The matters concerning the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had temporarily come to an end.
Next, Ye Hao set his sights on the Clear Sky Clan—a tough nut to crack.
To annihilate them would require significant effort.
Moreover, Ye Hao's current soul power was at rank 75, and his fifth trial was simply to obtain a 100,000-year soul ring. For him, this was far too easy.
Thus, he decided to take a short break before dealing with the Clear Sky Clan.
---
Meanwhile, in the Divine Realm...
"Shura! Shura! Shura!"
The vast Divine Realm echoed with the furious voice of the Sea God, his anger reverberating through the heavens.
Inside the Divine Council, the Shura God wore a faint smile as he observed the Sea God's arrival. He already knew the purpose of this visit.
When Ye Hao had wielded the Shura Demon Sword against Tang San, the Shura God had sensed it. Now, the Sea God was undoubtedly here to demand answers.
"Shura, I demand an explanation! How did the Death God's heir obtain the Shura Demon Sword?" The Sea God's tone was aggressive, his words carrying clear accusation.
"Hmm? What do you mean? I don't understand." The Shura God scratched his head, feigning ignorance.
"..." The Sea God's expression darkened.
"Don't play dumb with me! Did you and the Death God conspire behind my back?"
Faced with the Sea God's interrogation, the Shura God steeled himself and replied, "No, absolutely not. The agreement between you and the Death God was witnessed by all five of us gods. As for the Shura Demon Sword in the hands of the Death God's heir...
"That was because the heir passed through the Slaughter City and coincidentally gained the sword's recognition. That's all there is to it."
As he spoke, the Shura God stole a few glances at the Sea God, noticing his increasingly grim expression.
"Enough!" The Sea God growled. "I don't care what agreement you and the Death God have, but there's one condition—you must instruct the Death God to restrain his heir. He is not to attack my heir before Tang San obtains the Sea God's Nine Trials, nor is he to use the Shura Demon Sword against him!"
"..."
After a long tirade, the Sea God's throat was nearly parched.
As he turned to leave, the Shura God suddenly spoke again.
"Poseidon, you've been a god for ten thousand years. I've always believed your judgment to be sound. But this time... you've made a mistake. Appearances can be deceiving. Perhaps you should observe your heir more carefully before acting so rashly."
After a pause, the Shura God continued, "Your agreement with the Death God remains in effect, and I will not interfere further. However, remember this—once your heir obtains the Sea God's Nine Trials, it also means the Death God's heir is free to strike with lethal intent. Tell your heir to be careful. It would be a shame if he perished immediately after receiving his trials."
"..." The Sea God was left speechless.
"I don't need your concern."
With that, the Sea God stormed off in frustration, undoubtedly heading straight for the Death God's divine hall.
---
Back in the Douluo Continent, six months had passed.
In this half-year, the Spirit Hall had rapidly expanded, amassing a formidable force of soul masters in preparation for the final steps toward unifying the continent.
Once the Clear Sky Clan was destroyed, their next target would be the Star Luo Empire.
During this time, Ye Hao had fully embraced the art of deception.
To dismantle the once-mighty Clear Sky Clan, he had used Qian Renxue's Angel Soul Bone to alter his appearance, killing a Clear Sky Clan disciple named Tang Yu and taking his place.
Now, after three months of infiltration, Ye Hao had a firm grasp of the Clear Sky Clan's inner workings.
He knew them inside and out.
To maintain his cover, Ye Hao had thoroughly studied the Clear Sky Clan's techniques—the Clear Sky Nine Subtleties, the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Method, and other secret arts.
The Clear Sky Hammer's fearsome reputation stemmed from its ruthless techniques and legendary figures like Tang Chen and Tang Hao.
Then there was the Great Sumeru Hammer—the clan's most guarded secret, passed down only to the next clan leader. By detonating soul rings, one could unleash power comparable to that of a god.
Ye Hao had long coveted this divine skill, but it was strictly reserved for the clan's successor.
---
One day, Tang Xiao suddenly summoned Ye Hao.
