Inside the secret chamber of the Body Sect.
Chen Yi sat cross-legged, his aura churning violently. The dense and almost impenetrable force of blood and qi had transformed into a deep crimson mist, filling the entire chamber.
His skin glowed with a subtle jade shine, as if countless tiny bolts of lightning darted through the blood vessels beneath, crackling quietly.
A profound metamorphosis was taking place within him.
The originally liquid soul energy flowing through his meridians was being drawn and compressed by an unseen force, surging fiercely toward the very center of his lower dantian, like rivers pouring into the sea.
At the vortex's heart, a dark red blood pearl spun rapidly, radiating astonishing energy fluctuations as it condensed. Each revolution resembled a miniature black hole, endlessly swallowing surrounding liquid soul power, absorbing and dissipating the blood energy, incorporating it into itself.
Injected with torrents of soul power, the blood pearl slowly grew at a visible pace. Faint, mystical patterns gradually appeared on its surface, and from deep within it, a pulsing rhythm—like a heartbeat—resonated outward.
With every throb, Chen Yi's entire body of blood and qi resonated, and as his soul core took shape, his body underwent a deeper refinement and sublimation.
…
Star Lou Empire, Imperial Study
Emperor Dai Liang of Star Lou sat behind his desk, casting his gaze at the two uninvited guests before him—the sect master of Clear Sky Sect, Tang Xiao, and the three Elders, particularly the haughty old man accompanying him.
"Sect master Tang," Dai Liang was first to speak, his voice calm and masking all joy or anger.
"To my knowledge, your clan made an accord with Grand Worship Qian Daoliu of Spirit Hall, closing your sect and withdrawing from continental affairs. Now, it would seem your sect wishes to resurface... but I'm afraid it's not so simple?"
In Dai Liang's view, Tang Xiao's proposal was absurd. Everyone knew the Clear Sky Sect's unwavering feud with both Spirit Hall and the Body Sect. To accept them as the Imperial Protector Sect would be inviting disaster, directly pitting the Star Lou Empire against two juggernauts.
Moreover... a flicker of cold light glinted in Dai Liang's eyes.
Once, the Clear Sky Sect enjoyed imperial tributes as Star Lou's protector. But, under pressure from Spirit Hall, they abruptly closed their gates and vanished without a word. This not only cost the Star Lou Empire face among its allies but also, through the resulting loss of military deterrence, emboldened certain nobles to splinter away, spawning unresolved threats and hidden dangers for the empire.
Once trust is lost, it is almost never regained.
Besides, today's Clear Sky is far from the number-one sect once led by Tang Chen.
Yet, despite Dai Liang's coldness, Tang Xiao maintained a smile, as if expecting this.
"Your Majesty, I understand the empire's grievances about our sudden withdrawal back then. But at the time, circumstances demanded it for the very survival of our sect. I beg your understanding."
Dai Liang, expressionless, unconsciously tapped the smooth surface of his desk, unmoved by the explanation.
Noticing the tension, the third Elder cleared his throat and chimed in, his voice brimming with practiced confidence:
"Times have changed, Your Majesty. The Clear Sky Sect... will soon rise again!"
When that failed to interest Dai Liang, the Elder straightened, emphasizing:
"Most important of all, now—we are led by a Limit Douluo!"
"A Limit Douluo?!" Dai Liang's tapping stopped abruptly, a sharp light flashing in his eyes as he leaned forward.
"Has His Excellency Tang Chen... returned?!"
Impossible, Dai Liang thought. Tang Chen's name had vanished from the Douluo Heavenly Rankings. Considering the Clear Sky Sect's style, if Tang Chen had returned, the world would already know—why bother negotiating in person?
Seeing that his words finally moved Dai Liang, the previously calm Tang Xiao could hardly suppress his joy.
"Your Majesty misunderstands. My grandfather has not returned; our sect is still searching for his whereabouts. The unrivaled Douluo in question is someone else entirely."
"Oh? Who, then?"
Tang Xiao took a deep breath and slowly spoke a name now attracting the attention of every major power on the continent:
"The High Priestess of the overseas holy land, Sea God Island—the Sea God Douluo, Her Excellency Bo Saixi!"
"Sea God Island?!"
Of course, that was a name Dai Liang knew well.
Once, Qian Xunji, Spirit Hall's Pontiff, having harbored ambitions, ordered an expedition to Sea God Island—aiming to annex the overseas sanctuary. The result was disastrous, costing two Titled Douluo and many elite soul masters. Even Spirit Hall at its peak suffered major blows, prompting the two great empires to secretly challenge Spirit Hall's supremacy.
