Chapter 224: The Rock Antelope Sect, the Black Tiger Sect, and the Sparrow-Bee Sect
His affinity with the Divine Throne had now reached 40 percent. As for the content of the Fifth Trial, it was to take place within the Divine Trial Space: ascending the Path to Divinity.
It required climbing a total of nine hundred and ninety-nine steps.
He had not yet begun this task.
For at this moment, there was a matter of far greater importance.
The Sect Hegemony Tournament was about to commence.
...
The venue for the Seven Great Sects Hegemony Tournament had been designated as Soto City, located within the Kingdom of Barak.
Known as the "Granary of Barak," this city sat precisely at the border between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire—neither too close nor too far from either nation’s frontier; its location was simply perfect.
Today, the city played host to a grand event that occurred only once every twenty years:
The Seven Great Sects Hegemony Tournament.
Representatives from sects across the entire continent had gathered here.
Although the actual competition grounds lay outside the city walls, the city itself was bustling with extraordinary activity.
As the major sects all chose to take up residence within the city proper, Soto City’s hotels and inns were, in an instant, filled to overflowing.
The streets were a veritable sea of humanity.
Disciples from the various major sects, clad in robes of every conceivable color, wove their way through the crowds.
Some appeared spirited and high-spirited; others wore expressions of absolute determination; some looked solemn and grave; while others chatted and laughed with carefree ease.
Banners of every description snapped and fluttered vigorously in the wind.
Amidst this clamor, the delegation from the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect arrived—quietly and without fanfare.
There was no ostentation, no grand display of pomp.
There were merely two ordinary, yet luxurious, horse-drawn carriages.
Jiang Bai, Bi Ji, and Jiang Li’er occupied one carriage, while Shui Bing’er and Ye Lingling shared the other.
The carriages themselves were unadorned, yet the banners affixed to them drew the gaze of every passerby.
Embroidered upon those banners was a nine-story pagoda—its body shimmering with a shifting, nine-hued radiance, and a brilliant gem gleaming atop its spire.
The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
The two carriages moved through the throng, making their way toward the heart of Soto City.
Along their route, countless eyes fixed upon the banners flying from their carriages.
Those gazes held a mixture of curiosity, scrutiny, apprehension, and—above all—awe.
"Is that the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?"
"I heard their Sect Master is a Judgment Elder in the Spirit Hall—the one with the nine 100,000-year Spirit Rings!"
"I also heard that the genius Titled Douluo from the Spirit Master Tournament back then is one of their own, too?"
"Such a young Titled Douluo... The strength of this Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is truly unfathomable!"
Murmurs of conversation rose and fell all around them.
Jiang Bai paid them no mind; he simply closed his eyes to rest his spirit.
Bi Ji sat beside him, gentle and serene, like a celestial maiden stepped right out of a painting.
Jiang Li’er, however, could not sit still.
With a look of pure excitement, she lifted the carriage curtain and gazed out in every direction.
On both sides of the street, shops of every variety lined the way in dazzling array: vendors selling candied hawthorn skewers, street performers plying their trades, Spirit Masters clad in colorful robes of every shade...
She was utterly dazzled by the sights, occasionally waving back at the passersby.
Upon seeing this stunning woman with golden hair and crimson eyes, the passersby were instantly struck dumb with astonishment.
Then, someone recognized her.
"Th-that... That’s Her Excellency, the Golden Dragon!"
"The Titled Douluo from the Spirit Master Tournament!"
"Good heavens! Seeing her up close like this, she looks even more beautiful than she did in the arena!"
Hearing the chatter around her, Jiang Li’er’s smile grew even brighter.
(︾▽︾)
In the carriage following behind, Shui Bing’er heard the commotion outside and felt an urge to lift her curtain and take a look.
However, after glancing at Ye Lingling sitting beside her, she decided against it.
Ye Lingling had her eyes closed, appearing to be taking a light nap.
Three years had passed, and her aura had grown far more profound than before.
After absorbing the Nine-Grade Purple Ginseng and the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, her cultivation speed had advanced by leaps and bounds; she was now a Level 63 Spirit Emperor.
Although her Spirit had not undergone an evolution, Ye Lingling occasionally sensed a subtle loosening—a stirring—within her spiritual core.
Gazing at her, Shui Bing’er sighed inwardly with admiration.
In the span of three years, she herself had made considerable progress as well.
After absorbing the Narcissus Jade Bone, her cultivation speed had accelerated dramatically. She was now a Level 69 Spirit Emperor.
The guidance of the Ice Emperor, combined with the aid of the Immortal Herbs, had allowed her strength to skyrocket.
