Doulou Rise of thunder dragon family

The next day dawned crisp and clear over the sprawling compound of the Red Thunder Family. As the sun crested the horizon, its golden rays painted long shadows across the meticulously maintained grounds. The air was filled with the usual morning sounds: the distant clang of weapons as early-rising disciples began their training, the soft murmur of servants going about their duties, and the melodious songs of awakening birds.

However, this peaceful morning was about to be shattered by an unexpected arrival.

A lone figure appeared at the entrance of the compound, his presence immediately causing a ripple of unease among the guards and disciples who first spotted him. Word spread quickly, and soon, all eyes were fixed on the newcomer. It was Ju Doulou from Spirit Hall, a name that carried weight and sparked wariness in equal measure.

As the sect master of the Red Thunder Family, it fell to me to greet our uninvited guest. I made my way towards the entrance, my steps measured and deliberate. Years of training and leadership had taught me to maintain a calm exterior, even as my mind raced with possibilities and potential strategies.

The tension in the air was palpable as I approached Ju Doulou. He hovered slightly above the ground, a common display of power among high-level cultivators. His aura radiated authority and barely concealed arrogance, a trademark of Spirit Hall's elite.

"Greetings, Ju Doulou," I said, my voice level and controlled. "To what do we owe the honor of your visit?"

Ju Doulou's eyes narrowed slightly, perhaps surprised by my composure. He spoke, his voice carrying across the courtyard with unnatural clarity – another show of his abilities. "I have only come here to read the Supreme Pontiff's decree to all the top upper sects," he announced, a hint of smugness coloring his tone.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the atmosphere changed dramatically. Three immense auras suddenly locked onto Ju Doulou, their pressure so intense that the very air seemed to ripple and distort. Lesser disciples stumbled back, overwhelmed by the sheer power emanating from seemingly nowhere.

My grandfather materialized beside me, his sudden appearance causing even me to start slightly. His eyes were narrowed, barely containing the anger that blazed within them. I could feel the fury radiating off him in waves, a stark contrast to his usually calm demeanor.

"Does Spirit Hall believe they are above the four upper sects?" my grandfather's voice boomed, each word laced with power that made the ground beneath our feet tremble. "Do they think the upper four sects should blindly follow their orders?"

As if struck by an invisible hammer, Ju Doulou was suddenly slammed into the ground with tremendous force. The impact created a small crater where he lay, dust and debris billowing outward from the point of impact. The assembled onlookers gasped in collective shock, their eyes wide as they witnessed the easy defeat of a Title Doulou.

As the dust settled, Ju Doulou slowly picked himself up, shock evident on his face. He was a Title Doulou of level 95, just one step away from becoming a Super Doulou. Yet, he had been effortlessly smashed to the ground by the mere aura of three Title Doulou whose levels he couldn't even begin to fathom.

The realization dawned on him – and everyone present – that the Red Thunder Family possessed at least three Super Title Doulou. This fact threw all previous speculations about the family's power into question. The whispers began immediately, disciples and servants alike murmuring in awe and renewed respect for their sect.

Attempting to salvage some dignity, Ju Doulou spoke again, his voice noticeably shakier than before. "I am just here to read the decree. I do not wish to provoke the Red Thunder Family."

The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. I could see the muscles in my grandfather's jaw working as he clenched his teeth, clearly restraining himself from further action. The other elders who had revealed their auras remained invisible, but their presence could be felt by all.

Sensing the delicate situation and the potential for it to escalate further, I decided to intervene. "Grandfather," I said calmly, placing a hand on his arm, "why don't we just listen to the decree? Then we can decide our course of action."

My grandfather's eyes met mine, and for a moment, I feared he might reject my suggestion. But then, almost imperceptibly, he nodded. The pressure in the air lessened slightly, though it did not disappear entirely.

With this tacit permission, Ju Doulou regained some of his composure. He straightened his robes, which had been disheveled by his unceremonious meeting with the ground, and cleared his throat. From within his robes, he produced a scroll bearing the seal of Spirit Hall.

As he unrolled the scroll, a hush fell over the assembled crowd. Even the birds seemed to have fallen silent, as if nature itself was waiting to hear the words of the Supreme Pontiff.

Ju Doulou began to read, his voice carrying clearly across the courtyard: "By decree of the Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall, all sects are hereby instructed to refrain from assisting the Haotian Sect and the individual known as Killer Tang Hao in any form. Those who disobey this edict will be designated as enemies of Spirit Hall and treated accordingly."

As the words hung in the air, I could feel the mood of our sect members shifting. Anger, indignation, and defiance rippled through the crowd. The Red Thunder Family had always prided itself on its independence, and this heavy-handed decree from Spirit Hall struck at the very core of our values.

I turned to Ju Doulou, my eyes glinting with a defiance that matched the mood of my people. "We will not follow this order," I declared firmly, my voice carrying the weight of my position as sect master. "We will do as we please. If Spirit Hall wants us to comply, they should at least send their only level 99 Doulou, Qian Doulou, to suppress our family."

