Chapter 240: Is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect One of the Lower Four Sects?
The second round of the "Strongest Contenders" battles concluded.
On the leaderboard, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan held a commanding lead with sixteen points.’
The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect followed closely behind with eight points, while the Elephant Armored Sect had five points.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Rock Antelope Sect, the Black Tiger Sect, and the Fire Leopard Sect were all tied with two points each.
Another day of rest followed.
...
The next day.
The third—and final—round of the "Strongest Contenders" battles began.
The sect drawn to defend the stage this time was the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!
Upon seeing this result, the crowd felt a mix of joy and sorrow.
The joy stemmed from the fact that this meant the tournament would likely wrap up quickly; the sorrow came from the realization that the powerful experts fielded by the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would likely knock out their opponents with a single punch each.
When they saw Jiang Li’er step onto the stage, their hearts sank even further.
As the "Golden Dragon Douluo," she was knocking out opponents one after another, leaving them absolutely no chance to fight back—they didn’t even get the opportunity to showcase their Spirit Avatars or Spirit Skills.
Camis, the Sect Master of the Rock Antelope Sect, stepped up to the stage; Jiang Li’er sent her flying with a single punch.
Hu Xiaotian, the Sect Master of the Black Tiger Sect, stepped up; Jiang Li’er sent him flying with a single punch.
The Sect Master of the Fire Leopard Sect stepped up; Jiang Li’er sent him flying with a single punch.
Huyan Zhen, the Sect Master of the Elephant Armored Sect, stepped up; Jiang Li’er sent him flying with a single punch.
For the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Yuanzhen had no desire to face Jiang Li’er—nor did he wish to suffer the humiliation of defeat—so he chose to send Yu Luomian into the fray instead.
"Second Brother, you go!"
Yu Luomian looked completely bewildered. "Me?!"
In the end, Yu Luomian steeled himself and stepped onto the stage—only to be sent flying by a single punch from Jiang Li’er.
Fang Zhi-yuan of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect stepped up; Jiang Li’er didn’t even spare him a glance as she sent him flying with a single punch.
Ultimately, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect swept the third round of the "Strongest Contenders" battles with a perfect winning record, earning themselves twelve points. The remaining sects all failed in their challenges, each receiving a single consolation point.
...
The final standings based on total points were released.
The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect: 20 points—ranked first.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan: 17 points—ranked second.
The Armored Elephant Sect: 6 points—ranked third.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, the Rock Antelope Sect, the Black Tiger Sect, and the Fire Leopard Sect each earned 3 points, tying for the fourth through seventh spots.
According to the rules, the sects ranking in the top three by points would be directly elevated to the ranks of the "Upper Three Sects," while the sects ranking in the bottom four would be relegated to the "Lower Four Sects" tier.
In other words, the new Upper Three Sects were the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the Armored Elephant Sect.
The new Lower Four Sects were the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, the Rock Antelope Sect, the Black Tiger Sect, and the Fire Leopard Sect.
The moment this result was announced, the entire venue fell into a deathly silence.
Then...
"Boom—!!!"
The crowd erupted!
"The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has fallen to the Lower Four Sects?!"
"My God! This is the first time this has happened in decades!"
"The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect took first place! The Armored Elephant Sect took third! This ranking is a complete shake-up!"
"The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect... it’s over for them..."
Gasps of shock and murmurs of discussion rose and fell in waves.
At the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect’s seating area...
Upon seeing the results, Ning Fengzhi’s vision went black; he nearly fainted on the spot.
He sprang to his feet abruptly, his face ashen with rage, his voice trembling: "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect achieved excellent results in the first two stages! Given this, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect ought to be classified among the Upper Three Sects!"
Huyan Zhen sneered coldly as he rose to his feet: "Sect Master Ning, the distinction between the Upper Three Sects and the Lower Four Sects is not determined by the first two stages."
His voice boomed like thunder, reverberating throughout the entire arena: "Rather, it is determined by the points accumulated in the third stage!"
"The first two stages are merely used to determine rankings within one’s respective tier!"
"Your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has a mere three points; the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and my own Elephant Armored Sect—we all rank higher than you!"
