The Clear Sky Sect, the sect school.
It was a pavilion in the sect's inner courtyard. Unlike the rugged, cold style of the other buildings, it was built entirely from precious timber and possessed an antique elegance.
Farther inside, the interior was spacious and bright. Calligraphy by an ancestor of the Clear Sky Sect hung in the very center, its strokes like flying dragons and dancing phoenixes. It could hardly be called beautiful, but it exuded an overbearing arrogance that acknowledged no equal.
Inside the school, dozens of young disciples sat upright in their seats.
Most were between ten and fifteen years old, dressed in matching dark blue training outfits made from exquisite fabric rarely found outside.
On the teaching platform, an old man with white hair and a white beard was speaking at length.
He was clearly very advanced in years, yet remained hale and vigorous, showing none of the frailty of old age. A silver belt at his waist proclaimed his status.
"Disciples of the Clear Sky Sect."
The old man's voice rang out as his gaze swept across the youngsters below.
"Do you know why you enjoy such superior cultivation conditions? Why you can receive the finest Soul Master education on the continent?"
"To whom do you owe all of this?"
The disciples exchanged glances and answered in unison.
"The Clear Sky Sect."
"Correct!"
The old man stroked his beard, a proud smile appearing on his face.
"Because you were born into the number one sect under heaven, the Clear Sky Sect!"
"Our Clear Sky Sect has passed down its legacy for countless years. Our foundations run deep, and powerful figures emerge generation after generation. It is precisely because you have the sect's protection that you have not been reduced to ordinary people, worrying about making a living."
He paused, his voice growing even more impassioned.
"Across the entire continent, what power can stand on equal footing with our Clear Sky Sect?"
No sooner had he finished than a girl who had only recently joined the school timidly raised her hand.
"Teacher, but I heard Spirit Hall's influence stretches across the continent, and many powers don't dare provoke them."
"Hmph!"
At her words, the old man's expression soured, and he snorted coldly.
"A pack of utter hypocrites. They even help those commoners awaken their Martial Souls. What a joke! They disgrace the great families."
"And they ask for nothing in return. How could that be possible? They're probably doing it to control those commoners. Who knows what wicked schemes they're hatching behind the scenes?"
"Besides, Spirit Hall's strength has clearly been overestimated."
He stepped down from the platform and slowly paced with his hands behind his back.
"Let us start with the older generation. Our former sect master, Tang Chen, beat Spirit Hall's Qian Daoliu so badly he was crawling around looking for his teeth! If Senior Tang Chen hadn't disappeared, would Qian Daoliu dare serve as some Great Enshrined in the Worship Hall?"
"This incident is recorded on page three of your books. This passage is particularly important and will be a key topic on your future academic exams."
A rustle of turning pages immediately swept through the students below.
"Now, let us discuss the younger generation."
The old man continued, a mysterious smile appearing on his face.
"As for the younger generation, you should have heard that our sect master's grandson, Tang Hao, was confined recently. Do you know the specific reason?"
"Why?"
"Exactly! I heard my dad say Tang Hao caused huge trouble!"
"What exactly happened, Teacher?"
The disciples below erupted at once, clamoring with questions.
The old man waved a hand, making a show of mystery.
"This matter involves sect secrets, so I cannot say much. Those interested can go home and ask their parents."
He lowered his voice, yet deliberately made sure everyone could hear.
"All I can say is that Tang Hao fought many opponents alone, escaped unscathed from Spirit Hall's current Supreme Pontiff, and even severely wounded several Titled Douluo!"
"The sect master only confined Tang Hao to appease Spirit Hall and keep up appearances. After all, we did beat their people. We will not be a sect without virtue."
As the teacher finished speaking, the students below instantly burst into an uproar, applauding wildly, their little faces flushed red.
Just then, the boy at their head stood and declared loudly,
"Teacher is right! That's why we must work even harder at cultivation and repay the sect, so that in the future we can live up to the towering name of the Clear Sky Sect and continue suppressing Spirit Hall!!!"
Everyone turned toward the voice. The speaker was none other than Tang Hu. With his considerable talent and distinguished status as a direct descendant of an elder's line, he held immense prestige among these half-grown children.
"Excellent! Heroes truly emerge from the young. Tang Hu, you are very good!"
"Thank you, Teacher."
Tang Hu answered, yet his fists clenched unconsciously. A petite, golden-haired figure flashed through his mind. His previous trip to Spirit City had all but become a shadow over him, even causing him to sever ties with Yu Tianming of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Spirit Hall must answer for this grudge.
Just as Tang Hu was lost in his fantasies,
"Dong."
A lingering bell rang out from the direction of the sect's main hall.
The deep, resonant bell rang nine times in succession.
Nine tolls signified a great joyous event for the sect!
The old man shuddered and turned toward the main hall, his eyes instantly moistening.
"This is..."
His voice trembled with excitement.
"The Clear Sky Sect has an heir to carry on its legacy!"
The disciples below also rose to their feet, looking toward the main hall with faces full of excitement and curiosity.
The main hall.
It was the Clear Sky Sect's most central building, lofty and magnificent, with an imposing grandeur.
In the very center of the hall, a group of elders from the sect's core lineage gathered around a cradle, their faces full of affection.
"What a fine child."
"The future of the Clear Sky Sect will rest entirely on your shoulders, little fellow."
Tang Wei carefully extended a finger and gently touched the infant's tender, rosy cheek.
Tang Hao also leaned closer, studying the swaddled infant. The more he looked, the more fond of him he became.
"As expected of my child."
In the cradle, Tang San looked innocent and guileless, occasionally grasping with his little hands, utterly adorable.
Yet within his eyes lay the depths of vast seas and stars.
It seems I encountered a disruption in space-time and returned to when I had just transmigrated to the Douluo Continent.
But this place seems to be inside the Clear Sky Sect. Has the original timeline gone off course as well?
Tang San quietly extended his senses. Soon, he detected two familiar presences responding to him.
The Sea God's Eight Wings and the Sea God Trident were both still there. Only the Asura Demon Sword was nowhere to be found.
After a brief exchange, Tang San learned the general situation.
In this mortal realm, someone besides Qian Daoliu can actually restrict the Asura Demon Sword's power?
Interesting.
A trace of curiosity flashed through Tang San's mind.
But it was merely curiosity.
In his previous life, he had risen to a position beyond all others, ascended to two divine seats, and single-handedly turned the Divine Realm into his family's back garden, allowing his bloodline to proliferate without end to keep the Divine Realm firmly in his grasp.
With such terrifying strength and experience to fall back on, even if some unexpected variables did appear, they were nothing to worry about.
Everything in the mortal realm was no more than ants. As long as he could find Xiao Wu and his companions, nothing else mattered.
As for anyone who dared stand in his way, he would simply erase them.
Inside the Four Great Clans' compound.
"Achoo! Achoo!"
Chen Qianqiu sneezed twice in succession and scratched his nose with a claw.
"Who's bad-mouthing me now?"
He muttered, lowering his head to look at the mountain of letters piled before him, his mind a muddle.
They're all from Qian Renxue! How can such a little thing write so much? Can anyone even find a pen in Spirit Hall anymore?
Chen Qianqiu's head was about to burst.