"Sorry, Sister Huanyin!" Bai Chenxiang also realized she had said the wrong thing. But because of her family's past, she truly had no fondness for the Spirit Hall; just mentioning them made her angry.
"It's fine, it's just Spirit Hall. We're in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect now, nothing to be afraid of," Ma Hongjun quickly said. His eyes saw only beauty in Bai Chenxiang, and he didn't think she'd said anything wrong—rather, he found her straightforwardness adorable.
"Miss Bai, don't worry. My boss killed two of their elders during the spirit hunt and suppressed a powerful worshipper. Everyone in the sect admires him. Whatever help you need, he'll be able to provide."
"I never said I'd help…" Tianlin thought, speechless. He somewhat regretted calling Ma Hongjun over. He'd only wanted to introduce his subordinate's future flame, thinking it would be nice for them to meet. But unexpectedly, this chubby guy had turned into a total sycophant, agreeing to everything before Bai Chenxiang even asked for anything.
"He killed two Spirit Hall elders!" Bai Chenxiang said in astonishment, covering her mouth. Spirit Hall's worshippers were mysterious; with her strength, she'd never heard much about them even from her grandfather. But as for Spirit Hall elders, unless they were just some honorary elder with a token from who knows where, they were all at least titled Douluo.
Jun Tianlin, who looked about her age, could slay a titled Douluo!
Bai Chenxiang was both shocked and delighted, and her resolve strengthened. She stepped in front of Tianlin, bowed, and pleaded, "Brother Jun, Sister Rongrong, I have a request. Please, can the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect help the Speed Clan once more? In return, I'll persuade my grandfather to join your sect to repay this kindness."
Tianlin was stunned. He'd expected that Yu Feng and the others might seek him out again because of the Speed Clan, but he hadn't thought they'd bring Bai Chenxiang herself and so readily decide to join the sect.
"Miss Bai, what exactly happened?" Tianlin didn't agree immediately but wanted to understand the situation first. Still, he could more or less guess—it was surely related to Spirit Hall.
"Let me explain," Yu Feng stepped forward. "Recently, the Four Lower Sects came knocking again."
"This time, it was the Wind Sword Sect's master, Feng Tianlei, and they brought the powerful Bee Sect, another strong group under the Seven Great Sects. Together, they tried to force Grandpa Baihe and the Speed Clan to join them and form a speed-focused super sect."
After hearing Yu Feng out, Tianlin quickly thought things through. Spirit Hall was indeed even more aggressive than in the original story about recruiting sects across the continent.
Because the spirit hunt operation had failed and the Upper Three Sects were still standing, Spirit Hall's plan to hold a new Seven Sects Conference had failed. Losing that big incentive, it became much harder to entice small sects to join Spirit Hall. And with Spirit Hall's domineering ways, if enticement didn't work, coercion was next.
"So, Senior Baihe refused again, right?" Tianlin asked.
Bai Chenxiang nodded. "Yes. The Speed Clan isn't good at much else, but we're top-notch at intelligence gathering. We already found out that the Four Lower Sects and many smaller Sects have joined Spirit Hall. So what's the difference between joining them or joining Spirit Hall directly?"
"My grandfather has a fiery spirit and would rather die than submit. Feng Tianlei and Bee Sect's master, Feng Langdie, were ready to attack. They're both Soul Douluo and Feng Tianlei is as strong as level 87—far above my grandfather. Grandpa's not strong in attack and can't outrun Feng Tianlei by much, so he's no match. Even if he could escape, what about the sect disciples? Luckily, Grandpa Yang arrived in time and drove them off, but they didn't seem ready to give up. I fear next time, they'll bring even stronger forces, and then the Speed Clan…"
Bai Chenxiang lowered her head, clearly worried about her sect's future. Tianlin understood: she was here today seeking protection.
Right now, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was indeed their best option.
Although the Min Clan was in Star Luo, they wouldn't join the Star Luo Empire, whose royal family was way too domineering—an absolute autocracy.
As the original said, if Dai Mubai became emperor, everything in the Star Luo Empire would be his decision alone.
Unless a sect had the absolute power of the Clear Sky Sect, the royal family wouldn't treat them as equals. Smaller sects seeking protection would have to pledge absolute loyalty as if they were officials.
People capable of leading a sect would never accept such shackles, so most sects chose to base themselves in the more relaxed Heaven Dou Empire, even if they were born in Star Luo—they'd keep out of the royal family's way.
Plus, Heaven Dou was now heavily invested in Tang San and trying to win over the Clear Sky Sect. The Speed Clan's intelligence network surely already knew this, so turning to Heaven Dou was out of the question.
Because of family ties, Grandpa Baihe might forgive Tang Hao, but never the Clear Sky Sect. Plus, they couldn't ignore Yang Wudi's feelings—of the four single-attribute clans, he hated the Tang family the most, and he had done much for the Speed Clan. They couldn't be ungrateful.
With the empires ruled out, only the sects remained. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, as an auxiliary sect, had always taken in many affiliated families, and their actions during the extermination operation had proven their values.
Facing Spirit Hall, they didn't abandon any affiliated family or use them as cannon fodder—instead, they fought side by side, giving Spirit Hall a real beating. That was the real reason they earned trust.
"If the four single-attribute clans still have the Strength and Defense clans, why not go to them? If the four clans united, you'd even surpass the Wind Sword Sect," Tianlin asked.
"My grandfather thought of that, but Grandpa Tai Tan already persuaded Grandpa Niu Gao to join Tang San's Heaven Dou Tang Army, and later they'll form Tang Sect. They tried to convince Grandpa Baihe and Grandpa Yang to join too, but Grandpa Yang was furious and said if we went, we'd never see each other again. Grandpa Yang's kindness to us far outweighs the family connection with Tang Hao, so Grandpa Baihe refused without hesitation."
Unlike the original, Yang Wudi's attitude this time left no room for compromise. Heaven Dou's eagerness to cooperate with the Clear Sky Sect was obvious, and Yang Wudi could never accept that.
"But refusing cut off our last route. We were desperate, but then Brother Yu Feng showed us a way—he told me to come and plead with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. In today's world, you're the only one who can stand up to Spirit Hall. So please, help us!" Bai Chenxiang's voice choked with emotion.
Tianlin could hear the plea and despair in her tone. She had once been a proud girl, vowing to revive her clan with her strength. But when faced with two high-level Soul Douluo threatening her sect, she finally realized how small she was.
"Boss, I beg you too—help Miss Bai!" Ma Hongjun pleaded.
He might not be head-over-heels in love with Bai Chenxiang yet, but he was attracted to her, and seeing her so pitiful made him want to help her.