The next morning, Lin Fan led the members of the Clear Sky Sect, standing before the majestic gates of the sect. The morning sunlight shone upon the three golden characters "Clear Sky Sect," making them appear especially solemn.
Standing by Lin Fan's side were the brothers Tang Xiao and Tang Hao, along with four elders.
At the gates, Tang Yuehua and the Seventh Elder watched them depart, their eyes filled with concern and expectation.
Lin Fan turned to Tang Yuehua and the Seventh Elder, his voice steady and resolute:
"Enough, there's no need to see us off. In the days after our departure, you must act with utmost caution. Although the Spirit Hall appears willing to negotiate with us on the surface, who knows what tricks they might be plotting in secret? We cannot afford to be careless."
Tang Yuehua nodded, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes, though she quickly concealed it. She spoke softly:
"Brother Lin, go without worry. I will handle the internal affairs of the sect properly. I will never allow the Spirit Hall to find any opening to exploit."
The Seventh Elder also spoke in a solemn tone:
"Lin Fan, you can rest easy. Leave the sect's safety to me. I will remain vigilant at all times and never allow the Spirit Hall to take even a single step inside."
Lin Fan smiled faintly, looking at Tang Yuehua and the Seventh Elder:
"With you two here, I feel reassured. Remember, the sect is our foundation. Only when the rear is secure can we face the Spirit Hall in peace."
Tang Xiao clapped Lin Fan on the shoulder, laughing:
"Lin Fan, stop worrying already. We all know the abilities of Yuehua and the Seventh Elder. Leaving the sect to them will be no problem."
Tang Hao also nodded firmly:
"That's right, Lin Fan. Our focus this time is the negotiations. Let the sect matters be entrusted to them."
Lin Fan nodded, then turned his gaze forward. His eyes were deep and resolute. He took a deep breath and said in a low voice:
"Enough. It's getting late. Let's set out."
With Lin Fan's order, the seven of them began their descent, embarking on the road toward Spirit City.
Tang Yuehua, the Seventh Elder, and the others stood at the sect gates, watching their figures descend the mountain until they disappeared.
"Reporting to Your Holiness. According to our spies, the Clear Sky Sect set out yesterday with Tang Hao among them. But the leader of the delegation… is none other than Sword Shadow Douluo, Lin Fan."
In the great hall, Ghost Douluo knelt as he reported to Bibi Dong.
"What? Why is Lin Fan the leader of the Clear Sky Sect's delegation? Isn't he a nominal Elder of our Spirit Hall?" Chrysanthemum Douluo asked in puzzlement upon hearing this report.
"Enough," Bibi Dong cut their discussion coldly. "Lin Fan's position as our honorary elder must not be disclosed to anyone—not even to Qian Daoliu. Go and remind Elder Lingyuan, who accompanied us to the Star Dou Great Forest, and the others: not a word of this must be spoken."
"Yes, Your Holiness!"
Seeing the icy expression on Bibi Dong's face, Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo dared not say another word and quickly withdrew from the Pope's Palace.
As they left, Bibi Dong's eyes lingered on the grand doors of the hall, her gaze filled with complex emotions.
"Lin Fan, just what are you plotting? Or have you truly decided to side with the Upper Three Sects… and stand against Spirit Hall?"
She realized she could no longer see through Lin Fan's true intentions.
Or perhaps, Lin Fan had never spoken the truth to her at all.
After days of arduous travel, Lin Fan's group finally arrived at the gates of Spirit City.
But before they could enter, three figures appeared in front of them.
They were none other than the leaders of the other two of the Upper Three Sects—Sect Master Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Clan Leader Yu Yuanzhen of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and Sword Douluo Chen Xin, the guardian elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Fengzhi wore a warm smile, his tone gentle yet carrying an unshakable firmness:
"My friends, such a crucial matter as negotiations with the Spirit Hall—how could our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan possibly be absent? The Upper Three Sects are bound as one. With the Clear Sky Sect's return, we naturally advance and retreat together."
Yu Yuanzhen also nodded, his voice loud and full of power:
"Indeed. With the Clear Sky Sect stepping back onto the stage, how could we remain uninvolved? Though this negotiation is officially between the Clear Sky Sect and the Spirit Hall, Ning Fengzhi and I have no right to speak in your stead. But at the very least, we must let Spirit Hall know—the Clear Sky Sect does not stand alone."
Lin Fan and the others were slightly startled. But Tang Xiao, as sect master, stepped forward and cupped his fists respectfully:
"Sect Master Ning, Clan Leader Yu, Senior Sword Douluo. This negotiation is our Clear Sky Sect's affair, and it is not easy for you to interfere. But for you to come here regardless, Tang Xiao is deeply grateful."
Tang Hao, as the focus of the negotiation, also bowed his fists and said:
"My thanks as well. But my elder brother is right. This matter is difficult for you to involve yourselves in."
"I anticipated as much," Ning Fengzhi replied with a slight smile, his eyes glinting with hidden meaning. "Lin Fan, Tang Xiao, Tang Hao—the key to this negotiation lies in how you handle Spirit Hall's attempts at intimidation. Especially concerning Tang Hao, they will not let the matter slide easily. Clan Leader Yu and I made our appearance in Spirit City precisely so that Spirit Hall would be forced to take our presence into account."
Yu Yuanzhen nodded in agreement:
"That's right. Neither Bibi Dong nor Qian Daoliu is a simple figure. Only by displaying sufficient strength can we force them to think twice."
Lin Fan's gaze swept over the three, his voice calm and unhurried:
"As for the details of the negotiation, a few of us already discussed them thoroughly yesterday. This time, the Clear Sky Sect must succeed. Of course, with the support of your two sects, our chances will be like a tiger gaining wings."
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly:
"Well said. Then let us enter the city together. Yu Yuanzhen and I heard of your departure and deliberately waited outside the gates for two days."
"Very well."
As Lin Fan and the others entered the city, Spirit Hall's spies had already hurried ahead to report to Bibi Dong.
"Ghost Douluo, Chrysanthemum Douluo—go receive them," Bibi Dong said lightly.
"Yes!"
The two swiftly left the Pope's Palace and headed toward the gates of Spirit Hall, where they stood waiting silently for Lin Fan's arrival.
Meanwhile, Bibi Dong dispatched someone to the Worship Hall to inform Qian Daoliu.
Seated deep within the Worship Hall, Qian Daoliu's eyes flickered with sharp light upon receiving the message.
"So, they've finally arrived? Tell me—among them, is there one named Tang Chen?"
The messenger bowed low:
"Reporting to the Grand Worship—this subordinate is unsure. But seven came from the Clear Sky Sect this time."
Qian Daoliu nodded slightly, waving his hand:
"You may leave."
He slowly stood, his gaze profound, as though deep in thought.
The name Tang Chen stirred waves in his heart. That once-peerless Douluo who had stood equal with him—had he truly returned?
At the gates of Spirit Hall, Lin Fan and his companions arrived, where Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo were already waiting with smiles.
Chrysanthemum Douluo's voice rang out sweetly:
"Friends of the Clear Sky Sect, welcome to Spirit City. His Holiness the Pope and the Grand Worship are already waiting for you in the council hall. Please, follow us."
Lin Fan's expression remained calm, his eyes steady:
"Then we must trouble you two to lead the way."
As Lin Fan led Tang Xiao and the others toward the gates, Ghost Douluo suddenly extended his hand, blocking Ning Fengzhi, Yu Yuanzhen, and Sword Douluo.
His tone cold, Ghost Douluo said:
By order of Her Holiness the Pope, irrelevant personnel are not permitted to enter Spirit Hall during these negotiations.