Chapter 214: Aftermath of the Clear Sky Clan
The recent battle involving the Clear Sky Clan was extraordinarily brutal, surpassing the ferocity of Spirit Hall's confrontations with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Though fewer spirit masters were involved, the power levels of the combatants were astonishing.
A total of thirteen Titled Douluos clashed, with eight of them surpassing level 95. The highest among them was Golden Crocodile Douluo, a rare level 98 Titled Douluo, a rank seldom seen across the continent. Due to the Clear Sky Clan's remote ancestral ground deep within rugged mountains, the outside world remained largely unaware of the battle's outcome.
However, the sheer destructive force on the battlefield was evident. Spirit Avatars and Tool Spirits clashed with intense ferocity, devastating much of the mountainous terrain and reducing a significant portion of the Clear Sky Clan's ancestral peak to rubble.
The Clear Sky Clan's casualties were devastating. Of their original seven Titled Douluos, both the Fourth and Fifth Elders sacrificed themselves in self-detonations, while Tang Hao pushed his strength to the limit with his Great Sumeru Hammer, detonating five of his own spirit rings just to wound the level 98 Golden Crocodile Douluo. However, this reckless act left him gravely injured, and he fell into a deep unconsciousness.
Out of the nearly one thousand Clear Sky disciples, around half fell during the battle. Their years of quiet recovery and training had been almost entirely undone. If not for Tang Xiao's recent breakthrough to level 97, the sacrifices of the two elders, and Tang Hao's desperate attack, the Clear Sky Clan might have been obliterated by Spirit Hall's assault.
Spirit Hall also suffered considerable losses. Out of the 3,000 spirit masters sent for the assault, nearly 1,500 were either killed or wounded, many of them casualties from the two elders' self-detonations. Although the six worshipers from the Hall of Consecration fared better, each sustained significant injuries.
Golden Crocodile Douluo, having taken Tang Hao's explosive blow, bore severe injuries, while the other five Titled Douluos were hurt to varying degrees due to their proximity to the blasts from the elders. Eventually, Spirit Hall's forces had no choice but to retreat.
Tang Xiao, looking upon his wounded clan elders and his unconscious brother Tang Hao, resolved to relocate the Clear Sky Clan from their ancestral home to a site near Heaven Dou City. Though they had repelled Spirit Hall's worshipers, the Clear Sky Clan paid a heavy price. Besides Tang Xiao, who had largely recovered, the three surviving elders also bore significant injuries, while Tang Hao remained critically wounded.
According to Tang Xiao's estimation, Spirit Hall's six worshipers would be fully recovered within six months. If they attacked again then, the Clear Sky Clan would surely face total annihilation. Moving to Heaven Dou City and aligning with the Heaven Dou Empire was now the only feasible way to secure their survival.
Moreover, many Clear Sky disciples suffered from grave injuries, and the clan severely lacked the means to heal them. The Clear Sky Clan had long focused on offense; they had no spirit masters specializing in healing.
After confirming the clan's relocation, Tang Xiao sent the relatively unscathed Tang Lie and Tang Yuehua to negotiate with the Heaven Dou Empire, coordinating both the Clear Sky Clan's emergence and the location of their new base. Tang Lie, with only light injuries, was fit to travel and make arrangements.
Meanwhile, Tang Xiao took Tang San and the unconscious Tang Hao to Heaven Dou City, both to seek treatment for Tang Hao and to make strategic plans for the clan's future.
The elders who remained in the clan headquarters, observing the state of the unconscious Tang Hao, merely shook their heads in silent acknowledgment. Tang Hao had, without a doubt, rendered invaluable service. Without his intervention against Golden Crocodile Douluo, Spirit Hall's forces could have overwhelmed the clan's defense. With their six worshipers then free to focus on Tang Xiao's formation, the Clear Sky Clan would likely have been annihilated.
In Heaven Dou City, Tang Xiao, Tang San, and Tang Hao sought the help of Ye Renxin, a renowned healer. Upon examining Tang Hao's injuries, Ye Renxin could only shake his head. The extent of Tang Hao's wounds was staggering; even after expending all his spirit power, Ye Renxin could only stabilize Tang Hao's condition, unable to bring him back to consciousness.
Tang Xiao, filled with sorrow, nearly broke down at the sight of his wounded brother. With immense restraint, he managed to ask Ye Renxin, "Master Ye, please—no matter the cost, save my brother. Our Clear Sky Clan will do anything in return."
Tang San, unable to contain his distress, knelt before Ye Renxin. "Master Ye, I beg you—save my father. I am willing to sacrifice anything if it means he can recover."
Ye Renxin sighed, saying, "You both know how severe his injuries are. By the looks of it, Tang Hao used the Clear Sky Clan's forbidden spirit-ring detonations despite his pre-existing wounds. If it weren't for his high-year spirit bones and an ongoing healing method, he would have already died."
He continued, "I am but a Spirit Douluo. Injuries of this severity exceed my capabilities; I can only stabilize him, not cure him."
Despite this, Tang Xiao and Tang San remained resolute, pleading with Ye Renxin, unwilling to accept defeat. Moved by their determination, Ye Renxin sighed again, retrieving a valuable item from his storage tool.
It was the remnant of a 10,000-year ginseng king that Yang Potian had once gifted him. Though Ye Renxin had used portions of it over the years to treat patients, only a small piece now remained.
Upon seeing the 10,000-year ginseng king, Tang San's eyes lit up. As someone deeply knowledgeable in rare herbs, he understood its value and effects.
"Master Ye… is that the 10,000-year ginseng king?" Tang San stammered, barely containing his excitement. "How did it come to be in such a small piece?"
