Chapter 28: The First Place Reward
Chapter 28: The First Place Reward
The final outcome of Xuanxin Sect’s Sect Grand Competition took everyone by surprise. Certain situations during the event left many True Disciples and Elders deep in thought.
The favored contenders, especially the Third Grade Cultivators among the Outer Sect Disciples, had remarkable talent, solid cultivation bases, and numerous spells and Spiritual Artifacts at their disposal. However… more than half of these Third Grade Cultivators were eliminated during the early to middle stages of the Trial Space, clearly lacking practical combat experience.
Hu Wang’s unexpected elimination;
Zhang Xinyu and Wang Yu following shortly after;
highlighted these disciples’ ignorance of harsh realities.
“Announce the results.”
The Deputy Sect Leader of Xuanxin Sect, who presided over the competition, sighed with emotion. He projected a light screen, then turned and left.
Lu Hangzhi saw his name at the top with five hundred seventy Points. He froze for a moment, then a pleased and satisfied expression appeared on his face.
First place reward.
This ranking was even better than he had anticipated.
Next, whether he could successfully obtain that Fifth Grade Bone Shield depended on Senior Brother Leng…
Around him, some were joyful while others were sorrowful.
The most frustrated were undoubtedly Huang Tie and Zhang Xinyu.
The former was the first to be eliminated, and the latter was one of the rare Third Grade Cultivators who failed to make it into the top thirty. She lost her qualification to enter the Inner Sect, and her monthly resources became pitifully scarce.
In the crowd, Hu Wang stared fixedly at Wang Yu, his gaze icy;
Wang Yu, in turn, glared fiercely at someone near Daoshan Peak, grinding his teeth.
Having killed many people, who do you think you are.
Lu Hangzhi remained calm and unperturbed. He ignored the dozens of hostile stares directed at him. After securing first place, he felt completely at ease and quietly reflected on his performance in this battle.
“The lethality of Second Grade spells is still somewhat insufficient; it takes at least two rounds to break through a Third Grade defense spell… But if I use Third Grade spells, I might end up like the other Third Grade Cultivators—draining my spiritual power too severely, causing a sharp drop in strength after battle. It seems I need to intensify my training. Spiritual power is the foundation; expanding the Spiritual Power Pool and improving my cultivation level are the most important.”
From the high platform, it was announced that disciples from each peak would receive their rewards after returning to their respective peaks. The top ten, who earned the qualification to become Inner Sect Disciples, were to step forward.
Hundreds of Outer Sect Disciples, along with those from the three Spiritual Peaks, witnessed the award ceremony, their eyes filled with envy.
Lu Hangzhi!
Qin Zhen!
Wang Yu!
Among the remaining seven, Lu Hangzhi only recognized Hu Wang from a previous encounter; the others were unfamiliar to him.
“Congratulations. From today onward, you are Inner Sect Disciples of Xuanxin Sect. Henceforth, you must cultivate even more diligently, strengthen Xuanxin Sect, and become the future pillars of our sect.”
Lu Hangzhi and the others responded in unison.
Then, the Inner Sect Disciple Identity Tablets and corresponding rewards were distributed.
The tenth to fourth places each received five hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones, one Foundational Reinforcement Pill, and the opportunity to select two Third Grade spells.
The seven recipients stepped aside joyfully, looking enviously at Lu Hangzhi, Qin Zhen, and Wang Yu standing before the Deputy Sect Leader.
Hu Wang’s eyes nearly spat fire!
Damn Wang Yu, that position should have been mine, mine!
The Deputy Sect Leader was dressed very simply, in a blue daoist robe, holding a dust whisk. His kindly smile and refined demeanor made him resemble a handsome middle-aged daoist, naturally inspiring a desire to get close to him.
“Wang Yu.”
“Your disciple is here!”
Wang Yu lifted his robe and knelt on one knee, his attitude respectful.
“You did not disgrace your grandfather.”
The Deputy Sect Leader smiled slightly and presented a porcelain vial and a Qiankun Pouch, saying, “The Identity Tablet and all the rewards are inside. See if they meet your expectations?”
