Chapter 366: Winds of Change
High atop the snowy peaks of the Clear Sky Clan, a piercing chill swept through the air.
Tang Xiao stood alone before the bridge of chains, watching the small, distant figure on the opposite side with a growing sense of helplessness. Despite the clan's self-imposed isolation over the last two decades, Tang Xiao had maintained his determination, always prepared for a fight. But against the figure across from him, the gap in power was staggering.
Level ninety-eight. A hundred-thousand-year blood-red spirit ring. The mighty beast spirit, Golden Crocodile King.
These formidable credentials weighed on him like mountains. Tang Xiao had attempted to break through Golden Crocodile's blockade numerous times, only to be beaten back every time. Without the unseen protection of the clan's mysterious ancestor, the Clear Sky Clan might have ceased to exist already. Yet, unleashing the combined might of the five elders was their ultimate defense, reserved only for moments of absolute peril.
And so, the once-mighty Clear Sky Clan remained confined to their mountaintop, sealed off by a single man, Golden Crocodile Douluo.
Suddenly, several figures appeared, crossing the bridge. Although Golden Crocodile Douluo held the exit firmly, he hadn't stopped the clan's younger members from descending the mountain for supplies. Tang Xiao's eyes brightened as he recognized one of the approaching figures. When they reached the gate, he greeted them with a smile.
"Yuehua, what brings you back?" he asked.
It was none other than his sister, Tang Yuehua, mistress of the Yuexuan Academy.
The second elder appeared beside Tang Xiao, his shadow flashing briefly across Tang Xiao's line of sight. Dressed in gray robes with a lean frame and keen, wary eyes, the elder silently signaled for the younger disciples accompanying Tang Yuehua to head back into the clan.
With her elegant blue-silver hair swept up, Tang Yuehua looked both poised and noble, the very image of grace even amidst the mountaintop's fierce cold. She offered her brother a tight-lipped smile, a hint of anxiety in her eyes.
"Big Brother, Second Uncle, I've returned because of Tang San," she said.
"Oh? Has something happened to Tang San?" Tang Xiao's voice held a hint of alarm. Tang San, the clan's brightest hope and a dual-spirit wielder, represented the Clear Sky Clan's future. Should anything happen to him, the clan's future leader would be lost as well.
The second elder, too, looked troubled.
Tang Yuehua took a deep breath, her expression grave. "Recently, Tang San found me at Yuexuan and asked that I return to the clan immediately. His words left me both terrified and determined."
"What did he say?" Tang Xiao pressed.
"According to Tang San, Heaven Dou Empire's crown prince, Xue Qinghe, is an agent of Spirit Hall. With Emperor Xue Ye critically ill, once he passes, Xue Qinghe will ascend the throne, effectively putting Heaven Dou Empire under Spirit Hall's control. Tang San understands the gravity of this and asked me to relay it to you as quickly as possible," Tang Yuehua explained.
Tang Xiao and the second elder were stunned, reeling from the implications. They locked eyes, knowing full well the monumental consequences.
"If Heaven Dou Empire falls to Spirit Hall, it would fill their need for conventional power. Combined with their strength over soul masters, no force on the continent could stand against them," Tang Xiao murmured. "A world dominated by Spirit Hall would know no peace."
The second elder's face paled, the lines of age etched deeper with alarm. "If Tang San is correct, this would impact the entire continent's fate. We must verify this for ourselves."
Tang Yuehua shook her head slowly. "Tang San would never make such a claim lightly. If he seeks our help, it means he's certain of his information. We must go to Heaven Dou, no matter what."
A heavy silence fell over them. Tang Xiao's brow creased, his expression resolute. Despite their desire to act, the formidable Golden Crocodile Douluo stood as an immovable obstacle. He and the other titled elders of the Clear Sky Clan remained confined to the mountain by Golden Crocodile's presence.
Tang Xiao glanced toward the bridge and stiffened. The Golden Crocodile Douluo, who had previously stood sentinel on the distant peak like a statue, was gone.
"What?" Tang Xiao exclaimed.
