...
Ultimately, the elders' minds were still firmly stuck in the heyday of the Clear Sky Sect when it was the number one sect in the world.
In their subconscious, the Clear Sky Sect was still the supreme overlord whose voice commanded respect and obedience.
Even if it was now closed off and hiding in this harsh land, barely surviving, it was still a dragon in shallow water, and one day it would rise again.
Especially recently, Tang Hao returned to the sect.
Although Tang Hao was a sinner, his return, to some extent, gave these elders a shot in the arm.
After all, he was a Title Douluo with a 100,000-year spirit ring, extremely powerful.
They felt that as long as they possessed the Clear Sky Hammer, as long as the core bloodline of the Tang family remained, the foundation of the Clear Sky Sect would still be there.
However, reality delivered a resounding and cruel slap in the face.
Their prized foundation appeared utterly pale and powerless before the terrifying speed of Moon Pavilion's development.
Tang Yuehua, the woman who once held no status within the sect due to her mutated martial soul and was merely used as a tool for political marriage, now wielded immense power in Heaven Dou City. She
had even married Luo Nan, and Moon Pavilion's position was as secure as a mountain!
However, Tang Xiao still doesn't dare admit that he arranged the marriage between Tang Yuehua and Luo Nan...
Now, Moon Pavilion has not only annexed the resources of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect and suppressed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but even the Heaven Dou Royal Family has to defer to them.
Now, they're even undertaking massive construction projects, planning to build their own city outside Heaven Dou City!
The contrast is stark.
On one side is a declining sect hiding in the freezing cold, eating cold, hard rations, and living off memories of past glory.
On the other side is a rising overlord, spending money like water, gathering talents from all over the world.
This enormous disparity gnaws at the elders' fragile pride like a venomous snake.
The more they see Moon Pavilion developing, the more distressed, jealous, and panicked they become.
Because every step Moon Pavilion takes to grow stronger is a ruthless reminder that their Clear Sky Sect has truly declined.
Apart from Tang Xiao and Tang Hao, the previous generation of disciples had few outstanding talents.
The next generation of disciples still seems to lack the ability to shoulder the burden, leaving only Tang Hao's son as a potential candidate.
This era no longer belongs to that once invincible hammer.
Since they cannot surpass their opponent in reality, they can only verbally belittle Moon Pavilion. They use morally manipulative terms like "cold-blooded world" and "profiteering and betrayal" to mask their extreme inferiority and powerlessness.
Tang Xiao looked at these silent elders, their eyes still gleaming with resentment, and a deep weariness welled up within him.
He knew that changing the minds of these stubborn old men was harder than climbing to heaven.
The Clear Sky Sect's illness had penetrated to its very core.
...
Meanwhile, in Spirit City, tens of thousands of miles away from Heaven Dou City.
Qian Daoliu, the Grand Elder of the Spirit Hall, a level 99 Peerless Douluo, one of the closest beings to godhood in the world.
Since Bibi Dong was killed by Luo Nan, Qian Renxue returned outwardly to support him, but in reality, she was preparing for the Angel God's trial.
And Qian Daoliu had no choice but to return to the mountains, as he had to handle many matters.
When Qian Daoliu saw a piece of intelligence, he was almost numb.
The intelligence clearly stated:
Outside Heaven Dou City, a certain mountain was completely razed to the ground overnight by an unknown and terrifying force.
There were no traces of any soul skill explosions left at the scene, only a destructive aura that made one's soul tremble.
Others may not know who did it, but Qian Daoliu could guess with his toes that it was definitely Luo Nan, the one who killed Bibi Dong!
"Raze a mountain... Even I would find it difficult to do such a thing..."
Qian Daoliu muttered to himself, his fingers holding the intelligence turning slightly white.
"Where did this Luo Nan come from?"
"Just how strong is Luo Nan? He can't possibly have become a god, can he?"
"No way, a god should be in the God Realm..."
"This kid's strength is getting more and more terrifying. Even if a god came, would he really be a match for him..."
But regardless of whether Luo Nan is a god or not, the destructive power he has displayed has far exceeded the limits that Qian Daoliu can withstand.
What terrifies Qian Daoliu even more is another piece of intelligence.
Moon Pavilion is undertaking a massive construction project, having already recruited the Yu Clan, and is currently acquiring land outside Heaven Dou City to build a city!
"Building a city... What a grand scheme, what a grand ambition!"
Qian Daoliu slammed the intelligence report onto the altar, took a deep breath, and tried to calm the turmoil in his heart.
He knows all too well what building a city means.
It's not just a display of wealth, but a clear signal of carving out a territory and establishing an independent kingdom.
Moon Pavilion, which was once just a high-class social venue in the eyes of the Spirit Hall, is now developing at an outrageous speed under Luo Nan's leadership.
First, they subdued the Blue Lightning Tyrant Clan without bloodshed, then silenced the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Now, they've even directly won over the Heaven Dou Royal Family, beginning to build their own armed fortress.
At this rate, in just a few years, Moon Pavilion will become a behemoth even more terrifying than the three upper sects combined!
"Brother, Moon Pavilion is so arrogant, are we, the Spirit Hall, just going to sit idly by?"
"Should I take a few elders to Heaven Dou City and teach them a lesson? We absolutely cannot let them build the city!"
"Shut up!" Qian Daoliu suddenly turned his head, his sharp gaze piercing Golden Crocodile Douluo like a sword.
"Go teach them a lesson? Do you think we haven't had enough deaths in the Spirit Hall yet?!"
"Have you forgotten how Bibi Dong died?!"
"You were almost beaten to death back then, and now that he's stronger, you still dare to provoke him?"
"Are you tired of living or don't want to die soon enough?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo trembled, instantly falling silent, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
He was nearly beaten to death and barely managed to be saved.
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei, who were also nearly killed, turned around and sighed.
"It seems that Luo Nan and Moon Pavilion don't have much interest in our Spirit Hall."
"They don't provoke us, nor do they send anyone to establish relations; they're completely ignoring us."
"In that case, issue my order: no one under the Spirit Hall is allowed to approach Heaven Dou City, and even less to provoke anyone from Moon Pavilion!"
"Those who disobey will be punished by the Lightning Law!"
Qian Daoliu decided to play dead!
As long as Moon Pavilion didn't attack, the Spirit Hall would pretend not to see anything.
His only hope now was to fully assist his granddaughter, Qian Renxue, in completing the Angel God Trial.
As long as Qian Renxue could become a god, the Spirit Hall would still have a chance.
...
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