Would Qian Daoliu Honor His Bet? Was There News of Tang Chen?

Just then, Tang Hao, who had been standing by the door, suddenly took two steps forward and said in a deep voice, "Father, I have another idea."

Tang Zhen looked up.

"Explain."

Tang Hao glanced at his elder brother beside him, then looked at everyone present, clenched his hands, and said:

"Before my grandfather left the sect, he passed on the Great Sumeru Hammer to me, including the secret technique of Ring Detonation within it."

"Now that our sect has been humiliated, with elders and disciples killed by outsiders, all we can do is wait to find news of our grandfather."

"I wish to reveal this secret technique so that my elder brother, the elders, and you may also cultivate it."

Upon hearing this, the hall immediately fell silent.

The Great Sumeru Hammer!

That was the unique skill that Tang Chen relied on to dominate the continent back then, so they naturally understood the weight of those words.

Tang Hao continued:

"If everyone can gain some insight, the sect's strength will greatly increase. In the future, when we encounter powerful enemies, we won't be completely helpless."

An elder couldn't help but sit up straight, and asked with some surprise, "Hao'er, are you really willing?"

Tang Hao nodded, answering readily.

"My grandfather taught me these skills hoping I could protect the sect. Now that our clan is in peril, what use is it if I keep these secret techniques to myself?"

In Tang Hao's view, given the current state of the Clear Sky Sect, it was impossible for them to collect their debts from Li Qingshan. It would be better to make his father and the elders stronger than to do nothing at all.

"Father, your son wishes to write down everything he has learned about the Great Sumeru Hammer and then hand it over."

Tang Zhen did not agree immediately.

Tang Hao's willingness to impart the secret technique was gratifying, but how could this matter be settled simply by saying "I'm willing"?

"Hao'er, do you still remember why your grandfather passed the Great Sumeru Hammer to you across generations?"

Tang Hao was slightly taken aback.

Tang Zhen continued:

"What he valued was your talent for cultivation. Your elder brother is also his grandson, but he didn't pass on the secret techniques to him as well. Have you forgotten that?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Xiao showed no displeasure. Instead, he said, "Brother Hao, Father is right. Grandfather had his reasons for choosing you back then."

Tang Hao pursed his lips and continued:

"I just wanted everyone to try practicing it..."

Tang Zhen's tone became more serious as he said:

"The Great Sumeru Hammer isn't something anyone can cultivate!"

"After the Ring Detonation, the Soul Master himself must bear the brunt of that power. If his body and control can't keep up, even if he obtains the method, he will ultimately suffer a qi deviation."

"The sect has already lost an elder. If we further damage the sect's foundation by being too eager for quick success, what will become of the Clear Sky Sect in the future?"

Upon hearing this, the elders gradually calmed down.

Tang Hao lowered his head and did not continue arguing.

Tang Zhen looked at him for a moment, then his tone softened somewhat, and he said, "I know you have this intention. As for passing on the secret technique, let me think about it some more."

"Don't give advice to others privately before I make a decision."

Tang Hao remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded.

"I understand."

Tang Zhen then looked at the elders.

"The search for our father will continue as before. As for what we discussed today, it must remain in this hall and not be divulged."

Several people agreed in succession.

Tang Zhen stared at the unfinished old scrolls on the table, his brows still furrowed.

He desperately wanted the Clear Sky Sect to become powerful immediately, but he couldn't risk his clansmen's lives for another stroke of luck.

Meanwhile, in Spirit City, at the Worship Hall.

Qian Xunji stood in the hall with a very gloomy face. Golden Crocodile and several worshippers sat on either side, Yue Guan and Gui Mei stood behind him.

The expressions on everyone's faces were not pleasant when the recent discovery was brought up.

The Great Enshrined was demoted, and the Holy Maiden was taken out of the city in public—such things had never happened before in the history of the Spirit Hall.

The message has been spread.

Suppressing his anger, Qian Xunji swept his gaze over the crowd.

"So many people in the city saw Li Qingshan leave with Dong'er. If we just ignore it, won't people outside think that our Spirit Hall can't even protect its own Holy Maiden?"

Golden Crocodile looked at Qian Daoliu at the head of the table and found that the latter did not respond, while Qian Xunji became more and more restless as he spoke.

"The Holy Maiden has been nurtured by the Spirit Hall for many years, and there are many plans for her future. She's leaving so suddenly today; what will the others in the Spirit Hall think?"

"From now on, does this mean anyone who takes a fancy to someone from my Spirit Hall can just come knocking and take them away?!"

"Enough!" Qian Daoliu angrily, setting down his teacup, and the hall immediately fell silent.

Upon hearing this, Qian Xunji her head, somewhat indignant, and said, "Father, this matter cannot be left like this."

Qian Daoliu looked at him, his gaze gradually turning cold. "Even now, you're only thinking about what others will think of you?"

Qian Xunji's face stiffened.

Qian Daoliu slowly rose and walked towards the hall. "If it weren't for your constant meddling, things wouldn't have come to this."

"You didn't handle the conflict caused by the Platinum Bishop well. You went to his door and lost, then took your anger out on Bibi Dong."

"Why didn't she want to stay? Haven't you ever thought about it?"

Qian Xunji clenched her hands, her voice lowering slightly.

"I was just angry for a moment, I didn't really mean to drive her away..."

"Just because you didn't intend to get rid of her doesn't mean you can beat and scold her at will?" Qian Daoliu sneered.

"She wrote a letter asking for help, and it wasn't until the other party left with his men that you realized how much effort the Spirit Hall had put into her case?"

These words, spoken in front of everyone, made Qian Xunji's face burn, but he could no longer find the right words to defend himself.

Golden Crocodile hesitated for a moment, then stood up and said, "Great Enshrined, we didn't know about the bet at the time. Seeing you trapped in the air, that's why..."

"I already know about this, there's no need to explain further." Qian Daoliu raised his hand in acknowledgment, then looked at Qian Xunji again.

"I personally agreed to the bet. Now that Li Qingshan has taken Bibi Dong out of Spirit City, I accept my defeat."

Qian Xunji said unwillingly:

"Father, but Dong'er is a saint..."

"From the moment she left the city, she was no longer one." Qian Daoliu's voice turned completely cold.

"Since the bet has been made, one must accept the consequences. If the Spirit Hall cannot even honor what I have said, then what reputation do they have to speak of?"

As Qian Daoliu descended the steps and passed by Qian Xunji, he paused for a moment.

"This matter ends here. You must not use the pretext of retrieving the Holy Maiden to cause them any further trouble, nor should you mention this matter to me again."

After saying that, he walked straight out of the main hall.

As the crowd gradually dispersed, Qian Xunji remained standing in the same spot, his fingers clenched so tightly they turned white inside his sleeve.

Suddenly, a servant strode over.

Seeing that there was no one else in the hall, the man leaned down and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, there is news regarding the matter you instructed us to investigate about finding Tang Chen."

Qian Xunji suddenly turned her head.

"Have you found them?"

"We haven't found him yet," the attendant quickly shook his head. "However, we've located the last place he was seen."

He took out a secret report from his pocket and handed it over with both hands.

"This is a remote town. The local branch temple unearthed old records and had someone verify the appearance; it does indeed match the portrait provided by the Clear Sky Sect."

"After entering the town, this person visited a tavern there. Their whereabouts after that are unknown."