When Tang San heard the first two conditions—reach Level 80 within ten years, and obtain a 100,000-year Spirit Ring—he accepted them calmly.
But when the Second Elder added the third condition—to slay Li Zhexian within ten years—his expression changed drastically!
Who on the continent didn't know that five years ago, Li Zhexian had nailed the Pope to the Divine Mountain, and just recently, had severed her head?
The name Li Zhexian was already ranked among the very peak of the world's powerhouses.
If not for the fact that he had yet to single-handedly face a Titled Douluo, people might have already crowned him with a Title of his own.
Twice humiliated by defeat, and carrying his hatred for Xiao Wu's loss — Tang San, too, wanted to kill Li Zhexian.
But the man he wished to kill was far beyond his reach — that was the most bitter thing of all.
Tang San clenched his fists tightly and, after a long silence, said,
"Can this condition be changed?"
"The Clear Sky Clan's grudge with Spirit Hall runs deep."
"Within ten years, I can kill one of Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo."
"You're afraid of Li Zhexian?"
The Second Elder's thick brows furrowed deeply.
"Hesitant and fearful — how can such a man be worthy of the Clear Sky name!"
"This Li Zhexian must be slain by your own hand. The Clear Sky Hammer was stained with shame because of you — you must be the one to cleanse it!"
"…Tang San understands."
After Tang San left the stone hall,
the Second Elder turned and entered a side chamber.
Inside sat a towering, broad-shouldered man with short white hair framing a face chiseled like stone — his eyes closed, his presence immense.
His breathing was like the rumble of a dragon's roar. Each exhale blasted several meters forward, striking a floating piece of refined steel and producing a sharp, metallic clang.
This was the current Sect Master of the Clear Sky Clan—Tang Xiao.
Once, he and Tang Hao were known as the "Twin Stars of the Clear Clan," said to be men who could revive the sect on their own.
"He's gone?"
The Second Elder nodded.
"Why didn't the Sect Master meet with Tang San?"
Tang Xiao did not open his eyes.
"Tang Hao and I once ruled over our generation."
"With twin Martial Souls, both wielding the Clear Sky Hammer—and yet he was defeated by his peers. A tiger father has birthed a dog of a son."
The chamber fell silent, filled only with the sound of Tang Xiao's breath hammering against steel.
After a long pause, his deep voice rippled faintly with emotion.
"Tang San… did he bring any word of his father?"
The Second Elder sighed and produced a heavy black box.
As the box opened, a vast wave of energy filled the chamber.
Two luminous Spirit Bones floated out, haloed in radiant light.
Tang Xiao's eyes snapped open.
The instant he saw them, his rugged face went pale. He rushed forward, body trembling, lips quivering soundlessly.
Those two Spirit Bones—
Were the very ones once bestowed upon Tang Hao by the Clear Sky Clan itself.
Once a Spirit Bone fused, it became one with flesh and blood.
To remove it… the limb must be severed.
The Second Elder said hoarsely,
"Tang San brought his father's message—"
"Brother, I have no face to return to the Sect, nor the right to do so. Returning these Spirit Bones is the only way I can find peace."
Tang Xiao's massive frame shook.
"Tang Hao… Hao… oh, my brother… how did it come to this…"
"Though crippled," the Second Elder murmured, "Tang Hao's old wounds have finally healed."
Tang Xiao raised his arm.
With a single sweep of his hand, the two Spirit Bones vanished.
His gaze slowly calmed.
"Tang Hao was not wrong. Had Ah Yin chosen me instead of him, I would have done the same."
"Tang Hao and Third Sister both wish for Tang San to return to the sect. Then grant him the privileges of a direct disciple — in secret."
"But… a youth must face his trials. Those three conditions remain."
The Second Elder nodded.
"Yes."
"Sect Master, about our Sect's future…"
"The Spirit Hall failed to destroy the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Now they hold this so-called Seven Sects Re-election— their intent is clear."
"The continent is on the verge of chaos. Even in seclusion, the Clear Sky Clan cannot remain untouched."
