96: Xuanhuang Mansion and Tianjiao Competition

“Enter my Xu Family, and you shall ascend step by step!”

It was the familiar process; the forces from Profound Ancient Territory stepped forward, bowed to the eleven Star Guardians, and then were the first to ascend the white jade steps.

After them came the Tiangang Territory.

No one had expected that Tiangang Sect would betray its main sect and pledge allegiance to the Xu Family; this matter became the talk of the town over the past month.

And the Tiangang Divine Sect of the Hundred Domains Land also became a laughingstock for the Hundred Domains forces.

After the two great territories ascended, the other territories began to walk onto the white jade steps.

The white jade steps numbered a hundred thousand, and every hundred steps had two Tian Wang Consummate Star Guardians; this was the result of Hai Dagui and others' efforts over the past month.

In one month, they gathered ten thousand Martial Artists, all of whom were soldiers recruited from kingdoms within various territories; these soldiers possessed strong discipline.

They might have low cultivation, but they had rich combat experience, and with the unique properties of the identity cards, a powerful divine army could be quickly forged.

It was still the Profound Yellow Palace, and it was still that spiritual lake!

However, compared to the last time, the Profound Yellow Palace had expanded several times over this time.

Now, this Profound Yellow Palace was more than spacious enough to accommodate tens of millions of people.

Xu Ming was still presiding over this event, but compared to the joyful atmosphere of the previous time, this occasion was incredibly solemn.

There was no trade fair this time; there was only the future allocation of control over various territories by the Xu Family for the major forces.

“Everyone, there are only four matters for which I have summoned you this time!”

Looking at the hall filled with powerhouses above the Venerable rank, a terrifying Heavenly Might emanated from Xu Ming, causing the hearts of all the Martial Artists in the hall to tremble violently, and even the expressions of a few reclusive Celestial Venerable powerhouses changed.

They were merely at the Early Stage of Celestial Venerable, far too weak compared to Xu Ming.

“Why does this aura feel so familiar?”

A powerhouse frowned, then his eyes widened in shock; Celestial Venerable Bai Jue had been annihilated by a Celestial Venerable of the Xu Family that day, and that person's aura was precisely Xu Ming's.

Not only did this person realize it, but other powerhouses also detected it.

Xu Ming smiled faintly, raised his wine cup, and said, “First, from this day forward, my Xu Family shall be supreme over the four hundred southern territories! Who objects? Who approves?”

Xu Ming's gaze swept across the powerhouses, lingering for a moment especially on a few Celestial Venerables.

“I approve!”

Old Ancestor Xue Family was the first to raise his cup, then drank it all.

“I also approve!”

With someone taking the lead, a second person immediately jumped out; it was a top-tier force from Xuangu Domain.

“I approve!”

“We also approve!”

“...”

Soon, sounds of approval resounded throughout the entire hall.

Finally, only a few Celestial Venerable forces remained silent.

“Gentlemen, what are your thoughts?”

Xu Ming looked at them with a smile.

These Celestial Venerables came from the three great territories of Tianyun, Huoming, and Shenxuan; originally, due to the Three Sects, they were forced to live in seclusion, but now that the Three Sects were destroyed, they had no choice but to emerge and attend at Xu Qing's word, each harboring some displeasure.

“I approve!”

An aged Celestial Venerable drank the wine in his hand.

The Xu Family's dominance made him sense the aura of death; he clearly understood that if he did not submit, the price would be death.

Seeing this, the other Celestial Venerables also drank the wine in their cups, which was a form of declaration.

Xu Ming smiled, then drained the wine in his cup.

“Second, is about the management of the various territories.”

Upon hearing this, the various forces all perked up their ears and listened, as this concerned the vital interests of their respective forces.

“My Xu Family will establish Profound Yellow Prefectures in various territories to manage issues within those territories. Each Profound Yellow Prefecture will have one Prefecture Lord, three Vice Prefecture Lords, and sixteen Elders; these individuals will form the decision-making body of the Profound Yellow Prefecture!”

“Below that, an unspecified number of Patrol Envoys and Surveillance Envoys will be established. Surveillance Envoys will be responsible for overseeing the lower domains, while Patrol Envoys will be tasked with patrolling various domains, holding greater authority than Surveillance Envoys!”

Upon hearing this, the hearts of the various forces burned with excitement; it was clear that a powerful organization would emerge above the various territories in the future. Whoever could enter this organization would mean a meteoric rise!

They dared not even dream of the Profound Yellow Prefecture Lord position, as in their eyes, it would definitely be held by a member of the Xu Family, but for other positions, they might be able to compete.

