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"Ho, so the Clear Sky Sect still has disciples wandering outside? Could this be the bastard left behind by that man?!"
One of the elders, a tall and lanky old man, sneered coldly. He was none other than the Seventh Elder of the Clear Sky Sect.
Everyone present was shrewd enough to immediately understand who the Seventh Elder was referring to.
That man was, of course, Tang Hao.
After all, many years ago, the Seventh Elder's son had died at the hands of the Spirit Hall because of Tang Hao.
The hatred of losing a son was not something that could be easily erased in just over a decade.
Although Tang Xiao was the Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect, the sect was not ruled solely by his word.
This was because, among the five surviving elders of the sect's generation, there were those who had reached the rank of Titled Douluo.
The glory of the Clear Sky Sect, once famed for having two Titled Douluo in a single clan, was now a story from over ten years past.
Therefore, even Tang Xiao had to give way to these elders in certain matters.
However, when it came to Tang Hao, Tang Xiao would never stand idly by.
He immediately instructed the disciples, "Where is he? Bring him here at once."
"Yes, Sect Master."
Soon, two disciples of the Clear Sky Sect carried in a man who was covered in injuries and barely clinging to life.
Tang Xiao and the elders instantly fixed their gazes upon him.
His hair was in utter disarray, matted with blood and dirt, sticking to his forehead.
The black robe he wore was torn into ragged strips, barely hanging onto his body.
His entire form was riddled with wounds of varying depths—some still bleeding, others already scabbed over.
Bruises and cracks marred his skin, and several gruesome injuries even revealed bone that glimmered with a chilling pale light.
As Tang Xiao looked at him, an inexplicable sense of familiarity surged within his heart.
"This aura… why does it feel so familiar?"
He quickly stepped forward, narrowing his eyes to examine the battered figure closely.
The man's breathing was so faint it was almost imperceptible, his chest barely rising and falling.
His face was pale as paper, lips cracked and purple, eyes unfocused.
The two disciples carrying him moved with extreme care, afraid that the slightest mistake would extinguish the last spark of his life.
Through blurred vision, the man faintly saw Tang Xiao's figure. With great effort, he opened his mouth, his voice hoarse and broken.
"B-Big brother… save me…"
Before the words had fully left his lips, he collapsed completely into unconsciousness.
Tang Xiao's pupils contracted sharply as he exclaimed in shock, "You are… Hao?!"
Indeed, this man was Tang Hao.
As for how he had survived Lan Minghua's Holy Spear, the credit belonged to his wife—or rather, to the Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone he carried.
Under normal circumstances, once a soul bone fused with its host, it could not be replaced.
However, in special situations, soul bones of the limbs could be substituted.
When Tang Hao had been struck by the Holy Spear and left on the brink of death, the soul bone in his right leg was shattered, though the leg itself was not completely destroyed.
At death's door, he absorbed the Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone.
This soul bone not only granted the ability to fly, but also possessed a powerful regenerative ability.
Although its attributes did not fully match Tang Hao's, it still bestowed upon him the soul bone skill: "Wildfire Burns Without End, Spring Wind Brings Life Again."
Relying on this skill, Tang Hao forcibly clung to life.
However, due to the attribute mismatch, its healing capability was limited.
Even after regaining consciousness, his injuries remained severe.
Knowing that his only hope of survival lay in returning to the Clear Sky Sect, he mustered every ounce of strength to make his way back, revealing his Clear Sky Hammer along the way.
This allowed the sect's disciples to recognize him and bring him in, leading to the scene before them now.
Tang Xiao moved with lightning speed, catching the unconscious Tang Hao in his arms and turning to leave.
But just as he took a step, a furious roar erupted from behind him.
"Tang Hao, die for me!"
The Seventh Elder attacked in rage, his Clear Sky Hammer swelling instantly into a massive black warhammer.
In the next moment, the weapon, wreathed in endless dark light, came crashing down toward the Tang Hao in Tang Xiao's arms.
The wind from the hammer's swing howled, and the entire hall trembled beneath its oppressive might.
However, Tang Xiao's reaction was even faster.
Soul power burst from his body in a terrifying wave as nine soul rings instantly appeared.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black—brilliant light flowed around him.
With a single sweep of his hand, a thick soul power barrier condensed before him, forcibly blocking the Seventh Elder's wrathful strike.
Boom!
The Clear Sky Hammer collided with the barrier, unleashing a deafening roar. A shockwave swept through the hall.
Weaker disciples staggered back several steps, faces pale.
Even the elders squinted against the blast. None had expected Tang Xiao's strength to have reached such a level.
The Seventh Elder himself was forced back two steps by the rebound, his expression dark and menacing.
After all, Tang Xiao now stood at rank ninety-six—perhaps even rank ninety-seven—as a Titled Douluo.
At such heights, the difference in soul power between each level was immense.
"Tang Xiao! Why are you shielding this traitor?!"
The Seventh Elder's eyes bulged with rage. His voice dripped with venom. "He killed my son, disgraced the Clear Sky Sect's honor, and you would still protect him?!"
Tang Xiao gave no answer. He merely glanced down at the dying Tang Hao in his arms.
At this moment, he had only one thought—no matter what, he had to save Tang Hao's life.
Raising his head, he swept the Seventh Elder with a cold, sharp gaze and said in a deep voice, "Seventh Elder, we can discuss this later. Right now, saving him is the priority."
"Save him? Save this traitor?!"
The Seventh Elder laughed bitterly, his voice sharp and grating. "Tang Xiao, don't forget—he is a criminal of the Clear Sky Sect! As Sect Master, would you truly oppose the entire sect for his sake?!"
Tang Xiao's face grew steadily colder. Slowly, he raised his head, his gaze like twin blades locking onto the Seventh Elder.
When it came to Tang Hao, he would not yield an inch.
The next instant, his soul power surged again, even more terrifying than before.
The glow of his nine soul rings lit up the entire hall.
His voice was low, carrying unquestionable authority. "Seventh Elder, I will say this once more—right now, saving him comes first."
The oppressive force of his soul power made the Seventh Elder's expression shift slightly.
Still, he ground his teeth and said, "Tang Xiao, don't think that being Sect Master means you can do as you please! Today, you will give me an explanation, or else—"
"Or else what?" Tang Xiao's voice cracked like thunder.
He stepped forward, soul power surging like a tidal wave, pressing down on the Seventh Elder until he could barely breathe.
His eyes were ice-cold as he enunciated each word. "I am the Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect. What I choose to do is not yours to dictate!"
The Seventh Elder staggered back under the overwhelming pressure, his face dark with fury, but he could say nothing more.
He glared at Tang Xiao with hatred and frustration, yet in the end, he dared not advance another step.
The other elders remained silent, unsure of whose side to take.
Without sparing another glance at the Seventh Elder, Tang Xiao strode out with Tang Hao in his arms.
The hall fell into dead silence, broken only by the Seventh Elder's heavy breathing and the low murmurs of the disciples.
The Seventh Elder clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. A trace of viciousness flashed in his eyes.
"Tang Xiao, this isn't over! I'll see just how long you can protect him!"
As for Tang Hao's return, none of the other elders expressed their stance for the time being.
Nevertheless, the Clear Sky Sect—long dormant—was suddenly bustling with activity once more.
(End of Chapter)