After Tang Feng took his grandfather home, he lay alone on the cold stone bed, his hands behind his head, staring at the rough stone patterns on the roof, his thoughts churning.
Tang Feng is no longer the young man who only needs to bury himself in cultivation. The title of Young Sect Master is both an honor and a heavy responsibility.
Tang Feng rolled over, mentally assessing the sect's strength:
With the current strength of the Clear Sky Sect, boasting Douluo, it is absolutely unparalleled on the continent.
Sect Master Tang Xiao, Level 97 Super Douluo;
Second Elder Tang Zhen, Level 95 Super Douluo;
Third Elder Tang Ming, Level 94;
Fourth Elder Tang Ran, Level 94;
Fifth Elder Tang Rui, Level 93;
The Seventh Elder, Tang Lie, is his own grandfather, who is connected to him by blood. He is at the peak of Level 94 and is about to step into Level 95.
Eighth Elder Tang Ming, peak Level 91;
Ninth Elder Tang Kun, peak Level 91;
All eight have consumed immortal Immortal Herb, and their potential is not yet fully realized. Within two or three years, they can all advance at least one level. By then, the weakest of the Douluo of this sect will be close to Level 92.
In addition, there are three Soul Douluo powerhouses: Tang Yu, Tang Hui, and Tang Zhi. After consuming inferior immortal Immortal Herb, all three have the potential to reach the Titled Douluo in the future, especially Tang Yu is already at Level 87.
But that's not enough. Even with our current strength, we can only protect ourselves against the Spirit Hall. At most, we can make the Spirit Hall less hesitant to act, but we absolutely cannot fight them head-on.
The Spirit Hall's Worship Hall has Great Enshrined, the weakest of whom is at level Level 96, while the Great Enshrined, Qian Daoliu, is Level 99 Peerless Douluo.
The Pope's Hall and the Douluo Hall together likely house no fewer than a dozen Titled Douluo, with Pope Bibi Dong possessing Twin Martial Souls and unfathomable strength.
Its two major temples, sub-temples, and branch temples are home to countless Soul Douluo and Soul Saint, spreading across the continent like ants.
"The gap... is still too big." Tang Feng gave a bitter smile, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
After a moment, Tang Feng thought that the Spirit Hall in the original story was not a monolithic entity, but was riddled with contradictions, and it was probably not much better now.
More than a decade has passed since the Clear Sky Sect closed its gates, and Bibi Dong has long since secured her position as Pope, harboring deep hatred for the Angel Clan. In recent years, with the expansion of Bibi Dong's power, the open and covert struggles between her and Qian Daoliu 'Angel Clan faction within the Spirit Hall have likely intensified.
Although Bibi Dong has secured her position as Pope, Qian Daoliu, as the Great Enshrined of the Angel God, has deep roots. The two sides are mutually restraining each other, making it impossible for them to launch a full-scale attack.
As long as the Clear Sky Sect doesn't come knocking on their door, the Spirit Hall will never dare to start a war lightly; the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
Qian Daoliu is now increasingly wary of Bibi Dong and no longer interferes in mainland affairs, rarely leaving the Worship Hall.
Tang Feng sneered at this thought, his resolve hardening. Even if they could set aside their grudges, even if Qian Daoliu personally attacked his Clear Sky Sect, the Clear Sky Sect would still cripple the Spirit Hall.
If they then join forces with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, they will definitely have the strength to contend with them, making the Spirit Hall dare not act rashly.
With this in mind, Tang Feng had a clear strategy in mind.
To re-establish the prestige of the Clear Sky Sect, the most urgent task is to unite the Four Great Single-Attribute Clans.
My maternal grandfather, Yang Wudi, belonged to the Breaking Clan, whose Soul Breaking Spear was unparalleled in the world, and whose attack power was so strong that few of his peers could rival him.
When we parted two years ago, my grandfather was already an 86th-level Soul Douluo. With the help of the Immortal Herb, he must have already entered the realm of high-level Soul Douluo.
There's also Niu Gao's Defense Clan, who excels at defense; Bai He's Speed Clan, whose speed is unmatched; Tai Tan's Strength Clan, who focuses on power.
These four clan leaders are all Soul Douluo- level powerhouses. If they can return to the sect, the Clear Sky Sect will gain four more top-tier combatants!
"Coincidentally, the biennial gathering of the four major clans is about to be held at the Strength Clan in Heaven Dou City." Tang Feng smiled and murmured, "It's been exactly two years since I separated from my grandfather; it's time to give him a 'visit'."
As for my future plans...
Tang Feng thought of that legendary blood-red land, the Slaughter City.
If Tang Hao can do it, why can't I Tang Feng?
Tang Hao trained in the Slaughter City, his killing intent solidifying into a tangible form. He eventually passed through the Hell Road and obtained the Divine Slaughter's Domain.
That is the ultimate tempering of both mindset and combat skills.
Tang Feng had already made up his mind. After gathering the Four Great Single-Attribute Clans, he would immediately head to the Slaughter City. It would take at least two years, and at most three years. When I return, I will surely Divine Slaughter's Domain and my Soul Power will have broken through to the Soul Emperor level!
