A Total Embargo on the Clear Sky Sect, Ning Fengzhi Swiftly Backed Down

"When the Spirit Hall forced the Clear Sky Sect to close its mountain, how did the Clear Sky Sect treat us? They closed the mountain gates, leaving the four major families outside and making us face the Spirit Hall's wrath alone."

Do you remember how many people from my Breaking Clan died that year, and how many from your Strength Clan?

Tai Tan's breath hitched.

Of course he remembered that year, although the Spirit Hall did not openly attack the four major families, its covert suppression and retaliation never stopped.

The members of the Strength Clan who were traveling outside the clan were attacked one after another, and half of the clan members were lost in just six months, including his own nephew.

"The Clear Sky Sect Sect's closure of the mountain was out of necessity!" Tai Tan said through gritted teeth. "The Spirit Hall is powerful; if the Clear Sky Sect hadn't closed its mountain, the entire sect would have been uprooted. They closed the mountain to preserve their strength and prepare for a future comeback!"

"So they preserve their strength, and we deserve to be cannon fodder?" Yang Wudi's voice suddenly rose, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes. "Tai Tan, if you're willing to be a dog for the Clear Sky Sect, that's your business."

But from this day forward, our Breaking Clan is no longer anyone's appendage! We chose to Pill Tower because the Pill Tower treats us as human beings, not as tools!

"You!" Tai Tan trembled with rage, unleashing his Great Strength Gorilla Martial Soul. Eight Soul Ring rose from beneath his feet, and the pressure of Soul Douluo- level being crushed down on Yang Wudi as if it were a tangible force.

"What, you're resorting to Soul Douluo just because you can't win an argument?" Yang Wudi showed no fear, releasing his Soul Breaking Spear Martial Soul as well. Eight Soul Ring swirled upwards, yellow, purple, purple, black...

The auras of the two Soul Douluo clashed fiercely in mid-air, and the surrounding air seemed to freeze.

Meanwhile, countless eyes peered anxiously through the cracks in the doors and windows of the buildings lining the street, watching this scene intently.

"If we're going to fight, let's find a spacious place." Yang Wudi drew his Soul Breaking Spear, the tip pointing directly at Tai Tan. "Don't harm the innocent."

Tai Tan snorted coldly, then stomped his feet against the ground, shooting like a cannonball into the open area Heaven Dou City.

Yang Wudi followed closely behind, his Soul Breaking Spear leaving a silver afterimage in its wake.

The two landed one after the other on the wasteland outside the city, a hundred paces apart, facing each other from a distance.

"Yang Wudi, I'm giving you one last chance." Tai Tan clenched his fists, and the Great Strength Gorilla Martial Soul materialized into a massive phantom behind him. The phantom was entirely black, with arms as thick as pillars, and fists covered in hard keratin, radiating a chilling aura of power. "It's not too late to turn back now."

"Turn back?" Yang Wudi pointed his spear at the ground, the Soul Breaking Spear shimmering with silver light. "Tai Tan, tell me, where do we turn back to? Back to the Clear Sky Sect to continue being slaves? Or back to that wretched valley to eke out a living?"

"Our Breaking Clan finally found a way out, and you're here spouting righteousness and morality, accusing us of being ungrateful. Tai Tan, are you speaking for the Clear Sky Sect, or for your own selfish resentment?"

Tai Tan's face flushed red instantly.

Yang Wudi's words were like a Soul Breaking Spear, precisely striking the corner of his heart that he least wanted to acknowledge.

"Shut up!" Tai Tan roared, his Seventh Soul Ring suddenly lighting up, revealing his true form Great Strength Gorilla!

With the blessing of his Martial Soul Avatar, his figure swelled to more than three zhang in size, his muscles bulging like granite. When he threw a punch, the air was compressed into a visible white wave of energy, carrying immense force as it slammed towards Yang Wudi.

Yang Wudi's gaze sharpened, and his Sixth Soul Ring lit up simultaneously.

The Soul Breaking Spear shone brightly with silver light, and an incomparably sharp spear beam condensed at its tip, thrusting straight towards Tai Tan's fist energy.

"Boom!" The fist energy and the spear light collided in mid-air, unleashing a deafening roar.

