The Powers Gather

News swept through the outside world. As the Clear Sky Sect's pleas for aid reached the major powers, word that Tang Hao had killed Qian Xunji and Spirit Hall intended to call the Clear Sky Sect to account spread through the continent's upper ranks like a storm.

The first to learn the full story were the Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire, along with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan of the Upper Three Sects.

Inside the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, excitement filled the great hall.

"Hah! The pope of Spirit Hall was killed by a youngster like Tang Hao? How satisfying! Spirit Hall clearly isn't as strong as it was in Qian Daoliu's day. It's all bluster! That Angel Spirit can't hold a candle to our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, either! Luo Mian! Come with me to the Clear Sky Sect and lend a hand! We can watch them tear each other apart while we're at it!"

Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect were the two most powerful forces in the continent's soul master world. Hearing that they had finally broken ties and become mortal enemies, the other major powers could hardly help feeling pleased.

Decades ago, Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu had been known as the "Two Peaks" of the soul master world. Because of their old personal ties, Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect had never truly parted ways, despite frequent clashes and covert rivalries. With both giants bearing down on the continent, the other sects and powers had barely been able to breathe.

Although Tang Chen had vanished without a trace more than a decade ago, the two sides still had not entered into any major conflict. The Clear Sky Sect remained the strongest soul master force after Spirit Hall.

Now that the two overlords were poised to fight each other, every power had its own plans.

What was more, Pope Qian Xunji had died at the hands of Tang Hao, a junior of the Clear Sky Sect. Their feud was almost beyond reconciliation. Spirit Hall's long-held supreme authority was bound to suffer a heavy blow.

In the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's main hall, soft light fell across a secret letter newly delivered and spread over a desk. Ning Fengzhi held the paper between his fingers, unable to hide his heartfelt delight. The gloom that had weighed on him for days seemed to have lifted considerably.

"Uncle Sword, Uncle Gu, this truly is rare good news. Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect have held the continent down for too long. It's time they fell quiet for a while. Perhaps this is the perfect chance for our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to rise."

Gu Rong stroked his chin, an intrigued smile on his face as he spoke.

"Hah! That youngster from the Clear Sky Sect is something else. He killed Qian Xunji for a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. A level ninety-five pope, brought down by a newly ascended Titled Douluo! The Clear Sky Twins truly live up to their name."

"For decades, Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect have kept expanding. The Two Great Empires are rooted in the secular world and have deep foundations, so the impact on them has been limited. But for sects like ours, it's becoming hard to breathe."

Ning Fengzhi paced slowly, his voice tinged with emotion.

"They recruit talented soul masters everywhere, seize rich lands and resources, and squeeze the other sects out."

"If this leaves both sides badly weakened, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can reap the rewards."

After speaking, Ning Fengzhi turned toward the silent Chen Xin and noticed something was wrong.

Ever since reading the secret letter, Sword Douluo had kept his eyes closed and his brow faintly furrowed, as though troubled.

"Uncle Sword, why do you look so worried?"

Chen Xin slowly opened his eyes. His silver-white lashes trembled, and his expression was grave.

"Tang Chen has been missing for more than a decade, but Qian Daoliu is most likely still presiding over Spirit Hall. I fear Spirit Hall may use its rightful claim of vengeance to swallow the entire Clear Sky Sect before anyone can react. If that happens, Spirit Hall will not only recover the prestige it lost with Qian Xunji's death. It will become stronger still."

Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly. He was puzzled and did not entirely agree.

"Uncle Sword, surely it won't come to that. Tang Chen may have been missing for over a decade, but the Clear Sky Sect still has a century of foundations behind it. Tang Zhong's health is declining, yet he remains a level ninety-five Titled Douluo. Tang Xiao, who shares the title of Clear Sky Twin with Tang Hao, also broke through to Titled Douluo not long ago. Their overall strength still exceeds that of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. How could they be wiped out in an instant?"

"If Spirit Hall were truly that powerful, how could we still exist? It would have started a war long ago."

"Fengzhi, there's much you don't understand. Especially when it comes to the strength of Titled Douluo."

Chen Xin's voice was low, heavy with the weight of the past.

