If one were to trace the root of it all, Lin Fan would actually have to thank the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Without the pressure that clan brought upon the Spirit Hall, Lin Fan wasn't sure how long it would've taken for Bibi Dong to completely trust him.
At least for now, she did.
"Seal the mountain…? No, absolutely not! The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan must not go into seclusion!"
Hidden nearby, Yu Xiaogang clenched his fists tightly.
He had only just begun to taste the life of the powerful and respected, and now the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was about to shut itself away.
As the so-called "number one master of the Douluo Continent," Yu Xiaogang naturally couldn't accept that.
"Xiaosan, I have a way to deal with the Spirit Hall."
With that thought, Yu Xiaogang immediately went to find Tang San.
"Teacher… how do you know about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's decision to seal their mountain?"
Tang San was visibly shocked. That matter was known only to Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo.
If Yu Xiaogang knew, then Ning Fengzhi would surely suspect that he, Tang San, had leaked the information.
"I saw it myself. But listen—there's still another way besides seclusion."
Yu Xiaogang tossed a Spirit Hall pamphlet onto the table before Tang San.
"Teacher, please tell me your plan. I'll convey it to Sect Master Ning."
Yu Xiaogang turned his back, clasping his hands behind him in what he clearly thought was a dignified pose.
"Actually, I think it's time I tell you the truth about your heritage. Do you remember your second martial soul?"
Tang San's expression stiffened. "My heritage… does it have something to do with my second martial soul?"
"Yes. Your second martial soul is none other than the most powerful tool-type spirit in the entire continent's history—the Clear Sky Hammer!"
Yu Xiaogang endured the pain of Tang San's grip on his arm as he turned around dramatically.
"The Clear Sky Hammer…"
Tang San repeated softly. Though he'd long known he had a second martial soul, he had barely used it—it still felt foreign to him.
"Indeed. The Clear Sky Hammer is unique to the Clear Sky Sect. The sect has been hidden from the world for decades… and you, Tang San, are destined to be the one who leads them back into the light."
Yu Xiaogang placed both hands on Tang San's shoulders, his eyes full of burning conviction.
"Teacher… can I really do that?"
"Don't doubt yourself. Once the Clear Sky Sect reemerges, the Upper Three Sects will unite. Even the Spirit Hall will have no choice but to retreat. And you, my dearest disciple, will become the hero of the entire continent."
His voice rose and fell with theatrical emotion, his gestures perfectly timed—completely brainwashing Tang San.
"Teacher, how can I find the Clear Sky Sect?"
Tang San's eyes shone with determination. He was ready to seek out the sect and unite the three great clans to stand against the Spirit Hall.
"I don't know… but your future father-in-law might. That's all I can say."
Seeing Tang San completely convinced, Yu Xiaogang turned away with a smirk.
With Tang San's involvement, there was already a fifty percent chance the Clear Sky Sect would reemerge. And considering the pride of the once-great sect, it was only a matter of time before they returned to the world stage.
"Third Brother's been gone so long… don't tell me he's not coming back?"
"Second Brother, don't talk like that. You know his personality. The world outside is dangerous—you and the others wouldn't handle it well. Let me deal with it."
"Big Brother, the Sect Master summoned us here for a reason. Let's wait."
"Hmph. It's a pity I was in seclusion during the war with the Spirit Hall back then. Otherwise, I would've smashed that Golden Crocodile's skull to pieces."
The speaker was the eldest of the group—the Great Elder of the Clear Sky Sect, the same one who was long deceased in the original history.
"Even if you did, it wouldn't change much," another elder sighed. "Grandfather vanished, Qian Daoliu still lives, and the Spirit Hall's might hasn't waned. The Clear Sky Sect's situation remains dire."
Tang Xiao stepped forward, shaking his head helplessly.
"He's just a rank 99 Peerless Douluo. Give me a few more years…"
Though the Great Elder spoke arrogantly, there was a faint lack of confidence in his tone. If not for Qian Daoliu, the Clear Sky Sect would never have been forced into hiding.
"Tang Xiao," the calm Seventh Elder spoke, "did you summon us because the sect plans to reemerge?"
"No. Not yet. The real reason I called everyone is because of the Third Elder."
"The Third Elder's been missing for too long. I've sent people all over—almost the entire Star Luo Empire has been searched."
Tang Xiao sighed deeply.
"Maybe he's just wandering. You know how he is—once he leaves the sect, he's reluctant to return. And as a Titled Douluo, no one in the Star Luo Empire poses any threat to him."
The Great Elder waved dismissively, unconcerned.
The Clear Sky Sect had always been unmatched within Star Luo's borders, and since no new Titled Douluo had appeared recently, there seemed little cause for worry.
"Even so," Tang Xiao said, his brow furrowed, "I can't shake the feeling that something isn't right. How about this—why don't we all go take a look together? Think of it as a short trip."
"Well, that's fine by me. I'll go change first."
With a blur of motion, the Great Elder was gone, and one by one, the other elders followed.
"Xiaosan, why are you suddenly asking about the Clear Sky Sect?"
Meanwhile, Tang San had gone to Ning Fengzhi to inquire about their location.
"Uncle Ning, I wish to ask the Clear Sky Sect to return—to unite the Upper Three Sects against the Spirit Hall."
"That's impossible. The Clear Sky Sect has been in seclusion for decades. While we've kept minimal contact, convincing them to reemerge is practically impossible."
Ning Fengzhi sighed, shaking his head.
"Uncle Ning, please believe me."
Tang San raised his hand, summoning his second martial soul—the Clear Sky Hammer.
"You… You have two martial souls!? It all makes sense now… It all matches! Spirit Hall's dream is over!"
Ning Fengzhi grabbed Tang San's hand in excitement.
Since the Clear Sky Sect's disappearance, no one had seen that hammer again—except Tang Hao. Now, with Tang San's age and spirit, there could be no mistake.
If Ning Fengzhi couldn't recognize Tang Hao's son standing before him, he might as well resign as sect master.
"Listen carefully, Xiaosan. The Clear Sky Sect resides deep within the mountains of the Star Luo Empire, at the peak of an ancient forest. If we were to go, they'd never listen—but you might succeed."
"My martial soul is really that extraordinary?" Tang San asked, uncertainty flickering in his eyes as he glanced at the hammer.
"Yes. Your father, Tang Hao, and the current sect master, Tang Xiao, are blood brothers. Go, and everything will become clear in time."
"My father… and the sect master are brothers?"
"That's right. You'll understand everything once you see them."
****
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