On the other side, when Spirit Hall announced the convening of a new Upper Three Sects and Lower Four Sects Selection Tournament, Ye Yu gathered all the affiliated powers of the Creation Temple for a council meeting.
Since the mountain gate of the Creation Temple had yet to be completed, the meeting was naturally still held at the Dugu Residence.
That day, Ye Yu, Dugu Bo, and Dugu Yan were all present, along with several key allies: Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect; Ye Zhilan and Ling Zhantian from the Nine-Hearted Begonia Clan; Shui Qianshan of the Skywater Clan; and Huo Xiaotian of the One-Horned Fire Tyrant Dragon Clan.
"Palace Master, what matter requires us all to gather here today?"
Once everyone had arrived, Ling Zhantian was the first to speak. Times were no longer the same—Ye Yu was no longer simply a prodigy but the founder and ruler of the Creation Temple. Especially in front of the other subordinate factions, Ling Zhantian deliberately addressed him as Palace Master, establishing Ye Yu's authority.
Ye Yu approved of the gesture inwardly, nodding with a faint smile as he asked:
"You've all heard the news Spirit Hall just announced, haven't you?"
"Half a year from now, the venue will be revealed, and the Upper Three Sects and Lower Four Sects Selection Tournament will be reconvened."
The crowd naturally nodded in unison.
"I want each of your clans and sects to take part in this Selection Tournament," Ye Yu continued.
At that, the atmosphere turned lively.
"Palace Master, rest assured! Our Nine-Hearted Begonia Clan will most certainly participate this year!"
Ling Zhantian puffed out his chest with a hearty laugh, pride in his voice. With Ye Yu's aid, he had acquired the supreme immortal herb Bone-Penetrating Blood Dragon Ginseng, which had not only improved his innate aptitude but raised his cultivation as well. Now he had even gathered a complete set of Spirit Bones.
At present, his Spirit Power had already reached Rank 96, stepping into the realm of a Super Douluo!
In this Selection Tournament, he intended not only to represent the Nine-Hearted Begonia Clan—but to contend for the position of head of the Upper Three Sects!
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will participate as well," said Ning Fengzhi with his trademark warm and cultured smile.
As for Dugu Bo, there was no need for explanation. Being aware of Ye Yu's grand plan beforehand, he would naturally represent the Jade Phosphor Clan in the tournament.
Both Shui Qianshan and Huo Xiaotian also expressed their intentions to compete. Each had already reached the Spirit Douluo realm, their Spirit Power at Rank 89. While claiming a place among the Upper Three Sects might be ambitious, securing a spot among the Lower Four was certainly within reach.
They both nodded solemnly, pledging to follow the Palace Master's command and participate.
Seeing that all his subordinates were cooperative, Ye Yu gave a satisfied nod. He was not the kind of master who demanded without rewarding.
Around the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, several stalks of Dragon Blood Grass had matured. After Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan each consumed one, four still remained. Ye Yu intended to bestow one upon Huo Xiaotian.
In his broader design, when the newly elected Upper Three Sects and Lower Four Sects later petitioned Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire to unite and unify the continent, it would carry far more weight if those seats were occupied by his own forces. The current Lower Four were widely seen as Spirit Hall's lackeys—replacing them with loyal allies was essential.
This Dragon Blood Grass, Ye Yu believed, could help Huo Xiaotian evolve his Martial Soul and step into the realm of Titled Douluo, making victory in the Selection Tournament all but certain.
"Excellent."
Ye Yu smiled, taking out two jade boxes and presenting them to Huo Xiaotian and Shui Qianshan.
"With your current strength, it's not guaranteed you'll claim a spot in the Lower Four. Consider these a preemptive reward. They should give you the chance to break through to Titled Douluo and secure your place."
"What? A chance to reach Titled Douluo?!"
Both men trembled with excitement, hurriedly opening their jade boxes with reverent hands.
Inside Huo Xiaotian's box lay a stalk of Dragon Blood Grass, blazing with crimson vitality.
Inside Shui Qianshan's was a translucent, ice-blue ganoderma, glimmering like carved crystal.
A top-tier immortal herb—Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Ganoderma!
Recognizing the treasures before them, both men leapt to their feet with a sharp motion and bowed deeply.
"Many thanks, Palace Master!!"
Witnessing Ye Yu so casually bestow such precious immortal herbs, Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. But then he realized the hidden message: these were advance rewards to ensure success in capturing seats for the Lower Four.
That meant once the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect completed its part, Ye Yu would surely reward them as well.
There was no need to rush.
Soon after, Huo Xiaotian and Shui Qianshan sat cross-legged in the hall and consumed their respective immortal herbs.
Under the immense medicinal power, their Spirit Power smoothly surged past Rank 90, breaking into the realm of quasi-Titled Douluo.
At the same time, their Martial Souls underwent dramatic evolutions.
Huo Xiaotian's One-Horned Fire Tyrant Dragon grew larger and more imposing. Its scales turned a blazing crimson, wings sprouted from its back, and a second pair of dragon horns emerged atop its head. No longer a mere sub-dragon, it now approached the form of a true dragon. He renamed it the Red Flame Fire Dragon.
Meanwhile, Shui Qianshan's Condensed Water Flying Luan transformed as its feathers turned crystalline ice-blue, shimmering like frozen jewels. Its tail plumage grew longer and more elegant, and its head more noble, resembling a legendary ice phoenix. Its attribute shifted fully to ice, and so it was now more fittingly called the Condensed Ice Flying Luan.
Once their breakthroughs were complete, Ye Yu instructed Ling Zhantian to accompany them on a hunt for their ninth Spirit Rings.
As for himself, he continued both training and guiding the women around him, while strategizing with Qian Renxue on how to stage the next moves.
The Selection Tournament would serve as the stage to rally continental support for a Heaven Dou–Spirit Hall alliance, paving the way to unification.
Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.
Finally, the long-awaited Upper Three and Lower Four Sects Selection Tournament was about to begin.
Spirit Hall announced that this year's tournament would not be held near Spirit City, but instead in the borderlands of the Heaven Dou Empire, at a place called Yellow Sand Valley.
Powers from across the continent eager to compete, as well as spectators, all set out for the valley. Many who arrived early chose to stay in Servi City, a settlement near the venue.
Ye Yu, of course, had meticulously prepared a grand performance.
The curtain was about to rise.