Chapter 244: Tang Hao and Tang San's Conditions for Returning to the Sect
Three days later, after the Clear Sky Sect elders completed their testing of the Blood Demon Ritual, they gathered once again in the main hall. Tang Hao and Tang San were present as well.
"Tang Hao, we've examined this ritual you spoke of," said the Second Elder, sweeping his gaze around the chamber. "Calling it a forbidden art may indeed be unfair. Though the process is somewhat cruel, it lacks the corrupting effects that plague evil soul masters."
The same elders who had scorned the ritual days before were now speaking of it with reverence.
Standing quietly at the back, Tang Yuehua's face was lined with worry. To her, the righteous Second Elder had clearly fallen under the spell of that dangerous text.
'Only the process is cruel, but it has no side effects.'
Was that supposed to justify it?
Just because it caused no mental damage, did that make it less evil?
Tang Yuehua had read the scroll herself. The Blood Demon Ritual granted power by sacrificing corpses less than twenty-four hours dead to a being called the Primordial God. While evil soul masters consumed flesh directly, this ritual instead "offered" it up.
The method might differ, but its essence remained the same. Murder disguised as devotion.
She clenched her fists silently, despairing as the elders praised what she saw as madness.
"Second Elder, what of the alliance with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Heaven Dou royal family?" Tang Hao asked, his face bright with anticipation.
"The Clear Sky Sect will agree to an alliance," the Second Elder said after a moment's thought, "but they must fulfill several conditions first."
Tang Hao waited in silence.
"First," the elder continued, "the Blue Lightning Clan and the Heaven Dou royal family will help us rebuild our mountain gate."
In simpler terms—money.
The elder wanted them to pay for the archives and outer lodgings that had burned down.
"Second, the Clear Sky Sect will not publicly proclaim this alliance. We'll only act if absolutely necessary."
That condition had been thoroughly discussed among the elders.
Once they joined hands with those two powers, their combined might would rival anything short of the Spirit Hall itself. But to avoid attracting attention—or the Hall's wrath—they would keep it secret.
Tang Hao nodded. "Both conditions are acceptable."
Satisfied, the Second Elder smiled faintly. "Good. Then there's one more matter. We must discuss the terms of your and Tang San's reinstatement into the sect."
At those words, Tang Hao stiffened unconsciously.
"The conditions are simple," the elder said, his eyes narrowing. "I've heard that both you and your son were humiliated by a man named Luo Ling."
"He slandered our sect's name, claiming we shelter evil soul masters—and publicly branded your son as one of them. Such provocation cannot stand against the dignity of the Clear Sky Sect."
"So, regardless of how you do it, you're to kill him. Once that's done, you'll both be welcomed back."
A faint, confident smile curved the elder's lips.
Over the past days, he had learned much from Tang Hao about the outside world.
Whether it was Luo Ling's supposed assassination attempts as the Enigmatic Sorcerer or his public condemnations of Tang San, the elder viewed them all as open challenges to the sect itself.
Anyone bold enough to insult the Clear Sky Sect deserved death.
But there was a deeper reason for his bloodlust—the boy's terrifying talent.
Barely older than Tang San, Luo Ling was already a Spirit Sage, wielding two hundred-thousand-year spirit rings—perhaps even matching soul bones. A genius beyond imagination.
Even someone with twin martial souls, like Tang San, paled beside him. No matter how strong Tang San's future rings became, they couldn't compare to the might of a hundred-thousand-year ring.
If Luo Ling continued to grow, not even the Spirit Hall would match him.
And worse—he was a member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
For the wealthiest sect in the world to also possess such unrivaled strength? The Clear Sky Sect's title as Number One would crumble.
The Second Elder's intent was clear: end Luo Ling before he could mature—and use Tang Hao and Tang San to do it, redeeming their tarnished names in the process.
But Tang Hao's reaction wasn't what he expected.
The Titled Douluo's brow furrowed deeply, and Tang San shifted uncomfortably beside him.
When Tang Hao remained silent, the elder pressed, frowning. "What's wrong? That shouldn't be too difficult. I'm not asking Tang San to act alone—you will go with him. Surely a Titled Douluo can handle a mere Spirit Sage?"
"Second Elder…" Tang Hao began, his tone hesitant. "Luo Ling belongs to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. If I attack him, then that sect will—"
He didn't need to finish. Even as a Titled Douluo, Tang Hao knew confronting the Seven Treasure Sect meant facing their two Titled Douluo as well. That was no small risk.
"If they intervene," the elder interrupted, waving a dismissive hand, "we'll deal with them. Between our five elders and your strength, that makes seven Titled Douluo on our side. More than enough to handle two."
Tang Hao eased a little but still frowned. Something about Luo Ling made him uneasy.
He had never fully understood the young man's martial soul, nor the true abilities of his crimson spirit rings. That shimmering barrier capable of withstanding even his full power—and the way Luo Ling vanished without a trace—none of it fit within normal logic.
A Spirit Sage who brushed aside Titled Douluo-level attacks was no ordinary opponent.
"I will kill Luo Ling," Tang Hao said at last, voice steady.
No matter his doubts, he couldn't afford hesitation. He was the Haotian Douluo—the youngest Titled Douluo on the continent. Fear was beneath him.
Hearing his agreement, the Second Elder nodded with satisfaction.
Among those assembled, Tang Yuehua's eyes flickered with concern.
Luo Ling, of course, knew nothing of these discussions. After witnessing the Clear Sky Sect elders accept the Blood Demon Ritual, he had already left the mountain range behind.
He'd expected nothing less—no sect could resist a shortcut to power void of side effects.
The only reason evil soul masters were despised was because of the madness that came with their methods.
The Blood Demon Ritual, at least outwardly, carried none.
And that meant once such a secret spread among the great powers of the continent… none of them would ever let it go.
(END CHAPTER)
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