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A group of people, in high spirits, walked out of Qi and Blood Soaring Hall with their arms around each other's shoulders, discussing enthusiastically about their gathering in the back mountain that night.
However, just then, Jiang Wu, who had been striding ahead, suddenly stopped.
He slowly turned around, looking expressionlessly at Zhou Zheng and Huang Qiyi, with a faint hint of authority in his eyes.
"Fifth Brother, Eighth Brother," Jiang Wu's voice was calm and low, as if devoid of any emotion, "I feel that you two have been a bit lax in your Cultivation recently."
When Zhou Zheng and Huang Qiyi heard this, their hearts tightened, and they immediately realized that they might have been a bit too complacent in the hall just now.
The two exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of unease in the other's eyes.
"Ahem, well… Second Brother, I was really just joking just now, please don't take it to heart!" Huang Qiyi showed a fawning smile, but inwardly, he was secretly complaining.
Although he and Jiang Wu were both Level 79 Spirit Saints, Jiang Wu had been hovering at the threshold of Level 80 for nearly ten years, so his strength was naturally superior to his.
Moreover, from Jiang Wu's appearance just now, it was clear that he had a belly full of anger; if they really fought, he probably wouldn't have the Face to see anyone tomorrow.
"Exactly, exactly, Second Brother! We're all brothers, why bother? Why don't you just let me go like a fart." Huang Qiyi, at Level 79, still couldn't beat Jiang Wu, and he, at Level 73, was even further behind.
This was a strategic retreat, nothing to be ashamed of.
However, Jiang Wu remained expressionless, merely saying, "Both of you, together."
This sentence was like a bolt of lightning, instantly striking the Zhou and Huang Duo.
They exchanged glances, and a hint of surprise flashed in their eyes.
Originally, they were worried about being easily crushed by Jiang Wu in a one-on-one fight, but now Jiang Wu had actually offered to go two-on-one—wasn't this a golden opportunity?
They knew that if the two of them teamed up, winning against Jiang Wu should not be a problem.
Thinking of this, the eyes of the Zhou and Huang Duo lit up, as if they had already seen the dawn of victory.
Such an opportunity to legitimately beat Jiang Wu was rare!
"How could we impose, Second Brother, please come this way."
"Yes, yes, we'll be relying on Second Brother's guidance later."
Looking at the figures gradually moving away, Zhang Tao looked at Chen Zhen, his tone uncertain whether it was anticipation or worry: "Will Fifth Brother and Eighth Brother be beaten to death?"
Chen Zhen's lips curled into a slight, inscrutable smile, and his reply carried a hint of teasing: "Not to death, but I know…" He deliberately dragged out his words, then said with a half-smile, "It will hurt a lot."
When Zhang Tao heard Chen Zhen's words, the smile on his Face couldn't be suppressed.
He, of course, knew Jiang Wu's strength; if Jiang Wu were still Level 79, he might indeed not be a match for the Zhou and Huang Duo.
However, not long ago, when they were on a mission with the Second Elder, Jiang Wu had already Broken through the barrier that had troubled him for nearly ten years, successfully entering the Level 80 Domain.
Not only that, with the assistance of the Second Elder, Jiang Wu had also successfully hunted a suitable spirit ring for himself, and he was now a genuine Level 81 Spirit Douluo.
Even if the Zhou and Huang Duo teamed up, they would absolutely be no match for Jiang Wu.
The other people around, hearing the conversation between Zhang Tao and Chen Zhen, seemed to have guessed some clues.
A mischievous smile appeared on their Faces in unison, and then they quietly followed the direction where the three had left, eagerly anticipating a good show… "Second Brother, not the Face, ahhh!"
"Brother! My dear brother! I was wrong, I was really wrong, ah~"
Inside the hall, distant screams of agony could be heard, indicating how ruthless the person delivering the blows was.
"This time, I plan to try and hunt for more top-grade whale glue during our sea trip, so that Fourth Brother, you can also attempt to Break through to Level 90."
Chu Shanhe said this while pouring tea for Hua Shuwen, Second Elder, titled 'Jade Skin' and Yuan Hua.
Yuan Hua took the teacup from Chu Shanhe, looked at the latter's graying hair, and laughed at himself, saying, "It's all my fault for being so conceited in my youth, foolishly attempting to create a Spirit Ability comparable to the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes as a Spirit Saint, which delayed my Cultivation time.
I've been stuck at Level 89 for twenty years, unable to Break through to Titled Douluo, and the entire burden of the Body Sect wouldn't have remained on your and Sixth Brother's shoulders."
