After Li Zhexian's stunning entrance — a single sword overwhelming three great sects —
the final arrivals were nearly a hundred ordinary sects seated in a ring outside the seven main sects' seats.
Compared with the earlier Seven Sects,
these newcomers' auras were weak and unremarkable,
causing the spectators around the plaza to shake their heads and scoff.
"What's there to see here? Not to mention the Upper Three Sects, even among the Lower Four — which of them could possibly be replaced?"
"The Wind Sword Sect is far too strong. Aside from Lord Wind Sword himself, they've gained another combatant nearly on par with a Titled Douluo—Li Zhexian!"
"The Wind Sword Sect might rival the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Maybe the hierarchy of the Upper Three Sects will change!"
"Li Zhexian and Lord Thunder have a close relationship — those two powers won't be fighting anytime soon!"
...
Seated among the sects,
Li Zhexian's gaze swept calmly across the dozens of ordinary sect representatives.
According to the original course of fate—
of the Upper Three Sects,
one would be destroyed, one crippled, and one go into seclusion.
The Spirit Hall would, without lifting a blade, re-establish the Seven Great Sects.
And from among the ordinary ones would rise—
the Sacred Dragon Sect, the Black Tiger Sect, the Hornet Sect, and the Steenbok Sect.
The Sacred Dragon Sect had been founded by a former elder of the Spirit Hall,
a man named Tuoba Xi, whose Martial Soul was the White Armored Dragon.
His strength placed him among the very peak of Spirit Douluos.
He had once endured three hundred breaths beneath the assault of a Titled Douluo—
his fame rivaling that of Feng Bailong before the latter's breakthrough.
As for the other three sect masters,
though not quite as formidable as veterans like Huo Yanbao, Dai Yuncong, or Hu Yanzhen—
each was still a powerhouse of that same level.
"Quite a few Spirit Douluos here," Li Zhexian murmured softly.
"But not a single Titled among them?"
As that thought crossed his mind,
his eyes suddenly fixed on two cloaked figures within the Sacred Dragon Sect's ranks.
"These two…"
Li Zhexian frowned slightly, his sword-like brows drawing together.
He reached out with his spiritual sense — but it was as if he had peered into a bottomless void.
Senior Feng Bailong," he murmured, his voice concealed within Spirit Power,
"do you sense anything unusual about those two black-robed individuals?"
Feng Bailong's expression sharpened.
He tapped the table gently.
A faint, invisible breeze swept across the plaza—
yet when it reached those two figures, it vanished soundlessly.
"Hm?"
Feng Bailong's brows furrowed deeply.
"Strange indeed. Beneath the level of Titled Douluo, no one's aura should be that perfectly hidden."
"But those two… they're like still, stagnant ponds — radiating nothing but death."
"Death energy…"
Li Zhexian's expression changed slightly.
"Senior Feng Bailong, Senior Chen Xin, Senior Gu Rong—
be wary of the Sacred Dragon Sect."
Though his words were wrapped in Spirit Power,
those two cloaked figures seemed to notice.
Their steps halted in unison.
Their necks turned stiffly, creaking in eerie symmetry—
and their unseen eyes fell upon Li Zhexian.
Though their faces were hidden beneath their hoods,
Li Zhexian could feel that gaze—
feral, hungry, dripping with killing intent.
"Interesting…"
The corners of Li Zhexian's lips lifted slightly,
meeting their stares head-on without flinching.
...
Once all sect representatives had taken their seats,
Bibi Dong rose gracefully to her feet.
Before she could even speak,
the Second Elder of the Clear Sky Clan, Tang Yue, cut her off coldly:
"Bibi Dong, enough useless talk."
"Just tell us — how will the Seven Great Sects be chosen?"
After over a decade in seclusion,
it seemed the Clear Sky Sect had gained confidence — even arrogance —
with yet another elder breaking through to the Titled rank.
But Bibi Dong's expression remained calm and regal,
her voice warm yet commanding as she replied:
"A few years ago, this Pope accidentally acquired the entrance to a lost Secret Realm."
"In that Secret Realm, Spirit Hall has obtained many precious resources."
