Douluo Continent: Long Live the Spirit Hall

Nearly a hundred miles east of Tiandou City, at the very front of a continuous cluster of fortified villages, the three characters "Haotian Sect" on the plaque above the main gate carry immense weight.

However, on this dark, overcast night, even in the dead of night, the many disciples of the Haotian Sect on patrol remained vigilant, not daring to relax their guard despite their exhaustion. Each of them wore an expression of unease and despair, as if a great calamity was about to befall them.

This uneasy atmosphere enveloped the entire Haotian Sect. Not only the disciples on patrol outside, but the entire sect, inside and out, was brightly lit, and the council hall was kept lit for several nights in a row. The Haotian Sect had received bad news, and they were discussing their fate intensely.

Chapter 64 The Discussion of Haotian

"Sect Master, Elders, the latest intelligence from our sources indicates that the new Holy Son of the Spirit Hall is leading an army of three thousand Soul Masters to our Clear Sky Sect. Furthermore, Spirit Hall forces near Heaven Dou City are also making moves, and the total number of troops deployed is likely no less than ten thousand."

A middle-aged Soul Master entered the council hall to report the situation, immediately stirring up another wave of turmoil, with an even more intense argument erupting in the council hall.

At this moment, at least thirty people were gathered in the council hall. Most of them could only stand, while in the center of the hall, five white-haired old men were having a heated discussion, and another old man was leaning weakly to the side, unable to speak.

The old man in the main seat also looked to be in a bad situation, and behind him stood a burly man.

This burly man was over two meters tall, with a broad back and thick waist, a chiseled face, and short, graying hair. He was dressed simply in gray clothes, but standing there, he exuded an aura of majesty and grandeur.

One of the five elders who were arguing fiercely spoke up: "Holy Son? When did the Spirit Hall have a Holy Son again?"

The Soul Master, who was bowing and reporting, had obviously learned a lot of information and quickly replied, "Reporting to the Elder, according to our investigation, the Holy Son recently appointed by the Spirit Hall is a personal disciple of Pope Bibi Dong, who was accepted a few months ago. He is only eight years old, but he has already obtained his second Soul Ring."

His first proposal after becoming the Holy Son was to attack my Clear Sky Sect, and the Spirit Hall is coming with great force, likely with many powerful figures.

This Soul Master has decent intelligence-gathering abilities, but the most he can find out is the information spread by the Spirit Hall. Information about the number of elite troops mobilized by the Spirit Hall and how many powerful individuals were dispatched cannot be investigated, at least in the short term.

"Hmph! The Spirit Hall is going further and further back to the old ways. They actually appointed a seven-year-old child. How laughable, utterly laughable."

One of the five old men snorted and spoke, and the others echoed him. It was clear that they were all old-fashioned and rule-abiding men who did not like to have their authority challenged by young people.

The five old men all appeared to be at least eighty years old, and were all in excellent health with ruddy complexions. At the head of the group of five was another old man, but his pale face was hardly a good sign.

"Cough cough."

The old man coughed, which immediately drew the attention of many people present.

"Big brother, are you alright?"

"Elder, are you alright?"

"You should try not to get angry."

Not only the many elderly people in the main seat, but also many other people standing around were extremely concerned about this old man.

He is the Grand Elder of the Haotian Sect. Since the current Haotian Sect Master was injured and his combat power was affected, he has become the most prominent figure in the Haotian Sect. He has also supported the vast Haotian Sect for nearly ten years.

The Clear Sky Sect has strict rules, especially the older generation of elders, most of whom are upright and strong-willed. As offensive-type Soul Masters, they respect strength and only obey the strong. In the Clear Sky Sect, they always respond to force rather than gentleness.

Since the disappearance of the previous Haotian Douluo, Tang Chen, and the semi-retirement of the current sect leader due to injury, the authority of the sect leader's lineage has been greatly diminished, and many elders harbor resentment. Therefore, after suffering heavy losses in the attack by the Spirit Hall, the elders are quite bitter towards the sect leader's lineage.

"The Spirit Hall has come with great force this time, cough cough. We should work together and follow the sect leader's arrangements, cough cough, instead of throwing ourselves into chaos like this."

