Putting aside his deep thoughts, Tang Xiao rose from the bed, gently shifting Ning Ruoyan aside.
Although his wedding had concluded only yesterday, today was no less significant.
Yes. Today was the day he would assume the position of clan leader.
And yes.
Since those who had come to attend his wedding had not yet departed, this was the most efficient opportunity to announce the change in leadership of the world's number one clan.
The ceremony would not mirror the grandeur of the wedding. It would be conducted internally—limited to the clan members and the subordinate clans of the Clear Sky Sect. Nevertheless, several prominent figures, such as representatives of the Upper Three Sects and Spirit Hall, had been invited to bear witness. Other notable figures were free to attend should they wish, though no special arrangements would be made for them.
Tang Xiao saw no particular need to rush such a ceremony. However, as it was a decision jointly made by the elders and Tang Zhen, he was content to comply.
In truth, he felt this approach suited him better.
On Earth, whenever a new president took office, or a new CEO assumed control of a corporation, or even when a school welcomed a new principal, they often introduced thunderous policies or decisive actions to establish authority and leave a lasting impression.
In his youth, Tang Xiao had once fantasized about becoming a powerful police officer—descending dramatically, eliminating criminals, and declaring that everyone was safe under his domineering presence.
Those fantasies, however, were fleeting illusions born from action films. As he matured, he recognized the naivety of such thoughts. Yet deep within him, that desire never truly faded—complete with background music, a helicopter descent, bodyguards at his side, and a crowd standing at attention to welcome him.
Now that he genuinely possessed such an opportunity, how could he fail to prepare?
The position of Clear Sky Sect Leader was one capable of altering the fates of mortals and soul masters alike. His excitement knew no bounds.
If Tang Xiao had so wished, he could have avoided entangling himself in the struggle between the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall altogether, retreating instead into quiet seclusion. Yet he chose not to. The reason was simple—his youthful obsession.
Not everyone was granted the chance to realize such obsessions. Now that he had been given that chance, he had no intention of letting it slip away.
Moreover, what meaning was there in a life of seclusion? With the possibility of attaining godhood still uncertain, he would instead ensure that his name was remembered across the world and etched into history.
"I should think carefully about what to do after becoming clan leader. Something that will shock everyone," Tang Xiao thought silently as he opened the door and headed toward the bath, with Tang Ya following behind him.
—
Noon arrived.
The bells of the Clear Sky Sect rang out—deep, ancient, and heavy—their echoes rolling through the entire city like distant thunder.
Each toll struck not only stone and air, but also the hearts of all who heard them.
The ancestral hall of the Clear Sky Sect stood wide open.
Rows upon rows of elders in gray robes knelt in solemn silence, their expressions solemn. Behind them, the direct disciples of the Clear Sky Sect stood in neat formation, nearly three hundred and fifty strong, their faces filled with reverence.
The leaders of the four main subordinate clans stood upright, their posture respectful and subdued, not daring to utter a word.
Further back, representatives of the Upper Three Sects and the Lower Four Sects—Ning Fengzhi, Yu Yuanzhen, and others—observed calmly. To one side stood the Spirit Hall delegation, including Bibi Dong, their polite smiles masking sharp, calculating gazes.
At the very center of the hall stood the ancestral altar.
Above it loomed the Clear Sky Hammer emblem—vast, ancient, and oppressive.
A symbol of absolute power.
Moments later—
Footsteps echoed.
Slow.
Steady.
Unhurried.
Tang Xiao entered the hall.
He wore no ornate ceremonial armor, only simple black-and-gold robes. His aura was restrained, yet heavy, like a mountain lying dormant.
His expression remained neutral, though a faint smile touched his lips as his gaze swept across the hall.
Behind him followed Ning Ruoyan, his wife, dressed in robes that complemented his own. With her head lowered, she moved obediently and stopped just behind the kneeling elders.
Tang Xiao alone continued forward.
All hushed conversations vanished.
Even breathing seemed to quiet.