"Today, as the sects of the world gather, this Pope shall open that secret realm once more —
as the battlefield for the Re-Selection of the Seven Great Sects."
"Whatever each of you may obtain within… shall belong to you personally."
The moment she spoke those words,
all eyes in the plaza shifted.
Aside from the few factions already aligned with the Spirit Hall,
many others glanced at one another —
their eyes flickering with deep suspicion and unease.
Secret Realm… as the battlefield for the Seven Sect Re-Selection?
And all treasures obtained belong to the individual?
When did Bibi Dong become so generous?
Li Zhexian exchanged glances with Feng Bailong, Yu Yuanzhen, and Chen Xin — each of them could see the same astonishment reflected in the others' eyes.
"I thought it would just be a series of drawn-lot duels…"
"A secret realm? What's its origin?"
But unlike the wary expressions of the sect powerhouses,
the crowds outside the plaza were filled only with awe and admiration.
"To use a Secret Realm as the battlefield for the Seven Sects? Her Holiness truly spares no effort!"
"And everything obtained inside belongs to the participants themselves? The Pope is truly benevolent!"
"This is why the Spirit Hall stands above all others—the holy sanctuary of Spirit Masters!"
Dugu Bo, due to his position in the Heaven Dou Empire, could not participate in this Seven Sects Re-Selection.
He glanced at the Spirit Master writing furiously, then stood with his hands behind his back, gazing toward the plaza, muttering:
"What trick are you playing this time, Bibi Dong…"
...
As the sects fell into silence—
Bibi Dong, seated upon the throne,
lifted her hand in a languid motion.
A torrent of Spirit Power surged forth, condensing into mist,
then forming a massive light screen high above the heavens.
Within the screen appeared a world of dark-purple land —
dim forests merging into a murky sky, spirit grasses growing like lakes,
mineral veins glittering like stars —
a place overflowing with breathtaking resources.
Gasps spread through the sect ranks.
"So many resources?!"
"Cold Crystal Ore? With enough of that, one could forge a thousand-strong army of armored Spirit Masters!"
"Those spirit herbs are all rare treasures — no wonder the Spirit Hall has grown so powerful in recent years!"
"Even if we can't win a place among the Upper Three Sects, it's worth entering just to seize some of those resources!"
As the atmosphere shifted toward greed and excitement,
Li Zhexian and Ning Fengzhi grew even more tense.
"This secret realm…"
"It doesn't exist in the original story."
"What exactly is Bibi Dong planning?"
Li Zhexian looked up at the dark-purple world on the screen —
and suddenly, a feeling of familiarity flooded through him.
"This feeling…"
His pupils contracted sharply.
"The Slaughter City!"
"This isn't just some Secret Realm—"
"It's a place like the Slaughter City itself…
a realm detached from the mortal world!"
Recalling the origins of that cursed domain,
a chill surged through him.
...
"Second Elder!"
Tang San clenched his fists, whispering urgently.
Tang Yue turned, brow furrowed.
"What is it?"
"The ores within that realm—
could you help me acquire some?"
Tang San's voice trembled with barely contained excitement.
Coldheart Iron Essence, Darksilver Alloy, Duskgold Mother Ore…
Many of those ores were exactly the rare materials needed to craft the Tang Sect's top five hidden weapons!
If there was anything that could defeat Li Zhexian—
it would have to be his last trump card: Tang Sect hidden weapons!
Just thinking of the Yama's Invitation, the Torrential Pear Blossom Needle,
and even the Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus,
made his breathing quicken uncontrollably.
Tang Yue, however, felt little admiration for the youth before him —
the brilliance of that white-robed boy, Li Zhexian,
had made Tang San seem almost dull by comparison,
even his twin Martial Souls paling into mediocrity.
Still, glancing at Tang San's expectant eyes — and remembering his father's entrustment —
Tang Yue finally gave a slow nod.
"I'll keep an eye out."
Then, after a pause, his tone deepened.
"But if you had any true ambition,
you should be like Li Zhexian — earning your place in the Seven-Sect Assembly by your own strength."
"Why rely on me to fetch you scraps?"
Tang San's smile froze.
His hands trembled faintly at his sides.
"...Second Elder's teaching is correct."