Chapter 118: Depressed Little Anus
[Inorin's Note: The chapter title is a direct, derogatory translation of Yu Xiaogang's name (Yu=Jade, Xiao=Little, Gang=Anus), reflecting the narrative's perspective on him.]
Yu Xiaogang had been feeling quite depressed lately.
A month ago, he had the good fortune to meet Bo Saixi, a Sea God Douluo from Sea God Island, who was even more formidable than Spirit Hall's Third and Fourth Offerings.
Originally, this should have been something worth boasting about, enough to add a glorious stroke to his already extraordinary 'wisdom'.
But ever since Bibi Dong left with the two Offerings, Qingluan and Xiongshi, and four Titled Douluo Elders, everything changed.
Previously, whenever he was with Bibi Dong, he always enjoyed a life of luxury and comfort.
However, on the way back to Spirit City, he was subjected to constant, relentless bullying.
Not only was he kicked out of the most comfortable cabin and forced into the damp, crowded hold, but he was also forced to work as a handyman.
He, Yu Xiaogang, the "Grandmaster," was forced to scrub the decks. He was ordered to polish the armor of Spirit Kings. He was tripped, "accidentally" shouldered, and had his food "spilled."
He was waking up earlier than chickens and sleeping later than dogs, becoming an object of bullying for any Spirit Hall Spirit Master in the fleet.
Almost anyone who disliked him—which, he was discovering, was everyone—would come over and step on him.
Yet, he was powerless to resist.
According to the Spirit Hall Spirit Masters, they had long disliked Yu Xiaogang, who, relying on the Holy Maiden's authority, acted arrogantly despite being a good-for-nothing, enjoying the same treatment as the Holy Maiden. Why should he?
In response, Yu Xiaogang, as usual, threatened them by informing the Holy Maiden, a tactic that had always worked.
But this time, it was different. These people acted as if they had received instructions from a high-ranking official in Spirit Hall and didn't care at all.
How could this not depress Xiao Gang?
"Sigh, just bear with it a bit longer. We'll be in Spirit City tomorrow." Yu Xiaogang, who had just finished washing clothes in a bucket of dirty water, wiped the sweat from his forehead.
He looked up towards Spirit City in the distance and secretly swore that once he became a generation's Grandmaster of theories, he would make these Spirit Hall lackeys who looked down on him pay the price.
I, Yu Xiaogang, want to prove to the outside world that I am not a good-for-nothing, but a man! A man who stands tall and proud!
In the early morning, sunlight bathed the land, and the warm air brought dryness and vibrant vitality. All things revived in the bright sunshine, and a new day began.
To facilitate the Sect Competition and prevent unnecessary damage to Spirit City from clashes between Spirit Douluo and even Titled Douluo powerhouses, Spirit City specially opened up a designated area.
This area was located in the center of Spirit City.
The enormous arena had a diameter of 500 meters, constructed entirely from polished granite. To prevent damage, it was reinforced with special spirit tools, making it capable of withstanding clashes between various Sect Masters.
Directly in front of this colossal competition stage was the Supreme Pontiff Palace. From here, the distance to the hill where the Supreme Pontiff Palace was located was less than 1,000 meters.
Spirit Hall specially opened up this open space, not only for the Sect Competition but also in preparation for the future All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament.
The purpose was to attract more excellent Spirit Masters, but the specific regulations had not yet been fully determined.
Early in the morning, all participating Sects, led by Spirit Hall's dedicated personnel, arrived at the competition venue. Each Sect had its own separately constructed resting area.
The resting areas were built around the competition venue, and on the side opposite the Supreme Pontiff Palace was the VIP judging stand. At that time, the Crown Princes of the Two Great Empires and the Supreme Pontiff would all observe the competition from there.
In addition to Spirit Hall, there were thousands of lone Spirit Masters who were Spirit Emperor and above. Even a small number of Spirit Masters below Spirit Emperor with excellent talent were exceptionally allowed by Spirit Hall to watch the competition.
It wasn't that Spirit Hall was particularly kind-hearted.
Rather, they were all targets for recruitment by Spirit Hall.
