If the outer perimeter of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan could be considered a fortress, then its interior was nothing short of a masterpiece.
After crossing the river, the surrounding environment left everyone utterly awestruck.
The interior consisted of nine towering peaks, known as the Thunder Nine Peaks. Each peak was extremely perilous, making them easy to defend but difficult to attack.
The Thunder Nine Peaks surrounded a central massive canyon—the legendary Thunderclap Gorge.
Even Niu Gao, who had seen countless grand scenes, couldn't help but marvel at the sight. This place was truly an extraordinary treasure, surpassing even the Hao Tian Sect in terms of strategic advantage.
Yang Xiong's face initially lit up with joy, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Elder Bai He, has the area within dozens of kilometers of Thunderclap Gorge been cleared? I don't want any lingering threats."
Bai He revealed a faint smile: "Sect Leader, my Agility Clan disciples have already scoured the area within dozens of kilometers. Everyone loitering or spying nearby has been driven away. There are no outsiders left in Thunderclap Gorge—it now fully belongs to our Body Sect."
Yang Xiong nodded: "Good. Thunderclap Gorge has nine peaks. Besides the main peak, each family may choose one mountain as their respective clan's base. The remaining four peaks should also be prepared—they may serve other purposes in the future."
"Elder Niu Gao, follow our original plan to construct the sect's defenses. Within a month, I need all protective fortifications completed, ensuring the sect is as impenetrable as a fortress, capable of withstanding any conceivable attack."
"Elder Meng Shu, lead the hired craftsmen to build the Body Academy in the outer perimeter. In the future, the academy will have an inner and outer section, with the inner section located on the main peak."
"Elder Yang Wudi, given the unique situation around Thunderclap Gorge, have the Breaker Clan arrange poison arrays and oversee the cultivation of medicinal herbs and the refining of pills. This place might become our sect's true economic foundation."
…
After these arrangements, everyone in the Body Sect sprang into action, preparing to begin construction of their new home.
Especially Yang Wudi and the others, who were incredibly excited. Ever since leaving the Hao Tian Sect years ago, they had lived in constant fear, even feeling like they were living under someone else's roof during their time in Yunwu Mountain.
Now, finally building Thunderclap Gorge, this would be their families' future home—a true haven for their clans.
A place like Thunderclap Gorge was something no one had ever dared to imagine, yet here they were, having succeeded, even earning recognition from the empire.
After the Tian Dou Palace coup, Yang Xiong had requested Thunderclap Gorge and the surrounding hundred kilometers as his fiefdom. From now on, this would be the foundation of everything for the Body Sect.
According to Yang Xiong's plans, walls would be built behind the river. Eventually, Thunderclap Gorge would resemble a fortress. Even if someone managed to cross the river, entering the sect's core would be nearly impossible, let alone with the poison arrays in place.
…
In the following period, Thunderclap Gorge became extraordinarily busy. Aside from hundreds of members of the Defense Clan working tirelessly on construction, the thousands of hired craftsmen were equally occupied, mostly manufacturing various facilities.
Niu Gao directly deployed a large number of defensive devices. Particularly, some blacksmiths who came from Qingcheng installed massive weapons on the walls—bed-mounted crossbows over three meters wide and arrows several meters long, radiating immense power.
After barely ten days of construction, the Four Elements Academy's people began arriving at the outskirts of Thunderclap Gorge.
This time, it wasn't just Feng Xiao Tian and a few others; it included their respective deans, teachers, and students.
Seeing the current state of the Body Sect, they were filled with excitement.
Though according to the plan, the entire Body Academy would be built on the outskirts of Thunderclap Gorge, and the Four Elements Academy would later become four independent departments, all core disciples could train in the inner academy, which would be located in the main peak of Thunderclap Gorge.
The core disciples of the Four Elements Academy were either direct descendants of the four family deans—such as the Feng family of the Divine Wind Academy or the Huo family of the Blazing Fire Academy—or exceptionally talented youths.
Yang Xiong had once considered dividing the remaining four peaks of the Thunder Nine Peaks among the Four Elements families, but after reconsideration, he decided against it.
The Four Elements Academy was too weak and hadn't contributed anything to the Body Sect. They had merely pledged allegiance recently, so granting them one-ninth of the peaks would easily make others feel unbalanced.
Of course, if in the future any of the families produced Title Douluos or grew stronger, contributing greatly to the sect, other arrangements could be made then.
According to Yang Xiong's plans, each of the Thunder Nine Peaks should ideally have a Title Douluo stationed there. This way, regardless of where an attack came from, it could be dealt with immediately.
The most critical location was the main peak, where Yang Xiong planned to cultivate all disciples with Body martial spirits. This would be the true core of the Body Sect and the breeding ground for true experts.
Yang Xiong also arranged for patrols across hundreds of kilometers. These areas all fell under the Body Sect's jurisdiction, primarily consisting of ordinary towns and villages. With the destruction of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, many people were anxious, fearing imminent disaster.
Yang Xiong instructed Bai He to send personnel to announce to all villages that the Body Sect would now protect the area within hundreds of kilometers, ensuring everyone's safety.
