The atmosphere inside the Clear Sky Clan was electric, filled with unending cheers and roars of excitement.
Members of the Clear Sky Clan were jubilant, their spirits soaring as they praised Tang Yu's performance. It was cathartic—utterly satisfying.
Tang San had become a Soul Emperor at the age of seventeen, possessing twin martial souls. He undoubtedly had his own unique cultivation methods.
If any one of them were to face Tang San in a one-on-one duel, their chances of victory would be slim.
But thankfully, Tang Yu had won.
"Tang Yu, well done! Teach that arrogant Tang San a lesson—show him the might of our Clear Sky Clan!" The Seventh Elder laughed heartily, unable to contain his excitement as he stood up from his seat.
"Seventh Brother, mind your decorum," the Second Elder coughed lightly, his tone serious.
"Second Brother, that brat Tang San was simply too infuriating. Tang Yu did an excellent job today—aren't you pleased?" The Seventh Elder reluctantly sat back down, though his satisfaction with Tang Yu's performance was evident.
"Pleased? Of course, I'm pleased." The Second Elder's lips curled slightly. "The Clear Sky Clan has hope again..."
At the center of the hall, the battle had turned completely one-sided, with the scales of victory tilting decisively toward Tang Yu.
"Ah!"
Tang Yu's hammer struck down, its surface now stained with blood. His eyes gleamed with a crimson light, and a chilling aura of killing intent enveloped his entire body, sending shivers down the spines of onlookers.
"Ah—!"
Tang San was sent flying, blood spurting from his mouth as his body nearly shattered under the force. He had no idea how many bones were broken—only that every single strike from Tang Yu's hammer struck fear into his heart.
With each blow, Tang San could feel the sheer fury radiating from Tang Yu.
"Tang San," Tang Yu's voice was icy. "This is the wrath of the Clear Sky Clan. Though our clan has secluded itself for many years, that doesn't mean just anyone can trample over us—especially not you!"
"The clan elders are your seniors, yet you dared to disrespect them. Has everything Auntie taught you gone to waste?"
Tang Yu feigned overwhelming rage, his hair standing on end as his cold eyes burned with killing intent. Step by step, he advanced toward Tang San, his bloodstained Clear Sky Hammer in hand.
"Tang San, you've lost." Tang Yu lowered his hammer, casting a disdainful glance at his defeated opponent.
"I... I don't accept this." Tang San gritted his teeth, forcing the words out through sheer willpower despite the agony wracking his body.
At this point, his bones were shattered, his body drenched in blood. Every strike from Tang Yu's hammer carried an inexplicable weight, as though mountains were crashing down upon him.
Now, Tang San lay sprawled on the ground, unable to rise due to the excruciating pain, helpless as Tang Yu approached with his hammer.
"Don't accept it?" Tang Yu chuckled, resting the hammer on his shoulder.
"What right do you have to refuse? This was a fair one-on-one duel, witnessed by everyone here. Do you have any complaints about the match? Or are you just throwing a tantrum?"
Tang Yu's words left Tang San speechless. Clenching his fists in silent resentment, Tang San said nothing.
Secretly, his right hand inched toward his Twenty-Four Bridge Moonlit Night...
"Don't even think about ambushing me—unless you want your fate to be even worse. I guarantee it." Tang Yu glanced at Tang San's subtle movement, already guessing his next move.
Hidden weapons?
"Damn it... Tang Yu, I swear I'll kill you in this lifetime!" Tang San cursed inwardly, his hatred for the Clear Sky Clan deepening.
"And this guy has twin martial souls? What a joke." Tang Yu shook his head in amusement before turning to Tang Xiao and the five elders.
"Clan Leader, Elders, my duel with Tang San has concluded." Tang Yu clasped his hands respectfully.
"Hahaha—!" The Seventh Elder laughed heartily, stepping forward to clap Tang Yu on the shoulder.
"Well done, Tang Yu! That brat Tang San had it coming. Back then, Tang Hao was hailed as a once-in-a-century genius of the Clear Sky Clan. We all thought Tang San would inherit his father's talent, but who knew he'd be weaker than even an average clan disciple? What a waste of twin martial souls." The Seventh Elder smirked, his eyes filled with disdain.
