Chapter 239: The Clear Sky Sect
Standing to the side, Emperor Xue Ye's expression grew uneasy. He hadn't expected things to unfold this way, but since Yu Yuanzhen had already spoken, he had no choice but to follow through.
Casting a glance at the clan leader, Xue Ye's eyes held a trace of resentment. The Blue Lightning Clan might have preserved its reputation, but the royal family's dignity had been utterly trampled.
Before the watching nobles, Emperor Xue Ye reluctantly led Salas, Yu Yuanzhen, and a group of Spirit Hall guards into the palace.
Salas walked leisurely through the gates, a faint smile curving his lips.
Every move made today was under Luo Ling's instruction.
Originally, this inspection was meant to be nothing more than a formality. Whether or not the Spirit Hall entered made little difference.
Even if they went through with it, they weren't to uncover any concrete evidence of Xue Ye's forbidden practice. According to Luo Ling, it simply wasn't time yet.
By letting the Emperor go this once, the Heaven Dou royal family and the Blue Lightning Clan would relax their guard.
When the right moment came, the Spirit Hall would deliver a devastating blow to them both.
Salas sighed inwardly. He could not see through that young man's mysterious intentions.
For the next two hours, they wandered the palace grounds. Salas quietly observed every action taken by Xue Ye and Yu Yuanzhen.
Every time he moved near the rear gardens, the two would subtly redirect him elsewhere.
Understanding their intent, Salas played along. He completed the investigation "properly" and left the palace with an expression of feigned frustration, having found nothing amiss.
As soon as he departed, Emperor Xue Ye and Yu Yuanzhen both exhaled in relief.
"Patriarch Yu, didn't we agree to prevent Salas from entering altogether?" Emperor Xue Ye said sharply.
"Your Majesty, you can't blame me," Yu Yuanzhen replied helplessly. "Given the situation, this was the best outcome. He found nothing, so at least for now, we can relax. But… it would be wise not to let outsiders near the rear gardens again."
Both men turned their eyes toward that same garden. Beneath the fountain at its center lay a concealed chamber—and a secret passage leading to the Blue Lightning Clan's estate.
It was also where they performed the Blood Demon Ritual.
…
The farce ended as quickly as it began.
Elsewhere, Tang Hao was leading Tang San toward the Clear Sky Sect.
Before departing, Tang Hao had stopped briefly to visit Tang Yuehua.
He didn't know the extent of her connection with Luo Ling, so he kept the encounter simple, revealing only their shared family ties.
He still had reservations about his sister and saw no reason to mention his plan to return to the Sect.
It didn't matter anyway. For Luo Ling, whether Tang Hao told her or not made no difference.
Having practiced the Blood Demon Ritual, Tang Hao carried within him one of Luo Ling's soul seeds. Through it, everything he did remained under Luo Ling's unseen watch.
That night, Luo Ling quietly slipped out of his chamber. Hu Liena was asleep, silver moonlight falling gently over her delicate skin, stirring heat and temptation inside him.
He suppressed his desire, however, and left the Crown Prince's mansion.
Tang Hao and Tang San had already set out for the Clear Sky Sect—and he intended to follow.
He cared little for the Sect itself. What interested him was their explosive soul ring technique.
Using the cover of night, Luo Ling raced across the sky in the direction of the father and son.
…
According to records, the Clear Sky Sect was located about three hundred li east of Heaven Dou City, in a region surrounded by mountains.
Luo Ling trailed the father and son from roughly ten li away, maintaining his distance until dawn.
Finally, Tang Hao and Tang San came to a stop.
Activating his Ghost Veil technique, Luo Ling drifted silently closer.
Not long after, he spotted a small village.
He paused only briefly. This was where the sect's peripheral disciples lived. The true Clear Sky Sect lay deeper within the mountain range.
From a hidden perch, he saw Tang Hao and Tang San ahead, unaware that a ghostly presence watched their every move. The two quickly dashed toward the mountains behind the village.
Before long, they reached a steep cliffside.
Tang Hao looked back at his son and said quietly, "Follow me."
He stepped onto the rocky outcroppings and climbed upward, his movements light despite the height.
Tang San said nothing and followed closely behind.
In his invisible state, Luo Ling floated upward after them.
Moments later, all three reached the mountain summit.
Luo Ling's eyes flickered as he took in the scene before him.
Steep cliffs dropped on all sides, the edges lost in rolling clouds. From the nearest precipice extended a long chain bridge that disappeared into the mist beyond.
Tang Hao led his son onto the chain, the two advancing cautiously across its swaying length.
Although he could fly, the Titled Douluo chose to cross on foot with Tang San.
Watching from the fog, Luo Ling's eyes gleamed with mischief.
When no one could see, a dark pulse of soul power burst from his hand, striking the chains.
The entire bridge shuddered violently.
Tang San, walking near the middle, stumbled as the iron links swayed and clanked. The tremor was stronger than anything caused by mere mountain winds.
Tang Hao, farther ahead, frowned slightly. There were strange birds nesting in the cliffs, and occasionally their movement would shake the bridge—but never like this.
Tang San's heart pounded. Losing balance for even a moment could send him into the endless chasm below. Only the agility of Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step kept him from falling outright.
When the shaking finally subsided, he exhaled a shaky breath and prepared to continue. But then he froze—
The chain beneath his feet was sinking.
He looked down in alarm. The bridge was breaking apart!
A cold surge of terror flooded him. Thick clouds hid the bottomless abyss below. Falling meant certain death.
At once, Tang San sprinted desperately forward.
Up ahead, Tang Hao had also noticed the collapse. His expression darkened. When he turned back, his son was nowhere to be seen.
With no time to think, Tang Hao dove down toward the fog, following the faint echo of the chain plummeting into the depths.
At the falling bridge's end, Tang San clung tightly to the heavy chain, his body dragging downward as it sank. Even his Blue Silver Grass tendrils could barely hold.
The chain was massive and heavy. His arms ached. Then, deciding quickly, he wrapped himself around it and let the whole structure drag him into the clouds.
Behind him, his Eight Spider Lances extended automatically.
Mist swept across his face, until the world turned to endless shadow.
Then—a tremendous crash thundered from above. The chain hit the cliff wall. Tang San braced himself, releasing the bridge just as it struck. Blue Silver Grass lashed out to grip the rock face, while his Eight Spider Lances dug in for support.
But dense shards of stone rained down on him, battering his body. His spikes shattered under the force, and the shockwave that followed slammed into him like a hurricane.
Before darkness claimed him, Tang San felt himself hurled violently against the cliffside—then everything went black.
(END CHAPTER)
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