"Ancestor..."
Seeing Tang Chen heading off to avenge himself on Spirit Hall, Tang Xing panicked.
He wanted to chase after him, but couldn't catch up. All he could do was watch helplessly as Tang Chen left.
With no other choice, he pulled a stone from his clothes and crushed it.
It was a Space-Breaking Stone, an extraordinarily wondrous Soul Tool.
There were two stones, a mother and a child. As long as the child stone was crushed, it could transmit a signal over a great distance to the mother stone.
Far away, at the Clear Sky Sect's secluded training grounds in the Heaven Dou Empire, Tang Xiao suddenly felt the Space-Breaking Stone stir. Excited, he took it out.
The Space-Breaking Stone was glowing. That meant his grandfather had sent a message.
"Sect Master, the ancestor is back."
"But after hearing what our Clear Sky Sect has been through these past few years, he went straight to Spirit Hall!"
Tang Xing hurriedly reported the news, more anxious than anyone.
"Ah, Grandpa really is something. His stubborn streak has flared up again."
"I understand. Return to the sect immediately."
"There's no need to leave anyone guarding this place from now on!"
Tang Xiao sighed, put away the Space-Breaking Stone, and immediately convened a sect meeting, sounding the bronze bell nine times.
Everyone in the sect heard the nine peals and turned pale. They hurried toward the main hall.
The five elders, who had been in seclusion, also ended their cultivation and rushed over at once.
In the Clear Sky Sect, the bronze bell was sounded for a reason.
Nine consecutive peals meant the sect was facing a life-or-death crisis.
In nearly a hundred years, the only time it had rung nine times was when Qian Daoliu had led people to attack the sect.
Now, the bronze bell was ringing nine times again.
Could Spirit Hall be attacking?
At the thought, the entire sect was filled with anxiety.
Seventh Elder Tang Lie had the most fiery temper. The moment he entered the main hall, he couldn't help asking, "Sect Master, what happened? Has Spirit Hall found us and sent people to wipe us out?"
"That's right, Sect Master! Tell us!"
"If it comes to it, we'll fight Spirit Hall to the death!"
The other elders were just as anxious, itching to fight Spirit Hall to the death this very moment.
They had been in seclusion for over a decade and had long since become Titled Douluo. They could hardly wait to go toe-to-toe with Spirit Hall.
"Don't panic. Spirit Hall isn't attacking us. My grandfather, Tang Chen, has returned."
Tang Xiao explained slowly, barely able to contain his delight.
"What?"
"The Chief Elder is back?"
"That's wonderful!"
"Our Clear Sky Sect can finally stop swallowing our pride!"
Tang Lie jumped up in delight, his eyes full of longing.
The other elders and the second- and third-generation direct disciples in the hall were delighted too.
Their Clear Sky Sect had been forced to suffer in silence for over a decade!
At last, the dawn had come.
"Don't celebrate just yet!"
"Grandpa has returned, but after hearing what our Clear Sky Sect has been through these past few years, he headed for Spirit Hall alone."
"You all know how powerful Spirit Hall is."
"Grandpa may suffer if he goes alone."
"So I've decided: I'll lead every sect member at Soul Emperor rank or above to Spirit Hall at once, to back Grandpa up and proclaim the might of Clear Sky!"
Tang Xiao stood, his face resolute.
The Clear Sky Sect had endured humiliation all these years for this very day.
And the sect wasn't far from Spirit Hall. If he and the five elders flew at full speed, they could get there in half a day at most.
Once all six of them, Titled Douluo, arrived, even Spirit Hall wouldn't dare simply swarm them, no matter how many people it had.
In their minds, apart from Qian Daoliu, Spirit Hall had only three Titled Douluo: Pope Bibi Dong, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo.
Even if Spirit Hall was hiding the true number of its Titled Douluo, there couldn't be more than ten.
With the overwhelming might of their Clear Sky Hammers, they could handle that.
