Chapter 133: 150. Spirit Hall Reassigns the Upper Three Sects
Previous life? This world? Tang Sect techniques?
Something felt terribly wrong. To Ah Yin, Tang San did not seem like a recently born child—he felt like an adult soul trapped in a child's body.
As soon as she reached that conclusion, Ah Yin dared not think any further.
No... impossible... Little San can't be like that.
She forced herself into denial.
After finishing his morning cultivation, Tang San descended the mountain. This time, he didn't step on Ah Yin.
She watched his back carefully as he disappeared from view, unable to shake her suspicion.
And so it went—day after day, year after year. Tang San climbed the mountain each morning to cultivate, never realizing that his secret training ground had a very special observer hidden among the Blue Silver Grass.
Meanwhile, in Spirit City, a grand coronation ceremony had concluded. Bibi Dong had just placed upon her head the crown of the Pope and held the holy scepter as she seated herself upon the throne of the Spirit Hall.
"Three cheers for Her Holiness, the new Pope Bibi Dong!" the Cardinal Archbishop shouted.
"Long live! Long live! Long live!"
Elders and invited sect masters saluted while the rest of the Spirit Hall members knelt in reverence.
Bibi Dong raised the Papal Scepter and spoke with authority. "From this day forward, I, Bibi Dong, am the Pope of the Spirit Hall. Now, I will announce a decree—to repossess the Papal Orders granted to the current Upper Three Sects."
The sect masters of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect froze in surprise.
"Your Holiness, what do you mean by this?" asked Yu Yuanzhen.
Ning Fengzhi added, "Your Holiness, the Papal Orders were instruments to maintain balance among the upper sects. Are you certain you wish to abolish them?"
Bibi Dong replied coldly, "Of course. The Clear Sky Sect no longer has the qualification to remain among the Three. Moreover, they are enemies of my Spirit Hall. How could I allow such a sect to hold our Papal Order and parade around under our authority?"
"After reclaiming these orders," she continued, tightening her grip on the scepter, "I will convene a continental sect summit to reselect the Upper Three Sects and reforge new Papal Orders."
As she spoke, soul rings descended around her—
Yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, red, red, red!
"This configuration…" Chen Xin muttered gravely.
Cold sweat beaded Ning Fengzhi's brow. "It's said Bibi Dong possesses twin spirits… could it be—"
Chen Xin replied, "Even if she cultivated both spirits, her first ring being a hundred-year ring makes no sense. It can only mean she developed her first martial spirit to its absolute peak."
Ning Fengzhi nodded grimly. "Such a configuration… only the Body Sect has something similar. It seems both she and that sect have mastered a method of absorbing rings beyond the supposed limit of age. Her talent surpasses even Qian Xunji's several times over. To challenge the current balance so soon—her ambitions are anything but small."
After the coronation, Ning Fengzhi returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and immediately reported the matter to Gu Rong.
"This is an invitation from Spirit Hall for us to participate in the re-evaluation of the Upper Three Sects," Ning Fengzhi said, handing over a sealed document.
Glancing at it, Gu Rong smirked. "With my power and that of that timid old man, plus your support, there's no way we'll lose our seat among the Three."
Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly. "Sword Uncle, Bone Uncle, I've never doubted our strength. What concerns me is that Spirit Hall now controls the tempo. By using the Papal Order as an excuse, Bibi Dong is forcing all sects into her game. If we participate, we must play by her rules. If we refuse, Spirit Hall will isolate us."
Gu Rong nodded thoughtfully, then his eyes brightened. "But Sect Master, doesn't the invitation list seem to be missing a certain name?"
"Oh?" Ning Fengzhi quickly scanned it. A hint of amusement tugged at his lips. "The Body Sect—Spirit Hall didn't invite them."
"The Body Sect may have just emerged," Chen Xin noted, "but their strength is recognized across the continent. Why would Spirit Hall ignore them?"
Ning Fengzhi chuckled. "Ah, I see it now. This re-selection was premeditated. Spirit Hall has already elevated the Holy Dragon Clan by merging them with the Elephant Armored Sect to form the new Dragon Elephant Sect. Both Tuoba Xi and Hu Yanzhen have reached the Titled Douluo realm. Spirit Hall fully intends to raise them as one of the new Three, but with the fall of the Clear Sky Sect and the rise of the Body Sect, their plan hits a snag."
"So," Gu Rong concluded, "Bibi Dong chose to exclude the Body Sect, paving the way to push the Dragon Elephant Sect onto the seat of the Three."
"Exactly," Ning Fengzhi said, smiling cunningly. "We can exploit this. If we manage it right, we can deepen the rift between the Body Sect and Spirit Hall."
He turned to his attendants. "Prepare generous gifts. I'm going to pay a personal visit to the Body Sect."
A few days later—
"Ha! Sect Master Ning, what an honor! What brings you, amidst your busy schedule, to my humble Body Sect?" asked Huo Qiang, the Body Sect's leader, welcoming him with a laugh.
Ning Fengzhi bowed slightly. "Master Huo, it seems you haven't yet heard that Spirit Hall is planning to reselect the Upper Three Sects."
"Oh? Is that so?" Huo Qiang blinked. "I've been preoccupied with mundane affairs lately and haven't kept up with their movements. Please, tell me more."
Ning Fengzhi recounted everything in detail—from Bibi Dong's coronation to her declaration.
By the end, he sighed with feigned regret. "In my opinion, after the decline of the Clear Sky Sect, only your Body Sect truly deserves the position of the continent's foremost sect. And yet—Spirit Hall's list for reevaluation doesn't include you. They clearly hold your sect in contempt."
"What did you say? Those arrogant fools dare disregard my Body Sect!?" one elder shouted furiously, slamming the table.
The hall erupted into anger as the elders fumed.
Though Sect Master Huo Qiang remained silent, Ning Fengzhi could sense the suppressed fury radiating from him. The corners of his lips curled slightly. Perfect. Now just a little push more—once the Body Sect stands against Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong will lose face. And the greater their conflict, the safer my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will be. Truly, I am a genius.
"Please, everyone, calm yourselves," said Xiao Zhi suddenly. "The wise say: 'A ruler should not go to war in anger; a general should not fight from wrath.'"
He turned to Ning Fengzhi and asked sharply, "Spirit Hall's re-election—whether we liked it or not, we would soon learn of it and demand a response. But Sect Master Ning, you traveled all the way here only to provoke us into action. What exactly is your goal? If a few words from you could push us into open conflict with Spirit Hall, where would our Body Sect's dignity be?"
Ning Fengzhi froze. He had almost succeeded in manipulating Sect Master Huo—but it seemed the Body Sect still had a few clear-headed minds among them.
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/LightKira10