Chapter 60 The Knees of the Haotian Sect, and the "Demolition Office" from the Sky
East of the Heavenly Dou Empire, atop the mountains.
The biting wind was like a knife cutting into your face. This was deep within a snow-capped mountain with sheer cliffs, shrouded in mist year-round. Without a guide, ordinary people would never be able to find the place once hailed as the number one sect in the world—the Haotian Sect.
At this moment, at the frozen iron chain bridge in front of the Haotian Sect's mountain gate, the atmosphere was solemn and tragic.
Tang San, dressed in simple clothes and carrying the heavy Clear Sky Hammer on his back, did not use his soul power to resist the bitter cold, letting the snow fall on his brow. With a "thud," he knelt heavily on the cold snow. Beside him lay Tang Hao, who had lost an arm and a leg and was emaciated.
"This unworthy descendant, Tang San, brings his father, Tang Hao, back to the sect to plead guilty!" Tang San's voice, infused with soul power, pierced through the wind and snow, echoing through the valley. His eyes, resolute yet filled with sorrow, resembled a hero who had suffered all the injustices of the world. This kneeling was both for his father and to win favor with the sect. Grandmaster had taught him that the old fogies of the Clear Sky Sect only responded to gentle persuasion, not force; he had to make sure his posture was impeccable.
Across the iron chain bridge, several aged figures appeared and disappeared. Leading them was the current sect master, the Howling Sky Douluo Tang Xiao. Behind him were several elders with grim expressions. "Hmph, Tang Hao, you still have the nerve to come back?" The Seventh Elder, with the most fiery temper, roared from across the iron chain bridge, "If it weren't for the disaster you caused back then, why would the sect have gone into seclusion! Now you bring back a little bastard to play the victim, thinking you can just let this go?"
Tang San suddenly looked up, his purple demonic eyes flashing, and said righteously, "Seventh Elder! My father was only trying to protect his wife back then! What crime has he committed when his love was so strong? Today, Tang San is willing to take the blame for my father. No matter if it's a mountain of knives or a sea of fire, Tang San will not flinch!"
These words were spoken with righteous indignation. A hint of pity flashed in Tang Xiao's eyes, and the expressions of the elders softened slightly. After all, Tang San's talent was undeniable; twin martial souls and the Killing God Domain truly represented the sect's hope for revival.
It was at this touching moment of "filial piety and reunion within the clan" that we witnessed this.
rat-a-tat ...
A jarring, industrial-sounding roar suddenly erupted from the clouds overhead. The noise was so loud it drowned out the howling wind and shattered the somber mood Tang San had been building up.
"What was that sound?" Tang Xiao frowned and looked up. The thick clouds were instantly torn apart. A strange-looking black shadow descended from the sky.
That wasn't a soul beast, but a person. Ye Feng gripped the handle of the Thousand Manifestations Umbrella with one hand; the umbrella blades had already flipped, transforming into a structure similar to a helicopter propeller, spinning at high speed and generating tremendous lift. "Mechanic Skill - Mechanical Rotor!"
Ye Feng hovered above the iron chain bridge, looking down at Tang San kneeling on the ground as if he were an ant. Around Ye Feng's waist, two figures were suspended by a special safety rope—Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan.
"Oh, you're kneeling already?" Ye Feng's voice, amplified by his soul power, clearly echoed throughout the entire arena. "Tang San, are your knees made of cartilage? You kneel before everyone you see?" "Is this what you call 'a man's knees are worth gold'? I think you're more like 'a magnet under your knees,' wanting to stick to the floor whenever you see it."
"Ye Feng!!!" Tang San's expression instantly shattered upon seeing that nightmarish figure, replaced by a ferocious rage. "How could you be here?! This is the forbidden area of the Clear Sky Sect!"
"Forbidden Area?" Ye Feng controlled the Thousand Chance Umbrella to descend slowly, landing on the snow not far from Tang San. The gale whipped up by the propellers turned Tang San's meticulously styled hair into a mess, and his face was covered in snowflakes. "This looks like a giant junkyard to me," Ye Feng pointed to the rusty iron chains and then to the elders dressed in coarse linen opposite him. "This is the number one sect in the world? Anyone who didn't know better would think it was a refugee camp in some remote mountain village."
"Insolence!" The Seventh Elder on the other side could no longer tolerate it. "Where did this brat come from! How dare you insult the Clear Sky Sect! You're courting death!" Boom! The Seventh Elder's figure shot up, actually charging directly across the iron chain bridge. Although he didn't activate his Martial Soul True Body, the pressure of a Title Douluo (at this point, he was set as someone who had just been promoted to Title Douluo or a peak Soul Douluo) pressed down on Ye Feng like an avalanche.
