Ma Hongjun's shock lasted only for a brief moment.
The next instant, his expression hardened as he forced himself to calm down. This was no longer a matter of anger or personal grievances—this was a crisis that could determine the life and death of the Tang Sect.
He took a deep breath, his mind rapidly organizing the situation.
"Where are the elders of Strength Hall and Speed Hall?" he asked sharply.
The Bai Clan member quickly replied, recounting everything he knew.
"Elder Tai Tan has already left. He is delivering the latest batch of hidden weapons to Prince Dai Mubai's forces at the valley near the border. Elder Bai He is currently within the sect. As for Elder Yang Wudi… he escaped earlier and should return by tomorrow."
Ma Hongjun's eyes narrowed slightly as he processed the information.
The situation was worse than he had hoped. There was no time to hesitate.
"Gather all members," Ma Hongjun said decisively. "Prepare for immediate evacuation."
The Bai Clan member froze for a moment. "Evacuate…? To where?"
A faint, enigmatic smile appeared on Ma Hongjun's face.
"For now," he said slowly, "that will remain a secret."
His tone left no room for further questioning.
"However," he continued, "you will deliver several letters first."
He moved quickly to a nearby table, picked up a brush, and began writing. His strokes were fast yet precise, each word carrying urgency.
After sealing the letter, he handed it to the Bai Clan member.
"Take this. Use your speed and deliver it as fast as possible."
The Bai Clan member, known for the unmatched speed of his clan, immediately understood the importance of the task. He accepted the letter without hesitation.
"Yes, Acting Sect Master."
With that, his figure blurred and vanished from sight, already rushing toward his destination.
Ma Hongjun stood alone for a moment, thinking that after becoming the acting sect master his brain had become more sharp.
-----
Year XXX6
The new year began in turmoil. Under Ma Hongjun's orders, the Tang Sect initiated a full-scale evacuation. The process was carried out with surprising efficiency despite the urgency. The entire sect was divided into two groups during the evacuation.
One group consisted of the elderly, and the children—.
The second group was composed of the sect's fighting force—young and capable members who could fight. This group would serve as a distraction, drawing attention.
Such a large movement could not remain hidden for long.
The intelligence network of the Heaven Dou Empire quickly detected the unusual activity. Though time was short, Marshal Ge Long reacted decisively. Unable to mobilize a full army in time, he personally led a small but elite division to intercept the Ma Hongjun's group containing the elite sect members.
Ge Long was a strong Soul Douluo, it was not much hard for him to incapacitate the Tang Sect members with his own elite division.
However, Yu Xiaogang. Flender. Liu Erlong. arrived and blocked his path.
They activated their martial soul fusion technique—a combination that had once shaken the continent. The air trembled as their powers intertwined, forming a massive golden dragon that radiated overwhelming pressure.
The Golden Holy Dragon descended and the world was reminded of their title—the Golden Iron Triangle.
With the fusion amplifying their strength, they easily suppressed Ge Long, whose cultivation as a Soul Douluo.
When victory seemed within reach, a chilling aura suddenly spread across the area and Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo—Level 97—entered the field.
His presence alone shifted the balance entirely without wasting words, he acted.
The Golden Holy Dragon, which had dominated moments before, was quickly overwhelmed. The fusion was broken and Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and Liu Erlong were forced back
One by one, the Tang Sect members were subdued. Dugu Bo showed no mercy as he prepared to take them all into custody.
At that critical moment, Tang Hao appeared. The sudden arrival of the Clear Sky Douluo halted everything.
Unknown to those present, the intervention was not entirely coincidental. Sensing a sharp decline in Tang San's destiny, Asura God subtly influenced events, guiding Tang Hao to this battlefield to prevent further collapse.
The two Titled Douluos faced each other.
Both men remembered their previous confrontation. Neither underestimated the other. A direct clash would bring unpredictable consequences.
Thus, the situation fell into a tense stalemate.
After a moment of silence, Dugu Bo spoke. He had already received instructions from someone behind the scenes.
"I will allow you to take these elite members of the Tang Sect," he said calmly. "But from this moment onward, they will be branded as terrorists—wanted by the Heaven Dou Empire."
Tang Hao's expression did not change. To him, such a label carried little weight. After all, he himself had long been a wanted man under the Spirit Hall.
Titles, accusations, and bounties—none of them mattered in the face of strength.
After a brief pause, he accepted and just like that, the fate of the Tang Sect took another irreversible turn.
That same day, an official decree spread across the Heaven Dou Empire.
Tang Hao, along with the elite members of the Tang Sect, were declared rebels.
The announcement was swift, leaving no room for ambiguity. From that moment onward, they were no longer a sect—they were fugitives.
During this time some envoys of the Sea God island arrived in Douluo continent in secret. After speaking around they knew that the Nine Treasure Glazed tile Clan is the only force that might have strength to contend against Spirit Hall. They went to meet Ning Fengzhi the clan leader of Nine Treasure Glazed Tile clan in secret.
Tang Hao had no thought of sheltering the Tang Sect members in the hidden Blue Silver Forest. That place was too important for him. Bringing so many people there would only invite disaster.
.