ang Xiao studied the siblings, his gaze shifting, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.

"You look like your mother. But your character resembles your father." He said his voice was gentle. "Yuehua, don't cry. If it helps brother's spirit rest, maybe it is for the best. Tomorrow...would you prepare for Tang Sans and Tang Yin's ceremony, to recognise their ancestors?"

"But." Tang Sans eyes widened in surprise.

"It does not matter if you belong to Clear Sky or not. Both of you carry the blood of Clear Sky; you carry our legacy, no matter how it may be called. You have the right to be recognised by your ancestors. It is your birthright."

Tang Yuehua’s eyes clouded, shadows gathering in their depths. "Big Brother, shouldn’t you tell the sect elders first?" Her voice was quiet, filled with worry.

Tang Xiao dismissed her concern with a sharp wave of his hand, impatience flickering across his face.

"Arrange it. I know what I’m doing." His voice was rough, almost a growl. "Better to catch them off guard than let them scheme. Listen well, both of you. Here at Clear Sky, the manners and lessons you learned from your aunt will mean nothing. If you want a place here, you’ll have to carve it out yourselves with power. Only strength matters. Only those who refuse to bend are respected."

"Got it." Yin flashed a crooked thumbs up, her missing arm exposed briefly. Tang Xiao’s gaze lingered on the empty sleeve for a second, his expression hardening. "You especially," he said, voice low. "Without the Clear Sky Hammer, and with your drawback, they’ll look at you with nothing but suspicion."

Tang Yin lifted her chin, eyes flashing. "I don’t care," she said, voice steady as steel. "I lost my arm to a god. I should have died a hundred times over—born with too much spirit energy, burning me up from the inside. But I’m still here. I’m whole enough, alive, and I’m proud of it.

I don’t fear their contempt. I’ve survived worse. Standing here, being stubborn, is what I do best."

Tang San nodded and then gazed at Tang Xiao with a gentle smile. "As she said. We are pretty hard-headed."

"I see." Tang Xiao shook his head. "Hard Headed..in that case, I am confident you will end up doing well."

Tang Yuehua led them away, her mind drifting, heavy with memories.

Tang Hao—the youngest Spirit Douluo, the man who once made the world tremble by slaying the supreme pontiff and shaming Spirit Hall. Now, his body broken, he wandered the mountains and fields, a hero reduced to a shadow. How could such a fate be the end for someone like him? The thought ached inside her, sharp and unyielding.

The younger generation of Clear Sky lived in stone houses clustered behind the looming castle. Yuehua led the twins to their quarters, her questions gentle, probing for news of Tang Hao and their mother, before leaving them alone. The rooms were bare, meant for guests—temporary, impersonal, a reminder they were not yet home.

Tang Yuehua hesitated, conflict flickering in her eyes as she began. "You must be careful. The clan is divided. Your uncle leads one side—they believe your father did nothing wrong, that Spirit Hall’s oppression started all of this. When the supreme pontiff died, your mother died too, and Spirit Hall used their power to crush us. In the end, we had to draw a line between your father and the clan, but he was never truly at fault." She let out a weary sigh. "The other side, the old elders, blame your father for everything. They say marrying a spirit beast brought ruin on us, damage that can’t be undone. The ones you’ve met—Tang Long, Yu, Tian—they’re with your uncle, like most of the younger generation."

Tang San nodded, silent. Tang Yin pressed her fingers to her temple, a headache already blooming. They were walking in trouble—just being here was like tossing oil onto a fire that seemed already burning out of control.

"Basically. It is likely the elders are going to do everything to prevent us from recognising our ancestors?" She asked.

Tang Yuehua nodded, worry etched across her face. "Yes. I doubt tomorrow will go smoothly. Even if your father returned the spirit bones, the elders won’t forgive him easily. Second Brother made his break with the clan clear. And you—refusing to leave your own clan—only makes things harder."

Tang San’s brow furrowed, tension gathering in his eyes.

