Tang Xiao stepped forward and supported Tang Hao, who had staggered back in anger, patting his shoulder and pulling him behind himself.
Tang Xiao pondered for a moment, then said:
"Pope, don't put such a heavy accusation on us. Our Clear Sky Sect cannot bear such a charge. As for Ah Yin, I have met her before—she was a woman of incomparable gentleness."
"If you want to bring up old grudges, then what about when your Spirit Hall stormed into the Clear Sky Sect back then, angering my father to death and killing many of our sect members? How should that account be settled?"
Qian Daoliu said coldly:
"Back then, I already spared you. For the sake of your grandfather's reputation, I restrained myself greatly."
The scene immediately fell into a stalemate, the atmosphere in the grand hall becoming tense, as if swords were drawn and bows bent.
Seeing this, Lin Fan secretly sighed. He knew that if things continued like this, the negotiations could drag on endlessly—ten days, half a month, or even longer.
The longer it dragged, the worse it would be for him. Who knew whether Bo Saixi of Sea God Island would change her mind?
He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and said steadily:
"Everyone, the reason we are gathered here today is not to reopen old wounds, but to seek a solution acceptable to both sides."
"The past grudges cannot be changed, but how we walk the road ahead—that is what we need to discuss today."
Qian Daoliu glanced coldly at Lin Fan, his voice filled with impatience:
"You make it sound easy. Tang Hao killed Qian Xunji—that is an undeniable fact. And it was because he colluded with a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast that all of this began."
Lin Fan felt a headache coming on. No matter how much was said, the conversation always circled back to the same point.
If things continued like this, when would the negotiations ever end?
He began to think secretly about how to bring this to a faster resolution.
"Sure enough, Tang Hao must sacrifice something."
Lin Fan weighed matters in his heart. If this continued, the talks would only fall into an endless loop.
He looked at Tang Hao. The man's face was ashen, his fury clearly not extinguished.
Meanwhile, Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong's stance remained just as unyielding, not giving an inch.
Lin Fan stepped forward again and said calmly:
"Senior Qian Daoliu, Your Holiness the Pope, since both sides insist on their positions and no progress is being made, why don't we each take a step back? Otherwise, the longer this drags on, the more it will harm both parties."
Bibi Dong let out a cold chuckle, her voice laced with frost:
"Lin Fan, it was your side that requested this negotiation, and it was your people who caused this mess. If you had known it would come to this, why act as you did before? Our terms will not change—Tang Hao must face judgment."
"Otherwise, we will reveal the truth to the world. By then, the Clear Sky Sect will become traitors to humanity, condemned for colluding with spirit beasts."
"I believe that with the authority Spirit Hall holds over the continent, the world will believe our words."
Tang Xiao replied coldly to Bibi Dong:
"Trying to scare us? I admit that Spirit Hall used to be extremely united, but in recent years, your domineering ways have angered many. If nothing else, just look at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"And what about the two great empires? I daresay they secretly wish for nothing more than Spirit Hall's collapse."
"If war breaks out, can Spirit Hall bear the cost?"
Hearing this, Bibi Dong slowly rose to her feet, releasing a wave of oppressive aura, and said coldly:
"Then try me."
Seeing this, Lin Fan immediately stepped between the two sides, shaking his head helplessly:
"Everyone, today's negotiation has reached a stalemate. If we continue, there will be no result. Let us adjourn for now and reconvene tomorrow."
Bibi Dong sat back down and said icily:
"As you wish. But our condition will not change—Tang Hao must face Spirit Hall's judgment. Escort them out."
"Please," Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan said as he stepped forward.
Lin Fan gave Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu a deep look, then led Tang Xiao and the others out of the meeting hall.
Once outside, Tang Hao's face was still livid, his fists clenched tightly, his fury far from subsiding.
Tang Xiao patted his shoulder and said quietly:
"Brother Hao, calm yourself. Now is not the time to act rashly."
The Second Elder sighed, speaking with emotion:
"Spirit Hall's hardline stance exceeded our expectations. If we continue like this, even in half a month, we may not reach an agreement."
The Fifth Elder frowned, his voice full of worry:
"If this were only a matter of wasting time, it would be tolerable. What I fear is that Spirit Hall is deliberately stalling, secretly gathering experts to strike at the Clear Sky Sect."
Tang Xiao nodded heavily:
"That possibility cannot be ruled out. Spirit Hall controls countless spirit masters. If they truly target our sect in secret, the Seventh Elder and the others won't be able to hold them off for long. We must find a solution quickly—we cannot sit and wait for death."
Lin Fan looked at everyone and said steadily:
"Let's return to the inn for now. Everyone, think about how we can continue the negotiations. If we can find a way for Spirit Hall to retreat even half a step, there might still be a turning point."
Everyone nodded, deep in thought, and left Spirit Hall together.
As soon as they walked out of the Spirit Hall gates, they were greeted by Ning Fengzhi, Yu Yuanzhen, and Sword Douluo Chen Xin, who had clearly been waiting.
Ning Fengzhi smiled gently and asked warmly:
"Judging from your expressions, the negotiations didn't go smoothly, did they? What terms did Spirit Hall put forward?"
Tang Xiao shook his head helplessly and replied:
"Indeed, the situation isn't good. Spirit Hall demanded that Tang Hao kneel before the Angel God statue and accept their judgment. Their stance is extremely rigid, showing no willingness to compromise."
Hearing this, Yu Yuanzhen frowned deeply, his tone stern:
"It seems Spirit Hall never intended to negotiate. They must be using this as a pretext to crush the Clear Sky Sect completely, and may even be preparing to move against our other clans in secret. We cannot let our guard down."
Sword Douluo Chen Xin gave a cold snort, a trace of killing intent flashing in his eyes:
"Spirit Hall has become more and more domineering in recent years. If they succeed here, all the other powers on the continent will suffer under their suppression."
Lin Fan nodded and reminded in a low voice:
"This is not the place to talk. Let's find an inn—walls may have ears."
Thus, the group found an inn far from Spirit Hall's center.
They discussed until dinner time, but still could not find a way to force Spirit Hall to yield.
Ning Fengzhi sighed:
"At this point, we must prepare for the worst. If we can ally with other forces against Spirit Hall, perhaps we can pressure them into backing down."
Lin Fan shook his head:
"It hasn't come to that yet. As you said yourself, such a move would plunge the continent into prolonged chaos."
Everyone fell into silence.
Tang Xiao eventually rose and said:
"Gentlemen, it's getting late. Let's rest for now."
Back in his room, Lin Fan sat cross-legged on the bed, entering meditation to restore his spirit.
At the third watch of the night, Lin Fan opened his eyes, a gleam flashing within them.
"It seems I must talk with Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong privately."
With that thought, Lin Fan leapt out of the window, quickly arriving above Spirit Hall, where he sought out Bibi Dong.
"Lin Fan, you dare to come here alone?"
Bibi Dong, clad in a purple silk gown, spoke with an indifferent tone.