In the main hall of the Defense Clan, the leaders of the three great clans were holding a crucial meeting on resisting the Spirit Hall's aggression.
"Report—!"
A Defense Clan disciple rushed in, breathless.
"What's the matter? Can't you see we're discussing important matters?" Niu Gao, the Defense Clan leader, scolded, glaring at the intruder.
"Clan Leader, the Clear Sky Clan has arrived," the disciple stammered, never expecting the Clear Sky Clan to appear unannounced today.
"What?!"
Niu Gao, Yang Wudi, and Bai He stood up simultaneously, first stunned, then furious.
Years ago, had the Clear Sky Clan not abandoned them, they wouldn't have been hunted by the Spirit Hall, suffering countless casualties.
Just a few years prior, the Strength Clan had been annihilated, leaving only Tai Long as the sole survivor.
In other words, the Clear Sky Clan bore partial responsibility for the Strength Clan's destruction.
"They actually dared to come here," Yang Wudi muttered, his eyes sharp as blades.
"Damn it! They're going too far!" Niu Gao roared, slamming his palm down and shattering the stone table.
"How many of them came?" Bai He asked calmly.
"About a dozen, led by the Clear Sky Clan's Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Elders. They're aggressive and... and they demanded..." The disciple hesitated, too afraid to continue.
"Demanded what?" Niu Gao, hot-tempered as ever, grabbed the disciple by the collar.
The Clear Sky Clan was pushing them too far. Did they think the three clans were weaklings to be bullied at will?
Under the intense gazes of the three Soul Douluos, the disciple gulped and forced out the words:
"They demanded we hand over the Clear Sky Clan's criminal, Tang San... or else..."
"Or else what?" Yang Wudi summoned his Soul Breaking Spear, ready for battle.
"Enough." Bai He patted Niu Gao's shoulder, signaling him to release the disciple.
"Let's go meet our old 'friends' ourselves," Bai He said coolly.
With resentment burning in their hearts, the three clan leaders stormed out.
---
In the Defense Clan's courtyard, the atmosphere was tense.
On one side stood the Defense Clan and its allies; on the other, the Clear Sky Clan disciples. A single spark would ignite all-out conflict.
The three Clear Sky Clan elders stood with their hands behind their backs, exuding an air of superiority the moment they entered.
"Well, well. Look who's here," the Seventh Elder sneered, looking down his nose at Yang Wudi and the others.
"Enough talk. Hand over our criminal, and we'll leave immediately," the Seventh Elder demanded.
"Criminal?" Yang Wudi laughed coldly. "We have no criminals here—just a few barking dogs."
"What did you say?!" The Seventh Elder's rage erupted, his Titled Douluo aura flaring.
"Titled Douluo?" Bai He's expression darkened.
"That's right," the Fourth Elder stepped forward. "After sealing our sect for over twenty years, all five of us brothers have reached the Titled Douluo realm. My seventh brother was rude earlier, but we only ask for the return of our criminal. Hand him over, and we'll leave."
"Criminal?" Niu Gao scoffed. "We have no Clear Sky Clan criminals here. You've come to the wrong place."
"Impossible!" The Fifth Elder insisted. "Our disciples saw him enter with one of your members."
"What?" Bai He frowned. "What's the name of this 'criminal'?"
"Tang San."
"Tang San?"
The three clan leaders exchanged glances, then shook their heads in unison. "We've never seen him."
The Clear Sky Clan elders were taken aback.
"Impossible! Tang San is cunning—what if he's hiding here?" The Seventh Elder narrowed his eyes, distrusting the trio.
Given the long-standing feud between them, the Seventh Elder wouldn't let this chance slip.
"Then allow us to search your premises. If he's not here, we'll leave," the Fourth Elder proposed.
"No!" Niu Gao refused outright.
The Fourth Elder's frown deepened. A refusal only confirmed his suspicions.
Tang San had close ties to the Strength Clan. Though the Strength Clan was gone, the other three clans shared a bond of loyalty.
That Tang San might be hiding here was an unspoken truth the Clear Sky Clan elders all suspected.
"And if we insist on searching?" The Seventh Elder's aura intensified.
"Then we fight," Yang Wudi declared, gripping his Soul Breaking Spear. He stood tall like a war god, eager to test the might of a Clear Sky Hammer Titled Douluo.
Tension crackled in the air as both sides prepared for battle.
---
Meanwhile, deep within the Defense Clan's hidden chamber, Tang San remained oblivious to the brewing storm outside.
Guarded by Tai Long, he assumed he'd be alerted at the first sign of danger.
But as Tai Long stood watch, he suddenly felt warmth trickling down his neck.
"Ah—"
He touched his throat—his hand came away red.
"No—!"
With a final choked cry, Tai Long collapsed, eyes wide with shock.
"The last of the Strength Clan... reunite with your family in hell."
Disguised as Tang Yu, Ye Hao stepped over the corpse. Sensing Tang San inside, he pushed the door open.
Their eyes met.
"Tang... Tang Yu?!"
Tang San gasped. Was he hallucinating? Tang Yu was alive?
Rubbing his eyes, he confirmed the figure before him was indeed Tang Yu—and fury twisted his features.
