That morning, Tang Feng, for the first time ever, opened the courtyard gate and strode towards his grandfather Tang Lie's residence.
Zhu Zhuqing walked beside him, her expression normal, but a hint of shyness lingered in her eyes.
Tang Feng, on the other hand, was in high spirits and walked with a light step, as if he had been relieved of a heavy burden.
Tang Lie was meditating in the courtyard when he heard footsteps. He opened his eyes and was about to speak.
Tang Feng blurted out, "Grandpa, Zhu Zhuqing is pregnant!"
Tang Lie suddenly opened his eyes and stared at him blankly.
Those eyes, which had weathered countless life-and-death situations and were usually unfazed, were now filled with disbelief.
A moment later, even this Level 98 Super Douluo had tears in his eyes.
He stood up, walked to Zhu Zhuqing, opened his mouth, and said in a trembling voice, "Good, good, good child..."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly and softly called out, "Grandpa."
Tang Lie readily agreed and turned to go find Tang Xiao to share the good news.
The news quickly spread throughout the entire Clear Sky Sect.
Dugu Yan and her companions rushed to Tang Feng's courtyard upon hearing the news.
After a while of lively conversation, everyone gathered around the stone table in the courtyard.
Tang Feng cleared his throat, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and slowly began, "Actually, I haven't said this yet. The Eighth Trial for Zhu Zhuqing and me is to complete the succession of our offspring."
The courtyard fell silent for a moment.
Then, a burst of laughter erupted.
Dugu Yan picked up her teacup and said slowly with a teasing tone, "No wonder you haven't even left the courtyard lately, you've been 'in seclusion for assessment'. You've been hiding it really well, haven't you?"
Oscar laughed until tears streamed down his face, "So that's why Brother Feng always goes into the woods, he's... hahahahaha!"
Tang Feng remained expressionless and said seriously, "Don't underestimate this assessment task; it's very stressful. It's much harder than the previous seven assessments."
Zhu Zhuqing blushed, her ears turning bright red, and she lowered her head without saying a word.
Laughter echoed in the courtyard, lingering for Jiujiu.
Five months had passed since the Eighth Trial began.
There are still nine months until the baby is born.
Once that little life is born, their Sea God Trial will be complete.
One month later.
Yang Wudi and his group, who had been away Soul Hunting for two months, have finally returned.
First, Ye Qingxin and her team noticed something amiss while passing through the Blue Silver Forest, found the Blue Silver King Blue Silver King, and successfully obtained his Soul Ring.
After absorbing the Blue Silver King's 90,000-year-old Soul Ring, Ye Qingxin's Soul Power reached Level 92.
In addition, Blue Silver King also dropped a piece of his Left Leg Bone, which Ye Qingxin gave to her granddaughter Ye Lingling.
After absorbing the Blue Silver King's Left Leg Bone, Ye Lingling's Soul Power increased by one level, reaching Level 87, and she gained a defensive and life-saving Soul Skill.
Next up are Bai He, Tang Hui, and Tang Zhi.
They each hunted and killed a Soul Beast that was about 80,000 years old in the Star Dou Great Forest.
After absorbing the Soul Ring, all three of them reached the peak of Level 91 in Soul Power, officially stepping into the realm of Titled Douluo.
Even more surprisingly, one of the three 80,000-year-old Soul Beast dropped an 80,000-year -Head Soul Bone.
The elders unanimously decided to give the Soul Bone to the young man Tang Jian.
Tang Jian didn't stand on ceremony, accepted the Soul Bone, and immediately sat down cross-legged to absorb it.
After absorbing the Head Soul Bone, his mental strength increased greatly, and his Soul Power also increased by one level, reaching Level 94.
At this point, Tang Jian had collected all six of his Soul Bone.
The Head Soul Bone 80,000 years old, the Torso Bone is 100,000 years old, the Right Leg Bone is 80,000 years old, the Left Arm Bone is 40,000 years old, the Right Arm Bone is 40,000 years old, and the Left Leg Bone is 40,000 years old.
This configuration is already close to the Soul Bone configuration of the former sect leader Tang Chen.
At this time, three months had passed since he returned to the sect.
The mainland remains outwardly calm.
But Tang Feng always felt a sense of oppressive tension, as if a storm was brewing.
It seemed as if some enormous conspiracy was brewing in the shadows.
Sure enough, a month later, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family sent out a message that shocked the entire continent.
Emperor Xue Beng of the Heaven Dou Empire, at the invitation of Emperor Dai Mubai of the Star Luo Empire, traveled to Xilu City for a meeting to discuss a joint effort to deal with the Spirit Hall Empire.
