Chapter 13: The Outbreak of War

Upon hearing Tang Zhen's words, the atmosphere grew heavier.

Tang Zhen continued: "Whether it's the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan or the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the reinforcements they send today will cost us dearly in the future. Even the outer one-attribute clans that lose members in this war will need our consolation after the battle."

"By the time the battle is over, our sect's reserves may be completely depleted."

At that moment, the Great Elder spoke: "Sect master, our Haotian sect is the number one sect under the heavens. Even if we fight to the last man, we will never surrender."

All the other elders joined in: "Sect master, we are determined to fight to the end!"

Tang Zhen understood their resolve and declared, "Elders, the Haotian Sect will not retreat, and we will fight to the death!"

After everyone calmed down, Tang Zhen spoke again: "Great Elder, is there any news about Hao'er?"

"Sect master, Tang Hao has already broken through to the rank of Titled Douluo and is now known as Haotian Douluo. However, since the news of his departure from the sect, there has been no further information about him."

"Hao'er, facing three enemies alone... he must be seriously injured. Great Elder, continue to send people to search for Hao'er. We must find him."

At that moment, a disciple rushed in: "Sect master, bad news! The Spirit Hall forces have arrived outside our sect."

Upon hearing this, Tang Zhen and the elders immediately went outside.

Outside the sect, a sea of spirit masters stretched out in front of them, all dressed in white in mourning for the former Pope Qian Xunji. The number of spirit masters seemed to exceed 10,000, and the proportion of high-level spirit masters was remarkably high.

Suddenly, a booming voice echoed from the ranks of the Spirit Hall: "Members of the Haotian Sect, you have one hour to surrender the murderer Tang Hao, who killed our former pope. If you do not comply, we will attack and no one will be spared!"

Tang Zhen ignored the voice and instead asked the Great Elder, "Great Elder, how long before the reinforcements from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the Tian Dou Empire arrive?"

"Sect master, based on their fastest estimated travel time, the two sects will take at least half a day, and the Tian Dou Empire army may take another day."

"It seems that Spirit Hall intends to strike before our reinforcements arrive. Inform all the inner disciples and our affiliated sects to prepare for battle."

"Great Elder, personally go to Spirit Hall and tell them that Tang Hao has been expelled from the sect and is no longer with us."

At this point, Tang Xiao quickly intervened: "Father, even though my younger brother made a serious mistake, Spirit Hall is clearly targeting us. They arrived so quickly with such a large army, it's obvious they planned this."

The Great Elder also spoke again: "Sect master, for Spirit Hall to gather so many spirit masters in such a short time, it's clear that they've been preparing to attack us for a long time."

Tang Zhen's face darkened as he shook his head: "I'm fully aware that they're using this as an excuse, but no matter what, Tang Hao really did kill their Pope. They are here for revenge, and no one can say otherwise. Great Elder, go see if they're willing to propose any other terms."

The Great Elder quickly flew toward the Spirit Hall army.

However, within less than ten minutes, the Great Elder returned. "Sect master, Spirit Hall is adamant. They will not accept any other terms and insist that we hand over Tang Hao. Otherwise, they will start a war."

"It looks like Spirit Hall is determined to destroy us. Prepare for battle. Also, instruct the Min Clan to inform the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to send their leaders as soon as possible."

The Great Elder hesitated: "Sect master, I'm afraid the Min Clan won't be able to fly out. Spirit Hall has completely surrounded us."

"It seems that Spirit Hall has calculated everything and is determined to either destroy or cripple our Haotian Clan. Great Elder, order the children of our sect to retreat to the ancestral grounds."

"Sect master, even though the ancestral grounds are well defended, I'm afraid they won't be able to withstand their army of spirit masters."

"Don't worry. My father, Tang Chen, once made an agreement with Qian Daoliu that as long as neither of them emerged victorious, the Spirit Hall forces would not enter our ancestral grounds."

"But the old sect master has been missing for many years. Will Spirit Hall keep its promise?"

"Although my father is missing, he is not dead. And Qian Daoliu is a man of repute-he would never break his word."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately began to prepare for action.

At the same time, outside the Haotian Sect, the four leaders of the one-attribute clans gathered, their faces tense as they faced twice as many enemies.

A disciple arrived with a message that Bai He glanced at before passing it to the others.

After reading it, Yang Wudi spoke: "Our four clans have always been under the protection of the Haotian Clan. Since the sect has made its decision, my Po Clan will fight to the death.

The other three agreed, pledging their entire clans to fight to the end. They returned to their respective territories, ready for the upcoming battle.

As Tang Zhen had predicted, Spirit Hall had meticulously planned this attack. Whether it was announcing the death of Qian Xunji or declaring war on the Haotian Sect, every step was executed perfectly, leaving no time for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to react. If the three forces had joined forces with the Tian Dou Empire's army, Spirit Hall wouldn't have stood a chance.

With their deep foundations, the three great clans could muster a total of 9,000 to 10,000 spirit masters, more than enough to challenge Spirit Hall.

However, Spirit Hall's sudden declaration of war caught the three sects off guard, as nearly 20% of their disciples were scattered across the continent on various missions, creating a tense situation.

An hour later, Spirit Hall ignored all of Haotian Sect's responses and rejected the reason that Tang Hao had been expelled. They launched a direct attack.

Spirit Hall's strategy was clear. They used a portion of their forces to contain the outer single attribute clans, sending 3,000 spirit masters against the clans' 2,000.

The bulk of Spirit Hall's army focused on attacking the main gate of the Haotian Sect. With only 2,000 disciples facing 7,000 spirit masters, each disciple was forced to face three or four opponents. The Haotian Cult was completely outnumbered.

Even though the sect's main gate was made by the Yu Clan, it offered little defense against an army of 7,000 to 8,000 spirit masters, especially when the ranks of the Spirit Hall included numerous high-level masters, even some with the title of Douluo.

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