When Qi Yuan was brought to the plaza, countless gazes instantly focused on him, filled with astonishment, envy, admiration, and even awe…

At the same time, the elder from the Internal Affairs Pavilion beside him, having somewhat calmed his emotions, solemnly announced:

“Servant Disciple Big Qi has obtained a total of seventeen thousand two hundred and thirty-six points in this Outer Sect Grand Competition, and shall be declared the first place winner!”

Although the outcome was already known, hearing this staggering score announced still sent a wave of excitement throughout Falling Cloud Valley.

A Servant Disciple at the fifth layer of Qi Refining, who had not hunted a single demon beast throughout the entire competition, had managed to seize first place through an utterly inconceivable method. What a heaven-defying miracle this was!

With just a slight move, he had eliminated all other competitors from the contest. He had even deliberately let those disciples work for three days for free, earning points for him before reeling in his net. It could be called utterly ruthless and downright insane.

This is what true ferocity looks like!

The most terrifying part was that everything this guy did fell within the allowed rules of the Grand Competition. No one could find the slightest loophole.

Not only that, he had also incidentally saved the lives of three Fellow Disciples. Strictly speaking, he had only merits and no faults.

Such masterful manipulation was simply unprecedented and unheard of.

For a moment, all the disciples of Falling Cloud Valley on the plaza, including the high-ranking Elders, fell into a state of stunned silence.

Even those Outer Sect Disciples who had been tricked during the competition looked at Qi Yuan with disbelief in their eyes, as if staring at a monster!

Noticing that the participating Outer Sect Disciples all wore stiff expressions with disordered auras, looking as if their Dao Hearts had been shaken and they were severely demoralized, Falling Cloud Valley’s Sect Master Bai Qingwu seemed to realize something. He immediately flew to stand before the crowd and declared in a clear voice:

“All disciples, listen. In light of the special circumstances that arose during this Grand Competition, the sect has decided to increase the number of slots for entering the Inner Sect in the next competition. The top twenty will then be directly promoted to Inner Sect Disciples.”

“Furthermore, all disciples who passed Elder Yang’s screening to participate in this year’s Outer Sect Grand Competition will have their monthly stipends doubled. They may also each select one technique from the Scripture Repository to study.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the previously deeply frustrated Outer Sect Disciples immediately perked up, their complexions returning to normal. Many who believed they had no chance of making it into the top ten were especially overjoyed, their gloom swept away.

Although this perfectly good Outer Sect Grand Competition had been ruined by a certain individual with no sense of propriety, at least there was a consolation prize. Moreover, it was distributed evenly; everyone got a share. By any calculation, it was worth it.

Seeing the atmosphere gradually become livelier, Bai Qingwu finally breathed a sigh of relief. His tone then turned serious.

“A new rule will be added to future Outer Sect Grand Competitions: participants are forbidden from commanding tamed demon beasts during the competition. Violators will be disqualified.”

“This competition should serve as a warning to you all. Remember that the path of immortality is perilous and the ways of the world are treacherous. If you remain so careless and lax in the future, the price you pay will be a thousand times greater than today’s. I hope you will remember this lesson and take it as a warning!”

“We respectfully heed the Sect Master’s teachings!”

The disciples all bowed and acknowledged in unison, their expressions solemn.

Qi Yuan listened and nodded inwardly.

He had to admit that this Sect Master of Falling Cloud Valley was no ordinary person.

With just a few words, he had restored the confidence of these disciples who had suffered defeat in the competition while simultaneously increasing their loyalty and sense of belonging to the sect. This fully demonstrated his skill and decisiveness.

Just as Qi Yuan was somewhat distracted, Bai Qingwu’s gaze suddenly turned toward him. With an expression of appreciation and admiration and a full smile, he announced:

“From this day forward, Servant Disciple Big Qi is promoted to Inner Sect Disciple. He is awarded five thousand spirit stones, one hundred high-grade Qi Gathering Pills, one Foundation Building Pill, three mid-grade magical artifacts, and is permitted to freely select cultivation techniques from the second level of the Scripture Repository.”

“Disciple Big Qi thanks the sect for its nurturing.”

As Bai Qingwu’s words fell, Qi Yuan quickly bowed in acknowledgment. Then, under everyone’s watchful eyes, he calmly walked to the front and accepted the storage pouch filled with rewards.

The next moment, a cold notification sound rang in his ear:

[Ding! Host has completed mission objective: Obtain qualification to participate in the Outer Sect Grand Competition and achieve a top-ten ranking. Reward: Five hundred Counterattack Points, fifteen supreme-grade Qi Gathering Pills, one supreme-grade Foundation Building Pill, one thousand low-grade spirit stones.]

[Ding! Host has completed additional mission: Astonish everyone and seize first place in the Outer Sect Grand Competition. Reward: One opportunity to improve spiritual root aptitude.]

The instant the system’s voice faded, Qi Yuan faintly sensed something different. Inexplicably, it felt as if a warm current flowed throughout his entire body.

Then, the scene before his eyes gradually began to change. Everything distorted and transformed under his gaze, decomposing into strands upon strands of mysterious and profound lines. Each strand contained indescribable principles of the Great Dao.

Simultaneously, countless insights he had never experienced before flooded his heart, bringing him a wave of exhilarating pleasure and immense comfort.

However, Qi Yuan knew he was in a public setting. To avoid losing composure, he immediately tightened his focus and forcibly pulled himself out of this state.

Of course, after this aptitude improvement, he could enter this wondrous state at will to comprehend Heaven and Earth. The efficiency of his cultivation practice would be greatly increased.

Not only that, Qi Yuan discovered another special change.

If he wished, he could continuously draw spiritual energy from his surroundings into his body without even circulating his cultivation technique. He could easily compress and purify it for absorption and refinement.

Is this what lies beyond a Heavenly Spirit Root?

Qi Yuan was secretly astonished and filled with joy.

The system really came through this time. It was worth all that trouble he went through and even discarding his integrity to complete the mission…