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Heaven Dou Empire.
With the passing of Emperor Xue Ye, Emperor Xue Beng ascended the throne. Given the current internal and external turmoil, the empire expedited the transition process as swiftly as possible.
After all, the threat of the Spirit Empire still loomed large. No one wanted any significant upheaval within the empire during such a precarious time.
As for the true culprit behind these events—the fickle and unpredictable Clear Sky Sect—no one dared to hold them accountable. With a Peerless Douluo backing them, things were now entirely different.
Inside the Clear Sky Sect, the atmosphere was lively and celebratory, akin to a grand festival.
The reason? Tang Chen had returned.
However, Tang Chen himself was far from satisfied. The once-mighty Clear Sky Sect had dwindled to a mere handful of direct disciples, having sealed itself off from the outside world for more than a decade.
Even so, he refrained from placing blame. After all, he himself had been trapped in the Slaughter City for decades, reigning as its King of Slaughter. He had not fared much better.
But now that he had returned, everything had to be restructured from the ground up. As the Grand Elder, he reinstated Tang Hao's name in the sect's records and had him buried in the Clear Sky Sect's ancestral tomb.
Following this, he convened the Sect Assembly. Tang Xiao remained the Sect Master, while Tang Chen participated as the Grand Elder.
During the assembly, Tang Chen laid out his intentions:
"I did not disappear without reason all these years. I found the inheritance of a god but was trapped due to unforeseen circumstances. Only recently did I manage to break free."
"I now face the final trial of the God's Test. If I pass, I will truly ascend to godhood. Initially, I had hoped to leverage the sect's influence to complete this last trial."
"However, the current state of the sect greatly disappoints me. We must emerge from seclusion, recruit disciples, and expand our power. Even if we cannot restore our former glory, we must at least regain a respectable standing."
"Additionally, I need you to investigate the peak experts that have emerged in the past decades. Have any individuals appeared who rival the gods?"
"Do you have any objections?"
Tang Chen had spoken. From Sect Master Tang Xiao to the five elders, not a single one voiced dissent.
They had long wished to return to the outside world, but the threat of the Spirit Hall had kept them in hiding.
Now, if Tang Chen truly became a god, wouldn't the Clear Sky Sect become an unshakable force in the Douluo Continent?
Without hesitation, everyone loudly declared:
"No objections! We will follow our ancestor's command!"
Tang Chen nodded in satisfaction. Then, as if recalling something, he spoke solemnly:
"My inheritance has not gone smoothly. Although I have passed the Asura's Eight Trials and gained a half-god physique, my body was once severely corroded by toxins. I am not suited for frequent, intense battles."
"Therefore, now is not the time to destroy the Spirit Hall. Once I fully ascend to godhood, they will pay the price they deserve."
Tang Xiao and the elders immediately understood his concerns. In fact, they were even more anxious than Tang Chen. Tang Xiao stood up and declared:
"Ancestor, please take care of your health. We will handle the sect's reemergence. We will not disappoint you."
Tang Chen smiled and nodded.
"Good. Proceed boldly. I will bear all consequences. Within a few years, we must expand our strength. Even if we have to overturn the entire continent, we must uncover whether any existences comparable to gods have appeared. This is of utmost importance to me."
With these orders given, Tang Xiao and the elders immediately began making arrangements to reintroduce the sect to the world. Meanwhile, Tang Chen retreated to the mountain's peak to recuperate, prolonging his strength as much as possible.
As he gazed at the rolling sea of clouds, it seemed to transform into gentle ripples before his eyes. His expression turned wistful, and in a voice only he could hear, he murmured:
"Bo Saixi, wait for me a few more years. Once I become a god, I will find you. If I do not ascend, I will never return. I regret not seeing through your choice back then... but I, Tang Chen, always keep my word."
—
After a period of intense preparation, the Clear Sky Sect officially announced its return to the world.
Numerous powerful figures emerged alongside it.
Tang Xiao, the Sect Master, was a Rank 96 Super Douluo. The five elders were all Titled Douluo. Most significantly, the sect boasted a Rank 99 Peerless Douluo—the Grand Elder, Tang Chen.