Now, she felt confident that she could go even further down the path of the Assault-type Spirit Master.
...
Two carriages arrived at the Spirit Hall Main Temple in Soto City.
They didn’t bother scrambling to find a hotel.
By coming to the Spirit Hall Main Temple, and leveraging Jiang Bai’s status, they were guaranteed to receive the very best treatment available.
The carriages came to a halt in front of the temple.
Jiang Bai was the first to step out.
He was still clad in his signature simple white robes, his black hair tied back loosely, exuding an air of leisure. Yet, his eyes were as deep and unfathomable as an abyss—so intense that one dared not meet his gaze directly.
Bi Ji followed close behind him; clad in a long, emerald-green gown, she appeared both gentle and elegant.
Jiang Li’er hopped out of the carriage, glancing excitedly in every direction.
Shui Bing’er and Ye Lingling stepped down from the carriage behind them, standing quietly to the side.
At the entrance to the Main Temple, several deacons were already waiting.
Upon seeing Jiang Bai, they immediately bowed in deep reverence: "Greetings, Adjudication Elder!"
Jiang Bai gave a slight nod. "Arrange a few rooms for us."
The deacons responded instantly: "Yes! Elder, please follow me!"
The group followed the deacons and entered the Main Temple.
...
They had barely settled in when a Bishop came jogging toward them.
He ran right up to Jiang Bai, his face beaming with reverence as he bowed: "Greetings, Adjudication Elder!"
Jiang Bai, who was in the midst of sipping his tea, looked up at the sound of the voice and asked calmly, "What is the matter?"
The Bishop replied hurriedly, "The three Sect Masters—from the Black Tiger Sect, the Rock Antelope Sect, and the Sparrow-Bee Sect—wish to see you."
He paused for a moment before adding, "They are currently waiting in the Main Hall."
The Black Tiger Sect? The Rock Antelope Sect? The Sparrow-Bee Sect?
Jiang Bai rose to his feet and straightened his robes.
"Very well. Let’s go see them."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Li’er immediately jumped up. "I’m coming too! I’m coming too!"
Jiang Bai cast a glance at her and smiled. "Alright then. Let’s go."
Shui Bing’er and Ye Lingling exchanged a brief glance before following along as well.
...
Inside the Main Hall, three figures sat upright and rigid, maintaining a posture of utmost formality.
Seated on the far left was a burly middle-aged man—broad-shouldered and bear-like in build, with rugged, coarse features.
He wore a long black robe, upon which was embroidered the image of a majestic, awe-inspiring black tiger. He sat there, exuding an aura of sheer dominance.
The Sect Master of the Black Tiger Sect—Hu Xiaotian.
The woman seated in the center possessed a physique as lithe and agile as an antelope; her form-fitting armor—a blend of silver and black—accentuated lines that were both sleek and brimming with explosive power.
Upon her head sat a helmet adorned with a pair of curved, coiling black ram’s horns that gleamed with a cold, metallic luster.
Her long, slender legs were encased in tight black trousers, making her entire presence resemble that of a rock antelope poised to spring.
She was the Sect Master of the Rock Antelope Sect—Kamis.
To the far right, a beautiful mature woman leaned against the armrest of her chair. Her short green hair was cut in a sharp, dashing style, while two slender black antennae atop her head quivered ever so slightly—the natural hallmark of the Hornet Martial Spirit.
Her dark green leather armor clung tightly to her body, its hem layered in folds reminiscent of a bee’s wings, serving to highlight her alluring curves.
A languid smile played upon her lips, yet her eyes concealed a cunning as sharp and venomous as poison; indeed, every single strand of her hair seemed to radiate a deadly allure.
She was the Sect Master of the Hornet Sect—Feng Niangzi.
Upon seeing Jiang Bai enter, the three of them rose simultaneously.
Hu Xiaotian was the first to speak, his voice ringing out as loud and resonant as a bell: "Hu Xiaotian, Sect Master of the Black Tiger Sect, pays his respects to the Adjudication Elder!"
Kamis offered a slight bow: "Kamis, Sect Master of the Rock Antelope Sect, pays her respects to the Adjudication Elder!"
Feng Niangzi executed a graceful curtsy, her voice clear and crisp: "Feng Niangzi, Sect Master of the Hornet Sect, pays her respects to the Adjudication Elder!"
Jiang Bai took his seat at the head of the table, his gaze sweeping over the trio: "There is no need for such formalities, Sect Masters. Please, be seated."
The three of them resumed their seats.
Jiang Bai lifted his teacup and took a gentle sip: "Since the three of you have come here together, I presume you have some matter to discuss with me?"
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