Afterward, Tang Xiao personally left the room to summon the five elders of the Clear Sky Sect.
These were the sect's five Titled Douluo. Although all of them were below Rank 94, when combined with Tang Xiao and Tang Hao, their strength was still enough to live up to the title of Number One Sect in the World, standing at the head of the Upper Three Sects.
"Brother Lin, is the Spirit Hall really that strong? If my second brother learns of this, he would definitely never agree to reconciliation with them."
"And during that great battle… the families of the five elders also lost many people."
"That includes me as well. Though my strength isn't much, my father was so enraged back then that he passed away… To be honest, I also don't want to reconcile with Spirit Hall."
Tang Yuehua spoke in a sorrowful tone, explaining her feelings to Lin Fan.
"Yuehua, I understand your grief. But if the sect can negotiate with Spirit Hall and gain a chance, then the Clear Sky Sect no longer has to keep hiding away—we could once again face the whole continent."
"To be honest, after nearly twenty years of seclusion, today's soul masters are already beginning to forget the glory of the Clear Sky Sect."
"Shutting yourselves away like this will only make the sect wither further. Only by reconnecting with the world of soul masters will the Clear Sky Sect have the chance to one day reclaim its honor from Spirit Hall."
Lin Fan sighed as he spoke.
"Brother Lin… do you think about what happened back then with my second brother… who was truly in the wrong?" Tang Yuehua asked in confusion.
"Yuehua, to tell the truth, there was no absolute right or wrong in that matter. From Tang Hao's perspective, undoubtedly Spirit Hall was at fault—after all, it was because of Spirit Hall that his wife had no choice but to sacrifice herself for him."
"But if you look from Spirit Hall's perspective, their actions weren't wrong either. Remember—Spirit Hall has existed on this continent for thousands of years. Its very existence is tied to destiny: leading soul masters to resist the corrupt, to fight against the beast tides launched by soul beasts. Because of this, the human world of soul masters thrives today."
"It is also why soul beasts have been forced into only a few great forests."
"And remember—any hundred-thousand-year soul beast is a treasure beyond price to every soul master. Not only Spirit Hall—even the two Empires or any other sect, if they discovered that your brother's wife was the Blue Silver Emperor, they too would have chosen to hunt her."
"What's most important is that Spirit Hall provides free Martial Soul Awakening to all commoners across the continent. This is something neither Empire has ever done."
"Yuehua, you've lived in Heaven Dou City for many years. You know the nature of nobles. If the Empires were in charge of awakening Martial Souls, what do you think those nobles would do?"
Lin Fan looked out the window as he spoke slowly to Tang Yuehua.
"Those nobles would definitely stop at nothing to keep every child with innate soul power firmly under their control." Tang Yuehua replied quietly.
Standing beside Lin Fan, she too gazed out at the scenery beyond the window, not knowing what else to say.
Just then—knock knock!
A young man came up to the second floor. "Aunt, the Sect Master and the elders have all gathered in the front courtyard. They ask you to come down."
"Got it, Tang Long." Tang Yuehua nodded.
"Then I'll go first." Tang Long said, before turning and leaving.
"Brother Lin, let's go."
"Mn."
Lin Fan followed Tang Yuehua downstairs into the main hall.
At this moment, over a hundred people were gathered in the courtyard. Most stood at the edges, while at the center stood Sect Master Tang Xiao and five white-haired elders.
Though each elder appeared to be over eighty years old, they were all vigorous and full of vitality. One of them, with a solemn expression, was speaking quietly with Tang Xiao.
Tang Yuehua whispered to Lin Fan, "Aside from those sent outside on business, nearly all of the sect's direct disciples are here. Those five in the center—they're the five Grand Elders of the sect. Even the Sect Master must show them respect. By seniority, they are our uncles."
"I understand," Lin Fan nodded in reply.
Together, the two of them stepped into the courtyard, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
Tang Xiao walked over to them and addressed the crowd: "Everyone, allow me to introduce—this is Lin Fan, my brother-in-law, titled 'Sword Shadow.'"
"Lin Fan, these five elders are the Second through Fifth, and Seventh Grand Elders of the sect."
"Greetings, elders. It's an honor to meet you for the first time. Please guide me well." Lin Fan greeted politely.
The eldest among them, the Second Elder who had been speaking with Tang Xiao, was the first to speak:
"Boy, I heard from the Sect Master that you hold the token of Grand Elder Tang Chen. Though you are Yuehua's lover, you are not of the Clear Sky Sect's direct line. That token is not yours to keep. Hand it over."
The Third Elder also spoke coldly: "That's right. That item is not something you should possess. As for negotiating reconciliation with Spirit Hall—forget it!"
"That's right, hand it over!"
"Hand it over!"
Tang Yuehua and Tang Xiao's expressions immediately darkened.
Yuehua whispered anxiously to Lin Fan: "Brother Lin, I forgot to warn you… Right now, the sect is divided into factions. In the Clear Sky Sect, strength is respected above all—they yield only to force, never to soft words."
"I see. Then I understand." Lin Fan nodded.
Without waiting for Tang Xiao or Yuehua's signals, Lin Fan stepped forward, facing the five elders directly.
"In the soul master world, strength rules above all. I respect you as Yuehua's uncles, but don't mistake respect for fear. I won't allow myself to be trampled on."
"Since Senior Tang Chen entrusted this token to me, it means he placed his trust in me. If you still honor Senior Tang Chen, then you should listen to me."
Lin Fan lifted the golden hammer token for all to see.
"Of course, there is another option. If one of you can defeat me—or if all five of you join forces and win—I will hand over the token without hesitation and leave the Clear Sky Sect immediately."
The Seventh Elder stepped out, eyes sharp: "Arrogant brat! My soul power may only be Rank 92, but with the Clear Sky Hammer's might, I do not fear even a Rank 95. I alone am enough to defeat you!"
"Is that so?" Lin Fan sneered, unleashing his Martial Soul and spirit rings.
Instantly, an overwhelming pressure burst out from him, suffocating everyone present. Except for the Titled Douluo present, the rest could not even move.
"A Rank 98 Super Douluo!" The Second Elder gasped, drawing in a sharp breath.
"Ten-thousand-year spirit rings!" the others exclaimed.
The entire courtyard of over a hundred people fell into dead silence. It was so quiet that even the sound of a pin dropping would have been deafening.
Tang Xiao whispered to Yuehua with a smile: "Little sister, this brother-in-law of yours… not bad. Dominant enough—I like it."
Lin Fan's voice cut coldly through the silence:
"Do you know why that Rank 99 Ultimate Douluo from Spirit Hall spared you all back then? It wasn't because you were strong. It was because Senior Tang Chen had agreed with him. That was the only reason he didn't take you seriously. Otherwise, none of you would even have lived long enough to speak with me today."
"And yet you still hide here, clinging to your hollow sense of being the so-called 'Number One Sect.'"If anyone still refuses to submit, then come and take this token of Senior Tang Chen from my hand!