For a moment, countless eyes fell upon Ghost Douluo, and the atmosphere instantly turned tense.
Ning Fengzhi then gave a faint smile. His expression was calm and composed, his tone gentle, yet carrying an undeniable firmness.
He spoke:
"Ghost Douluo, the Upper Three Sects have always been united as one. Now that the Clear Sky Sect has returned, both my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan naturally cannot stand idly by. If the Spirit Hall intends to use this negotiation to disadvantage the Clear Sky Sect, then we will never sit by and allow it."
Immediately after, Yu Yuanzhen also stepped forward, his voice loud and forceful:
"That's right! As one of the Upper Three Sects, the affairs of the Clear Sky Sect are also the affairs of my clan. If Spirit Hall seeks to use this opportunity to suppress the Clear Sky Sect, my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will never allow it!"
Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo frowned slightly at the same time, clearly not expecting Ning Fengzhi and Yu Yuanzhen to take such a firm stance.
And this was right at the gates of Spirit Hall headquarters.
Ghost Douluo then said coldly:
"Two sect masters, this negotiation concerns only the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall. His Holiness the Pope has already made it clear — unrelated personnel may not enter Spirit Hall. I ask the two of you, do not make things difficult for me."
Sword Douluo Chen Xin stood at Ning Fengzhi's side, his gaze as sharp as a blade. His cold eyes swept across Ghost Douluo as he said faintly:
"So then, are you truly trying to stop us? Or is it as we suspect — that there's something shady behind all this?"
Ghost Douluo felt the fierce sword aura radiating from Chen Xin, his heart trembling for a moment, but he still held his ground:
"Sword Douluo, His Holiness the Pope's orders are not for me to disobey. I must ask the three of you not to make things harder."
As his words fell, Chrysanthemum Douluo added forcefully:
"What now? Do you plan to fight here? Don't forget — this is Spirit Hall!"
At that moment, as the two sides reached a standoff and the atmosphere dropped to freezing point, Tang Xiao turned toward Ning Fengzhi and Yu Yuanzhen with a faint smile:
"Sect Master Ning, Clan Chief Yu, Sword Douluo, thank you for your support."
"However, this negotiation is indeed between our Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall. That you came here at all, we are already deeply grateful. But the matters that follow must be faced by our Clear Sky Sect alone."
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi furrowed his brows slightly, but soon relaxed and nodded:
"Since Sect Master Tang says so, then we will not press the issue. However, we will wait outside Spirit Hall. Should anything happen, send word to us immediately."
Yu Yuanzhen also nodded:
"That's right. We will stay right here, ready to support you at any moment."
Tang Xiao cupped his fists respectfully:
"Thank you, Sect Master Ning, Clan Chief Yu. The Clear Sky Sect will forever remember this favor. The Upper Three Sects have always stood together as one."
Ghost Douluo, seeing this, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He then turned toward Lin Fan and the others, saying:
"Everyone, please follow me."
Lin Fan nodded, leading Tang Xiao, Tang Hao, and the others to follow Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo into Spirit Hall's interior.
As they departed, Yu Yuanzhen's expression grew solemn. He turned to Ning Fengzhi and said in a low voice:
"Sect Master Ning, I didn't expect the Clear Sky Sect's strength to be this great. For this negotiation, they've brought seven Titled Douluo. I truly don't know what the outcome will be."
Ning Fengzhi nodded:
"The Clear Sky Sect's strength has indeed exceeded my expectations. There must be at least one or two Titled Douluo still guarding their sect."
"This is a pleasant surprise for us. If the Clear Sky Sect truly returns, it may be enough to suppress Spirit Hall's ambitions for now."
"After all, the continent has been peaceful for too long. Hopefully, this storm can be delayed a bit longer."
Yu Yuanzhen did not respond, only nodded silently, his eyes still fixed on the towering gates of Spirit Hall. His expression was heavy and contemplative.