"Watch out!" Tang Xiao tried to stop him, but it was too late.
Facing the enraged old man charging towards them, Ye Feng didn't move. It was Zhu Zhuqing who moved. "Sister Yan, provide cover," Zhu Zhuqing coldly uttered. Although Dugu Yan's legs were a little weak in the face of this situation, upon hearing the order, she instinctively activated her martial soul. "Azure Phosphorous Purple Poison—Poison Mist!" Purple poison mist instantly spread across the iron chain bridge. Although it couldn't poison a Title Douluo, it was enough to obscure their vision.
Just as the Seventh Elder charged into the poisonous fog, a crisp gunshot rang out. The AWM sniper rifle in Zhu Zhuqing's hand (a modified version using Martial Soul Mimicry/Thousand Chance Umbrella parts) spat fire. It was an armor-piercing explosive round. The bullet struck the iron chain beneath the Seventh Elder's feet with pinpoint accuracy.
Clang! The iron chains vibrated violently. Although the Seventh Elder was incredibly powerful, he slipped while moving at high speed, and his figure paused for a moment.
That's enough. Ye Feng's Thousand Manifestations Umbrella had already changed form. The umbrella opened, but this time it wasn't a shield, but a semi-transparent white light shield. "Qi Master Skill - Nen Shield!"
The Seventh Elder steadied himself, roared, and slammed the illusory Haotian Hammer in his hand down fiercely against the light barrier. "Shatter!"
However, that seemingly thin energy shield possessed incredible resilience. The Haotian Hammer struck it, like hitting a fully inflated ball. Whoosh! The energy shield dented, then rebounded instantly. The Seventh Elder felt a gentle yet irresistible force, and was sent flying backward!
"What...what kind of sorcery is this?" The Seventh Elder took three steps back after landing before regaining his footing, his face filled with horror. It wasn't a direct confrontation, but rather a technique of using softness to overcome hardness.
Ye Feng put away the Thousand Chance Umbrella, looked at the dumbfounded Haotian Sect members opposite him, and then glanced at Tang San, whose face was ashen, beside him.
"Tang San, didn't your so-called 'master' teacher teach you anything?" Ye Feng brushed the snowflakes off his sleeves, his tone full of sarcasm. "He said the Clear Sky Hammer is the strongest offensive weapon spirit in the world, countering all fancy techniques." "That's because he's short-sighted." "Hardness cannot last, softness cannot be defended. But what about 'ultimate softness' psychic energy?"
Tang San gritted his teeth: "Ye Feng, you're taking shortcuts! If Elder Qi hadn't held back..."
"Didn't use your full strength?" Ye Feng interrupted him. "In a life-or-death battle, who cares whether you used your full strength or not? Losing is losing." "What, you want to try too?" Ye Feng pointed his Thousand Manifestations Umbrella at Tang San. "You're kneeling here now, are you begging these old fogies to take you in? Or are you hoping they'll avenge you?" "Don't dream." "If the Clear Sky Sect really had any backbone, they wouldn't have thrown your father out like trash back then."
Those words were incredibly harsh. They struck a nerve with Tang Hao and everyone in the Clear Sky Sect. Even Tang Hao, that dejected man, was trembling all over, his eyes filled with pain.
"Boy, who exactly are you? What brings you to my Haotian Sect?" Tang Xiao, being the sect leader, asked in a deep voice. He could see Ye Feng's extraordinary nature, especially from that umbrella.
"Who I am is not important." Ye Feng pulled out a golden invitation card from his pocket (actually, it was a travel pass given to him by Qian Renxue, which he had modified). "I'm here to bring you warmth." "I've heard that the Clear Sky Sect has been closed off for many years and is struggling financially. I represent the 'Spirit Hall... oh no, the Heaven Dou Empire Demolition Office' to talk to you about cooperation."
"Cooperation?" The elders looked at each other in bewilderment.
"That's right." Ye Feng pointed to the dangerous suspension bridge. "Isn't it tiring to walk on this kind of road? What if two geniuses fall and die?" "I plan to build a cable car here. I'll also help you with some infrastructure." "Of course, the cost… will be covered by your sect's stockpile of rare metals."
"Nonsense! You think you can insult my Clear Sky Sect at will!" the Seventh Elder roared again. "Tang San! Since you want to be recognized as a member of the sect, then prove it to me!" "Kill him! As long as you kill this brat who insulted our sect, I will acknowledge you as a member of the Clear Sky Sect!"
