leaving a trace."

Outside the room, Tang Qingqing was startled by what she heard. The sect that had always been at odds with Spirit Hall—wasn't that the Clear Sky Sect?

At this rate, she'd soon be meeting Golden Crocodile Douluo at the Clear Sky Sect.

After Tang Xiao and the others heard Tang Qingqing's report, not one of them spoke. They hadn't expected Spirit Hall to actually move against the Clear Sky Sect.

This violated the agreement between Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu!

"Damn Spirit Hall! Why don't we strike first and catch them off guard?"

Tang Lie slammed his hand on the table and shouted.

"Absolutely not. Tang Lie, even counting me, our Clear Sky Sect only has three Titled Douluo. Spirit Hall has many more. Even if we strike first, we can't defeat them."

The First Elder, Tang Ming, stroked his beard and rebuked Tang Lie's fanciful idea.

Perhaps the Clear Sky Sect of ten years from now could fight Spirit Hall, but they'd best forget about it for now.

"First Elder, then what do you think we should do?"

"In my view, we should infiltrate them from within. Place our people in their ranks and bring them down from the inside. Then we can win without fighting."

At Tang Ming's words, the others felt as though a whole new world had opened before them. This was the Clear Sky Sect's path to survival!

"Second Elder, please go back and find out which positions the Spirit Hall Empire needs to fill."

Tang Qingqing nodded and headed to Heaven Dou City once more.

Qian Daoliu and Golden Crocodile Douluo wandered aimlessly through the palace halls.

They had to admit, the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace had good taste. Everywhere they looked, there were buildings worth admiring.

They'd been too busy killing people to notice the scenery a few days ago. Now at last, they could take their time and appreciate it.

"Golden Crocodile, this palace is enormous, but it feels so deserted. We haven't run into a single person in ages."

Qian Daoliu sighed. It was far quieter than Spirit Hall. Anyone who knew this was a palace would think it was one; anyone who didn't would take it for some dead city.

Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded in agreement.

"Exactly. Big brother, we killed every noble in the palace, and didn't spare even their direct relatives. That's why it's so deserted. So I'm thinking of recruiting some people to sweep the floors and clean the toilets. Then the palace won't feel so empty."

Qian Daoliu nodded when he heard this. Hiring caretakers was a good idea.

Standing on the roof, Tang Qingqing nodded solemnly. So Spirit Hall was hiring caretakers to sweep the streets and clean the toilets.

A gust of wind blew past. Qian Daoliu looked up and saw no one there. He scratched his head, puzzled.

How strange. He couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him. Could being driven mad by Qian Renxue these past few days have thrown his nerves out of whack?