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Inside the deliberation hall of the Tianxing Academy, the air felt thick and heavy. The suggestion made by Ning Fengzhi to form an alliance with the Clear Sky Sect had created a very tense atmosphere. Everyone in the room seemed to hold their breath as they waited for a reaction.
At that moment, Tang Chen and Dugu Bo looked at each other. Both men could see the deep thoughts and concerns reflecting in each other's eyes. Tang Chen leaned back slightly, his fingers tapping a steady, rhythmic beat on the wooden surface of the table. His mind was working fast, weighing the pros and cons of such a big decision.
It was true that he and the faction led by Bibi Dong in Spirit Hall were already enemies. Their relationship had reached a point where they could never make peace. In the world of power, people often say that the enemy of your enemy is your friend. This made the Clear Sky Sect a logical choice for an ally.
However, Tang Chen did not feel much better about the Tiandou Royal Family. He did not like them, and he certainly did not want to become a simple tool or a sharp blade used by a feudal Empire to fight its wars. He valued his independence and the future of his own people too much to be used so easily.
Tang Chen took a deep breath, filling his lungs as he prepared to speak. He was planning to politely say no to the proposal from Ning Fengzhi. His goal was to focus on strengthening the foundation of Spirit Hall at a pace he could control. But just as he opened his mouth to speak, something interrupted him.
The sound of fast, hurried footsteps came from the hallway outside the door. The heavy doors swung open, and Bone Douluo Gu Rong entered the room. His face was very serious, showing that something important had happened. He gave a quick nod to Dugu Bo and Tang Chen to acknowledge them. Then, he walked straight to Ning Fengzhi, leaned down, and began to whisper into his ear.
"Fengzhi, I have urgent news from the city," Gu Rong said in a low voice. "Just a little while ago, two suspicious and bad people appeared in Heaven Dou City. One of them is a young man who uses a Dark Blue Silver Grass Spirit.
He used very cruel and bloody methods. He drained the blood of several Royal Knights right on the street. After he did this, both of them vanished without leaving a single trace."
"What did you say? Blue Silver Grass?" Ning Fengzhi and Tang Chen both shouted at the same time. Their faces changed instantly, showing complete shock and disbelief. This specific description made them both think of the exact same person.
Bone Douluo nodded his head solemnly, confirming what they were thinking. He continued his report. "Yes, based on what the witnesses said, this person is almost certainly Tang San. He has been missing for a long time.
Also, some people saw the two of them running away. They fled directly into the Moon Pavilion. Right now, the city defense army has surrounded the Moon Pavilion. They are trying to talk and negotiate with Lady Yuehua."
"Moon Pavilion and Tang Yuehua..." Tang Chen muttered. A smart and calculating light flashed in his eyes. He started to connect all the pieces of the puzzle in his mind very quickly.
Tang San had returned from Slaughter City. It seemed his Killing Intent was out of control, which explained why he would kill people so randomly on the street. He fled to the Moon Pavilion for protection. Tang Yuehua is the biological sister of Tang Hao, which makes her a direct descendant of the Clear Sky Sect.
The reason they went to the Moon Pavilion at such a critical moment was very obvious to Tang Chen. "It looks like Tang Hao wants Tang Yuehua to take Tang San back to the Clear Sky Sect. He wants his son to finally acknowledge his ancestors and join the sect properly."
Tang Chen thought about this for a moment. A dark and slightly mean smile appeared on his lips. "If that is the plan, then maybe I should also take a trip to the Clear Sky Sect. If those old leaders found out that he made the Clear Sky Hammer look so terrible, they would probably be so angry that they would flay him alive."
The situation was becoming much more interesting to him now. The water was getting muddy, and he wanted to see what would happen. His earlier thought about refusing Ning Fengzhi vanished instantly. He changed his mind because he saw a new opportunity.
