Five days later, at the training ground behind the Clear Sky Sect, Soul Power surged and hammer winds howled.
Tang Feng was sparring with Tang Jian, both of them displaying fierce and powerful auras.
On the other side, Zhu Zhuqing teamed up with Oscar to fight a fierce battle against Dugu Yan and Tai Long, while the others watched from the sidelines.
Everyone was completely focused, immersed in the training and adjustment process.
Suddenly, a disciple serving the sect leader rushed over, his breath slightly ragged, and said urgently, "Young Sect Leader, the sect leader has ordered you to proceed to the sect council hall immediately! There is an urgent matter, and all the elders will also be present!"
Tang Feng frowned and exchanged a glance with Zhu Zhuqing, who also showed a hint of doubt in her eyes.
Without asking any further questions, he simply told Tang Jian and the others to "continue practicing" before speeding off towards the council hall atop the main peak of Cloud Mist Mountain.
When Tang Feng stepped into the council hall, all the core elders of the sect had just arrived.
" Feng'er, you've arrived. Please have a seat." Tang Xiao said solemnly.
Tang Feng took his seat as instructed, his gaze sweeping across the room. He asked in confusion, "Sect Master, what has happened? Why have you summoned everyone so urgently?"
Seeing that everyone was seated, Tang Xiao didn't delay any longer and spoke in a deep voice, "Elders, before discussing important matters, there is something I need to inform you of. Previously, Feng'er had some doubts about the identity and actions of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe of the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, suspecting that he might be colluding with the Spirit Hall. Therefore, I have been secretly arranging elite spies to closely monitor the Crown Prince's every move."
He paused, then emphasized, "Just now, our spies sent back a secret report: the Crown Prince's residence has been unusually active these past few days. Xue Qinghe and his confidants have been secretly contacting several officials—the frequency and scope of which far exceed ordinary government interactions. It's more like they're urgently planning some large-scale operation!"
A low murmur rippled through the hall. The elders exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of surprise, wariness, and contemplation.
Dugu Bo tapped his knuckles on the table and spoke first, "Now that you mention it, Sect Master, I felt something was off about Xue Qinghe years ago. The first two princes of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family were both exceptionally talented and capable, yet they both died unexpectedly, ultimately allowing the previously unassuming Xue Qinghe to secure the position of Crown Prince. What a coincidence! There must be something fishy going on behind this young man!"
Tang Feng nodded and said, " The Old Monster is absolutely right. Xue Qinghe is a man of great forbearance and cunning, and his actions are always meticulously planned, which is highly unusual. Considering the current unusual developments, it's not unfounded to say that he's colluding with the Spirit Hall, or even... that he himself might have problems."
He turned to Bai He, who was in charge of intelligence. "Elder Bai He, did the secret report mention any common characteristics or distribution patterns among the officials he contacted?"
Bai He was already prepared. Upon hearing this, he immediately stood up and, with a wave of his hand, unfurled a detailed map of the Heaven Dou Empire's territory.
He pointed to several locations marked in red and said clearly, "Young Sect Master, please look. According to intelligence, those who have been frequently contacted these past few days are most likely the commanders of several important towns along the southern border of the Empire, especially those adjacent to Spirit City, as well as the commanders of key garrison legions along the way! Their defense zones happen to form a potential passage leading to the vicinity of Heaven Dou City."
Tang Feng stared at the obvious "passage" on the map, his mind racing, his expression gradually becoming serious.
He said slowly, "Such concentrated contact with military commanders in this direction... this is no ordinary political matter. More likely, they are paving the way, clearing obstacles, and providing cover for some operation that requires large-scale, rapid, and covert passage."
He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and said in a low voice, " The Spirit Hall is probably about to make a big move. Xue Qinghe is likely using his power as crown prince and his own people to secretly infiltrate the Spirit Hall's Soul Master Corps into the Heaven Dou Empire, possibly even heading straight for the area around Heaven Dou City, clearing away official obstacles!"
He continued his analysis, "In the battle of the Star Dou Great Forest, Bibi Dong suffered a crushing defeat at our hands, and the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone that were within her grasp were snatched away by us. Given her personality and the Spirit Hall's consistent style of doing things, she would never easily swallow such a huge loss. Retaliation is inevitable, but I didn't expect it to come so quickly and so secretly and ruthlessly. I suspect that the Spirit Hall's army of Soul Master may have already set off and is quietly gathering in our Heaven Dou territory along this 'cleared' route!"
"What?!"
These words shocked everyone present.
Even the elders, who were used to seeing all sorts of things, were shocked by this bold yet highly probable deduction, and their expressions changed.
