Did They Really Leave?

To spare the Clear Sky Sect and let it distance itself from Tang Hao, Spirit Hall decided not to grant him the title of Clear Sky Douluo. Instead, he would be known as Sun-Sky Douluo.

Tang Xiao gritted his teeth and agreed to everything. Then he turned a murderous glare on Tang Jingwei, Tang Hui, and the others. He wished he could kill these traitors to the Clear Sky Sect on the spot!

Tang Jingwei, Tang Hui, and the others looked rather pleased with themselves. They had been abandoned, yet it had turned out to be a blessing in disguise. From now on, they would hold power in the Clear Sky Sect rivaling the sect leader's.

"Acting Sect Leader Tang Xiao, if a representative stationed at the Clear Sky Sect by Spirit Hall dies there under suspicious circumstances, the Clear Sky Sect will bear full responsibility. Do you understand?"

"I... understand!"

Tang Xiao spoke through gritted teeth.

"Spirit Hall has one final demand."

"What?! There's more?!"

Bibi Dong also looked at Qian Xunji in confusion. They had prepared all their terms before coming, and every one of them had just been settled. Where had this extra demand come from? Had he made it up on the spot?

"Don't be so hasty, Acting Sect Leader Tang Xiao. We can take our time discussing it."

A teasing glint flickered in Qian Xunji's eyes.

"...Go ahead."

"Spirit Hall needs a core member of the Clear Sky Sect as a hostage. Would you consider that reasonable, Acting Sect Leader Tang Xiao?"

"Yes."

Tang Xiao drew a deep breath.

The demand was reasonable. The Clear Sky Sect was already down so many people. Apart from the Sixth Elder, every elder had lost an arm and had almost no hope of ever reaching Titled Douluo.

Tang Xiao himself had lost an arm, causing him to fall from level 91 to level 85. He feared he might never return to the Titled Douluo realm.

"I am Tang Chen's grandson, the sect leader's son, and Tang Hao's elder brother. Surely I qualify as a hostage? I'll go to Spirit Hall!"

Tang Xiao volunteered.

In truth, he had his own reasons. He could not bear to watch the Clear Sky Sect decline under Spirit Hall's complete control. He did not want to witness the sect's humiliation or the grief of its people.

Perhaps dying in Spirit Hall would not be so bad...

"Xiao! Let me go!"

"I'll go. You're all too hot-tempered. You'd only get into trouble."

Several elders began vying to be the hostage.

"Xiao, you have the greatest talent. Only you can still lead the Clear Sky Sect through this crisis. You cannot go."

The Second Elder spoke calmly.

"That's enough, everyone. There's no need to argue. Spirit Hall has already chosen someone."

Everyone looked at Qian Xunji. Even Bibi Dong watched him, waiting to see what he was up to.

Qian Xunji pointed into the crowd below, singling out a woman who was crying as she bandaged her fellow clansmen.

Everyone turned to look at her in shock.

She was Tang Yuehua, daughter of the Clear Sky Sect's former leader and younger sister of Tang Xiao and Tang Hao.

Realizing everyone was staring at her, Tang Yuehua parted her lips and looked around in confusion. She had not been paying attention to the negotiations and had no idea they wanted her as a hostage.

She first looked at Tang Xiao, then raised her head toward the Spirit Hall group and saw the Eighth Worshipper pointing at her.

"M-me?"

"No! I won't allow it! She's my sister! I can't let anything happen to her! She can't go to Spirit Hall!"

"Let me go instead! Her Soul Power will never rise above level nine! The Clear Sky Sect can do without her! I'm a better hostage!"

Tang Xiao shouted in desperation.

"There's no need to worry, Acting Sect Leader Tang Xiao. Spirit Hall has always loved peace, kept its promises, and acted honorably. How could we harm your sister?"

"We merely want Tang Hao to think twice before acting. I believe she's the best choice. Please don't argue, Acting Sect Leader Tang Xiao."

Only then did Tang Yuehua learn that they wanted her as a hostage. She covered her mouth in shock, then gave Tang Xiao a long look.

"Eighth Worshipper, I'm willing to go to Spirit Hall as a hostage on behalf of the Clear Sky Sect."

"No! Yuehua! You can't go! It's too dangerous!"

"Tang Xiao, let Yuehua go!"

The elders breathed a sigh of relief. They felt that sending Yuehua was the least bad outcome. Even maimed, they were still Soul Douluo. Tang Xiao had once been a Titled Douluo and might someday regain that rank and lead the Clear Sky Sect's resurgence.

By comparison, Tang Yuehua was useless in their eyes: her Soul Power would remain at level nine for life, and she could contribute little to the sect.

Qian Xunji raised a hand and pulled Tang Yuehua to his side. She did not dare look at him. She was trembling and still crying.

"Eighth Worshipper, take me with you. I'm willing to be a hostage."

She drew a breath, composed herself, then turned to Qian Xunji and spoke with solemn resolve.

Qian Xunji nodded, though an amused smile remained on his face.

Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes at Qian Xunji. She had a feeling his motives were not entirely innocent...

Still, Tang Yuehua was one of the people Tang Hao cared about most. Taking her hostage made sense.

Bibi Dong turned to Tang Xiao.

"Acting Sect Leader Tang Xiao, we won't trouble you any longer. Carry on with your relocation. Once it's complete, Spirit Hall will send its representatives."

With that, Bibi Dong turned and walked away through the air. The worshippers, elders, and Angel Legion followed her.

Only the two elders, Qian Jun and Jiang Mo, stayed behind.

Qian Xunji even turned back to call out to Tang Xiao.

"Acting Sect Leader Tang Xiao! Farewell! No need to see us off! I hope your move goes smoothly!"

He then looked at Yang Wudi.

"The Three Great Clans should get ready to head to Spirit City. This place will soon be turned into a Scenic Area. Someone will come to handle the handover later!"

"Farewell!"

He called farewell to Tang Xiao once more, then finally left, his figure slowly disappearing from view.

Tang Xiao stood in a daze. He could scarcely believe what had just happened.

"They're leaving? They're really leaving?"

"Argh—! Spirit Hall! I, Tang Xiao, swear I'll—"

Tang Xiao stopped himself. He feared Spirit Hall might double back and make even more demands of the Clear Sky Sect.

Roaring with fury, Tang Xiao pounded the ground again and again, venting his rage.

"Hmph! This is all Tang Hao's fault! He just had to go after a hundred-thousand-year beast! Look at the calamity he brought upon the Clear Sky Sect!"

The Seventh Elder, Tang Lie, spoke bitterly as he tended to his disabled son, though he had been maimed himself.

"Seventh Elder! Don't say that! This isn't Tang Hao and Ah Yin's fault! It was Spirit Hall—!"

"This is all because of Spirit Hall!"

"Hmph! If he hadn't fallen for that beast and killed Qian Xunji, would any of this have happened?"

"Enough! It's over!"

"Acting Sect Leader Tang Xiao, it's time for you to leave. This is Spirit Hall territory now, and we need to prepare it for development as a tourist destination."

"Shut your mouth, Tang Jingwei! You traitor to the Clear Sky Sect! You scoundrel! You'd better hope you never fall into my hands!"

"You abandoned us first! You deserve everything that happened! Now take your people and get out!"

Bai He stepped forward, patted Tang Xiao on the shoulder, and sighed.

"Take care, Xiao."

Then he turned away to prepare for the move to Spirit City.