Chapter 88: The Utterly Cowardly Clear Sky Sect
Tang Xiao, Tang Hao, and the five elders of the Clear Sky Sect all sensed the surge of divine, holy soul power at the hall's entrance. When they looked, they were stunned—it was Qian Xunji. He had actually come to the Clear Sky Sect. What did he want?
Despite their internal strife, at this moment, Tang Xiao, Tang Hao, and the elders united as one. All previous squabbles—over interests, words, even blows—were family matters. Qian Xunji was an outsider. Spirit Hall was their sworn enemy.
"Your Holiness, isn't it improper to arrive at our sect without informing us beforehand?"
Tang Xiao stepped forward with a cupped-hand salute. The five elders followed. Tang Hao, though seething with rage, held back—for the sake of the sect's safety.
Initially, Tang Xiao and the six elders had planned to stand firm. No matter how powerful Qian Xunji was, surely he couldn't withstand their joint array, plus Tang Hao and the Clear Sky Great Formation.
But when they saw Qian Xunji standing there flanked by two other Title Douluos—Chrysanthemum and Ghost—their courage evaporated.
If Qian Xunji alone could crush Tang Hao, then surely he could also defeat Tang Xiao and their formation. With Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo suppressing the six elders, the entire sect could be doomed.
Better to stall him with formalities. Find out what he wanted.
"Sect Master Tang Xiao, I come in peace. In fact, I was already planning to leave, but considering the magnitude of our recent business… I figured it best to formalize it in a contract."
"What contract?"
"Regarding Moon Pavilion. Has Yuehua told you about our deal?"
Qian Xunji's friendly tone when addressing Tang Yuehua made the five elders frown. Suspicion crept into their hearts once more.
Tang Yuehua, hearing Qian Xunji speak to her so kindly for the first time, didn't even notice that her disgust had completely vanished. Instead, she felt a slight stirring inside.
Tang Xiao replied honestly, "Thirty percent of Moon Pavilion's annual revenue. Yuehua just told me. The Clear Sky Sect will honor its promise to Spirit Hall."
"Then why was Yuehua in tears just now? And her face… ah, I see."
Suddenly, an oppressive wave of soul power erupted within the hall. Tang Xiao, Tang Hao, and the elders all stiffened—clearly shaken. It had only been two months since Qian Xunji fought Tang Hao. And now… he was even stronger.
His growth was thanks to the two supreme Clear Sky Sect soul bones Tang Hao had handed over. With those four bones and his hundred-thousand-year ring, even a level-97 Dustheart couldn't touch him.
"Clear Sky Sect's internal affairs are not my concern. But Yuehua is now a friend of mine. Since we have a deal involving Moon Pavilion, it now falls under Spirit Hall's protection. How Yuehua manages it is her business. Anyone who interferes—with her or with the Pavilion—is challenging me and Spirit Hall!"
His words echoed like thunder through the hall, reaching the ears of Tang Xiao, Tang Hao, the five elders, and even Tang Lie, who had just returned after sensing Qian Xunji's power.
And Tang Yuehua… was stunned. Qian Xunji is defending me?
Chrysanthemum Douluo remained calm outwardly, but inside, he was baffled. Why is His Holiness standing up for this ungrateful woman? She's just a money-maker. If she gets slapped, so what? Just hand over the gold. That's all that matters.
Could it be… he's interested in her? True, Tang Yuehua wasn't as beautiful as Ah Yin or the Holy Lady, but she was still stunning. Yet… she wasn't even a soul master. Could she handle Qian Xunji?
But Qian Xunji had no intention of explaining anything to his empty-headed subordinates. With one sentence, he had multiplied his profits. Beyond the gold, this would spark serious internal strife in the Clear Sky Sect—on par with Bibi Dong vs. Qian Daoliu in the original timeline.
Contracts? Paper and ink. When the Clear Sky Sect got strong again, they'd tear it up like nothing. Those born evil wouldn't be bound by ink and parchment.
Qian Xunji turned to look at Tang Lie, whose eyes screamed "traitor" as he glared at Tang Yuehua.
Under the gaze of Qian Xunji's soul power—nearly level 98—Tang Lie lowered his head. His hatred for Yuehua boiled, but he dared not show it. He even feared she'd report him to Qian Xunji later.
Tang Yuehua, seeing the man who had stood up for her, reduced Tang Lie—who had humiliated her endlessly—to silence, felt her heart stir.
Qian Xunji, like Tang Hao once was, became a new pillar for her broken heart.
Later, Qian Xunji and Tang Xiao signed the contract for Spirit Hall to receive thirty percent of Moon Pavilion's annual income. He prepared to leave.
As he departed, Qian Xunji smiled and nodded at Tang Yuehua. Her face blushed instinctively—like a girl in love.
Once he was gone, the six elders turned their hateful glares on her. If looks could kill, she'd be dead a hundred times. They stormed out without a word.
Tang Lie was filled with both regret and relief. Regret that he hadn't killed her earlier; relief that he hadn't—because if he had, Qian Xunji might have killed him.
"Brother Hao, you can go for now," Tang Xiao said quietly.
With Tang Hao gone, his expression turned complex. "Yuehua… is it true? Are you and Qian Xunji…?"
"Huh? N-no! Big Brother!"
"Yuehua, you can't fool me. You've stuttered every time you've lied since childhood."
He sighed. "If you really like Qian Xunji… Big Brother won't stop you."
He had no choice. With internal unrest, external threats, and no word from Grandfather Tang Chen, the sect needed allies. If Tang Yuehua truly became close to Qian Xunji, their safety would be secured.
Once, Tang Xiao would've never said such things. But now, as sect master, he understood far more. He couldn't think just of Tang Hao or his own family. He had to think about the entire sect.
Compared to the sect's future, Tang Hao's personal grudges were meaningless.
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