The combat after eliminating Dongfang Yu Chu quickly concluded, and the battles for the remaining spots in the top eight were even swifter, with all outcomes decided within the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn.
A phantom projection of the Daoist of Heavenly Water appeared, towering ten thousand feet high, connecting the inside and outside of the Jade Pool Immortal Realm. Its voice boomed:
"The eight seats for the Ten Thousand Clans Assembly have been decided. They are Mu Xu, representing the Jiang clan, Zuo Mingqiu, the Daoist child of Heavenly Master Mountain, Chen Changkong of the Chen clan, Yan Yu of White Cloud Daoist Temple, Xuanyuan Shennian of the Xuanyuan clan, Nangong Huaitian of the Nangong family, Ji Xuansu of Cliff Mountain Academy, and the ninth guardian of the Zhongtian Mo clan, known as 'Cang'."
The Daoist of Heavenly Water paused slightly, as if allowing the world time to react, then continued in a deep voice:
"Now, we will commence the next round of battles for the top four seats. I will explain the competition rules."
"In this round, four Immortal Pools will appear. These four Immortal Pools represent the four largest unclaimed cities within the Hundred Clans Alliance."
"These four unclaimed cities are all thriving commercial hubs, not governed by any single family. Whichever city you wish to be the lord of, you may enter the corresponding Immortal Pool. The ultimate victor will gain the right to use that city for three years."
"It's finally starting!"
Outside, countless cultivators from various forces began to buzz.
By this stage of the Ten Thousand Clans Assembly, most of the resources and spots had been allocated. Many families had soared to prominence, joining the ranks of the hundred clans, while others had plummeted to the depths, losing significant urban resources and becoming second-tier clans.
The four unclaimed cities to be allocated next were each the most prosperous towns within the Hundred Clans territory. They housed top powers from across the continent, with thriving commerce second only to the Holy City of the Divine State.
To control such a city was akin to holding the lifeline of resources for various powers, bringing unimaginably vast benefits.
"You must do your best!" From the direction of the Jiang clan, Jiang Liyun and others watched Xu Mu, their faces alight with excitement, clenching their fists.
This battle was exceptionally important to their Jiang clan. Before Xu Mu's arrival, they had always hovered in the middle tier of the hundred clans, finding it incredibly difficult to advance. Xu Mu's presence made stepping into the heavens seem almost within reach.
The ancestor of the Jiang clan spoke with fervent anticipation, "It would be best if we could secure Dahe City. It's situated near the Zhou and Xia dynasties, strategically advantageous, and its trade is the most prosperous among these four unclaimed cities!"
"Nantian City isn't bad either. The black market business there is booming. If we could take control of it, the annual profit might exceed that of all our Jiang clan's towns combined!" another elder at the Domain Lord realm said, his face flushed with laughter.
"While these four cities have differences in quality, the gap isn't particularly large. For our Jiang clan, securing any one of them would be a tremendous opportunity," the Jiang clan ancestor stated, his expression turning serious.
He believed that if their Jiang clan could seize this chance, they would soon widen the gap with the Ye and Qi clans, making it feasible to become a top twenty super-clan.
"Damn it, look at that old geezer Jiang, his mouth is practically splitting open!" The ancestor of the Ye clan watched from a distance with a trace of malice.
Like countless other families, their Ye clan had already been eliminated. Although they had retained their place among the hundred clans, they had failed to advance further. Now, their only hope was that the Jiang clan would not progress further and secure an unclaimed city, which would immediately widen the gap between their two families.
But the problem was, this was unlikely. Judging by the strength Xu Mu had displayed, even if he didn't secure Dahe City for the top ranking, he was almost certain to claim one of the other three cities.
"Alas, we should prepare for the alliance matters. The Jialan clan and the Dongfang clan can be our targets. If we join forces against them, the Jiang clan won't be able to do much," said the ancestor of the Qi clan, sighing.
The Ye clan ancestor fell silent, his face flickering between shades of green and white. He felt a sense of humiliation and struggled intensely, but ultimately had to compromise:
"Alright."
"The battle for the top four seats of the Ten Thousand Clans Assembly now begins. Please choose the city you wish to claim and enter the corresponding Jade Pool."
"Each Jade Pool can accommodate a maximum of four people simultaneously. There are no combat rules. Those who are expelled from a Jade Pool may not re-enter."