The second elder and Tang Yuehua followed his gaze, and they, too, froze. The opposite side of the bridge lay empty, devoid of the figure that had haunted their every attempt to break free.
"Golden Crocodile Douluo has vanished?" The second elder's brow furrowed deeply.
"What reason would he have to leave now?" Tang Xiao muttered. "He is a loyal member of Spirit Hall, as is Xue Qinghe. Why would he abandon his post and risk us thwarting Spirit Hall's plans?"
As he pondered, Tang Xiao recalled a mysterious voice that had once reached out to him. The voice had promised that Golden Crocodile would leave at "the right time." Was now the moment this voice had foreseen?
Golden Crocodile's disappearance was undeniably convenient, but another, more troubling question surfaced: who was this mysterious figure? What power did they represent, and what motives lay behind their assistance? Was the Clear Sky Clan being manipulated?
The more Tang Xiao pondered, the deeper he sank into a labyrinth of questions.
Staring at the snowy cliffs beyond the bridge, Tang Xiao gritted his teeth, his expression hardening with determination. "Second Uncle, we can't afford to worry about these questions now. The voice did say that Golden Crocodile Douluo would leave at the right time. That time has come."
"No matter their intentions, our priority is to go to Heaven Dou, assist Tang San, and expose Spirit Hall's scheme."
The second elder hesitated, but Tang Xiao's resolve was clear. He finally nodded, albeit reluctantly. "It seems we have no choice."
"Very well. Second Uncle, you'll lead the four elders and a handpicked group of elite disciples down the mountain. When you reach Heaven Dou, let Tang San oversee all operations. This is an extraordinary time, and it calls for extraordinary measures. Since we plan to name Tang San as the next master of the Clear Sky Clan, let's see if he can shoulder the burden," Tang Xiao declared.
The second elder balked at giving such power to a youth, knowing it might stir discontent among the disciples. But Tang Xiao's reasoning was sound. With a resigned sigh, he replied, "Understood, Clan Chief. I'll ensure the elders follow Tang San's orders."
Tang Xiao gave a satisfied nod, casting a final, somber look over the towering mountains that cradled the Clear Sky Clan. "As for me, I'll remain here. Should Golden Crocodile Douluo return, I'll hold him off at any cost."
The determination in Tang Xiao's voice struck the second elder deeply. He could sense that Tang Xiao was willing to sacrifice everything, even unleashing forbidden techniques like the Ring Explosion, in a last stand against Golden Crocodile.
Better to risk it all than to be trapped here in isolation, only to watch the clan wither away.
"Yes, Clan Chief," the second elder answered solemnly.
"Big Brother, if only our Second Brother were still here…" Tang Yuehua thought to herself with a pang of sorrow.
Moments later, five figures emerged from the heart of the Clear Sky Clan's mountain, flanked by three to four dozen disciples in gray robes. Silently, they crossed the suspension bridge, descending the snowy mountain peaks and racing toward Heaven Dou City.
Star Dou Forest, Lake of Life
Deep at the lake's bottom, a massive white ice silkworm with nine golden stripes lay at the center of a cave, its body expanding and contracting with each breath. Pure energy emanated, absorbed by the figures seated around it.
Suddenly, a commanding man with a cascade of black hair opened his eyes. A small bird had perched on his shoulder, chirping a message into his ear. Di Tian's expression alternated between solemnity and calm as he listened, then, with a smile, he stroked the bird's feathers, sending a stream of pure energy into its tiny form, causing it to grow visibly.
"Off you go," he said gently, watching the bird take flight and soar out of the cave.
Nearby, a figure with soft, elegant eyes looked at Di Tian, captivated by the scene. Her gaze, filled with admiration, was almost imperceptible.
As the Beast God of all soul beasts in the Star Dou Forest, Di Tian was a revered leader. This devotion even included Bi Ji, the Jade Swan, who had long harbored secret feelings for him. It was his unyielding determination to change the fate of soul beasts—an undertaking so daunting that it might well consume him—that had first sparked her admiration.
In contrast to the future when Di Tian would acknowledge her as his partner, their relationship now was strictly that of a subordinate and a leader. Yet Bi Ji was not alone in her affection; a figure shrouded in violet, Zi Ji, also watched Di Tian closely, equally captivated.
