After soaking in the hot spring for two hours, Zhao Ling, now dressed, carried Liu Erlong in his arms as they left the Sunset Forest.
Fortunately, the coachman was true to his word and hadn't left; otherwise, Zhao Ling would have had to carry Liu Erlong all the way back to Heaven Dou City.
Once inside the carriage, Zhao Ling sat down with Liu Erlong still nestled in his arms. She leaned lazily against his chest, arms around his neck, clearly feeling a little lightheaded from the two-hour soak—despite being the host of the Immortal Flame Dragon Phoenix, even she couldn't fully resist the effects of prolonged time in a hot spring.
She shot Zhao Ling a tired, reproachful glance. "You scoundrel… You promised not to torment me today, yet you turned around and broke your word just like that."
Zhao Ling scratched his nose awkwardly and chuckled. "I promised I wouldn't 'torment' you in your room today—and I didn't break that promise. The hot spring isn't your room, now is it?"
Liu Erlong was speechless with indignation. This guy was shameless—but what could she do? It was her husband, after all. All she could do was spoil him.
"You take advantage of me and then act like you're in the right? You're such a villain."
Just as the two were bantering, the coachman let out a few polite coughs. "Dear guests, I'm still driving the carriage… Please don't ignore me."
The two exchanged an embarrassed glance and stopped their flirting, simply leaning against each other as the air inside the carriage grew increasingly heavy with the sweet smell of romance.
Meanwhile, at that very moment, Yu Yuanzhen and the three elders of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan arrived at the gates of the Clear Sky Sect.
Unlike in the future where the sect was located hundreds of miles east of Heaven Dou City, it was now situated in a small town just several dozen kilometers outside the city.
In fact, nearly all the residents of the town had ties to the Clear Sky Sect. After all, the sect was still one of the three great upper sects—arguably the most powerful one outside of Spirit Hall.
Not only was it powerful on its own, but it also had numerous affiliated clans representing the four single-attribute specialties: Strength, Defense, Speed, and Control. Altogether, their forces numbered five to six thousand strong.
In Zhao Ling's previous world, Blue Star, that population might seem insignificant. In China alone, even the smallest towns had populations exceeding ten thousand, with larger ones rivaling counties.
But this was not Blue Star. In the Douluo Continent, a town with five to six thousand residents was already remarkable.
Looking at the bustling crowd, Yu Yuanzhen couldn't help but marvel, "The Clear Sky Sect truly lives up to its name as the head of the Upper Three Sects. Our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has barely 1,800 members, but they have so many."
"Patriarch, there's no need to be envious," Second Elder scoffed. "The Clear Sky Sect has only about 300 direct disciples—about the same as us. Most of the rest are from affiliated clans. And let's be honest—those people aren't truly one of us. In a crisis, who knows if they'd turn on us?"
First Elder frowned. "Second Elder, don't go too far. If people from our own affiliated clans heard that, it could cause unrest."
Third Elder chuckled and glanced at First Elder. "Aren't you overreacting? It's just the four of us here talking. It's not like word will spread."
"Exactly," Second Elder agreed. "You're too tense."
Yu Yuanzhen glanced at the three of them but didn't press further. Instead, he strode forward toward the sect gate, prompting the three elders to fall silent and follow closely behind.
When they reached the entrance, several burly guards stepped forward to block them.
"Who goes there? State your purpose for visiting the Clear Sky Sect."
As the clan leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Yuanzhen naturally had his own pride. He didn't even look directly at the guards, instead announcing in a deep voice:
"I am Yu Yuanzhen, Patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. I request an audience with the Clear Sky Sect's leader!"
Although Yu Yuanzhen didn't raise his voice, his words echoed clearly throughout the entire sect, reaching every corner and ear within.
Inside the main hall, the current sect leader of the Clear Sky Sect had been discussing urgent matters with Tang Xiao, Tang Hao, and seven elders. The moment he heard Yu Yuanzhen's voice, he leapt from his seat and dashed outside.
The others were puzzled. "What's going on? Why is the Blue Lightning Patriarch suddenly here?"
Outside, Yu Yuanzhen spotted the sect master of the Clear Sky Sect approaching and broke into a friendly smile.
"Old man, long time no see. You're still looking as lively as ever."
The sect master reached the gate, brushed aside the guards, and lightly punched Yu Yuanzhen in the chest with a hearty laugh.
"You old dragon, you're looking healthy yourself. What brings you to the Clear Sky Sect today?"
Leading him inside, the two were followed closely by the three elders, making sure not to get left behind.
Yu Yuanzhen's expression grew serious. "To tell the truth, I've come with an urgent matter."
After a moment's pause, he added, "Old friend, have you heard of someone called Demon Suppressing Douluo?"
"Demon Suppressing Douluo… Zhao Ling?" The sect master's smile faded as he fixed Yu Yuanzhen with a piercing look. "I've heard rumors. Isn't he the one who wronged your clan? Your nephews Xiao Long and Xiao Gang were victims, weren't they?"
Yu Yuanzhen's eyes lit up. His old friend clearly understood where he stood—unlike those fence-sitters from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, who had dared suggest reconciliation with that bastard Zhao.
"That's right. That Zhao scoundrel went too far. He beat my two poor children so badly… especially Da Long, who's now practically a fool. It's a tragedy..."
With a heavy sigh, Yu Yuanzhen seized the opportunity to play the victim.
Seeing his old friend's sorrowful expression, the Clear Sky Sect master snorted coldly.
"Da Long was bullied that badly? Outrageous! That Zhao Ling… How dare he act so arrogantly?"