In his youth, listening to the legendary stories of Clear Sky Douluo Tang Chen, and being a top Genius with the potential to become a Titled Douluo, he believed that if Tang Chen could do it, he was naturally no weaker than anyone.
Thus, he spent a great deal of time researching and creating his own Spirit Ability, but by the time he realized his mistake, it was already too late.
Even with a determined effort to catch up, he still got stuck at the threshold of the Titled Douluo and could not advance an inch.
Hua Shuwen, Second Elder, titled 'Jade Skin', who was beside him, shook his head at the self-reproaching Yuan Hua and comforted him, saying, "Fourth Brother, what you said is wrong.
The self-created Spirit Abilities you researched back then benefited the entire Sect.
Your efforts advanced our Body Sect's research into self-created Spirit Abilities by at least a hundred years.
Everyone in the Body Sect knows that your contributions are no less than anyone else's in the Sect."
Chu Shanhe also said, "Yes, your contributions to the Sect are evident for all to see.
Who would dare call you a good-for-nothing?"
Under their consolation, a smile finally appeared on Yuan Hua's Face.
He looked at Chu Shanhe and asked, "Sect Master, what instructions do you have for keeping the two of us here?"
At the mention of this, Chu Shanhe's Face also became much more serious.
He slowly rose, walked to the window, and looked at the distant sky, saying, "Not long ago, a Disciple from the Sect outside sent back news: Supreme Pontiff Qian Xunji has fallen, and Qian Daoliu, who had been in seclusion for many years, has angrily emerged.
Do you think the Clear Sky Sect has any chance of winning this battle?"
Hearing Chu Shanhe's question, the two answered without thinking: "Absolutely not.
The Clear Sky Sect owes its existence today only to the prestige of Tang Chen, but Tang Chen has been missing for twenty years.
Although his lingering power remains, to rely on it to withstand the wrath of Spirit Hall is simply a fool's dream."
"Fourth Brother is absolutely right.
Although the Clear Sky Sect is known as the 'Number One Sect under Heaven,' in reality, after Tang Chen's disappearance, it has long been unworthy of the title.
The Sect Master, Tang Xing, has mediocre talent and only managed to become a Titled Douluo by relying on his father's protection.
In terms of strength, he might not even be a match for Chen Xin, the Sword Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Moreover, this time it is a grudge for killing a son; let alone Tang Xing, even if Tang Chen reappeared, he might not be able to protect the Clear Sky Sect."
Since Tang Chen's disappearance, the Clear Sky Sect's strength has been utterly unworthy of the title "Number One Sect under Heaven."
In terms of overall strength, it is far inferior to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, and its high-end combat power is also weaker than the Sword and Bone Douluo.
If not for the emergence of the "Clear Sky Twin Stars" many years ago, this "Number One Sect under Heaven" would have changed hands long ago.
Hearing this, Chu Shanhe's lips curled into a smile, and he asked again, "Then do you think the Clear Sky Sect can overcome this crisis?"
"This…" The two exchanged glances, clearly finding this question difficult to answer.
Finally, Hua Shuwen, Second Elder, titled 'Jade Skin' deliberated, "Before Tang Chen disappeared, he once challenged Qian Daoliu, and in the end, Qian Daoliu narrowly lost by one move.
Later, he had a long conversation with Tang Chen throughout the night, and it's possible they made some kind of agreement at that time."
Qian Daoliu was a renowned gentleman in the entire Spirit Master's world, always true to his word.
If he had indeed made an agreement with Tang Chen that was beneficial to the Clear Sky Sect at that time, he might still fulfill it, even in the Face of the grudge for killing his son.
Yuan Hua also nodded.
The "Two Peaks" were primarily active nearly a hundred years ago, at which time none of the three had been born.
Their understanding of Qian Daoliu was limited to the records left by the previous Sect Master: a noble and upright gentleman, who could even be described as pedantic.
Oh no, there was also one more impression of Qian Daoliu from the "Two Peaks" battle twenty years ago: a "fool" who, despite having an aerial advantage, insisted on clashing head-on with a reckless brute.
"Since you also believe that the Clear Sky Sect has a way to protect itself, do you think they will also protect the Four Single-Attribute Clans?"
"Difficult.
No matter how great Tang Chen's Face is, in this situation, it would be good enough if he could protect his direct Clear Sky Sect lineage.
Trying to protect the Four Clans as well is almost impossible."
