Chapter 200: The Curtain Falls on the Four Great Clans; Yue Xuan Shuts Down

Heaven Dou City

The patriarchs of the Four Single-Attribute Clans were discussing matters together.

"The Clear Sky Sect—I shouldn't have trusted them again," the patriarch of the Strength Clan, Titan, said angrily.

"Who could have guessed? We only set aside our prejudices and cooperated with them again because of Tang Hao's son!" said Niugao, patriarch of the Defense Clan.

"I, old Baihe, must have been blind in this life!" the patriarch of the Speed Clan, Baihe, said, slapping the table.

"I didn't believe it at the time either; if old Baihe hadn't privately given me a precious medicinal herb, I wouldn't have cooperated with them," Yang Wudi, patriarch of the Break Clan, also said indignantly.

"So what do we do now? The Spirit Hall has already issued a second warning; after the third, they will take mandatory measures," Titan said.

"Old Bai, do you have any ideas?" Niugao said.

"What ideas could old Bai have? His own clan is so poor they can barely put food on the table! Besides, this incident is too strange," Yang Wudi said bluntly.

"How is it strange?" Titan asked.

"Isn't it strange? Before, the market was full of raw materials, but once the contract was signed, the raw materials started to disappear, and in the end, we couldn't complete the orders," Yang Wudi said.

"I've investigated; Wuhun City is undergoing a major reform, with all the old streets being demolished and rebuilt—this is a huge project. That's why many people have started buying materials, preparing to make a big profit," Titan said.

"Are you sure the Spirit Hall isn't deliberately targeting us?" Yang Wudi said.

"That's really not it. Wuhun City has been under constant construction, so it frequently consumes materials in large quantities. It consumes even more whenever they renovate old housing districts. I can only say we were unlucky to run into the Wuhun City renovation," Titan shook his head and said.

Bibi Dong's methods were very clever, making it impossible for anyone to see they were being targeted. The orders previously placed with the Clear Sky Sect were for semi-finished building materials; one only needed to purchase raw materials and process them slightly to finish the job.

Because many people were doing this business, neither the Clear Sky Sect nor the Four Single-Attribute Clans noticed the problem, and the other party also said that Wuhun City was constantly under construction and they were just reselling materials.

"Everyone, listen to me. I've seen the light now; I'm disappointed in the Clear Sky Sect. And after all these years, looking at it from the perspective of the continent, the Spirit Hall hasn't done anything wrong! You should also be able to see that the Spirit Hall has brought the people a happy and peaceful life. I only see clearly now that the Spirit Hall acts with the entire continent in mind, while we only consider things from the perspective of our clans and sects. What we see is too one-sided compared to the Spirit Hall," Baihe said after deep deliberation.

"Old Bai, you speak of the Spirit Hall like that—do you intend to defect to the Spirit Hall? Have you forgotten what happened back then? The Spirit Hall is also our enemy!" Titan was displeased and said loudly.

"The Spirit Hall is our enemy? The Spirit Hall was attacking the Clear Sky Sect back then; we were just collateral. And think about it, if the Spirit Hall really wanted to deal with us, the Four Single-Attribute Clans wouldn't have escaped back then. Even back then, we were implicated by the Clear Sky Sect. Titan, I know you are loyal to Tang Hao, but please don't fail to see the facts!"

Baihe was also very angry inside; Titan was brainless, and it was he who had single-handedly facilitated the reconnection with the Clear Sky Sect.

"I think old Bai is right; on this point, I stand with old Bai. I see it clearly now too. You all say the Spirit Hall is bad every day, but where exactly is it bad? In reality, the Spirit Hall never actively stirs up trouble and has been maintaining peace between the Two Great Empires. The people all praise the Spirit Hall; it's only the sects that think about going against the Spirit Hall every day," Niugao said.

"Although I also think old Bai is right, I really don't want to bow my head to the Spirit Hall," Yang Wudi said.

"Hahaha, what time do you think it is? Yang Wudi, you think about your face every day. If we don't bow our heads, the Four Single-Attribute Clans can only wait for death. Do you think there is any power left that dares to manage the affairs of the Four Single-Attribute Clans? Moreover, the Spirit Hall's regulations and systems are very perfect; as long as we are not in the wrong, the Spirit Hall won't care whether we live or die!" old Bai said.

For a moment, everyone was silent, each lost in their own thoughts.

"I've made up my mind!" Niugao said.

The others all looked at Niugao.

"I have decided to lead the Defense Clan to defect to the Spirit Hall. The Spirit Hall has so many construction tasks every day, which is just right for our clan. Before, I wouldn't bow my head for the sake of face, but now if I don't bow my head, the clan will be gone—what use is face? Between face and the clan, I still choose the clan," Niugao said, looking at everyone.