Tang Zhen stood before the ancestral altar. His hair had grown grayer, and his back was no longer as straight, yet his eyes remained clear, sharp, and resolute.
For a brief moment, father and son met each other's gaze.
No words were exchanged.
Tang Zhen then turned.
In his hands was the Sect Master's Token—a black iron medallion engraved with the Clear Sky Hammer, its surface worn smooth by generations.
This token represented far more than authority.
It carried blood, glory, and unimaginable power.
Tang Zhen raised it high.
"From this moment onward," his voice echoed throughout the hall,
"I, Tang Zhen, relinquish the position of Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect."
A ripple spread through the hall.
Though everyone had anticipated this moment, hearing it spoken aloud still carried immense weight.
Tang Zhen continued, each word steady and firm.
"I hereby pass the position of Sect Master
to my eldest son, Tang Xiao."
He stepped forward and placed the token into Tang Xiao's hands.
The moment Tang Xiao grasped it—
An invisible pressure surged outward.
Clear Sky disciples below the Soul Sage level felt their hearts tighten. Some unconsciously bent their knees, and under that pressure, their gazes toward Tang Xiao turned submissive.
Even the expressions of the seven elders shifted slightly, their gazes that had been fixed on Tang Xiao lowering involuntarily.
The Spirit Hall delegation narrowed their eyes, their expressions stiffening.
This was not soul power.
It was the aura of his martial soul—the aura of his super-level evolved Clear Sky Hammer, intentionally released.
To outsiders, it felt like pressure. But to those with the Clear Sky martial soul, it was bloodline suppression—something that could only be acknowledged, never resisted.
This phenomenon was similar to Tang Wulin's Golden Dragon bloodline in Douluo 3. In its presence, no dragon-type martial soul user could oppose him. Even a trace of dragon bloodline would cause one to cower.
The current Tang Xiao was much the same. Though his suppression was limited to Clear Sky Hammer martial soul users, and those with higher cultivation levels were less affected.
He had discovered this ability only recently through experimentation, and it had become the cornerstone of his confidence in commanding absolute obedience within the clan.
It could be said that the immortal herbs he consumed had not only increased his cultivation speed by two and a half times, but had also granted him this hidden advantage.
Tang Xiao closed his fingers around the token, a faint smile appearing on his lips. He did not immediately retract his martial soul aura, allowing it to sink deeply into the hearts of every Clear Sky disciple as they held their breath.
The hall descended into complete silence.
He slowly turned to face everyone present. His gaze passed over the elders, the subordinate clans, and finally lingered for a brief moment on the Spirit Hall delegation—particularly Bibi Dong, who was unsettled by the reverent gazes of the Clear Sky disciples and could not comprehend such profound submission.
Then he spoke.
His voice was calm.
Yet it carried unmistakable weight.
"From today onward," he said evenly,
"I will assume the position of Sect Master."
Nothing more.
He turned toward the ancestral altar and bowed once, unhurried and dignified. Straightening, he faced the elders again.
"I will not speak at length," Tang Xiao continued.
"The elders' decision and my father's will are already clear."
Several elders nodded in response.
His gaze swept across the hall once more—over the subordinate clans, the observers, and finally the Spirit Hall representatives.
"I will not alter the sect's direction immediately," he said calmly.
"Stability comes first."
A few expressions subtly relaxed.
Then Tang Xiao added, in the same even tone,
"However, there are many things that I believe must change."
"Prepare the council meeting by evening. That will be all for today."
With that, he stepped back.
For a brief moment, no one moved.
Then the First Elder rose and bowed.
"Greetings, Sect Master."
Others followed in succession.
There was no rush, no dramatic kneeling.
Only quiet acceptance.
Tang Xiao observed in silence.
This was not the moment he intended to shock the world.
That moment would come later. More importantly, he had yet to decide what to do. His little mind required time to conceive something truly ingenious.
For now, he had taken his seat at the center of the board.
And once seated—
He had no intention of relinquishing it.