Three days later.
The news of Tang Hao storming Martial Soul Hall with his hammer spread like wildfire across the Douluo Continent.
Every Sect, every clan, every wandering soul master was stunned.
Tang Hao endured for more than a decade only to suddenly charge into Spirit City and clash with the Pope?
Whispers multiplied across the land.
And some particularly outrageous gossip flowed out:
—That Martial Soul Hall had stolen Tang Hao's wife.
Martial Soul City – Papal Palace.
"Have you confirmed anything?"
Bibi Dong stood upon the steps of the Papal Palace, her willow brows drawn tight.
Tang Hao had kept silent all these years, then three days ago, he suddenly came like a mad hound, biting without reason.
Could it truly be for his "wife"?
But his wife already sacrificed more than ten years ago. How could she possibly still exist?
"Under the crown of the Pope, not yet…" Yueguan bowed his head bitterly.
He wanted to cry. How was it his fault that Tang Hao had gone mad? If Tang Hao was truly raging over his wife, then wasn't Martial Soul Hall being slandered into the pit?
Stealing someone's wife and laying the blame on us? Gan!
"Humph!" Bibi Dong snapped coldly. "Keep men watching the movements of the Clear Sky Sect closely. That madman appearing here may be their design."
"Yes, under the Pope's command!"
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Sect Master Ning Fengzhi gathered with Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong in the main hall, their expressions incredulous.
The news had reached them quickly: Tang Hao, fighting Bibi Dong in Spirit City itself.
"Fengzhi, what do you make of this?"
Ning Fengzhi rubbed his temples. "The reports are confirmed—Tang Hao struck hard, but he still lost the upper hand. As for the reason… there are rumors that Martial Soul Hall abducted Tang Hao's wife. Nonsense, surely."
Chen Xin slammed a hand on the table. "Nonsense? How can you say that's impossible! With their lack of shame, nothing surprises me."
"Indeed!" Gu Rong's voice rose. "What decent soul master would steal someone else's wife? Only Martial Soul Hall!"
Chen Xin nodded hard. "A bunch of beasts! Near vermilion, one grows red; near ink, one grows black. That lot corrupt everything they touch."
Gu Rong and Chen Xin—who usually bickered—actually agreed for once.
Even Ning Fengzhi's calm composure cracked with a wry smile. Are we truly debating whether Martial Soul Hall abducts wives now? How absurd Douluo Continent has become.
"Uncle Bone, Uncle Sword," Fengzhi raised a hand. "Let's wait for real information. Send scouts as well to quietly check Haotian Sect's movements. This doesn't add up. There may yet be a reversal."
Clear Sky Sect – Elder Chamber.
Within the mountain stronghold of Haotianzong, Sect Leader Tang Xiao sat tall upon the main seat, face stern, hair already touched with gray though his body was still burly, awe-inspiring. Around him sat five white-haired elders, all around eighty years old.
"Sect Leader!" one Elder slammed his cane. "That accursed Tang Hao—running to cause havoc in Martial Soul Hall, striking even the Pope's Palace!"
"It doesn't matter if he provokes them. But his actions tie our Clear Sky Sect into his mess again!" another barked.
"This bastard—what debt has he ever repaid the Sect?" a voice sneered.
"Repay? If Sect doesn't collapse under his disasters, we'll already be grateful. And remember—he still holds two soul bones that rightfully belong to us!"
The Elders' anger burned. Outside, spies from countless Sects—Martial Soul Hall, Seven Treasure Glaze, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—all watched Haotianzong's gates closely, expecting a reaction.
At last, the Chief Elder stood. "Sect Leader, we five have discussed. You must release a public statement. Declare that Tang Hao no longer belongs to Clear Sky Sect, that his crimes are his alone. Otherwise, Sect will be dragged to destruction with him."
Tang Xiao fell silent.
He knew what it meant. To declare such would be to cut off his younger brother completely—driving him to certain death.
Tang Hao had already left the Sect in name years ago, severing ties so as not to implicate his clan. Yet in Tang Xiao's heart, he had always hoped one day his little brother could return, to acknowledge his home again.
But… Elder resentment was too deep. Ten years ago, Tang Hao killed Pope Qianxun Ji. The war that followed shattered Haotianzong, forced their affiliated clans to disband, slaughtered many of their brightest, including the Sixth Elder.
The hatred ran marrow-deep.
Now, Tang Hao had again struck the Pope. Again dragged their name into peril.
Why did he always seem addicted to beating Popes?!
The five Elders' voices rose, one after another:
"Sect Leader, the entire continent watches us. If we do not speak, suspicion falls heavier still!"
"With our current strength, we cannot oppose Martial Soul Hall. Another conflict and we face destruction."
"Tang Hao ruined us a decade ago. Will he do so again?"
"Enough!"
Tang Xiao slammed the table, his firm voice cutting them down.
"I am still Sect Leader of Haotianzong! I will give the Elders an answer in time, but for now—this statement will not be issued."
The Elders sat stiffly, eyes dark with outrage, but Tang Xiao's fury left no room for debate.
With a whirl of his sleeves, Tang Xiao stormed out of the chamber.
The five elders glanced uneasily at each other.
"Second Elder, what do we do?"
The Chief Elder's face was grim. "Send scouts. Gather more information. And prepare defenses. Whether or not Sect Leader decides, we must be ready—for war may come again."
Thus, across the land, gossip roared, alliances trembled, and disbelief reigned.
Were there truly people who still stole other men's wives in this era?
On Douluo Continent, now… anything seemed possible.
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