"Beyond level ninety-five, each level a Titled Douluo gains opens a gulf between them and those below. I haven't reached that realm myself, but my father told me so with his own dying breath."

"Back then, my father challenged Qian Daoliu at level ninety-seven, hoping the fight would help him break through. But Qian Daoliu defeated him before he could put up much resistance. And when I was level ninety-three, I was just as helpless against my father."

Ning Fengzhi was shaken. He had long known that Chen Jianjun had died after losing his challenge against Qian Daoliu, and he understood that soul master battles carried the risk of death. He had simply assumed that defeat was only natural against Qian Daoliu, a long-renowned level ninety-nine Titled Douluo.

Besides, Uncle Sword had not yet joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect at the time, so Ning Fengzhi had not asked further.

But now, hearing Uncle Sword's words, he could scarcely imagine such an immense gap between Titled Douluo.

He had thought that with his support, level ninety-five Uncle Sword and level ninety-four Uncle Gu could stand against any opponent.

But if Uncle Sword was right, the Clear Sky Sect truly might be destroyed.

The thought sent a chill through Ning Fengzhi.

"So... Uncle Sword, you're saying that without Tang Chen, the Clear Sky Sect would have little chance of fighting back against Qian Daoliu?"

"More or less. I don't know Tang Zhong's true strength, but even if he's stronger than I am, the difference can't be great. And I'm still far from the peak my father reached."

"An Ultimate Douluo is that terrifying? If Qian Daoliu acts personally, wouldn't the Clear Sky Sect be in mortal danger?"

The smile vanished from Bone Douluo Gu Rong's face, leaving only shock.

"Old Sword Bastard, are you telling the truth? You're not just trying to scare us?"

"I haven't reached that realm either, and part of me doesn't want to believe it. But those were my father's words as he lay dying."

Chen Xin sighed softly, then changed tack.

"Still, Fengzhi, don't worry too much yet. Qian Daoliu hasn't appeared in years either. For all we know, he may have died somewhere long ago."

Ning Fengzhi let out a long breath, his expression conflicted.

"Let's hope so. Whatever happens, we must send someone to the Clear Sky Sect and preserve the ties between the Upper Three Sects. If Qian Daoliu does act, Spirit Hall's power will be overwhelming, and we'll need to help the Clear Sky Sect through this crisis in secret. If Spirit Hall isn't as fearsome as we think, we can stand back and watch the two sides fight."

"Besides, Spirit Hall doesn't rule the continent alone. The world has been at peace for so long that I doubt even Spirit Hall would dare defy everyone by attacking the Clear Sky Sect outright."

"And if Spirit Hall really were that powerful, would we still be alive today?"

"Mm. That's true. There's no time to lose. We'll leave at once." Chen Xin gave a slight nod.

"I only hope nothing disastrous happens to the Clear Sky Sect before we arrive."

After a brief silence, Chen Xin suddenly spoke in a lighter tone, easing the tension in the hall.

"By the way, Fengzhi, Ning Shui is due any day now. Do you think it'll be a boy or a girl?"

At that, Ning Fengzhi relaxed a little, and a faint smile touched his lips.

"Ah, I already have several sons. A daughter would make the family complete."

"Hah! A girl would be wonderful! Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could use a little princess."

Gu Rong burst out laughing beside them.

In the imperial study of the Star Luo Empire's palace, Dai Tianfeng sat at his desk reading a secret letter, his eyes bright with excitement.

"As expected of the Clear Sky Sect! I was right to ally with them. The Star Luo Empire should deepen that alliance. Tang Hao had only just become a Titled Douluo, yet he fought and killed Qian Xunji. Spirit Hall isn't as strong as the stories claim."

"If Qian Xunji was that weak, perhaps Qian Daoliu's reputation is hollow too. If the Empress and I join forces, he might not last a single exchange against us!"

"Attend me! Issue an order for the foreign affairs minister to make for the Clear Sky Sect at full speed!"

"No! The Empress and I will go ourselves!"

At the same time, the Heaven Dou Empire had swiftly dispatched Prince Xue Xing to the Clear Sky Sect, traveling day and night.