Additionally, small cities in the vicinity were placed under the management of the Agility Clan. All matters, including soul awakenings for those within a hundred kilometers, would be handled by the Body Sect.
In summary, according to Yang Xiong's plans, not only Thunderclap Gorge but also the surrounding hundreds of kilometers would come under the Body Sect's rule, akin to a relatively independent kingdom.
…
During this time, a major event occurred in the world of soul masters: the Hao Tian Sect, which had been in seclusion for twenty years, officially announced its return. Especially Tang Xiao showcasing his 97th-level soul power sent tremors throughout the soul master world.
The Spirit Hall sternly accused the Hao Tian Sect of violating their past agreement by reemerging, warning that the sect would face the Spirit Hall's wrath.
However, the Hao Tian Sect stood firm, stating that they had been called upon by the Tian Dou Imperial Family to reemerge.
The Tian Dou Imperial Family issued a solemn statement, welcoming the Hao Tian Sect back to the soul master world and pledging full support for the sect's reconstruction.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect also issued a statement, supporting the Hao Tian Sect's return. The two sects would jointly investigate the evil forces behind the destruction of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
The Hao Tian Sect's new headquarters was established about a hundred kilometers outside Tian Dou City, forming a triangular alliance with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and Tian Dou City. Clearly, the three parties had formed an alliance and planned to collectively oppose the Spirit Hall.
…
Spirit City, Pope's Hall.
At this moment, Pope Bibi Dong's expression was extremely grim, and below her stood the remaining four elders and numerous red-robed bishops.
Bibi Dong roared furiously: "How dare the Hao Tian Sect violate our past agreement and reemerge in the soul master world! Do they really think my Spirit Hall is so easy to provoke?"
Whether it was the Title Douluo elders or the red-robed bishops, everyone trembled before Bibi Dong's fury, too afraid to speak.
Holy Maiden Hu Liena finally spoke: "Your Holiness, based on our intelligence, the Hao Tian Sect has multiple Title Douluos, especially Tang Xiao, whose strength is formidable. We likely cannot stop the Hao Tian Sect from reemerging."
"Moreover, the Hao Tian Sect, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, and the Tian Dou Empire are clearly colluding. If we launch an attack, we'll have to face all three forces simultaneously."
Bibi Dong's expression darkened further: "Damn the Hao Tian Sect, damn the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. They've completely disrupted my plans to rebuild the Seven Great Sects."
Hu Liena quickly added: "Your Holiness, given the current situation, should we still hold the new sect assembly?"
Bibi Dong's face turned cold: "Of course we will hold it! I'll organize a grand sect assembly. Let's see if the Hao Tian Sect and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect dare to attend in Spirit City. If we can establish the new top three sects while trampling their heads, what excuses will these cowards have?"
Hu Liena said: "Your Holiness, if the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Hao Tian Sect really attend the sect assembly, we may not be able to stop them. They have too many Title Douluos now, and we may not be able to suppress them."
"Especially Tang Xiao and Sword Douluo—they're both at level 97."
Bibi Dong sneered: "So what if they have two 97th-level Title Douluos? My Spirit Hall isn't lacking in Title Douluos."
"If it weren't for the Great Worship's sentimentality back then, the Hao Tian Sect would have been wiped out long ago. Now they dare to reemerge—that's slapping the Great Worship's face. I'd like to see what he has to say about it."
Upon hearing Bibi Dong's words, everyone trembled. Though Bibi Dong was powerful, it was Qian Daoliu who inspired the most fear—the true first powerhouse of the Spirit Hall.
After a long silence, Bibi Dong finally spoke: "Are there any other major events in the soul master world that might affect our sect assembly?"
A red-robed bishop quickly replied: "Your Holiness, our spies report that a group has occupied Thunderclap Gorge. This group calls themselves the Body Sect and refuses to heed the Spirit Hall's orders, even driving away all of our personnel stationed around Thunderclap Gorge."
Bibi Dong erupted in anger: "Are there still such reckless fools? It seems my Spirit Hall needs to show them our fangs. Not just anyone dares to oppose us!"
The red-robed bishop suppressed his terror: "Your Holiness, this group is no ordinary force. They call themselves the Body Sect, and among them are Yang Wudi, Niu Gao, and Bai He—all of whom possess strength comparable to Title Douluos."
"Moreover, the Four Elements Academy, which we've been trying to recruit, has now joined the Body Sect's Body Academy. The Body Sect exhibits tremendous strength, with no fewer than 2,000 soul masters."
"From all appearances, the Body Sect's strength surpasses that of the former Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
Bibi Dong raged: "Damn the Body Sect! Are they being supported by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect? After all my efforts to destroy the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, such an insignificant force dares to occupy Thunderclap Gorge!"
The red-robed bishop continued: "Your Holiness, the Spirit Hall's strength has been continuously damaged recently. We likely cannot afford another confrontation with the top three sects."
After a long silence, Bibi Dong finally spoke: "Elder Ghost Leopard, please visit the Hao Tian Sect, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, and the Body Sect personally. Deliver invitations for them to attend next year's sect assembly. At the same time, confirm the identity of the Body Sect's leader and assess their true strength."
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