Chapter 36: Crushing the Clear Sky Sect
As the group's figures disappeared into the distance, Bibi Dong's eyes gleamed with cruel satisfaction. Only when these people suffered did her world seem to regain meaning.
Watching from afar, Lin Beiya could only sigh in silence. When you're weak, the smartest path is to endure and strengthen yourself. Why insist on standing out when you can't afford to?
And sure enough—on the way back to the Douluo Hall—some tempers flared. Among the group, the fiery Mighty Lion Douluo and the stern Glowing Feather Douluo could no longer bear Bibi Dong's mockery. Faces dark with anger, they turned to Qian Daoliu.
"Big Brother, why don't we just kill her?"
"Exactly! Just say the word and—"
Their killing intent was so strong that even the air seemed to tremble. But under Qian Daoliu's sharp, warning gaze, it slowly dissipated. His meaning was clear: no matter what, she's still Xue's mother.
And to these old men of the Douluo Hall, Qian Renxue's well-being mattered more than anything else.
Back at the residence, the little angel shut herself inside her room once again. Lin Beiya understood all too well that the pain of losing a loved one could only fade with time, so he didn't disturb her.
He believed she would rise from her grief on her own. When she did, however, her next path would likely lead to the Heaven Dou Empire—where she would begin her life as an undercover agent.
---
Twenty days later, the entire Spirit Hall was bustling with activity. Everyone knew they were about to welcome a new ruler—the position of Pope, for the first time in history, was about to fall into the hands of an outsider.
Yet, it all felt strangely natural. After all, Bibi Dong had been named the Saintess decades ago. With the former Pope's sudden death, her succession seemed inevitable.
Due to the rushed schedule, the enthronement ceremony wasn't especially grand. Bibi Dong didn't care for extravagance—she only wanted legitimacy.
When Lin Beiya saw Qian Renxue again after so long, he was struck by how much she had matured through her suffering. The innocence that once brightened her face was gone, replaced by calm eyes and quiet strength.
Together, they stood in the shadows behind the Pope's Palace, watching as Bibi Dong ascended the high platform, donned the jeweled crown, accepted the scepter from Yue Guan, and solemnly swore to lead the Spirit Hall to glory.
Neither Lin Beiya nor Qian Renxue showed any emotion.
After the ceremony, despite her unwillingness, Bibi Dong still had to act the part—pretending to avenge the late Pope for appearances' sake.
Officially, it was announced that Qian Xunji had been grievously injured in battle against Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Sect and succumbed to his wounds.
Before the assembled members of Spirit Hall, the new Pope's cold voice rang out:
"The Clear Sky Sect harbored their disciple Tang Hao, who defied human law by consorting with a soul beast—and they are directly responsible for the tragic death of the former Pope. This hatred will be repaid in blood!"
"From this day, the Pope's Palace, the Elder Hall, and the Douluo Hall will act as one! We shall make the Clear Sky Sect pay dearly, and remind the world that the Spirit Hall's dignity is not to be challenged!"
Even Lin Beiya had to admit—Bibi Dong was a master at rousing emotion. With only a few words, she ignited the righteous fury of countless followers.
The members of Spirit Hall were swept up in indignation, grieving for the late Pope and cursing the Clear Sky Sect for their "sins."
Originally, the Douluo Hall elders had no intention of aiding Bibi Dong. Watching her fail would have suited them just fine. After all, with her current power, she had no chance of shaking the might of the Clear Sky Sect—the undisputed top of the Upper Three Sects.
But Qian Daoliu had other plans. He wanted Bibi Dong to temporarily oversee the Spirit Hall's affairs until Qian Renxue was ready to take over. Helping her establish authority now was a necessary move.
This unspoken understanding between them allowed Bibi Dong to boldly declare war on the Clear Sky Sect the moment she took the throne—her goal clear: to strengthen her reputation by striking down a titan.
Watching the entire affair, the little angel's hatred toward the Clear Sky Sect only deepened. In her heart, Bibi Dong might have been cold and heartless, but the true murderer of her father was Tang Hao—and behind him, the Clear Sky Sect.
In the days that followed, the colossal machinery of Spirit Hall began to turn at full force, revealing its terrifying fangs to the world.