"This ginseng king was a rare treasure given to me years ago by a patient I treated. I've used portions of it over the years, and this is all that's left," Ye Renxin replied.
Without further delay, he used his spirit power to extract the ginseng king's remaining essence, carefully administering it to Tang Hao. Then, exerting his spirit power to the fullest, he continued treating Tang Hao for half a day.
When the treatment concluded, Ye Renxin turned to Tang Xiao. "Tang Hao's condition has stabilized. He should regain consciousness in five to ten days. However, his strength is now likely reduced to about thirty percent of what it was. It will take five to ten years of recovery before he returns to his previous level, if that is even possible."
"Unfortunately, current spirit master healing methods are insufficient to fully restore him. If you truly wish to heal him, you'll need to find other rare medicinal treasures. Otherwise, there is little more I can do."
Hearing this, Tang Xiao and Tang San both breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that Tang Hao's life was no longer at risk.
Still curious, Tang San asked, "Master Ye, may I ask how you came to possess the 10,000-year ginseng king?"
Ye Renxin responded, "It was a gift from a patient I treated years ago. Treasures of this rarity aren't easy to come by."
Not wanting to divulge more, he left the question at that, leaving Tang San to ponder in silence.
Ye Renxin shook his head, saying, "I've spent my life treating people without any guilt on my conscience. If someone gifts me a treasure, and I turn around and reveal their actions to others, it would only harm them. Besides, this 10,000-year ginseng king is such a rare treasure that they themselves no longer have it."
Before Tang San could respond, Tang Xiao quickly interjected, "Master Ye, please forgive him—he's just a child and doesn't know better. Your reputation as an honorable healer is known across the land, and Tang San is only concerned for his father."
Tang San's face fell with disappointment, but after a moment's hesitation, he spoke again. "Master Ye, I once consumed Crystal Blood Ginseng. Could my blood be used to help my father?"
Ye Renxin examined Tang San carefully and then shook his head once more. "You consumed the Crystal Blood Ginseng over five or six years ago, and its medicinal effects have mostly worn off. Even your blood would be ineffective now. If you had just consumed the Crystal Blood Ginseng, or if there were another one available, it might have been enough to heal Tang Hao."
After further discussion, confirming that Tang Hao's condition was stabilized, Tang Xiao and Tang San prepared to leave with Tang Hao. Ye Renxin, after all, never involved himself in conflicts between major powers and would not keep Tang Hao there indefinitely.
With Tang Hao still unconscious, Tang Xiao and Tang San took him to the Tang Sect, hoping he could recuperate there.
As they traveled, Tang San asked, puzzled, "Uncle, why wouldn't you let me press Master Ye for the origin of the 10,000-year ginseng king? That information could be the key to healing my father."
Tang Xiao shook his head. "Ye Renxin's character is widely respected. No amount of pressure would make him disclose it. Besides, after treating your father, our Clear Sky Clan owes him a tremendous debt. If we turned around and tried to coerce him, our clan's honor would be shattered."
He added, "Ye Renxin may be the most well-connected person in all of Douluo Continent. From the royal families of both empires to high-ranking members of Spirit Hall and the leaders of major clans, many owe him gratitude for his medical skills. No one dares to offend him easily."
Tang Xiao then sighed. "I also have a strong suspicion about where that ginseng came from."
Tang San looked at him with curiosity. "Uncle, do you know where the 10,000-year ginseng king came from?"
Tang Xiao couldn't help but sigh. "If I'm not mistaken, it likely came from the Yang Clan, the continent's foremost family in alchemy. Only the Yang Clan, with their close ties to Ye Renxin, would offer him such a rare herb. After all, they are practically family now."
Hearing this, Tang San's eyes lit up. "Uncle, do you think the Yang Clan might have a way to fully heal my father?"
Tang Xiao replied with uncertainty, "I can't say if they do or not. But given our strained history with the Yang Clan, it's unlikely they would help Tang Hao."
In the following days, news from across the continent filtered in, including reports of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's annihilation and the assault on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Both Tang Xiao and Tang San were shocked by the turn of events.
On a brighter note, the Heaven Dou Empire warmly welcomed the Clear Sky Clan's return. The moment they heard of the clan's intentions, they promptly invited Tang Xiao to the royal palace for discussions.
Upon arriving at the palace, Tang Xiao, Tang San, and Tang Yuehua found Ning Fengzhi, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan master, and Bone Douluo already present, awaiting a meeting with Emperor Xue Ye.
After extensive discussions, the three parties agreed on new sites for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Clear Sky Clan, with the Heaven Dou Empire pledging significant resources to aid in the reconstruction of their headquarters, an impressive show of goodwill.
Seven days later, Tang Hao finally regained consciousness. Though physically weak, his first concerns were for the state of the clan and for Tang San's safety. Only after learning that the Clear Sky Clan was secure did he feel a sense of relief.
Following Tang Xiao's successful negotiations with the Heaven Dou Empire, the Clear Sky Clan promptly left their ancestral grounds, relocating to Heaven Dou City. Seeing Tang Hao, still gravely injured yet conscious, the three elders also finally accepted his return to the clan.
Moved by Tang Xiao and Tang Hao's invitation, two prominent family leaders, Bai He and Titan, decided to rejoin the Clear Sky Clan with their respective clans. With the Tang Sect's lack of real power, joining forces with the Clear Sky Clan was a strategic choice.
Tang Xiao then officially announced the Clear Sky Clan's reentry into the world of spirit masters. This declaration included the formal reinstatement of Tang Hao into the clan and a call for all former vassal families to return, with Bai He and Titan serving as examples.
Despite their recent losses, the Clear Sky Clan's five remaining Titled Douluos still inspired awe across the land.
(End of Chapter)
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