The shockwave spread outwards, hurling rubble and dust from the ground, and snapping all vegetation within a hundred paces.

Tai Tan grunted and took three steps back. A bloody hole appeared in his fist; the Soul Breaking Spear's aura had pierced through his fist's energy, directly injuring his body.

"How is this possible!" Tai Tan stared at his fist in disbelief.

His strength and Yang Wudi's strength should be roughly equal.

But the penetrating power contained in Yang Wudi's spear light just now far exceeded his expectations, and it actually broke through his defense directly.

Yang Wudi did not answer, but simply gripped the Soul Breaking Spear in his hand tightly.

In the past month, he not only learned how to refine pills, but also discovered a new method for using Soul Power in the process.

Alchemy requires extremely precise control of Soul Power, and when this precise control is applied to combat, it makes his Soul Breaking Spear's aura more concentrated and sharper.

"Again!" Tai Tan roared, his Eighth Soul Ring lit up, and the eighth Soul Skill of the Great Strength Gorilla Martial Soul condensed a ball of dark red light on his right fist.

Yang Wudi took a deep breath, and his Eighth Soul Ring lit up as well.

A silver spear tip extended out, transforming into a silver ribbon over ten feet long. Its sharp aura tore through the air, emitting a piercing shriek.

The two Soul Skill clashed once again.

This time, Tai Tan's fist energy shattered inch by inch under the impact of the Soul Breaking Spear's light. The silver spear light pierced through his defenses like a hot knife through butter, and slammed into his chest.

"Pfft!" Tai Tan spat out a mouthful of blood, his massive body flying backward and crashing heavily to the ground. A deep, bone-revealing wound appeared on his chest, and blood gushed out, staining a large area of the land red.

"Clan leader!" The members of the Strength Clan had been chasing after them cried out in surprise upon seeing this and rushed forward.

Yang Wudi sheathed the Soul Breaking Spear, and drops of Blood One from its tip dripped onto the ground, spreading into dark red flowers in the dust.

He walked slowly to Tai Tan, looking down at his former brother with a complex expression.

"Tai Tan, from this day forward, I, Yang Wudi, sever all ties with you, Tai Tan, and with the Strength Clan. If we ever meet again, we will be strangers."

After speaking, Yang Wudi turned around and faced the direction of Heaven Dou City.

Hundreds of Soul Master and civilians who had rushed to the scene had already gathered there. They watched this battle, which was at the level of Soul Douluo, from a distance, their faces filled with shock.

Yang Wudi looked around and spoke in a clear, resounding voice that echoed throughout the land, "I, Yang Wudi, hereby declare to the public today that the Breaking Clan and the Strength Clan are now severing all ties and have no further connection whatsoever!"

A commotion broke out in the crowd.

Yang Wudi paused for a moment, then continued, "Furthermore, my Breaking Clan has no further connection with the Clear Sky Sect!"

Back then, the Clear Sky Sect sealed off their mountain, abandoning us and showing utter disregard. This was a treacherous act. My Breaking Clan owes the Clear Sky Sect nothing. From this day forward, no one shall ever again compare the Breaking Clan with the Clear Sky Sect!

These words caused an uproar in the room.

The Breaking Clan's departure from the Clear Sky Sect was seen by many as inevitable.

However, Yang Wudi publicly announced the severance of ties with the Clear Sky Sect and directly accused the Clear Sky Sect of "betraying its promises," which was tantamount to slapping the Clear Sky Sect in the face in public.

The message spread like wildfire throughout Heaven Dou City, and then, centered on Heaven Dou City, it spread to the entire continent.

Moonlight Pavilion.

"Young Miss, something has happened." A maid rushed into the private room, looking flustered.

Tang Yuehua put down her teacup, her brows furrowing slightly. "What's the matter? Why are you in such a hurry?"

The maid took a deep breath and recounted the information she had just received in detail.

Upon hearing this, Tang Yuehua smashed the teacup in her hand on the ground with a "crack," shattering it into several pieces.

"He... he actually dared to..." Tang Yuehua trembled with rage, her dignified and beautiful face filled with disbelief and fury.