This should have been a good thing, with both countries joining forces to fight the enemy.
But no one expected that this was an elaborate trap.
Dai Mubai secretly colluded with the Spirit Hall Empire and set up an ambush in Xilu City.
Xue Beng, along with Prince Xue Xing and the three members of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's teaching committee, were all killed without exception.
Upon receiving the news, the Heaven Dou Empire was left leaderless.
After their success, the Spirit Hall Empire and the Star Luo Empire immediately announced an alliance and urged the Heaven Dou Empire to surrender.
They only gave them a one-year deadline, otherwise they would launch a joint offensive.
Meanwhile, all indications suggest that both the Spirit Hall Empire and the Star Luo Empire are mobilizing troops and developing weapons.
A major battle is probably not far off.
Clear Sky Sect, Council Hall.
The atmosphere inside the hall was heavy and oppressive, making it hard to breathe.
Sect Master Tang Xiao sat in the main seat, flanked by the elders. Tang Feng sat below, his expression solemn.
Yang Wudi was the first to speak, his voice filled with anger. "Why weren't we informed of this Xue Beng beforehand? If we had someone stationed in Xilu City, this wouldn't have happened!"
Dugu Bo shook his head and sighed, "This Xue Beng has always been a man of deep thoughts and a great desire for power. He probably fears the strength of our Clear Sky Sect and doesn't want to rely on us too much. He probably didn't expect that Dai Mubai had already pledged allegiance to the Spirit Hall."
Tang Xiao raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, then turned to Tang Feng: "Now that things have come to this, we must immediately consider a solution. Otherwise, the Heaven Dou Empire may collapse."
His gaze fell on Tang Feng: " Little Feng, do you have a plan?"
All eyes in the hall were focused on Tang Feng.
Tang Feng remained silent for a moment, then calmly said, " The Heaven Dou Empire must be in our hands."
He paused, then continued, "Given the current situation, we can no longer sit idly by and wait to die; we must use swift and decisive measures. I have a bold idea."
Tang Xiao's eyes lit up. "Oh? Tell me about it."
Tang Feng took a deep breath and said, word by word, "I want to immediately merge with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to form a closer alliance, or even establish a merged organization that will include the Heaven Dou Empire under our jurisdiction."
The hall fell silent for a moment as the elders stroked their beards, lost in thought.
Tang Xiao pondered for a moment, then asked, "What's the specific plan?"
Tang Feng said, "I suggest we invite Sect Master Ning and Sect Master Yu here first. Only when we discuss it together can we finalize the plan."
Tang Xiao nodded and immediately sent people to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
In less than an hour, Ning Fengzhi and Yu Yuanzhen arrived at Cloud Mist Mountain.
The two had clearly also received news of the Xue Beng tragedy, their expressions grave.
After taking his seat, Ning Fengzhi straight to the point. " Sect Master Tang, the situation is critical. My Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to stand with the Clear Sky Sect through thick and thin."
Yu Yuanzhen nodded, "My Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is in the same boat. Now, what is our plan to counter the alliance between the Spirit Hall Empire and Star Luo Empire?"
Tang Feng explained his plan in detail.
A heated discussion broke out inside the hall.
After a full day of intense discussion and the demonstration of the Clear Sky Sect's strength, the three parties finalized the plan.
This plan was proposed by Tang Feng based on his experience in his previous life, which was a concept of "theocracy". After a contest of strength among the three parties and corresponding compromises, an agreement was finally reached.
With the Clear Sky Sect, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan as the main forces, the " Clear Sky Church " was established, and the Heaven Dou Empire was renamed the Clear Sky Empire.
The Clear Sky Church established the position of Sect Leader.
The cult leader has no real power; he serves only as a symbol and a liaison.
The leader's responsibility is to convene a meeting of the " Core Church Committee " when important matters occur.
The highest authority of the Clear Sky Church is the " Clerical Committee ".
The " Clerical Committee " consists of the " Core Church Committee " and the " Clerical Group ".
The " Core Church Committee " consists of existing Titled Douluo, with one Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Pagoda Soul Master nominated by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda School, while also appropriately considering the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and other forces.
After all, in the Douluo Continent, the Soul Master profession is the most important class, and strength is always the most important core element.
The final number of seats on the " Core Church Committee " was set at 27: 20 seats for the Clear Sky Sect, 3 seats for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, 2 seats for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan Sect, 1 seat permanently for the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, and 1 seat permanently for other Soul Master forces.
Once appointed, the " Core Church Committee " members cannot step down unless they die.