"I came uninvited. I hope you won't hold it against me, Sect Master Yu."
Tang Xiao smiled and cupped his fists.
"Sect Master Tang, what a rare guest! Please, come inside."
Yu Yuanzhen led Tang Xiao into the clan grounds as he spoke.
Inside the Sect Hall.
Yu Yuanzhen sat in the seat of honor.
Tang Xiao and a middle-aged man occupied the lower seats to his left and right.
Tang Xiao knew this man as well. He was the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's second-in-command, Yu Yuanzhen's younger brother, Yu Luomian.
Other than the three of them, the spacious hall was empty.
"To think it's been over a decade since we last parted..."
Yu Yuanzhen began by recalling the past, his voice thick with wistfulness.
"Indeed. Spirit Hall was so powerful and overbearing back then that our Clear Sky Sect had no choice but to avoid its sharp edge."
A reminiscent look surfaced in Tang Xiao's eyes as well.
But what he felt most was sorrow.
He had thought the Clear Sky Sect would be safe if it sealed its gates and withdrew from the world.
After over a decade of quietly cultivating its strength, the sect had finally produced several Titled Douluos and many powerful Soul Douluos and Soul Saints.
He had thought the Clear Sky Sect's return was close at hand. Instead, utter catastrophe had arrived!
The sect had been destroyed.
They had become like lonely souls and wandering ghosts...
"Yes, Spirit Hall was far too powerful back then. My elder brother and I discussed lending a hand, but even though the spirit was willing, the flesh was weak."
At that moment, Yu Luomian, the second-in-command, spoke.
His voice brimmed with regret.
He sounded as though he felt guilty for failing to help back then.
*If I