"Tang Xiao is calling for me? Did he see through my disguise?"
Ye Hao had infiltrated the Clear Sky Clan with utmost secrecy. He prided himself on his acting skills—honed to perfection in his past life—and was confident he hadn't slipped up.
Suppressing his doubts, Ye Hao steeled himself and made his way to Tang Xiao's quarters.
The Clear Sky Clan was perched atop a mountain, surrounded by steep cliffs. The only entrance was a single chain-linked bridge, now frozen over in the winter cold.
A single misstep would send one plummeting into the abyss below.
"Clan Leader." Ye Hao bowed respectfully as he approached Tang Xiao.
To his surprise, Tang Yuehua was also present, seated beside her brother. The two seemed to be discussing something important.
"Tang Yu, you're here." Tang Xiao smiled warmly.
No killing intent. My disguise is flawless! Ye Hao inwardly rejoiced. If I'd been this good in my past life, I'd have won an Oscar by now.
"Clan Leader, did you summon me for a task?" Ye Hao asked.
Tang Yuehua chuckled. "Indeed. My nephew, Tang San, will soon arrive at the Clear Sky Clan. You, along with Tang Long and Tang Hu, are to meet him at the mountain gate and escort him inside. That's all."
Ye Hao's eyes flickered. Escort Tang San?
He had long known of Tang San's impending visit. Over the past three months, Ye Hao had mingled with the Clear Sky Clan's disciples, gathering every scrap of intelligence he could.
Tang Xiao was currently a rank-96 Titled Douluo, while the five elders ranged between ranks 91 and 93. The clan's disciples numbered just over 200—a mere fraction compared to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, both of which had been annihilated six months prior.
The Clear Sky Clan's greatest advantage lay in its treacherous terrain, making it nearly impregnable. A direct assault would result in heavy losses.
With only one accessible path—the chain bridge—they could simply sever the chains for an instant defense. Without flying-type soul masters, the clan was virtually unassailable.
Truly, the Clear Sky Clan had chosen an ideal stronghold.
"Understood." Ye Hao bowed and withdrew, his mind already racing with plans.
Shortly after Ye Hao left, Tang Yuehua remarked, "Tang Yu has changed quite a bit. His strength now ranks among the top of the third-generation disciples."
"That's how it should be among our disciples. Only when they grow stronger will we have no fear of the Spirit Hall in the future."
Tang Xiao smiled faintly, sitting in the clan leader's seat with a sigh. "After destroying the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the Spirit Hall has been unusually quiet. It makes me uneasy—like they're brewing something."
"Big brother, don't borrow trouble. The Clear Sky Clan is now on full alert. With our geographical advantage, we can hold our ground if the Spirit Hall makes any move." Tang Yuehua shook her head wryly. The pressure from the Spirit Hall was immense, making Tang Xiao restless, fearing a sudden attack.
Just like the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan half a year ago—both were annihilated inexplicably, with no one knowing exactly what happened.
Rumors abounded—some said it was a surprise attack, others claimed an unknown powerhouse intervened, and still others believed the two clans had provoked a formidable enemy, leading to their destruction.
As for the truth? Only the Spirit Hall knew.
"Sigh—"
Tang Xiao felt powerless, a sense of defeat washing over him.
"I just hope the Clear Sky Clan doesn't follow in the footsteps of the other two clans. As clan leader, I can't fail our ancestors after death." He thought silently.
---
Meanwhile, Ye Hao, having left Tang Xiao's residence, walked leisurely toward the mountain path, deep in thought.
"Tang San is coming to the Clear Sky Clan. Given the current situation, 90% of the clan opposes his return—it would only bring shame. The remaining 10% are just Tang Xiao, Tang Yuehua, and those close to the late Tang Hao. They're insignificant."
"Most of the clan's power lies in the hands of the five elders. As long as they object, even Tang Xiao's overwhelming strength is useless. Collective power is absolute."
The fact that Tang Xiao had assigned him to receive Tang San was interesting. It had been half a year since Ye Hao infiltrated the Clear Sky Clan, and he hadn't seen Tang San since. He wondered how much Tang San had grown.