With a quiet sigh, Bi Ji moved closer, gently asking, "What news?"
Di Tian looked over, his gaze meeting the one who was so highly respected among the soul beasts. "Word from the 'Little Lion'—he has started moving. Fate's Chosen will soon find himself cornered in Spirit Hall with no option but to align with us."
"Little Lion" was Di Tian's term of endearment for Lion Douluo. Ten-thousand-year soul beasts could take on human forms or brave the tribulations to become fierce beasts. Lion Douluo, younger and far less experienced than Di Tian, was naturally dubbed "Little Lion."
Seeing Di Tian regard her with the same detachment he had shown the bird, Bi Ji felt a pang of sadness. His heart was filled with a grand purpose for their kind, leaving no room for personal attachments. She realized her love was both a blessing and a curse; she was honored to serve by his side, yet deeply tormented by the knowledge that his heart could never be hers alone.
Pushing aside her thoughts, Bi Ji managed a gentle smile, her beautiful face as serene as ever. "My lord, you will lead us to the revival of the soul beasts."
Yet Di Tian's gaze grew pensive, shadowed by a glimmer of sadness. "Convincing Fate's Chosen will not be easy. Can we, the soul beasts, truly put everything on the line for someone like Dai Yao?"
He paused. "We need leverage over Dai Yao, and the simplest way is to exploit his weaknesses—like his desire for women. If we can send a female soul beast to accompany him, it will solve many problems."
In the entire soul beast clan, only two female soul beasts might hold Dai Yao's interest—Bi Ji and Zi Ji. But they were also essential to the soul beast hierarchy, and assigning them to Dai Yao would entail considerable losses. Nevertheless, Di Tian understood that to earn Dai Yao's trust and change his perception of soul beasts, this sacrifice might be worthwhile.
He let out a soft sigh. "Bi Ji, focus on your cultivation. Soon, there may be a vital task for you to fulfill."
Bi Ji, though curious, did not question him. She trusted Di Tian implicitly and closed her eyes to resume absorbing the energy of the Sky Ice Silkworm.
As its energy was absorbed, the ice silkworm lay there with a despairing expression, longing to return to the far north to reunite with its beloved.
"Ice… I miss you so much…"
Spirit Hall Valley
In the moonlit valley, the ground shimmered under a veil of silver light. A waterfall cascaded from a hundred meters above, crashing into the pool below. Atop the waterfall, a figure cloaked in purple stood, her scepter in hand, her crown glinting in the moonlight—the current Supreme Pontiff, Bibi Dong.
Gazing down at a small wooden cabin by the water's edge, her expression was complicated. Dai Yao had left, unlikely to ever meet her at this spot again. Yet Bibi Dong found herself lingering, unable to shake the memory of the two of them braving the trial of Rakshasa together, supporting each other through it all.
The bond they'd shared had stirred something she hadn't felt in years—a sense of trust, of companionship. It had taken root in her heart, and she was loath to let it go. Even though she knew Dai Yao's departure was a conscious decision, her mind kept returning to that moment, despite his disregard for her warning and closeness with Hu Liena. Perhaps, after so many years of ruling with cold calculation, she now found herself yearning for the connection she'd lost.
"Dai Yao, why didn't you heed my advice? Now, even Nana has grown distant… Is this what you wanted?"
Closing her eyes, she held onto the lingering ache. When she opened them again, the softness had vanished, replaced by the frigid resolve of Spirit Hall's pontiff.
"You've chosen to leave, Dai Yao. So let us make a clean break." Her voice turned steely. "If the coup in Heaven Dou succeeds, all will proceed as planned. But if it fails, my ambitions may face significant setbacks."
The next day, Bibi Dong deployed Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and an elite force toward Heaven Dou Empire.
Meanwhile, in the Angel Shrine, Qian Daoliu murmured low to himself; outside the small village of Holy Soul, Tang Hao sighed deeply.
The powers across the continent converged, drawn toward the eye of the gathering storm in Heaven Dou City. Yet none could foresee who would emerge victorious from the maelstrom.
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