As for everyone else, they would hurry over as fast as they could. They would all arrive within a day.
"We'll follow the Sect Master's orders!"
The five elders raised their hands in agreement, without the slightest hesitation.
They were already eager to cross weapons with Spirit Hall and show the might of Clear Sky.
"Good!"
"Members of the Clear Sky Sect, heed my command! Gather every disciple at Soul Emperor rank or above and head for Spirit City immediately. Do not delay!"
"Everyone else, leave the mountain at once and spread the good news: the Chief Elder has returned, and our Clear Sky Sect is stepping back into the world!"
Tang Xiao sent his orders throughout the sect with his Soul Power, then rose into the air with the five elders.
Everyone in the Clear Sky Sect at Soul Emperor rank or above gathered in orderly ranks outside the main hall and hurried toward Spirit City at full speed.
Everywhere the Clear Sky Sect passed, it caused a commotion.
The Clear Sky Sect, which had been secluded for over a decade, had come out in full force.
And judging by their direction, they were heading for Spirit City.
Could the Clear Sky Sect be going to attack Spirit Hall?
The moment people heard the news, they sent it back to their respective factions.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect were the quickest to react, immediately sending people to investigate.
After learning that Tang Chen had returned and the entire Clear Sky Sect was heading to Spirit Hall, both sects sent powerful reinforcements to Spirit City.
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo led the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's group, while Yu Yuanzhen led the Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect's. Each brought every expert at Soul Emperor rank or above to support them.
In no time, every major force on the Douluo Continent was in motion.
The Heaven Dou Empire was the least concerned, choosing to watch the show.
The Star Luo Empire, by contrast, had already mobilized a hundred thousand soldiers. They were rushing to Spirit City at top speed to lend the Clear Sky Sect their support.
The tense situation made the people of the world almost forget about the Sky Screen Gold Ranking.
By now, the Scumbag Ranking had revealed two more names.
They were Dai Weisi at TOP 8 and Xue Beng at TOP 9!
"Qian Daoliu, get your ass out here!"
Tang Chen arrived outside Spirit City, Clear Sky Hammer in hand, and let loose a thunderous roar.
Eight black and one red, nine Soul Rings descended around him, displaying his immense strength.
When the people of Spirit City heard the roar, their faces filled with disdain.
They wondered what fool would dare cause trouble in Spirit City and call Spirit Hall's Grand Consecrator by name.
He'd come here to get himself killed!
Didn't he know Spirit City was Spirit Hall's headquarters, teeming with experts? No matter how many people came, they could never take it.
Just as everyone was thinking some fool had come to make trouble and preparing to enjoy the show,
Tang Chen's Soul Ring Configuration and the terrifying force of his Soul Power completely shut them up.
Eight black and one red. What kind of configuration was that?
Unprecedented, unheard of!
"Dad, who is that? His cultivation is so powerful. No wonder he dares to challenge them!"
"Do you think Qian Daoliu can beat him?"
"Hey, listen to me asking you. You're just an ordinary person. What would you know?"
"I think Qian Daoliu's a little stronger."
"He's Spirit Hall's Grand Consecrator, a rare Limit Douluo who's been famous for over a hundred years."
"Even with this man's astonishing Soul Ring Configuration, he probably still isn't Qian Daoliu's match."
Wang Yuyan was shaken by Tang Chen's strength and wanted to discuss who would win.
But then she remembered her dad only knew how to drink and chase women. He didn't understand a thing, so what could he possibly guess?
She might as well give the most reasonable answer herself.
"Not necessarily. It depends on what tricks he has."
"If he doesn't have some special, powerful technique, Qian Daoliu will definitely win!"
Duan Changsheng saw through Tang Chen's cultivation at a glance and even guessed who he was.
If he hadn't taught Qian Daoliu those moves, Tang Chen would definitely win.
But things were different now. Qian Daoliu had mastered his moves, and defeating the current Tang Chen wouldn't be difficult.
It all depended on what trump cards Tang Chen had.