Though his status as Tang Zhen's brother-in-law was worthless in the Clear Sky Sect, at Spirit Hall it made him look utterly suspect. What if they decided to purge their ranks one day, spotted a former Clear Sky Sect remnant still alive and kicking, and casually cut him down?
Hiss—the more Bai He thought about it, the worse it seemed. Better to die a glorious death for the Clear Sky Sect now than die for no reason at Spirit Hall. At least he wouldn't die like a coward.
A tree lived for its bark, and a person for their face!
Once he'd made up his mind, Bai He's eyes turned resolute. He looked at Qian Xunqian and said:
"Our Speed Clan will never surrender!"
Qian Xunqian saw right through Bai He's thoughts and said:
"Clan Leader Bai's reason for not wanting to join Spirit Hall is understandable. You're afraid Spirit Hall will reject you because of your marriage ties to the Clear Sky Sect, aren't you?"
Bai He remained silent.
"Then I'll promise you this: as long as I'm in power, if your Speed Clan does nothing to harm Spirit Hall or commit any evil, I'll guarantee your place in Spirit Hall!"
"Your Speed Clan's Sharp-Tailed Swift Martial Souls are incredibly fast and excel at reconnaissance and gathering intelligence. I'll be frank: Spirit Hall desperately needs talents like you! You don't need to worry that you'll be overlooked after joining us!"
"Besides, only your family has marriage ties to that old geezer Tang Zhen. What does that have to do with the rest of your clan? Are you going to drag the entire Speed Clan to its doom for your family's sake?!"
Every one of those three arguments hit the mark. Bai He was left speechless, while the members of the Speed Clan grew restless. Some were even ready to strike out on their own.
That's right! Only your family has a good relationship with Tang Zhen. The rest of us are supposed to die alongside you?
You get to play the good guy, while we do the dying? What kind of deal is that?
Bai He's face twisted in misery, as if he'd eaten a bitter melon. After weighing it over and over—
I'm in!
After all, if he surrendered, he'd only be killed someday in the future. If he didn't, his own clan would kill him now.
He didn't even have the chance to give his life for the Clear Sky Sect. All he could do was cling to life.
Sigh, brother-in-law, it's not that I want to betray you! This chaotic age is forcing me to!
"Your Holiness the Pope! Your words have opened my eyes. From this day forward, the Speed Clan has decided to pledge allegiance to Spirit Hall!"
Sky Crocodile was dumbfounded. He glanced at his little niece beside him. Weren't they supposed to wipe out the Clear Sky Sect?
What? So I, a Level 98 Super Douluo, was only brought along to read out a declaration of war?
Qian Jun, Jiangmo, Guangling, and the others chimed in: "Brother Sky Crocodile, at least you got to say a few words. We brothers just stood here the whole time and did nothing."
The Spirit Hall Soul Master army accompanying them had only two thoughts:
1. The Pope was awesome.
2. His Lordship Sky Crocodile sure had a loud voice.
Tai Tan was now completely isolated. All that remained were the members of his Strength Clan and a dozen or so outer disciples loyal to the Clear Sky Sect.
What a joke. Even the outer disciples with Clear Sky Hammer Martial Souls had surrendered. The dozen or so who remained loyal to the Clear Sky Sect all had other Martial Souls. They were probably orphans raised by the sect, and had stayed to the end out of gratitude for being brought up.
A gale reveals the strongest grass; hardship reveals true friendship!
"Strength Clan, what about you? The other three attribute clans have all pledged allegiance to Spirit Hall. Are you really going to resist to the bitter end?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo spoke. His voice, impossible to tell as male or female, sent shivers down the Strength Clan's spines.
Tai Tan stepped forward with unwavering resolve and said:
"This old servant will be loyal to his master for the rest of his life! I will never betray him!"
"What about the rest of you? Members of the Strength Clan, do you really want to die alongside your clan leader?"
Many members of the Strength Clan hesitated, and began chattering among themselves.
By rank, the Breaking Clan was the strongest. The Defense Clan and the Strength Clan were roughly equal, while the Speed Clan was the weakest.
If even the Speed Clan could be put to good use, what about the Strength Clan?
The members of the Strength Clan began weighing their options and measuring their worth.
To be honest, their clan leader had drilled ideas of servitude and loyalty into them since they were young. But that didn't mean they were fools.
"The ruler treats his subjects like grass, and his subjects treat him like an enemy"—everyone understood a truth that simple. It was Tang Hao and the Clear Sky Sect who had abandoned them!
If even one person from Tang Hao or the Clear Sky Sect had come forward, the Strength Clan would have gladly fought to the death. They would have died here to the last member.
But reality was cruel.
Their spiritual pillar had fled. The Strength Clan members were now lost, and their fear of death gradually overwhelmed their loyalty.
How they wished that at this very moment, Clear Sky Douluo would come to save them—dressed in golden armor, riding on multicolored auspicious clouds—and fight shoulder to shoulder with them!
But what happened? They waited and waited, and waited some more. Even after the other three clans had surrendered, that man still hadn't appeared.
After enduring the pressure for too long, some members of the Strength Clan couldn't take it anymore. One of them rushed out of the ranks and shouted:
"I surrender! I surrender! Don't kill me!"
Qian Xunqian looked around at her companions, then awkwardly realized that she hadn't brought a Titled Douluo specializing in agility. She'd sent Ghost Elder to put up notices.
But one of the newly surrendered clans had an agility-type Soul Douluo. That would have to do.
"Elder Bai He, you're fast. Go help that friend."
Bai He hesitated at the order. He simply couldn't believe that the decisive Pope would send him to save someone from the Strength Clan!
But he only hesitated for two seconds before immediately activating his Martial Soul Avatar and flying over.
Bai He was fast. He reached the man and carried him away before Tai Tan could finish him off.
Tai Tan flew into a rage. He glared at every member of his clan and cursed:
"Whoever dares surrender without permission, I'll be watching you like a hawk! The moment one of you steps out, I'll smash you to death!"
"I don't like that old fool. He's too servile. I want loyalty based on equality and mutual respect! Someone, which elder will volunteer to take him down?"
Qian Xunqian used Provocation.
That was all it took. The Soul Douluo and stronger experts erupted with enthusiasm, clamoring to fight.
"Big sis Pope, let little brother shoot him from afar with one arrow. He'll drop dead on the spot!"
Guangling Douluo's childlike voice gave Qian Xunqian a headache.
"I have the highest cultivation! Let me at him!" Golden Crocodile Douluo cried excitedly.
Qian Jun and Jiangmo Douluo also stepped forward, eagerly volunteering for the fight.
Qian Xunqian had no choice. Her subordinates were far too enthusiastic, and there was nothing she could do about it.
"I only want that old fool. Capture him alive if possible, and try not to hurt the rest of the Strength Clan. All of you elders, attack together!"
Before she'd finished speaking, eight Titled Douluos and fifty-three Soul Douluos vanished in an instant. They charged at Tai Tan as one.
Golden Crocodile Douluo roared, sending every Strength Clan member except Tai Tan staggering back.
Mighty Lion Douluo followed with a blast of flame. A blazing ring encircled Tai Tan, large enough to hold only the Spirit Hall fighters and one trembling Great Strength Gorilla.
The other members of the Strength Clan were blocked by the flames and couldn't get in at all.
Tai Tan: Kids, do you think I can win against eight Titled Douluos and fifty-three Soul Douluos?
The sixty-one of them didn't even need to summon their Martial Souls. One punch each was enough to beat Tai Tan black and blue. They sealed his Soul Power, tied him up like a dumpling, and hauled him back to the ranks.