Chapter 896 Carrot and stick

The main building of the main pavilion was located in the center of the giant circular plaza in the middle of the Four Spirits Origin Tower.

 

Although there were numerous buildings in the circular plaza, the main building of the main pavilion was the grandest of all. It had only become empty because the four pavilions had not produced a main pavilion master for a long time.

 

Since Zhou Yuan had taken over, the main pavilion's main building naturally opened its doors once again.

 

Many pavilion members were currently gathered around the main pavilion's main building, all of them nervously looking towards the building. That day was the first conference of the four pavilions since Zhou Yuan was promoted to chief pavilion master, and everyone could easily guess that the outcome would be of critical importance to the four pavilions.

 

Their new chief pavilion master was promoted from wind pavilion master. The attitude he had towards the other three wards would affect the benefits and treatments they received in the future.

 

The members of the Fire Pavilion were especially nervous. They knew how much trouble the Fire Pavilion had caused Zhou Yuan under Lu Xiao's leadership. If Zhou Yuan decided to make bold changes, these changes would probably be aimed at his Fire Pavilion…

 

...

 

In a huge discussion room inside the main building of the main pavilion.

 

Every seat was occupied. The four pavilion masters were seated at the front, followed by the deputy pavilion masters and then the commanders. It could be said that all the highest echelons of the four pavilions were currently gathered.

 

Zhou Yuan was sitting in the boss's chair, where he could see everyone present. His calm face gave off a certain pressure that made the atmosphere a little suffocating.

 

He looked at the front seat on the side of the Fire Pavilion where Lu Xiao was currently sitting.

 

However, Lu Xiao's expression was still quite pale. He still had to recover from the big battle a few days before. Furthermore, his aura was no longer as confident and clear as before.

 

His loss to Zhou Yuan in the selection of the head pavilion master had been a huge blow to him.

 

Behind Lu Xiao, the deputy pavilion masters of the Fire Pavilion were silent. However, traces of hidden hostility flashed in their eyes as they looked towards Zhou Yuan. They were after all the members of the Heavenly Spirit Sect and Lu Xiao's staunchest supporters. Therefore, they were the least accepting of Zhou Yuan's promotion to head pavilion master.

 

Before coming here, they had already reached a consensus. Zhou Yuan was too powerful, and although they did not dare to confront him directly, they could engage in other indirect tactics like paying lip service. As long as they secretly caused trouble and made it impossible for Zhou Yuan to integrate the four pavilions, the sect's higher-ups might find an opportunity. At best, they might even manage to shake Zhou Yuan's position.

 

Zhou Yuan's gaze swept across the crowd. Moments later, his calm voice rang out, “Everyone, since I was fortunate enough to be promoted to main pavilion master, I should start making some preparations for the upcoming nine regions tournament. "Our Tianyuan region has been in decline for many years, and if we want to get a good result in the nine regions tournament, we will have to unify our power."

 

He didn't bother with pleasantries and instead dove straight into the main topic.

 

He had not suffered innumerable difficulties to occupy the position of pavilion leader and flaunt his authority and power; I had no interest in those things. The nine regions tournament was a regional affair and not something he could handle alone. For the Tianyuan Region to have any chance of distinguishing itself in the nine regions tournament, it first needed to gain full control of the power of the four pavilions.

 

There was a hint of sternness in Zhou Yuan's gaze as he looked towards the Fire Pavilion members. Under his gaze, Zhu Lian, Zuo Ya, and the other deputy pavilion masters felt their hearts tremble.

 

Zhou Yuan did not give anyone a chance to speak. He knew what the upper echelon of the Fire Pavilion thought and therefore, he did not plan to show mercy. “The Fire Pavilion has eight deputy pavilion masters, seven of which are from the Heavenly Spirit Sect. Of the twenty-five commanders, twenty-three are from the Heavenly Spirit Sect. "That proportion is too abnormal and must be changed."

 

These words instantly caused a commotion in the Fire Pavilion as Zhu Lian, Zuo Ya, and the other deputy pavilion masters showed angry expressions.

 

Zhou Yuan paid them no attention as he continued, “From now on, those I nominate will have the opportunity to compete for the positions of deputy pavilion master and commander…”

 

He then spat out the list of names he had prepared, each name echoing in the discussion room.

 

Upon hearing the names, a cold sweat appeared on several of the members present. They realized that those Zhou Yuan nominated were prominent members of the Fire Pavilion who had been unable to raise their heads due to Lu Xiao's suppression. These were sky prides from various places and were not disciples of the Heavenly Spirit Sect.

 

They were also not weaker than any of the Heavenly Spirit Sect's current deputy pavilion masters.

 

If they were promoted, Lu Xiao would probably lose control of the Fire Pavilion.

