Afterward, Spirit Hall publicly announced the death of Qian Xuanji.
They claimed that Qian Xuanji had died from severe injuries sustained in his battle with Tang Hao.
Spirit Hall also stated that former Supreme Pontiff Qian Daoliu would temporarily assume the role of Pontiff until the Holy Maiden ascended to Titled Douluo rank and officially succeeded the throne.
At the same time, Spirit Hall began making external arrangements for the funeral and other related matters.
When this news broke, the entire world was in an uproar.
After the battle at Ridge, the number of Titled Douluo killed by Tang Hao rose from seven to eight.
Tang Hao, a Spirit Douluo, had hammered eight Titled Douluo to death and crippled another—truly an unprecedented feat in history.
In this era, the leader of the world's number one sect and the Pontiff of Spirit Hall had both fallen at the hands of the same man.
If one could argue that Tang Tian's death was an internal struggle within the Clear Sky Sect—father slain by his son—leaving the sect weakened and unable to act...
Then Spirit Hall, on the other hand, could not possibly remain silent.
All major powers sensed an impending storm on the horizon.
Tang Hao, now a fugitive, also received news of Qian Xuanji's death.
He knew the truth of the matter, but had no qualms about letting Qian Xuanji's death be credited to him.
Thinking of the nearly limitless power of the Killing God Domain that had surged within him, and the favor shown by the God of Asura toward both himself and Tang San, Tang Hao brimmed with confidence.
"Spirit Hall, come at me if you dare. I'll take on as many as you send. Even if Qian Daoliu himself comes, I'll still hammer him down."
The funeral for the Pontiff Elder was held internally within Spirit Hall, without inviting elders from other sects or powers.
This sham funeral, presided over by Qian Daoliu, was meant for public display.
Only Qian Renxue and the seven Grand Worshippers knew the truth about Qian Xuanji's death.
The ceremony triggered memories in Qian Renxue—memories of her grandfather solemnly presiding over her father's funeral, with her standing behind him, grieving and filled with hatred for Tang Hao.
Back then, she hadn't understood her grandfather's emotions.
After her mother's death, she had believed her grandfather's restraint masked hatred for her mother.
But after her reincarnation and learning everything from her father, she finally understood that her grandfather's emotions had been directed at her father.
Though her father had never said it outright, he had likely known of her grandfather's plan.
Recalling her father's fanaticism and her grandfather's madness in his final sacrifice, Qian Renxue couldn't help but ask:
"Is becoming a god really worth such madness, even to the point of sacrificing one's life?"
Qian Daoliu remained silent.
Qian Renxue already knew the answer in his heart.
In her previous life, she had indeed ascended to godhood—but she was not happy.
She had lost her grandfather, who had bestowed upon her the mission of bringing the Angel God's light to Douluo Continent.
Her mother too, after joining Spirit Hall, had been given the mission of becoming a god.
Hatred became her driving force.
Their entire family—her father and grandfather—had sacrificed themselves for her and her mother.
They had reached heights never before achieved on the continent.
But unlike Tang San, beloved by the heavens, they had gained godhood at great personal cost—experiencing an unprecedented loneliness.
Becoming a god wasn't what she truly sought.
Even if it meant destroying her godhood, she had tried to stop Tang San to preserve her last remaining loved ones.
But in the end, she had watched helplessly as her mother fell.
From that point on, she became the loneliest woman in the world.
Even in death, her shattered Angel God divinity drifted aimlessly through the river of time.
Becoming a god was no longer her goal.
But in this new life, she understood that without god-level power, her ambitions were nothing more than dreams.
After the funeral, Qian Daoliu temporarily assumed the position of Pontiff, while Qian Renxue used the Angel Temple's dimensional gateway to enter the Divine Realm.
In the Divine Realm, within the Eternal Temple, Huo Yuhao asked:
"Is everything on Spirit Hall's side taken care of?"
"It is," Qian Renxue replied.
Thinking of the hints Huo Yuhao had given her in the past, she added, "I suppose you knew all along it would end this way."
Huo Yuhao, recalling the original novel's differing explanations, teased:
"Surely your father, a dignified Pontiff, wasn't completely blind. Your mother was practically on a honeymoon with Yu Xiaogang—no way he didn't notice."
