They wanted to do exactly what that gossiping man downstairs had done—
Speak out a few words that would shock everyone present,
Watch the faces around them twist in disbelief,
That kind of thrill was unmatched.
Clatter!
Tang Fangrui Douluo's chopsticks slipped from his fingers. "Second Brother, have we been discovered?"
Tang Ming Douluo's face darkened, his expression shifting rapidly. "Impossible. Along the way, every soul master we encountered… I killed them all. Unless…"
His voice sank.
"Unless the one spying on us is also a Titled Douluo, skilled in concealment. Only then could he escape my senses."
Tang Fangrui's heart sank. He had thought his absorption of the ninth spirit ring had gone unnoticed.
Now it seemed their secret had been exposed.
His gaze turned vicious, black light beginning to rise from his body.
"Second Brother, let's slaughter this town! If everyone here dies, the rumor won't spread!"
He surged to his feet, spirit power boiling, ready to release his martial spirit.
"Sit down!"
Tang Ming snapped. "Think. If the enemy has already discovered us, they won't have planted the rumor in just this town. Likely, every supply town around Star Dou has already heard it."
He was right.
Old Snake, that sly veteran, knew exactly how to stir curiosity!
Each town he visited, he whispered the news in the most crowded place.
Now, the wildfire had spread.
Tang Fangrui's face twisted. After a moment, he sat back down heavily.
"Go. Let's confirm elsewhere."
The two no longer had the mood to eat. Their figures shattered the window, leaping out into the night.
They circled the Star Dou Forest, investigating town after town.
Sure enough—everywhere they went, people were buzzing about the Clear Sky Sect.
"Return to the sect. Tell the Sect Master. We must prepare our defenses!"
The two of them sped toward the mountain gate of the Clear Sky Sect.
Meanwhile, at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
The first to receive the rumors was none other than them.
Their merchant caravans stretched across the continent.
In every supply town bordering Star Dou, the sect had shops.
No wonder Ning Rongrong always boasted: Eight parts of the world's wealth, one belongs to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
From those shops, the whispers traveled quickly to Ning Fengzhi's desk.
His expression grew grave. He immediately summoned Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.
"Uncle Jian, Uncle Gu, what do you think? Are the rumors true?"
After hearing the report, the two Title Douluo fell into thought.
"Has the Clear Sky Sect's purchasing increased lately?" Bone Douluo asked first.
Though the sect had sealed its gates, it couldn't be self-sufficient. Martial cultivation devoured resources.
Even basic meat supplies had to be ample. How could strength-type soul masters thrive on vegetables?
And their food and supplies—who provided them?
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Their orders have risen steadily year by year, but not sharply. Still, over more than a decade, their population surely has grown."
Sword Douluo's eyes glinted coldly. "The sect lost its old master to Spirit Hall's blades. The gates sealed. They've been stifling their hatred in silence ever since.
Back then, of the seven elders, five remained alive. Each one had the potential to break through."
Ning Fengzhi's body shook. "Uncle Jian, you think it's true? Seven Titled Douluo?"
For a moment, his heart faltered.
All these years, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect hadn't added a single Titled Douluo.
But the Clear Sky Sect… five more?
"Whether they have seven now is uncertain. But so long as they continue quietly cultivating, it's only a matter of time before they do." Sword Douluo's tone was resolute.
Ning Fengzhi laughed bitterly. "I thought, with the Clear Sky Sect hidden, our sect stood as the leader of the Upper Three Sects. Seems like I overestimated myself."
"Fengzhi," Bone Douluo said darkly, "we must not cut off their supplies. The Clear Sky Sect is growing too strong. And they've never once told us their true condition."
"Spirit Hall grows stronger by the day," Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "If the Clear Sky Sect truly has this power, perhaps it is a blessing for the continent.
But watch Spirit Hall's moves closely. And find out—who is spreading these rumors?
Is it Spirit Hall itself, building momentum before a strike? Or some hidden hand trying to throw the continent into chaos?"
He frowned.
If it was some unknown force, then that force harbored deep hostility toward the Clear Sky Sect.
But who could it be?
For now, even Ning Fengzhi had no answer.
"Fengzhi, you handle this. As for me, I'm going to Soto City to see Rongrong. I won't have her suffering grievances there."
Bone Douluo broke the silence.
"Uncle Gu, go if you must, but keep it hidden. Don't let her know.
Rongrong's talent surpasses mine. I'm counting on her to break the limits of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
Ning Fengzhi sighed helplessly. The two Douluo spoiled Rongrong even more than he did.
"Fengzhi, sending her to Tian Dou Junior Academy was your wisest decision.
Meeting Dugu Feng… it changed her. She's more focused, more diligent.
This time, I'll go as well," Sword Douluo said. "Just to make sure this old bone doesn't hinder her growth."
Bone Douluo chuckled.
Ning Fengzhi smiled wryly. "With peers to compete against, she'll grow faster. If she stayed coddled among us, how could she progress?
Let's hope Flender teaches her well."
He gazed into the distance, full of expectations for his daughter's future.
The two Douluo disappeared in a flash, leaving only Ning Fengzhi brooding.
The continent was on the verge of upheaval.
Spirit City. Pope's Mountain.
The Pope's Palace towered halfway up the sacred peak, guarded by the golden-armored Knights of the Temple.
Within, the vast council hall stretched a thousand square meters.
At the highest seat, nine steps above, surrounded by four golden pillars, sat Bibi Dong.
Her black gown swept the floor, embroidered with intricate golden threads.
A blood-red gem gleamed from her crown, like fresh-drawn blood, emanating suffocating pressure.
Her flawless face radiated sacred nobility—
So much so that even veteran soul masters could not help but bow when they beheld her.
But her eyes were cold, her expression sharp as a blade.
Bibi Dong was angry.
Below her stood her two most trusted lieutenants—Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, both of them bowed, tense.
They had just reported the rumors of the Clear Sky Sect.
"Eleven years!
And yet the Clear Sky Sect's people were still able to obtain spirit rings?
How?!?
Have none of the Spirit Halls scattered across the continent noticed?"
Her voice was calm.
But it was the calm of a storm before it broke—
The calm of fury restrained to the limit.
She was truly enraged!