At that time, the Clear Sky Sect will have reached a new level of strength and will be able to officially announce its return to the Soul Master World to the entire continent!
With the plan set, and night deepening, Tang Feng sat up and began to replace sleep with meditation.
Ten days later, in the Quiet Contemplation Hall of the Clear Sky Sect, the sect leader summoned all the sect elders for a meeting, along with a dozen core disciples and outstanding figures from each generation, to discuss a major plan concerning the fate of the sect.
Tang Xiao spoke up, "Now our sect boasts eight Titled Douluo, a strength never before seen in the sect's centuries-long history. More and more members of the sect are proposing to reopen the sect. I wonder what the elders' opinions are?"
The crowd began whispering among themselves, their voices rising in discussion. This was a matter of great importance concerning the fate of the sect, and could not be taken lightly.
Upon hearing this, Tang Feng, who was standing next to Tang Xiao, thought to himself, "Just as I thought. Luckily, I had already considered a solution."
The newly appointed elder, Tang Ming, was the first to reply, "Sect Master, esteemed uncles, I have something to say. The sect is now strong enough to protect itself, and reopening the mountain gates is imperative. This prolonged period of confinement has made the clansmen sick; if this continues, they will inevitably become dissatisfied with us. The more resentment builds, the more conflicts will arise in the future. I urge the Sect Master and esteemed uncles to consider this carefully!"
The elders naturally understood this principle, but they were all extremely wary of the Spirit Hall's strength and were at a loss for what to do.
The Second Elder frowned slightly and slowly said, "I deeply feel the determination of our clansmen to reopen the sect."
However, what stands before us is an insurmountable mountain: the only Level 99 Limit Douluo in the world, the Great Enshrined the Spirit Hall, Qian Daoliu.
The existence of Qian Daoliu is like a sharp sword hovering over the head of the Clear Sky Sect, ready to fall at any moment.
Our only one who can rival Qian Daoliu is our former sect leader, Uncle Tang Chen. However, Tang Chen has been away from the sect for decades and we haven't heard from him since. If Qian Daoliu were to come and demand justice in person, I'm afraid none of us would be his match."
After the Second Elder finished speaking, the Quiet Contemplation Hall fell silent.
Tang Chen, a name mentioned countless times within the sect, was a vague figure in Tang Feng's memory in the original novel, and he couldn't recall his specific whereabouts.
All I remember is that Tang Chen was an unparalleled powerhouse who left his sect decades ago to pursue godhood.
Tang Feng racked his brains but couldn't recall Tang Chen's ending or whereabouts in the original story. He could only guess that Tang Chen might be trapped in an inescapable predicament, and that it was related to the gods.
But memories are like a thick fog; the harder you try to remember, the more blurred they become.
The Second Elder's words struck him like a hammer blow. If Qian Daoliu really made a move, what did it matter if the Clear Sky Sect had eight Titled Douluo? In front of Limit Douluo, they were nothing more than a group of slightly larger ants.
Tang Feng's brows furrowed deeply, his gaze sweeping over the worried faces of the crowd, but a different kind of resolve resided in his heart. " Tang Chen, no matter where you are, whether you are alive or dead, now that I, Tang Feng, am here, I cannot stay here waiting for you and wear myself out."
At this moment, Tang Xiao noticed Tang Feng's change in mood and asked, " Feng'er, you've always been quick-witted and calm. Do you have any thoughts on this?"
Immediately, the other elders also turned their gaze to Tang Feng, seemingly waiting to hear Tang Feng insights.
After a moment of contemplation, Tang Feng stood up and replied, "Sect Master, Elders, I agree with reopening the sect! However, I believe this should be a gradual process."
"Oh? Feng'er, please explain in detail," Tang Xiao asked with great interest.
Tang Feng took a deep breath and slowly said, "What the Second Elder said earlier is absolutely right. Qian Daoliu is indeed the biggest hidden danger in our sect."
Although Sect Master Tang Chen is not here, that is precisely why we must rely on ourselves to uphold the backbone of the Clear Sky Sect! Must we remain holed up in the mountains every day the old sect master is not back?
Moreover, the old sect master has only left, not perished. As long as there is no definite information about him, Qian Daoliu would never dare to personally take action and wipe us out! Otherwise, if the old sect master were to return in the future, the Spirit Hall would not be able to withstand his wrath.
The death of Qian Xunji cost us half of our clansmen. If they continue to be aggressive, the Soul Master World will think they are going too far.
Furthermore, our strength is not what it was a decade or so ago; we are now fully capable of protecting ourselves, and the Spirit Hall would certainly not dare to act recklessly.
Tang Feng paused, then continued, "Sect Master, Elders, currently inside the Spirit Hall, the Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu factions..."
Tang Feng reiterated his previous analysis to the elders, explaining that the internal strife within the Spirit Hall would not involve the entire organization, while also emphasizing the urgent need to improve their own strength.
Therefore, Tang Feng solemnly concluded, "To ensure absolute success, before reopening the mountain gate, we must do three things."