"Sigh—"
Tang Xiao felt utterly drained. He exhaled deeply before turning to the tearful Tang Yuehua.
"Yuehua, take Tang San away for treatment."
"Yes." Tang Yuehua wiped her eyes, casting a meaningful glance at Tang Yu before silently carrying the injured Tang San away.
(Great, is she going to come find me again tonight?) Tang Yu—or rather, Ye Hao—thought to himself.
At this moment, the Second Elder rose and waved his hand.
"Alright, that's enough for today. Everyone, disperse and return to your duties."
"As for Tang Yu—excellent work. The clan will record this as a major achievement for you."
Under the admiring gazes of the Clear Sky Clan members, the five elders departed. The Seventh Elder couldn't resist tossing out a few more taunts as he left—his mood was so elated that he almost wished he were Tang Yu himself.
As for Clan Leader Tang Xiao, he left without a word, likely to check on Tang San's injuries.
Every hammer strike Tang Yu had landed on Tang San had felt like a blow to Tang Xiao's own heart. This was his nephew—his younger brother's son. The dying wish Tang Hao had entrusted to him weighed heavily on his mind. As an uncle, he felt powerless—truly powerless.
Once the six key figures had left, the surrounding clan members swarmed around Tang Yu. At this moment, he was their hero. They lifted him high into the air, tossing him up repeatedly as the atmosphere grew even livelier than during New Year celebrations.
...
Night fell, darkness enveloping the sky.
The Clear Sky Clan was quiet at night, with only a few patrolling members moving through the shadows. Their expressions were solemn and vigilant—ever since the attack on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the Clear Sky Clan had tightened its defenses, unwilling to suffer the same fate.
Inside Tang Yu's bedroom...
Tang Yu sat cross-legged on his bed, hands resting on his knees as he meditated in deep cultivation.
Currently, Ye Hao's soul power had reached the 77th rank. His fourth trial was to obtain a 100,000-year soul ring for his eighth soul ring—a task that was almost laughably easy for him.
He planned to complete this trial within the next year.
The night was still, the world silent.
Knock, knock, knock...
Suddenly, the door sounded.
Tang Yu opened his eyes and sighed helplessly.
(This woman really came... How annoying.)
"Come in, Auntie," Tang Yu said with resignation.
Outside, Tang Yuehua paused briefly before pushing the door open and stepping inside.
"How did you know it was me?" she asked, closing the door behind her.
"Earlier today, I beat Tang San to a pulp, and before you left, you gave me a meaningful look. So I figured you'd probably come find me for a private chat tonight." Tang Yu shrugged—it was the truth.
"Such disrespect! Is your aunt really that old?" Tang Yuehua frowned. Women hated being called old.
"Just passable, I suppose." Tang Yu chuckled inwardly before coughing lightly and saying with feigned sincerity, "No, Auntie, you're not old at all. You're like a celestial maiden descended from the heavens, peerlessly beautiful—how could you possibly be old?"
Suddenly, Tang Yuehua's heart fluttered as if she'd eaten something sweet, secretly pleased.
However, she quickly shook her head and glared at Tang Yu. "Don't try to sweet-talk your way out of this. I didn't come here for idle chatter. No matter what, Tang San is still your cousin—how could you be so ruthless with him?"
Facing Tang Yuehua's accusation, Tang Yu remained unfazed, replying shamelessly, "That's just Tang San being unskilled. Losing a match is no one's fault but his own. Besides, he was the one acting arrogantly, thinking the world revolved around him. He dared to disrespect our clan in public and even looked down on the revered Second Elder. What I did was for justice. Auntie, if you want to scold or hit me, go ahead. I've already vented my anger anyway."
"You—!!!" Tang Yuehua felt a sharp pang in her chest, dizzy with rage, nearly collapsing on the spot.
Seeing this, Tang Yu quickly helped her to a seat.
"You!" Tang Yuehua's chest heaved as she glared at Tang Yu.
"Tang Yu, I'm not exaggerating—you went too far. Tang San's bones are mostly broken. He'll likely be bedridden for over a month, according to the doctors." She sighed helplessly. As an elder, she felt utterly powerless. Before his death, her second brother had entrusted Tang San to her care. Now that Tang San was in such a state, how could she face her deceased brother?
