Above the forest outside the Clear Sky Clan's stronghold, Tang Hao, Tang San, and Yu Xiaogang sped toward the mountain gate, leaving behind a trail of green, foul-smelling mist as they flew aboard the "Yu Xiaogang Jet."
Using his Purple Demon Eye, Tang San could already see the Clear Sky Clan's assembly gathering on the mountaintop in the distance.
Meanwhile, at the gate of the Clear Sky Clan, Tang Xiao, accompanied by the seven elders, flew swiftly to the scene. As they arrived, the pungent odor in the air caused all of them to wrinkle their noses in disgust.
Behind the mountain gate, a large square was filled with disciples of the Clear Sky Clan, pointing and whispering amongst themselves, curious about the strange green mist on the horizon.
Standing at the front of the square, Tang Xiao squinted into the distance, watching the three figures approaching, stacked on top of one another, trailing a cloud of noxious green mist.
"What on earth is that?" Tang Xiao muttered to himself, dumbfounded. "Three people stacked together? And that green mist... could it be coming from... there?"
As the realization dawned on him, Tang Xiao's face turned pale with disgust, and his stomach churned. The thought that the foul mist was coming from someone's... posterior was almost too much to handle.
Nearby, the seven elders, upon recognizing the sight, were also visibly revolted. Seventh Elder Tang Lingtian, especially, scowled and shouted angrily, "Is that Tang Hao? How dare he come back here?"
As Tang Hao, Tang San, and Yu Xiaogang drew closer to the Clear Sky Clan, Tang Hao was well aware of how ridiculous and humiliating their approach looked. His face flushed with shame as he urgently called out to his son and Yu Xiaogang, "Xiao San, undo the Blue Silver Grass binding. Xiaogang, stop using your spirit ability!"
"Understood, Father!" Tang San quickly obeyed, releasing the Blue Silver Grass that had tied them together. Knowing that his teacher could no longer sustain the "jet propulsion" for much longer, he was relieved that they had almost reached their destination.
Yu Xiaogang, too, was grateful. Overcome with emotion, he halted his spirit ability. At last, his ordeal as the "jet engine" had come to an end.
The three of them landed at the mountain gate, where Tang Hao released his grip on Tang San and Yu Xiaogang. They stood before the entrance, ready to face the Clear Sky Clan.
"Master, they've arrived!" a disciple shouted in alarm as the trio touched down.
"Stay calm!" Tang Xiao ordered, recognizing his younger brother, Tang Hao, despite the bizarre circumstances. His feelings were conflicted, but he still raised his voice. "They're not enemies!"
"How dare Tang Hao show his face here?" Seventh Elder Tang Lingtian growled, his face twisted in fury. "After everything he's done, he's still shameless enough to return?"
As the brothers landed, Tang Hao greeted them solemnly, "Big Brother, Elders, it's been a long time."
"Tang Hao, you've finally come back." Tang Xiao's voice was thick with emotion as he approached, his gaze drifting toward Tang San. "Is this my nephew, Tang San?"
Tang San's features bore a striking resemblance to his father's, making it easy for Tang Xiao to recognize him. Though he had yet to awaken the full power of his Blue Silver Emperor bloodline, Tang Xiao could feel the potential in his young nephew. It filled him with both pride and curiosity.
"Go ahead and greet your uncle," Tang Hao said, nodding to his son.
"Uncle Tang Xiao, it's a pleasure to meet you!" Tang San said politely, bowing to his uncle.
However, while the reunion between Tang Hao and Tang Xiao had a sense of warmth, Yu Xiaogang felt anything but comfortable. He could feel the judgmental and confused stares from the disciples around him. His torn, shabby clothes only added to his discomfort, particularly the large hole burned into the back of his pants, exposing his newly healed skin.
Whispers filled the air. "Is he a pervert, walking around with his... backside showing?" "But his skin looks so soft!"
Yu Xiaogang's cheeks flushed in embarrassment.
"Tang Hao! Who gave you the right to come back here?" Seventh Elder Tang Lingtian's angry voice cut through the awkward silence. "You're the one who brought disgrace to the Clear Sky Clan. Your marriage to that ten-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor cost us dearly. My uncle died because of you! My brother, too! You are the greatest traitor in the history of our clan!"
Disciples around them began muttering in agreement, their expressions shifting to contempt.
"Is that Tang Hao?" one whispered. "He's the one who caused all this, right?"
"My uncle died because of him! He's a disgrace to our clan."
"He has no right to be here!"
Seeing how they were treating his father, Tang San's anger flared. He knew from the live broadcast that it was not his father who had caused their family's downfall. The elders of the Clear Sky Clan had abandoned them, forcing his mother to leave to protect the clan's reputation. And now, they dared to accuse his father of betrayal?
Just as Tang San was about to step forward and argue, the sound of a rushing wind filled the air. Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo had arrived.
"Clear Sky Clan!" Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan's voice rang out, cold and menacing. "Hand over Tang Hao and his companions! They are wanted criminals by order of Spirit Hall. If you do not comply, you'll be declaring war on Spirit Hall!"
Hovering above the mountain gate, Chrysanthemum Douluo glared down at the Clear Sky Clan's gathering. Beside him floated Ghost Douluo Gui Mei, Jiang Jun, and Jiang Long. Each of them unleashed their martial spirits, filling the air with an oppressive aura of immense power.
The disciples of the Clear Sky Clan recoiled in fear. The overwhelming pressure of four Titled Douluo's spirit power bore down on them like a mountain. A sense of unease rippled through the crowd.