Seeing this, Ning Fengzhi gave a gentle smile and patted his shoulder, his tone warm but carrying deep meaning:
"Clan Chief Yu, there is no need for excessive worry. If the Clear Sky Sect can succeed in this negotiation, we might gain more breathing space."
Yu Yuanzhen retracted his gaze and looked at Ning Fengzhi, replying solemnly:
"You're right. But I can't help but feel that this negotiation won't go smoothly. Neither Bibi Dong nor Qian Daoliu is a simple figure. They will not easily allow the Clear Sky Sect to return."
Ning Fengzhi nodded slowly, his eyes deep:
"Indeed. But since the Clear Sky Sect dared to come, they must be prepared. Let us watch for now. If anything goes wrong, we can still act."
Yu Yuanzhen thought for a moment, then finally nodded:
"Very well, let's follow your lead, Sect Master Ning."
The two exchanged a smile, then, along with Sword Douluo Chen Xin, stepped aside quietly, waiting patiently for the results of the negotiation.
Meanwhile, inside Spirit Hall.
Within a grand and resplendent conference hall, Bibi Dong sat at the head of the table, her gaze cold and deep.
When her eyes fell on Lin Fan leading the group inside, her expression flickered slightly, though it quickly vanished.
Qian Daoliu sat on the right side of the table, his expression calm, as though everything was within his grasp. Behind him stood Qian Jun and Qian Mo, the two brothers.
Lin Fan and the others entered the hall, their eyes sweeping across Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu with composed expressions.
Bibi Dong spoke slowly, her voice icy yet authoritative:
"Members of the Clear Sky Sect, welcome to Spirit Hall. Please, take your seats."
Lin Fan led the group, sitting himself directly opposite Qian Daoliu. Tang Xiao, Tang Hao, and the others followed in turn.
Without wasting time, Lin Fan spoke directly:
"This time, the Clear Sky Sect has come with utmost sincerity. We wish to reconcile with Spirit Hall. The conditions — you may state them, of course, within what the Clear Sky Sect can accept."
"As for our conditions, they are very simple: after this negotiation, all past grievances shall no longer be pursued. The Clear Sky Sect shall return, and when our disciples walk freely across the continent, Spirit Hall must not send assassins against them."
Bibi Dong sneered coldly:
"Reconciliation? Of course it's possible. But before we begin negotiations, our first condition is simple — Tang Hao must kneel before the Angel God Statue and accept Spirit Hall's judgment."
Bang!
Tang Hao slammed the table and stood up, his eyes resolute, his voice unyielding:
"Bibi Dong! Regarding the events of that year, right and wrong will be judged by history itself. I, Tang Hao, have a clear conscience! If Spirit Hall insists on pursuing this matter, then I, Tang Hao, will accompany you to the very end!"
A cold light flickered in Bibi Dong's eyes:
"Tang Hao, are you provoking the majesty of Spirit Hall?"
Lin Fan's expression hardened, his voice firm:
"Your Holiness, isn't your condition far too harsh? The negotiation hasn't even begun, and you already want us to cut off one of our arms? This doesn't look like a negotiation — it looks like oppression."
The atmosphere inside the hall grew tense in an instant, the air thick with killing intent, as though battle could erupt at any moment.
Just then, Qian Daoliu spoke slowly:
"Where is Tang Chen? And you — you don't look like someone of the Clear Sky Sect. Where is Tang Chen?"
Lin Fan's heart stirred at the question. He looked toward Qian Daoliu and replied:
"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Lin Fan, Title: Sword Shadow. Senior Tang Chen entrusted me with temporarily assuming the position of the Clear Sky Sect's Grand Elder, to lead the sect in this reconciliation with Spirit Hall."
A trace of fury flashed through Qian Daoliu's eyes — not at Lin Fan, but at Tang Chen.
So, he didn't even bother to come himself, and instead sent a mere junior in his place? Does Tang Chen really think I've grown old and weak?