Martial Conquest of the Nine Desolates-Chapter 149 - 147: Astonishing Rewards

The square was silent for a moment, then torn asunder by a deafening uproar.

Zhao Qian’s cultivation had already reached the Late Ninth Layer of the Innate Realm!

Although many disciples had anticipated this, seeing it with their own eyes still left them deeply shocked.

Zhao Qian’s cultivation had surpassed all direct disciples, looking down upon them from his lofty position. For instance, Xiao Ye could only reach the Late Ninth Layer of the Innate Realm through the power of his physical body.

One must know, Zhao Qian was only nineteen!

To have reached such cultivation at nineteen, even within the entirety of Black Dragon Country, the likes of which could be counted on one’s fingers, it was not impossible for him to aspire to ascend to the Mystic Martial Realm in the future.

Even the Second Elder, Third Elder, and Fourth Elder were stunned, only the Great Elder remained composed.

Xiao Ye slightly furrowed his brow, sensing that something was amiss.

One must know, after reaching the Seventh Level of the Innate Realm, it became extremely difficult to improve one’s cultivation. Even with Zhao Qian’s seventeen acupoints, it shouldn’t be possible for him to cultivate so quickly.

Thinking this, Xiao Ye’s gaze turned to the Vice Sect Leader.

There, upon the stern face of the Vice Sect Leader, a faint smile seemed to surface.

"It seems Zhao Qian’s rapid advancement in cultivation is thanks to the Vice Sect Leader," thought Xiao Ye with a move of his heart.

This was quite normal, after all, Zhao Qian was the Vice Sect Leader’s illegitimate son. Who else would the Vice Sect Leader help if not him? For a powerhouse in the Xuanwu Realm, it was quite simple to aid Zhao Qian.

On the Great Competition Square, sand and stones flew as fierce winds howled, the terrifying power fluctuations creating ripples through the void.

"Haha, with my current strength, I’m definitely within the top ten of the Hidden Dragon List, I am the number one among the direct disciples!"

Zhao Qian’s arrogant laughter filled the entire arena, like an invincible War God reviving, his gaze sharp and intimidating.

Qi Yun’s expression grew grave, feeling immense pressure in his heart.

"What of Late Stage of Innate Realm Ninth Layer? You surely haven’t been in this realm for long; perhaps I can still defeat you!" Qi Yun roared, casting off his low profile, unleashing all his strength, his vast power fluctuations assaulting Zhao Qian.

"Hmph, seeing my cultivation, you still dare to take initiative against me, your courage is commendable." Zhao Qian sneered, his palms shimmering with radiant light, clashing fiercely with Qi Yun.

Boom!

The battle between the two was incredibly intense, the fluctuations from their fight already shaking the energy shield set up by the Vice Sect Leader.

After all, Zhao Qian’s cultivation was higher than Qi Yun’s, and the difference in power between these realms was vast. Not long into the battle, Qi Yun was pushed back by Zhao Qian’s palm, his blood dying the heavens red.

"These two are on completely different levels, Qi Yun has already lost," the many watching disciples conversed amongst themselves.

However, contrary to their expectation, Qi Yun did not immediately admit defeat.

"As long as I haven’t completely fallen, I will not admit defeat! There are no words for ’give up’ easily on my martial path!"

"The stronger the opponent, the more they inspire my potential!" Qi Yun shouted fiercely, his gaze burning with intensity, attacking Zhao Qian with ferocity despite his injuries.

Xiao Ye, watching Qi Yun’s relentless figure, felt a hint of admiration in his heart.

The path of martial arts is fraught with hardships, yet how many can face these hardships squarely, using them as a means to inspire potential?

It seemed Qi Yun’s current cultivation was honed step by step through trial.

"Using me to polish your cultivation? Then I shall indulge you!" Zhao Qian’s gaze turned icy cold, dazzling light rising from his hands, his ferocious onslaught sending Qi Yun flying.

Swish!

Zhao Qian stepped forward and sped after him, once again sending the spent Qi Yun flying with a kick.

Crack!

In that instant, who knows how many of Qi Yun’s ribs were broken, his blood flowing out like a fountain, soaking his robe.

The expressions of the watching disciples changed drastically, Zhao Qian was too cruel!

It was merely a sparring between sect members, yet Zhao Qian seemed to be aiming to kill Qi Yun, showing no respect for the sect’s rules.

One must remember, every direct disciple was the future pillar of the Chongyang Sect.

The direct disciples observing the battle were furious, ready to step in and stop Zhao Qian, but by that time the Great Elder had already acted first.

Boom!

The Great Elder reached out with a palm, his cultivation at the Innate Limit bursting forth into a massive hand that intercepted Zhao Qian.

"Humph, I am about to become the Chongyang Sect’s Young Master, who dares stop me!" Zhao Qian thought coldly to himself, his terrifying power surging through the heavens; he was about to make his move but stopped immediately upon realizing it was the Great Elder.

"Do you also wish to confront me, your Master?" A trace of anger appeared on the old visage of the Great Elder.

He was truly infuriated.

Zhao Qian, spoiled and arrogant, daring to strike heavily against a direct disciple in public while only at the Late Stage of Innate Realm Ninth Layer—if he were to break through to the Innate Limit, perhaps even the four Black Robed Elders would not be able to suppress him.

"Once I become the Young Master, I will still need this old man’s assistance, best not to sour relations."

This thought crossed Zhao Qian’s mind, so he withdrew his energy and said indifferently, "Master, you’re worrying too much."

