A pitch-black curtain pressed heavily over Clear Sky City, thick clouds obscuring the bright moon and stars. On the silent walls, only the crackling of torches sounded, casting flickering shadows of the four clans' soul masters.
In the shadow of the battlements, a bright bonfire stood out starkly in the darkness—that was where the four clans' leaders gathered.
Pouring amber liquor into a bowl, then slamming the jug down, the usually suave Bai He lifted the bowl and took a big gulp, liquor dripping down his chin.
Bai He laughed loudly: "Thinking back, when we five were called the Extreme Four Sons, we roamed the continent in glory. Especially fifty years ago, I alone toyed with those two Soul King mercenaries. In our generation, who saw me, Bai He, without eating my dust? Hahaha!"
Yang Wudi wiped his mouth and snorted: "Of course I remember. If I hadn't acted and killed that Longbow Soul King in time, you'd have died under his arrows."
Bai He awkwardly touched his nose, feeling embarrassed to lose face in front of everyone, and tried to patch it: "Ahem, with my speed, he couldn't hit me even if you didn't act."
He then went on about "Douluo soul skills, speed is unbreakable," "Needle-Tailed Swift, continent's fastest," etc., making everyone laugh heartily.
Niu Gao slapped his thigh, laughing: "I'd say the first merit of that battle goes to me. Think about it—if not for my Plate Armor Giant Rhino's supreme defense holding off their only Soul Emperor, could you guys have had it so easy?"
Bai He brightened: "Right, right! In my view, the first merit goes to Old Rhino."
Niu Gao grew even prouder, smugly saying to the three: "Say thanks."
"Thanks, hahaha."
Then three jugs and a bowl clinked.
Tai Tan raised his jug to clash with theirs, the mouths making a dull sound: "Over these years, our four clans have been invincible, making a big name in the soul master world. Who'd have thought now..."
He swallowed the words, downing the jug's contents. The burning liquor slid down his throat but couldn't suppress the gloom in his eyes. "No matter what, tomorrow's battle—we four clans fight side by side like back then!"
"Naturally, let's show the Spirit Hall bastards the style of our single-attribute four clans."
Bold laughter echoed in the night sky, heroic yet tinged with desolation. How could they not know tomorrow might be their last? Just the sensed Titled Douluo auras outside numbered at least five, plus the hordes of soul masters—they might truly end.
"Boom!"
Suddenly, a massive explosion shook all of Clear Sky City. Everyone jumped, looking toward the city.
"It's the city lord's mansion direction." Niu Gao shook his head, seriously looking at the others.
"Let's go see what happened." Yang Wudi said gravely, turning into a streak of light and rushing over. The others followed.
The city lord's mansion, once a glittering luxurious estate, was now gone, leaving only dust clouds and shattered stones. Pillars were half-standing stubbornly, and the courtyard's tough blue bricks were cracked everywhere.
"Screech!"
A sky-shattering cry pierced through as Bai He's seventh soul ring lit up, pale cyan soul power surging through him. His Needle-Tailed Swift true body unfolded massive wings behind, feathers sharp as blades, whistling through the dust to land in the mansion.
"Brother-in-law."
"Little Xiao!"
Bai He roared at the ruins, unable to believe what enemy could silently destroy the city lord's mansion where Clear Sky Sect elites gathered.
"Whoosh."
"Whoosh."
Sounds of breaking air came as other four clan experts arrived, equally incredulous at the sight.
"How is this possible?" Tai Tan's disbelieving voice echoed in the ruins. The mansion housed Clear Sky Sect elites, with Tang Xing and Tang Xiao as Titled Douluos, plus top Soul Douluo elders. What being could do this silently?
Suddenly, nearby Yang Wushuang seemed to realize something and shouted at a stunned Speed Clan Soul Saint:
"Bai Yu, take the Speed Clan's experts to the Clear Sky Sect grounds now and check if anyone's there."
"Huh?" Bai Yu was clearly confused.
"Huh what? Go now! The Clear Sky Sect ran—they fled!" Yang Wushuang's roar echoed, his fury consuming his reason. Known for rationality, he now erupted regardless of setting.
Everyone's faces turned ugly; they instantly thought of this possibility—no, confirmed it. No one could make a mansion guarded by two Titled Douluos vanish without warning—not even Qian Daoliu, and he wouldn't do it.
Bai Yu immediately activated his true body and rushed to the Clear Sky Sect grounds, his roar echoing: "All Speed Clan members, check the Clear Sky Sect guard positions immediately."
"Wushuang, could you be wrong?"
Tai Tan's voice was bitter, forcing a smile uglier than crying at Yang Wushuang.
Did Tai Tan not guess? No, he did, and that's why he couldn't accept it.
Yang Wushuang ignored Tai Tan and said to Yang Wudi: "The noise wasn't just for us; the Spirit Hall heard it too. Once word of Clear Sky Sect's escape spreads, they'll vent on us."
"Quickly gather all clansmen—break out! Break out!"
The final "break out" shook everyone with raging soul power, snapping them back.
"Quick! Quick! Gather the clansmen now." The awakened patriarchs shouted to their people.
Niu Gao roared to the sky: "Clear Sky Sect, fuck your ancestors!"
Yang Wushuang, truly a rare strategist among the four clans, analyzed calmly: "Go to the south gate! It's guarded by Demon Bear Douluo—best for breakout."
North gate: Ghost Leopard Douluo, agility-attack Titled—hard to escape if entangled.
West: Dawn Douluo, not high soul power but Angel Legion overwhelming.
East: two Titled Douluos—even riskier.
Next moment, Bai Yu returned: "The entire Clear Sky Sect grounds are empty; the gate guards vanished not long ago."
Though expected, hearing it crushed the four patriarchs' last restraint, the shame of being tricked and abandoned overwhelming.
"Bang!"
Yang Wudi's Soul Breaking Spear rang sharply, shattering the "Clear Sky Hall" plaque into wood chips.
"Tang Xing!"
Niu Gao's heart filled with grief: Want to flee? Fine! At least take our families; we'd risk our lives to cover you. Can't even bring women and children?
No time to vent anger—they rushed to the south gate. Seeing their gathered clansmen, eyes reddened with fury, but survival instinct overrode hatred for Clear Sky Sect.
"Wushuang, you lead half the young and strong to open the path; I'll cover the rear!" Yang Wudi's eyes bloodshot, he said gravely to Yang Wushuang: "You're calmer than me; you can lead the clan to a safer life in the future."
"No, the clan needs strength in the future. Only with you in charge, Big Brother, can we fend off ghosts and demons. I'll cover the rear." Before Yang Wudi could argue, Yang Wushuang turned and knelt to the elder generation: "This junior is incompetent, tricked by Clear Sky Sect to this point. I ask the elders to join me in covering the rear."
"Half in the grave already—dying for the clan is worthwhile!" The central white-haired elder laughed.
Yang Wushuang then said to Niu Gao: "Old Rhino, merge our two clans for breakout. Remember, charge forward, don't look back—now's not the time for sentiment, got it?"
He then looked at Niu Budong, also on rear duty, then to Yang Wudi: "Big Brother, remember: after escaping, don't think of revenge. Survive—only alive is there hope, to claim today's blood debt from Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall."
Yang Wudi looked at his only brother, tears blurring his vision: "Understood, I understand."
With all four clans assembled, Yang Wushuang grinned ferociously and roared:
"Open the gates!"