"You, you..."
Bai He wanted to curse but held back.
Never mind that the person from the Spirit Hall across from him was still talking about Yang Wudi's brother and son. Or that there might be other ambushes around. Just this matter alone—if his actions caused Yang Wudi to miss out on hearing more, he couldn't afford to do that.
He had been close friends with Yang Wudi for many years, and his clan had barely managed to survive thanks to Yang Wudi's occasional help. He couldn't betray him now.
Besides, from what Han Li was saying, it seemed his grudge against him was entirely because he was Tang Hao's uncle.
Tang Hao. It was Tang Hao again. Forget it, that was his sister's son, so he couldn't curse him.
Right now, Bai He didn't even want to hear Tang Hao's name. Because of his connection to Tang Hao, he had suffered greatly.
At the start, the Speed Clan was merely an affiliated clan of the Clear Sky Clan, and at that time, the Clear Sky Clan was strong. They were doing quite well, and his sister had even married the Clan Leader of the Clear Sky Clan, making many people envious. They were in the limelight.
But who knew this would be the beginning of a nightmare?
As Tang Hao grew older and after his sister passed away, Bai He, as his uncle, found himself worse off than when he started.
Of course, the main reason was Tang Chen's rise. The Clear Sky Clan was already known for its domineering nature, and by Tang Hao's generation, they had become even more reckless.
And Tang Hao—perhaps because of his talent—displayed this even more prominently. To them, the affiliated clans were treated almost like slaves.
Yet, Tai Tan, that fool, for some reason, worshipped Tang Hao and even pledged allegiance to him, which made things awkward for the other three clans.
While they were still hesitating, a more explosive event occurred. The Spirit Hall accused Tang Hao of colluding with soul beasts, and even the Pope himself took action to hunt him down.
Honestly, at that time, they all thought the Spirit Hall had gone mad. If they were going to fabricate an excuse, they could at least come up with a better one. Why not say Tang Hao had fallen in love with a soul beast and even had a child with it?
With such an incident, everything else was sidelined. So, the four clans took their people and rushed to the Clear Sky Clan.
It was clear that the Spirit Hall felt threatened, afraid that the Twin Stars of the Clear Sky Clan would grow and become a threat. Yes, this was the consensus among most people in their camp at the time.
Of course, it wasn't just them. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan also arrived. In this regard, the other two clans had no objections.
Then the worst happened. When they arrived at the Clear Sky Clan, another piece of news came: Tang Hao had successfully broken through to the rank of Titled Douluo and defeated the current Pope, Qian Xunji.
This made them both terrified and proud at the same time.
What is a genius? This is.
From the news, it seemed Tang Hao was a genius among geniuses. Having just broken through to the rank of Titled Douluo, he had already managed to defeat Qian Xunji, a Super Douluo of the Spirit Hall. Such strength was astonishing.
Then, as they waited anxiously, another piece of news arrived: Qian Xunji had succumbed to his injuries after battling Tang Hao and died.
Instantly, everyone was dumbfounded.
If defeating Qian Xunji was a great achievement, killing him was something else entirely.
But even so, they still believed that as long as Tang Hao returned, the combined strength of the three upper clans, along with their affiliated clans, could still put up a fight.
(In their understanding, Tang Chen was still around, and Qian Daoliu had been defeated by him. The Spirit Hall had never truly revealed its full strength.) But just when all the clans, including the other two upper clans, firmly supported the Clear Sky Clan, they waited in vain for Tang Hao's return.
And what they couldn't accept the most was that when the Spirit Hall's army finally arrived, the Clear Sky Clan, known for its toughness, caved in.
Caving in was one thing, but the worst part was that they chose to retreat and seal off the mountain, abandoning their affiliated clans who were on the front lines.
Yes, they were abandoned. The Clear Sky Clan took only their direct descendants and left without even explaining.
Not only that, but they also declared that Tang Hao was expelled from the clan and that they no longer cared about their affiliated clans. For a moment, everyone was stunned.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan left in anger.
And at that moment, the Spirit Hall came to drive them out. Yes, to drive them out, because the territory that had belonged to the Clear Sky Clan now belonged to the Spirit Hall.
Of course, at first, the Spirit Hall tried to recruit them. But the four clans had just been abandoned by the Clear Sky Clan, and given their previous conflicts with the Spirit Hall, how could they accept?
Moreover, the territory the Spirit Hall wanted to take over was their home, where the Four Great Single-Attribute Clans had lived for generations. How could they give it up?
So, they fought with the Spirit Hall.
And then, a one-sided massacre ensued. How could they be a match for the Spirit Hall? They paid a heavy price just to escape.
Afterward, the Spirit Hall didn't pursue them but chose to return and claim the territory. But the conflict had already occurred, and blood had been shed. They couldn't believe the Spirit Hall would let them go.
Over the years, as they talked more and more about it, they convinced themselves that the Spirit Hall was their mortal enemy.
Of course, the three of them also harbored a deep hatred for the Clear Sky Clan and Tang Hao, except for Tai Tan.
Yes, Tai Tan had separated the Clear Sky Clan from Tang Hao in his mind, believing that all the blame lay with the Clear Sky Clan and had nothing to do with Tang Hao.