"You jest." Qian Renxue looked embarrassed, then changed the subject:
"Per your instructions, Spirit Hall has faked my father's death. The position of Pontiff requires Titled Douluo strength. Once the process is complete, my mother will become the official Pontiff. What are your next orders?"
"Your grandfather is acting Pontiff now, correct?" Huo Yuhao asked.
"Yes," Qian Renxue nodded.
"Good. First, strip Yu Xiaogang of his so-called 'Grandmaster' title. Having him in that position is an eyesore. Let him live in his delusions," Huo Yuhao said.
"As you wish. Spirit Hall will give proper recognition to scholars with genuine merit," Qian Renxue replied.
She thought to herself—if not for her father using illusions to indulge Yu Xiaogang's desires, Spirit Hall would never have done something so absurd—propping up a 29th-rank weakling to such an unearned position.
Huo Yuhao continued:
"Now, about your Pontiff's so-called death—surely you need to account for it publicly, right?"
"But Tang Hao is backed by the God of Asura. Even my grandfather would struggle against him…" Qian Renxue said hesitantly.
"You folks at Spirit Hall are too straightforward sometimes," Huo Yuhao chuckled.
"Tell me—while the monk can run, the temple cannot. Tang Hao may run wild, but can the Clear Sky Sect escape?"
"But if we target the Clear Sky Sect and anger Tang Hao, it will lead to more innocent deaths," Qian Renxue replied.
She remembered how, after Tang San's spirit awakened in her past life, a rogue Clear Sky Hammer Spirit Master repeatedly attacked border cities, causing countless innocent deaths.
Back then, this was how Tang Hao asserted his presence—he valued his sect greatly.
Provoking him by attacking the sect could unleash a berserk Tang Hao with Asura God–empowered Killing God Domain, which would be a disaster for Spirit Hall.
"Just leave Tang Hao alone. Trust me, he'll hide like a dead rat. For his mistakes, let the Clear Sky Sect suffer."
"Once I return to the lower realm, I'll gather forces to execute the mission of destroying the Clear Sky Sect," Qian Renxue said.
"Destroy it? No, no…" Huo Yuhao replied.
"You should cripple part of the Clear Sky Sect and drive them into that rat's nest your grandfather and Tang Chen agreed to leave them. That will suffice."
"But isn't that raising a tiger to become a future threat?" Qian Renxue asked. She had no doubt about the Clear Sky Sect's potential.
In her past life, they had endured for decades, and when they finally emerged, they had seven Titled Douluo—including the Tang Hao and Tang Xiao brothers, both Super Douluo—becoming a major threat to Spirit Hall.
Regarding the Clear Sky Sect, Qian Renxue believed in either not attacking or eliminating them completely.
"Raising a tiger only to invite calamity?" Huo Yuhao scoffed and said, "Those rats won't escape the palm of my hand. Letting them die just like that would be too good for them."
As for the Clear Sky Sect, Huo Yuhao only felt disgust. Especially when thinking about all the repulsive things he had suffered in his past life at the hands of this sect, he could barely contain the urge to erase this vile sect at its very root.
Everyone damn well knew the kind of drama our great director Tang had staged in the Valley of Love Trials—relying on divine power to toy with life and death, he had his own daughter Wang Dong'er die right in front of Huo Yuhao's eyes. And then, those two sycophants from the Clear Sky Sect had the gall to blame Huo Yuhao for it, making his life hell.
If Huo Yuhao had been clueless, maybe he would've genuinely thought he was in the wrong.
But knowing the full plot, Huo Yuhao's only thought was: F*****. Your daughter was the one you delivered to me, and you killed her yourself in front of me. Now you pretend to be the poor father whose innocent daughter was ruined and demand retribution from me. Claiming I'm at fault and that I must suffer to "avenge" your daughter—what a shameless act. Truly a whore putting up a chastity memorial.
And worst of all, I, Huo Yuhao, still have to cooperate with your damn script.
The Clear Sky Sect was the very blade that Tang, the director of this farce, used to scheme against him in his past life.
The Tang family—every breath they take is a crime.
