At the Pope's Palace in Wuhun City, Bibi Dong secretly met with the new leaders of the seven great sects. Jue Wu Douluo and Ling Yuan Douluo, who had recently been recruited by Bibi Dong, were also present.
The doors were closed, candles were lit, and Bibi Dong, wearing a golden mask, slowly walked out. She sat on the Pope's throne, tapped the ground with her royal scepter, and looked at everyone present with disdain.
"You all must understand the current situation on the continent. The Clear Sky Sect has gone into seclusion, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has allied with the Heaven Dou Empire to protect itself, and the Star Crown Sect is even more isolated and not worth fearing. No other sect can block your path.
I've given you the positions of the top three sects and the lower four. Now, it's time for you to repay my kindness."
The seven sect leaders exchanged glances and focused their attention on the only one with the title of Douluo — Huyan Zhen. It was time for him to step forward. The title of a leader among the top three sects wasn't easy to obtain.
"I don't know what the Pope wants, but we will do our best to fulfill it."
"Sect Master Huyan, you jest. I won't make things difficult for you. There is only one thing you must do. Any sect that refuses to join Spirit Hall must be eradicated with full force."
"Yes."
Bibi Dong didn't need to say more — they had already begun. Resources were limited, and aside from the two major sects they dared not provoke, who knew how many smaller sects had already been destroyed?
After the seven sect leaders left, Bibi Dong kept the three Titled Douluo behind. They discussed briefly, and the candles in the hall gradually went out. All that could be heard was the faint rustling of robes.
The next day, Lingyuan Douluo temporarily took over the Pope's duties. Bibi Dong led Juegui Douluo and many of her subordinates on a journey. Their destination: the Great Star Dou Forest.
While they felt relieved, many of the small sects on the continent suffered catastrophic disasters. The seven newly promoted great sects relied on Spirit Hall as their backing and recklessly oppressed the smaller sects around them.
Only the White Tiger Sect, for some unknown reason, showed some restraint. While they pressured the neighboring sects, they didn't slaughter them entirely. Instead, they forced them to relocate.
This chaos didn't only affect sects — it also affected families, mercenary organizations, and other powers tied to those sects.
At this moment in Heaven Dou City, Yang Wudi of the Po Clan, Niu Gao of the Yu Clan, and Titan, the last survivor of the Li Clan, gathered to discuss countermeasures.
The Po Clan relied on their medicinal refining technology, and the Yu Clan on their construction skills. Both were thriving in Heaven Dou City, and their members lived well. None were foolish enough to offend two Soul Douluo.
However, due to the suppression by the seven major sects supported by Spirit Hall, medicinal material prices skyrocketed, many long-term clients disappeared overnight, and the Po Clan's business was severely impacted.
This wasn't the most important issue. What mattered most was that Yang Wudi sensed danger in all of this. Facing a behemoth like Spirit Hall, even a powerful sect like Clear Sky had fallen — how could former affiliated families stand a chance?
"Damn it, if it were up to me, I'd just destroy Spirit Hall's branch in Tiandou City to avenge our master. Death is the end of all things."
Yang Wudi looked helplessly at Titan beside him. You may be ready to die, but we have large families behind us. Even if the Li Clan was nearly wiped out, Titan didn't seem to have matured.
Even kind old Niu Gao was speechless. As for you — the current master? The Clear Sky Sect no longer acknowledged you, and Tang Hao hadn't visited in years.
The two quietly listened as Titan cursed Spirit Hall until he passed out drunk, then returned to discussing business. Titan didn't care, but they had to consider their families' legacies.
"That crazy old gorilla really thinks he's Tang Hao's servant."
"All right, old goat, we better think about what our two clans should do. Spirit Hall is acting with serious ambition, and we, the remnants of the former Clear Sky Sect, might become their next target."
"I won't provoke anyone unless they provoke me. We've completely severed ties with the Clear Sky Sect. If Spirit Hall dares come, my weapons won't hold back."
"Come on — do you really think you can beat all the Titled Douluo in Spirit Hall? But why has your spirit power increased so fast? You've already reached level eighty-four."
"I got a spirit bone by chance years ago. Now that I think about it, the trader knew Dugu Bo — he must've been the leader of the Star Crown Sect."
"The Star Crown Sect, huh? They picked a good spot — the southwestern border — and Spirit Hall isn't interested in them."
Yang Wudi was stunned. He didn't expect the Star Crown Sect to avoid Spirit Hall's invasion simply because of geography. Of course, recruiting someone like Dugu Bo wasn't easy.
The two discussed precautionary measures and decided to move their clans' settlements together to prepare for sudden changes.
The next day, Niu Gao visited the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect under the pretext of discussing business, bringing the sincerity of both clans. They needed to prepare an escape route — the genocide of the Clear Sky Sect must never happen again.
At the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi looked at the business cards from the Po and Yu Clans and couldn't help but smile. He didn't expect his sect to benefit from Spirit Hall's suppression of other sects and families.
During this time, many sects and families had been forced to flee with their entire households. Many arrived at Heaven Dou City, seeking protection from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Fengzhi had received many sect masters and family heads in recent days, including some strong Spirit Saints. The power of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had risen rapidly.
Now, the Po and Yu Clans even planned to relocate together to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. If these two joined, it would be a significant boon.
As for the fact that their former shelter, the Clear Sky Sect, had offended Spirit Hall — why should the Glazed Tile Sect be afraid? Spirit Hall never needed a reason to act.
"Uncle Gu, I'll trouble you to stay with me tomorrow. We must win over these two clans."
"Very well. That sword-wielding fellow said he sensed a chance to break through to level 96, so he's gone into seclusion. I'll stay and guard the sect during this time."
"Alright then. Thank you, Uncle Gu."
Just as the two were discussing, a little girl about three years old suddenly ran in from outside. As soon as she entered, she leapt into Gu Douluo's arms.
"Oh, my little Rongrong, why are you here?"
"Grandpa Gu is so mean. He didn't play with Rongrong today."
"Alright, alright — Grandpa will play with you now."
Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but shake his head as he watched Gu Douluo let Ning Rongrong sit on his shoulders and carry her away. Uncle Gu really spoiled Rongrong. He wasn't afraid of turning her into a little devil.