These words caused an uproar. This was both a case of using someone else to do one's dirty work and a pledge of loyalty.
Tang San slowly stood up, brushing the snow off his knees. He turned to face Ye Feng. "Ye Feng, you heard that too." "Although I don't want to take advantage of someone in distress, for my father, for the sect..." Black light surged in Tang San's hand, and the Clear Sky Hammer materialized in his grasp. "Today, I must defeat you." "Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique!"
Tang San moved. On the narrow terrain of the iron chain bridge, he actually used the Ghostly Shadow Steps technique, his movements as swift as lightning. The Clear Sky Hammer spun with the force of the impact, each strike heavier than the last. "First strike! Second strike!" The air seemed to tear apart, the momentum astonishing.
"Captain, this terrain is advantageous to him. Should we retreat?" Dugu Yan asked nervously. The iron chain bridge was too narrow, the poisonous fog was easily dispersed by the wind, and the opponent's hammer had a large area, making it difficult to dodge.
"Retreat? Retreat isn't in my dictionary." Ye Feng's lips curled slightly. "Yan Yan, step back." "Zhu Qing, keep an eye on those old guys over there. Anyone who dares to interfere, shoot them."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, and with a flash, she used the agility of the cat spirit to hang upside down from the iron chain, the dark muzzle of her gun locked onto the Seventh Elder on the opposite bank. The chilling killing intent made the Seventh Elder feel a chill between his brows.
Ye Feng faced Tang San charging towards him alone. "Disordered cloak? Stacked power?" "Tang San, your tactics are still so old-fashioned." "Since you like spinning around, then I'll spin around with you."
The Thousand Manifestations Umbrella instantly transformed. Its ribs lengthened, its canopy narrowed, transforming into a two-meter-long spear. Ye Feng didn't try to block it head-on, but waited until Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer was about to strike. "Battle Mage Skill - Round Dance Staff!"
This wasn't a direct confrontation, but a grappling technique. Ye Feng's spear tip carried a strange, spiraling energy, precisely piercing the blind spot of the Clear Sky Hammer's rotation—the inside of Tang San's wrist. Thud! Although it didn't pierce the skin (Tang San possessed the Mysterious Jade Hand), the immense torque directly disrupted Tang San's center of gravity.
"Come here!" Ye Feng used the momentum of Tang San's spin to flick him aside. Tang San, who was gathering his strength, was like a spinning top tripped up. Whoosh—! Tang San lost his balance and flew out of the iron chain bridge, hammer and all, plummeting towards the abyss!
"The mistress!" Tang Hao exclaimed in shock and was about to make a move.
"Don't rush." Ye Feng shook his Thousand Manifestations Umbrella, and a mechanical grappling hook shot out from the handle. "Mechanic Skill - Mechanical Claw!" The grappling hook precisely gripped Tang San's ankle.
At this moment, Tang San was hanging upside down above the abyss, looking down at the bottomless clouds, cold sweat pouring down his face. His Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique hadn't even reached the tenth strike before Ye Feng broke it with "using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds".
Ye Feng stood on the bridge, holding Tang San like a fisherman. "Didn't Master teach you this?" "Using wide-ranging moves in narrow terrain is a major taboo." "You wield the Clear Sky Hammer like a street performer; you can only fool laymen."
"Let me up!" Tang San was filled with shame and indignation. At this moment, he was hanging upside down, and the Eight Spider Lances had nowhere to hold him up. He was completely like a lamb to the slaughter.
"Beg me." Ye Feng shook the rope in his hand. "Call me grandpa, and I'll pull you up."
At the bridgehead, Dugu Yan watched this scene, her heart filled with turmoil. She had always lived under the wing of her grandfather, Dugu Bo, and although proud in nature, she harbored a deep-seated inferiority complex. While the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor's Poison was powerful, it was always countered by top-tier martial souls (for example, by Tang San's antidote). But today, she witnessed a different kind of battle. Ye Feng hadn't used any powerful soul skills; he had merely utilized the terrain, the laws of physics, and his opponent's psychology to completely manipulate the "prodigy" Tang San.
"Yanyan." Ye Feng suddenly turned around and called out to her. "What are you daydreaming about? Come here."
Dugu Yan instinctively walked over. "Look down there," Ye Feng said, pointing to Tang San hanging upside down. "Didn't this kid cure your poison before, making you feel useless?"
Dugu Yan bit her lip and nodded. That was a thorn in her heart.