Were it not for Qian Daoliu's forceful resurgence stabilizing the situation, the mainland's balance of power might have shifted irrevocably.
Tang Xiao then simplified the story, describing how Bo Saixi herself had visited the Clear Sky Sect and pledged her support, out of gratitude for her past friendship with Tang Chen and a devotion to justice—the "tragic fate" of the Clear Sky Sect stirring her deep sympathy and commitment.
Listening, Dai Liang's eyes grew brighter as he struggled to digest this astonishing news. He began tapping the table faster, lost in thought.
"I never imagined that even Angel Douluo was defeated by the Sea God Douluo..."
Tang Xiao only smiled, implicitly agreeing, but out of prudence left the question unanswered.
Yet, soon after the shock, Dai Liang's reason returned. The stain on the Clear Sky Sect's history was too deep—trust could never be easily restored. Bo Saixi was undeniably mighty, but how much strength could a long-time overseas soul master wield, now that she'd come ashore? How much substantial help could she provide the Clear Sky Sect or Star Lou?
Even more important: could she truly rival Qian Daoliu, Chu Shanhe, and Yuan Hua—masters whose spiritual power had reached the divine domain?
If Star Lou bet on the Clear Sky Sect, they risked enmity with both Spirit Hall and Body Sect—a peril impossible to calculate.
Dai Liang's hesitation and calculations were still plain to see, so Tang Xiao realized a stronger argument was needed. Recalling special instructions from Tang Yuehua before this visit, he steadied his heart and lowered his voice:
"Your Majesty, perhaps you've overlooked something. The recent upheavals in Heaven Dou Empire—the fall of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, the passing of Emperor Xue Ye, and the enthronement of the new Emperor Xue Qinghe—all evidently the work of the Body Sect."
Dai Liang frowned, staring intently.
Tang Xiao pressed on:
"Surely Your Majesty knows well of the ambiguous relationship between the Body Sect and Spirit Hall. Considering Chen Yi's close ties with Xue Qinghe, it's likely Body Sect will soon become Heaven Dou's National Protector Sect. As for Spirit Hall—who can say they won't seize the chance to become the state religion?"
"If Heaven Dou combines its resources and receives full support from Body Sect and Spirit Hall, does Your Majesty truly believe Star Lou Empire still has a future?"
The words struck at Dai Liang's greatest vulnerability.
During the turmoil of the celestial war, Xue Qinghe seized power with major contributions from Body Sect. Chen Yi's relationship with him was essentially public knowledge. Should Body Sect truly align with Heaven Dou Empire—and even Spirit Hall foray in via Body Sect—the Star Lou Empire would be forced to face a massive, unified juggernaut backed by the continent's top powers.
Would Star Lou survive?
Tang Xiao, seeing that he had pressed to the limit, dared not push further, lapsing into silence.
A long, deathly quiet filled the imperial study. Only Dai Liang's faintly ragged breathing and the unconscious tapping of his fingers could be heard.
"...I need time to think this over. Both of you, please withdraw for now."
After a while, Dai Liang seemed exhausted, slowly leaning back into his chair and speaking in a hoarse voice.
Tang Xiao and the Third Elder exchanged glances and delight—mission mostly accomplished.
"Then we shall await Your Majesty's favorable decision."
As the two withdrew, leaving the study, Dai Liang's expression grew utterly somber. Frowning deeply in concern, a graceful, elegant lady quietly appeared from behind a screen in the corridor.
"Your Majesty, can you really... trust the Clear Sky Sect? They... they..."
Empress Star Lou faltered with hesitation.
The present reputation of the Clear Sky Sect was practically infamous—they treated their followers as disposables, ruthlessly suppressed subordinates, betrayed allies without a word, and always fled from the strongest foes, never showing a shred of responsibility. Even backed by a Limit Douluo, not only was their reliability as a National Protector Sect questionable, but entrusting the fate of the Empire to them was practically gambling with its future.
Dai Liang gently patted the Empress's hand, forcing a bitter smile.
"I know... I know all of this."
"But, Empress, what choice do I have?"
He gazed out the window, across the palace walls and into the distant, unknown North.
"Now, the Clear Sky Sect has obtained the protection of an Unrivaled Sea God Douluo and stands as an equal to Spirit Hall and Body Sect on land."
"And Star Lou... can wait no longer."
"I dare not destroy the very foundations of Star Lou by my own hand."
He closed his eyes, recalling his exhausting efforts to find strong allies and build a relationship with the rising Body Sect, even putting his imperial status aside to repeatedly approach them.
Regrettably, their focus seemed to be on Heaven Dou—specifically, Xue Qinghe.
In the end, despite everything, Star Lou could not escape the fate of being bound to the Clear Sky Sect.