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Chapter 198 - Chapter 198: Clear Sky Sect

After taking a brief rest, the group eventually decided—since they'd come this far anyway—they might as well go up together and see what lay ahead.

No one knew how long It had taken, but finally, the party of three girls, one beast, and one elder stood breathlessly at the upper reaches of the snowy peak.

To be exact, they hadn't actually reached the summit yet. Above them, thick fog cloaked the mountaintop, obscuring the path ahead.

They had stopped here because they'd arrived at the spot where, from below, they had seen the chains.

Coming to the edge of a cliff, they looked out along four iron chains, each as thick as a thigh, stretching out into the mist until they vanished from sight.

"Are we supposed to cross over on those?"

Dugu Yan looked down at the depths below. Though the mist obscured the true distance, even the visible height was enough to make her, someone with a fear of heights, feel faint.

"There's not even a single sign or marker here. Strange…"

Dugu Bo, experienced and cunning, quickly scanned the area while the others were still discussing the chains. Yet, he found no notices or indicators of any kind.

"The treasures should be over there. We can take this natural hazard as a path across," Fire Meow Meow said, rubbing its nose and pointing toward the chains.

The freezing cold here had almost numbed even its senses.

"These chains look slippery as hell—how are we supposed to cross?" Zhu Zhuqing frowned. Already thick to begin with, the chains were now covered in a thick layer of frost, making them even bulkier—and far more treacherous.

In response, Fire Meow Meow reached out a paw and placed it on the iron chain. Channeling soul power into the tip of its claw, it instantly began melting the thick ice coating the metal.

Realizing this method would work, it turned to the group and said:

"I can melt the frost off the chains. Just hold on tight to me—I'll lead the way."

Then it glanced at Dugu Bo. "Old man, you cover the rear~"

"Mm. Be careful. These chains may look sturdy, but they're corroded with rust. Watch out—they might snap without warning."

Dugu Bo had clearly come to terms with the fact that Fire Meow Meow wouldn't let him ride it. Still, as a Titled Douluo, crossing this kind of natural obstacle wasn't a challenge for him.

The three girls climbed onto Fire Meow Meow's back, clutching its fur tightly. Step by feline step, it moved forward, melting the ice as it went.

Dugu Bo followed closely behind, his martial spirit activated and ready to respond to any unexpected danger.

"Whew… that scared me to death…"

After a tense journey, they finally made it across the perilous iron chains.

Dugu Yan clutched her chest, looking back at the chain bridge with lingering fear.

"We're not going to have to cross that thing again on the way back… are we?"

"If anyone's crossing again, it'll be me—not you. What're you scared of?"

Now that they had made it across, Fire Meow Meow shifted back into its small kitten form.

Once, it had believed stature determined dignity, that size equaled strength.

But after getting used to living among humans in its cute, compact form—it found that maybe there was no need to keep up appearances anymore~

"Mmhm! Sister Yan, Fire Meow Meow's super amazing!"

Yu Keke scooped up Fire Meow Meow and hugged it. At some point, she'd picked up the habit of petting spirit beasts whenever she had nothing else to do.

"Everyone, look over here! There's writing!"

After crossing, Zhu Zhuqing—mimicking Dugu Bo's earlier caution—began scanning the surroundings. Sure enough, she spotted a stone stele half-buried in snow.

Most of it was concealed beneath layers of snow and ice, but the upper half poked out just enough for the characters to be seen.

"'Sky…' and 'Man'…? What does that mean?"

The group hurried over. Dugu Yan squinted at the two large characters revealed, reading them aloud in confusion.

Seeing this, Dugu Bo released a pulse of soul power, instantly clearing the surrounding snow and ice. The stele's inscription became clear:

"This is the sacred ground of the Clear Sky Sect. Trespassers shall die…"

Clear Sky… the Clear Sky Sect?!

Dugu Bo's eyes widened as he read the inscription, his brows furrowing tightly.

As a Titled Douluo, he naturally understood what "Clear Sky" meant.

Before they had declared themselves hidden from the world, they were the number one of the Upper Three Clans.

Their strength wasn't just in their martial spirit—it was also in the overwhelming foundation of their sect.

Top-tier Titled Douluo guarded their halls, and they were the protectors of the famed single-attribute four clans. These were the core reasons why the Clear Sky Sect had sat unchallenged atop the peak of the Upper Three.

The world believed their sect sealed itself off…

Who would've thought the entrance to their hidden domain lay amid these snow-covered cliffs?

"Grandfather, the Clear Sky… is it the same sect that declared itself closed off and forbade all disciples from descending the mountain?"

Dugu Yan was starting to piece things together, though she still found it hard to believe.

In their search for a few lost treasures, they had stumbled upon the entrance to the Clear Sky Sect?

"Mm…"

Dugu Bo's expression was grim. He was about to speak when suddenly a shout came from the distance:

"Who goes there?! How dare you trespass on our sacred ground!"

Everyone turned in the direction of the voice and saw two elderly men in matching robes flash into view, appearing before the stele in the blink of an eye. Their gazes were sharp and hostile.

At the same time, soul power erupted from their bodies—judging by the pressure, they were both at least Soul Sage level.

"Hmph!"

Dugu Bo stepped in front of the group, one hand clasped behind his back. With a cold snort, he declared:

"I am Dugu Bo~"

As he spoke, his emerald snake eyes locked onto the two old men. The aura of a Titled Douluo surged forth from his body, sending snow flying in every direction, exposing the stone platform beneath.

"What now? Does the mighty Clear Sky Sect make a habit of hurling false accusations?"

"Dugu Bo… the Poison Douluo?!"

The two men staggered back under the pressure of Dugu Bo's aura. One of them asked, his voice laced with panic.

"That's right."

Though he had released his soul power to warn them off, Dugu Bo didn't intend to start a fight.

Even a dying camel was larger than a horse—no matter what, the Clear Sky Sect was still the top of the Upper Three. To make a scene at their doorstep was hardly wise.

The two men exchanged a glance. One stepped forward and asked respectfully:

"Honored Poison Douluo, what brings you to our gates?"

Dugu Bo, however, didn't answer. Instead, he turned to Fire Meow Meow.

"Your Excellency… those signatures?"

"They're right up there—no mistake! We're close!"

Fire Meow Meow's nose twitched rapidly. After crossing the iron chains, it could clearly sense the aura of the immortal herbs—it was coming from inside the mountain itself!

"..."

Dugu Bo frowned. This mountain clearly housed the Clear Sky Sect's sanctuary.

If Fire Meow Meow was right, then it was obvious who had plundered his treasured medicinal garden.

Still, he didn't jump to conclusions.

After a moment's thought, he turned back to the two soul sages guarding the entrance.

"Have any of your sect members left the mountain recently?"

"Honored Poison Douluo, you've yet to state your reason for being here, and yet you now question our sect's internal affairs?"

Despite facing a Titled Douluo, the elder forced himself to remain calm and questioned back.

This was the heart of the Clear Sky Sect's domain—he figured Dugu Bo wouldn't dare cause trouble here.

_

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