Within just a few days, every industry and outpost owned by the Clear Sky Sect across the continent was reduced to ashes. Those who surrendered were directly absorbed into Spirit Hall's control, while those who resisted were mercilessly wiped out—none left alive.
Among the resistance were the four affiliated clans of the Clear Sky Sect—the Strength, Defense, Speed, and Breaking Clans. They believed that if they could just hold out long enough, their parent sect would surely send aid.
But to their shock, even as their people fell by the thousands and their core members perished, not a single message of support came from the Clear Sky Sect.
When despair finally crushed their will, the four clan chiefs gathered together and announced their withdrawal from the Clear Sky Sect. From that moment on, they would live in seclusion, abandoning their former allegiance just to preserve what little remained of their clans.
Bibi Dong's political maneuvering was ruthless yet skillful. She first threw out accusations that the Clear Sky Sect had conspired with soul beasts and caused the death of the former Pope, manipulating public opinion to her advantage. Then, while purging the Sect's forces, she deliberately spared a few survivors—just enough to appear reasonable and avoid looking heartless.
Under this calculated strategy, all hatred and outrage across the continent were neatly redirected toward the Clear Sky Sect.
Even the four subsidiary clans came to resent the Clear Sky Sect more than they hated Spirit Hall.
In truth, however, the Clear Sky Sect was powerless to help anyone. The Douluo Hall, led by Golden Crocodile Douluo, and the Pope's Palace, commanded by Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, personally marched on the Clear Sky Sect's mountain stronghold.
That battle was catastrophic for the so-called "Clear Sky Sect." Even a Titled Douluo-level powerhouse from their ranks was slain. As for the rest? They were decimated.
At the time, the Clear Sky Sect's master was Tang Tian, the son of the legendary Tang Chen. Yet, even with his lineage, he was utterly powerless before the might of Golden Crocodile Douluo.
"Golden Crocodile, aren't you afraid of violating the ancient pact between my father and Qian Daoliu?" Tang Tian roared, his voice trembling with fury.
Golden Crocodile Douluo's expression was filled with disdain.
"Hmph. If Tang Chen were still alive, do you think I'd even waste words with you? He would've come out himself to defend your Sect long before now."
"If not for that old agreement, do you think I'd bother talking instead of killing?"
He sneered, his voice cold and sharp as steel.
"Blame your precious son! He consorted with a soul beast and killed our Pope. If we don't take revenge, how can Spirit Hall maintain its authority?"
As Tang Tian watched more and more of his clansmen fall, his heart sank into despair. Gritting his teeth, he shouted hoarsely:
"Must you really slaughter us all?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyes glinted.
"Not all. But you will give an explanation worthy of the dead—or face Spirit Hall's full wrath."
Seeing a flicker of compromise in Tang Tian's eyes, Golden Crocodile Douluo raised his hand, signaling the Spirit Hall troops to halt their assault. The battlefield quieted, and every gaze turned to the two opposing figures.
"What do you want me to do?"
The words left Tang Tian's lips heavy and hollow. His once-proud face had aged decades in moments, his spirit crushed under the weight of reality. He knew the Clear Sky Sect would fall under his watch, and even death could not wash away that shame.
But continuing the fight would only drain what little strength his sect still had. Preserving its heritage, no matter how faint, was the only path left.
After calming his enraged clansmen, Tang Tian stared emptily at Golden Crocodile Douluo, awaiting his sentence.
Golden Crocodile Douluo's reply was like a thunderclap:
"From this day forth, the Clear Sky Sect shall seal its gates for a hundred years. None of its members are to appear in the world of soul masters. During this period, if a single soul master wielding the Clear Sky Hammer is found, kill without mercy."
Tang Tian's body trembled violently. He had expected Spirit Hall to be merciless, but this decree was beyond cruel. Without access to resources or trade, how could a sect of soul masters survive? Even if they endured, a century later, who would still remember the name Clear Sky Sect?
Though his heart refused to yield, Tang Tian understood all too well—this was the only path left to them.
They could fight to the death and take a few of Spirit Hall's powerhouses down with them... but that would be the end of the Clear Sky Sect.
Their fate had been sealed.
"Blame no one but ourselves… our strength simply couldn't match theirs."
—
End of Chapter