After quite some time, Tang Xiao was the first to act.
He felt that his younger brother had been away from their power for too long and that his mindset had gone awry. He had to scold him awake because the Clear Sky Sect could no longer afford to be tossed around by him.
Although the saying goes, "An elder brother is like a father," to be honest, he didn't want to follow in their father's footsteps and be driven to death by anger.
Just as he was about to raise his hand, his younger sister, Tang Yuehua, grabbed him with a somewhat pleading look on her face.
"Big brother, let's hear what second brother has to say first, okay? I believe he must have his reasons."
Tang Yuehua's words made Tang Xiao laugh in exasperation.
Great. So your second brother is the true brother, huh? Without even hearing him explain, you've already taken his side. Now I can't scold or hit him, is that it?
"Tang Hao, tell me: you don't know what to do, right? Can you guarantee that you won't be discovered? And if you are, what then? Are you planning to flee again and hide away?"
Tang Xiao was genuinely angry.
Hearing about his nephew's talent and the secret technique Tang Hao mentioned, Tang Xiao had been pleased. It meant the Tang family had produced another outstanding individual, and it showed that Tang Hao hadn't forgotten the sect. The pressure Tang Xiao had borne for so many years had been worth it.
But before he could fully rejoice, Tang Hao dropped another bombshell on him, a repeat of what had happened over a decade ago.
What made it worse was that, despite having learned from past mistakes, Tang Hao didn't hide his son and the shapeshifting soul beast. Instead, he openly participated them in the Soul Master Tournament, as if daring others to find out.
From Tang Xiao's perspective, this could only mean that Tang Hao wanted him and the Clear Sky Sect dead!
There was no need to think it over—if Spirit Hall discovered this, they wouldn't care whether the Clear Sky Sect had severed ties with Tang Hao or not. A new wave of attacks would immediately follow.
And in the end, it would still be him and the Clear Sky Sect who suffered.
Hearing his elder brother's words, Tang Hao clenched his fists but didn't explode. He knew that he had burdened the sect in the past, and his elder brother had borne the brunt of it. He felt guilty.
"This time, I won't run."
He raised his head and looked seriously at Tang Xiao.
"I told you, I can conceal her aura so no one will detect her. This is the gift Ah Yin left for me."
As he spoke, a blood-red soul ring appeared above his head. The red light illuminated Tang Xiao's face, making him momentarily dazed.
"Xiao San still doesn't know her true identity. None of us know what choice he'll make, and that's what's been troubling me. I don't want to burden him with this fate too early."
Tang Hao's gaze turned a bit wistful. He didn't want his son to repeat his mistakes, yet he saw his own shadow in them.
"But that's not important. Even if Xiao San makes a different choice from me, at worst, he'll still gain a soul bone."
This was an irresistible temptation for any Spirit Master.
Tang Xiao and Tang Yuehua remained silent, unsure of how to respond.
"I need to personally confirm the result."
After a long pause, unable to withstand Tang Hao's intense gaze, Tang Xiao reluctantly agreed with his brother's approach.
"Fine, no problem."
Tang Hao allowed a slight smile to appear on his face, brimming with confidence. He had just secretly applied a soul skill to Xiao Wu, and there was no way Tang Xiao could detect it.
"Continue."
Tang Xiao glanced at Tang Hao, signaling that they would shelve this issue for now.
Tang Hao's smile faded as he organized his thoughts.
"The reason I asked Yuehua to call you here wasn't for this matter, nor to immediately return to the sect, but to discuss something with you."
Tang Xiao nodded without saying a word.
Tang Hao wasn't bothered and continued speaking on his own:
"The Clear Sky Sect has been in seclusion for fifteen years. From what I've learned through Yuehua, while the sect doesn't lack top-level strength, there's a growing trend of talent dwindling."
Hearing this, Tang Xiao nearly lost his temper. Tang Hao, how could you have the nerve to say such a thing? Do you not understand why things are this way?
Fortunately, Tang Hao's next words came just in time, allowing Tang Xiao to suppress his anger once more.
"I know the sect's current state is because of me. I wronged the sect; it's all my fault."
Tang Hao's expression was sincere, and he truly believed this. His guilt had tormented him for fifteen long years.
"Enough with the nonsense. Just tell me your plan."
Tang Xiao shook his head at his younger brother. He had changed if only a little. The old Tang Hao would never have beaten around the bush like this.
Tang Hao took a deep breath, summoning great courage as he braced himself to say, "Then I'll be straightforward. Big brother, I want the Clear Sky Sect to try re-emerging into the world."
"Re-emerge…"
Tang Xiao didn't immediately make a decision. He muttered the words, his expression a mix of longing and confusion.