After finishing, Zhao Qian turned and walked down from the square.

The Great Elder’s body shuddered; from the tone of Zhao Qian’s voice, he had heard not a trace of respect.

"Is it really right to entrust the future of the Chongyang Sect to such a man?" Recalling Zhao Qian’s past arrogance, a hint of confusion appeared in the Great Elder’s eyes.

"Zhao Qian is too arrogant. Looking at him, he probably doesn’t even take the Great Elder seriously." Xiao Ye frowned and thought to himself.

No matter how strong such a person was, he couldn’t win people’s respect.

Indeed, because of Zhao Qian’s brutality, resentment suddenly flared up among the crowd, including the disciples who had always thought highly of him.

Fraternity among sect members is an eternal principle.

After all, it isn’t family members but fellow disciples that martial artists spend their days and nights with.

"Such a person doesn’t deserve to be the top direct disciple; I support Xiao Ye!"

"Yes, I also support Xiao Ye!"

Compared to the brutal Zhao Qian, Xiao Ye’s strength was not inferior, and he was much more approachable.

Suddenly, Xiao Ye’s popularity had reached its peak, and many disciples were shouting his name.

The sudden turn of events made the usually calm Vice Sect Leader restless, and a cold glint flashed in his deep eyes.

If things continued like this, even if Zhao Qian defeated Xiao Ye, it would be difficult to announce Zhao Qian as the Young Sect Leader.

"Let’s continue with the competition," the Vice Sect Leader said, making it clear he wanted to quell the matter with Zhao Qian.

The field suddenly fell silent; the deterrence of a Xuanwu Realm powerhouse is indeed immense.

The Great Elder, left with no choice, continued to preside over the fourth round of the competition.

The second and third matches of the following round did not take very long to conclude. In the third match, Bing Ya took the stage, and after a fierce battle lasting the time it takes an incense stick to burn, she emerged victorious and advanced to the top five.

In the fifth match, it was Xiao Ye’s turn, and immediately he captured everyone’s attention.

"Junior Brother Xiao Ye, I was just lucky to have made it to the fourth round. Facing you, I willingly admit defeat." Xiao Ye’s opponent, a martial artist in the early stage of the Innate Realm Ninth Layer, admitted defeat with a wry smile and a fist salute before stepping down.

Nobody was surprised.

For someone at the early stage of the Innate Realm Ninth Layer to have reached the fourth round was indeed mostly due to luck; admitting defeat to Xiao Ye was nothing shameful.

Thus, without any effort, Xiao Ye advanced to the top five.

"Let’s take a half-hour break, then we’ll proceed to the last finals—the fifth round!" The Great Elder announced, while distributing Elixirs to help the top five disciples recover their energy.

Half an hour later.

"The rules for the fifth round are different from the previous ones," the Vice Sect Leader stood up and said. He was tall and had an extremely grim face, his authoritative voice spreading across the entire field.

"The rules have changed?" The many disciples were startled and listened attentively.

"First, the battlefield for the fifth round is right here above us." The Vice Sect Leader said, raising his hand. Immediately, a square treasure flew up into the sky, rapidly enlarged, and then crashed onto the square with a thunderous sound.

It was a huge arena, very spacious and emitting a faint glow.

"This is a Xuan Artifact called the Heavenly Pride Arena, specially crafted by some Mystic Martial powerhouses for the battles of the young talents," the Vice Sect Leader declared indifferently.

Xiao Ye gazed at the Heavenly Pride Arena, coming to a realization in his heart.

The strength of the young talents far exceeded that of ordinary martial artists, and the destruction they would cause in battle was certain to be immense. But this Heavenly Pride Arena, being a Xuan Artifact, could definitely withstand that sort of damage.

"The final showdown of the fifth round is a free-for-all. The top five direct disciples will all get on the arena for the battle. The first to be blasted out of the arena will be ranked fifth, and so on."

"The last person remaining on the arena will be crowned the top direct disciple for this time," the Vice Sect Leader announced.

"A free-for-all?" Xiao Ye clenched his fists, feeling his blood boiling. With his Physical Body Power, what he feared least was a melee battle.

"I will now announce the rewards for the top three," the Vice Sect Leader said, immediately piquing everyone’s interest.

Xiao Ye also listened eagerly, as the rewards from a Xuanwu Realm powerhouse were likely to be astonishing.

"The third-ranked direct disciple will receive one day of personal instruction from me," the Vice Sect Leader said, causing everyone to gasp.

The Vice Sect Leader was a powerhouse at the pinnacle of the Mystic Martial, both in terms of vision and martial insights he had reached an insurmountable level.

One day of guidance from a Xuanwu Realm powerhouse was enough to make even the four Black Robed Elders envious.

"The second-ranked direct disciple will receive a month of personal instruction from me," the Vice Sect Leader declared again.

The crowd instantly erupted, and those direct disciples who didn’t make it to the final round were seething with resentment.

"If I could be personally guided by the Vice Sect Leader, my chances of reaching the Mystic Martial would increase significantly!" Wentian roared in his heart, wishing time could be rewound.

"As for the top direct disciple, he will be able to directly become my disciple, and he will also become the Young Sect Master of the Chongyang Sect. In the future, he can command the four Black Robed Elders," announced the Vice Sect Leader authoritatively.

The venue quickly fell into total silence, and even Xiao Ye felt stunned; such a reward was too amazing, more precious than any Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

(Tomorrow brings the climax and a great twist. After reading, would everyone please cast their monthly and recommendation votes?)

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