Three hundred miles east of Heaven Dou City, within the Heaven Dou Empire, nestled among mountains, was a small village—the reclusive abode of the Clear Sky Sect.
Even though it was deep into the night, figures still flickered within the village, Clear Sky Sect disciples tirelessly patrolling with strict vigilance, not daring to relax their guard.
Anxiety and despair were etched on everyone's faces, as if a great calamity was about to befall them.
Evidently, the news from Ming City had spread across the Douluo Continent, and the Clear Sky Sect had also learned the full story through their own means.
Everyone knew that Spirit Hall would likely not let this matter rest this time.
This unsettling atmosphere enveloped the entire Clear Sky Sect; not only the disciples on outer patrol, but the entire Clear Sky Sect, both inside and out, was brightly lit.
The deliberation hall, in particular, had been lit for several nights, as the Clear Sky Sect had received ominous news and was engaged in heated discussions about their impending fate.
"Sect Master, Elders, news from Heaven Dou City reports that Spirit Hall's Hall of Enshrinement has made its move, led by the Second Enshriner, Gold Crocodile Douluo, along with the Third Enshriner and the two Titled Douluo Elders Ju and Gui, leading an army of fifteen hundred Spirit Masters to approach our Clear Sky Sect."
A middle-aged Spirit Master entered the deliberation hall to report the situation, immediately stirring up another storm, and even more intense arguments erupted within the hall.
At this moment, at least thirty people were gathered in the deliberation hall, led by Tang Xiao, along with the five Titled Douluo Elders, and the Spirit Saints and Spirit Douluo preserved by the Clear Sky Sect.
"It's that Tang Hao again! Hasn't he harmed our Clear Sky Sect enough? Does he have to see us all annihilated before he's satisfied?" The Seventh Elder, known for his fiery temper, immediately lashed out, slamming his large hand onto the thousand-year-old Vajra wood table in the center, leaving a deep palm print.
"Seventh Elder, mind your words!" Tang Xiao, seated in the center, frowned at the Seventh Elder's words, his tone expressing some displeasure.
Tang Xiao stood over two meters tall, with a broad back and powerful build, a face sculpted as if by knife and axe, and short, greying hair; sitting there, he seemed like the very core of this fortress.
Having led the Clear Sky Sect for many years, he naturally possessed a formidable presence. At this moment, displeased by the Seventh Elder's words, a crushing pressure instantly enveloped the entire deliberation hall.
"Was I wrong?" The Seventh Elder, undeterred by Tang Xiao's pressure, glared with tiger-like eyes, hatred surfacing as he said, "If he hadn't killed Qian Xunji and gotten involved with that monstrous Spirit Beast, how would our Clear Sky Sect have fallen to this state?"
"How would the Old Sect Master have died of grief? My eldest son wouldn't have been ambushed and killed by Spirit Hall while procuring for the Sect.
Now he has killed two of Spirit Hall's Enshriners. If he truly dared to act, he should step forward now and take responsibility for everything, instead of letting the Sect pay for him yet again."
"That's enough, Old Seven. Watch your words and the occasion. Our discussion today isn't about whose fault it is, but how to deal with Spirit Hall's army." The Second Elder, with long white eyebrows, looked at the agitated Seventh Elder, frowning and speaking with some dissatisfaction.
Hearing the Second Elder's words, the Seventh Elder, no matter how angry, suppressed himself and sat aside with a cold expression.
"Sect Master, Spirit Hall is coming aggressively. How should the Clear Sky Sect respond? We need the Sect Master to decide," the Second Elder said, turning to Tang Xiao after the Seventh Elder had quieted down.
"Have the people sent to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, and the Heaven Dou Imperial family returned? What was their reply?" Tang Xiao asked, frowning as he looked at the Third Elder below.
This time, Spirit Hall had dispatched four Titled Douluo, two of whom were Enshriner-level powerhouses. Although their Clear Sky Sect had six Titled Douluo, the combat power of the two sides was clearly not on the same level.
Moreover, there was that army of fifteen hundred Spirit Masters. Their Clear Sky Sect now had less than five hundred Spirit Masters remaining, half of whom were newborns. How could they resist Spirit Hall's army?
They could only seek external aid to break the deadlock.
"Sect Master, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect each sent three hundred Spirit Masters, and the Heaven Dou Imperial family also sent an envoy, saying there must be a misunderstanding and they would mediate," the Third Elder said in a deep voice.
Tang Xiao's heart sank upon hearing this. It seemed the three families did not want to exert themselves, sending only such a small force.
"Prepare for battle. Send all children under fifteen in the Sect to Yue Hua. Let Yue Hua arrange for them to be in the three empires. If the Clear Sky Sect is annihilated, they will be our last hope," Tang Xiao said, taking a deep breath, his gaze resolute.
"Yes." Everyone's eyes were stern, and they replied in a deep voice.... At this moment, on the outskirts of the Clear Sky Sect, the forces from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect were each resting, their groups distinctly separated, with no interaction whatsoever.
Ning Fengzhi, meanwhile, brought Chen Xin to Yu Yuanzhen.
"Spirit Hall is coming fiercely and holds the moral high ground. The Clear Sky Sect is in grave danger this time," Ning Fengzhi said with a worried expression.
"I never expected Tang Hao to possess such means, capable of killing Qian Jun and Jiang Mo," Yu Yuanzhen said, surprised. He naturally knew Qian Jun and Jiang Mo and their abilities, so hearing they were killed by Tang Hao naturally filled him with disbelief.
"At that time, Netherworld Douluo was also present, and some people saw that the Sun Moon Empire also made a move. It's possible they were involved, and Tang Hao was ultimately rescued by Netherworld Douluo. Could it be that Clear Sky Douluo has become a Fallen Spirit Master?" Yu Luomian speculated.
"Regardless of the truth, under the watchful eyes of all, Tang Hao killing Qian Jun and Jiang Mo is an undeniable fact." Ning Fengzhi frowned. The truth was likely only known to the Sun Moon Empire and Tang Hao himself, but now was not the time to dwell on this.
The Clear Sky Sect must not be destroyed; this was the consensus of their three parties.
Spirit Hall's dominance on the Douluo Continent was absolute. In the Spirit Master's world, only the Seven Great Sects combined could rival Spirit Hall's influence. Now, the Lower Four Sects were basically bought out by Spirit Hall.
The Upper Three Sects were struggling alone. If the Clear Sky Sect were also destroyed, how could the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect alone resist Spirit Hall?
"If our three families unite, Spirit Hall will not succeed this time," Yu Yuanzhen said solemnly.
Ning Fengzhi nodded in agreement. Just then, a flying Spirit Master hurried forward.
"Reporting to the Sect Master, Spirit Hall's army has arrived thirty miles away."
Thirty miles outside the Clear Sky Sect, a vast army of Spirit Masters gathered, with Gold Crocodile Douluo standing grim-faced at the front of the army.
Their scouts had also detected the presence of personnel from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
He hadn't expected the two great Sects to still make a move.
"Second Brother..."
"Ignore them. If Yu Yuanzhen and Ning Fengzhi make a move, I will personally make them understand the consequences of offending our Spirit Hall." Raising his hand to signal Cyan Luan Douluo, Gold Crocodile Douluo said coldly.
As the army approached, Spirit Hall forces near Heaven Dou City also sent reinforcements, subtly encircling the Clear Sky Sect from all directions.