Small talk and guests

In Heaven Dou City, Tang Yuehua was known as the elegant, gracious mistress of the Moonlight Pavilion. Rumor even had it that she shared some murky relationship with Xue Ye.

In truth, however, Tang Yuehua was the Clear Sky Sect's source of intelligence in the outside world.

There was nothing unusual about that.

As the younger sister of both the current Clear Sky Sect master, Howling Sky Douluo Tang Xiao, and Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao, Tang Yuehua naturally had ties of blood to the Clear Sky Sect.

The Clear Sky Sect lived in the mountains, its entire membership secluded behind closed gates, but that did not mean they had become hermits who "knew nothing of the Han, let alone the Wei or Jin."

News of the Divine Realm Empire's visit had spread far and wide, and the Clear Sky Sect had also heard about this empire from a continent overseas.

Thus, the Clear Sky Sect's elders asked Tang Yuehua to gather information about the Divine Realm Empire.

If possible, they wanted to see whether a branch of the Clear Sky Sect's clansmen could follow the Divine Realm Empire People to the Spirit Ice Continent.

It was the usual tactic of great clans: spread their branches and leaves, and place bets on both sides.

Life had been difficult for the Clear Sky Sect these past few years.

Tang Hao had killed the former Pope, Qian Xunji, with a single hammer blow, shooting to fame across the continent.

But the Clear Sky Sect had suffered terribly for it.

The ensuing fury and retaliation from Spirit Hall had left the Clear Sky Sect without the courage to protect Tang Hao.

Of course, the most monstrous part was that, at first, the Clear Sky Sect had genuinely worried about Tang Hao. Some elders had even blamed themselves for the sect's weakness, which left it unable to shelter a disciple who had made a mistake.

Yet Tang Hao had simply dusted off his backside and abandoned the sect, hiding away in some forgotten corner.

What a bastard!

Back then, a descendant of the elder Blazing Sun Douluo had died in Spirit Hall's retaliation. The elder had furiously denounced Tang Hao as a spineless coward who could not shoulder the slightest responsibility.

Overnight, the Clear Sky Sect had gone from the greatest sect under heaven to a pack of rats living with their tails tucked between their legs.

Had they not sealed off their mountain in time, Spirit Hall's Great Enshrined-the man who stood alongside the first Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Chen, as one of the "Two Peaks"-would have come knocking.

Qian Daoliu was a good man who kept his word. He had forcibly swallowed both his desire to avenge his son and the anguish of a white-haired father burying his dark-haired child, and truly had not attacked the Clear Sky Sect.

And so, the Clear Sky Sect had managed to survive in the cracks.

But it had also fallen from its glorious position as the greatest sect under heaven in Tang Chen's era to a secluded sect.

"If you're going to attend the ball," Tang Yuehua asked, "do you have formal attire?"

Long Yue pointed at the "outlandish outfit" he was wearing. "This is it."

"That won't do." Tang Yuehua placed a hand on Long Yue's shoulder, feeling muscles as hard as rock beneath her fingers. "If you go dressed like this, people will certainly look down on you. Let me find you another outfit."

"Thanks, Sister Yuehua. I don't need one."

Long Yue brushed aside Tang Yuehua's hand as it roamed over him, taking his measurements. "I'm from the Divine Realm Empire People. There's no need for me to change my clothes to accommodate the people of the Douluo Continent."

"When in another village, follow its customs." Tang Yuehua's smile was as refined and graceful as a full moon over a river at night. "Our balls on the Douluo Continent are surely different from those on your Spirit Ice Continent."

"No."

Long Yue once again declined Tang Yuehua's kind offer. "Today is the first time we Divine Realm Empire People will appear at a private, high-society ball. We're better off wearing our own clothes."

"Aunt Yuehua." Xue Qinghe smiled gently. "Since Brother Long insists, let it be."

Tang Yuehua nodded, lifted her teacup, and gazed at the still surface of the tea. Suddenly, she spoke:

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect invited you over before the Soul Master exchange tournament. Have you considered why?"

