From the very first day Tang San stepped onto the Clear Sky Clan's grounds, he was beaten.
In the days that followed, he endured constant ridicule and scorn, becoming a universally despised figure within the clan. He had truly tasted the bitterness of the world.
Half a month had passed, yet Tang San's injuries showed no signs of improvement. Countless bones had been broken, leaving him bedridden and immobile.
During this time, Tang Yuehua took it upon herself to care for Tang San's daily needs.
Tang Hao was dead. Apart from his aunt, Tang San had nothing left.
"Aaaah!!!"
Tang San gritted his teeth in pain, his body wrapped tightly in bandages like a mummy.
"Damn you, Tang Yu. Just you wait."
At the same time, a faint blue glow flickered from the triangular mark between his brows, a gentle energy soothing his wounds.
---
While Tang San lay bedridden, Ye Hao—disguised as Tang Yu—mingled freely with the Clear Sky Clan disciples, gathering valuable information.
Meanwhile, to guard against a surprise attack from the Spirit Hall, the clan had established a heavily fortified path from the foot of the mountain to its peak—the only way up.
Ye Hao had already mapped it out thoroughly.
"Six months ago, that old bat completely corrupted Tang Chen. The once-mighty Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Chen, is no more. Good. That saves me some trouble."
"Now that I've scouted the clan's situation, the next step is to deal with the five elders and Tang Xiao—the core of the Clear Sky Clan's strength. As for Tang Yuehua... that woman is far too sharp. If she catches even a hint of suspicion, everything could fall apart. She must be dealt with first."
Ye Hao sat in his room, chin resting on his hand, deep in thought.
Knock, knock, knock—
A sudden rap at the door pulled him from his thoughts.
Who would come at this hour?
"It's me."
Tang Yuehua's voice.
Why was she here?
Ye Hao, still in the guise of Tang Yu, rose and opened the door.
"Aunt Yuehua, it's quite late. Is there something you need?" he asked casually.
"I should have come to see you sooner. Tonight, I'm here for one reason—to apologize on behalf of Xiao San."
Tang Yu feigned shock. "No, no! You're my elder—how could I possibly accept an apology from you? If the Seventh Elder found out, he'd skin me alive!"
Tang Yuehua sighed. "The Seventh Elder has always been hot-tempered. Tang Yu, I know the full story of what happened between you and Xiao San. He... has realized his mistakes. I hope..."
Tang Yu cut her off. "You want me to forgive him, don't you?"
Tang Yuehua remained silent, nodding slightly.
"I won't. A man who tried to kill me doesn't deserve forgiveness. Tang San has lost his mind. Aunt Yuehua, you should stay away from him—who's to say he won't turn on you next?"
"How dare you!" Tang Yuehua snapped. "He's my nephew! He would never—"
"Just a thought," Tang Yu said with a placating smile. "No need to get worked up. It's not worth ruining your health over someone like him."
So, Tang Hao entrusted Tang San to her before he died. That's why she's pleading for mercy now.
Forgive him?
Never.
"Xiao San has suffered so much," Tang Yuehua murmured. "He lost his mother young, and now his father. I'm all he has left... along with the Clan Master."
She sighed, her tone softening. "Tang Yu, I know you've been wronged. What Xiao San did shames me as well. I failed to guide him properly. I'll leave you to rest now."
After seeing her out, Tang Yu shut the door, his expression turning cold.
"She's biased toward Tang San—after all, he's Tang Hao's only son. Given his nature, I'm definitely on his 'must-kill' list now."
A smirk tugged at his lips.
Let's see what you do next, Tang San.
---
Another half-month passed.
Tang San had finally recovered, his body restored to full strength.
For an entire month, he had been confined to bed, suffering both physically and mentally. The Clear Sky Clan disciples had shown no mercy—had they struck any harder, he might have been crippled for life.
"Just you wait, Clear Sky Clan. Tang Yu... I will kill you with my own hands."
That morning, major news spread through the clan: the Clan Master and the five elders had summoned Tang San.
His injuries had delayed this meeting, but now that he was healed, the time had come.
---
At dawn, the grand assembly hall of the Clear Sky Clan was filled with a suffocating tension.
The five elders and Clan Master Tang Xiao sat imposingly at the high platform, their expressions stern.
Disciples stood in rigid rows, their gazes sharp and hostile.
Every member of the clan was present—except those on patrol.
Then, Tang San stepped into the hall.
The moment he entered, countless eyes locked onto him.
Hatred. Disdain. Mockery. Contempt.
The disciples' fury was palpable.
After Tang San's attempted murder of Tang Yu, the clan had reached a unanimous decision:
Tang San would never be allowed to join the Clear Sky Clan.
Letting him reclaim his heritage would be an insult to their name.
"Tang San, get out of the Clear Sky Clan!"
