Chapter 267: Haotian Sect's Former Patriarch Tang Bo
Dugu Feng was leisurely walking out of the Star Dou Great Forest.
He no longer had the Emerald Dragon Snakes provoke the Titan Giant Ape and the Azure Bull Python.
After nearly a month of mischievous antics, it was time to leave.
There was only a little over a year left before the next Continental Soul Master Tournament, which in the original story coincided with Bibi Dong's soul-hunting operation.
Though under his manipulation Bibi Dong had been deceived by the King of Slaughter, grievously wounded, and even forced to use her hidden divine power, her progress had already been significantly delayed.
Still, precautions were necessary.
If his base of operations were destroyed, the years of careful planning would be wasted.
Meanwhile, the Heaven Dou Emperor Xue Ye, afflicted with a seven-colored poison, according to timing, should now be near death.
The throne of the Heaven Dou Empire was soon to change hands—there could easily be unpredictable events.
Currently, Heaven Dou City was crawling with various powers, overflowing with conspiracies.
With this in mind, Dugu Feng was eager to return to Heaven Dou City.
After leaving the Star Dou Great Forest, he used the flying ability of his Blue Silver Emperor right leg bone and sped toward the capital.
Heaven Dou City.
Southern district.
The domain of the Strength Clan—spacious lands, thick walls.
Soul masters moved about constantly, expanding and rebuilding the compound.
On their chests was the character "Yu," marking them as members of the Defense Clan.
"You little brats, put your backs into it! This will be the headquarters for our Four Elemental Clans!"
With his towering two-meter frame, Tai Tan strode through the courtyard like a giant pillar, shouting commands.
Beside him stood a slightly shorter elder with a broad face and hair like steel spikes. Though streaked with gray, his expression was lively, eyes bright and piercing with hidden vigor.
"Old ape, stop yelling already. Don't you trust my men? This'll be their home too!" said the elder, the patriarch of the Defense Clan, Niu Gao.
"Hmph, old rhino, this is my turf! I'll shout if I want!
When we merge the Four Elemental Clans, I'm the sect master, you're the deputy—you'll follow my orders!" Tai Tan said proudly.
If Dugu Feng were here, he would be shocked: the Four Single-Attribute Clans had already merged.
And more than a year earlier than in the original story.
Without Tang San's recruiting, they had unified in Heaven Dou City.
Niu Gao sighed helplessly. "Fine, fine—you win. You won the challenge, after all."
Tai Tan grinned smugly. He understood Niu Gao's meaning.
What made him especially proud was that after years of efforts in Heaven Dou City, he'd established both strong connections and financial resources.
That was why the old patriarch had chosen him to lead the Four Elemental Clans.
Just thinking of the old patriarch filled Tai Tan with reverence.
In the Haotian Sect, everyone believed he was loyal to Tang Hao, for only Tang Hao respected the forging craft and supported the Strength Clan.
But before Tang Hao, his true supporter had been the previous patriarch—Tang Bo.
Tang Bo, son of Tang Chen, inherited both his father's genius and brilliance. Under his leadership, the Four Affiliated Clans were founded, and other subordinate families flourished.
According to Tang Bo's plan, with Tang Chen's unmatched strength protecting them, the Haotian Sect could have enjoyed decades of peaceful growth.
As long as the second, third, and fourth generations of core members and allies developed properly, the sect's power would rival the Martial Soul Hall.
Unfortunately, Tang Chen suddenly disappeared, and the conflict between Tang Hao and Qian Xunji shattered the sect's rise.
Tang Bo knew full well that without Tang Chen, the Haotian Sect could not match the strength of Martial Soul Hall.
So he decisively chose to yield and feign death, calming the wrath of Martial Soul Hall and preserving the sect's core strength.
Tai Tan remembered clearly the words Tang Bo spoke to the four clan leaders when the sect decided to seal its gates.
"My father's long absence and Qian Xunji's aggression are perhaps a test to see if my father still lives. As long as Martial Soul Hall doubts my father's death, they won't dare push Haotian Sect to destruction.
But their fear runs deep. I will sever our wings, outwardly abandon the affiliated clans, and seal the sect to placate conflict.
Then I will secretly search for my father. You four Elemental Clans will disperse into Heaven Dou and Star Luo, develop independently, and wait for the right time."
Tai Tan recalled that after hearing Tang Bo's decision, he, Bai He, Niu Gao, and Yang Wudi all had teary eyes.
Their grand ambitions were grounded overnight.
Yet they had no time for sorrow. Each led their clans to separate, endure hardship, and wait patiently for revival.
Through it all, only the four of them knew Tang Bo hadn't abandoned them.
Even the next sect master, Tang Xiao, believed his father truly dead and that the Four Elemental Clans were forsaken.
Only thus did the remaining direct disciples of Haotian Sect feel humiliated enough to train furiously behind closed gates, resulting in all five great elders achieving Titled Douluo rank.
Tai Tan's admiration for Tang Bo was boundless.
His loyalty belonged to Tang Bo.
Everything had once seemed set for revival—Haotian Sect even produced Tang San, wielder of twin martial souls.
If Tang San grew up, Haotian Sect and Martial Soul Hall could wage final reckoning and dominate the continent.
Thinking of that scene always filled Tai Tan with burning passion.
However, in recent years, turbulence struck.
Haotian Sect suffered one setback after another—first clashing with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, then reigniting conflict with Martial Soul Hall.
Recently, the Third Elder's death at Bibi Dong's hands shocked everyone.
Tai Tan had seen it all and was greatly troubled.
He wanted to meet Tang Bo to decide their next move.
Finally, six months ago, he received Tang Bo's command.
The Four Elemental Clans were to merge, establish a foundation in Heaven Dou City, align completely with the Heaven Dou Empire, and continue expansion.
Tang Bo gave the reason.
He sensed danger—a hidden force was targeting the Haotian Sect, and Bibi Dong's strength had exceeded all expectations.
Tang Bo predicted she could reach Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu's level.
When that happened, it would be an all-out war—one side's annihilation.
The Haotian Sect would be Bibi Dong's target and would face brutal attacks.
The recent elder's death proved it.
Tang Bo decided to ally with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Heaven Dou Empire for mutual defense, securing time for Tang San's growth.
Once receiving Tang Bo's order, Tai Tan felt relief.
He finally understood the situation clearly.
Most of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's forces had already relocated to Heaven Dou City.
It seemed the old patriarch intended to follow their model.
(END CHAPTER)
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