"Now, I'll give you a chance." Ye Feng handed her a bottle of purple potion (it was a mixed poison he had concocted in the Killing City; although not fatal, it would cause excruciating pain). "Lie down." "Let him taste what 'beating' really means."
"Here? In front of the elders of the Haotian Sect?" Dugu Yan's hands trembled slightly.
"What are you afraid of?" Ye Feng reached out and gently put his arm around her waist, giving her solid support. "Even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up." "You're my teammate. Whoever makes you unhappy, you make them even more unhappy. That's the rule of our team."
Feeling the warmth of the large hand around her waist, Dugu Yan's fear miraculously vanished. In its place came an unprecedented madness and exhilaration. Yes, why should I always swallow my anger? Why is Tang San the righteous one, and we are the evil one?
"Tang San, this bottle is for myself and for Grandpa to repay you!" A ruthless glint flashed in Dugu Yan's eyes as she uncorked the bottle, and the purple venom poured out, accurately splashing onto Tang San's upside-down face.
"Ah—!!!" Tang San let out a shrill scream. Although the Xuan Yu Hand and Xuan Tian Gong had partially blocked the venom, the excruciating pain and humiliation from the corrosive effects on his skin drove him almost insane.
The elders on the opposite bank were completely enraged. "This is outrageous! This is outrageous!" "Attack together! Kill these two scoundrels!" Several elders simultaneously activated their spirit rings, preparing for a group attack.
"Enough!" Sect Master Tang Xiao, who had been silent all along, suddenly roared. His aura as a Title Douluo was fully unleashed, suppressing the restless elders. He gave Ye Feng a deep look, then glanced at Tang San, who had been dragged onto the bridge by Ye Feng and thrown to the ground like a dead dog.
"Young man, you've won." Tang Xiao's voice sounded somewhat aged. "You not only defeated Tang San, but you also slapped the face of my Clear Sky Sect." "But you just said you came to discuss cooperation?" Tang Xiao was a smart man. He saw the technological sophistication of the umbrella in Ye Feng's hand, and he also sensed the terrifying power behind Ye Feng. Since he couldn't win, he might as well hear what Ye Feng was planning.
Ye Feng laughed. He dropped his playful grin and straightened his collar. "The Sect Master is a wise man." Ye Feng kicked Tang San on the ground, sending him flying. "Someone like Tang San, who's all bully and empty talk, can't save the Clear Sky Sect. But I can."
Suddenly, the Thousand Manifestations Umbrella in Ye Feng's hand disintegrated into countless small, floating parts, which then reassembled in mid-air. This time, it transformed into a sophisticated projector (using light and shadow soul guidance technology). A screen of light was projected onto the snow wall. The image displayed a fully armed soul guidance legion, towering steel fortresses, and soul guidance cannons with a range of thousands of miles. (This was Ye Feng's grand vision, a blueprint for the future.)
"Times have changed, elders." Ye Feng pointed at the screen. "The Spirit Hall is unifying the continent; their ambitions extend beyond the Soul Master world." "How long can you hide in these few broken hammers in this snowy mountain?" "When the Spirit Hall's soul-guided cannons are set up at the foot of the mountain, how many shells can your tattered cloaks withstand?"
Silence fell. The elders stared at the images, their eyes filled with shock and fear. It was a realm they had never encountered before—the fusion of technology and soul power.
"I want to hire the Clear Sky Sect." Ye Feng revealed his true intentions. "You have strength and blacksmithing skills." "I want to build an arms factory. Specializing in producing these weapons that can kill gods." "Tang San's promise to you was the revival of the 'future'." "And what I give you is 'survival' and 'dignity' in the present."
Ye Feng pulled out a piece of deep-sea sunken silver mother that he had prepared beforehand and tossed it to Tang Xiao. "This is just a deposit." "Work with me, and the Clear Sky Sect will not only emerge from seclusion, but also become the 'arms tycoon' of the new era." "As for Tang San..." Ye Feng glanced at the "protagonist" whose face was covered in venom and who was being treated by Tang Hao. "Do you want a so-called genius who only causes trouble, or do you want the future of the entire sect?"
This was an open conspiracy. A naked temptation of profit. Tang Xiao held the heavy piece of rare metal, feeling the energy contained within it, and his heart wavered.
Tang San felt a chill run through him. His cherished sect bonds and his long-prepared, emotionally charged speech seemed utterly pale and powerless before Ye Feng's grandiose "industrial revolution" promise. Even more terrifying, he noticed the elders' gazes had shifted from "pity" to "disdain."
Ye Feng's move not only broke his leg, but also removed the backbone of the Haotian Sect, and finally... he even tried to undermine him!
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