Upon hearing this, Ning Feng-zhi trembled uncontrollably with fury.
So that’s it! Now I understand why Yu Yuanzhen suddenly stepped down the other day, yielding his position to Yu Luomian—this was the plan all along!
Yu Yuanzhen also rose slowly to his feet, his tone cool and detached: "Precisely, Sect Master Ning. Is it not true that the classification of the Upper Three and Lower Four Sects has always been determined by the points earned in the third stage?"
He looked at Ning Feng-zhi with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes: "It has been this way for so many years. What’s the matter, Sect Master Ning? Have you forgotten?"
The Sect Master of the Rock Antelope Sect—Kamis—along with the Sect Master of the Black Tiger Sect—Hu Xiaotian—and the Sect Master of the Fire Leopard Sect, all chimed in to echo his sentiments: "That’s right, Sect Master Ning!"
"Rules are rules; surely they cannot be altered simply to accommodate your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
"However, even though your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has been relegated to the ranks of the Lower Four Sects, you can still aim for the number one spot within that tier!"
"Exactly! Being number one among the Lower Four Sects still counts as being number one, doesn’t it?"
Each mocking remark, each voice of agreement, felt like a knife twisting in Ning Feng-zhi’s heart.
Ning Feng-zhi glared at the crowd, his eyes bloodshot, his breathing heavy and ragged, his entire body quivering with rage.
"You... You people...!"
His voice was hoarse and broken; he could barely manage to string together a coherent sentence.
He wanted to retort, yet he found himself utterly speechless.
For rules are rules.
And because his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, indeed, possessed a mere three points. For his towering pillar of white jade had shattered.
His hands clenched tightly around his staff, his knuckles turning white.
Upon that refined, scholarly face, utter despair was now etched.
...
At the seats reserved for the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect:
Watching this scene unfold, Jiang Bai’s lips curled upward ever so slightly.
Jiang Li’er leaned in close and whispered, "Jiang Bai, is the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect really finished?"
Jiang Bai replied indifferently, "It is finished."
He paused, then added, "From this day forward, the landscape of sects across the Douluo Continent has changed completely."
Jiang Li’er nodded, appearing only half to understand.
The Ice Empress crossed her arms over her chest and gave a disdainful snort.
"That Ning Fengzhi—one look at him tells you he’s no good. It serves him right."
The Snow Empress remained as cool and aloof as ever, yet the corners of her lips curved upward ever so slightly.
Bi Ji offered a gentle smile but remained silent.
Sitting in the rows behind them, Ye Lingling watched the scene unfold, a complex mix of emotions surging within her heart.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect... is it truly finished?
Excellent! (๑¯◡¯๑)
...
Standing upon the stage, the referee’s voice rang out once more: "The Seven Great Sects Tournament has now come to a successful conclusion!"
"The new rankings for the Upper Three Sects are as follows: First Place—the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect!"
"Second Place—the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!"
"Third Place—the Elephant Armored Sect!"
"The new rankings for the Lower Four Sects are: First Place—the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect!"
"Second Place—the Rock Antelope Sect!"
"Third Place—the Black Tiger Sect!"
"Fourth Place—the Fire Leopard Sect!"
"Let us offer our congratulations to all the participating sects!"
Thunderous applause erupted throughout the entire arena.
Yet, at the seats of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, there was no applause.
Only silence.
Ning Fengzhi stood there, gazing up at the sky, his eyes vacant and hollow.
The sunlight poured down, bathing his refined face in light, yet it could not penetrate the darkness that had settled within his heart.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect...
Destroyed at my very hands...
He closed his eyes, and a single tear slid down from the corner of his eye.
Behind him, Chen Xin stood in equally heavy silence.
He lowered his gaze to look at his hands—those hands that had once held a sword as if holding onto life itself. At this moment, they were trembling slightly.
"Your Sword Heart is too fragile."
"For your sword exists solely to protect the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
"And not for yourself."
Jiang Bai’s words echoed repeatedly within his mind.
He closed his eyes.
Perhaps... he was right.
He thought to himself in silence.
My sword has never been for myself.
But what is wrong with that?
He did not know.
He knew only this: from this day forward, everything would be different.
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