Huo Yuhao had indeed thought of eradicating this disgusting sect from its origin, but simply letting those two sycophants from the Clear Sky Sect die would be too merciful.
He prepared a list of key figures within the Clear Sky Sect, including Tang Lie and Tang Xiao, and handed it to Qian Renxue, saying, "Keep these people alive. Don't touch them. As for the rest—kill at will. Just leave a small number behind."
"Understood," Qian Renxue said, grasping his intent.
"I plan to establish a sect of my own in Douluo Continent. It's time for the world to know of its existence," Huo Yuhao added.
After Qian Renxue left, a priest entered:
"Lord Eternal God King, by order of the Evil God, you are summoned to the central hall of the Divine Realm to attend the Divine Realm Council."
"Oh?" A trace of mockery crossed Huo Yuhao's face. He had another good play planned in the Divine Realm.
After returning, Qian Renxue quickly relayed Huo Yuhao's orders. The Spirit Hall executed them swiftly.
Qian Daoliu immediately began correcting several misguided policies from Qian Xuanji's era.
First, they targeted the so-called "Grandmaster." The Spirit Hall convened a soul master theory conference, where certain individuals were harshly criticized for academic plagiarism and fraud. Some had their honors revoked—including, of course, our Grandmaster.
In the Pope's Palace, Qian Daoliu began selecting his troops:
"Guangling, Qianjun, Jiangmo—step forward."
The three stepped out, and Qian Daoliu assigned them the mission of attacking the Clear Sky Sect.
With the sect already crippled, there was no need for Spirit Hall to mobilize its entire force. With divine items and god rings empowering them, the elders had grown significantly stronger. Guangling was now a level 98 Super Douluo, while Qianjun and Jiangmo had both reached level 97.
"Yueguan, Ghost—step forward," Qian Daoliu commanded.
"Great Elder, your orders," they responded.
"You two will now serve as the Guardian Elders of the Pope's Palace," Qian Daoliu said. "Assist the next Pope, Bibi Dong."
Both had reached the same level of power they had in their previous lives—level 95.
"Next, you will lead a team to absorb and consolidate the Clear Sky Sect's affiliated forces—namely, the four single-attribute clans," Qian Daoliu continued.
"Yes, Great Elder," Yueguan and Ghost replied.
At the same time, Tang Tian's funeral was being held.
The news spread across the land, and sects and forces from all over gathered.
They all saw the decay and decline of the Clear Sky Sect.
In the battle of Tian Gu Ridge, the sect had lost many top experts: six Title Douluos—five dead, one crippled.
Many Contra and Soul Sage level experts had also perished under Tang Hao's Clear Sky Hammer.
Without the remaining Title Douluos struggling to hold the sect together, it would have already fallen from its place among the top three sects.
At this moment, the sect was shrouded in grief and hatred. Some had lost relatives at Tian Gu Ridge, and in their sorrow, their hatred for Tang Hao burned ever brighter.
This hatred angered one particular attendee of the funeral.
"I was right, wasn't I? Tang Hao is a beast—he fornicated with soul beasts, betrayed his own sect brothers, and killed his own father. If not for his vile bloodline, my father would still be alive, and the Clear Sky Sect would not have fallen so low," a sect disciple said, eyes bloodshot, panting heavily as he confronted a muscular old man.
"What did you say? How dare you insult my master!" the old man—named Titan—roared. He was attending the funeral as part of an affiliated force of the Clear Sky Sect. Hearing these insults, he immediately erupted in fury, sparking this confrontation.
"Master?" The disciple blinked in surprise, then sneered. "You still recognize that beast Tang Hao as your master? What a loyal dog."
"What did you say?!" Titan's eyes widened as he rushed forward, ready to pummel the disciple.
Yang Wudi and Niu Gao hurriedly restrained him.
"Calm down, old ape! Don't forget—this is the Clear Sky Sect," Niu Gao reminded him.
The disciple sneered arrogantly. "Exactly—this is the Clear Sky Sect. You have no right to be arrogant here. Titan, you're Tang Hao's dog—and don't forget, your Power Clan is also a dog to our sect. When you see us, you should kneel. How dare a dog try to bite its master?"
These words darkened the faces of Niu Gao, Yang Wudi, and Bai He.
