"These spirit herbs and ores," Bibi Dong's voice rang clear across the grand plaza, "are merely what this Pope acquired from the Secret Realm."
"Yet the realm itself is vast beyond measure. The treasures within go far beyond these few examples."
The twelve jade ornaments hanging from Bibi Dong's crown swayed gently as she raised her sharp, elegant chin.
A faint, knowing smile curved her lips.
"This time, for the re-selection of the Seven Great Sects…"
"Each sect may choose three members to enter the Secret Realm. One of the three must carry their sect's Command Banner."
"Within the Secret Realm, the Command Banner can be seized or stolen. Should the bearer of a banner be eliminated, their entire sect is thereby disqualified."
"The time limit: seven days."
"Victory will be determined by the number of Command Banners seized."
"The top three sects shall become the Upper Three Sects."
"The top seven in total will form the new Seven Great Sects of the Continent."
At last, the rules for the great re-selection of the Seven Sects were revealed to all.
Unlike the dueling tournaments of the past, this method — a chaotic, predatory contest of banner-capture — was unpredictable and brutally dangerous.
"What do you all think?"
Through a secret voice transmission, Chen Xin asked Li Zhexian, Feng Bailong, and Yu Yuanzhen for their thoughts.
Yu Yuanzhen's tone was low and grave:
"How is 'elimination' determined?"
"Does one count as eliminated only when killed?"
"If so, after this Seven Sects re-selection… the continent will lose at least a fifth of its top experts!"
Gu Rong rasped out, his old voice edged with unease:
"Not to mention—once we enter the Secret Realm, won't we be completely at Bibi Dong's mercy?"
Li Zhexian's gaze was deep, his fingers tapping the table unconsciously, one beat after another.
Many sect representatives were voicing the very same concerns Yu Yuanzhen and Gu Rong had raised.
The entire plaza fell into uneasy silence.
Then Bibi Dong spoke again:
"All of you are pillars of the continent. This Pope cannot bear to see needless death."
"Hence, I have prepared a Secret Realm Key for each participant. Should you face mortal danger within the realm, simply crush the key—it will immediately extract you."
"However, that will count as elimination. If you carry a Command Banner, the banner will fall where you stood."
She paused — then continued softly:
"Furthermore… this Seven-Sect Re-Selection is a grand event for all the continent."
Her slender hand lifted.
A surge of dark-purple Spirit Power flooded upward like a tide, pouring into the massive light screen above the heavens—
Boom—
Boom—
The light screen swelled and expanded,
until it spanned half the sky.
Within it, the image of the secret realm came into sharp focus —
every mountain, forest, and ruin visible even from across Spirit City.
From beyond the plaza came waves of ecstatic cries and reverent chants,
as countless spectators praised the Pope's magnificence.
Bibi Dong's purple eyes swept across the gathered sects —
and finally, locked upon Li Zhexian.
"Since this is a grand event of the continent," she said softly,
"then let all the world bear witness."
"Now…"
"What say you all?"
With the safety keys ensuring survival,
and the entire secret realm publicly displayed for the world to see.
The two concerns Gu Rong had raised were now seemingly addressed.
"The Sacred Dragon Sect agrees to enter the Secret Realm."
"The Black Tiger Sect has no objection!"
"The Hornet Bee Sect seconds!"
"The Steenbok Sect joins as well!"
One by one, the ordinary sects voiced their assent.
Then, among the Seven Great Sects—
"The Fire Leopard Sect agrees to enter the Secret Realm."
"The Elephant Armored Sect…"
"The White Tiger Sect…"
Li Zhexian exchanged a brief glance with Ning Fengzhi, Feng Bailong, and Yu Yuanzhen.
They all nodded faintly — and raised their voices in unison:
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan / Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan / Wind Sword Sect… shall enter the Secret Realm."
At this point, refusal was impossible.
Besides—
they had come precisely for this re-selection.
If Bibi Dong sought to seize control of the continent's order,
then they could only stand and oppose her.
...
"A battle to seize banners? Interesting…"
Tang Yue and the elders of the Clear Sky Clan showed no fear.
"This old man would like to see—who dares touch the Clear Sky Clan's banner?"
...
Thus—
Every sect eager either to claim a seat among the Seven Great Sects, or to plunder the secret realm for resources, gave their answer.