This elder was quite authoritative, and what he said made some sense, so the other elders and some Soul Saints fell silent.

Since the death of the previous Pope of the Spirit Hall after being seriously injured by Tang Hao, the successor Pope Bibi Dong lacked the authority to control some of the former Pope's die-hard followers, leading to their frenzied attacks on the Clear Sky Sect and the first great war between the Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect.

In this great battle, the Spirit Hall lost many high-level spirit masters and a considerable number of elite spirit masters. Although the Clear Sky Sect won, it was a Pyrrhic victory, with nearly a thousand elites killed or wounded. Of the seven elders, the sixth elder died in battle, the first elder was seriously injured, the seventh elder lost his son, and the remaining elders were all injured or lost their loved ones.

In this great battle caused by Tang Hao, the son of the sect leader, the sect leader's lineage suffered no losses at all. The current sect leader was in seclusion at the time, his daughter Tang Yuehua was in Tiandou City, his eldest son Tang Xiao returned afterward, and his youngest son Tang Hao was nowhere to be found.

Without comparison, there is no harm. The thought that everyone suffered heavy losses because of the sect leader's lineage, while the sect leader's lineage, which had lost much of its authority, was unscathed, and that Tang Xiao spoke up for Tang Hao many times after his return, saying that Tang Hao had not done anything wrong, is unacceptable to many people.

"metropolitan."

The Grand Elder called out softly, and the pale-faced old man at the head of the table slowly opened his eyes. The Grand Elder continued, "Make a decision. Is it to unite the six major sects and obtain the support of the Heaven Dou Empire to directly wage war against the Spirit Hall? However, this would require retreating into Heaven Dou City."

They should abandon the war and retreat, but to avoid the Spirit Hall's pursuit, they could only go to the place where they established their sect. However, they still had to consider whether the Spirit Hall would abide by the agreement made by Qian Daoliu back then.

Cough cough..."

The Grand Elder's words ended with a cough, and the gazes of many elders fell on the Sect Master, who looked unwell. Behind the Sect Master, the middle-aged man with gray hair was his eldest son, Tang Xiao, who was also looking at his father.

"Alas! In the end, it is my fault for not raising my son well, which has led to this situation."

The Haotian Sect Master sighed softly, and his words chilled Tang Xiao's heart. "Elders, please make preparations for your direct and collateral disciples. If things go wrong, retreat to the sect's original location and send out a message to expel that rebellious son from the sect."

"Father, how could you do this?"

Tang Xiao, standing behind the Haotian Sect Master, could no longer stand still. A domineering aura surged from his body. "This whole affair was started by the Spirit Hall. It was Qian Xunji who led people to capture A Yin, which is why Brother Hao clashed with him and severely injured him."

Although Qian Xunji is dead, Ah Yin is still your daughter-in-law, and she is pregnant with your grandson. How could you do this? Just because the Spirit Hall sent some Soul Masters, my Clear Sky Sect is going to back down? How can we still be considered the number one sect in the world?

"Tang Xiao, do you even have the right to speak here?"

An old man suddenly stood up and said angrily, "Tang Hao acted without thinking. He actually mated with a soul beast and gave birth to an illegitimate child, which even led to a direct conflict between my Clear Sky Sect and the Spirit Hall, resulting in a great war. So many disciples and the sixth brother died because of him."

Now you're saying the fault isn't his, that this situation wouldn't have happened if he hadn't been thinking. And you're speaking up for that spirit beast like this... could it be that you, too, are...?"

"Enough, Seventh Brother, cough cough cough..."

The Seventh Elder's words became increasingly harsh, prompting the First Elder to reprimand him, which nearly caused him to choke and leave him even weaker after a bout of coughing.

Chapter 65 Reactions from All Parties

"Seventh Elder, how can you speak such filthy words...?"

The Seventh Elder of the Haotian Sect was reprimanded by the First Elder, but the meaning behind his words was clear. Feeling insulted, Tang Xiao was enraged, and a surging aura swept out. The Seventh Elder immediately felt a huge wave crashing down on him and was forced to retreat repeatedly.

