The Seventh Elder was stunned, then laughed in exasperation, "Everyone knows that after Tang Hao fought with Pope Qian Xun Ji, Tang Hao disappeared, and Qian Xun Ji died soon after! With your few words, you think you can exonerate Tang Hao and get him off the hook?!"
"Then why, when both my father and mother's whereabouts were so well concealed back then, and that battle was only witnessed by people from the Spirit Hall, my father, and my mother, with no one else present, and my father disappeared afterward, shouldn't anyone have known?"
"And the Spirit Hall should have kept the news of their Pope being defeated by someone else a closely guarded secret, not letting even a whisper escape to avoid criticism."
"But how did my father's reputation still spread, to the point where everyone on the continent knows about the battle between the Clear Sky Douluo and the former Pope Qian Xun Ji, yet no one truly knows what happened? And when the rumors reached their peak, Qian Xun Ji died?" Tang Sui looked up at him.
The Seventh Elder was stunned. His mind, clouded by anger, regained a sliver of clarity. The gazes of the other elders, including Tang Xiao, sharpened.
"It's because my father was pushed by that culprit to become the knife with which he 'killed' Qian Xun Ji."
Tang San looked sharply at the astounding Tang Sui. Tang Sui's gaze remained steady as she dropped another bombshell:
"The Clear Sky Sect was merely the first piece of cake they sliced."
Tang Sui swept her gaze over the solemn direct disciples and spoke again, "Of course, saying all this is not to completely absolve my father of all responsibility. My father still bears responsibility, but not all of it."
"Tang Sui is merely analyzing from an objective perspective. I want everyone to be vigilant, so you don't become someone else's knife. It's best to be rational."
Silence spread. Tang San looked at his sister, who, with her masterful strategy, had analyzed the power dynamics and pinpointed the crucial points in just a few sentences. He felt a sense of admiration, but he had more important matters to attend to.
With that in mind, Tang San stepped forward and clasped his fists towards the displeased Seventh Elder, "Seventh Elder, my sister's words were somewhat offensive. As her brother, I apologize on her behalf. Also, regarding the death of your eldest son, Tang San apologizes to you on behalf of my father."
"But, like my sister, I believe that the matters of the sect back then cannot be entirely blamed on my father. However, my father was indeed at fault and implicated the sect, so I offer my apologies to you and the elders. But you insulted my late mother with your words earlier, and I must seek justice for that. Therefore, Seventh Elder, I challenge you. I have no regrets, even in death."
The Seventh Elder, whose temper was ignited once more by Tang San's words, snapped back to attention. Hearing Tang San's latter words, his unrestrained laughter, infused with his powerful spirit energy, spread, seemingly causing the entire Clear Sky Sect to tremble.
"You, a junior, are not worthy of challenging me. It would be more fitting if Tang Hao said this!"
Tang Yuehua, standing beside them, secretly muttered to herself, If my second brother were here, would you dare accept?
However, seeing her elder brother remain silent and let Xiao San handle things on his own, she surmised that he was giving Xiao San and Sui Sui an opportunity to test their brother-and-sister capabilities.
Tang San quietly looked at the Seventh Elder and calmly asked, "You dare not?"
These four simple words were like a slap across the Seventh Elder's face.
His laughter abruptly ceased. As one of the five great elders of the Clear Sky Sect, the Seventh Elder had been arrogant for so many years. Now, being repeatedly provoked by two juniors from a later generation was an unbearable insult!
Even if it's a provocation, I will teach you, Tang Hao's bastard, to know your place today!
With that thought, as the Seventh Elder opened his mouth, the White-Browed Elder beside him clasped his hands behind his back and looked at Tang San, saying indifferently, "Young people can have backbone, but not arrogance. You have never returned to the sect, and you are not yet a member of the sect. I will not punish you according to sect rules. However, you have disrespected this sect, and the sect will not let this matter rest. Tang Hu, where are you?"
"Second Uncle."
A burly man, appearing to be around forty years old, emerged from the path cleared by the disciples of the third generation. His status within the sect was evident.
The White-Browed Elder said indifferently, "You spar with him. Although the Clear Sky Sect is in seclusion, it is not a place that anyone can challenge."
His words clearly indicated that he had never acknowledged Tang San as a member of the Clear Sky Sect.
Steadying his nerves, Tang San looked at the White-Browed Elder, "Elder, if I win, will I have the right to challenge the Seventh Elder?"
The White-Browed Elder looked at him, his eyes as calm as a vast ocean.
While this elder outwardly showed no aura, Tang San vaguely sensed that he was perhaps even more dangerous than his elder uncle, Tang Xiao.
"You may."
These two words were an acknowledgment.
Just as Tang San was about to step forward, Tang Sui spoke again, "Please wait a moment."
Everyone looked at Tang Sui. They saw her salute the elders of the Hall of Elders with proper decorum and say, "The confrontation and statements just now were initiated by me, and it could be considered disrespecting the sect. As for the right to challenge the Seventh Elder and seek justice for mother, I, as his daughter, also have a claim. Therefore, may I be the one to complete this challenge?"
"Sui Sui." Tang San frowned slightly and was about to speak when he saw Tang Sui's gaze fall upon him, and her telepathic message echoed in his mind.
'Brother, we are siblings, bound by blood.'
'Don't underestimate me, brother. Although I didn't participate in any battles in the Hell Path of the Slaughter City, I was by no means idle.'
'Moreover, it is they who need a show of force right now.'
Tang San paused. After a few seconds of consideration, he retracted his forward step.
The Seventh Elder, having heard Tang Sui's words, chuckled mockingly, "Even if the two of you came at me together, you wouldn't have the qualification to challenge me! Tang Hu, if you lose to this little girl, I'll put you in solitary confinement for a year!"
The Seventh Elder's words directly shifted the impending duel from Tang San to Tang Sui, indicating that Tang Sui had garnered more resentment between the siblings.
Tang Hu calmly nodded to the Seventh Elder, then looked at Tang Sui, who was delicate and petite compared to them, the grown men. He stood in the open space in the center of the courtyard and made a gesture of invitation to Tang Sui.
"Tang Hu, Level Sixty-four Attack-Type Battle Soul Emperor, please."
Tang Sui and Tang San exchanged glances. The latter nodded and took two steps back, moving aside as Tang Sui stepped forward.
Tang Sui looked at the middle-aged man standing opposite her, sighing softly in her heart.
He's quite polite. It makes me feel bad about being too arrogant.
After a faint sigh of regret, Tang Sui spoke, also making an invitation gesture:
"Tang Sui, Level Sixty-six Support-Type Artifact Soul Emperor, I request your guidance."
"Sixty-six?!"
When the crowd heard Tang Sui announce her spirit power level, a wave of astonishment swept through all the Clear Sky Sect disciples.
Since Tang Sui was Tang San's sister, she was undoubtedly younger than Tang San, but Tang San looked much younger than Tang Hu.
Even Tang Long had only broken through to Level Sixty at the age of thirty.
A young girl was already Level Sixty-six...
Wait a minute...
"Supp-Support-Type Artifact Soul Emperor?!"
Someone had noticed the key detail.