Sixty-two sects in total!
One hundred and eighty-six participating powerhouses!
...
Whoosh—
Whoosh—
Bibi Dong flicked her slender fingers lightly.
Streams of glowing light shot outward, streaking toward each sect's position.
Before Li Zhexian and Feng Bailong floated three stone keys and a palm-sized banner, faintly glowing.
The two exchanged a knowing glance—then vanished from their seats and appeared right in front of Huo Yanbao, Sect Master of the Fire Leopard Sect.
Li Zhexian smiled casually:
"Sect Master Huo, your key seems rather exquisite. Mind if I take a closer look?"
Feng Bailong stroked his beard:
"Indeed, Sect Master Huo—allow this old man to see whether your banner differs from that of our Wind Sword Sect."
Huo Yanbao's eyelids twitched violently.
Under the gaze of thousands—
Are they seriously robbing me in public?!
Do these so-called Titled Douluos have any dignity left?!
He glanced pleadingly toward the papal throne—toward Bibi Dong.
But she sat motionless, her expression calm, as if she saw nothing.
"...Hmph! Take it!"
Grinding his teeth in humiliation, Huo Yanbao handed over his key and banner.
Li Zhexian and Feng Bailong simply swapped them with their own.
Perhaps Bibi Dong wouldn't stoop to trickery with such minor items—
but after an exchange, they could at least feel a bit more at ease.
"Not bad, Zhexian, Wind Sword Sect is thorough,"
Chen Xin and Yu Yuanzhen chuckled, learning from their example—
and promptly approached the Elephant Armor Sect and White Tiger Sect to "inspect" their keys as well.
Not far away, Tang Yue swept his gaze around—
and spotted Tuoba Xi, the Sacred Dragon Sect Master, whose expression stiffened slightly.
"Hmm? Why do your key and banner look different from mine?"
"Let this old man have a look!"
...
When all sects had chosen their three participants
and secretly decided who would carry the Command Banner,
Bibi Dong lifted her pope scepter—
and brought it down upon the ground with a light tap.
BOOM—!!!
What seemed a gentle motion shook the entire plaza.
And then—
Before countless astonished gazes—
Two colossal phantoms rose behind her: one green, one violet—
The twin Spider Emperors!
Their shadows blotted out the sky,
dark-purple Spirit Power surging like a vast ocean,
casting the heavens themselves into gloom.
In Li Zhexian's pitch-black eyes,
a blood-red abyss flickered—
the Killing God Domain stirring faintly in response.
And within his sight,
upon the colossal backs of the two Spider Emperors,
hovered a twisted scythe,
radiating an aura of pure evil.
The scythe tilted downward,
its blade dripping with a ghostly purple venom.
Even though its edge wasn't aimed at him,
Li Zhexian still felt as though he had fallen into the deepest abyss.
Swish—
The scythe's arc traced silently across the plaza.
The white jade tiles beneath their feet remained untouched—
but space itself split open,
revealing a dark-purple rift pulsing with spatial ripples.
The portal clung to the ground like a wound in reality.
Bibi Dong rose gracefully from her throne,
raising one delicate arm.
Her voice was warm, yet laced with an unnameable eeriness:
"Everyone—"
"Please, enter the Secret Realm."
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The Sacred Dragon Sect, Fire Leopard Sect, and White Tiger Sect all leapt in first without hesitation.
"Zhexian, remember—your safety comes first!"
Ning Fengzhi, Feng Bailong, Chen Xin, and the others
looked solemnly toward him.
Li Zhexian nodded. "The same to you, seniors."
"Once inside, if we're separated—act according to plan."
...
Under the tense, expectant gazes of the crowd—
Li Zhexian and the powerhouses of the Upper Three Sects
flashed into motion and vanished into the Secret Realm.
All eyes lifted toward the sky-borne light screen.
"Quick! Look—who'll clash first?!"
"They've all been scattered! No alliances this time!"
"This realm is huge—it's like ten Spirit Cities combined!"
"Wait—what's that?! Is that… Li Zhexian?!"
"Hiss—he's facing the Sacred Dragon Sect Master Tuoba Xi!"
"The first battle—Li Zhexian will prove if he truly has Titled Douluo-level power!"