A sudden shout erupted.
Then another.
And another.
Soon, the entire hall roared in unison:
"TANG SAN, GET OUT!"
"TANG SAN, GET OUT!"
"TANG SAN, GET OUT!"
The unified chant shook the walls.
Tang San clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.
Remember this humiliation.
I will repay it tenfold.
Then, his gaze locked onto Tang Yu.
Their eyes met.
Tang Yu smirked—and raised a single, taunting middle finger.
"What are you looking at, trash? Get lost."
And with that, Tang San's fury ignited.
Tang Hao's death and Yu Xiaogang's murder had fundamentally changed Tang San. His temper now flared at the slightest provocation, and he increasingly relied on violence to solve every problem.
Clenching his jaw, Tang San wordlessly approached the five elders and Tang Xiao. Tang Yuehua had warned him beforehand - reckless anger would only ruin his chances.
"Clan Master. Elders." Tang San gave a stiff bow.
His lukewarm demeanor immediately drew the Seventh Elder's ire. "Tang Hao certainly raised a fine son," the elder sneered. "Can't even show basic respect anymore."
To the elder, Tang San had forfeited any right to remain in the Clear Sky Clan the moment he tried to kill Tang Yu.
"Kneel!" The Seventh Elder's command carried the full weight of his Titled Douluo aura.
The pressure forced Tang San back a step. The blue triangular mark between his brows flickered faintly, helping him resist the crushing force. Yet his bones still creaked under the strain, blood roaring in his ears. This was no mere intimidation - the elder was genuinely furious.
"Enough." Tang Xiao's intervention halted the pressure. "While Tang San bears responsibility, today isn't about punishment."
The Seventh Elder snorted. Under normal circumstances, he'd have verbally flayed Tang San alive and thrown him out immediately.
Tang Xiao suppressed a sigh. Clan authority rested largely with the five elders now - their influence even surpassed his as Clan Master.
A deliberate cough from the Second Elder silenced the hall like thunder. Disciples straightened instantly. Satisfied with the obedience, the elder turned his piercing gaze to Tang San.
"Tang San. Seventeen years old. Twin martial souls. Rank 64 Soul Emperor. Possesses the Slaughter Domain."
Murmurs erupted. Disciples stared at Tang San like he was some freak of nature.
"He's not even twenty and already a Soul Emperor?"
"Idiot! He's got twin martial souls - only Pope Bibi Dong and that Ye Hao share that trait."
"Pity Uncle Hao married a soul beast. Disgraceful."
"And this one fancies a rabbit! What's wrong with their family?"
The whispers burned Tang San's ears. Veins bulged at his temples as his eyes widened in fury.
They all deserve death!
"Silence!" The Second Elder's command restored order. "Tang San. Do you admit your crimes?"
"What crimes?" Tang San forced out through gritted teeth.
"Audacious!" The Seventh Elder nearly erupted again.
But the Second Elder raised a hand. "You attempted to murder a Clear Sky Clan disciple. That alone warrants judgment."
"Second Elder, you may not know - even before entering the mountain, Tang Long and Tang Hu insulted me behind my back," Tang San countered.
"We're aware. They apologized," the elder replied coolly. "Yet you assumed Tang Yu participated and attacked him unprovoked. When you lost that fight, your wounded pride led to your assassination attempt on the Iron Chain Bridge. Calculating little beast - Tang Hao would weep to see what you've become."
"How dare you—"
"Insult him?" The Seventh Elder cut in. "We're his elders! We've every right to reprimand! Your father abandoned the clan for personal whims, and your mother - a soul beast shameless enough to seduce a human! Even as a human, I feel secondhand shame for her!"
The tirade continued: "And you! Don't think your Slaughter Domain makes you special after crawling out of Slaughter City. Our disciples slapped you around easily! What worth do you have? Your character? Or perhaps your taste in rabbits? Like father like son - one obsessed with grass, the other with bunnies! You're the Clear Sky Clan's shame! A blight upon the entire Douluo Continent!"
Hidden among the disciples, Ye Hao (as Tang Yu) nearly applauded. The Seventh Elder was in rare form today.
"I hear that rabbit of yours got eaten by Ye Hao. His love for spicy rabbit heads is legendary."
The final barb shattered Tang San's composure. Trembling with humiliation, he'd never endured such scathing insults - not even from Ye Hao.
"Seventh Elder! I challenge you!" Tang San's eyes burned crimson.
"Challenge me?" The elder laughed coldly. "You're unworthy. But our clan has no shortage of talent. Defeat any disciple here, and I'll accept."
"Swear it!"
"My word is iron."
"Then I choose..." Tang San's finger stabbed toward his nemesis. "Tang Yu! I challenge you!"
A slow smile spread across Tang Yu's face as he cracked his knuckles and stepped forward.