However, Xu Ming's next words astonished everyone.

“The candidates for Profound Yellow Prefecture Lord and Vice Prefecture Lord, as well as Patrol Envoys and Surveillance Envoys, can be competed for by any force above the Heavenly King level; my Xu Family will not participate in the competition!”

As soon as these words were spoken, the various forces were first astonished, then divine light burst forth from their eyes.

“Grand Elder, how does one compete for these positions?” Old Ancestor Xue Family asked.

“True Dragon Tournament!” Xu Ming smiled.

“True Dragon Tournament?!”

Discussions simultaneously broke out throughout the Profound Yellow Palace.

“This is the third matter I wish to discuss: one month from now, the four Hundred Domains will hold a Genius competition. My clan will dispatch powerhouses to supervise. Whether Loose Cultivators or Disciple of forces, all may participate.”

“The top hundred from small domains and the top thousand from medium domains can represent their respective forces to the centers of the various territories to participate in the Prodigy grand gathering three months later!”

“From these, the top hundred will be selected. The various positions in the Profound Yellow Prefecture will be chosen from the forces represented by these hundred Prodigies. If there are Prodigies or Loose Cultivators from Heavenly King-level forces who rank in the top twenty, top ten, or even top three, my Xu Family will bestow generous rewards.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the various forces were quite something.

The Prefecture Lord, Vice Prefecture Lords, and Elders of the Profound Yellow Prefecture numbered only twenty, meaning that the forces represented by the top twenty Prodigies could become the decision-making body of the Profound Yellow Prefecture.

What if a Heavenly King force became the Prefecture Lord of the Profound Yellow Prefecture? How would it subdue all the other forces?

“Hehe! Grand Elder Xu, if that's the case, then if a Prodigy from a Heavenly King-level force becomes first, wouldn't he then be the Prefecture Lord of the Profound Yellow Prefecture?”

A Celestial Venerable said with a chuckle; he had a hidden meaning in his words, using the opportunity to mock the Xu Family due to his dissatisfaction with submitting to them.

Xu Ming glanced at that Celestial Venerable, then looked at the projection, smiling faintly, “If everyone is worried about insufficient foundation to subdue the forces of the various territories, there is actually no need for such concern at all!”

“Because the Xu Family is your greatest foundation. As long as you are loyal to the Xu Family, you only need to act. If you are a decision-maker of the Profound Yellow Prefecture, you represent my Xu Family. Whoever disobeys is opposing my Xu Family!”

“My Xu Family will personally take action and eradicate them!”

By the end, Xu Ming's sharp gaze swept towards the Celestial Venerable from before, and the terrifying pressure instantly caused that Celestial Venerable's entire body to ache.

“Grand Elder, spare me!”

“I was wrong... I was wrong!!!”

That Celestial Venerable said in terror, the terrifying Heavenly Might making him feel as if he would perish in the next moment.

“Hmph! If there's a next time, don't blame this Old Man for being ruthless!”

This sudden scene caused all the forces to collectively gasp.

And for those Heavenly King and Venerable-level forces, Xu Ming's words undoubtedly gave them immense confidence, and in an instant, the Xu Family unknowingly gained the genuine allegiance of many forces.

Those young Geniuses, on the other hand, were all eager to try, wishing they could fly to the arena for the grand competition.

“In the future, positions in the Profound Yellow Prefecture will be filled by those who are meritorious and capable. Therefore, within the Profound Yellow Prefecture, several additional organizations will be established: the Profound Yellow Prefecture Army, the Law Enforcement Hall, the Surveillance Hall, the General Affairs Hall, the Mission Hall, the Scripture Depository Hall, the Treasure Depository Hall, and the Grand Elder Hall.”

“The Profound Yellow Prefecture Army will consist of ten thousand individuals, with ten commanders. Above them, there will be a Chief and Deputy Heavenly General, served by the Prefecture Lord and one Vice Prefecture Lord respectively.”

“Two Vice Prefecture Lords will oversee law enforcement and surveillance. Excluding the Grand Elder Hall, the other four halls will be controlled by the Elder Council. Each hall will establish Stewards, Three-Star Members, Two-Star Members, and One-Star Members. These individuals can be from various forces or Loose Cultivators, but if any force dares to arbitrarily place their confidantes, then don't blame my Xu Family for being ruthless!”

“Above the Profound Yellow Prefecture, a Profound Yellow Pavilion will also be established. This is where Prefecture Lords and even Elder-level individuals can be promoted. I hope you all work hard.”

Xu Ming said again, which made everyone see an opportunity for promotion.