Qian Daoliu, "My foolish son, could his brain have been caught in a door?"

On one side was his daughter's will, and on the other, the safety of the entire sect.

Tang Cang found it truly... difficult to make a choice.

As Tang Cang fell silent, the air in the great hall seemed to solidify.

The gazes of the sixteen elders fell upon him in unison, waiting quietly for him to reach a decision.

Finally.

Tang Cang spoke in a hoarse voice, "We shall end here for today. The meeting is adjourned."

"Elders, please return for now. As for this matter... let me think on it further!"

The elders exchanged glances, but said nothing more; they rose one after another, cupped their hands, and withdrew.

Seeing that her father had not forced her on the spot, Tang Yuehua breathed a sigh of relief, though she did not forget to emphasize before leaving, "Father, I am not going regardless. Please, stop overthinking it!"

With that said.

She turned and ran out without looking back.

Watching Tang Yuehua's retreating figure, Tang Cang stood dazed, then rose without a word and walked into his study.

"Go and summon the First Elder."

"Yes, Sect Master!"

Soon, Tang Wei entered the study. "Sect Master."

Tang Cang exhaled a long, heavy breath and rubbed his temples. "First Elder, what do you think... should be done about this matter?"

Tang Wei did not answer immediately, remaining silent for a moment before speaking slowly, "Sect Master, forgive my bluntness."

"In the current situation, we have no better path to take than marriage."

Tang Cang's hand paused, and he remained silent.

"Sect Master."

Tang Wei continued, "I have just received the latest intelligence regarding the Seven Kill Sect."

"They have announced an open recruitment for marriage, clearly intending to use the commotion they caused in Star Luo City to expand their influence and signal their return to the soul master world."

"Of course, relations between sects are not just about fighting and killing; there is also the matter of human sentiment."

"Although the Seven Kill Sect has Chen Jianjun presiding over it, they still need to recruit a large number of low-to-mid-level soul masters."

"Therefore, if we take the initiative to show goodwill now and marry Yuehua off to them, it would, firstly, give the Seven Kill Sect immense face, and secondly, provide an opportunity to mend the relationship between our two sides."

"In this situation, compared to waiting for Chen Jianjun to actually bring his people to the Clear Sky Sect to hold us accountable, this is undoubtedly the superior strategy."

Tang Cang did not speak, but the frequency with which his fingers tapped on the armrest increased significantly.

"But..."

He paused, his voice dry, "Yuehua, she..."

"Being part of the Clear Sky Sect, one is not master of one's own fate."

Tang Wei interrupted Tang Cang, his voice deep. "As a member of the Clear Sky Sect, she must make sacrifices."

"Otherwise, once Chen Jianjun comes knocking, it will not be as simple as a few people dying."

"It will inevitably make our Clear Sky Sect the chicken that is slaughtered to warn the monkeys!"

"The strength of the Star Luo Imperial Family is, after all, too weak. Dai Renfeng is a Title Douluo from three or four hundred years ago; those who know his name in the current world are few and far between."

"But our Clear Sky Sect is currently recognized by all sects as the undisputed leader."

"Therefore..."

Having reached this point, Tang Wei did not continue, merely bowing slightly.

Tang Cang clearly understood the implication of these words.

It was precisely because of this.

That he remained silent.

Tang Wei was not in a hurry, waiting quietly.

Finally.

After two and a half minutes of silence, Tang Cang raised his head and sighed, "You are right."

"As a disciple of the Clear Sky Sect, she must inevitably make sacrifices for the sect."

Having said this, Tang Cang paused and asked, "When is the Seven Kill Sect's recruitment scheduled?"

"It is said to be in seven days."

"Then seven days from now."

Tang Cang stood up, turning his back to Tang Wei, his voice carrying a hint of resolve. "At that time, you will take Yuehua there."

"You do not need to tell her directly; just say you are representing the Clear Sky Sect to attend the Seven Kill Sect's banquet."

"Find the right moment, and then simply send her in..."

Act first, report later!

Tang Wei's mind flashed with this phrase, yet he did not refuse, bowing slightly, "Yes, Sect Master."

Tang Cang nodded, then as if suddenly remembering something, he asked, "Right, how are things going with Xiao'er and Hao'er...?"

"The young master's bloodlust is already under perfect control."

"Furthermore, examinations have confirmed that all side effects from his return from Slaughter City have completely vanished."

"That is why I took the liberty of allowing him to descend the mountain to continue his training."

After a pause, Tang Wei added, "As for the eldest young master... since emerging from seclusion, he has reached level seventy-nine. It shouldn't be long before he touches the threshold of level eighty."

Ever since Tang Cang transitioned from young sect master to sect master, the status of Tang Xiao and Tang Hao had risen accordingly.

However.

Because Tang Cang had not yet designated a young sect master, he referred to Tang Xiao and Tang Hao as the eldest young master and the young master, respectively.

"When the time comes, he will surely send word back to the sect, requesting the elders' assistance in hunting for his soul ring."

Tang Cang nodded slightly, his tightly furrowed brows finally relaxing a little.

He turned to look at the rolling mountains in the distance outside the window, his tone carrying a hint of complex emotion, "Very well... It is actually a good thing they are not in the sect right now."

"The future hope of the Clear Sky Sect must rest upon them both."

"As their father... the only thing I can do is pave the way for them."

Tang Wei was well aware of his own limitations.

Although he was currently a level ninety-five Title Douluo.

But.

He knew clearly that breaking through to level ninety-six was essentially impossible for him.

The future of the Clear Sky Sect would ultimately fall upon the shoulders of Tang Xiao and Tang Hao.

It was just that...

Tang Cang still did not know who he should grant the position of young sect master to.

"Father, you have returned?"

At the entrance of the Douluo Hall in Martial Soul City—also known as the Angel Temple—Qian Xunji paced back and forth, waiting with a sense of unease.

Finally, after waiting there for a day and a night, he sensed a familiar aura. He looked up in pleasant surprise to see Qian Daoliu standing there, completely unscathed. Qian Xunji's eyes widened, "Father, that Chen Jianjun..."

"What are you doing guarding this place?"

Qian Daoliu did not answer, instead frowning and looking at Qian Xunji with displeasure, "You are the Pope of Martial Soul Hall. With so many affairs to attend to, why are you idling here?"

"Uh..."

Qian Xunji was instantly rendered speechless, stammering for a long time, wanting to say something but not knowing what to say.

In the end, he managed to force out, "Well... Father, I was just worried about you..."

Qian Daoliu, "?"

Worried about him?

What kind of joke was this?

Had this foolish child's brain been caught in a door?

Qian Daoliu turned back, eyeing Qian Xunji with a look of pity for the mentally challenged, rolling his eyes in utter speechlessness.

Did he, Qian Daoliu, need Qian Xunji to worry about him?

It wasn't bragging; he had yet to encounter anyone on this continent capable of truly keeping him trapped!

What a joke!

"You don't look after your daughter, and you don't handle the Pope's administrative duties."

"Tell me, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Qian Xunji, "..."