In the end, they resolved the conflict with grim faces and helped Titan save face.
Later, when no members of the Clear Sky Sect were present, the four clan leaders sat down together for a chat.
Niu Gao asked, puzzled: "Old ape, why are you so protective of Tang Hao?"
Titan replied calmly: "I swore allegiance to Tang Hao. Since I accepted him as my master, I will serve him for life. How could I stand by while he's insulted?"
The other three were stunned.
"Seriously, old ape, are you out of your mind?" Yang Wudi couldn't stay seated. "That beast Tang Hao—"
"What did you say?" Titan shot up, fists clenched. "Old goat, since we're friends, I'll give you a warning. Watch my fists. If you insult my master again, don't blame me for using them."
"You think I'm afraid of you?" Yang Wudi summoned his Breaking Soul Spear. "Tang Hao fornicated with soul beasts, gave birth to a half-beast child, betrayed his own sect brothers, and murdered his father. Everything he's done justifies calling him a beast. I'll say whatever I want. What can you do about it? Want to spar with me, old ape? Let's see if you've got the guts."
"Old Goat, what are you doing? Brandishing knives and spears — you'll ruin our harmony."
"Old Gorilla, you too. We, the Four Great Single-Attribute Families, should advance and retreat together. There's no need to take such a small conflict this far."
Niu Gao and Bai He quickly stood up to mediate.
Although fury surged in his heart, Niu Gao knew he couldn't defeat Yang Wudi, so he backed down.
Yang Wudi, too, turned his head away angrily after sitting down.
"Old Gorilla, Tang Hao fathered a child with a soul beast, crippled his own brother, killed his fellow sect members, and even murdered his own father. Surely you can't deny these facts," Bai He said.
Titan stammered incoherently: "Master... Master must have had his reasons for doing so..."
"Reasons?" Yang Wudi sneered. "More likely that a hundred-thousand-year soul beast bewitched him and made him forsake all kinship."
"Old Goat, you—"
Titan's temper was about to explode again.
"Calm down, calm down," Niu Gao quickly soothed Titan.
"Given all that's happened, I still don't understand — Old Gorilla, why are you so loyal to Tang Hao?" Bai He asked, puzzled.
"Back then, I was the Master's blacksmith teacher. But in him, I saw the same extraordinary potential and comprehension as Tang Chen.
So I pledged myself to Tang Hao," Titan said reverently. "Looking back, how right I was. What a towering figure he is — with just the strength of a mere Soul Douluo, he slew several Title Douluo.
Such a powerful man — it is my honor to follow him."
Bai He, Niu Gao, and Yang Wudi:
"So you could have been Tang Hao's teacher, but instead chose to become his servant?"
Meanwhile, Yu Yuanzhen led his people into the Clear Sky Sect. He came both to attend Tang Tian's funeral and to assess the remaining strength of the sect.
After the Battle of Tiangu Ridge, the Clear Sky Sect's main force was all but wiped out. Now, inside the sect, only a few members remained — two or three at most. As for Title Douluo, only Tang Kai remained. Oh, and he almost forgot — there was also the crippled Tang Xiao.
Both of them were of relatively low rank. Yu Yuanzhen could easily overpower them. However, it wasn't yet time to replace the Clear Sky Sect. Once their own sect had more Title Douluo level, that would be the moment for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to seize power.
"Sect Master Tang Kai, it is truly unfortunate what has happened to your sect. Please accept my condolences," Yu Yuanzhen said, feigning sympathy.
But everyone could hear the mockery in his tone.
Tang Kai replied with a forced smile: "Thank you, Sect Master Yu."
Ning Fengzhi arrived with Kuang Xi and Man Niu, two elders representing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and offered a wreath.
Ning Fengzhi spoke sincerely: "Sect Master Tang Kai, please accept my condolences. Though the Clear Sky Sect has suffered this calamity, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect remains your steadfast ally."
Tang Kai said: "Thank you, Sect Master Ning. True friendship shows in times of adversity. We are truly grateful that you stand by us during the Clear Sky Sect's darkest hour."
