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A dark curtain heavily pressed down on Clear Sky City, thick clouds obscured the bright moon and stars, and on the silent city walls, only the crackling of torches could be heard, casting the shadows of the Four Clans' Spirit Masters long and short.
In the shadow of the battlements, a bright bonfire glowed, particularly striking in the darkness; this was where the high-ranking members of the Four Single-Attribute Clans were located.
Pouring the amber-colored wine into a bowl, then heavily thudding the wine jar down beside him, Bai He, who always prided himself on his extraordinary charm, picked up the bowl and took a large gulp, the wine flowing down his chin.
Bai He laughed loudly, saying, "I recall back then, when the five of us were known as the 'Four Extremes,' how glorious it was to roam the continent! Especially fifty years ago, I, Bai He, single-handedly toyed with those two Spirit King mercenaries. Among my peers, who didn't eat my dust? Hahahaha!"
Yang Wudi wiped his mouth and snorted, "I certainly remember. If I hadn't intervened at that time and swiftly killed the Longbow Spirit King, I'm afraid you would have died by that Spirit King's arrows."
Bai He awkwardly rubbed his nose, feeling that Yang Wudi had made him lose Face in front of so many people, so he tried to patch things up: "Cough, cough, with my speed, even if you hadn't intervened, he wouldn't have been able to hit me."
He then started talking about things like "Douluo Spirit Ability, speed is paramount," and "Needle Tailed Swift, the fastest on the continent," which made everyone burst into laughter.
Niu Gao slapped his thigh and roared with laughter, his breath mixed with the smell of wine: "If you ask me, the greatest credit in this battle must go to me. Think about it, if I hadn't relied on the unparalleled defense of my Plated Armored Giant Rhinoceros to hold back the opponent's only Spirit Emperor, would you guys have had such an easy time? Right?"
Bai He was overjoyed to hear this and quickly changed the subject: "Exactly, exactly, in my opinion, the greatest credit in that battle must go to Old Rhinoceros."
Niu Gao became even more smug upon hearing this, and said boastfully to the three: "Say thank you."
"Thank you, hahahaha." Immediately, three wine jars and one wine bowl clinked together.
Tai Tan raised his wine jar and clinked it against the others, the mouth of the jar making a dull sound: "For so many years, our Four Clans have been invincible, making a great name for ourselves in the Spirit Master's world, but now…"
The words caught in his throat, and he swallowed them back. He tilted his head back and drained the wine from the jar. The burning liquid slid down his throat, but it couldn't suppress the gloom in his eyes. "No matter what, in tomorrow's battle, our Four Clans will be like we were back then, shoulder to shoulder!"
"That is natural. Let those bastards from Spirit Hall see the might of our Four Single-Attribute Clans."
Hearty laughter echoed in the night sky, bold yet tinged with undeniable sorrow. They knew full well that tomorrow might very well be their last day. Outside the city, the Qi of no less than five Titled Douluo could be felt, coupled with the countless Spirit Masters covering the mountains and plains. Perhaps, they truly were nearing their end.
"Rumble."
Suddenly, a loud bang shook the entire Clear Sky City, startling everyone present, who then looked towards the city's interior.
"It's coming from the City Lord's Mansion," Niu Gao shook his head, looking seriously at the others.
"Let's go together and see what exactly happened," Yang Wudi said in a deep voice, then transformed into a streak of light and shot forward. The others, seeing this, followed closely behind.
The City Lord's Mansion, once a magnificent and luxurious residence, had now vanished, leaving only dust and shattered bricks. Only half of the mansion's pillars remained, stubbornly standing, and the incredibly hard blue bricks in the courtyard were covered in cracks.
"Screech!"
A earth-shattering sound pierced through the clouds. Bai He's seventh spirit ring lit up, and pale green spirit power surged through his body like a tide. The massive wings of his Needle Tailed Swift True Form spread out behind him, each feather sharp as a blade, and with a whistling wind, he swept through the dust and landed inside the City Lord's Mansion.
"Brother-in-law."
"Xiao'er."
Bai He roared at the ruins. He couldn't believe what kind of enemy could silently destroy the City Lord's Mansion, where many Clear Sky Sect powerhouses were stationed.
"Whoosh."
"Whoosh."
Sounds of rushing air came, indicating the arrival of other powerhouses from the Four Clans. Seeing the scene before them, they too felt disbelief.
"How is this possible?" Tai Tan's disbelieving voice echoed through the ruins of the City Lord's Mansion. The City Lord's Mansion was where the Clear Sky Sect's elite were stationed. Not only were there Tang Xing and Tang Xiao, two Titled Douluo, but the other Clear Sky Sect Elders were also top Spirit Douluo. What kind of existence could have done this silently and without a trace?