A shadow passed over Tang Yuehua’s face, and her expression turned gloomy.

"In the worst case, you will be expelled, your spirit crippled. They might even use you as bait to lure your father out, to punish him even more. As if it wasn't enough what has already happened." A tone of anger was in her voice. "But it will not be easy for them. Big Brother is still sect master, so they need to give him some face. Probably they will still try to drive you away, though... for them, that is the worst that can be done to someone... even if it might not be the worst for you.”

"Well." Tang Yin bit her lip, a wry smile flickering. "We’ve managed fine without them so far. Being driven out isn’t the worst that could happen—not for me, at least." She glanced at her brother, who nodded in silent agreement.

"She’s right. Being cast out isn’t the end of the world... but still." He clenched his fists, knuckles white. "We want to honour our ancestors. To be recognised by our roots, if nothing else. If they try to harm our spirits... Aunt, you know we won’t let that happen."

"I know." She agreed. "I know. And if you fight, I fear what will happen."

"Then what should we do?" Tang San asked her. "Since you know the situation and already agreed on helping us?"

"The elders might be outdated." Tang Yuehua took a deep breath. "But the Caln is what they treasure most.” Tang Yuehua said, drawing a

slow breath. "Show them your strength. Show them you won’t yield. Here, only the strong are respected. It’s harsh, but it’s the truth. Make it impossible for them to ignore you, and they’ll have no choice but to acknowledge you." Her eyes were steely. "Prove you can bring more honour to the clan than anyone else. Regardless of their likes and wants. To gain that respect, we will have to prove that you are better, stronger and more intelligent than any other person in your generation.”

“What about my arm? Should I hide it, like today? Or just act like it doesn’t matter?" Yin asked.

Yuehua’s gaze lingered on the poncho draped over Yin’s shoulder, who took a long look at her poncho.

"Act as if it doesn't matter." Tang Yuehua said finally. "Show them you don't care” The twins nodded, determination settling between them.

"Aye," they answered together, voices steady.

"Try to get some sleep. I’ll make preparations. The general assembly is tomorrow morning—I’ll be there." Tang Yuehua gently ruffled their hair, then arranged their food before leaving them to rest.

Once Tang Yuehua left, the siblings settled side by side on the bed, legs crossed, replaying the day’s events in their minds. "Aunt and Uncle are on Father’s side," Tang San murmured. Yin nodded, thoughtful. "We need a plan. Or at least, roles. Good cultivator, bad cultivator?"

"Seriously? We can’t just waltz in and say—" she mimed air quotes, "‘We’re not joining the clan, but we want to worship our ancestors because it’s our birthright, even after our father nearly ruined everything. Accept us, we’re cool, we’re talented, we’re strong, you won’t regret it.’" She dropped her hands, a crooked smile on her lips. "That’s not just stupid—it’s really stupid."

"But it is a fact, and we are here to redeem fathers' actions." Tang San gritted his teeth. “And I thought you would be on board with stupid. No need to pretend.”

"Yeah. Stupid sounds like the only feasible idea, but no guarantee they’ll see it that way. So we have to overwhelm them—leave them no room to refuse." Good spirit master—wants to serve the clan, give his talent, impress them." She nodded at Tang San, then at herself. "Bad spirit master—doesn’t care, but still agrees halfway, shocks them to the core. What do you think, we at least have to make them believe being associated with us in any way is a benefit.” 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Force them to a middle way." Tang San nodded.

"So far, the idea. But honestly, I am not sure it is the best I have ever had; on the contrary. But I don't have a better one," she admitted and shrugged.

"You’re playing the bad cultivator?" He raised an eyebrow.

She grinned. "Sure. I don’t mind. I plan to leave them speechless, and when it comes to saying oh see how impressive I am, you were always the better choice, you have more titles, and you are more likeable and male.”

“True,” San admitted.

“Once impressed, I shock the living lights out of them.” Tang Yin pointed at herself with a loopsided smile on her face. “I like this stupid plan