Tang Chen slowly raised his head. The look of hesitation was gone, replaced by a look of strong determination. He looked directly at Ning Fengzhi and spoke with a serious tone. "School Master Ning, I have thought about your proposal very carefully.
Joining with the Clear Sky Sect to fight against Spirit Hall is definitely the best way to break this tie. For many reasons, both for the public and for myself, my Tianxing Academy and I will join you. It is our duty."
Two days later, they arrived at the Clear Sky Sect. The entire sect was built on top of high mountains that were hidden by thick clouds. To get to the main buildings, one had to walk across cold iron chains that hung between the steep peaks.
These chains swayed back and forth in the wind. Just looking down at the drop below would make a normal person feel terrified. This place showed everyone why they were known as the number one sect in the world. It was dangerous and lonely.
Tang Yuehua led Tang San toward a very large, heavy door. When they reached it, she raised her hand and knocked twice. The sound was firm but not too loud. "Big Brother, I have brought Little San with me," she called out.
"Come in," a deep and strong voice replied from inside. The voice sounded very much like Tang Hao's voice. When Tang San heard it, he felt a strange sense of knowing this person already.
Tang Yuehua slowly pushed the door open. She gave Tang San a quick look that was meant to encourage him but also warn him to be on his best behavior. Then, she walked into the room first. The room was very big. The furniture was simple but looked very expensive and grand. There was a large desk that was empty, and two long sofas were placed to the side.
As they entered, Tang Yuehua sat down gracefully on one of the sofas. However, she kept her eyes fixed on the back part of the room. Tang San also watched closely. His attention was immediately caught by a man walking out from the inner chamber.
The man was very tall, over two meters. He had a very broad back and shoulders that looked incredibly strong. Just by standing there, he seemed as heavy and powerful as a mountain. His face looked like it had been carved out of stone, very tough and firm.
His short, grey hair stood straight up. Even though he looked a lot like Tang Hao, he seemed much younger and more full of life. His eyes were very bright and sharp. It felt like he could look right through a person. He had the look of someone who had been in charge for a very long time.
This man was Tang Xiao, the current Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect. He frowned a little as his eyes locked onto Tang San. Suddenly, a huge and powerful energy exploded from his body. It felt like a giant wave or a tsunami hitting the room. This immense pressure surrounded Tang San completely.
This was not a specific Spirit Ability. It was just the natural pressure that comes from a top-tier expert with massive spirit power. For an ordinary Spirit Master, this pressure would be enough to break their spirit and make them give up. But Tang San did not move. He stepped into a T-stance to keep his balance. He stood tall with a straight back. The calm look on his face changed into a look of deep respect.
He began to kneel. As he did, a faint red light started to glow on his skin. This was his Slaughter God Domain acting on its own to protect him from the outside pressure. With a thud, Tang San hit the ground on his knees. He bowed his head low toward the powerful man behind the desk.
"Tang San greets the Sect Master," he said respectfully.
But the pressure from Tang Xiao did not stop. It kept getting stronger and heavier. Tang San's Slaughter God Domain was still new and weak. Against such a deep and powerful aura, it looked very thin and fragile. The red light around his body shook and flickered. Tang San felt like he was about to collapse under the weight.
Then, something very strange happened. Because of the heavy pressure, the spirit power inside Tang San started to move wildly. It was out of his control. The first thing that was forced out was his Spirit. The Dark Blue Silver Grass appeared, but it had changed. It was now as black as ink. It gave off a cold and scary feeling that made Tang Xiao's eyebrows twitch.
But that was only the beginning. An even bigger surprise was coming. Right after the grass appeared, the Clear Sky Hammer was forced to come out in Tang San's left hand. Usually, this hammer is a symbol of great honor and the best tool spirit in the world. But this time, it looked different.
Along with the hammer, a very bright and ugly white spirit ring appeared. This ten-year spirit ring is the lowest kind a person can have. It looked like a dirty stain wrapped around the famous Clear Sky Hammer. And it still wasn't over.