"No. Isn't it just a perfectly ordinary cultural exchange?"

Long Yue reached for another pastry. He was like a ravenous beast that could never eat its fill.

"They're looking for an opportunity to discuss matters... and to assess you." Xue Qinghe also raised his tea. "Sect Master Ning has always had a keen eye. This time, he probably wants to establish closer cooperation with the Divine Realm Empire."

"Bypassing the Heaven Dou Empire?" There was not a trace of deference in Long Yue's tone. "Would the emperor allow it?"

Tang Yuehua smiled warmly, as approachable as an older sister next door.

"Although I don't know how things stand in your Divine Realm Empire, here on the Douluo Continent, secular imperial authority doesn't hold that much sway over Soul Master sects and clans."

For Tang Yuehua to say such a thing in front of a prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, the emperor's control over the sects must truly have been limited. Imperial authority carried little majesty, especially in the eyes of Soul Masters.

In truth, the Divine Realm Empire's control over powerful sects was not particularly strong either-fortunately, the Tang Sect was gone. Otherwise, besides Zhang Geyang of the Spirit Pagoda, Emperor Dai Tianling would have had to seat a Smiling Douluo beside him as well.

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's cooperation has nothing to do with the Heaven Dou Empire," Xue Qinghe said. "You're renowned for your Soul Tools, and you even have offensive Soul Tools. Sect Master Ning certainly won't let this opportunity slip away."

"Because Soul Masters with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul have no offensive power," Tang Yuehua said with a smile. "I imagine Sect Master Ning wants to discuss these matters with your foreign minister... if possible, Ning Fengzhi will send some disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect back to the Spirit Ice Continent with you."

Long Yue showed little reaction, but Xue Qinghe was the first to express surprise. "Send people to the Spirit Ice Continent?"

Tang Yuehua first looked at Long Yue. Seeing his expression remain unruffled, she smiled. "Your Highness Qinghe, look. He already knew."

Long Yue did not think there was anything difficult about guessing such things.

"From the standpoint of diplomatic propriety, since the Divine Realm Empire has sent envoys to the Douluo Continent, the Douluo Continent should naturally send envoys to the Divine Realm Empire as well.

From a practical standpoint, since the Divine Realm Empire enjoys a reputation as the nation of Soul Tools... don't you want to learn Soul Tool technology?"

Tang Yuehua seized the opening. "In other words, the Divine Realm Empire welcomes people from the Douluo Continent to the Spirit Ice Continent?"

Long Yue opened with three straight denials. "I never said that, I don't know, and you should ask the relevant authorities."

"As long as Lord Sima agrees..."

Xue Qinghe calmed down, weighing possible candidates in his mind.

"It seems I'll have to petition my imperial father to send a diplomatic mission and a group of students to the Divine Realm Empire."

"The other purpose is to give the Heaven Dou Empire's students a platform," Tang Yuehua said. "A platform from which they can assess you up close."

"Assess me?"

"Besides inviting you Divine Realm Empire People, this Seven Treasures Ball has also invited students from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy and the Four Elements Academy."

Tang Yuehua could not help laughing.

"After all, someone made some rather outrageous declarations before His Majesty, saying he could challenge all the elite Soul Masters his age from every academy in the Heaven Dou Empire."

Long Yue looked at Xue Qinghe in disbelief. "I never said anything that arrogant. You were there too."

"That's what happens when rumors pass from mouth to mouth." Xue Qinghe was not surprised in the slightest. "Some matters within the court always end up distorted."

"You'd better give some thought to how you'll handle the Heaven Dou Empire's young talents tonight."

Tang Yuehua said, "Yu Tianheng from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy and Feng Xiaotian from Godwind Academy are both very interested in you."

"Is there anything about those two I should watch out for?"

Since Tang Yuehua had singled out those two names, Long Yue asked, "Could they be two rank-thirty Soul Elders?"