"The pool water contains corrosive venom, and the fog will restrict the operation of abilities. Therefore, if you wish to claim it, please conclude your battles quickly."
Within the Jade Pool Immortal Realm, after the Judge finished reading the rules, Xu Mu, Zuo Mingqiu, and the other seven began to ponder.
"Where are you going?" Yan Yu transmitted to Xu Mu before the four magnificent, city-sized Jade Pools, each separated by a thousand meters.
Xu Mu yawned and said indifferently, "Any one will do. It's all going to the Jiang clan in the end, not to me."
Yan Yu nodded and said, "Then I'll choose the first one."
He then stepped onto his Dao Sword and flew towards the largest Jade Pool, his posture upright.
"Someone has moved, it's Yan Yu of White Cloud Daoist Temple. Which Jade Pool will he choose?"
"Judging by his direction, it's the first one!"
"This is going to be good!"
Among the ten thousand clans, countless people began to discuss excitedly, as they had already started placing bets on who would advance to the top four and the ultimate ownership of each city.
The ownership of the first city was considered the most fiercely contested. Yan Yu, Xu Mu, Zuo Mingqiu, and Chen Changkong all seemed capable of claiming the first city. Nangong and Xuanyuan, among others, were not within their calculations, defaulting them to the last three cities.
And now, Yan Yu had chosen the first Jade Pool. What about Zuo Mingqiu and Chen Changkong?
"Look quickly, Mu Xu has moved."
"His direction is... the second Jade Pool!?"
Xu Mu took to the air, stepping on the wind, and leisurely flew towards the second Jade Pool.
This was unacceptable to many cultivators who had bet on him to become the lord of the first city. In their view, Xu Mu was clearly the most likely to win among the four, yet he had chosen to avoid a confrontation with Yan Yu of White Cloud Daoist Temple!
"Nangong Huaitian has also moved, choosing the fourth one for herself. Is this a sign of self-awareness?"
"Xuanyuan Shennian has also moved, heading to the third Jade Pool. It seems she, like Nangong, doesn't want to face the top geniuses so early and is opting for stability."
"Stability, you say? It's hard to say. Among these eight people, there isn't a single weak one. Now it all depends on how Zuo Mingqiu and Chen Changkong choose. The only variables should be between these two!"
As the discussions from the outside world ensued, those within the Jade Pool Immortal Realm made their choices one after another.
In the fourth Jade Pool, besides Nangong Huaitian, was the Ninth Guardian of the Zhongtian Mo clan.
In the third Jade Pool, Ji Xuansu chose to battle Xuanyuan Shennian.
He had two reasons for this choice. First, similar to his previous choice to fight Li Guang, he wanted to clear the path for Nangong Huaitian to ascend to the supreme position, thus he chose Xuanyuan Shennian.
The second reason was that Ji Xuansu felt he couldn't defeat Xu Mu or Yan Yu, making such a choice futile. He also couldn't choose the fourth platform where Nangong was standing, so this was his only option.
Next were the second and first Jade Pools.
Xu Mu and Yan Yu had already taken their positions, awaiting Chen Changkong and Zuo Mingqiu's choices.
"If we choose according to the order, I would definitely go for the first one," Zuo Mingqiu said after exchanging glances with Chen Changkong.
"But the person you want to fight is in the second Jade Pool," Chen Changkong said after a moment of silence.
"That's right," Zuo Mingqiu nodded, his eyes flashing with a brilliant light as he gazed at Xu Mu standing atop the second Jade Pool. "Although I'd very much like to spar with the prodigy of White Cloud Daoist Temple on the Eight Trigrams, more than anything, I'm curious about who this Mu Xu, who reached the peak of the Saint Ladder, truly is."
"And he did defeat me once, so this time, I intend to win back my honor."
"Excellent."
Chen Changkong nodded. This suited him perfectly.
"Then I'll head over first. Good luck to you too, that guy's swordsmanship looks formidable. Don't lose," Zuo Mingqiu said with a smile to Chen Changkong, then turned and rushed out of his position with the force of thunder, landing with a loud boom in the second Jade Pool.
"Mu Xu, come and fight!"
Chen Changkong watched his retreating back, his gaze calm as he walked towards the fourth platform. As he walked, he shook his head slightly and muttered to himself:
"Thank you for your encouragement, but..."
"I didn't say I wanted to spar with him in swordsmanship."