Suddenly, Yang Wushuang, who was nearby, seemed to think of something. He then looked at the Spirit Saint of the Speed Clan, who was in a dazed state, and shouted:
"Bai Yu, you immediately take the powerhouses of the Speed Clan to the Clear Sky Sect's station and see if anyone is still there."
"Huh?" Bai Yu was clearly confused by Yang Wushuang's words.
"What 'huh'? Go quickly! The Clear Sky Sect has run away! They fled!" Yang Wushuang's roar echoed around, his anger having consumed his reason. He, who was usually known for his rationality, was now erupting regardless of the situation.
The Faces of everyone present immediately turned incredibly grim. They instantly thought of this possibility—no, they confirmed it. Because no one could make the City Lord's Mansion, guarded by two Titled Douluo, disappear without a trace. Not even Qian Daoliu, and besides, he wouldn't do such a thing.
Bai Yu immediately activated his Spirit True Body and rushed towards the Clear Sky Sect's residence. At the same time, his roar echoed in the sky: "Members of the Speed Clan, immediately go and check the positions of the Clear Sky Sect's guarding Disciples!"
"Wushuang, could you be mistaken?"
Tai Tan's voice was bitter, and he forced a smile, uglier than a cry, as he spoke to Yang Wushuang.
Could Tai Tan not guess? No, he could guess. It was precisely because he guessed that he dared not accept reality.
Yang Wushuang ignored Tai Tan and instead looked at Yang Wudi, saying, "Not only could we feel the commotion just now, but Spirit Hall could too. Once the news of the Clear Sky Sect's escape gets out, Spirit Hall will surely vent its anger on us."
"Now, quickly gather all the clan members and break through! Break through!"
The final "breakthrough", accompanied by rampaging spirit power, made everyone present tremble, finally realizing the gravity of the situation.
"Quick! Quick! Gather the clan members immediately!" The Clan Chiefs of the Four Clans, having come to their senses, shouted at their nearby clansmen.
Niu Gao even roared to the sky, "Clear Sky Sect, I curse your ancestors!"
Yang Wushuang truly lived up to his reputation as one of the few strategists among the Four Clans, calmly analyzing: "Go to the South Gate! That's where Devil Bear Douluo is stationed, it's the most suitable for a breakthrough."
Ghost Leopard Douluo, an agility-attack system Titled Douluo, guarded the North Gate; once entangled, it would be extremely difficult to escape. Dawn Douluo was at the West Gate; although his spirit power wasn't high, the Angel Legion's combat strength was immense. The East Gate was guarded by two Titled Douluo, making it even more perilous to approach.
The next moment, Bai Yu appeared before everyone, urgently saying, "The entire Clear Sky Sect residence is empty, and the Disciples guarding the city gate also disappeared not long ago."
Although it was within everyone's expectations, hearing these words, the shame and anger of being tricked and abandoned still broke the last nerve of restraint for the four Clan Chiefs.
"Bang!"
Yang Wudi's Soul Breaking Spear let out a sharp clang, shattering the "Clear Sky Hall" plaque into countless splinters.
"Tang Xing!"
Niu Gao's heart was filled with grief and indignation. To escape, yes! But at least take our families with you; we would sacrifice our lives to cover your retreat. Could they not even take some women and children?
Without time to vent the anger in their hearts, they rushed straight to the South Gate. Seeing their gathered clansmen, everyone's eyes were bloodshot, but at this moment, the desire for survival still outweighed their anger towards the Clear Sky Sect.
"Wushuang, you lead half of the able-bodied youth to clear the way, and I will cover the rear!" Yang Wudi looked at Yang Wushuang with bloodshot eyes and said in a deep voice, "You are calmer than I am. In the future, you can lead our clansmen to a more stable life."
"No, the Clan will need a strong leader in the future. Only with you, Elder Brother, in charge can we resist those demons and monsters. I will cover the rear." Before Yang Wudi could say anything more, Yang Wushuang turned and knelt before the Elders nearby: "This junior is incompetent, deceived by the Clear Sky Sect to this point. Here, I ask all the Elders to cover the rear with me."
"We are already half-buried in the earth. To be able to fight one last battle for our clansmen at the very end is to die a worthy death!" The white-haired old man in the center laughed loudly.
Yang Wushuang then said to Niu Gao: "Old Rhinoceros, later our two Clans will merge and break through. Remember to charge forward and don't look back. Now is not the time for sentimentality, understood?"
He then looked at Niu Budong, who was also responsible for covering the rear, and then at Yang Wudi: "Elder Brother, remember, after escaping, don't think about revenge. Live. Only by living can there be hope, and only then can we seek repayment for today's blood debt from the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall."
Yang Wudi looked at his only younger brother, tears blurring his eyes: "Understood, I understand."
After all the members of the Four Clans had gathered, Yang Wushuang snarled with a ferocious grin:
"Open the city gates!"