Chapter 71: The First Place in the Hundred Sects Ceremony, Flame Lord Shen Mo

The audience was utterly stunned.

The reactions from the second-tier and first-tier sects were even more intense.

For these sects, it was incredibly rare to have a disciple with a Heaven-grade physique even once in several decades or centuries.

Disciples with Earth-grade physiques were already considered treasures.

They never expected the Qingxuan Sect to produce someone with a Heaven-grade physique.

At this moment, they had no idea!

In an instant, all the sects started making their own plans.

Especially those with grudges against the Qingxuan Sect.

Should they try to recruit, suppress, or secretly assassinate?

Their thoughts churned like an undercurrent.

Compared to these sects, the higher-ups of the Five Top Sects of Xuanjing had no reaction.

They knew about the phenomenon triggered by the Qingxuan Sect, which might have been unknown to the first and second-tier sects, but the Five Top Sects were fully aware.

They had long known that the Qingxuan Sect had a disciple with a Heaven-grade physique and had been investigating the true identity of this disciple through various channels.

Based on the changes within the Qingxuan Sect during this period, even if they couldn't confirm, they could guess that the Heaven-grade physique holder was Shen Mo.

On the martial stage, red flames intertwined with sharp ice.

They clashed, annihilated each other, and dissipated wildly.

The blinding light forced those with lower cultivation levels to close their eyes.

The next moment, a violent explosion resounded!

Boom!

Two figures were simultaneously thrown back.

Shen Mo slammed his palm into the ground, forcibly halting his backward momentum.

On his chest, a flash of black armor fragments deflected the most potent force.

Zhou Qingcang, meanwhile, plunged his sword into the ground, avoiding being thrown out of the stage.

Both were in tattered clothes, coughing up blood.

However, Shen Mo, though staggering, remained standing.

Zhou Qingcang, on the other hand, held on for a few breaths before collapsing, "You... win."

The entire arena fell silent.

Then, thunderous applause erupted!

The elder from the Divine Sword Sect, responsible for arbitration, didn't dare to announce the result immediately. Instead, he looked towards the sect leader, Luo Chaotian, standing above.

Luo Chaotian's expression remained unchanged. "Why are you looking at me? Announce what you saw. Otherwise, wouldn't the world mock our Divine Sword Sect for manipulating the results?"

"Yes, yes, my mistake."

The elder quickly nodded and then loudly declared, "Shen Mo versus Zhou Qingcang, Shen Mo wins!"

"I now announce the top ten of this Hundred Sects Ceremony."

"First place, Shen Mo from the Qingxuan Sect!"

"Second place, Zhou Qingcang from the Divine Sword Sect!"

"Third place, Mo Yuheng from the Verdant Vine Sect!"

"Fourth place, Hong Chilong from the Rising Sun Sect!"

"Fifth place, ..."

After announcing all the top ten names, the crowd was jubilant!

"I think the Five Young Supremes of Xuanjing will now have to be called the Six Supremes!"

"What do you think Shen Mo's title should be? Qing Supreme? Xuan Supreme?"

"Those don't sound good. Isn't Shen Mo best known for his flames? How about Flame Supreme?"

"Yes, Flame Supreme sounds great!"

"Flame Supreme Shen Mo! That's what we'll call him from now on!"

The audience cheered enthusiastically.

The most thrilling thing in the world is watching someone rise from obscurity, defy the odds, and defeat powerful opponents.

In the eyes of the spectators, Shen Mo was such a person.

What was supposed to be a Hundred Sects Ceremony dominated by the Five Young Supremes of Xuanjing turned out to be even more spectacular because of his appearance!

The disciples of the Qingxuan Sect rushed onto the stage, lifting Shen Mo high.

Shen Mo was one of them.

Shen Mo's fame brought glory to the Qingxuan Sect, and as his fellow disciples, they were naturally proud.

Murong Yue stood nearby, her face full of gentle, gratified smiles.

"Shen Mo, how are you feeling? Do you need me to heal your wounds?" she asked.

Shen Mo shook his head. "I'm fine, Master. Thank you for your concern."

"Good, then hang in there a little longer. We'll receive the rewards and then you can rest. We'll have a celebration banquet today and return to the Qingxuan Sect tomorrow," Murong Yue said brightly.

Meanwhile, Liu Yuanfeng, Liu Yunxuan, and Xiao Fan remained seated in the stands, motionless.

This scene was noticed by some observant individuals, who began to ponder its implications.

"Let's distribute the rewards," Luo Chaotian commanded with a wave of his hand.

All the rewards automatically went to the top ten participants.

