Inside the Clear Sky Sect's council hall, the Seventh Elder couldn't help but stand up.
"Damn Spirit Hall! This is outrageous! Do they really think my Clear Sky Sect has no one left?"
The Seventh Elder was so angry that his beard stood on end. Just thinking about the Artificial Clear Sky Hammer mentioned in the intelligence report made him wish he could lead his men to storm into Spirit City right now.
"Sect Master! In my opinion, this matter absolutely cannot be left like this! The Clear Sky Hammer is the Martial Soul of our Clear Sky Sect, passed down for thousands of years. How dare the Spirit Hall covet it? They clearly don't take our Clear Sky Sect seriously!"
Tang Xiao sat in the sect leader's seat, not answering immediately, but looking down at the intelligence report in his hand.
Seeing this, the Seventh Elder became even more excited and said, "Sect Master, we can take this opportunity to gather all the sects in the world, as well as the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empire Empires, to jointly attack the Spirit Hall!"
He pointed to the intelligence in Tang Xiao's hand and continued, "Think about it carefully, why does the Spirit Hall want to research Artificial Martial Soul? Today they dare to research the Clear Sky Hammer, tomorrow will they dare to research the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon? Once they control the inherited Martial Soul of all the major sects in the world, what place will our sects have left?"
In the Seventh Elder's view, the Spirit Hall's move was by no means simply for the purpose of researching the Clear Sky Hammer.
If they truly mastered the method of artificially creating Martial Soul, wouldn't the Martial Soul upon which all the major sects in the world rely for their inheritance be arbitrarily manufactured by the Spirit Hall?
"Sect Master, this is a matter of utmost importance concerning all sects in the world! The Spirit Hall harbors wolfish ambitions; it clearly intends to use this opportunity to sever the lineages of all major sects and ultimately seize control of the entire continent!"
The Seventh Elder grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, and finally walked to the center of the hall, cupped his fists towards the crowd, and said, "Our Clear Sky Sect has been in seclusion for many years, and several elders have successively broken through to the Titled Douluo. The sect's strength is now vastly different from what it used to be, so why continue to swallow our pride?"
"If our Clear Sky Sect takes the lead, unites the Upper Three Sects, and also wins over all the major sects and the two great empires, gathering the strength of the entire continent, we might not be unable to fight the Spirit Hall!"
After hearing this, several elders in the hall began to whisper among themselves.
The Clear Sky Sect has been in seclusion for so many years that its disciples are completely unfamiliar with the outside world. But they are still the number one sect in the world, and they still retain some of their former pride.
In recent years, in particular, several elders have successively broken through to the Titled Douluo, which has made them feel that the Clear Sky Sect has the confidence to make a comeback.
Seeing that no one objected, the Seventh Elder was about to continue persuading Tang Xiao when he suddenly heard an old voice.
"Seventh Brother, sit down."
The Seventh Elder turned his head and saw the Second Elder sitting on the stone chair, looking at him with a serious expression.
"Second Brother! Are you really just going to stand by and watch the Spirit Hall humiliate our Clear Sky Sect like this?"
The Second Elder frowned. "When did I ever say I would let the Spirit Hall run rampant? We don't even know if the intelligence is true or false, yet you're already thinking about uniting all the sects in the world to attack the Spirit Hall. Isn't that a bit too hasty?"
The Seventh Elder opened his mouth, wanting to argue.
The Second Elder didn't give him a chance, continuing, "The information sent back by our spies is that the Spirit Hall is suspected of conducting an experiment to create Artificial Martial Soul Martial Soul, possibly the Clear Sky Hammer. Beyond that, we know nothing about whether it was successful or where the sample came from."
"If the information is true, our Clear Sky Sect certainly cannot sit idly by. But if it's just hearsay, are we really going to start a war with the Spirit Hall because of this?"
After the Second Elder finished speaking, he turned to look at Tang Xiao, who was sitting at the head of the table.
"Sect Master, you should decide this matter."
Tang Xiao nodded, his fingers gently stroking the intelligence report in his hand.
Artificial Martial Soul.
This was the first time he had ever heard of this name.
Martial Soul have always been inherited through bloodlines. Even if mutations occur, they are changes based on the Soul Master's own foundation. In all his years of life, he had never heard of Martial Soul being created by someone.
Moreover, it is rumored that the Spirit Hall is researching the Clear Sky Hammer.
Tang Xiao raised his head and slowly said, "The Seventh Elder's concerns are not without merit. If the Spirit Hall can truly manufacture the Clear Sky Hammer, it would indeed be a major event for our Clear Sky Sect."
Just as the Seventh Elder was about to speak, Tang Xiao raised his hand, signaling him to let him finish speaking first.
"However, the Second Elder is right. Right now, we only have unconfirmed intelligence. The Spirit Hall is now cooperating with the Interastral Peace Corporation, and the situation in Spirit City is no longer what it used to be. Before we understand the situation, taking rash action will only put the sect in a passive position."