"That's great news!" Tang Yu smiled.
Tang Yuehua: "!!!"
"At least my ears will have some peace for the next month. Out of sight, out of mind," Tang Yu gloated.
"You—!" Tang Yuehua was so furious she could barely breathe, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She pinched Tang Yu's ear and scolded, "Tang Yu! You've disappointed me so much. You weren't like this before—what happened to you? You're like a completely different person!"
Suddenly, Tang Yu's expression turned grave.
He grabbed Tang Yuehua's wrist and grinned at her.
"Auntie, my dear auntie, I'm only like this with Tang San. Think about it—I treat every other member of the Clear Sky Clan, whether elders or juniors, with respect. It's only Tang San I can't stand. And I'm not alone—the entire clan feels the same."
"Let go of my hand!" Tang Yuehua growled lowly, like a slumbering lion awakening.
"Oh. Right!" Tang Yu quickly released her.
Rubbing her sore wrist, Tang Yuehua grumbled, "Where did you get such strength? You nearly crushed my bones."
"I know you're tired of hearing this, but Tang San's father—your second uncle—made me promise to take care of him before he died. Now that Tang San is in this state, how can I face my deceased brother?"
She continued, "Tang Yu, I'm not asking for much. Just... be a little kinder to Tang San in the future."
"Impossible," Tang Yu flatly refused.
"Why? You share the same bloodline, and your martial souls complement each other." Tang Yuehua seemed to have guessed something.
"Auntie, I know you value Tang San deeply. But have you ever considered that he might not be as innocent as you think?" Tang Yu said seriously.
"What... do you mean?" Tang Yuehua was confused.
"Do you remember how Tang San tried to kill me on the iron chain bridge a month ago? From that moment on, he marked me for death. Since then, I've held nothing but hostility toward him. If today's fight hadn't been a spar, those hammer strikes of mine could've taken half his life." This was the truth.
"..." Tang Yuehua fell silent for a long time before finally taking Tang Yu's hand. "Tang Yu, before coming here, I heard from the five elders... They plan to groom you as the next clan leader candidate..."
"What?" Tang Yu was stunned. How had his undercover mission turned into a succession plan for the Clear Sky Clan's leadership?
"The elders are only considering it for now. The position of clan leader is too important—they must deliberate carefully. Also..." She hesitated before biting her lip. "Tang San's chances of joining the clan are now slim. I know you've suffered, and I understand your hatred for him. But in my eyes... Tang San is a good child."
Tang Yu smiled wryly. "You watched the entire fight this morning, Auntie. I went all out, and so did Tang San. Yet he lost completely. As I said, as long as I'm here, Tang San will never enter the Clear Sky Clan unless he fulfills the Second Elder's three conditions."
Those three conditions were nearly impossible.
Killing a Titled Douluo and Ye Hao? That wasn't something an ordinary person could achieve.
If it were just reaching the eight-ringed Soul Douluo rank and obtaining a 100,000-year soul ring within ten years, Tang San might still have a chance.
"Sigh—" Tang Yuehua exhaled deeply. "It seems I can't persuade you. After this battle, the clan members all look up to you. Your words carry weight now—anything I say is pointless."
With that, she stood to leave.
Just then, Tang Yu suddenly asked, "Auntie, what am I to you?"
Tang Yuehua paused, surprised. "My nephew. Why?"
"And Tang San?"
"Also my nephew. What's your point?"
"If we're both your nephews, shouldn't you treat us equally? Tang San's actions have provoked universal condemnation. It's not just me—every clan member and all five elders would oppose him unanimously."
"Auntie, I know Tang San is special to you. But you must also consider the clan's interests. Keeping someone who tried to kill me here would only end badly for him."
"Tang Yu," Tang Yuehua pleaded, "please don't cause Tang San any more trouble. Once he recovers, I'll take him away from the Clear Sky Clan. I know you've suffered—you nearly died... But Tang San can't come to harm. He might still become the clan's hope. He has twin martial souls, after all..."
Tang Yu scoffed. "So what if he has twin martial souls? He still lost to me. Talent means nothing without character. Even if he becomes stronger, it'll all be for nothing."