**Chapter 309: Xiu'er Likes Me!**

**Chapter 309: Xiu'er Likes Me!**

The elders of the Haotian Sect were gathered around, drinking tea and reminiscing about the days when the old Sect Master, Tang Chen, led the sect. At that time, the Haotian Sect held an unshakable position as the most powerful sect in the world.

Unfortunately, the Haotian Sect had been in steady decline. It couldn't even compare to the rise of the Demon-Suppressing Douluo in recent decades, let alone the formidable Spirit Hall.

The elders all agreed that it would be wonderful if the old Sect Leader, Tang Chen, could return now. Although the Chief Priest of Spirit Hall was a level 99 Ultimate Douluo, he was nothing compared to the mighty Tang Chen. While the Demon-Suppressing Douluo could probably defeat the Chief Priest, he would likely not stand a chance against Tang Chen, the invincible leader of the Haotian Sect.

The elders believed that if Tang Chen returned, the so-called "number one person under the gods" would be utterly useless. They were confident that Tang Chen could defeat the so-called Zhao from Spirit Hall, even driving him back from Tiandou City to Spirit City with a single strike.

Just as the elders were discussing this, a descendant from a side branch rushed in, breathless.

"He's back! He… he's back!" the descendant gasped.

The elders' eyes lit up in excitement at the words, their hopes soaring. Could it be? Could the old patriarch really be back?

The excitement was palpable, and the elders rushed out, their faces filled with eager joy. The descendant was left confused, wondering why these elders were so thrilled. Surely, they were not happy about the return of the Second Young Master, Tang Hao. After all, the elders despised Tang Hao.

What was going on? Why were they so excited?

The elders quickly emerged from the sect, only to see someone they despised standing at the gate: Tang Hao.

Their faces immediately fell, excitement giving way to disappointment.

Tang Hao was taken aback. He had thought the elders would welcome him back now that they knew he had returned. But their faces darkened instantly, as if someone close to them had died.

As expected, when the Second Elder saw Tang Hao, his expression turned grim and his teeth ground together.

"Tang Hao, you still have the nerve to come back? If you hadn't stolen your sister-in-law away on the eve of your brother's wedding, how could the sect have lost face? How could your father have been so angered by your actions that it killed him?"

"Tang Hao... you bastard!" the Seventh Elder added, glaring at him with rage. "Are you back now to mock us for being helpless against you?"

Tang Hao, clearly displeased, immediately defended himself.

"That's nonsense!" he retorted. "Xiu'er likes me, not my brother. She is not my sister-in-law. She is my wife, and the one she loves is me!"

The elders were stunned by his words.

"How ridiculous!" The Third Elder spat, his face filled with contempt. "Xiu'er likes your brother. It was your father who spoke to her about this, and we all heard it. You're shameless to claim she has always loved you!"

"That's right," the Fifth Elder chimed in. "Xiu herself admitted that she loved your brother. How could it be you? Are you trying to deceive us all? We saw it with our own eyes when she and your brother had feelings for each other."

Tang Hao was dumbfounded, disbelief evident in his expression.

"Impossible! You're all lying! Xiu'er loves me, and no one else. She told me herself that she would marry me, and we even have a child together. How could she have had feelings for my elder brother?"

The elders scowled in response to his defiance.

"Shut your mouth!" the Seventh Elder yelled, his rage escalating. He released his martial spirit, the Clear Sky Hammer, unleashing two yellow, two purple, and four black soul rings—a total of eight rings. His soul power seemed to hover around level eighty-nine, and in a few years, he could reach Titled Douluo rank.

Despite the Seventh Elder's power, Tang Hao didn't release his own Clear Sky Hammer. Instead, he simply dodged the attack with extraordinary speed.

"Seventh Elder," Tang Hao said calmly, "you should take your martial soul back. You can't defeat me. Even if you were a Titled Douluo, you wouldn't stand a chance."

The Seventh Elder was furious, his teeth gritted.

"Haha, Tang Hao, you really think highly of yourself," the Fifth Elder said with a sneer, releasing his own Clear Sky Hammer and displaying nine soul rings, signaling that he was already a Titled Douluo.

The combined attack from the Fifth and Seventh Elders forced Tang Hao to take things seriously.

These two were his elders, and although he could easily defend himself, he didn't want to hurt them. But if he didn't act, they might seriously injure him.

Tang Hao summoned his own Clear Sky Hammer, blocking their attacks with ease. Despite the fierce blows, the elders struggled to break through his defense.

"Fifth Elder, Seventh Elder, I came back to speak with my brother," Tang Hao said, his tone turning serious. "Please get out of the way. Don't make me use force."

The elders, realizing Tang Hao's strength, were taken aback. It was clear that he had improved immensely. In fact, his power was now close to that of the Sect Master, and in a few years, he might even surpass them.

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