He placed the intelligence report on the table and continued, "I've decided to send a few core disciples to Spirit City to personally investigate the Artificial Martial Soul matter. Ideally, we should find out exactly what they're researching and whether it truly involves the Clear Sky Hammer."
"We'll decide on the next step after we obtain concrete intelligence."
Tang Xiao looked at the elders. "What do you all think?"
The Second Elder nodded first. "I agree. This concerns the sect's inheritance, so we certainly cannot be careless, but we also cannot completely turn against the Spirit Hall based on just one piece of information."
The other elders also expressed their agreement.
Only the Seventh Elder remained somewhat unconvinced.
"Sect Master, is this the Spirit Hall...?"
"Seventh Brother!"
The Second Elder interrupted him in a stern voice.
"The sect leader has made a decision, so we will proceed as he says. Do you really want the sect to go to war with the Spirit Hall without investigating anything thoroughly?"
The Seventh Elder glanced at the Second Elder, then at Tang Xiao, and finally could only reluctantly sit back down.
"Yes, Second Brother. I will follow the Sect Master's arrangements."
Seeing that everyone had stopped arguing, Tang Xiao began to arrange the selection of people to go to Spirit City.
This operation should not be carried out in a large-scale manner. It is best to have a core disciple with higher cultivation level and experience in going out. After entering Spirit City, first try to find out the situation of the research base, and then immediately send the information back to the sect after confirming the information.
Whether to continue the investigation depends on the specific circumstances.
That night, several robust figures quietly left the Clear Sky Sect.
They have only one goal.
Spirit City.
The next morning, a long queue had already formed outside the Spirit City.
Over this period of development, more and more people are entering and leaving Spirit City. In addition to merchants and Soul Master from all over the continent, there are also many ordinary residents who come specifically to participate in the recruitment of the Interastral Peace Corporation.
Special identity verification devices were set up on both sides of the city gate, and several Spirit Hall personnel were maintaining Order. Whether ordinary people or Soul Master, everyone who wanted to enter the city had to complete identity registration and inspection first.
Just then, several tall men wearing black cloaks arrived at the city gate.
The men were all muscular, their cloaks covering most of their faces, and they rarely spoke as they walked.
When the pedestrians queuing around them saw their attire, they instinctively made way for them.
The man in the black robe at the head of the line glanced at the long queue and immediately frowned.
"Having to queue just to get into the city is such a hassle."
As he spoke, he led the group behind him straight toward the city gate, intending to bypass the crowd queuing in front.
Upon seeing this, the Spirit Hall team leader on duty immediately stepped forward to stop them.
"Hello, gentlemen. To enter Spirit City, you must first complete identity verification to confirm that you are not on the wanted list before you can pass. Please line up at the back."
The man in the black robes at the head of the group stopped and looked up at him.
Are you talking to me?
The shift leader nodded. "Yes, sir. All people entering the city need to be checked. Please cooperate."
The man in black robes snorted coldly, clearly not taking the officer in front of him seriously.
The people behind him were also getting impatient. One of them said in a low voice, "Senior brother, let's not waste time here. We have important business to attend to."
The man in the lead nodded, then turned his gaze back to the shift leader.
"I am a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Do I really need to be interrogated by you people just to enter Spirit City?"
The shift leader was slightly taken aback, but did not move aside.
"Sir, regardless of which sect you come from, you need to complete identity verification to enter the city. This is the current regulation of Spirit City, please understand."
The man in black robes' expression gradually darkened.
"How dare you! When did it become your Spirit Hall's place to interfere in the affairs of my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a powerful surge of Soul Power erupted from his body.
The pressure from the Soul Saint level directly pressed down on the duty team leader, and the faces of the several lower-level officers on duty around him immediately turned pale, and they hurriedly took a few steps back.
Ordinary people queuing nearby were also frightened and quickly moved away, fearing they would be affected.
The duty team leader, who was only Soul King, felt a tightness in his chest and his legs went weak when faced with the deliberate pressure released by a Soul Saint.
But he gritted his teeth and stood still, refusing to back down.
"Sir..."
He spoke with difficulty, "Whether you are a disciple of the Upper Three Sects or an ordinary civilian, everyone entering Spirit City must abide by the same rules. Please withdraw your Soul Power and line up at the back."
The man in black robes was furious that a mere Soul King would dare to defy him like this.
"If you won't listen to reason, you'll have to suffer the consequences!"
He snorted coldly and increased the pressure of his Soul Power once again.
The duty team leader groaned, cold sweat beading on his forehead, and his body began to tremble slightly. Seeing this, the officers on duty behind him quickly prepared to call for backup from inside the city.
The man in black robes merely stared coldly at the shift leader before him, showing no intention of stopping.
Just as the shift leader was about to collapse, a hand suddenly reached out from behind and gently placed on his back.
The oppressive Soul Power that had been suffocating him vanished instantly.
The shift leader was stunned for a moment, and just as he was about to turn around, he heard a cold voice behind him.
"In broad daylight, under the clear sky, you dare to bully a loyal city guard by abusing your power and using your cultivation level to oppress him."
"Is this how the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan operates?"