Compared to them, the so-called "Seven Great Sects" of the continent, many of which lacked even a single Titled Douluo, seemed utterly disgraceful while still clinging to their statuses as the Lower Four and Upper Three Sects.
With the reopening of its doors, the Clear Sky Sect instantly became the center of attention. Though its members were few, its prestige made it seem as though it had reclaimed its former status as the leader of the Upper Three Sects.
Half a year passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, a strange event occurred—
The Seven Great Sects of the continent vanished overnight.
Rumors spread that they had been summoned by the Spirit Empire, only to disappear without a trace.
In response, the Spirit Empire vehemently denied any involvement. Of course, no one truly believed that the empire had harmed them—after all, their loyalty to the Spirit Empire was unquestionable.
It had been they who had petitioned for the transformation of the Spirit Hall into the Spirit Empire in the first place.
A Ruthless Scheme and the Clear Sky Sect's Next Move
In truth, it was all orchestrated by Bibi Dong.
Under her command, the Spirit Empire gathered over ten thousand soul masters from the Seven Great Sects and led them into the Maze Canyon.
This place, though technically a soul beast forest, was exceptionally perilous. The creatures within were all savage and lethal, making it a land few dared to enter—except for prodigies seeking trials or criminals sentenced to exile.
This time, however, the gathering of the Seven Great Sects within the Maze Canyon was part of an absolute top-secret operation.
Once they were assembled, Bibi Dong ordered their complete extermination.
From Contra-level experts to lower-ranked Soul Masters, all ten thousand became blood sacrifices.
Hatred, resentment, fury, fear—
These emotions served as the perfect nourishment for the Rakshasa God's most wicked power.
Originally, Bibi Dong had not intended to go to such lengths, but the sudden appearance of Tang Chen, a candidate for the Asura God's inheritance, forced her hand.
Following this massacre, she entered a period of secluded cultivation. In her absence, Hu Liena handled the empire's daily affairs, consulting the Elder Hall on major decisions to ensure the Spirit Empire's stable growth.
—
Meanwhile, at the Clear Sky Sect, half a year of growth had attracted many soul masters seeking refuge under its banner.
However, their quality varied drastically—though a few possessed talent, most were useless.
On this day, Tang Xiao and the sect's elders gathered for a meeting.
Second Elder Tang Yi, the most senior among them, spoke first:
"Sect Master, we now have 500 inner disciples and 1,000 outer disciples. The inner disciples, as direct descendants of the Clear Sky Sect, are undoubtedly strong. But the outer disciples… they are largely unfit for battle."
"If we are to carry out our ancestor's will, we must accelerate our development. The fastest way to expand our power is through annexation."
"Now that the Seven Great Sects have vanished, it is highly likely that the Spirit Empire is plotting something. If we wish to strengthen ourselves, the best targets for annexation are the Four Single-Attribute Clans that once separated from us. Additionally, the Four Elemental Academies could be valuable allies."
"The question is—should I lead the mission, or will you personally oversee it, Sect Master? We must decide quickly."
Tang Xiao pondered for a moment before responding:
"The Four Single-Attribute Clans have resented us ever since we abandoned them. However, that decision was for their own good."
"The Spirit Hall targeted only our direct bloodline. By cutting ties, they were able to survive. They should be grateful to us. I will personally go and explain the truth to them. Once they understand the stakes, they will surely return to the Clear Sky Sect with gratitude."
"The real concern lies with Dugu Bo and Wang Li. Dugu Bo's poison is formidable, and Wang Li possesses two 100,000-year soul rings, making his strength comparable to a Super Douluo. They might interfere and prevent the Four Single-Attribute Clans from rejoining us."
"Our ancestor fears no enemy, but he is recuperating in the back mountains. We cannot trouble him with every obstacle. If I handle Dugu Bo, will the elders be confident in taking down Wang Li?"
The elders exchanged knowing smiles—smiles brimming with confidence.