Clear Sky Squad

Since the grand elder had spoken, the other elders could only let the matter drop, however unwilling they were.

"Good. Then the Clear Sky Squad is settled!"

Back in his room, Tang Chen rested for half an hour before heading into the courtyard. He summoned the Clear Sky Hammer and began practicing the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer.

Two hours later.

"I can't go on. I'm exhausted. I need a break." Tang Chen sprawled across the stone table. Though he was tired, he could clearly feel his strength growing fast, and that left him satisfied.

Too worn out to continue practicing the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer, Tang Chen sat cross-legged on the stone table and began cultivating the Meditation Method.

He kept at it until ten that night.

Meanwhile, Tang Yue had already left the Clear Sky Sect and was flying toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

When he reached its mountain gate, vast banks of cloud and mist rolled before him, with ridge upon ridge rising beyond them.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect stood atop the Seven Treasure Divine Mountain on the border of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Mist curled around the mountain. Palaces of jade and marble climbed its slopes, their glazed roofs gleaming with soft, translucent rainbow light amid the sunlit sea of clouds. Its splendor was imposing. No wonder the sect was called the wealthiest under heaven.

Tang Yue had no patience for idle talk. He headed straight for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's main hall.

Sensing a powerful surge of Soul Power flying toward the main hall, the sect's guardian Douluo turned into a streak of light and sped there as well.

Inside the hall, only an elegant middle-aged man sat in the seat of honor.

Tang Yue had barely flown into the hall when the sect's guardian Douluo, the rank-ninety-three Golden Monkey Douluo Aodebiao, arrived right behind him.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's master looked surprised to see him.

"Sect Master Tang! What a rare guest!"

Tang Yue had no wish to spar with him in words—he knew he would lose—so he came straight to the point. "Sect Master Ning, I hope you've been well."

"I won't beat around the bush. I've come to ask you for a favor."

Seeing Tang Yue make such a bold demand, Ning Quan grumbled inwardly, Is this how you ask someone for help? If you hadn't said so, I'd have thought you came looking for a fight.

But Ning Quan let none of it show. He remained as gracious and mild-mannered as ever.

"Please sit, Sect Master Tang. We can discuss it over tea." Ning Quan instructed a maid to serve their finest tea, then took the chance to make small talk with Tang Yue.

"Sect Master Tang, this tea comes from a ten-thousand-year-old white jade tea tree. Its leaves can be picked only once every ten years, and each harvest yields no more than three pounds. You must do me the honor of trying it."

Tang Yue thought nothing of it and drained his cup in one gulp.

Behind Ning Quan, Golden Monkey Douluo Aodebiao studied Tang Yue in secret, a flicker of admiration passing through his eyes.

"I've long heard of the Clear Sky Sect's deep foundations and unrivaled strength. Only now, meeting Sect Master Tang, do I see how unfathomable you truly are."

"You flatter me, Golden Monkey Douluo." Tang Yue gave Aodebiao an unruffled wave in reply.

When it looked as though they meant to keep talking around the subject, Tang Yue's impatience finally got the better of him.

"The Clear Sky Sect is forming a dedicated team for the future Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament and for making its way through the Soul Master World. We have assault, agility attack, and defense covered, but we still lack support. No one we've found is suited to the role."

Ning Quan and Aodebiao understood at once.

The world held countless support Martial Souls, but only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could truly sustain a top-tier team through intense group battles, providing boosts and endurance while supporting multiple people at once.

Its all-around attribute boosts and fixed-percentage enhancements were something no other support Martial Soul could replace.

Besides, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Clear Sky Sect had close ties. Though they did not share the same roots and branches, they depended on each other like lips and teeth.

"Disciples of the Clear Sky Sect excel in strength, but support is where we come up short."

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda stands at the pinnacle of support. I've thought it over, and in the entire Soul Master World, only disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would fit our team perfectly."

Tang Yue had stated his purpose openly.

After hearing him out, Ning Quan and Aodebiao fell into thought.

Ning Quan gently rubbed a fingertip along the rim of his teacup, his expression unchanged.

This was no small matter.

Every disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was a future pillar nurtured with substantial resources, and the sect had never lent one to another before! Especially to the Clear Sky Sect. They could hardly send Tang Yue a good-for-nothing; whoever went would have to be capable enough to hold their own.

Aodebiao frowned slightly but said nothing, waiting for Ning Quan's decision.

Seeing Ning Quan still hesitate, Tang Yue knew he had to raise the stakes. If you still won't see sense, I'll have to take one by force.

Tang Yue spoke solemnly. "Officially, we're forming the Clear Sky Team to compete in the Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. In truth, I'm building a trusted circle for my son to rely on when he becomes sect master."

Tang Yue then began introducing the team's members to Ning Quan.

"My son will be captain. He has Innate Full Soul Power and awakened his Martial Soul this year. The grand elder's son has rank-eight Innate Soul Power. Then there's Yang Wu, the most gifted child of the Breaking Clan. He also awakened this year with rank-eight Innate Soul Power. The Strength Clan and Speed Clan are each sending their chief's son, both with rank-seven Innate Soul Power. The Defense Clan chief's son awakened this year too, and his Innate Soul Power is also rank seven."

When Tang Yue finished, Ning Quan slowly raised his eyes. A decision had already settled in their gentle depths.

He knew the pride of the Clear Sky Sect. For its master to come in person and ask a favor showed just how much he valued this young heir and the team.

Besides, bringing gifted youths together would benefit both sides. It would help the Clear Sky Sect while giving his own disciple a rare chance to grow. More importantly, maintaining good relations with the Clear Sky Sect could only benefit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Quan thought, If I can bring my daughter and the Clear Sky Sect's young heir together, that would be a tremendous gain. The grand elder's son would do too, if that doesn't work out.

Ning Quan smiled, his voice calm and assured. "Since you've come with a sincere invitation, Sect Master Tang, and this will help prepare your son for the future, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has no reason to refuse."

"What's more, our two sects have always stood by each other. How could I do anything less than give you my full support?"

Ning Quan turned to Aodebiao. "Uncle Biao, please bring Zi'er here."

Aodebiao cupped his hands in acknowledgment, then became a streak of light and flew away.

Before long, Aodebiao descended from the sky with a girl.