But in the eyes of the other three, including Tang Hao's uncle Bai He, the Clear Sky Clan's actions were just a pretense, a way to perform a drama, with the price being the abandonment of their affiliated clans.
As for the old clan leader who was said to have been angered to death by Tang Hao? They hadn't seen it with their own eyes, so who knew if it was just another act? Anyway, they would never trust the Clear Sky Clan again.
"Alright, Old White Bird."
With the two others interrupting, Yang Wudi snapped out of his emotional state. He gripped the Soul-Breaking Spear tightly again and looked at Han Li. "So, saving people was just an excuse—you're here for me?"
"Hmm, you could say that. After all, I recognized you, Senior, and that's why I came over."
Han Li was all about honesty; he didn't like treating people like fools—except for Grandmaster.
"Then you might be disappointed. Even if I know Wushuang and Xiao Yan are still alive, I can't possibly join Spirit Hall."
Yang Wudi's rejection was swift and firm, leaving no room for negotiation. It was also a way to make his stance clear to Bai He, who stood nearby.
"Who said anything about you joining Spirit Hall?"
Han Li looked at him curiously. From start to finish, he hadn't mentioned such a thing.
Yang Wudi's grip on his spear tightened slightly, seeming a bit embarrassed.
"Then what are you here for?"
Bai He quickly stepped in, fearing his old friend would be put in an awkward position.
"I already said, I'm here to help and to meet Senior Yang. However, I've changed my mind now."
Han Li paused deliberately, then smiled at Bai He.
"Since you all have such strong animosity toward Spirit Hall and belong to the Speed Clan, I'm willing to help with the healing—yes, the kind that ensures full recovery with no lasting effects—but the help will now come in the form of a trade."
"Full recovery with no lingering issues. Deal or not?"
Hearing Han Li's words, a hint of temptation flashed across Bai He's face, but he instinctively looked to Yang Wudi, as if seeking his approval.
"What kind of trade?"
Yang Wudi had noticed his old friend's hesitation. Besides, Bai Ming was indeed a promising member of the Speed Clan. If the cost wasn't too steep, saving him would be worthwhile.
"I've heard the Speed Clan has an heirloom. Coincidentally, I like to collect treasures, so here's the deal: I'll save him, and you give me the heirloom. A fair trade, don't you think?"
Han Li's lips curled slightly as he looked at the visibly shocked Bai He.
"How do you know the Speed Clan has an heirloom?"
Bai He was utterly stunned. The heirloom was known only to the clan leaders of each generation. Even the Old Goat beside him didn't know about it.
"It seems your heirloom is quite valuable. Very well, I've decided—I want nothing else."
Han Li acted as though he had successfully tested the waters and then looked back at Bai He.
"As for how I know, it's from records that Clear Sky Sect left behind when they didn't take everything with them. However, the information is highly confidential. I only know you have an heirloom, but I'm not sure what it is exactly."
"I was just testing you, but judging by your reaction, I've struck gold."
Han Li, without a hint of guilt, threw the blame squarely onto Clear Sky Sect.
Go ahead, take it up with Clear Sky Sect if you dare.
Upon hearing Han Li's words, Bai He was truly furious.
Clear Sky Sect, it's always Clear Sky Sect.
Why do they keep haunting us? It's been more than ten years, yet in the end, they still screwed us over.
And the fact that Clear Sky Sect had records about their clan's heirloom—classified records, no less—what does that imply? It implies that they had already thoroughly understood the Speed Clan, and perhaps they had even intended to take the heirloom for themselves.
Although Bai He couldn't be sure if the Spirit Hall member before him was telling the truth, between Spirit Hall and Clear Sky Sect, he naturally believed it was more likely that Clear Sky Sect had this information.
Yang Wudi, though unaware of what the heirloom was, gathered enough from their conversation to understand that his old friend had been implicated by the Clear Sky Sect again.
Seeing his friend's face turn ashen and then glancing at Bai Ming, who was still lying on the ground, Yang Wudi sighed and pulled Bai He aside.
"This is a serious matter; let's discuss it."
"Fine, but I'll remind you, the longer you delay, the harder it will be for him to fully recover. You know this as well as I do, so manage your time wisely."
Han Li gestured slightly to the two of them, then glanced at Bai Ming, who was still unconscious.
"Alright."
Yang Wudi responded crisply, raising a soul force barrier to isolate them from Han Li.
"Lingling, if you need to make a move later, remember to disguise your martial soul and soul rings. This will also make a good first test of your upgraded abilities."
In their mental link, Han Li transmitted a message to Ye Lingling.
"What if they refuse to trade?"
Ye Lingling nodded subtly, then asked quietly.
"They will. The future of an entire clan's backbone versus a treasure they don't need at the moment—they'll make the trade."
After a pause, Han Li continued:
"Besides, I've already told them that this information is now known to both Spirit Hall and Clear Sky Sect. What do you think they'll do? Do you think they'll dare gamble that neither side will make a move against them?"
"If it were me, since the secret is already out, I'd try to minimize the losses. At least this way, they can salvage something and save a skilled member of their clan."
This was a blatant scheme. They had no choice. The moment Han Li encountered them, the outcome was already sealed.