“Lightning Chasing Boots! A Fifth Grade Spiritual Artifact!!”
Wang Yu pulled out a Spiritual Artifact from the pouch. He was so excited his face turned red, and his breathing became rapid:
“Your disciple kowtows in thanks to the Sect Master!”
Then he snorted smugly and looked triumphantly at Lu Hangzhi, as if to say, next time I will definitely catch up and finish you off.
Lu Hangzhi acted as if he didn’t see it.
The Deputy Sect Leader shook his head with a faint smile, then turned his gaze to Qin Zhen, who had achieved second place. The latter had a jade-like, full face and an extraordinary aura, even more detached than Wang Yu. The Deputy Sect Leader’s smile widened:
“Qin Zhen.”
“Your disciple is here!”
“This is the sect’s reward for you.”
“Your disciple kowtows in thanks to the Sect Master.”
Compared to Wang Yu, Qin Zhen was neither haughty nor humble. He didn’t even glance at the rewards inside, as if the contents held no interest for him.
“Aren’t you going to see what’s inside?”
The Deputy Sect Leader asked with amused interest.
Qin Zhen then withdrew a Flying Sword from the pouch. It glittered brilliantly with a golden light, instantly overshadowing Wang Yu’s Fifth Grade Lightning Chasing Boots and causing exclamations of surprise from below the platform.
Lu Hangzhi found the reactions of the top two somewhat amusing and frustrating.
This kid really has too much personality.
Xuanxin Sect had specially used spells to create a projection effect, aiming to motivate more Outer Sect Disciples to strive hard and let a hundred flowers bloom.
Qin Zhen’s aloof and profound nature was undeniable, but it clearly didn’t achieve the effect the Xuanxin Sect higher-ups desired.
Indeed!
Watching Qin Zhen quickly put away the Flying Sword, the Deputy Sect Leader’s smile stiffened slightly. Without lingering further, he directly approached the first-place winner.
“Lu Hangzhi.”
“Your disciple is here!”
“As the top-ranking Outer Sect Disciple in this Sect Grand Competition, what thoughts or feelings would you like to share with your fellow Outer Sect Disciples, both senior and junior brothers and sisters?”
Huh?
What’s this about?
Wasn’t it supposed to be just distributing the rewards directly?
Lu Hangzhi was clearly taken aback. He hadn’t expected the Deputy Sect Leader to ask him to give a speech when he reached him. No one had provided a script or lines.
At that moment, a low whisper reached his ear:
“Say a few words of encouragement.”
It was Senior Brother Leng’s voice.
Lu Hangzhi jolted, cursing himself inwardly for being foolish. He quickly turned around to face the area beyond the high platform and began to speak.
“Here, I would like to thank three people!”
The Deputy Sect Leader froze.
All the Elders on the high platform were momentarily stunned as well.
Then, they broke into smiles and nodded one after another:
Not bad, quite a teachable youth.
Then, Lu Hangzhi’s voice, amplified by the Deputy Sect Leader’s art technique, spread to every corner of Xuanxin Sect:
“Just three months ago, I was just an ordinary servant in Violet Cloud Town, setting up a stall in the marketplace to make ends meet. I lived a life like an ant. It was Sister Fuqin who brought me out of the marketplace, taught me art techniques, and guided me onto the path of cultivation.”
When they heard this, a group of people immediately became restless!
The Elders all perked up.
Hu Wang and Wang Yu both wore expressions as if they had seen a ghost:
They had built their foundations after cultivating for several years, yet this guy had only cultivated for three months?
Even Qin Zhen, who usually seemed calm and indifferent, showed a serious expression.
Lu Hangzhi continued:
“The second person is Senior Brother Wuya.”
In the Bamboo Forest, Leng Wuya was surrounded by five Inner Sect Disciples. Upon hearing this, they all smiled and said, “Senior Brother, you’ve really caught the Elders’ attention now.”
“Haha!”
“That brat, I clearly told him to just say a few encouraging words…” Leng Wuya’s lips twitched, and he suddenly regretted why he had foolishly sent that reminder.
When Lu Hangzhi mentioned how Senior Brother Leng had helped him enter Xuanxin Sect, the Elders on the high platform began whispering to each other again, nodding one after another.