Hua Shuwen, Second Elder, titled 'Jade Skin' on the other side chimed in: "Moreover, given the grudge for killing his son, it's debatable whether Qian Daoliu will even acknowledge this agreement.
To make Qian Daoliu regain his sanity, he'd have to vent his anger first, somehow.
In my opinion, the Four Single-Attribute Clans would be very suitable for that."
After much talking, they still hadn't reached the main point, and Yuan Hua was also anxious, so he couldn't help but say to Chu Shanhe, "Second Brother, what exactly do you want to say?"
Chu Shanhe turned to Face the two and softly said, "Since the Clear Sky Sect cannot protect, or rather, will not protect the Four Clans, the Four Clans are bound to suffer heavy casualties.
If our Sect secretly intervenes to help them at that time, with this favor, do you think we can obtain their ancestral alchemy secret formula from the Breaking Clan?"
Neither Hua Shuwen, Second Elder, titled 'Jade Skin' nor Yuan Hua had expected Chu Shanhe's goal to be the proud medicinal formula of the Breaking Clan.
That item was the very foundation of that clan's existence, and there had always been rumors in the Spirit Master's world that even the Clear Sky Sect coveted its formula, but dared not demand it due to the terrifying offensive power of the Soul Breaking Spear.
"The Breaking Clan has always been straightforward and values loyalty and righteousness.
If we help them when they Face a crisis of annihilation, and exchange it for their medicinal formula, this act, though somewhat leveraging a favor for repayment, given Yang Wudi's character, he should not refuse.
Second Brother, why are you suddenly interested in the Breaking Clan's medicinal formula?"
Sensing their confusion, Chu Shanhe smiled slightly, seemingly having anticipated their reaction.
He did not hide anything, and directly said, "Although whale Spirit Beasts are not uncommon in the ocean, they are all powerful predators at the top of the sea Spirit Beast food chain.
Moreover, the vast majority of whale Spirit Beasts live in groups, which means we can indeed harvest a considerable amount of whale glue in a short period.
However, this situation certainly won't last too long."
Chu Shanhe paused briefly, letting his words settle in the air for a moment, then continued, "Perhaps hundreds of years, perhaps only decades, time will always pass, and we too will eventually grow old.
Therefore, we cannot just be content with immediate gains; we also need to consider future generations.
After all, we cannot guarantee that in the future, whale Spirit Beasts will still be so easy to catch."
His gaze swept over the two, and he continued, "The Breaking Clan's alchemy is renowned throughout the continent; this is a well-known fact.
If we can obtain their alchemy methods, then in the future, we can use whale glue to refine similar medicines.
This way, we won't have to directly swallow whale glue as we did just now, but can better utilize its efficacy by refining medicines."
Chu Shanhe's voice grew deeper, yet it was filled with determination, "Our Sect indeed has some achievements in alchemy, and we have accumulated considerable experience over the years.
However, what we excel at is primarily the refining of medicines that strengthen the physique and boost Qi and blood.
What we obtained from the Ye family were merely some medicinal schematics.
When it comes to true alchemy methods, there are very few in the current world that can compare to the Breaking Clan."
He sighed deeply, "And now, the Breaking Clan Faces a crisis of annihilation, how many people on the continent are willing to lend a helping hand?
Probably very few."
"Our Sect saves his entire clan; as a reward, it's not too much to ask for his alchemy techniques, is it?" Chu Shanhe said with a calm expression.
Hua Shuwen, Second Elder, titled 'Jade Skin' and Yuan Hua exchanged glances, both marveling at Chu Shanhe's extraordinary vision.
One must know that the effects of whale glue had only recently been discovered, yet Chu Shanhe was already able to look so far ahead, thinking about matters hundreds or thousands of years in the future.
Such foresight truly surpassed many others.
However, thinking of the powerful lineup that Spirit Hall might dispatch this time, Hua Shuwen, Second Elder, titled 'Jade Skin' still said with some concern, "In that case, I will go with the Sect Master.
It's always better to have more people helping out."
Chu Shanhe, however, shook his head and resolutely refused: "The fewer people involved in this matter, the better.
I will go alone.
You first take those youngsters to get the whale glue, and then wait for me in Hanhai City."
Seeing Chu Shanhe's firm attitude, Hua Shuwen, Second Elder, titled 'Jade Skin' found it difficult to insist further and could only nod in agreement: "Alright, Sect Master, I'll listen to you.
But when will the Sect Master depart?"
Chu Shanhe pondered for a moment, then replied, "Tomorrow."