A month later, the Western Region had undergone many changes, especially the area under the Radiant Sect. Many people had migrated to the Dust Valley Sect’s territory.
With the blockade imposed by the Dust Valley Sect, many merchants and farmers lost their means of livelihood.
Apart from that, the continuous rampage of the vengeful spirit made them lose any goodwill toward the Radiant Sect.
They would rather work as servants in the Dust Valley Sect’s territory than be landowners in the Radiant Sect’s region. With the border needing more people, it became their destination.
As for the Radiant Sect, they had closed their gates and remained silent. Their disciples were rarely seen outside, as if they were not part of the Western Region.
However, the people did not care.
With the fame and influence of the Dust Valley Sect spreading daily, it had become the holy ground for the people of the Western Region.
Apart from that, the Thousand Wealth Chamber was also rising in prominence.
Their reputation could even be said to rival that of the Dust Valley Sect, if not surpass it.
Three weeks ago, the Thousand Wealth Chamber purchased thousands of hectares of land around the Dust Valley Sect’s territory.
Even the Dust Valley Sect could not boast of owning such vast lands.
The Thousand Wealth Chamber’s actions confused many in the region.
However, the following day, they began employing ordinary mortals with weak cultivation and taught them how to use array flags to grow spirit crops.
Each family was given a Spirit Nourishing Rain Array flag and a Pest Repelling Array flag, and they were assigned a plot of land according to their capacity.
The Spirit Nourishing Rain Array provided spirit rain in the early morning and evening, while the Pest Repelling Array warded off common pests.
When the people saw this, they were astonished, and hundreds of farmers signed up to work for the Thousand Wealth Chamber.
Working for the Thousand Wealth Chamber came with no disadvantages. On the contrary, they profited.
The chamber gave them 20 percent of their harvest while providing all necessary resources.
The Thousand Wealth Chamber was not cultivating common spirit rice but the Azure Jade Rice, which was more nutritious than regular spirit rice.
In addition, they distributed the seeds of Earth Vein Sorghum and Spirit Lotus Root.
With such a diverse selection of spirit crops, many farmers were both shocked and excited.
These crops would typically be exclusive to sects, but now the chamber allowed them to cultivate them.
How could they not be happy?
Thus, the region under the Dust Valley Sect thrived, with spirit crops flourishing everywhere.
While the farmers celebrated, the powerful clans focused on something else—the Western Region Annual Tournament.
The tournament not only determined the strongest power in the region but also served as a platform to resolve many disputes.
During the tournament, many clans and sects lost rare resources. As a result, each region underwent massive changes in preparation.
Currently, the Radiant Sect’s territory was much larger than the Dust Valley Sect’s, boasting many rare spirit stone mines.
This year, many clan masters speculated that the competition would be fiercer than ever. Hence, each clan began preparing diligently.
With various clans preparing for the tournament, how could the two major sects not do the same?
Inside the Dust Valley Sect, a tense atmosphere permeated the air. Disciples could be seen training everywhere.
Even the elusive core disciples took on missions to earn enough contribution points to strengthen themselves.
In the sect’s grand hall, the elders gathered with solemn expressions as they discussed the upcoming tournament.
"Who will lead the disciples this year?" an elder asked curiously.
Given the achievements of many core disciples in the Blood Fury Arena, several had proven themselves as worthy leaders.
More than five of them had achieved ten-win streaks, a commendable feat. With such results, many elders had high hopes for this year’s tournament.
For decades, the Radiant Sect had dominated the tournament, but this time, they believed they could outshine them.
"I think we should choose between Peng Zhao and Jing Wang," a female core elder suggested.
Among the core elders, only two were female—Elder Duan Jie and Elder Li Huang. Since Elder Li Huang had spoken on behalf of Peng Zhao and Jing Wang, most of the elders nodded in agreement.
However, the Supreme Elder shook his head.
"We will not choose either of them. We have already selected the leader for this year’s tournament."
The elders were taken aback, and one of them couldn’t help but ask, "Who among the core disciples did you pick?"
"He is not a core disciple," Supreme Elder Zhao paused before adding, "He is the sect master’s son."
All the elders widened their eyes in disbelief. Why would the Supreme Elder choose such a weak boy? Their faces were filled with confusion and shock.
"Elder Zhao, why would you choose him? Agreed, he is talented in arrays, runes, and innovative business strategies. But this tournament will determine the sect’s future. We cannot pick him with such weak strength," the Punishment Elder argued seriously.
Several elders nodded in agreement. They turned to the Supreme Elders, waiting for an explanation.
Supreme Elder Zhao looked at the Punishment Elder and asked, "Let me ask you this—are you the strongest person in this hall?"
"What?" The Punishment Elder and the others were surprised.
No one expected such a strange question. The Supreme Elder did not wait for an answer before continuing.
"No, you are not, yet you hold an important position. Why?"
By the end of his statement, his voice had risen several octaves. Weaker elders shrank in fear, knowing Supreme Elder Zhao’s temper and wishing to avoid his wrath.
"Most of you hold your positions not because of your strength but because of your contributions to the sect. Strength is important, but we must not depend on it alone."
"Who among you can deny the contributions of the sect master’s son?" Supreme Elder Zhao demanded coldly.
"Because of him, the sect has increased the spirit stones distributed to disciples. Do you know that the disciples’ rapid breakthroughs are all thanks to him?"
"And yet you tell me he is unworthy of leading the disciples?" He glared at the Punishment Elder.
The Punishment Elder and those who had doubted the sect master’s son lowered their heads in shame. They realized they had overlooked his importance to the sect.
"Hmph! I hope that when the sect master and his wife return from their journey, you will have the courage to tell them that their son is unworthy of leading the disciples."
"Elder Zhao, I think they have realized their mistake," the second Supreme Elder interjected calmly.
Elder Zhao snorted and left the grand hall in anger.
The last Supreme Elder glanced at the Punishment Elder briefly before averting his gaze. "It has been decided. The sect master’s son will lead the disciples in this year’s tournament."