Yellow Sand Valley.
This was a barren gorge of yellow earth and jagged rocks, with only sparse vegetation scattered across the slopes.
At this moment, Spirit Master factions from all across the continent, along with nobles and Spirit Masters who came to spectate, had already gathered here for the Upper Three Sects and Lower Four Sects Selection Tournament.
Outside the valley, a vast crowd stretched endlessly. Many merchants with sharp instincts had arrived in horse-drawn wagons and mule carts, unloading their goods to set up stalls. Snacks, drinking water, stools—everything was being hawked to the eager onlookers.
The entrance of the valley, however, was guarded by Spirit Hall's personnel.
Only the factions qualified to compete for the Upper Three and Lower Four positions were permitted entry. Spectators and idlers were barred outside so as not to interfere with the proceedings.
After presenting their credentials, Ye Yu and his companions entered the valley smoothly.
Inside, luxurious canopies had been set up around the perimeter, each filled with chairs and marked by signs bearing the names of the participating factions: Temple of Creation, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Nine-Hearted Begonia Clan, and more
At the very center of the valley lay a massive circular arena fenced in with sturdy barriers, spanning several kilometers in diameter.
Among all the canopies, the largest and most luxurious unmistakably belonged to Spirit Hall.
At this moment, it was already filled.
Seated upon the most resplendent throne in front was none other than the Pope herself, Bibi Dong.
Beside her, upon a seat of honor, sat a young woman in a golden gown. She was tall, her figure graceful and voluptuous, her golden hair cascading down her back, her face exquisitely beautiful and radiantly alluring.
It was Hu Liena.
Behind her sat Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, Xie Yue, and Yan, along with other high-level Spirit Masters from Spirit Hall who were all at the Cardinal level.
Hu Liena had been sitting restlessly, her gaze drifting over the scene as Spirit Hall's staff guided the factions to their allotted canopies.
Then, suddenly—her eyes lit up.
She spotted a familiar figure among the crowd. Her body trembled, and she leapt to her feet.
An Lan!
It's him! It must be him!
After years of yearning, Hu Liena had at last glimpsed the man who lingered in her heart—"An Lan."
Back then, she had revealed her true identity to "An Lan," and asked him to come find her in Spirit City once he left. But year after year passed, and he never came.
Worse, there had been no news of any young Spirit Master named "An Lan" making a name for himself on the continent.
She had searched and waited in vain.
And now, against all odds, here he was—appearing before her at this very tournament. Truly, what was once unattainable had come to her without effort
"Nana, what is it?"
Seeing Hu Liena suddenly stand, Bibi Dong furrowed her brows slightly in confusion.
Behind, Xie Yue and Yan also turned toward her curiously.
"It… it's nothing, Teacher," Hu Liena answered hastily, struggling to suppress the surge of joy and excitement in her chest. "I've just been sitting too long and want to walk a little. May I step out?"
"You may."
Though Bibi Dong sensed her disciple was acting strangely, she did not press the issue. She nodded her assent.
"Thank you, Teacher!" Hu Liena said, feeling very excited and happy. After bowing to Bibi Dong in thanks, she quickly left the Spirit Hall canopy and pretended to take a stroll, but she was actually following behind Ye Yu.
Of course, Ye Yu had already noticed her. He saw Hu Liena trailing behind but chose not to greet her. Instead, he continued on with Spirit Hall's staff toward the section reserved for the Heaven Dou Empire's factions.
There, more shaded canopies awaited, each marked by signs bearing the names of the participating factions from Heaven Dou City.
With every faction having its own space, the group dispersed accordingly.
Ye Yu, accompanied by Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling, entered the canopy belonging to Creation Temple.
According to Ye Yu's plan, his grandfather Dugu Bo would represent Creation Temple in the tournament—directly seizing the foremost seat of the Upper Three.
Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo, alongside Ling Zhantian and Ye Zhilan, were tasked with capturing the other two Upper Three positions.
As for the Lower Four, those seats were designated for the Skywater Clan's Shui Qianshan, the One-Horned Fire Tyrant Dragon Clan's Huo Xiaotian, the Black Tortoise Turtle Clan's Shi Potian, and the Sacred Dragon Clan of Spirit Hall.
The Black Tortoise Turtle Clan had joined Creation Temple after hearing that even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had allied with them. Through the mediation of Shi Mò and Shi Shi Mó, they pledged allegiance.
Conveniently, this aligned perfectly with Ye Yu's scheme.
Spirit Hall's Sacred Dragon Clan was their concealed piece, unknown to others, and could compete openly.
Alongside the Skywater Clan and the Fire Tyrant Dragon Clan, they still lacked one contender.
Thus Ye Yu gifted the Black Tortoise Clan a stalk of Dragonblood Grass, aiding their clan head Shi Potian—the father of Shi Mò and Shi Mó—in evolving his Black Tortoise Martial Soul into the Black Tortoise Dragon Turtle, allowing him to break through to Title Douluo.
In this way, the Black Tortoise Clan secured eligibility to vie for the final Lower Four seat.
After Ye Yu and his companions had taken their places, Hu Liena approached.
Her gaze fell upon the young man seated within Creation Temple's canopy—dressed in a silver-blue brocade robe, tall and refined, his silver-blue hair flowing, his face strikingly handsome, his aura otherworldly.
Her eyes brimmed with longing and deep affection.
An Lan… I've finally found you again!
Hu Liena bit her lower lip, her heart overflowing with excitement.
But just as she was about to step forward, her eyes flickered—Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and even Ning Rongrong were seated beside him.
That's Dugu Bo, the Poison Douluo… and those girls, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and Ning Rongrong?
But why would An Lan be sitting with them?
Weren't they following Ye Yu before?
Then where is Ye Yu?
Her mind reeled, a startling possibility taking shape.
And behind her, a tall, shadowy figure slipped quietly into the crowd, secretly tailing her.