Although Tang Xiao was only a second-generation disciple of a sect, he was the one with the highest cultivation level among everyone present. During the time when Tang Hao and Ah Yin had their accident, he was in seclusion breaking through to become a Title Douluo, which is why he was unable to rush to Tang Hao's aid.

When he obtained his ninth spirit ring and rushed to the site of the conflict, everything was already over. He searched aimlessly for a long time without any news. When he returned to the sect after receiving news of the great battle between the Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect, all he saw was a scene of devastation.

The Seventh Elder and his group harbored deep resentment towards the sect leader's lineage, and naturally treated Tang Xiao with disrespect. However, when the latter insulted his relationship with Ah Yin, Tang Xiao couldn't help but erupt.

For him, Ah Yin was the white moonlight and cinnabar mole in his heart, the woman he could not have but who eventually became his sister-in-law. He and Tang Hao met that woman while traveling, and both brothers fell in love with her. In the end, Ah Yin chose the latter, while he chose to leave.

After that, he devoted himself to cultivation and broke through to the next level. Heaven knows what he felt when he received that news. Now, being humiliated by the Seventh Elder, how could he possibly bear it?

"Enough! Do you even respect me as your father anymore? Do you think that just because you've broken through the title barrier, you're in charge of the Haotian Sect?"

However, before Tang Xiao could finish speaking, a furious shout rang out from the side. His father suddenly stood up and angrily rebuked him, which frightened Tang Xiao so much that he quickly lowered his head and bowed.

"Sect Master, Elders."

Just then, another agile Soul Master entered and bowed to report: "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan have each brought over a thousand Soul Masters, and the Heaven Dou Royal Family has also sent envoys. They are all waiting outside the castle."

“Father, envoys from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Clan, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and the royal family have all arrived. If we join forces with them, we can completely repel this invasion by the Spirit Hall.”

Tang Xiao's eyes lit up when he heard the news. At this moment, his heart was filled with anger towards the Spirit Hall. He had just broken through to the Title Douluo level, and his ego was inflated, so he did not approve of his father's decision.

The Grand Elder also spoke up at this moment, "Sect Master, I hope you will make a decision soon. With the support of the two major sects and the Heaven Dou Royal Family, we can indeed win this battle. To fight or to make peace."

The elders and high-ranking members of the Clear Sky Sect fell silent, all looking at the Sect Master. Previously, their uncertainty stemmed from concerns that such a conflict wouldn't garner support from other forces, making it difficult to confidently wage war against the Spirit Hall. However, the fact that these major powers had proactively sent representatives gave them renewed hope.

"Oh~~~"

The Haotian Sect Master sighed deeply, "With the support of the two major sects and the imperial family, we were indeed able to repel the Spirit Hall's attack this time, but what happens after that?"

This time, it's Qian Xunji, Qian Daoliu's son, who's going to die. Is he really not going to make a move? If Qian Daoliu does make a move, who can stop a level 99 Title Douluo?

The Clear Sky Sect is no longer the Clear Sky Sect it once was. Without Father's protection, we simply cannot withstand the Spirit Hall, even if we unite with multiple forces.

They are willing to come now because they feel that since Father is still alive, we have the possibility of stopping Qian Daoliu. But if a fierce battle really breaks out, and Qian Daoliu appears while Father is not, our Haotian Sect will not be able to stop Qian Daoliu. How will we end up then?

Can we afford the consequences? If a chaotic war breaks out between the Spirit Hall and other forces, leading to the emergence of Qian Daoliu, all sides will suffer heavy losses, and all of that will be blamed on our Clear Sky Sect.

The entire hall fell silent. Even Tang Xiao remained silent. The Haotian Sect Master sighed deeply again, and then said in a deep voice, "Elders, arrange for the direct and collateral lineage Soul Masters to prepare. As for the envoys from the two major sects and the Imperial Family, refuse them."

Tell them that the Haotian Sect will handle this matter itself and does not need any assistance.

"Yes."

Among the five elders who still possessed strength, an old man with long eyebrows was the first to bow and obey the order. He was the second elder of the Haotian Sect, and with the first elder seriously injured, he was naturally in charge of the affairs of the elders' hall.

