Five days later, in the Worship Hall, Spirit City.
The four, Golden Crocodile, Azure Luan, Demon Bear, and Ghost Leopard, stood in the center of the main hall, looking slightly travel-worn, with solemn expressions. They reported every detail of their trip to Cloud Mist Mountain to the Great Enshrined, Qian Daoliu, who stood with his hands behind his back on the white jade platform.
The hall was silent, save for the echoing voices of those reporting. Qian Daoliu listened without speaking, a clear hint of surprise flashing in the depths of his eyes, which seemed to see through the illusions of the world. This surprise did not stem from fear, but from a cautious reassessment of the situation unfolding beyond expectations.
" Clear Sky Sect..." Qian Daoliu slowly, his voice calm and even, yet carrying a weighty, judgmental quality, "Having closed its gates for fifteen years, it has not only not declined, but has instead bided its time and deepened its foundation."
Qian Daoliu turned around, " Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, the Divine Slaughter's Domain, and such close and rapid coordination with Seven Treasure and Blue Lightning... It seems that their comeback was not hasty, but rather premeditated and they have something to rely on."
He shook his head slightly, his gaze growing increasingly profound. "Originally, we intended to use this situation to intimidate and scare them. Now it seems that direct pressure is no longer the best strategy; it might even force them to become more united. The strategy needs to be adjusted. This matter requires careful consideration and a gradual approach."
"Immediately, summon the Pope to discuss matters," Qian Daoliu ordered in a deep voice.
Before long, Bibi Dong, dressed in a gleaming gold Pope robe, entered the solemn and majestic Worship Hall.
When she heard the detailed account of the battle from Golden Crocodile Douluo, and learned that the four Titled Douluo had returned empty-handed, her beautiful face could no longer maintain its absolute composure, and a look of shock appeared uncontrollably on her face.
Bibi Dong originally thought that crippling Tang San and severely injuring Tang Hao in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament was already a heavy blow to the future hope and current top combat power of the Clear Sky Sect, enough to cripple them.
But to everyone's surprise, this sect had such a profound foundation and such terrifying hidden power.
Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong, the two highest authorities representing the Spirit Hall's inherited power and its current rule respectively, began a new round of secret discussions in the solemn hall.
"The situation is now clear," Qian Daoliu said with his usual calm, " The Clear Sky Sect has reopened its gates, and the alliance of the Upper Three Sects is not only a fact, but its closeness and decisiveness have exceeded previous expectations."
"If we were to engage in a full-scale confrontation now, even if we were to win, the Spirit Hall would pay an unbearable price, and it might even provoke unnecessary vigilance and backlash from the entire Soul Master World."
Qian Daoliu for a moment, then continued, "The most urgent task is to clip its wings, dismantle its alliance, and divide its forces, causing it to fall into disarray."
Bibi Dong's eyes flashed with a cold light, and she replied in a clear voice, " The Heaven Dou Empire is the traditional sphere of influence that the Upper Three Sects have cultivated for many years. It is an important foundation for their manpower, financial resources, and influence."
A ruthless glint flashed in her beautiful eyes. "' The Nation-Stealing Plan ' must be accelerated. If we can completely control the power of the Heaven Dou Empire through Xue Qinghe, we can not only sever a crucial ally of the Upper Three Sects, but also create internal conflicts within the empire, support forces close to us, and even... make them distrust each other, causing it to collapse from within."
"That's right." Qian Daoliu nodded slightly. " Xiao Xue is a crucial link, and we can't afford to lose her. Just in case, to ensure the plan is absolutely safe, and also to protect her..."
Qian Daoliu pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the two elders, Qian Jun and Jiang Mo, who stood to the side. His decision was made. " Qian Jun, Jiang Mo."
"Yes, Great Enshrined!" the two priests replied in unison.
"You two must depart immediately and secretly travel to Heaven Dou City, remaining hidden in the shadows. Your primary task is to ensure Xiao Xue's absolute safety; any potential threats to her identity and plans must be eliminated beforehand."
"Secondly, when necessary, remove obstacles that she cannot personally handle or is unable to cope with. Avoid revealing your presence unless absolutely necessary."
"Yes, sir!" Qian Jun and Jiang Mo bowed and accepted the order, their figures flashing out of the hall to carry out this top-secret mission.
"As for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan..." Bibi Dong's lips curled into a cold, emotionless smile, a smile tinged with calculated ruthlessness.