In her view, the Breaking Clan was an affiliated force of the Clear Sky Sect, and it only developed by relying on the Clear Sky Sect.

The Clear Sky Sect provided them with protection, resources, and a foundation for them to establish themselves on this continent.

Now that the Clear Sky Sect is in trouble, isn't it only right that they help them avert disaster?

Not only did they refuse to help, but they even dared to turn around and accuse the Clear Sky Sect of "betraying their promise" in public?

"Ungrateful! Utterly ungrateful!" Tang Yuehua suddenly stood up, her chest heaving violently. "That Yang Wudi, now that he's grown up and allied himself with the Pill Tower, he dares to turn around and bite his master?"

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, but she couldn't suppress the anger in her eyes.

"Prepare pen and ink; I need to send a message to the sect," Tang Yuehua said coldly. "The sect must know about this."

The maidservant acknowledged and withdrew, quickly bringing back writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Tang Yuehua picked up her pen, the tip flying across the paper. Her handwriting was messy but powerful, each stroke carrying the barely suppressed anger in her heart.

After finishing writing, she folded the letter and handed it to the maid. "Send it back to the sect as quickly as possible, and make sure to deliver it to my elder brother personally."

"Yes." The maid took the letter and hurried away.

Tang Yuehua stood alone by the window, gazing at the blooming moonflower tree in the courtyard, her eyes as somber as water.

"Pill Tower! Yang Wudi!" Tang Yuehua pronounced these two names word by word, her tone filled with hatred.

Tang Yuehua's letter was quickly delivered to the Clear Sky Sect.

Tang Xiao held the letter his sister had sent him, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

"What a Breaking Clan! What a Yang Wudi!" Tang Xiao slammed the letter heavily on the table, his voice low and cold. "What an ungrateful bastard!"

On either side of the main hall, the five elders of the Clear Sky Sect sat in rows, their expressions equally grim.

"Sect Master, the Breaking Clan's actions are a blatant provocation against our Clear Sky Sect," Elder Tang Lie said in a deep voice. "If we do not punish them, where will the prestige of our Clear Sky Sect be? If other affiliated forces follow suit, how can our Clear Sky Sect maintain its foothold on this continent?"

"The First Elder is absolutely right," Second Elder Tang Yan echoed. "The Breaking Clan is nothing more than a small, subordinate clan, yet they dare to publicly insult our Clear Sky Sect by calling them 'treacherous and disloyal.' If we swallow this insult, our Clear Sky Sect will utterly lose face."

Tang Xiao remained silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, "Pass on my order: from this day forward, the Clear Sky Sect and the Breaking Clan will be locked in a life-or-death struggle. From this day forward, any Clear Sky Sect disciple who encounters a member of the Breaking Clan will be killed without mercy!"

This order was like a thunderclap, resounding throughout the Clear Sky Sect.

The five elders rose in unison, bowed, and accepted the order, "We will obey the Sect Master's command!"

After the Clear Sky Sect's order was issued, the Pill Tower reacted faster than anyone had expected.

The day after the Clear Sky Sect issued the "no mercy" order, the Pill Tower publicly released a declaration through its more than seventy councilor forces spread across the continent.

The announcement was concise and clear, yet it was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up towering waves.

"Pill Tower hereby declares: The Breaking Clan is an official member of Pill Tower, and any threat or attack against the Breaking Clan shall be deemed a provocation against Pill Tower."

In light of the death threats issued by the Clear Sky Sect against Pill Tower members, the Pill Tower has decided to cease all sales of pills to the Clear Sky Sect and its affiliated forces, effective immediately.

At the same time, all forces friendly with the Clear Sky Sect are also included in the ban, and this order takes effect immediately.

This announcement sent shockwaves across the entire continent.

No one knows better than the Soul Master of the continent how precious the pills from the Pill Tower are.

The Origin-Recovery Pill can quickly restore Soul Power in battle, the Blood-Stopping Pill can heal fatal external wounds in an instant, the Mind-Clearing Pill can resist the interference of inner demons, and the Qi-Consolidation Pill can accelerate the cultivation progress. These pills have long become strategic resources that major forces are vying to purchase.

And now, the Pill Tower has completely banned the sale of pills to the Clear Sky Sect and its allies?