……

Outside the castle of the Haotian Sect, two groups of over a thousand people each rested. Although they had come to support the Haotian Sect, the people of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect had always been bad-tempered, and even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, which valued harmony, did not have a good relationship with them.

This is mainly due to the grudges from when the seven major sects were ranked. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect and the Clear Sky Sect both respected strength and were convinced that the Clear Sky Sect, which had the bigger fist, was ranked ahead of them. Naturally, they were very dissatisfied.

When the rankings were established, Yu Yuanzhen, the current sect leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect, was defeated by Chen Xin of the Seven Kill Sword Sect, so the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was naturally ranked higher.

But the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was not convinced. They felt that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had violated the rules and that their victory on stage was not due to the strength of their own martial soul. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was not convinced. Thus, although these two sects belonged to the three upper sects, their relationship was really not good.

Among the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's ranks, Ning Fengzhi, the newly appointed sect leader, was dressed in military attire. He had a handsome face, a straight nose and a square mouth, and a refined and gentle appearance. He looked to be about thirty years old. Although he was usually gentle and refined, he was now solemn.

Beside him stood two distinguished elders. One had a face as delicate as a baby's and exuded a faint but palpable killing intent, while the other had a withered face, resembling a skeleton, and his powerful aura was even more pronounced.

At this moment, a Soul Master landed and walked up to the three of them, bowing and saying, "Sect Master, the Clear Sky Sect has given a reply that they will handle things themselves and do not need any help. In addition, the Clear Sky Sect's response to the royal envoy and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect is the same."

"What... what exactly is the Haotian Sect thinking?"

Ning Fengzhi looked surprised; he felt as if he had made a wrong decision this time.

Just then, another Soul Master came to report: "Sect Master, the royal envoy, Prince Xue Xing, has arrived."

"Sect Leader Ning."

Ning Fengzhi had his men lead the royal envoy over. Before long, a middle-aged man in fine clothes appeared. He was of medium height and had a dignified appearance, but his eyes looked a little small, which ruined the overall look of his features. When he saw Ning Fengzhi, he quickly clasped his hands in a salute.

Ning Fengzhi spoke directly: "Prince Xuexing, you should have received a response from Haotian Sect, right?"

Prince Xuexing shook his head and said, "That's right, I don't know what the Haotian Sect is thinking."

Ning Fengzhi sighed deeply, "They are unwilling to accept help. In that case, we can only play it by ear."

This meant that the leaders of the two forces exchanged a glance, both feeling a deep sense of powerlessness. On the other side, in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Clan's group, a middle-aged man also had a rather turbulent and helpless expression. He wanted to lead his team away, but ultimately couldn't bring himself to do it.

Chapter 66 Three Thousand Tiger Warriors Traverse the Heavens

One hundred and twenty miles outside Tiandou City, a vast army of Soul Masters gathered. Yan rode a fast horse in the center of the army. At this time, their army was only twenty miles away from Haotian Sect.

"Reporting to the Holy Son, outside the Clear Sky Sect, we have discovered the Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the royal family's Soul Master teams, totaling approximately two thousand people. The Spirit Hall of Heaven Dou City has also sent word that the Heaven Dou Royal Guard has already assembled outside the city."

The Angel Legion's flying Soul Master landed on the bumpy carriage, then switched to a fast horse and rushed to Yan's side to report the latest situation.

Not only did Yan hear the flying soul master's report, but many high-ranking experts from the Spirit Hall around him also heard it clearly, and all eyes were focused on Yan.

"Ignore them. As long as they don't hinder our progress or impede the army's actions, we can leave them alone. Let everyone move at full speed and get to Haotian Sect within an hour."

Yan casually issued the order, and it was normal for the Heavenly Dou Empire's royal family and the two major sects to react, after all, they were closest to the Clear Sky Sect and had common interests. However, Yan was certain that the Clear Sky Sect would back down this time, and he didn't take these forces seriously at all.

As Yan's order was relayed, more than three thousand Soul Masters who had traveled a long way hurried on their way, and even more Spirit Hall troops from the vicinity of Heaven Dou City arrived, vaguely surrounding the Clear Sky Sect from various directions. This situation was naturally discovered by the major forces that were paying close attention to the matter.