Suddenly, Ning Fengzhi stepped forward and took both Yu Yuanzhen's and Tang Kai's hands, speaking earnestly: "Now that the Clear Sky Sect has faced such a setback and is no longer what it once was, the threat of the Spirit Hall still looms large. Though Spirit Hall lies dormant for now, any discerning person can see its ambition. At this moment, we three top sects must stand united."
"Yes, yes, we top three sects must unite and confront Spirit Hall's threat together," Tang Kai nodded repeatedly.
Yu Yuanzhen was inwardly displeased: The top three sects should indeed unite, but Ning Fengzhi — do you even know your own weight? This is something that should be raised by our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan or by the Clear Sky Sect, even in its weakened state. It's not your place, as a sect master of an auxiliary sect, to bring this up.
Though annoyed, Yu Yuanzhen nodded, forcing a smile: "Our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan also supports unity among our top three sects."
The three sect masters entered the council hall for discussions.
"Disaster! Sect Master! The Spirit Hall forces have attacked our sect!" a Clear Sky Sect disciple rushed in, shouting anxiously.
"What? Spirit Hall?"
Suddenly, violent tremors came from the Clear Sky Sect's mountain gate.
Tang Kai quickly rushed out of the council hall — and sure enough, he saw that the two gates into the Clear Sky Sect had been breached, leaving two gaps: one red, one blue. Massive soul power surged at the breach.
A large number of soul masters had invaded the gate and were now battling the Clear Sky Sect disciples.
Ning Fengzhi, Kuang Xi, Man Niu, and Yu Yuanzhen hurried out after him.
"That is..." Kuang Xi Douluo, using his Title Douluo-level eyesight, spotted two figures hovering above the gates, each wielding a coiling dragon staff.
"Uncle Kuang Xi, do you know them?" Ning Fengzhi asked.
"That's Qianjun and Jiangmo," Kuang Xi replied bitterly. "I remember when these two brothers were still young. I fought them when they were Soul Douluo. Even back then, the two of them combined could fight me, a Title Douluo, evenly. It left a deep impression on me. I never expected they would eventually join Spirit Hall."
From Kuang Xi Douluo's words, Ning Fengzhi sensed a touch of sorrow and helplessness.
For an older generation powerhouse, it is a painful thing to watch as younger talents surpass oneself and reach a level one can only look up to.
Ning Fengzhi understood this pain as well, though not in talent, but in martial spirit — his spirit limited him to only ever becoming a Soul Saint. Without that limitation, perhaps he might have had a chance to reach Title Douluo himself.
"Qianjun and Jiangmo — Spirit Hall's people — why are they attacking the Clear Sky Sect?" Ning Fengzhi asked in confusion.
"Why else?" Tang Kai's eyes turned red with rage. "It's all that beast Tang Hao's doing! During his escape, he wreaked havoc all across Spirit Hall — after killing his own father, he even hammered two of Spirit Hall's Title Douluo to death. Qian Xuanji was gravely wounded and later perished. Now Spirit Hall wants to settle this score with the Clear Sky Sect!"
As Tang Kai and the others observed Qianjun and Jiangmo, the two of them also noticed the three top sect masters.
"So, the three top sects have all gathered," Jiangmo Douluo casually twirled his coiling dragon staff and said.
"Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Sect killed our Spirit Hall elders, our Pope, and destroyed over a dozen Spirit Hall sites, causing heavy casualties among both our members and innocent people. This cannot go unanswered. Today, by the order of the Grand Worship, I, Qianjun, have come to demand blood compensation from the Clear Sky Sect," Qianjun Douluo declared.
Jiangmo followed up: "This matter has nothing to do with your two sects. Do not interfere in our business with the Clear Sky Sect. I advise you to leave now, or don't blame me for being rude."
The two worshippers' words echoed through the entire Clear Sky Sect.
In an instant, the entire sect was in an uproar — not against Spirit Hall, but against Tang Hao.
"Damn it! It's that bastard Tang Hao again! Is he trying to destroy our Clear Sky Sect completely?"
"Back when the old sect master was so excited about Tang Hao's awakening, he called him: 'My Holy Grandson, the future star of our Clear Sky Sect — destined to bring us prosperity for three generations!' Prosperity my ass — he's our calamity!"
"Tang Hao — all of this is your fault, you beast!"