"Right now, this appears to be a relatively easier target to target. With the 'Crown Prince' acting as an inside man, gathering intelligence and creating opportunities is much more convenient. Preparations for ' Soul Hunting Operation ' can officially begin."
"Secretly accumulate sufficient strength and await the most opportune moment. Once launched, strike with Thunderous Might force, aiming for a decisive and swift victory to eliminate these two sects first!"
"At that time, even if the Clear Sky Sect possesses extraordinary abilities, without its right and left arms, it will be isolated and helpless, and will be nothing more than a cornered beast fighting desperately."
Qian Daoliu closed his eyes, then opened them again after a moment. A complex light flashed deep within his eyes, reflecting both admiration for Bibi Dong's decisiveness and ruthlessness, and a profound sense of estrangement and scrutiny stemming from differences in bloodline and ideology.
"Alright." Qian Daoliu finally uttered a single word, setting the tone, "Then we shall proceed according to this plan. You will be fully responsible for advancing the 'Theft of the Nation-Stealing Plan ' and the preparations for ' Soul Hunting Operation '."
" The Clear Sky Sect... let them enjoy the clamor of their regained glory for a few more days. Once their wings are clipped one by one, their allies are eliminated, and they are isolated in the Soul Master World, let's see how much weight and prestige this so-called 'Number One Sect Under Heaven' will still have left."
After the secret meeting ended, Bibi Dong bowed respectfully, her magnificent and heavy skirt trailing behind her, and turned to walk out of the imposing yet cold gate of the Worship Hall.
As she walked alone through the long corridors leading back to the Pope's Hall, with no one else around, her exquisite and dignified mask slowly peeled away, revealing a complex expression that mixed mockery, ambition, and icy hatred.
She glanced back at the direction of the hall that symbolized the Angel Inheritance and the authority of the Qian Family, her red lips parted slightly, and she silently uttered cold words:
" Qian Daoliu... old man, so even you have to compromise and make calculations today?"
Her eyes were as deep and unfathomable as a prison, and within her heart surged an even more hidden and turbulent undercurrent:
"The power and beliefs that your Qian Family families have held for generations will one day... be completely overthrown by my own hands! What I will destroy is not just the Clear Sky Sect."
At the same time, another, more resolute and self-centered thought arose deep within her soul:
"Your plans are yours. As for me... it's time to begin my own 'path.' The legacy of the Rakshasa God... that is the power that truly allows me to transcend everything and control my own destiny."
Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting a long, lonely, and oppressive shadow behind her.
Ten days later, in the council hall of the Clear Sky Sect.
The atmosphere inside the hall was heavy and solemn, as all the elders of the sect stationed in Cloud Mist Mountain had arrived and were seated on both sides.
Sect Master Tang Xiao was in seclusion and had not yet emerged. The Second Elder Tang Zhen, who was temporarily in charge of the affairs, presided over the meeting.
In the center of the main hall, Tang Yuehua, dressed in an elegant palace gown and exuding a graceful demeanor, stood quietly. She had just returned to the sect from the Moonlight Pavilion. The astonishing news about Tang Hao and Tang San in Spirit City had already reached the sect and was now being presented to all the elders, stimulating everyone's nerves.
"This is utterly outrageous!" The Third Elder, known for his fiery temper, slammed his fist on the table, his white beard trembling with rage. "That bastard Tang Hao! Back then, Tang Hao Tang Hao caused a catastrophe for his own selfish reasons, leading to the sect's closure and severe damage! And now, he dares to send his son, with Twin Martial Souls, especially our Clear Sky Hammer, to participate in some kind of competition in the dragon's den, the Spirit City?! Is his brain filled with grass?!"
The Fifth Elder's face was ashen, his voice cold and stern. " Twin Martial Souls, a once-in-a-century occurrence, coupled with the Clear Sky Hammer! Such talent, if brought back to the sect from childhood and carefully nurtured, could very well become another pillar of our sect in the future!"
"But what about Tang Hao? He actually put him in such a dangerous situation! Now look what's happened, his Martial Soul is destroyed, his whereabouts are unknown, and his life or death is uncertain! This not only ruined that child, but also destroyed a major future ally of our Clear Sky Sect! Does Tang Hao still have any regard for the sect?!"
Several former elders echoed this sentiment, their voices filled with years of pent-up resentment and deep regret over Tang Hao's "irresponsible" behavior.
Tang Yuehua frowned slightly, meeting the angry gazes of the elders, and said in a gentle voice, "Elders, please calm down. Yuehua knows that my second brother did indeed do something wrong back then, which implicated the sect, and my second brother has also suffered greatly."