Chapter 250: Stirring Ambitions, Part 2
Inside the Haotian Sect's Council Hall
Tang Xiao cast a glance at the Seventh Elder, a disheveled, aging figure who had recently ascended to the rank of a titled Douluo. His strength, however, remained at the lower levels. The elder's animosity towards Spirit Hall was legendary, fueled by the loss of his child on a mission outside their sanctuary. Discovered by Spirit Hall, his son was killed, and since then, the Seventh Elder had devoted himself to training, driven by a fervent desire for vengeance. He nursed a deep hatred for both Spirit Hall and, notably, for Tang Xiao's younger brother, Tang Hao, whom he blamed as the root cause of their predicament.
Had it not been for Tang Hao's actions, the Haotian Sect might never have gone into hiding, the elder believed. The resentment he harbored made him a vocal proponent of war. Yet Tang Xiao, fully aware of the complex web of guilt and resentment within the sect, displayed no outward reaction. He calmly tapped his fingers on the armrest of his chair before finally speaking.
"If Spirit Hall hadn't taken over the Heaven Dou Empire, I might have ignored the White Tiger Emperor's plea," Tang Xiao said slowly, "but now that they've unified half the continent, our sect faces a real threat of annihilation if they succeed in their conquest. If we stay hidden, we risk being erased from history."
At these words, the elders, especially the newly appointed ones who knew little of the sect's past, nodded solemnly. The collective pride of the Haotian Sect ran deep, believing that their powerful heritage had once cowed Spirit Hall into restraint. Most of them, including Tang Xiao, were unaware of the full details surrounding the original conflict. Only fragments remained rumors of a time when their elders had maintained a delicate balance through personal connections, a hidden pact that had once saved the sect from destruction.
Tang Xiao's words hung in the air, stirring a sense of foreboding among the elders. He then continued, "If we join this war, our fate will be uncertain. Whether we're destined for resurgence or ruin will be decided swiftly and brutally. As sect leader, I won't dictate this alone. We will vote. All in favor of joining the fight, raise your hand."
With that, Tang Xiao closed his eyes, awaiting the vote that would determine the Haotian Sect's future.
The elders exchanged glances, debating the sect leader's words in hushed tones. Choosing not to fight meant enduring in obscurity, but the prospect of Spirit Hall's eventual dominance loomed large. By contrast, war promised uncertain odds, great losses, but also a possible chance for glory. The allure of the wealth, honor, and power hinted at in the White Tiger Emperor's letter was fading as they considered the harsh reality of the risks involved.
Predictably, the Seventh Elder was the first to raise his hand in support of the war. His eyes glinted with anticipation as he looked expectantly at his fellow elders, urging them silently to join him in this long awaited chance for revenge.
The three most senior elders, having grown weary with age, held little desire for fame or battle. They preferred a safer path and voted against the war. The Fourth Elder, cowed by the memory of the previous reprimand and aware of the power disparity with Spirit Hall, also opted for peace. However, the five younger, more battle hardened elders gradually raised their hands, following the Seventh Elder's lead.
When Tang Xiao finally opened his eyes, he saw the hands raised and gave a quiet nod.
"Four to five," he muttered to himself, as if reconciling himself to the decision. "It seems we are fated to clash with Spirit Hall."
Though his voice was soft, the weight of the decision pressed heavily upon the room. Now that the course was set, Tang Xiao laid out his plans.
"This will be a dangerous campaign. Every elder, myself included, must be prepared to join the battlefield," he announced, his tone brooking no dissent.
The four elders who had voted against the war looked uneasy, their expressions betraying the reluctance they felt at the prospect of fighting. Tang Xiao continued, "The younger generations will contribute little to such a battle. I propose that we send all clan members below the level of Spirit Saint to Sea God Island, under Tang Hao's protection. Should the worst befall us, they will be our last hope, shielded by that distant refuge."
It was a sound plan, ensuring the clan's legacy would endure regardless of the war's outcome. The Seventh Elder, however, was visibly displeased by the decision. He rose to his feet, challenging Tang Xiao with an indignant glare.
"Sect Leader, I can accept protecting the young ones," he said bitterly, "but why should Tang Hao lead them?"
Tang Xiao met the elder's accusation with a cool response. "I understand your resentment, but Tang Hao's strength is beyond question. In terms of raw power, he could easily match any of you."
Unmoved, the Seventh Elder's fury blazed. "Tang Hao is strong? Only because of the Exploding Ring and Grand Sumeru Hammer techniques! Without them, he's no better than any of us with our mastery of the Haotian Nine Absolutes. And if he's strong enough to lead, then he should be on the battlefield, fighting for our sect's survival, not hiding with the younger generation!"
Tang Xiao's expression darkened as he fixed a steely gaze on the elder, his powerful aura suffusing the room. "That's enough, Seventh Elder!"
Though the Seventh Elder staggered under the pressure of Tang Xiao's spiritual force, his hatred remained unshaken, and he defiantly glared back.
"Tell me I'm wrong! Tang Hao is nothing without those two techniques! If he wants to avoid the frontlines, he should at least relinquish the Exploding Ring and Grand Sumeru Hammer to the rest of us so that we might bolster our strength!"
"Outrageous!" Tang Xiao's roar reverberated through the hall.
In a surge of anger, Tang Xiao unleashed his full power, the overwhelming pressure sending the Seventh Elder crashing to the floor. He fell with such force that the ground beneath him cracked, dust billowing up in his wake.
"Tang Lie! You dare covet the techniques handed down from my grandfather the sole heritage of the Haotian Douluo line? Apologize. Now."
Though pressed to the ground, the Seventh Elder's expression remained defiant. Spitting the words through gritted teeth, he retorted, "Why should I apologize? At the brink of our sect's destruction, what good are petty traditions? We need power, not empty honor!"
"You…" Tang Xiao, now truly enraged, raised his spiritual pressure another notch, determined to silence the elder's insolence once and for all.
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