Chapter 318: This Old Man Knows the Game!
Kong was well aware of Yu Yuanzhen's progress.
As for why he bothered to ask, wasn't it just to give the old man a chance to "show off"?
The Sea God's Nine Trials were still far too simple for Yu Yuanzhen.
'The Sea God really knows how to follow procedures,' Kong thought inwardly.
Rong Nianbing—the God of Emotions who passed his position to Huo Yuhao—was far more flexible than Poseidon!
What trials?
There weren't any!
He directly gifted his divine weapon and godhood. Once the candidate reached level 99, they ascended straight to godhood.
As for Poseidon, because of the existing faith on Douluo Planet, he had to go through the motions.
It was also for the benefit of the new Sea God, so that believers would know there was a new successor.
Anyone who received a god's inheritance was almost guaranteed success.
Unless another god interfered—or they were abandoned.
After listening to Yu Yuanzhen share some "interesting stories" about Sea God Island, the grandfather and grandson exchanged a few more words and then wrapped up their conversation.
At the time, none of the elders had any idea that their Young Sect Master had also arrived in Spirit City.
The next day, outside the Pope's Palace.
Unlike the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, this competition had no audience.
Or rather, aside from the participants, there were almost no spectators.
Only the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation was quietly watching.
The Elephant Armored Sect was the first to enter the arena.
Hu Yanzhen led the team at the front, flanked by four Elephant Armored Sect members.
He strode forward with great confidence and powerful steps.
The four sect members behind him were towering, like four small hills. Each wore gold or silver helmets shaped like elephant heads.
They didn't wear armor or anything like it.
To members of the Elephant Armored Sect, armor didn't offer more protection than their own bodies—it was just unnecessary weight.
Following closely was Tuoba Xi, Sect Master of the Holy Dragon Sect, clad in white armor, wearing a stern expression as he advanced steadily, surrounded by disciples of his sect.
With the Contra-level sects entering first, Ning Fengzhi and the others exchanged glances and ultimately decided to give center position to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.
There was no helping it—after all, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect was simply stronger now.
Fortunately, thanks to Kong, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect had maintained a good relationship over the years.
It wouldn't be wrong to say they were as close as branches from the same tree.
As for the Clear Sky Sect…
Who's that again?
At last, Yu Yuanzhen and his group entered the field. Even without fully releasing their aura, the pressure from these powerhouses alone was enough to make Hu Yanzhen and the others break out in cold sweat.
"So strong!"
"There's no way Yu Yuanzhen is still just level 95!!!"
The last time Yu Yuanzhen revealed his strength publicly, he was at level 95—that had been nearly twenty years ago.
For Titled Douluo, especially those above level 95, it was completely normal to go decades without a breakthrough.
When Yu Yuanzhen found Kong, the sky had been filled with thunder, like divine wrath...
That was when he broke through to level 96.
But very few people ever heard about that breakthrough...
Let alone about the levels that followed: 98, 99... half-god...
"Sect Master Yu is the master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, and his grandson is the Thunder God."
"You worthless trash think you can call him by name?"
"You better hope you never run into me—otherwise…"
These words instantly shocked those nearby!
But not because someone was brown-nosing...
Rather, because the person who said it was Hu Yanzhen!
Damn!
Wasn't the Elephant Armored Sect's Sect Master supposed to be arrogant and proud?
How could he be so good at "speaking politely"?
Hu Yanzhen wasn't stupid—when dealing with those weaker than himself, arrogance was fine.
But when facing someone stronger?
That was a whole different story.
If he could avoid offending someone, then he would do everything he could to avoid it.
He wasn't without brains.
In the original work, in order to secure the Elephant Armored Sect's place among the Upper Three Sects, Hu Yanzhen even personally visited the chief of the Yu Clan to invite them to join the Elephant Armored Sect, promising a position as deputy sect master in a strong alliance!
How could someone like that possibly be brainless?
He simply didn't like to think when dealing with weaker people.
During the Battle of Jialing Pass, perhaps it was because he'd secured the position of number one among the Upper Three Sects that he got inflated with pride and dared to use his head to block the Sea God's Trident…
"Damn it! Why didn't we say that first!"
By saying what he did first, Hu Yanzhen managed to gain a sliver of goodwill from Yu Yuanzhen and the others.
Even if there was no obvious reward, in battle, they might go a little easier on him.
Sure enough, Yu Luomian and the others gave Hu Yanzhen a deep glance, then nodded slightly.
This old guy knows the game!
Seeing this, Hu Yanzhen revealed a faint smile—though it looked a bit awkward.
If the other party was strong enough, what was wrong with being a little sycophantic?
As long as they were willing to look at him a little more, and in a good mood offered him a small benefit, Hu Yanzhen might just break through to the realm he had dreamed of—Titled Douluo!
Others might still have doubts about Yu Luomian and the others' spirit power levels, but Hu Yanzhen was sure—every single one of them was a Titled Douluo!
Including Yu Yuanzhen, that was a total of seven!
With so many Titled Douluo, could it be that the sect left no one behind to guard it?
Impossible.
The more he thought about it, the more terrifying it became.
No wonder this was a sect where a god had appeared. When one ascends to the heavens, even the chickens and dogs rise with him.
The one who got scolded by Hu Yanzhen was also a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse and the master of a sect.
But compared to the Elephant Armored Sect, let alone the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, his sect's scale couldn't compare.
At that moment, he realized he'd misspoken and handed Hu Yanzhen a perfect opening.
In private, everyone always said "Yu Yuanzhen," "Yu Yuanzhen," and now, in front of him, he'd slipped up without realizing.
That was understandable—he was used to saying it, and his status was high enough that few dared to correct him.
Even people like Hu Yanzhen usually called him "Yu Yuanzhen" in casual conversation—no one actually called him "Sect Master Yu."
"Whew…"
After a long moment, that sect master finally let out a sigh of relief.
Yu Yuanzhen didn't seem to care about the incident.
That helped him relax a lot.
What puzzled the crowd was that the host—namely the Spirit Hall—did not have the Pope appear.
Instead, the ones who rarely showed themselves—the Worship Elders—had almost all come out!
Not only the Worship Elders, but also the Spirit Hall's elders were present. Aside from those currently on missions, not a single one was absent.
The difference between elders and Worship Elders was simple.
Those wearing golden armor or golden robes were elders.
The Worship Elders, on the other hand, were more low-key, dressed in white robes, each embroidered with the pattern of their respective martial spirits.
Those were the Worship Elders!
"Hiss…"
Everyone gasped.
They hadn't just underestimated the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect—they had also underestimated the Spirit Hall!
A full seven Worship Elders!
And just as many elders—seven or eight!
The depth of the Spirit Hall's foundation was truly terrifying…
(End of Chapter)
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