During the Sect Competition, almost every lone Spirit Master would be courted by Spirit Hall.
And among those lone Spirit Masters, often after witnessing the powerful foundation of Spirit Hall, at least half or more would choose to stay. Furthermore, many Spirit Master families, seeking further advancement, would also choose to join Spirit Hall.
Other Sects would do similar things, but their clansmen were often very exclusive, treating their family's inherited Spirit as everything. Therefore, very few could recruit lone Spirit Masters.
Only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, which was founded on the support-type Spirit, was slightly better. In each Sect Competition, they could attract many excellent Spirit Masters by offering generous conditions.
However, this year, it seemed destined that no one would join.
After all, their 'image collapsed' yesterday.
The six words 'strangling other factions' geniuses' had almost become synonymous with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. They were hated by many Sects that had lost their geniuses, and now, only a fool would be willing to join.
Even a very small number of lone Spirit Masters who had already been courted by Ning Fengzhi regretted joining.
Unfortunately, with Sects, it's easy to get in, but hard to get out.
They had already been branded with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's label. If they wanted to leave, they would probably be killed by Ning Fengzhi's men before they even had a chance to step out the door.
And just then, a golden light streaked from the Supreme Pontiff Palace. A group of people flew out.
Qianxun Ji, enveloped in golden angelic light, flew at the forefront, his six wings spread wide in a display of power. He was followed by Jin Zhong and Yinchui, his two personal guard Douluo.
Behind them were Qin Xuan and Bibi Dong, who was the Holy Maiden.
The crowd gasped. Although Bibi Dong currently didn't have the ability to fly, Qin Xuan did; she was standing calmly on a flying sword condensed from Qin Xuan's sword qi.
It was a blatant political statement, showing the Holy Son's power and the Holy Maiden's... association.
Seeing the five arrive, Yue Guan and Gui Mei, who were in charge of hosting this Sect Competition, shouted in unison, "His Holiness the Supreme Pontiff has arrived!"
"Long live! Long live! Long live!" Three shouts, like a mountain roar and a sea surge, echoed through Spirit City.
Except for the Crown Princes of the Two Great Empires and the Upper Three Sects who stood on their dignity, all other lone Spirit Masters, and even the Sect Masters of various Sects, knelt on one knee.
"Greetings, Your Holiness the Supreme Pontiff!"
Additionally, Yue Guan and Gui Mei did not kneel. Their current status in Spirit Hall was extremely high, second only to the Supreme Pontiff and the Offerings, and ranked first among the Elders.
Qianxun Ji also highly regarded them. To win them over, he exempted them from the kneeling etiquette.
Slightly different was that they bowed slightly towards Qianxun Ji as a sign of respect, while the Upper Three Sects and the Crown Princes of the Two Great Empires merely stood up and paid attention, which was considered a sign of respect.
Qianxun Ji, in a crimson ceremonial robe from head to toe, with a golden armor saint garment underneath, wearing a nine-curved purple-gold crown, and a majestic expression, was the first to land at the VIP seating area. He walked to the uppermost throne.
Qin Xuan and the other four followed closely, standing to his left and right.
Qianxun Ji did not sit down immediately.
Instead, he turned and surveyed his surroundings. When he saw that Spirit Masters from the Upper Three Sects—like Tang Hao, Tang Xiao, and even Ning Fengzhi, who were not Titled Douluo—did not kneel or even bow, a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.
He let out a cold snort, flicked his Supreme Pontiff's crimson robe, and slowly sat down. "Rise."
All those who had knelt on the ground then rose.
Qianxun Ji's gaze swept imperiously over the resting areas of the Seven Great Sects that had emerged from the preliminary rounds: Clear Sky Sect, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Sacred Dragon Sect, Wind Sword Sect, Heavenly Elephant Sect, and Black Tiger Sect.
"Good. Very good. From you, this Seat sees the prosperity and flourishing of the Spirit Master World. But this Seat hopes even more to see the full strength and talent of everyone present."
"For those who earn the title of the Upper Three Sects, their Spirit will be engraved on the three empty city walls of Spirit Hall. Furthermore…"
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