Tang Yuehua lowered her head, lost in her thoughts.
Tang Hao didn't rush them. He simply watched as Tang Xiao's expression shifted repeatedly. After all, this wasn't a matter that could be agreed upon lightly.
After a long while, Tang Xiao finally pulled himself out of his thoughts.
He looked at Tang Hao, his smile tinged with bitterness.
"Hao, I know your intentions are good. Do you think I don't want the same? But... it's not as simple as just re-emerging. We're no match for Spirit Hall."
"I know."
Tang Hao's calm nod showed he had thoroughly considered this before bringing it up.
No, you don't know.
This thought flickered through Tang Xiao's mind, but he didn't say it aloud. Instead, he looked at Tang Hao.
"As your brother, I'm willing to hear you out."
Yes, as a brother.
The truth was, he had come here as a brother. If he were here as the Sect Leader, he would have acted to capture Tang Hao the moment they met.
Tang Hao understood what he meant, though he wasn't surprised. If Tang Xiao weren't the current Sect Leader, Tang Hao wouldn't have brought this up either.
"It's been fifteen years. The Clear Sky Sect has remained hidden for fifteen years. But in reality, except for the first year after the incident, I haven't been affected by the wanted notices."
Tang Hao was sharing his true feelings. Even though he had been in a daze during that time, he had still ventured out to buy wine.
"And Yuehua... she stepped out of seclusion in the second year, didn't she?"
Tang Hao sought confirmation from Tang Xiao with his gaze. Tang Xiao nodded; that was indeed the case.
Spirit Hall's Spirit Master legions had retreated from the area after six months, but to be cautious, they waited another six months before sending Tang Yuehua, who couldn't become a Soul Master, out to act as the sect's external agent for supplies and intelligence.
They were confident that they hadn't been able to hide this from Spirit Hall.
"Spirit Hall must know they can't keep the Clear Sky Sect trapped in the mountains forever. I think Yuehua's ability to build Moon Pavilion to this scale is proof of that."
Hearing this, Tang Yuehua nodded. In fact, among the nobles of Heaven Dou City, her identity wasn't much of a secret. Even Salas knew.
In the beginning, her situation had been difficult, but after Emperor Xue Ye extended goodwill toward her, and Spirit Hall remained inactive, her circumstances improved significantly.
Tang Xiao quietly listened. So far, while Tang Hao had made some valid points, they were still largely speculative and didn't prove anything.
"So, big brother, why not try to let the Clear Sky Sect re-emerge? You've seen the political landscape over the past few years. Even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect have had conflicts with Spirit Hall in some areas, and in the end, nothing happened."
During his time with Tang Yuehua, Tang Hao had caught up on the intelligence he had missed while in seclusion. He discovered that, compared to its former dominance, Spirit Hall had softened in recent years. They had suffered several secret losses to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, particularly in the Heaven Dou Empire.
Tang Xiao fell into deep thought. However, he eventually shook his head. He couldn't take that gamble.
Seeing that his elder brother still didn't agree, Tang Hao grew anxious. "Big brother, it's just a trial! We're not talking about doing everything at once. Why can't we at least try?"
Tang Xiao glanced at him and sighed.
"Hao, I understand how you feel. I too want the Clear Sky Sect to re-emerge, but this isn't a decision I can make on my own. I hope you can understand that."
Tang Hao fell silent. The Clear Sky Sect seemed different from what he remembered.
He gritted his teeth, ready to make one last attempt. This was his final compromise. If his brother still refused, then he would have to change his plans.
"What if the sect doesn't have to get involved? I can have Xiao San make a move to test the waters. Would the sect be willing to back him?"
Tang Hao's voice was hoarse. His son and the sect were his last hopes. Within the Heaven Dou Empire, he could still protect them. But if the sect wasn't even willing to try, he was prepared to leave with Tang San.
Hearing this, Tang Xiao was stunned. He couldn't quite understand why Tang Hao was so insistent. With his nephew's talent, wouldn't it be safer to keep him hidden? They had already waited over a decade. In terms of a Titled Douluo's lifespan, waiting another ten years wouldn't be too long.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is rumored to have hidden Titled Douluo, and they've secretly cultivated a formidable group of core fighters. They also harbor deep hostility toward our Clear Sky Sect."
Sensing Tang Xiao's confusion, Tang Hao explained further, recounting his experience in the Sunset Forest and his encounter with someone named "Ning Que."
Of course, in his version of the story, the Soul Sage Ning Que had fled from him in panic.
But even so, for a Soul Sage to escape from a Titled Douluo was astonishing enough. Moreover, according to Tang Hao, the mutated Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had demonstrated formidable offensive capabilities—and it wasn't just one person wielding it.
Tang Xiao's expression grew serious.