Ye Hao was looking forward to it—but one question still puzzled him.
The Heaven Dou Empire's national treasure, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, had mysteriously disappeared.
When Ye Hao first learned of this, he was shocked.
But soon, the Death God appeared in his dreams and explained:
The Sea God gave the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud to Tang San—it's crucial for him to obtain the Sea God's Nine Trials. The Sea God also knows about your Shura God inheritance and made a pact with me: You cannot interfere with Tang San's affairs, harm him, or use the Shura Demon Sword against him...
At least, not before he obtains the Sea God's Nine Trials.
"Heh—"
"Not allowed to touch him? Right now, I'm Tang Yu, not Ye Hao. If I beat him up as Tang Yu, the Sea God shouldn't mind, right?" Ye Hao laughed heartily as he strode down the mountain.
---
Tang Long and Tang Hu, both third-generation disciples of equal status to Ye Hao's current identity, had been waiting at the foot of the mountain for three days with no sign of Tang San.
"Damn it! That Tang San has some nerve—three days and still no show!" Tang Long cursed.
The mountain's base was bitterly cold, especially in the depths of winter. Snow fell relentlessly, temperatures plummeted, and the sky was a lifeless gray.
The ground was buried under thick snow as the three huddled inside a small house near the clan's entrance, gathered around a flickering fire.
Tang Long and Tang Hu shivered uncontrollably. Though they were soul masters with soul power to protect them, prolonged exposure to the cold was still unbearable.
Ye Hao, however, was unaffected. Protected by the Death God's Heart and tempered by the Infernal Apricot Delicate and Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, he was impervious to extreme temperatures and poisons alike.
This chill was nothing to him.
"What do you think the Second Elder meant by summoning Tang San alone? Is he planning to reintegrate him into the clan?" Tang Hu asked.
This matter had caused quite a stir within the Clear Sky Clan's inner circle. With Tang San's impending arrival, many disciples were curious to see what kind of person could be so universally despised across the continent.
"Reintegrate? Hah!" Tang Long burst into laughter.
"Not a chance! Our Clear Sky Clan won't accept someone so unfilial and disloyal—someone who calls a soul beast his sister! It'd be a disgrace!"
The two went back and forth, voicing the majority opinion within the clan.
"Thinking he can just waltz back in because he has twin martial souls? What a joke. What a shame Tang Hao had such a rebellious son." Tang Long sighed.
"Hey, Tang Yu, what do you think about Tang San?"
Noticing Ye Hao's silence, the two turned to him, curious about his stance. Tang San's acceptance or rejection was a matter of the clan's dignity.
"Me? My opinion is—"
Suddenly, Ye Hao's expression sharpened. He sensed something shifting in the atmosphere.
"Brrr—it's freezing!" Tang Long rubbed his hands together as the temperature dropped sharply.
"Damn this weather!" Tang Hu cursed.
Then Ye Hao noticed something strange—the fire before them had frozen solid into a block of ice.
At the same time, an overwhelming killing intent spread through the air... coming from behind them.
"Slaughter Domain," Ye Hao muttered, his brow furrowing.
He recognized it instantly—he possessed the same domain and was acutely sensitive to its presence.
"Tang San is here. Let's move!" Ye Hao urged.
Before the other two could react, the wall behind them exploded. A black-cloaked figure wielding the Clear Sky Hammer emerged, his face concealed.
Though his identity was hidden, the hammer in his hand confirmed one thing—he was from the Clear Sky Clan.
"Who are you? Why attack us?" Tang Long roared.
The black-clad man gave no answer. Instead, he charged forward, his Clear Sky Hammer kicking up waves of snow as he closed the distance.
"What the—" Ye Hao barely held back his curse.
Tang San was swinging his hammer at him? Ye Hao hadn't even said a word!
He'd been too busy plotting the Clear Sky Clan's downfall...
"Damn it, even a clay figurine has a temper. You think you can bully me?"