As the Clear Sky Hammer became solid, a buzzing sound filled the room. It was a soft sound that made the skin crawl. The surface of the black hammer started to move and wiggle. If you looked closely, you could see the hammerhead and the handle were covered in thousands of small, white maggots.
These maggots were crawling and twisting all over the hammer. Some of them even tried to flap their tiny wings to fly. A horrible, rotting smell began to fill the air. It was a putrid and filthy odor that ruined the feeling of the grand room. Everything felt dirty and gross.
"What? What is this?" Tang Xiao gasped. He was usually as steady as a mountain, but now he looked like he had been struck by lightning. When he saw that white spirit ring and the maggots crawling on the hammer, he was horrified. He stood up from his chair so fast it nearly tipped over. His big body was shaking from the shock and the disgust he felt in his stomach.
Tang Xiao's face turned very pale and grey. He looked angry and confused at the same time. His eyes were full of rage. Even Tang Yuehua, who knew there was a problem with Tang San's Spirit, was shocked. Seeing the hammer look like a rotting dead body and smelling that awful scent made her face turn white. She felt like she might get sick.
The room became completely silent. No one said a word for a long time. Finally, Tang Xiao spoke, but he had to force the words out through his teeth.
"Is this... the Clear Sky Hammer? You... you actually let it become such a filthy and disgusting thing?" He stared at the wiggling maggots with total hate. His chest was moving up and down as he breathed heavily.
"You beast! What did you do to the Clear Sky Hammer?" he roared. "Heavens, Brother Hao, how could you have a son like this!"
Tang Xiao moved like a flash of lightning. He was incredibly fast for his size. In one step, he crossed the room. He reached out with his giant hand, which was strong enough to break rocks, and grabbed Tang San by the collar.
Suddenly, the door was pushed open in a hurry. A young man named Tang Long, who was a student of the sect, rushed inside. He did not expect to see such a strange and messy scene. He paused for a second, looking confused, but then he quickly bowed to report. He sounded very worried.
"Sect Master! School Master Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is here! He is already waiting outside the mountain gate!"
This news was like a huge rock being dropped into water. It changed everything instantly. When Tang Xiao heard this, he had to swallow his anger. He couldn't deal with Tang San while a guest like Ning Fengzhi was waiting. The muscles in his face moved and twitched. He looked incredibly upset.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had just been attacked recently and suffered a lot. Their visit now must be for something very important. Tang Xiao looked at Tang San with a look of pure hate. Then he looked at the hammer that was still buzzing and covered in maggots. He tried very hard to stay calm, but his voice was low and cold.
"Quickly... put that Spirit away right now!" he commanded. He almost screamed it. He sounded like he was about to vomit from the disgust.
Tang San knew that his Spirit looked terrible and embarrassing. He did not try to argue with his angry uncle. He quickly used his mind to pull the gross hammer and the black grass back into his body. The bad smell and the maggots finally went away. However, the heavy feeling in the room did not leave. Tang Xiao still looked very angry and pale.
"Yuehua, take him away. Find a place to keep him locked up and watched! He is not allowed to leave or see anyone until I say so!" Tang Xiao took a deep breath to try and settle his energy. He looked at his sister, who also looked pale and shaken.
"Yes, Big Brother," Tang Yuehua said quickly. She grabbed Tang San and pulled him up. He still looked a bit confused by everything. She led him out through a side door as fast as she could. She knew that her brother had to go meet the people from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School right away. The business of Tang San joining the family would have to wait.
After they were gone, Tang Xiao took a few more deep breaths. He tried to act like a Sect Master again, but his eyes were still full of darkness and gloom. He turned to the messenger and spoke in a deep, serious voice.
"Please tell our guests to wait in the main hall. Tell them I will be there in just a moment."
"Yes, Sect Master!" Tang Long said. He didn't ask any questions and left the room immediately.