Chapter 75: The Spoils of War
As for Tang Zhen, it was likely he wouldn't last long after Qian Xunji left—he'd be dead from fury. The Clear Sky Sect had lost two Title Douluos in a row. The Upper Three Sects alliance now meant nothing.
"Fair, very fair."
Tang Zhen bowed respectfully, not daring to utter a single harsh word. His facial muscles didn't even dare twitch. Internally, he screamed: When Father returns, we'll make Spirit Hall pay! If I become a god, I'll destroy Spirit Hall and avenge Hao'er!
"This matter ends here," Qian Xunji said, pocketing the three top-tier soul bones before rising into the air and departing.
"Respectfully see His Holiness off!"
Tang Zhen bowed at a 45-degree angle, sending off the Spirit Hall entourage with exaggerated politeness.
The moment they disappeared into the sky, Tang Zhen finally collapsed, spewing a mouthful of blood and falling unconscious beside Tang Hao.
"Father! Hao-er!"
Tang Xiao rushed to them, heartbroken. He pressed one hand against Tang Hao to stop the bleeding, the other against Tang Zhen's back, pouring all his Title Douluo-level soul power into both.
Tang Zhen's internal injuries had flared. Without immediate treatment, he would die here.
"Douluo Xiaotian, I see that Sect Master Tang Zhen's condition is critical. You must find a powerful healing-type soul master immediately."
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda shimmered into existence in Ning Fengzhi's palm. Sword and Bone Douluo descended gracefully with him.
Ning Fengzhi gave a soft command. "Seven Treasure True Form—go."
With that, the pagoda shone with radiant multicolored light. It spun three times in his hand, then flew out, expanding into a towering ten-meter structure. Its glow enveloped the Clear Sky Sect members, lighting up the entire platform.
Ning Fengzhi understood: Tang Hao was already crippled. Qian Xunji could've killed him outright, yet only took an arm and a leg and confiscated soul bones—technically faultless.
Even if someone wanted to object, Spirit Hall's strength—especially with Golden Crocodile Douluo present—meant no one would dare speak up.
Tang Zhen's internal injuries were severe. If he died, the Clear Sky Sect would only have Tang Xiao left as a Title Douluo. The Upper Three Sects wouldn't stand a chance against Spirit Hall. For the next fifty years, Ning Fengzhi would have to quietly avoid conflict and protect his own turf.
"Xiao'er…"
Under the healing light of the Seven Treasure True Form, Tang Zhen slowly opened his eyes. But they were yellowed and bloodshot, his face mottled with dark patches. His skin visibly withered.
"Father, I'm here. Please hang on. I'll beg His Holiness and Ah Yin to heal you."
Only two top-tier healers remained on the continent—Ah Yin and the Nine-Heart Begonia Clan. But the latter remained in seclusion, never participating in conflicts. They hadn't even shown up for the Seven Sects Re-election or the battle between Qian Xunji and Tang Hao.
With the Begonia Clan unreachable, Tang Xiao had no choice but to ask Ah Yin for help. Out of sibling loyalty, she might agree. Spirit Hall couldn't fly too fast while carrying Qian Renxue—Tang Xiao could catch up.
As for dignity and hatred—when your own father's life is on the line, what does that matter?
"No… don't go. Listen carefully. From this day forth, no matter what, the Clear Sky Sect must not provoke Spirit Hall. Severe offenses will result in expulsion and soul power stripped. Minor ones—punish by sect rules!"
With those final words, Tang Zhen's eyes closed, head tilted, hands went limp. He died—killed by fury and illness. In short: he died of anger.
"FATHER—!"
Tears streamed down Tang Xiao's tiger eyes as he roared in anguish.
The gathered soul masters witnessed the scene with mixed emotions. Some pitied the Clear Sky Sect. First, their youngest-ever Title Douluo, Tang Hao, meant to lead them to glory, was crippled—his soul bones taken, his cultivation dropped by twenty levels. Now he was a half-crippled Soul Saint.
Then their sect master died from grief. Half the Clear Sky Sect's foundation had collapsed.
But for weaker soul masters nearly killed by Tang Hao's Nine-Ring Detonation, there was no sympathy—only resentment. They despised Tang Hao and the Clear Sky Sect.
These soul masters secretly applauded Qian Xunji and celebrated Clear Sky's downfall.
After all, Clear Sky had brought this upon themselves—overestimating their strength, issuing a challenge, and when defeated, trying to murder their opponent. They deserved every bit of what happened.
Three days later, news of the battle between Angel Douluo Qian Xunji and Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao spread across the soul master world—and it exploded like wildfire.
Tang Hao used everything he had, yet Qian Xunji toyed with him like a monkey. After all that, Tang Hao attempted a sneak attack with the Nine-Ring Detonation—and still failed.
He ended up kneeling to apologize, handing over a hundred-thousand-year head soul bone to atone, then lost an arm and a leg, plus two more high-level soul bones.
Three soul bones—each top-tier, one even at the hundred-thousand-year level!
Soul bones were rare in any era. Most soul masters never saw one in their lifetime. When a ten-thousand-year soul bone appeared, it sparked bloody wars.
A hundred-thousand-year head bone? Unimaginable.
Tang Hao became a byword for overconfidence. His Nine-Ring Detonation injured or killed untold numbers of soul masters. The Clear Sky Sect's reputation plummeted.
But even a starving camel is bigger than a horse—with Tang Xiao at level 94, they still held the title of the number one sect.
Meanwhile, Spirit Hall's reputation soared to its peak, surpassing even the era of Qian Daoliu. Thousands of soul masters applied to join on the very day the news broke.
Qian Xunji's effortless domination of Tang Hao—even under sneak attack—made him seem untouchable, godlike. To many, he was now invincible—aside from some ancient monsters.
But only Qian Xunji knew that wasn't true. If Dustheart reached level 97, he could beat him. Even at level 96, Dustheart could split wins 30/70. The soul master world just didn't know how to counter the Clear Sky Hammer—they kept ramming into it like fools.
Naturally, Qian Xunji wouldn't go around sharing the hammer's weaknesses. Thus, aside from this battle, the Clear Sky Hammer remained a mythical unbeatable weapon—while Spirit Hall trampled the Clear Sky Sect.
The more the Clear Sky Sect bowed to Spirit Hall, the more reverent other factions became. In turn, their soul masters bowed even lower.
Now tally the spoils: Spirit Hall.
The Angel Martial Soul dominated all. They gained a hundred-thousand-year soul bone, a 75,000-year right arm bone, and an 85,000-year left leg bone. Their prestige reached new heights. Massive numbers of soul masters joined, swelling their power.
That's just the obvious gain. The full rewards were deeper and more complex—even Qian Xunji couldn't count them all.
The second-ranked sect of the Upper Three, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—once full of petty schemes—suddenly halted all backdoor actions. They even offered favorable trade deals, letting Spirit Hall take the lion's share.
Other clans wavering between the Upper Three and Spirit Hall followed suit, initiating friendly ties. Spirit Hall's revenue soared exponentially.
Why? Because Qian Xunji had handled it masterfully—not pressing too hard. He accepted three soul bones and let the Clear Sky Sect off without further punishment. Such grace earned him goodwill.
Qian Daoliu glowed with pride for days—feeling ten years younger. Any resentment he once held toward Qian Xunji vanished completely. His protégé had brought immense glory to Spirit Hall and the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul.
From now on, he would no longer interfere. Qian Xunji's intelligence surpassed all—no one could predict his moves.
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