Ju Doulou's expression flickered between emotions – relief at our defiance, which would surely prompt Spirit Hall to send Title Doulou to confront us, and confusion at the mention of a level 99 Doulou. It was clear that this information was not common knowledge, even among Spirit Hall's elite.

He opened his mouth to speak, perhaps to question my statement or to issue a threat. But before he could utter a word, nine Title Doulou auras converged. The combined force of these auras created a wave of pressure that lifted Ju Doulou off his feet and unceremoniously propelled him beyond the family's borders.

As Ju Doulou's figure disappeared into the distance, a cheer erupted from the assembled disciples and servants. Pride in their sect and its leaders shone on every face. However, I knew that this was only the beginning of what promised to be a complex and dangerous situation.

With the intruder dealt with, I signaled for an emergency meeting of the elders. As we made our way to the grand hall, I could see the mixed emotions on the faces of our sect members – excitement at the display of power, pride in our defiance, but also worry about the consequences that were sure to follow.

The grand hall of the Red Thunder Family was an imposing structure, its high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings depicting the history of our sect. As we gathered around the massive table carved from a single piece of ancient thunderwood, I took my seat at the head.

The elders filed in, their faces grave. These were men and women who had seen countless battles and political maneuvers over their long lives. Their wisdom and power had guided our family through many crises, and I knew I would need every bit of their experience to navigate the storm that was surely coming.

As the last elder took their seat, I began the meeting. "Spirit Hall is more arrogant than we initially speculated," I said, my voice echoing in the vast chamber.

One of the elders, Master Feng, spoke up. His weathered face was etched with concern as he said, "Patriarch, revealing our strength was not part of the plan. We had agreed to keep our true power hidden until the time was right."

I nodded, acknowledging his point. "I understand, and I myself didn't want to reveal it," I admitted. "However, after hearing their decree, I felt it necessary to give them pause before attacking or scheming against our family. We needed to show that we are not to be trifled with."

Another elder, the fierce-eyed Lady Mei, chimed in. Her voice, usually sharp as a blade, now carried a note of worry. "Patriarch, even with our revealed strength, we cannot hope to counter Spirit Hall's level 99 peerless Doulou. The highest we have is the level 98 Poison Dragon Doulou."

A small smile played on my lips as I prepared to reveal a crucial piece of information. "What I'm about to tell you must not leave this room," I began, my voice low. The elders leaned in, their curiosity piqued.

"The level 99 Doulou, Qian Doulou, cannot move freely," I explained. "He is bound to guarding the Angel God Test and can only take action under very specific circumstances: if someone endangers the test, if he is given a direct order by the Angel God, or if someone attempts to destroy the test. Any personal intervention outside of these parameters would result in his power being stripped and a severe penalty placed on his soul."

This revelation visibly eased the tension in the room. The elders exchanged glances, hope rekindling in their eyes. However, I wasn't finished.

"But," I continued, my tone serious, "this alone won't be enough to deter Spirit Hall. They will likely send a Title Doulou to deal with us. We must be prepared for this eventuality."

The elders nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination. Master Liu, our chief strategist, spoke up. "What course of action do you propose, Patriarch?"

I leaned forward, my hands clasped on the table. "We will defeat this emissary when they come," I said firmly. "But remember, no killing is allowed. We are not yet strong enough to make them our mortal enemies. Our goal is to send a message, not to start a war we cannot win."

The elders murmured their assent, though I could see the bloodlust in some of their eyes. It would take careful management to ensure they adhered to this directive in the heat of battle.

"In the meantime," I continued, "we must prepare. Increase the training regimen for all disciples. Strengthen our defenses. And most importantly, gather information. We need to know Spirit Hall's every move."

As the meeting concluded, I issued a final warning. "Everyone, remain vigilant. Spirit Hall may not limit their actions to us. They may attack the Haotian Sect directly, or if not, they might target their subsidiaries – the Four Clans: Power Clan, Speed Clan, Breaker Clan, and Defence Clan. We must be prepared for any eventuality."

The elders dispersed, each carrying the weight of our family's future on their shoulders. As I watched them leave, I couldn't help but wonder what challenges lay ahead in this intricate dance of power and politics between the great sects.

I remained in the grand hall long after the others had left, my mind racing with plans and contingencies. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but also opportunity. If we played our cards right, this could be the moment the Red Thunder Family rose to true prominence in the world of cultivation.

As I finally rose to leave, I caught sight of my reflection in one of the polished stone pillars. The face that looked back at me was that of a leader – determined, resolute, and ready for the challenges ahead. Whatever Spirit Hall had planned, whatever trials we would face, I knew one thing for certain: the Red Thunder Family would face them head-on, with the pride and strength that had defined us for generations.

The coming days would test us all, but as I walked out of the grand hall and into the warm sunlight, I felt a surge of confidence. We were the Red Thunder Family, and we would weather this storm as we had every other – with courage, unity, and the indomitable spirit that had made us one of the four upper sects.

Let Spirit Hall come. We would be ready.