"Since Niugao has said so, I am also prepared to defect to the Spirit Hall. Our Break Clan might not rank high in combat power in Wuhun City, but our clan researches medicinal herbs, and Chrysanthemum Douluo also has this hobby, so I am prepared to defect to the Spirit Hall—or more accurately, to defect to Chrysanthemum Douluo," Yang Wudi said.

"I've also thought it through; I'm also defecting. The Spirit Hall's intra-city delivery business is always hiring, and our clan fully meets the requirements. From now on, we will just work honestly," old Bai said.

"You three!" Titan pointed at the other three, not knowing what to say.

Defecting to the Spirit Hall—Titan knew this was the only way out now. Only by defecting to the Spirit Hall would the Spirit Hall come forward to provide a guarantee.

The blacksmiths of Gengjin City had all defected to the Spirit Hall. Now, they spent their days forging agricultural tools and some Spirit Guidance Device components. Their orders were endless, and everyone lived a prosperous life.

Titan had another identity: Vice President of the Blacksmith Association, so he knew a lot about the affairs within the association.

Titan had previously mocked the people of the Blacksmith Association, so now Titan really couldn't bring himself to lower his face.

Since it was already decided, there was nothing left to discuss in this meeting, and they all left silently.

The next day, the Speed Clan, the Break Clan, and the Defense Clan announced their entry into the Spirit Hall.

The Strength Clan sold their clan's residence to pay off the breach-of-contract penalty, and Titan publicly announced the dissolution of the Strength Clan from that day forward.

After the Strength Clan dissolved, Titan took his direct descendants into seclusion. The other disciples, no longer under the control of the clan and seeing the other three clans join the Spirit Hall one after another, quietly joined the Spirit Hall as well.

Wuhun City

Bibi Dong was very happy upon receiving the news. This kind of behind-the-scenes scheming, winning without shedding blood, made Bibi Dong feel more satisfied inside than defeating an enemy head-on.

Although she still hadn't finished off the Clear Sky Sect in the end, she had uncovered a piece of information this time.

It was Yue Xuan that had provided a large sum of funds to the Clear Sky Sect, which was how the Clear Sky Sect's crisis was resolved.

The owner of Yue Xuan, Tang Yuehua, was a direct descendant of the Clear Sky Sect and Tang Hao's younger sister.

Because Tang Yuehua's martial soul had mutated, no one knew she was actually a direct descendant of the Clear Sky Sect. All these years, she had been operating in the open, providing resources to the Clear Sky Sect.

Now, her identity was finally exposed.

For Bibi Dong, this was a good thing; potential enemies were often more terrifying.

Subsequently, Bibi Dong directly had Empress Xue Ke open an etiquette department within the United Academy.

Because Tang Yuehua previously had some connections with Xue Ye, she had always operated under the banner of the Heaven Dou Empire's Court Etiquette Academy.

Now that times had changed, there was no need to keep this academy. Once the Heaven Dou United Academy opened an etiquette department, many people signed up one after another.

The previous one was court etiquette; Xue Ke felt that since noble titles would eventually be reclaimed by her, there was no need to engage in court etiquette anymore. Therefore, she opened an etiquette academy, teaching various forms of etiquette, not just court etiquette.

Some people who had previously studied at Yue Xuan transferred to the United Academy one after another.

After all, at the United Academy, besides learning etiquette, one could also learn other things.

Yue Xuan

"Owner, the Empire is being too excessive! Now the students are transferring one after another. In two days, I expect the last few who have found connections will also transfer away!"

"I expected this long ago. You may go," Tang Yuehua said silently, her face showing no expression.

In fact, when she took action to help the Clear Sky Sect this time, Tang Yuehua knew she would be exposed.

Once exposed, she would face not only the pressure from the Spirit Hall but also the pressure from the Empire.

Tang Yuehua was indeed meticulous; although this matter appeared to have no involvement from the Spirit Hall, relying on her sixth sense, this was absolutely a plot by the Spirit Hall.

She had also understood the previous situation where the Empire's prices were skyrocketing. It appeared that Emperor Xue Beng was plotting it, but in reality, everything behind the scenes was being guided by the Spirit Hall.

The Spirit Hall was truly terrifying.

Tang Yuehua had thought about the day her identity might be exposed, but she never expected this day to come so quickly.

Moreover, this method of the Empire is terrifying; they do not use underhanded schemes, but directly use open strategies.

Open competition, with everything laid out in the open.

It seems very fair and transparent, but which power can actually contend with the Empire?

It appears to be a decision by the Empire, but the Spirit Hall must definitely be involved behind the scenes; Tang Yuehua does not believe a little girl like Xue Ke could come up with such a scheme.

Tang Yuehua knows exactly what Xue Ke is like, as she was once Xue Ke's court etiquette teacher.

When learning court etiquette in the past, Xue Ke was already hiding her true personality.

