Chapter 87: The Tournaments
One of the young women came forward as she requested Shen Yu, gesturing at the biggest chair in the hall. The chair was blood-red in color and looked imposing. Shen Yu nodded and went to sit on the chair while others also took their seats.
Song Junwan then said, sitting beside Lan Ming and others.
"Master, I've explained everything to them and they agreed to join the Sect and also join our family. Even before I said anything to them, they were already planning to repay your favour...in a way. They consider Ming'er and me as their mother and sister figures so you have saved their family by saving us. So, they agreed to join our family when I said i have also joined."
Shen Yu smiled and looked at the young woman who had asked him to sit. Her beauty wasn't comparable to that of his main wives, but she was definitely a beauty who could make men's hearts race.
Shen Yu said.
"Thanks and welcome to the Divine Harem Sect. Since our family is still small, I haven't made any distinction so you're still a disciple only. By the way, what's your name?"
"Zhi Yan, Master."
The young woman answered. Shen Yu gave her the Identity token and then proceeded to ask others. After getting their names and etching their faces in his heart, he gave the identity token to everyone. Now, they would enjoy the same privilege a disciple of the Divine Harem Sect would enjoy.
Shen Yu then turned towards Ning Xi and said.
"Xi'er, you can go back to the Heavenly Sect Federation and register us. Also, I want you to continue working on the Federation for some time. I'll be needing an insider's help."
Ning Xi pouted, hearing him. She obviously wanted to spend more time with Shen Yu and basically in the Divine Harem Sect. However, she stood up and nodded at Shen Yu. They were his orders, and she would gladly do anything for him.
"As you order, Master. Also, Sister Ming, should I just register these ten, Sister Yue and Sister Xiao?"
"Unfortunately, we can't participate so yes, you can register those twelve. Besides, I'm sure we'll win with just them."
Lan Ming smiled confidently and said. Ning Xi also grinned and gave a thumb to the ten younglings. She then once again bowed towards Shen Yu and also left the Sect.
Shen Yu sighed and then turned towards Lan Ming.
"Ming'er, explain about the Annual Sect Tournament."
"Yes, Master. So, I'll first begin with overall structure of the Tournaments. Any sect can participate in the tournaments and because of that, it starts from the qualifiers stage. There would be a small scale tournament, which is basically part of bigger one, in each of the province. Then, from each province two Sects will advance and others will be eliminated. These two Sects will then be competing in the Capital City of Qing Empire."
She lingered for a while before she continued.
"In the Capital, a grand total of 250 Sects will gather. Majority of them are from the Four States of Qing Empire which are governed by the Four Major Sects, which is around 219 sects. Other 31 Sects are which are close to the Qing Empire and basically directly under them. They don't need to go through qualifiers and can directly participate in the Main Tournaments. Well, privilege of being connected to Imperial Family."
"What about Major Sects? Do they also participate in qualifiers?"
"Yes, they also have to participate but it's merely a show. There are no sects in the provinces these major Sects are situated in. As for the second Sect from their province, it'll just be their subsidiary. So, in a way, they do participate yet they don't."
Lan Ming answered and, seeing Shen Yu nod, continued.
"As for the tournaments, it's always something related to battles but nothing is forbidden in it so one can literally do anything. For example, if a sect is Alchemy focused and don't have Cultivators as powerful as other sects, the Federation let them use anything they want. They can just concoct deadly pills and it'll be allowed. So, in a way, the tournaments basically allows you to use your strength to fullest. After all, strength alone doesn't save sects."
"I see, what are the requirements for participation?"
Shen Yu asked.
"They are very simple. You have to make a team from your Sect and register it under the Federation for the Tournaments. However, a team have to have atleast 5 members and at most 30 members. One more requirement is of age. Only people below the age of 25 can participate in the tournament, doesn't matter their Cultivation. If a person reaches Nascent Soul before 25, even they can participate. The Federation gives a lot of freedom in the tournament because they use bizzare ways to test the sects. But mostly it's a five versus five battle."
She smiled wryly and continued.
"That's why I said only Sister Yue and other can participate. I'm already past 25 and there's no need to say anything about Elder Sister Song or Sister Ning. But I'm confident they'll win even without us."
Shen Yu nodded and contemplated. Lan Ming's explanation was pretty similar to what he already knew, but there were also things like participation criteria and other things he needed to know.
After thinking for a few seconds, he said.
"From what I know, the Tournaments heavily focus on team work rather than individuals."
"Yes, Master. As you know, no matter how powerful a person becomes, they can't defend against the Spiritual Creatures alone, they are too terrifying and horrifying Abominations. And these are just what we had seen. There are many other which never comes out and they are the true dangerous ones. So the Federation actually wants to promote teamwork through the Tournaments. It's also a test mainly for that. And honestly, unless you're too overpowered and overshadow others, which is quite impossible, you can't win the tournaments. A good team is necessary to win the tournaments."
Lan Ming answered.
"When are the qualifiers for our Jade Province?"
Shen Yu questioned.
"In a month, Master. That's why the registration has started and I'm pretty Sister Ning will be quite busy for now."
"We have enough time then..."
Shen Yu muttered and looked at Xiao Lan and others who would participate in the tournament. All of them were in the Qi Refining Realm, and he was sure they needed more for the tournament at this level.
"Ming'er, I'll give you everything you need but make everyone as strong and as good as you can. But it shouldn't affect their future."
Lan Ming bowed her lightly, acknowledging the order. Currently, they were not husband and wife but members of the Divine Harem Sect, and Shen Yu was the Sect Leader. It was also Lan Ming's idea. She had suggested Shen Yu be authoritative at the time anything related to Sects happened.
Shen Yu was a good person, but she didn't think he was a good Sect Leader. In fact, according to her, even Song Junwan lacked in many aspects. That's why she suggested Shen Yu to be more serious and not kind at the topic of sects. He didn't need to ask but order them.
And nobody had a problem with it since Shen Yu was their Sect Leader. Logically, they should follow his every order.
Shen Yu sighed and looked at Xiao Lan and the others.
"You'll be given everything you need. In return, I only ask for one thing, your best performance in the Tournaments. These tournaments are going to be our debut so I need you to show the world what kind of sect Divine Harem Sect is. I have high expectations from you all."
Their eyes burned with flames of excitement as they bowed, saying simultaneously.
"We won't disappoint you, Master."
Shen Yu chuckled and said.
"At ease. You don't need to stiff and pressure yourself. Although I do ask you to break your limits, you don't need to break yourself. Understand one thing, what happens in the tournament won't change anything. Even if you perform badly, you'll still be in our family, okay?"
Zhi Yan grinned and said.
"Master, we're doing what we're supposed to do. It's our responsibility to not let our Sect's face down. And I promise you that we will win this tournament."
Xiao Lan then thought of something and said.
"Master, you're forgetting the ceremony. If you give your blessings to them, I'm sure nobody in this whole Qing Empire, no, whole world can defeat us."
"Thanks for reminding, I almost forgot about it. Anyways, I'll do the ceremony with you all and also oversee your training. Even though, it'll be managed by Ming'er, I'll help you all."
Shen Yu nodded and said.
Just like that, days passed in which Shen Yu spent his time training his disciples and bonding with them.