"What a... vicious scheme." Everyone present couldn't help but gasp.
If the Spirit Hall truly accused the Clear Sky Clan of colluding with spirit beasts and betraying humanity,
All talk of the Top Three Clans standing united would become meaningless no one would dare openly support the Clear Sky Clan.
Moreover, the Spirit Hall was the sacred land for Soul Masters across Douluo Continent, carrying far greater significance than any clan.
"Tang Hao, if not for Grandfather Qian Daoliu honoring his past agreement with Tang Chen, do you think a mere 95th-ranked Title Douluo like you could have lasted this long?"
"If you mistook this as the Spirit Hall's weakness... then Tang Hao, you're welcome to test whether I Qian Daoliu's granddaughter, Qian Xunji's daughter have the authority to change those rules."
"Remember this, Tang Hao: if any Spirit Hall branch is destroyed hereafter with your involvement, the Clear Sky Clan will bear full responsibility."
"You... I've already left the Clear Sky Clan! My actions have nothing to do with them!"
Tang Hao turned purple with rage. Were it not for fearing repercussions on his clan, he'd have smashed this enemy's daughter to pulp already.
"Left? Did the Clear Sky Clan strip your powers?"
"Since when do exiled members retain full strength to cause trouble everywhere?"
"If so, that's the clan's responsibility. The Spirit Hall will personally demand answers from the current Clear Sky Clan leader."
"You..." Tang Hao snarled, "Qian Renxue, aren't you afraid I'll kill you?"
"Go ahead! I've already informed the Elder Hall if anything happens to me, the Clear Sky Clan's betrayal of humanity will be announced continent-wide, with open crusades against you."
"Forget the past that girl Xiao Wu is also a 100,000-year spirit beast, no?"
"Your Clear Sky Clan certainly has... unique tastes."
"Shut up!"
Tang Hao's oppressive aura flared.
Rather than resist, Qian Renxue retreated with She Long and Ci Xue.
"Tang Hao, heed my words. Settle grudges at Spirit City."
"But if branches serving commonfolk providing free spirit awakenings are destroyed..."
"Then you and the Clear Sky Clan become traitors to all humanity!"
"You'll bear those consequences together."
"Brat, don't forget the Clear Sky Clan also has a 99th-ranked Title Douluo!" Tang Hao gritted out.
"Then try it! Let's see whether the Spirit Hall or Clear Sky Clan remains standing last."
"She Long, Ci Xue we're leaving!"
With that, the trio departed.
"Damn you, Qian Xunji what a daughter you raised!" Tang Hao fumed.
No longer the impulsive youth of yore, he now considered the clan's precarious state and Tang Yuehua's struggles to sustain them.
He couldn't muster the recklessness for mutual destruction.
Moreover, with Qian Daoliu at the Spirit Hall and his own grandfather Tang Chen's whereabouts unknown since pursuing godhood... how could they fight?
"What a mess..."
Steeling himself, Tang Hao scanned the spectators.
"Bibi Dong, shall we continue?" He no longer wished to fight, and Bibi Dong seemed uninterested in capturing Xiao Wu.
"Hmph. Remember Qian Renxue's warning any damaged branches will be blamed on the Clear Sky Clan, whether you're involved or not."
"You "
Tang Hao nearly choked on his rage.
Bibi Dong then descended before Yu Xiaogang. When Flender and Liu Erlong moved to shield him, she sighed.
"After all these years, still the same..." She tossed a bottle toward him. "Pills to break through to Soul Elder. Try them."
Under everyone's gaze, Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth, smashed the bottle, and ground the pills into the dirt.
"Bibi Dong, I don't need your charity! Get lost!"
After a pause, Bibi Dong nodded. "Very well."
Watching her leave, Tang Hao barely suppressed his exasperation.
What arrogance putting on airs before Title Douluo with no strength to back it up!
He'd hoped to learn twin-spirit cultivation methods from Bibi Dong through Yu Xiaogang. That path now seemed closed.
With Bibi Dong gone, Tang Hao relaxed slightly.
Back-to-back high-intensity battles had taken their toll. Only his injuries preventing further combat had forced him to let her go.
"Damn it..."
He glared at the retreating Spirit Hall members.
Had his grandfather not vanished, neither the clan nor he would be so humiliated.
But he couldn't risk Qian Renxue or Bibi Dong taking vengeance on Tang Yuehua or the clan. He had to endure.
Shrek can't remain safe. The Spirit Hall may have retreated today, but what about tomorrow?
Storing his spirit, Tang Hao approached the injured Yu Yuanzhen.
"Clan Leader Yu, my earlier proposal stands that's my best offer."
After a long silence, Yu Yuanzhen conceded. With the Spirit Hall's dominance, infighting among the Top Three Clans would only invite destruction.
"Victors write history. Since you won, we'll proceed as you suggested."
"But the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan demands a 100,000-year spirit ring and bone!"
"Agreed." Tang Hao nodded.
Xiao Wu would have to provide leads upon waking. Failing that, he and Yu Yuanzhen could hunt the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python in the Star Dou Great Forest.
As the group returned to Shrek Academy, elsewhere...
"Grandfather Golden Crocodile, you may reveal yourself." Qian Renxue suddenly spoke.
A robust, battle-hardened figure materialized the Golden Crocodile Douluo.
"Grandfather sent you?"
"Yes. His recent clash with Bibi Dong using the Angel God Armor left him recuperating."
"Xue'er, that was too dangerous provoking both Bibi Dong and Tang Hao. Had I not been here..."
"But I knew you'd come."
"After all my willfulness, Grandfather would surely worry."
"Though I didn't expect you specifically, Grandfather Golden Crocodile."
"Xue'er, this can't continue." Golden Crocodile sighed. "Your safety means more to Qian Daoliu than the entire Spirit Hall."
"You're our future. Don't gamble on uncertain outcomes."
"I... will be more careful." Qian Renxue changed topics. "What do you think of Tang Hao's group?"
"Kill them!" Golden Crocodile's eyes turned icy. "If you can't act directly, I'll handle it personally. Tang Hao's been hiding behind excuses anyway."
"Very well. But limit it to Tang Hao for now just retrieve the spirit bones and rings. Spare the others, please?"
"Why?"
"Tang Chen's whereabouts are unknown... I'm concerned."
"Don't overthink." Golden Crocodile's expression hardened. "The Spirit Hall's future isn't your burden yet. Focus on reaching godhood."
"We don't fear Tang Chen. Even in mutual destruction, we'd prevail."
"Then... please be careful."
Qian Renxue relented, recognizing Golden Crocodile's murderous intent though Yu Xiaogang might be spared, aligning with her grandfather's intentions.