Lin Fan's mission was simply to bring Tang Hao back.
As for everything else, Lin Fan didn't intend to interfere too much.
So he just stood quietly at the side, observing the others without speaking further.
"Brother Lin, this trip has really troubled you. Where did you find Second Brother?" Tang Yuehua, unable to refute the elders' decision, could only walk over to Lin Fan.
"In a place of beautiful scenery, called the Blue Silver Forest," Lin Fan sighed emotionally.
"Blue Silver Forest?" Tang Yuehua looked puzzled.
"Blue Silver Forest!" Tang Xiao, however, trembled slightly, then revealed a bitter smile. "I should have realized long ago that Second Brother would be there."
After saying this, Tang Xiao shook his head with a sigh and walked into the main hall.
"Brother Lin, what's wrong with Big Brother all of a sudden? What is this Blue Silver Forest? I've only heard of Sunset Forest and Star Dou Forest," Tang Yuehua asked curiously as she watched Tang Xiao's expression.
"The Blue Silver Forest is where the Blue Silver Emperor was born."
"No wonder!"
With that, Lin Fan and Tang Yuehua walked into the main hall together.
At the same time, word of Tang Hao's return to the sect quickly spread, and all the direct disciples currently in Clear Sky Sect came out.
They stood in two rows along the path, coldly watching.
At the mountain gate, Tang Long appeared and caught sight of Tang Hao and Tang San.
As the foremost of the third-generation direct disciples, Tang Long stepped forward, facing the two, and said:
"Tang Hao, my name is Tang Long. I don't know if you still remember me. By rights, I should call you Second Uncle.
But since you haven't formally reentered the sect to admit your crimes, forgive my discourtesy for addressing you by name."
Tang Hao shook his head lightly. "It's fine. I am a man burdened with guilt. I just didn't expect you to have grown so much. Tang Long… what instructions do the elders have?"
Looking at Tang Long, already in his thirties, Tang Hao sighed with emotion.
"Tang Hao, the elders command this: since you show repentance and wish to return to the sect to admit your past mistakes, you must demonstrate your sincerity to all disciples. You are to kneel, one step at a time, all the way from here to the sect's Grand Hall."
"You're going too far! My father has done nothing wrong! If not for Brother Lin forcing us back, who would willingly return to the Clear Sky Sect?" Tang San, unable to endure, spoke up before Tang Hao could.
These past years in the Blue Silver Forest, under Tang Hao's careful guidance, the bond between father and son had grown even deeper.
"Father, let's go. The world is vast—there's always a place for just the two of us." Tang San declared angrily.
Tang Hao gently held his son's hand, his tone uncharacteristically soft: "Xiao San, recognizing one's ancestors and returning to the clan—this day was destined to come. Besides… right now, you need the help of the Clear Sky Sect."
Tang San's voice hardened. "Father, I can rely on myself to step onto the peak of the continent. Aside from you, I don't need help from anyone."
Hearing this, Tang Long's expression shifted slightly. He actually admired Tang San a little: "You've got backbone. That's the spirit of the Clear Sky Sect."
"But within the sect, no one can oppose the elders' or the Sect Master's decree. If you wish to leave, you may. But from that moment on, you will no longer be part of the Clear Sky Sect—perhaps even its enemy."
Tang San's eyes grew cold, his tone carrying anger and disdain. "Don't overestimate your sect. And don't underestimate me. If we can't be allies, then enemies it is."
Tang Long, proud as the leading figure of the third generation, and zealous for the sect's honor, felt his temper stir at Tang San's scorn.
"You've got quite the tone. But does your strength match your arrogance?"
He paused, then added: "We're both of the third generation. Since you're ten years younger than me, I'll give you an advantage—I won't use my spirit skills. If you can defeat me, or even last ten minutes under my hand, I'll take the liberty to exempt you from kneeling like your father."
Being looked down upon, Tang San's anger flared instantly. Already in a foul mood these past two days, he had endured constant humiliation since arriving here. At once, his spirit and spirit rings appeared.
The Blue Silver Grass materialized in his palm, four spirit rings pulsing around him.
"I also want to see the strength of the so-called Number One Sect's disciples. Please… enlighten me!"
"Just Blue Silver Grass?" Tang Long was surprised. He had assumed Tang San's spirit would be the Clear Sky Hammer like his own—after all, he was Tang Hao's son.
"But for such a waste spirit, to reach Spirit Ancestor at your age… that does take determination.
Still, trash is trash. No matter the level, what climate can such spirit skills create?"
With that, Tang Long extended his right hand. A massive blue hammer appeared, flashing faint lightning along its surface.
Even more shocking, at just around thirty years old, six spirit rings pulsed around him—Tang Long was a Spirit Emperor.
"Spirit Emperor!"
Tang San's heart shook. Though angered, he understood Tang Long's strength was far from simple. Still, he hadn't expected him to be a Spirit Emperor—already level 67.
"So what if he's a Spirit Emperor? I refuse to believe that as a level 48 Spirit Ancestor, I can't overcome one who doesn't use spirit skills." Tang San thought as his first yellow spirit ring lit up.
"Blue Silver Binding!"
Vines surged toward Tang Long, glowing faint purple—evidence of poison enhancement.
Tang Long's eyes narrowed slightly. "These vines… infused with toxins. Clearly, his Blue Silver Grass has absorbed a poisonous beast's ring. If they touch me, it won't be simple."
With a sweep of his Clear Sky Hammer, he smashed the incoming vines before they could reach him.
Tang San's eyes widened. "My Blue Silver Grass, strengthened by the Man-Faced Demon Spider, should be incredibly tough. Yet against the Clear Sky Hammer, it shatters instantly… Is this the domineering power of the continent's number one weapon spirit?"
"Second spirit skill—Parasitic Growth!"
The fragments of Blue Silver Grass sprouted anew, writhing like venomous serpents toward Tang Long.
"Clear Sky Nine Absolutes—Shock!" Tang Long called out, not flustered in the least. With a special striking technique, he shattered the vines utterly.
"What's going on? That looks like the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer technique, but his control of the Clear Sky Hammer is even more refined. Did he use a skill? But no spirit rings lit up…" Tang San was puzzled.
"Xiao San," Tang Hao reminded from the side, "this is the Clear Sky Sect's Nine Absolutes. Compared to the crude Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer, the Nine Absolutes are the true essence of wielding the Clear Sky Hammer in battle."
"So the sect really isn't as simple as I imagined… I never thought they had even stronger hammer techniques. This kind of ability would be called a martial technique in the Tang Sect."
After all, the Tang Sect's hidden weapon arts were Tang San's greatest trump card. Since arriving on this continent, he had only learned a little of the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer. Yet here in Clear Sky Sect, there was an even more profound style.No wonder he said he could defeat me without using spirit skills…