Good grief!
The Four Great Clans!
Although their strength fell a little short compared to the top powers, they were hardly just any stray cats and dogs. They had achieved something in their respective specialties.
Most importantly, they knew how to make money.
Take the Strength Clan, for example. Their entire clan had been blacksmiths for generations, and that old man Tai Tan was one of the continent's finest smiths.
Their clan must have accumulated mountains of wealth and all sorts of rare ores over the years!
The more Chen Qianqiu thought about it, the more excited he became.
He had nothing to lose by going!
He had been staying in Spirit Hall, fleecing the same place all this time, with Qian Xunji supplying fine things every day. Even Chen Qianqiu felt a little embarrassed about eating and drinking for free like this.
"Let's go!"
With Qian Renxue on his back, Chen Qianqiu gave his wings a mighty beat! His jet-black draconic body soared into the air.
"Hehe! Slow down, Xiao Hei!"
Qian Renxue lay on Chen Qianqiu's back and called out amid the howling wind.
She clutched the dragon scales on his back tightly, her long golden hair streaming in the wind and her little face full of smiles.
Each beat of Chen Qianqiu's wings stirred powerful air currents. The dragon streaked through the sky like a bolt of black lightning.
Soon, the girl and dragon landed in Spirit Hall's plaza.
Meanwhile, in a restaurant.
"Damn it! What does the Clear Sky Sect mean by this? How could they do this to us?!"
A middle-aged man with scars on his face slammed something onto the table.
He was Yang Wudi, patriarch of the Breaking Clan.
"Yang Wudi! Show some respect! We are subordinate clans, after all! Our masters must have difficulties they can't speak of!"
Tai Tan frowned, looking at Yang Wudi in displeasure.
"Besides, the Clear Sky Sect has been passed down for so many years. How could they abandon us for no reason? Let me look into it some more."
Stubbornness shone in Tai Tan's tiger-like eyes. Although he was the Strength Clan's patriarch, his loyalty to the Clear Sky Sect and the Tang Clan was practically carved into his bones.
"You're always the closest to the Clear Sky Sect. What happened? Now that it matters most, they're nowhere to be found?"
"Difficulties they can't speak of? Bullshit!"
Yang Wudi sneered.
"At a time like this? The Clear Sky Sect handed us straight over to Spirit Hall. How could they bring themselves to do it?! Tai Tan, are you still going to defend them?"
"Enough! What good does arguing do now?"
Off to the side, a white-haired old man snorted. He was lean, his eyes as keen as a hawk's. This was Bai He, patriarch of the Speed Clan.
"We should think about how to preserve our clans first. I, for one, will never join Spirit Hall. The Clear Sky Sect abandoned us, but we can't throw away our own backbone!"
"That's right."
A deep, muffled voice rang out.
Niu Gao, patriarch of the Defense Clan, sat to one side, regarding Tai Tan coldly.
Niu Gao was furious over what the Clear Sky Sect had done, but those were separate matters. He still could not bring himself to submit to Spirit Hall.
"We all know what Spirit Hall is like. How is joining them any different from becoming their running dogs?"
"Then what do you want to do?"
Yang Wudi swept his gaze over them.
"Resist? Can our four clans withstand Spirit Hall? Surely you don't actually think we could stir up any waves before Spirit Hall?"
"That doesn't mean we can just submit!"
Tai Tan spoke stubbornly.
"We've followed the Tang Clan for so many years. We absolutely cannot betray them!"
"You!"
Yang Wudi could not believe his ears. Just as he was about to retort, the air throughout the hall suddenly froze.
An utterly terrifying pressure descended from above!
Boom!
Everyone felt an irresistible weight, as though the heavens were collapsing and the earth were caving in.
The pressure was far beyond anything they had imagined. Though they were all top-tier Soul Douluo experts, even breathing was difficult now.
"A Titled Douluo's presence. Spirit Hall-Spirit Hall is here..."
Bai He looked in one direction, his face deathly pale.
Outside the hall, Golden Crocodile Douluo approached slowly with Spirit Hall's entourage.
He released the pressure of a Level 98 Titled Douluo without restraint, enveloping the entire room. Several Soul Douluo followed behind him. Even without Golden Crocodile making a move, these people could subdue them.
"You must be the patriarchs of the Four Great Clans? I've long heard of you. I am Spirit Hall's Second Worship, Golden Crocodile."
Golden Crocodile Douluo sat down with his legs planted wide.
"I imagine you have already heard the news from the Clear Sky Sect, so I won't belabor the matter. From today onward, you belong to Spirit Hall. I hope you will recognize the circumstances and serve Spirit Hall well."
Inside the hall, the four patriarchs wore different expressions.
Yang Wudi took a deep breath and was the first to rise, bowing respectfully.
"Yang Wudi of the Breaking Clan pays his respects to Your Eminence Golden Crocodile."
"Yang Wudi! You!!"
Tai Tan whipped his head around, his eyes filled with fury.
"Patriarch Tai Tan, please mind your words."
"Your Eminence, my Breaking Clan is willing to submit to Spirit Hall and serve it until death."
Yang Wudi spoke calmly, then continued bowing to Golden Crocodile Douluo.
Bai He and Niu Gao exchanged a glance, neither speaking.
"It seems you're not all fools. There is someone clever among you."
Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded to Yang Wudi, then swept his gaze over the others, a cold smile curling his lips.
"No matter. I have plenty of patience."
"However..."
His tone shifted.
"I am curious. The Clear Sky Sect has already abandoned you. What are you still guarding for them?"
"Bullshit!"
Tai Tan abruptly rose and roared.
"You forced the Clear Sky Sect into this! They had no choice! Spirit Hall can forget about driving a wedge between us!"
"Is that so?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo's gaze turned cold. Since he had become a Titled Douluo, this was the first time anyone had dared speak to him like this.
Just then, a young voice rang out.
"Second Worship, since these three refuse to budge, I have a suggestion."
Everyone froze and turned toward the voice.
Only then did they notice that a black dragon with an extraordinary bearing had entered the hall at some point, carrying a little golden-haired girl on his back.
"Oh? Let's hear it."
Golden Crocodile Douluo's interest was piqued. Before he came, his elder brother Qian Daoliu had specifically mentioned this little beast.
"I hear Patriarch Tai Tan has a grandson, and Patriarch Bai He has a granddaughter too."
Chen Qianqiu spoke slowly.
"Xiao Xue is so lonely by herself in Spirit Hall. Why not bring them to Spirit Hall to play with her?"
Everyone was stunned by his words.
Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyes lit up.
What a good idea!
This was an absolutely brilliant idea!
Bringing these patriarchs' precious grandchildren into Spirit Hall would be tantamount to seizing their lifelines outright.
"That's a fine suggestion."
Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded and looked at Tai Tan and Bai He.
"Patriarch Tai Tan, Patriarch Bai He, what do you think?"
"Don't even think about it!"
Tai Tan abruptly stood up and roared.
"My grandson Tai Long is still young! If you dare touch a single hair on his head, I'll fight you to the death!"
"Fight?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo sneered.
The next instant, terrifying pressure crashed down on Tai Tan!
Thud!
Tai Tan was forced down onto one knee, a mouthful of blood spraying from his lips!
The pressure of a Super Douluo was simply beyond a Soul Douluo's ability to resist!