Tang Chen, the First Haotian Douluo of the Clear Sky Sect, had always been Tang Hao's lifelong idol — a lofty peak he could only look up to but never reach.
Even though Tang Hao had already grown into a Super Douluo, in his eyes, his grandfather's status had never changed. On the contrary, as his strength increased, he became even more aware of how difficult it was to break through to the realm of Limit Douluo.
Since this new Chief Elder was someone personally chosen by his grandfather, Tang Hao would follow that decision no matter who it was. All the more so, this Chief Elder had gone against the majority opinion and reinstated him into the Clear Sky Sect. For this alone, Tang Hao felt genuine gratitude.
"Is Chief Elder here? Please accept a bow from Tang Hao!"
Tang Hao's voice was like rolling thunder.
Immediately afterward, he dropped to his knees with the force of a falling mountain, paying his respects.
Never in his life had he thought he would be allowed to return to the Clear Sky Sect. Such a kindness deserved this bow!
The disciples standing before him quickly made way, opening a path.
After all, this was the Haotian Douluo. Regardless of the trouble he had once brought upon the sect, his status remained unshakable. Who dared stand in his way?
Even the elders of his uncle's generation stepped aside.
As the disciples moved, a tall, solitary figure with a cold and proud aura was revealed.
The man stood quietly at the head of the assembly. His very presence seemed to dominate the space, making him stand out even more as the sect disciples flanked him like two walls.
Slowly, he turned around. His gaze met Tang Hao's.
Tang Hao froze, his mind buzzing as if struck by lightning.
"You… Chief Elder… is actually you!?"
He stared, dumbfounded.
The man smiled faintly and walked forward, extending his hands as soul power gently lifted Tang Hao from the ground.
It was Chen Feng.
Tang Hao's eyes widened in disbelief. What was going on?
Chen Feng, wielder of the Seven Kill Sword martial soul, had become the Chief Elder of the Clear Sky Sect?
And he was the one recognized by Grandfather?
Yet, even more shocking than his identity was his strength.
Tang Hao was a Level 95 Super Douluo. His soul power was incomparably dense. But Chen Feng hadn't even truly pulled him up — it was only a gentle soul power lift. Still, Tang Hao had felt a vast, unstoppable force that made him rise involuntarily.
This meant Chen Feng's strength was not inferior to his own!
Tang Hao's expression flickered. He had always known Chen Feng was gifted, but never could he have imagined such terrifying growth.
Just a few years ago, Chen Feng had been a young soul master who could barely compete with Tang San. In the blink of an eye, he now stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Super Douluo.
No — in terms of status, as Chief Elder of the Clear Sky Sect, Chen Feng had already surpassed most Super Douluo, enough to be considered on par with the Grand Worship of the Spirit Hall.
Of course, that was only in name, for the Clear Sky Sect's strength alone still couldn't match the Spirit Hall.
"Chen Feng… after all these years, you've given me a far greater surprise than I ever expected."
For once, Tang Hao lowered his head.
Once, he had been a peerless genius himself. Yet time was merciless. The once-mighty Haotian Douluo now bore streaks of gray in his hair.
This era… it belonged to the young.
Recalling the unpleasant conflict back at Shrek Academy — where Sword Douluo had even stood up for Chen Feng against him — Tang Hao's face flushed with embarrassment.
But Chen Feng only smiled faintly. He did not mention those unpleasant past events.
Back then, as a father, Tang Hao hadn't been wrong.
"Let all the unpleasantness be forgotten. Welcome back to the Clear Sky Sect, Haotian Douluo!"
Chen Feng said warmly.
A great cheer erupted from the disciples.
With the twin pillars of Tang Xiao and Tang Hao, both Super Douluo, plus the five Titled Douluo elders, the Clear Sky Sect's return to the peak of the continent seemed only a matter of time.
Tang Xiao's eyes were moist with emotion. Unable to restrain himself, he stepped forward and embraced his younger brother tightly.
The powerful bodies of the Haotian Twin Stars clashed, emitting resonant echoes like steel striking steel.
In the days that followed, the sect officially acknowledged Tang Hao's reinstatement. He, in turn, offered incense before his father's tomb, fulfilling his long-held wish.
Ten days later—
Chains stretched across the mountains.
Two hundred Clear Sky Sect disciples, led by Tang Xiao and Tang Hao, marched out of seclusion.
The news spread, shaking the entire soul master world.
At the same time, an oppressive aura loomed in the Pope's Palace.
That day, Bibi Dong announced the founding of the Spirit Empire.
She dispatched nearly 100,000 elite soul masters and 700,000 ordinary soldiers, surging toward the Heaven Dou Empire.
The army was unstoppable. Nearly ten Titled Douluo guarded the central ranks, while the soul master legions swept through the land.
Along the way, kingdoms and duchies flung open their gates in surrender, sending envoys to pledge allegiance to the Spirit Empire.
This was exactly what Bibi Dong desired.
With her power sweeping across the land, she had already begun to envision herself as Empress, sovereign of the entire continent.
At the same time, a new generation of Seven Great Sects emerged:
Saint Dragon Sect
Elephant Armored Sect
Wind Sword Sect
Fire Leopard Sect
Black Tiger Sect
Rock Antelope Sect
Hornet Sect
The birth of these new sects symbolized the fall of the old Seven Sects.
It also meant the Spirit Hall no longer recognized the former Upper Three Sects.
Although no formal declaration of war had yet been made, everyone on the continent knew that a great battle was inevitable.
Except for the somewhat reluctant Wind Sword Sect, the other six sects threw their full support behind Bibi Dong, marching with her armies to the frontlines.
Their core disciples marched in unison with the Spirit Empire's forces, forming a magnificent sight.
Bibi Dong carried the unstoppable momentum of one destined to unify the world.
The two great empires were indeed caught unprepared.
In response, the Heaven Dou Empire, led by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, hastily gathered an army: 18,000 soul masters and one million imperial troops, commanded by Marshal Ge Long.
Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo, and Poison Douluo all joined the expedition, along with the four Single-Attribute Clans. This was practically the Heaven Dou Empire's entire foundation.
Both sides chose the same battlefield—
Jialing Pass.
Jialing Pass was the last great fortress of the Heaven Dou Empire, and also the Spirit Empire's final gateway to expansion.
If it fell, the Heaven Dou Empire would have no more natural defenses. The Spirit Empire, backed by overwhelming numbers of soul masters, could sweep through the Heaven Dou Empire like a storm before turning to face the Star Luo Empire at its back.