"It is time for the Clear Sky Clan to reemerge."
Tang Xiao picked up the piece of refined steel before him.
With two fingers, he gave it a gentle twist —
a flash of silver light flared, and the steel crumbled to powder.
"Through this Seven Sects Re-election, we shall show the world once more the might of the Clear Sky!"
"It seems the world has forgotten…"
"Who truly stands as the Number One Sect beneath Heaven."
The Second Elder's chest surged with pride. He struck his right fist to his heart.
"Mighty Clear Sky Clan— unrivaled Battle Martial Soul Hammer!"
"The name of our Clear Sky Clan shall once again shine in the chaos of this world!"
...
Three days later.
Li Zhexian and Dugu Bo arrived at Spirit City.
Five years had passed.
Returning to this sacred city of Spirit Masters, Li Zhexian felt its atmosphere utterly changed.
Once pristine and majestic, the white walls carved with angel feathers now stood towering—dozens of meters high—not merely ornamental, but truly built for war.
Where elegant carvings once stood, now only scattered feathers remained.
The rest—were replaced by cold, gleaming cannons.
Li Zhexian couldn't help but admit—
The Pope, Bibi Dong had indeed possessed remarkable ability.
In five short years, she had tightened her grip over the Spirit Hall completely.
"Come, Zhexian," said Dugu Bo, smiling.
"Chen Xin, Feng Jia, and that old dragon should all be here by now."
He chuckled, his weathered face lighting up.
"Let them see for themselves how terrifying your progress has been — can't have me being the only one scared out of my wits!"
Li Zhexian smiled softly.
Something warm pulsed faintly from within his chest.
"Senior Dugu, go on ahead," he said.
"There's something I must do first — I'm going to see… my beloved."
His expression was calm, his eyes gentle.
After all — they had already embraced, already kissed.
To call her merely a "friend" now would be far too dishonest.
When he spoke those three words — "my beloved" — his heart softened, as though he had just drunk honeyed wine.
He remembered the day they parted, when Qian Renxue had said to him:
"If the Angel's Feathers feel warm, it means I'm thinking of you."
The Angel's Feathers—had never once grown cold.
Even in the Extreme North, it had been like carrying a small furnace close to his heart.
Dugu Bo: "…"
...
Three miles outside Spirit City, deep within a quiet forest, lay a still, secret lake.
Five years ago, Li Zhexian and Qian Renxue had discovered it while exploring the outskirts of the city.
He had once told her, "You should come to this lake from time to time. Perhaps one day, I'll come too."
Now, the lake was shrouded in light mist and drizzle, as though veiled in gauze.
In its waters grew clusters of nameless aquatic plants, blooming with small, delicate flowers.
From time to time, fish leapt from the water, snatched a petal, and fell back with rippling circles.
Rustle…
Rustle…
Li Zhexian stood by the lakeshore, watching the gentle scenery.
Light rain began to fall from the heavens.
"It's been a long time since I last went fishing," he murmured.
He plucked a broad leaf, holding it above his head as a canopy, standing quietly by the water's edge.
He wasn't worried that Qian Renxue wouldn't come.
...
"Young Mistress, are you going out again today?"
The Snake Lance Douluo and the Porcupinefish Douluo quickly set down their brooms and followed after her.
They knew well —
Qian Renxue longed for those days she had spent in Heaven Dou City.
Otherwise, she wouldn't visit that small lake every single day, rain or shine.
Truth be told,
they missed those days too.
Back then, they were the Crown Prince's personal guards — honored Douluo of great renown in the outside world.
But within the Angel Temple…
they were little more than janitors.
As soon as they left Spirit City, Qian Renxue transformed back into her true form — breathtakingly beautiful, with golden hair flowing and robes fluttering.
She walked faster and faster, the light rain brushing across her cheeks, unable to conceal the smile tugging at her lips.
Somewhere deep in her heart,
she felt it —
Today, her wish would finally come true.
...