At Tang Zhen's words, everyone's expression grew even graver.
But Tang Zhen continued, "Whether it is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect or the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, we will have to pay a price to repay their reinforcements today. Even for the Four Single-Attribute Clans of the outer sect, we will have to offer consolation after the war for the deaths they suffer in battle."
"By the time we fight to the end, our sect's reserves will probably be exhausted."
At that moment, the First Elder spoke. "Sect Master, our Clear Sky Sect is the world's foremost sect. Even if we fight until the last man dies, we will never submit."
The other elders all spoke up as well. "Sect Master, our Clear Sky Sect will fight to the death."
Tang Zhen understood what they meant. "Elders, our Clear Sky Sect will never retreat. We will fight to the death."
Once everyone's emotions had settled, Tang Zhen spoke again. "First Elder, is there any news of Hao'er?"
"Sect Master, Tang Hao has now broken through to Titled Douluo and is known as Clear Sky Douluo. Since we received word that he had left the Clear Sky Sect, there has been no further news of him."
"Hao'er... Hao'er fought three opponents alone. He himself was probably gravely wounded too. First Elder, keep sending people to seek news of Hao'er. We must find him."
Just then, a disciple rushed in. "Sect Master, bad news! Spirit Hall's people have arrived outside the sect!"
Upon hearing the disciple's report, Tang Zhen and the elders walked outside together.
Outside the sect stood a densely packed mass of Soul Masters, all dressed in white, ostensibly to mourn the former Pope, Qian Xunji. Judging by their numbers, their total probably did exceed ten thousand, and a very large proportion were high-ranking Soul Masters.
Just then, a booming voice rang out from Spirit Hall's ranks. "People of the Clear Sky Sect, listen well! You have one hour to hand over Tang Hao, the murderer of our former Pope. Otherwise, we will attack, and not even a chicken or dog will be left alive!"
Tang Zhen ignored the voice and instead continued speaking to the First Elder. "First Elder, how long will it take for reinforcements from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the Heaven Dou Empire to arrive?"
"Sect Master, even estimating the fastest journey, the two sects will need at least half a day to arrive. The Heaven Dou Empire's army may need another full day."
"It seems Spirit Hall wants to engage us before our reinforcements arrive. Notify all inner sect disciples and affiliated sects. We must be ready to fight at any moment."
"First Elder, go to Spirit Hall yourself. Tell them Tang Hao has already been expelled from the sect and is not in the Clear Sky Sect now."
Tang Xiao, who stood nearby, hurriedly spoke up. "Father, although Brother Hao committed a grave mistake, Spirit Hall is clearly targeting us deliberately. And their army of Soul Masters arrived so quickly. This was obviously premeditated."
The First Elder beside him spoke again as well. "Sect Master, for Spirit Hall to gather so many Soul Masters in such a short time, they clearly made preparations long ago to move against us."
Tang Zhen shook his head, his expression grave. "How could I not know they are seizing this opportunity to make trouble? But no matter what, Tang Hao did kill their Pope. No one can object to them coming for revenge. First Elder, go talk to them first. See whether they can offer other terms."
Upon hearing Tang Zhen's words, the First Elder swiftly flew toward Spirit Hall's army.
But less than ten minutes later, the First Elder had already flown back. "Sect Master, Spirit Hall's stance is uncompromising. They will accept no other terms. They only demand that we hand over Tang Hao, or they will go to war."
"It seems Spirit Hall is dead set on moving against us. Tell everyone to prepare for battle. Also, have the Speed Clan notify the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and ask their sect masters to hurry here as soon as possible."
The First Elder looked hesitant. "Sect Master, I'm afraid the Speed Clan can no longer fly out. Spirit Hall has completely surrounded us."
"It seems Spirit Hall calculated everything long ago. They are determined to destroy our Clear Sky Sect or deal it a crippling blow. First Elder, arrange for our sect's children to withdraw to the ancestral grounds first."
"Sect Master, although the ancestral grounds occupy easily defended terrain, I'm afraid they will not be able to stop their army of Soul Masters either."
"You can rest assured about that. My father, Tang Chen, once made an agreement with Qian Daoliu. Until a victor is decided between the two of them, Spirit Hall's people must not set foot in our Clear Sky Sect's ancestral grounds."
"But the former sect master has been missing for many years. Will Spirit Hall honor that promise?"
"My father may be missing, but he is not dead. Besides, Qian Daoliu has always valued his reputation. He would never break his word."
Upon hearing this, everyone began taking action.
Meanwhile, outside the Clear Sky Sect, the chiefs of the Four Single-Attribute Clans were gathered together. All four looked extremely tense. After all, they were facing twice their number in enemies.
Just then, a disciple came to deliver a message. Bai He took it, glanced at it, and immediately passed it to the others.
After reading the message, Yang Wudi spoke directly. "Our four clans have always enjoyed the Clear Sky Sect's protection. Since the sect has made its decision, my Breaking Clan will fight to the death."
After reading the message, the other three also declared that they would commit their entire clans to fighting to the death. The four then returned to their respective clan grounds, ready to fight at any moment.
Just as Tang Zhen had said, Spirit Hall had indeed prepared meticulously this time. Whether releasing the news of Qian Xunji's murder or declaring war on the Clear Sky Sect, every step was coordinated with great finesse, giving the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect no time to react at all. Otherwise, if the three forces united, together with the Heaven Dou Empire's army, even Spirit Hall would probably gain little advantage.
The Upper Three Sects still possessed very deep reserves. Combined, the three had an estimated nine to ten thousand Soul Masters, enough to arm-wrestle with Spirit Hall.
But with Spirit Hall suddenly launching a war this time, the three had already lost the initiative. Nearly twenty percent of each sect's disciples were away on business, which was why the situation was so tense.
An hour later, Spirit Hall disregarded all of the Clear Sky Sect's terms and refused to accept its explanation that Tang Hao had been expelled, launching an attack outright.
Spirit Hall had clearly prepared well in advance. Against the Four Single-Attribute Clans of the outer sect, they mainly deployed a portion of their forces to keep them pinned down. The Four Single-Attribute Clans' two thousand Soul Masters had to contend with roughly three thousand from Spirit Hall.
Spirit Hall instead concentrated more troops on directly attacking the Clear Sky Sect's mountain gate. Thus, the Clear Sky Sect's two thousand inner sect disciples had to face nearly seven thousand Soul Masters. Almost every disciple had to face three or four Soul Masters; in terms of numbers, they were utterly overwhelmed.
The Clear Sky Sect's mountain gate had been painstakingly built by the Defense Clan, but against seven or eight thousand Soul Masters, it offered little defensive value. In particular, Spirit Hall had large numbers of high-ranking Soul Masters, with no shortage even of Titled Douluo.