Even the Deputy Sect Leader showed a look of admiration, his smile growing wider.
A good seedling!
In the cultivation world, those who know how to repay kindness are rare.
Someone like Leng Wuya, who even while training outside still remembers to recommend talents to the sect and support newcomers, is even more commendable. This is a sign of the sect’s prosperity…
This story, told by Lu Hangzhi himself, would surely create excellent promotional effects.
Hmm, letting this youngster speak was indeed the right move, unlike those two.
The Deputy Sect Leader rarely cast a resentful glance at the still-dazed Wang Yu, and… that fool Qin Zhen was once again admiring himself in solitude.
“Finally, the person I want to thank is Elder Mu from Daoshan Peak.”
“Oh ho, even this old man has a part to play?”
Elder Mu, who had already been craving a drink, raised his eyebrows and laughed heartily upon hearing this.
This time, the disciples of Daoshan Peak had won the top prize. As the supervising Elder, he naturally felt greatly honored!
What’s more…
He had faced a lot of pressure when lending out Cultivation Chamber One earlier. Now, wasn’t this proof of his discerning eye?
Lu Hangzhi thanked Elder Mu again and then expressed immense gratitude to the sect, making Wang Yu and the other new Inner Sect Disciples almost want to vomit.
But to the Deputy Sect Leader and the Elders, it sounded incredibly pleasing!
Excellent!
The sect needs this kind of positive energy!!
After Lu Hangzhi finished speaking, he noticed the Deputy Sect Leader’s gaze toward him had become even more kind and amiable.
“Hangzhi, after entering the Inner Sect, why not come directly under my wing?”
Huh?!
Huh, huh, huh?!
The surrounding Elders all expressed their dissatisfaction:
“Old Chen, Inner Sect Disciples have the right to choose, but openly recruiting like this during the competition you’re presiding over isn’t appropriate, is it?”
“Haha, I just find the kid pleasing. It’s just a suggestion.”
The Deputy Sect Leader waved his hand, silencing all the Elders, and then continued nonchalantly:
“Speaking of which, my Golden Jade Hall is quite understaffed. We handle far too many spiritual artifacts and elixirs every day; it’s almost overwhelming. As you all know, you still have many things to refine, and we’re really short on hands… What do you think, everyone?”
Lu Hangzhi gulped hard.
Golden Jade Hall?
He remembered Senior Brother Leng mentioning it.
It seemed to be the best of the three main halls in Xuanxin Sect, with vast resources and countless spiritual artifacts and elixirs.
The Elders all gritted their teeth.
This was blatant enticement and threat.
If they refuted the Deputy Sect Leader today, they might have to look elsewhere for their elixirs and spiritual artifacts in the latter half of the year.
“Hangzhi, think it over carefully.”
“……”
“This is your reward. Take good care of it.”
The Deputy Sect Leader’s tone was so affectionate.
Wang Yu and Qin Zhen immediately noticed the difference in how the Deputy Sect Leader treated Lu Hangzhi compared to them, and they felt intensely jealous.
Golden Jade Hall!
They wanted to go there too… Ah!!!
“Thank you, Sect Master.”
Lu Hangzhi beamed, looking eager as he took out a bone shield from his Qiankun Pouch.
Huh?
Why was there another item inside?
Just as he was surprised, the Deputy Sect Leader’s voice transmitted into his ear: “That Fifth Grade defensive spiritual artifact is still too advanced for you to use right now, so I’ve given you an extra little something as a bonus. No need to take it out.”
“Hangzhi thanks the Sect Master!”
Lu Hangzhi quickly understood and bowed in gratitude.
Enticement!
Blatant enticement, wasn’t it?
Then, the Deputy Sect Leader announced the bone shield’s function publicly:
“This shield, after blood binding recognition, has an automatic protection ability. Once attacked, it will automatically deploy a barrier to protect the entire body. It can withstand three attacks at the peak of Fifth Grade level.”
Hisss…
A collective intake of breath was heard from below the stage, followed by an uproar:
With this, Lu Hangzhi was invincible below Fifth Grade.