"First Elder..."
Sixteenth Elder's voice was very low, carrying a faint tremor that was hard to detect. "This Chen Jianjun... he's even stronger than when we saw him in Star Luo City."
Tang Wei didn't answer, because he knew Sixteenth Elder was right.
Back in Taihe Hall in Star Luo City, when Chen Jianjun had drawn his sword and killed Dai Renfeng and Zhu Buchun, Tang Wei had been shaken. Still, he'd felt Chen Jianjun fell somewhat short of Tang Chen.
But now?
Even Qian Daoliu had said himself that Chen Jianjun's attack was on par with Tang Chen's Ring Detonation!
What did that mean?
It meant Chen Jianjun now had what it took to go toe-to-toe with Tang Chen.
And now...
Tang Chen had left. What could the Clear Sky Sect possibly use to fight him?
At the thought, Tang Wei's heart sank to the bottom.
He turned and glanced behind him without thinking.
Tang Yuehua stood a few paces away, arms crossed, her face showing her surprise. She had clearly witnessed what had just happened.
But when she noticed Tang Wei looking at her, she rolled her eyes and turned away, her expression impatient once more.
"No. This marriage alliance... has to go ahead!"
Tang Wei took a deep breath, preparing to force Tang Yuehua to come with him. After all, Chen Jianjun, who could match Tang Chen, was far too intimidating!
However.
Before he could make a move, Qian Xunji suddenly rose from his seat and hurried over to Qian Daoliu. "Father."
Qian Daoliu glanced sideways at him, his brow furrowing ever so slightly. "What is it?"
Qian Xunji lowered his voice and muttered something.
As soon as the words fell, Qian Daoliu's expression changed. He looked at Qian Xunji in surprise, his voice full of astonishment. "Are you sure?"
Qian Xunji nodded firmly.
"All right, I understand. You may go."
Qian Daoliu's expression shifted several times. He took a deep breath and waved him away.
"Yes!"
After Qian Xunji left, Qian Daoliu turned his gaze to Chen Jianjun.
The other Soul Masters had noticed what happened too. One by one, they looked at Qian Daoliu curiously, wondering what Qian Xunji had just told him.
However.
Qian Daoliu paid them no attention. He met Chen Jianjun's gaze, and though he said nothing, Chen Jianjun's expression changed.
Clearly.
They were communicating telepathically!
Chen Jianjun's expression grew increasingly grave, but he remained silent and motionless for two and a half minutes.
Then.
A moment later, Chen Fan heard Chen Jianjun's voice in his mind.
'Fan'er, Qian Daoliu just told me telepathically that the Clear Sky Twin Stars of the Clear Sky Sect are suspected of colluding with a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. They need to take three members of the Clear Sky Sect away for questioning.'
'But this is our Seven Kill Sect's home ground. Taking them away by force would cost our sect face.'
'So, what do you think?'
It was worth noting that the Spirit Hall now played a role much like that of human law enforcement. Aside from carrying out Martial Soul Awakenings when necessary, it also patrolled to track down Fallen Soul Masters and search for traces of Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts.
It paid particular attention to Soul Beasts that had taken human form. If anyone was found colluding with one, they would be branded a traitor and arrested.
After all, Soul Masters and Soul Beasts had always been irreconcilable enemies. The Spirit Hall of this era didn't believe in nonsense like love.
After thinking for a moment.
Chen Fan looked at Chen Xin and quietly said something. Chen Xin didn't understand why, but still relayed his words to Chen Jianjun telepathically.
Chen Jianjun was a little taken aback when he received the message, but he nodded slightly.
Then.
Rather than look at Qian Daoliu, he lowered his gaze from the high platform and looked past the crowd, fixing it on Tang Wei at the edge of the crowd below.
At first.
Tang Wei had his head lowered, quietly talking about something with Sixteenth Elder beside him. He hadn't noticed yet.
Tang Yuehua, standing farther back, was still looking away toward the distant mountains.
But.
As a Titled Douluo, Tang Wei was remarkably perceptive.
In less than two and a half seconds.
He sensed the gaze and instinctively lifted his head, meeting Chen Jianjun's calm, deep-pool eyes.
"Not good!"
Tang Wei's heart gave a thump. An ominous premonition surged from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.
He opened his mouth, about to offer some diplomatic words to ease the tension, but Chen Jianjun spoke first.
"Members of the Clear Sky Sect."
Chen Jianjun's tone wasn't harsh; it was even quite calm. Yet in the strange silence that had fallen over the grounds after Qian Daoliu's defeat, each word rang out as clearly as metal striking stone.
"Earlier, at Taihe Hall in Star Luo City, my son crossed paths with you."
"At the time, you seemed to think little of our Seven Kill Sect. You implied that our sect wasn't worthy—that we weren't fit to sit at the same table as the Clear Sky Sect."
He paused, his gaze passing calmly over Tang Wei and Sixteenth Elder, whose faces had already begun to pale. His voice remained measured. "Though I'm old, my memory is still good."
"After returning to the sect, my son also told me the whole story of what happened in Star Luo City."
"If the Clear Sky Sect looks down on our Seven Kill Sect, then we certainly won't impose ourselves on you."
"So..."
Chen Jianjun lifted his chin. His tone was casual, yet carried an unquestionable finality. "Please..."
"Take your leave!"
The instant those words fell, it was as if an invisible hand had clenched the atmosphere tight.
Everyone's gaze swung toward Tang Wei, Sixteenth Elder, and Tang Yuehua.
Their expressions varied.
Some were gleeful, some stunned, some speculating. Most simply loved watching the drama unfold.
The Clear Sky Sect, hailed as the foremost sect, had been driven out in full view of everyone. How could they ever again claim to be the greatest sect under heaven?
"W-what?"
Tang Wei's face instantly flushed red, then quickly turned ashen.
He had lived a long life as the Clear Sky Sect's First Elder, a Level 95 Titled Douluo. When had anyone ever treated him so ruthlessly in public and shown him the door?
His chest heaved twice. His fingertips trembled, and Soul Power surged through him, almost beyond his control, as if instinctively urging him to argue, to lash out.
But the surging Soul Power had barely made it halfway when Chen Jianjun's gaze pressed it back down.
Chen Jianjun hadn't even released any Soul Power.
He merely stood there in silence, his hands hanging naturally at his sides, like an ordinary man who had never awakened a Martial Soul.
Yet Tang Wei knew full well that if he dared to say another word, the sword ray that had severed Dai Renfeng's head would fall on him without warning.
He gritted his teeth. His Adam's apple bobbed as the words "What do you mean by this?" caught in his throat. In the end, all that came out was a low, muffled grunt. "Fine. We're leaving!"