Chapter 65: Where is the Way Out?
Three days later.
The grand ceremony to re-rank the seven great sects of the world was about to begin.
Other forces farther from Spirit City,
including delegations from various academies, members of the Tiandou and Silla royal families,
and high-level spirit masters of commoner origin, had already arrived in Spirit City.
Meanwhile, inside the Pope's Hall,
Qianxunji, Yueguan, and Guimei stood on a raised platform.
Below, dozens of Spirit Hall deacons were frantically calculating the amounts wagered by the various factions in this gambling game.
After a long moment,
Platinum Bishop Salas, holding a ledger, approached Qianxunji with a somewhat unsteady gamble.
Under Qianxunji's inquiring gaze, Salas spoke cautiously.
"Your Holiness, after repeated verification, we
have confirmed that the total amount wagered on this gambling game, overseen by Elder Yueguan, has reached 100 million Gold Soul Coins.
And this number is still growing..."
Upon hearing this, Qianxunji and the other two were stunned.
After a long pause, Qianxunji finally spoke.
"Bishop Sarath, how many gold soul coins do you estimate our Spirit Hall can earn from this gambling?"
Hearing Qianxunji's question, Sarath shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Your Holiness, the exact amount is too large to be determined at this time.
But what is certain is that for the next decade or so, our Spirit Hall won't have to worry about distributing benefits to spirit masters."
Hearing Sarath's words, Qianxunji nodded without further questioning.
Seeing this, Sarath spoke again.
"Your Holiness, due to the pre-set rankings, word has spread that the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect possesses three Protector Douluos.
However, some time ago, a number of nobles jointly proposed to our Spirit Hall that the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect be disqualified from the rankings.
They felt that Ning Fengzhide was unworthy of his position.
A sect like his, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, which relied on the recruitment of outside spirit masters, was unworthy of being among the top three sects.
They proposed that outside spirit masters like His Holiness Bone Douluo be disallowed from representing the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect in this ranking competition..."
Upon hearing this, Qian Xunji looked at Yue Guan and Gui Mei and asked.
"Elder Yue Guan and Elder Gui Mei, what are your thoughts on this?"
Yue Guan spoke after a moment's thought.
"Your Holiness, our Spirit Hall need not be involved in these matters.
Let those from other factions discuss them."
"Your Holiness, I share Yue Guan's opinion."
After receiving the responses from Yue Guan and the others, Qian Xunji nodded and said nothing more.
Looking up at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's headquarters, Qianxunji's thoughts drifted away.
'Without using any strength, just a few simple words, I've plunged the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect into this awkward situation.
With Qin Ming in my Spirit Hall, perhaps one day my Spirit Hall will truly unify the continent...'
...
the noble rest area.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's headquarters.
Bang—
several gifts were thrown out by Gu Rong.
Immediately afterwards, several young men in finery were also casually tossed out by Gu Rong.
"Get out! You are not welcome here!"
With a bang,
Gu Rong slammed the gate to the courtyard. A hint of fatigue crossed his face as he closed the door.
He slowly walked to the stone bench in the center of the courtyard and sat down. He looked forward.
Chen Jianjun had also emerged from his retreat and sat across from him. They both saw the frustration in each other's eyes.
Those people had come to recruit their lesser nobles.
Gu Rong and Chen Jianjun knew without further ado.
These people just came to test their attitude. The people who truly wanted to recruit these two Titled Douluo were still watching from behind.
If they showed any hesitation, it would likely attract even more people...
"I'm afraid I'm going to have a hard time living in peace from now on."
Gu Rong couldn't help but sigh.
"Alas—
Elder Chen Jianjun, what's going on now?
Those nobles and people from other sects are all eyeing our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Some are even trying to recruit us with the position of Sect Master or high positions and generous salaries.
Even our own disciples are considering leaving the sect and seeking other opportunities..."
Hearing this, Chen Jianjun sighed.
He didn't know how to react.
Just then, Ning Fengzhi, who had been keeping his door closed for the past few days, emerged.
Gu Rong and Chen Jianjun glanced at him simultaneously.
The next second, Gu Rong cried out in surprise.
"Sect Master, what's wrong with you?"
Ning Fengzhi's previously full head of black hair had disappeared.
Amidst these internal and external troubles, Ning Fengzhi's hair had turned white overnight.
He no longer had the vigor and spirit he once had.
Ning Fengzhi didn't answer Gu Rong's question.
After a wry smile, Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, and Chen Jianjun sat opposite each other.
A long silence fell.
Ning Fengzhi's original intention of trying to win over Lan Dian and Haotian to form an alliance had long since vanished.
He simply hoped the ceremony would end quickly so he could quickly return to the sect and avoid the spotlight.
Chen Jianjun sighed as he looked at Ning Fengzhi.
His original intention of challenging Qian Daoliu during the ceremony had also faded.
Seeing Ning Fengzhi's growing depression, Chen Jianjun spoke up.
"Sect Master, don't overthink it.
Chen Xin and I will always support you.
With us here, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect will not fall."
Gu Rong nodded.
"Sect Master, I won't betray the sect either. You can trust us,"
Gu Rong continued after a pause.
"Sect Master, perhaps we should change our attitude toward the Spirit Hall."
Ning Fengzhi wasn't surprised to hear Gu Rong say this.
He was well aware of the devastating impact Qin Ming's words had on a commoner spirit master like Gu Rong, who wasn't born into a family.
After nodding at Gu Rong, Ning Fengzhi grew increasingly confused.
He didn't know what direction his Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect should take in the future.
He'd been pondering this question for the past few days, but he still couldn't come up with a perfect answer.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was unique compared to other sects.
The spirit master who held supreme power within the sect was a support-type spirit master like him, possessing no combat power.
The sect's only means of stability lay in constantly marrying into other spirit masters...
After Qin Ming exposed the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's underbelly,
Ning Fengzhi knew the old situation couldn't continue.
However, trying to replicate the Spirit Hall's system of promoting the capable and delegating the weak was also impossible.
After all, spirit masters possessing the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda spirit could never break through to the Soul Douluo realm...
If the old system were changed, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect could simply change its name.
Just as Ning Fengzhi was lost in thought, there was another knock on the door...
(End of Chapter)
[email protected]/Manzoor786
e Book In Advanced At Pat