 

Zhu Lian, Zuo Ya and the rest had pale expressions as they shouted, “You can't do this, Chief Pavilion Master Zhou Yuan!”

 

Zhou Yuan was unfazed. “Why not? Are the people I nominated not strong enough? Or do I not have this right as the main pavilion master? ”

 

Zhu Lian and Zuo Ya were speechless as anger and fear appeared on their faces. Those nominated by Zhou Yuan were strong even compared to the current group of deputy pavilion masters.

 

Therefore, they could only cast pleading glances towards Lu Xiao, who had not spoken since the beginning.

 

Sensing their gazes, Lu Xiao raised his pale face and said indifferently, “You are the main pavilion master and have the authority to do anything in the four pavilions. However, things have been like this in the Fire Pavilion for a long time, and his actions will make the disciples of the Heavenly Spirit Sect unhappy. If this matter escalates, you will have to resolve it on your own.”

 

Surprise flashed across Zhou Yuan's eyes. He could tell that Lu Xiao was not opposing him. Instead, Lu Xiao seemed to be giving ground.

 

Zhu Lian, Zuo Ya and the others became even more anxious. They wanted to speak, but Lu Xiao closed his eyes weakly.

 

Zhou Yuan said indifferently, “Since I raised this matter, I will bear the responsibility for the consequences.”

 

“The members of the Fire Pavilion that I have nominated can challenge any of the current deputy pavilion masters and commanders of the Fire Pavilion for the next ten days. "Whoever wins will have the right to assume the position of loser."

 

He had changed Yi Qiushui's original plan slightly at the last moment because allowing the upper echelons of the Fire Pavilion to be challenged would create a larger divide between the Heavenly Spirit Sect disciples and the Heavenly Spirit Sect disciples. As the main pavilion master, he would not allow the Fire Pavilion to unite against him.

 

After dealing with the Fire Pavilion, he looked at Han Yuan.

 

Han Yuan's heart trembled under his gaze.

 

Sure enough, Zhou Yuan began to nominate members of the Mountain Pavilion. However, the number of nominees was less than that of the Fire Pavilion. Zhou Yuan regarded this as a small punishment for Han Yuan for being an opportunist.

 

Even so, this was a substantial blow to both the Fire Pavilion and the Mountain Pavilion. A commotion engulfed the entire discussion room. If it weren't for fear of Zhou Yuan, the place would have already fallen into chaos.

 

One could say that Zhou Yuan's bold and decisive actions were quite ruthless.

 

However, it was also difficult to resolve the resulting commotion.

 

As such, Zhu Lian, Zuo Ya and the others secretly sneered inwardly. If Zhou Yuan couldn't put an end to this commotion, he would have failed in his duty as head pavilion master!

 

Fortunately, Zhou Yuan only took such actions towards the Fire Pavilion and the Mountain Pavilion, leaving the Forest Pavilion and the Wind Pavilion alone. This prevented a mutiny from occurring.

 

Zhou Yuan’s expression remained calm as he looked at the crowd and said slowly, “Besides this matter, there is something else I have to announce. Starting today, the price of the four mother runes will be reduced by 30%. Furthermore, the high-grade mother runes will now be sold to the other three pavilions.”

 

The noisy hall instantly fell silent.

 

Everyone looked at each other, unable to hide the surprise in their eyes. Lowering the price of the four mother runes was excellent news for the four pavilions. It was hard to believe that Zhou Yuan would willingly obtain such profits.

 

Faced with such temptation, even some of the Fire Pavilion Heavenly Spirit Sect disciples began to hesitate.

 

They held on to their positions as deputy pavilion masters and commanders to obtain more cultivation resources. Lowering the prices of the four mother runes was similar to giving them resources from another direction. For a time, they felt that the changes he suggested were not so unacceptable.

 

Only Zhu Lian, Zuo Ya and a few others did not hesitate so much. They didn't care about those cultivation resources, only face and authority.

 

But ultimately they were the minority.

 

Therefore, Zhou Yuan's second announcement stabilized the situation in the discussion room, causing the previous chaos to slowly recede. One could easily imagine the giant commotion the news would cause once it spread to the four pavilions. When that happened, more than 80% of the members would support Zhou Yuan as the new head pavilion master.

 

Lu Xiao, pale, stood up. He looked at Zhu Lian, Zuo Ya and the others in panic and said, “It's over, so stop trying to cause trouble. Otherwise, even I will be helpless if you find an excuse to kick them out of the four wards.”

 

After finishing, he headed towards the exit.

 

Zhou Yuan's carrot and stick was enough to subdue the four pavilions.

 

Lu Xiao knew that the four pavilions would really belong to Zhou Yuan in the future.