"Tang Yu! You're not dead?!" Tang San exploded. Tang Yu's survival explained everything—his humiliation, his desperate flight from the Clear Sky Clan!
"You have coursed death upon yourself—"
The classic line made its appearance.
"Tsk tsk..." Tang Yu smirked. "Tang San—no, Tang Sect's Tang San. You recite the Profound Heaven Record's tenets so flawlessly."
The moment these words were spoken, Tang San froze in shock, staring at "Tang Yu" with undisguised horror.
"Y-you... what did you say?" Tang San gritted his teeth, cold sweat beading on his forehead as he demanded confirmation.
"Tang Sect's Tang San. Need I repeat myself?" The disguised Ye Hao smirked. "A disgrace who stole the Tang Sect's hidden weapons and techniques, was exiled, and ultimately jumped off Hell Peak—"
"SHUT UP!" Tang San's veins bulged as his deepest shame was laid bare—the wound he'd carried across worlds.
His dream had always been to rebuild the Tang Sect in this new world. He'd planned to use the Strength Clan as his foundation, only for Ye Hao to annihilate them with a single order.
"Tang Yu, you deserve death!" Tang San spat through clenched teeth. These were secrets meant to die with him.
"Seems I struck a nerve." "Tang Yu" chuckled.
"What does it matter?" Tang San forced a smile. "Since you'll soon be dead, I'll tell you the truth. Yes, I'm not from this world. I came from the Tang Sect—a place that still haunts my dreams."
"Let me guess—an outer disciple stealing inner sect techniques? How very... ambitious of you," "Tang Yu" taunted.
"SILENCE! My past is none of your concern!" The public humiliation set Tang San's blood boiling.
"Truth hurts, doesn't it?" "Tang Yu" shook his head mockingly. "With skills to create Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus, was death really necessary? Had you stayed, you might've become a Tang Sect elder. Instead, your arrival here became this continent's tragedy."
Tang San's face darkened beyond recognition.
"Tang Yu, you're signing your death warrant," he hissed, chest heaving with rage.
"I'm counting on it. Your hypocrisy disgusts me—condemning others for killing soul beasts while doing the same, then calling it 'justice.' And stealing techniques? For an outer disciple, you've got nerves of steel."
"Had you survived that jump and returned powerful, your first words to the Tang Sect would've been—"
"'I was right to steal your techniques! You forced me to jump!' Am I close?"
"AAAAHHH!!!" Tang San snapped.
He summoned the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, determined to erase this walking security breach.
"Pathetic." "Tang Yu" spat. "Your 'beloved' Tang Sect was just a den of hypocrites who raised a thief. Like master, like disciple—"
"ENOUGH!" Tang San's killing intent erupted. "Those who insult the Tang Sect—DIE!"
As he lunged, "Tang Yu" suddenly said: "The Clear Sky Clan elders are here. Should I call them?"
"I don't care!" Tang San snarled. "Who else knows my secret?"
"Someone told me."
"WHO?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
With a roar, Tang San attacked.
In that instant, "Tang Yu's" disguise melted away, revealing Ye Hao holding the Death God's Heart.
Two divine artifacts collided—the room exploded into dust.
"YOU!" Tang San's murderous intent skyrocketed.
"Surprise! Tang Yu was me all along." Ye Hao grinned. "How's that slap from earlier? Face still stinging?"
Realization dawned—his greatest secret was now in enemy hands. If exposed...
"Ye Hao, do you really think you can kill me?" Tang San growled.
"Spare me the theatrics." Ye Hao activated the Death God's Heart, replaying Tang San's confession.
"DELETE THAT!" Tang San paled—this evidence would make him an outcast.
"My work here is done." Ye Hao pocketed the artifact. "The Clear Sky Clan elders are coming. Enjoy their... hospitality."
"Oh, and your 'peerless' Tang Sect weapons? Trash. Those techniques? Not even worth yellow-tier. Street vendors wouldn't take them."
Before Tang San could retort, Ye Hao flashed forward—
SMACK!
A resounding slap sent Tang San flying, right cheek swelling instantly.
"You—!" Blood trickled from his lips as he glared hatefully.
"Tough face. Hurt my hand." Ye Hao shook his wrist.
He stomped on Tang San's chest. "This thickness must run in your family—just like your 'master' Yu Xiaogang."
As Ye Hao raised his hand again, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud suddenly pulsed with blue light.
"A fragment of the Sea God's will?" Ye Hao hesitated.
"Ye Hao!" Tang San vowed through bloodied teeth. "I'll destroy you! The Spirit Hall! And the Clear Sky Clan!"
"The Clear Sky Clan?" Ye Hao blinked, then laughed. "I'm the one who ruined you as 'Tang Yu,' yet you blame them? Your father's own sect!"
"They hunted me," Tang San snarled. "I'll wipe them out."
"...Fine."
With the Sea God's presence awakening, Ye Hao retreated into the Death God's Heart—even with the Shura Sword, provoking a deity was unwise.
---
"See now? Your nephew's true colors." Ye Hao turned to the tearful Tang Yuehua.
She'd witnessed everything—especially Tang San's vow to destroy the Clear Sky Clan.
"That monster... he's not human!" Tang Yuehua sobbed. Ye Hao had been right all along—this "Tang San" was an imposter who would bring ruin to their clan.