On the surface, she was poised, elegant, noble, and intellectual, but inside, she was actually just an optimistic and cheerful little girl.

Tang Yuehua had even suspected in the past that if Xue Ke were to go out on her own, she probably wouldn't even know if she were being deceived.

Therefore, Tang Yuehua is certain that all these matters are being controlled by the Spirit Hall, and Xue Ke is just a puppet on the surface.

However, even if she guessed it, what could she do? She had absolutely no ability to change any of this.

Tang Yuehua looked over the entirety of Yuexuan from top to bottom; the once glorious Yuexuan now actually showed a hint of desolation.

Shortly after, news spread throughout Heaven Dou City that Yuexuan had closed its doors.

However, with the previous news about the joint academy, the closing of Yuexuan did not cause a single ripple; only a small number of people noticed Yuexuan, and they all felt a bit regretful.

After Tang Yuehua closed Yuexuan, she returned to the Clear Sky Sect and told the Elders about her speculations.

Only after hearing this did the Elders feel afraid.

Previously, they had always assumed the Spirit Hall would not take action against them, which is why they dared to develop their clan so extensively.

Who knew the Spirit Hall had been watching the show from behind the scenes, waiting for them to reach their most glorious moment before striking them down with one blow.

All the Elders were very angry, but they could only curse the Spirit Hall behind their backs; they did not dare to take action.

During this period, the people of the Clear Sky Sect were all looking for Tang San, because some of the things Tang San had contributed to the clan had driven the clan's development, and Tang San had his own strong opinions, so everyone wanted to hear Tang San's advice.

But it was only then that they discovered Tang San had disappeared.

Tang San, you have been missing for over a year, and the Clear Sky Sect only just found out.

Unable to find Tang San, and knowing that staying outside would inevitably lead to being plotted against by the Spirit Hall again without knowing it, the group of Elders finally decided: return to the mountain.

They had only emerged for a few years, and now they were going back.

The Haotian Sect Grand Elder met with Empress Xue Ke, returned the territory previously granted by Xue Beng, and then left directly with the members of the clan.

They emerged with a grand display, and returned without a sound.

As for Jerry, he was wholeheartedly comprehending the Huoxi Fazhe.

Jerry felt the scorching heat of fire, the explosiveness of fire, the destructiveness of fire, and the vitality of fire.

Jerry opened his eyes and waved his hand, and all the flames within the entire magma gathered in his palm.

It was acceptable; he had initially mastered the Fire Attribute Rule, and this active volcano could only allow Jerry to comprehend this much.

Now that he had made an entry, he could improve the Fire Attribute Rule by comprehending it more in the future.

Moreover, Jerry discovered that after mastering the Fire Attribute Rule, it became easier for him to refine materials and make pills when crafting Soul Guidance Devices.

As expected, the Fire Attribute is still more advantageous for refining certain things.

Furthermore, after Jerry mastered the Fire Attribute, the speed at which the Pillar Supporting the Sky converted energy became faster.

Since that was the case, he should master more attributes, even if it was just an entry-level understanding.

Fire generates Earth; Jerry dug a deep pit and went straight to the bottom to comprehend the Earth Attribute.

Earth generates Metal; Jerry came to a room filled entirely with metal materials.

Metal generates Water; Jerry went to the bottom of the sea to comprehend it.

For the Thunder Law, Jerry went straight to the Thunder Attribute Area of the Star Dou Great Forest to begin comprehension.

For the Light Attribute, Jerry came to the Elder Hall, where the Light Attribute was the most concentrated.

For the Darkness Attribute, Jerry found an abyss that was covered in darkness year-round, where light could not reach.

As for the last one, Non-Attribute, there was no way to comprehend it; the World Consciousness itself told Jerry this.

Because Non-Attribute is naturally assimilated by other attributes, there is no way to comprehend it, nor is there a need to.

As Jerry comprehended the entry-level of all the other attributes, the conversion speed of the Pillar Supporting the Sky increased several times over.

Wuhun City could now be said to be the place with the highest concentration of soul power in the world.

Now, among ten newly awakened children, nine had soul power and could directly begin Cultivation.

Moreover, a special situation appeared in Wuhun City.

A person without soul power who had lived in the Spirit Hall for years went to get tested out of curiosity when a friend was checking their soul power, and as a result, they found they actually had soul power, and they happily went around proclaiming it.

Upon hearing this news, many commoners could not sit still and flocked to the Spirit Hall to get tested.

That day, over two thousand people were found to have soul power.

Everyone felt that Wuhun City must have been blessed by the gods; living here gave one a chance to develop soul power.

More people rushed toward Wuhun City, willing to even rent housing just to stay in Wuhun City.

The housing prices in Wuhun City, which Jerry had finally managed to suppress, now doubled in growth.

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(End of this chapter)