If that's the case, then the Spirit Hall this time must be quite grand, and they've already brought the blade to their doorstep!
Dugu Bo slammed his hand on the armrest, his expression suddenly enlightened. He said, " The Little Monster's analysis is correct! The Spirit Hall is going too far, attempting to deceive everyone and infiltrate our heartland! We must respond immediately and not let them succeed!"
Yang Wudi stroked his beard and asked in a deep voice, " Feng'er's deduction is indeed reasonable. However, given the provocation by Golden Crocodile Douluo, the Spirit Hall has suffered two consecutive setbacks at the hands of our Clear Sky Sect. They should be even more cautious. Before fully understanding the strength of our sect, especially the specific strength of the sect leader and several elders after their breakthroughs, would they be so reckless as to directly attack our Cloud Mist Mountain? This doesn't seem to fit Bibi Dong's style."
"Grandpa is absolutely right." Tang Feng nodded and calmly analyzed, "A direct attack on our Clear Sky Sect is extremely risky. The Spirit Hall's more likely strategy is to 'sever its wings and isolate the stubborn enemy.'"
He stood up, walked to the map, and pointed to the approximate locations of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
"Our allies, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, are incredibly wealthy and their support abilities are unparalleled on the continent. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan possesses formidable combat power, and its lightning-attribute attacks are unmatched in their dominance. These two schools are vital arms in our fight against the Spirit Hall, and they are also thorns that must be removed from the Spirit Hall's path to dominating the continent."
"If the Spirit Hall's target is them... a surprise attack, catching them off guard, could severely cripple or even annihilate one or two of their sects. This would not only greatly weaken our overall strength and deterrent power, but also intimidate other hesitant forces in the Soul Master World, preventing them from maintaining close ties with our Clear Sky Sect. At that point, no matter how strong our Clear Sky Sect, it will inevitably find itself isolated and helpless. This plan is truly a fatal blow!"
Upon hearing this, Tang Xiao abruptly stood up, his eyes gleaming, and exclaimed excitedly, " Feng'er's analysis is thorough! This plan is extremely vicious, but it's also highly likely!"
Without hesitation, he took out his sect leader's token from his robes, handed it to Bai He, and ordered, "Elder Bai He! You must set off immediately and personally go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan! Inform Sect Master Ning and Sect Master Yu of all the intelligence we have gathered and Feng'er's analysis! Remind them to immediately go on high alert and strengthen their defenses!"
"Yes! Don't worry, Sect Master!" Bai He accepted the token with both hands without hesitation, and in a flash, he darted out of the council hall and disappeared into the horizon.
Tang Xiao's gaze sharpened as he continued issuing orders, "Elders, the situation is critical. Our sect must immediately enter a state of combat readiness! Elder Niu Gao, Elder Tang Yu!"
"Present!" Niu Gao and Tang Yu stepped forward solemnly.
"You two must immediately lead your disciples to thoroughly inspect and reinforce all defensive fortifications and secret passages of Cloud Mist Mountain, ensuring the sect is impregnable. Not even a fly should be allowed to enter or leave without permission! At the same time, increase patrol posts and expand the perimeter of security!"
"Yes, sir!" The two accepted the order and strode away.
"Elder Tang Lie, Elder Yang Wudi! You two must immediately select three hundred disciples from the sect's elite forces, skilled in mobility and frontal assault, to form the first emergency response team. Assemble them and stand by, ready to provide immediate support to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"
"Elder Tang Ran, Elder Tai Tan, Elder Dugu! The three of you should also select three hundred elite troops to form a second emergency response team, assemble and stand by, ready to support the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan at any time!"
"The rest of you elders, stay with me at the sect's central command to deal with any emergencies and guard against the Spirit Hall's diversionary tactic to launch a surprise attack on Cloud Mist Mountain!"
"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.
"Sect Master!" Tang Feng stepped forward, cupped his hands, and requested permission, "This disciple requests to lead my team and accompany my grandfather and the others!"
Tang Xiao looked at Tang Feng, a hint of weighing in his eyes.
Now, Tang Feng possesses Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone, along with the Divine Slaughter's Domain and numerous trump cards. His true combat strength is enough to suppress ordinary Titled Douluo.
After a moment's thought, Tang Xiao nodded and said, "Alright! With your current strength, you're capable of handling things on your own. You'll accompany your grandfather. Remember, don't be reckless; safety first!"
"Yes! This disciple obeys!" Tang Feng clasped his hands in a fist salute.
In an instant, the entire Clear Sky Sect, like a sophisticated war machine, roared into action.
As orders were issued and teams of disciples were mobilized, an invisible tension and a sense of impending doom enveloped the entire Cloud Mist Mountain.