She understood that this was not a case of the Sect Master being unable to stand up to the elders. Rather, Tang Xiao was giving Tang San this opportunity—and using the occasion to test his abilities as well.
Tang San regarded the Seventh Elder calmly and said flatly, "Do you not dare?"
Four simple words, yet they landed like a slap across the Seventh Elder's face. His laughter cut off abruptly. As one of the five great elders of the Clear Sky Sect, the Seventh Elder held a position of immense prestige within the sect—even Tang Xiao showed him a measure of respect. Now, to be openly challenged by a junior from the younger generation? How could he endure it?
Just as the Seventh Elder was about to speak, the Long-Browed Elder said coolly, "A young man may have backbone, but he must not have arrogance. You have never set foot in the sect before, and you are not yet a member of it. I will not enforce sect rules against you. However, you have shown contempt for this sect, and the sect will not let the matter drop. Where is Tang Hu?"
"Second Uncle." A powerfully built man who appeared to be around forty stepped out from the crowd. As he emerged, the third-generation disciples instinctively parted to make way for him, a clear indication of his standing within the sect.
The Long-Browed Elder continued in an indifferent tone, "Then spar with him. Though the Clear Sky Sect has withdrawn from the world, that does not mean just anyone can challenge us." It was obvious he still refused to acknowledge Tang San as part of the Clear Sky Sect.
A faint whisper reached Tang San's ear. "This Tang Hu is no weaker than me. His Soul Power has already reached rank sixty-four. Be careful." The voice belonged to Tang Dragon. Despite his rough exterior, this chief disciple of the third generation was in fact quite meticulous.
What surprised Tang San, however, was that the Long-Browed Elder glanced toward Tang Dragon, seemingly having heard the voice-conducted message as well.
Tang San looked at the Long-Browed Elder. "Elder, if I win, will I earn the right to challenge the Seventh Elder?"
The Long-Browed Elder regarded him with eyes as calm and unfathomable as the vast ocean. This elder betrayed not the slightest trace of aura, yet Tang San had a vague sense that he was even more dangerous than his uncle Tang Xiao.
"You may."
The Seventh Elder snorted dismissively. "Tang Hu, if you lose, I'll lock you in solitary confinement for a year."
Tang Hu said nothing. In stark contrast to Tang Dragon's wild demeanor, this elite third-generation disciple of the Clear Sky Sect appeared remarkably composed, his expression as still as water, his entire being radiating an unusual calm. He was tall but not bulky, and not the slightest flicker of emotion crossed his face at the elders' words. Tang San knew that the opponent he was about to face would be far from easy. After all, this was the most outstanding third-generation disciple of what had once been the foremost sect under heaven.
"Tang Hu, rank sixty-four, Assault System Battle Soul Emperor. Please." Tang Hu extended a gesture of invitation toward Tang San, displaying impeccable courtesy befitting a man of his background.
"Tang San, rank fifty-nine, Control System Battle Soul King. Please." Tang San's movements were elegant and natural, as harmonious as if he were merged with heaven and earth. Off to the side, Tang Yuehua nodded with a quiet smile—all of this was the fruit of her teachings.
When Tang San announced his Soul Power rank, a wave of murmurs swept through the gathered Clear Sky Sect disciples. Tang San appeared significantly younger than Tang Hu. Even Tang Dragon had not broken through to rank sixty until he was thirty.
"Wait—kid, how old are you this year?" the Seventh Elder, who had been blustering earlier, suddenly demanded.
Tang San turned to look at him. He held no favorable impression of this Seventh Elder, but given the loss of a son the man had suffered in the past, he could at least understand the emotions driving him now. "Just turned twenty."
The crowd fell silent. Standing opposite Tang San, Tang Hu's facial muscles twitched ever so slightly. Before Tang San's arrival at the sect, Tang Yuehua had praised him at length, but only within the ears of Tang Xiao and the handful of third-generation disciples closest to him. The elders and the remaining third-generation disciples knew nothing of his abilities. What Tang Xiao wanted was precisely this—to make Tang San astonish everyone in a single stroke.
Just turned twenty. Those simple words drew a visible reaction from all five elders, who exchanged glances and silently formed their own assessments.
Tang Hao had once been hailed as a once-in-a-century genius of the Clear Sky Sect. But his son standing before them now seemed to surpass even the father.
Twenty years old and already at rank fifty-nine, on top of possessing the Killing God Domain—he certainly had the right to be confident.
The Long-Browed Elder waved his hand. "Begin." Soul Power rank was certainly important, but it did not determine everything. Moreover, Tang Hu held a full major rank advantage over Tang San, along with an additional Soul Ring. The higher a Soul Master's cultivation, the greater the gap a single Soul Ring represented. On top of that, Tang Hu wielded the Clear Sky Sect's peerless top-grade tool-type Martial Soul—the Clear Sky Hammer. The Long-Browed Elder still did not believe that a mere Killing God Domain could close the gap between Tang Hu and Tang San.
Black light flared as Tang Hu's aura plummeted into sudden, heavy gravity. Within that dense black radiance, a black Clear Sky Hammer materialized in his right hand—its handle roughly three meters long, its head as large as a water barrel, suffused with thick, dark energy. Six Soul Rings—two yellow, two purple, two black—arranged themselves in perfect order around the hammer.