What does this mean? It means that disciples of the Clear Sky Sect and its allies have no pills to heal them when injured in battle, no pills to assist them in cultivation, and no pills to protect them when breaking through bottlenecks.

If this continues, the strength of these forces will inevitably be greatly diminished.

The ban on the sale of the Pill Tower covers all forces that are on friendly terms with the Clear Sky Sect.

This is tantamount to forcing the major powers on the continent to make a choice: either sever ties with the Clear Sky Sect or say goodbye to the pills from the Pill Tower.

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Fengzhi sat in the main hall of the sect, holding the proclamation of the Pill Tower in his hands, his expression extremely interesting.

As one of the Upper Three Sects, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Clear Sky Sect have always considered themselves to be "of the same blood and lineage".

Whenever something major happens on the mainland, Ning Fengzhi always likes to say the phrase "the Upper Three Sects are of the same blood and lineage" to highlight the status and influence of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

But now, he wished he could swallow back all the words he had said before.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is a major customer of the Pill Tower's elixirs. Ning Fengzhi himself is a loyal supporter of the Pill Tower's elixirs, and he purchases a large number of Qi-Consolidation Pill and Mind-Clearing Pill from the Pill Tower every month for his direct disciples to use in their cultivation.

"Sect Master, the Pill Tower sent someone to inquire whether the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect falls under the category of 'forces friendly with the Clear Sky Sect.' If so, they will stop supplying goods starting next month," an elder reported cautiously.

Ning Fengzhi's lips twitched slightly.

"Pass on my message." He took a deep breath, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School has always been neutral and never participates in conflicts between any forces."

The Clear Sky Sect is the Clear Sky Sect, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. There is no such thing as 'being of the same blood and lineage.' From now on, anyone who dares to link the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Clear Sky Sect together will be punished according to sect rules!"

The elder paused for a moment, then understood and withdrew.

Ning Fengzhi sat alone in the main hall, picked up his teacup to take a sip, but found his hand trembling slightly.

The pills from the Pill Tower are too important to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, so important that Ning Fengzhi could abandon the slogan "The Upper Three Sects are of one mind" that he had been chanting for decades without hesitation.

"Clear Sky Sect, Clear Sky Sect, of all people to mess with, you had to provoke the Pill Tower." Ning Fengzhi a wry smile and muttered to himself, "You've been secluded for too long; you've lost track of what the outside world has become."

The Heaven Dou Imperial Family's reaction was even more direct.

The Heaven Dou Royal Academy has gained a group of geniuses of its own by consuming the pills from the Pill Tower. This is of great significance to the Heaven Dou Empire. Not to mention the Clear Sky Sect, even if the Spirit Hall targets the Pill Tower, the Heaven Dou Empire will not sit idly by.

Xue Ye immediately declared publicly in the court, "The Heaven Dou Empire and the Pill Tower are partners, and the Heaven Dou Empire unconditionally supports the Pill Tower's decision."

That wasn't all. Xue Ye then issued another decree: From this day forward, the Heaven Dou Empire will completely blockade all kinds of daily necessities for the Clear Sky Sect, and strictly prohibit any caravan or individual from selling grain, cloth, medicine, iron ore, or other daily necessities to the Clear Sky Sect. Anyone who disobeys this order will be punished for treason.

This decree immediately worsened the already dire situation of the Clear Sky Sect.

The Clear Sky Sect has been closed off from the outside world for many years, and its daily necessities are mainly purchased from the Heaven Dou Empire through several secret channels.

The Heaven Dou Empire's complete blockade has effectively cut off the Clear Sky Sect's supply lines.

Without food, cloth, medicine, or iron ore, even if the Clear Sky Sect is powerful, it's impossible for them to let their thousands of disciples starve.

What made it even more difficult for the Clear Sky Sect was that the blockade order from the Heaven Dou Empire was also echoed by several surrounding kingdoms.

These kingdoms are all eagerly hoping for the pills from the Pill Tower, and none of them want to offend the Pill Tower because of the Clear Sky Sect, which has closed its gates.

For a time, within a thousand miles of the Clear Sky Sect, not a single merchant guild dared to do business with them.