Each received a piece of Cold Essence Crystal.

The top five each received a piece of Dark Fire Crystal.

The top three each received a Green Vine Pearl.

The top three sects also received the deed to a Thunder Crystal Mine.

Most importantly, only the first place winner received the Taiyi Soul Nourishing Pill, which could enhance one's physique.

Shen Mo stored everything in his storage ring, feeling a stirring in his heart.

He had already taken a Taiyi Soul Nourishing Pill before and later consumed Sun Marrow Flower Dew, which had significantly enhanced his physique.

This Taiyi Soul Nourishing Pill might further enhance his physique to a top-tier Heaven-grade!

At that point, his cultivation speed would surely increase, and his combat power would become even stronger!

"Everyone, please hold on. I have someone to introduce to you," Luo Chaotian suddenly spoke loudly.

Everyone frowned.

What was it that required the Divine Sword Sect's leader, the head of the Five Top Sects of Xuanjing, to speak personally?

Murong Yue looked at Mo Hanshan, the leader of the Verdant Vine Sect, and saw that he had his head down, seemingly aware of what was happening.

Not only Mo Hanshan, but also the leaders of the Rising Sun Sect, Thunder Fire Sect, and Heavenly Water Sect seemed to know as well.

Murong Yue suddenly had a bad feeling.

Shen Mo also sensed that something was off.

"Lord Ji, everyone is waiting for you," Luo Chaotian suddenly called out.

At this moment, a golden light appeared on the horizon.

It was extremely eye-catching.

Boom!

The golden light descended suddenly beside Luo Chaotian.

As the golden light dissipated, it revealed a tall and burly figure.

Clad in heavy black iron armor, with a sword at his waist.

Under his helmet, his determined face was chiseled and resolute.

His entire being exuded the aura of a battle-hardened warrior.

An almost tangible aura of killing intent seemed to emanate from him.

Luo Chaotian smiled and said, "This is the newly appointed governor of Xuanjiang Prefecture, Ji Shilong!"

Murong Yue was stunned.

The sect leaders were wide-eyed.

Shen Mo asked softly, "Master, do you know this person?"

Murong Yue nodded, "I do. Not only I, but many Core Formation stage cultivators should know him."

"Shen Mo, you should remember the incident in Lingyun Prefecture not long ago."

"The government led troops to wipe out all the sects in Lingyun Prefecture, including the strongest sect, Jinyang Sect."

"The general who led the troops was Ji Shilong!"

Shen Mo's expression also changed slightly.

"At a time like this, sending Ji Shilong to Xuanjiang Prefecture and even making an exception for a general to serve as governor, the purpose is obvious," Murong Yue sighed.

Shen Mo looked around and saw that the other sect leaders were also whispering among themselves.

Ji Shilong's sudden appearance made them all uneasy.

High above, the heavily armored general beside Luo Chaotian smiled slightly, "You should all have heard of Ji Shilong. I won't say much about myself. Oh, I'm the governor now."

"This time, I have been ordered to Xuanjiang Prefecture as governor not to replicate what happened in Lingyun Prefecture but to bring gifts!"

His words left the crowd uncertain.

Truth or falsehood?

Ji Shilong smiled, "Xuanjiang Prefecture has developed well, with many flourishing sects. However, there is no strict hierarchy, which is not good. It's too disorderly."

"My advisors have designed a hierarchy system, which I will now explain to you."

"The top tier is the Five Top Sects of Xuanjing, which must have at least thirty Core Formation stage cultivators, five hundred Foundation Establishment stage disciples, and three thousand disciples in total. If these standards are not met, they will be downgraded."

"Below the Five Top Sects are the first-tier sects, which must have at least twenty-three Core Formation stage cultivators, one hundred Foundation Establishment stage disciples, and one thousand disciples. Failure to meet these standards will result in a downgrade."

"Below the first-tier sects are the second-tier sects, which must have at least fifteen Core Formation stage cultivators, fifty Foundation Establishment stage disciples, and five hundred disciples."

Ji Shilong continued, "The government will re-evaluate each sect every six months and provide rewards accordingly."

"Second-tier sects will receive ten thousand low-grade spirit stones and one thousand yellow-grade pills."

"First-tier sects will receive ten thousand mid-grade spirit stones, one thousand yellow-grade pills, five hundred profound-grade pills, and five earth-grade pills."

"The Five Top Sects will receive ten thousand high-grade spirit stones, one thousand profound-grade pills, and thirty earth-grade pills."

After finishing, Ji Shilong looked around with a smile, "I am here to bring you gifts. Shouldn't you applaud?"

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