"Third Brother~"
At that moment, Laozi, seated in the main seat, seemed to recall something. A sharp glint flashed through his eyes as he said, "I remember that you obtained twenty-four Sea-Calming Pearls at Treasure Distribution Cliff. Is that correct?"
"That did happen!"
Sect Master Tongtian was briefly stunned, surprised by Laozi's sudden question.
However, he did not deny it. Instead, he calmly said, "The item is indeed in my possession. Individually, they are Mid-grade Innate Spirit Treasures, but when all twenty-four Sea-Calming Pearls are used together, their power can rival a Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure."
"Mm~"
Laozi nodded and stopped beating around the bush. Pointing at Li Yun, he said, "The top three in the grand competition are each to receive a treasure from one of us. Since the Yin Yang Mirror bestowed by Second Brother does not count among the rewards, could Third Brother give the Sea-Calming Pearls to my disciple?"
"This item shares a certain affinity with him."
As soon as those words were spoken, Li Yun immediately looked toward Sect Master Tongtian expectantly.
Twenty-Four Sea Calming Pearls!
He had longed for this item beyond measure.
Though they were Mid-grade Innate Spirit Treasures, and though their combined power could rival a Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, he knew perfectly well what their true function was.
Twenty-Four Sea Calming Pearls.
If he could obtain the Universe Ruler in Randeng's possession and refine it together with them...
Then he would be able to open up the complete Twenty-Four Heavens, formed from twenty-four Small Thousand Worlds. They would possess complete rules and the power of Law. Once activated, they could draw upon the power of the heavens to bolster him.
The power of those heavens was inferior to the power of the Heavenly Dao, and even further beneath the power of the Primordial World.
Yet it was still an existence second only to those two. In the original story, Randeng had used Lu Ya's methods during the Investiture of the Gods Era to kill Zhao Gongming and seize the Sea-Calming Pearls.
After entering the Western Teachings, Randeng directly used the Sea-Calming Pearls and the Universe Ruler to evolve the Twenty-Four Heavens. In one leap, he gained combat power at the peak of the Quasi-Saint Realm and became the Past Buddha of the Western Teachings. Both his status and position underwent a magnificent transformation. In an era when Saints did not emerge, he could be considered one of the strongest figures.
"No problem~"
Sect Master Tongtian nodded, though he was somewhat surprised.
But since Laozi had already spoken, how could he possibly refuse?
Besides, although the Sea-Calming Pearls were powerful, they were ultimately only Mid-grade Innate Spirit Treasures. They were still far inferior to High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasures.
Most importantly, this item had affinity with Li Yun.
Though he did not know the exact nature of that affinity, he did not believe Laozi would deceive him.
With that thought, Sect Master Tongtian stopped wasting words. With a thought, twenty-four Sea-Calming Pearls appeared in the space before him.
In an instant, three burning gazes shot out from the crowd.
The first naturally belonged to Li Yun. This was the item he had yearned for day and night.
The second belonged to Zhao Gongming. Though he did not know why, he also felt that this item seemed to share an affinity with him. Unfortunately, it did not belong to him now and was about to be bestowed upon Li Yun by Sect Master Tongtian.
The third came from Randeng, the Deputy Sect Leader of Chan Teachings, standing at the edge of the plaza.
The instant the Twenty-Four Sea Calming Pearls appeared, the Universe Ruler, one of Randeng's Accompanying Spirit Treasures within his sea of consciousness, began to tremble and transmitted an overwhelming message of desire to him.
"This item shares affinity with me!"
"This item is my Enlightenment Treasure!"
For a moment, Randeng's heart burned with fervor. He wished he could seize the Twenty-Four Sea Calming Pearls for himself.
However, he also knew that this was not something he could lay his hands on yet. He had no choice but to suppress the frenzy and agitation in his heart. Subconsciously glancing toward Li Yun, he thought, Li Yun of the Human Teachings' inner sect, I will definitely get my hands on this item!
Sect Master Tongtian paid no attention to any of this. With a wave of his hand, he said, "Since Eldest Brother has spoken, I shall bestow the reward for first place in this Combat Tournament ahead of time."
If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you do not lose it next time.
"When used together, these Twenty-Four Sea Calming Pearls possess power comparable to a Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure. Although they are individually Mid-grade Innate Spirit Treasures, their value is immense and worthy of your status as the first place winner among Golden Immortals in this grand competition!"
The next second, the Twenty-Four Sea Calming Pearls appeared before Li Yun.
"Thank you, Third Martial Uncle~"
Looking at the Sea-Calming Pearls before him, Li Yun excitedly put them away. Then, without further hesitation, he walked out of the plaza and strode toward Laozi's location.
Next, ignoring the gazes of the disciples from the Two Sects, Li Yun bowed to Laozi and said, "Master, this disciple will refine them and claim them as his own first~"
"Mm~"
Laozi nodded. With a wave of his hand, he enveloped Li Yun within a barrier, then said, "Refine them in peace. No one will be able to disturb you!"
"Thank you, Master~"
The smile on Li Yun's face deepened. He immediately stopped hesitating, sat down cross-legged, and spat out a mouthful of Essence Blood onto the twenty-four Sea-Calming Pearls.
After doing all that, Li Yun said nothing more. He closed his eyes, mobilized his divine sense and Magical Power, and began refining them to claim ownership.
Only then did the disciples of Chan and Jie Sects within the arena awaken as if from a dream.
Every one of them looked toward Li Yun with envy, their eyes filled with jealousy.
An existence capable of rivaling a Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure.
The reward Li Yun received for taking first place was actually so formidable and powerful. Especially since Yuanshi Tianzun had also given him an additional High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure.
This meant that the reward Li Yun had gained for winning first place this time was something that could not be matched even by the combined rewards of all the others.
Losers such as Yu Ding and Gui Ling were doing relatively well.
But Guang Chengzi and Duobao were both beginning to feel conflicted.
They clearly knew they were no match for Li Yun, but what if? If they had not conceded earlier, would these items have belonged to them instead?
"Enough."
At that moment, Yuanshi Tianzun and Sect Master Tongtian spoke at the same time. "Next, Chan Teachings and Interception Sect will each determine a winner internally. The two winners will then face off to decide second and third place."
"Likewise, Li Yun will not occupy one of the top ten slots. Chan Teachings and Interception Sect will each have five slots, after which they will battle one another to determine the rankings!"
As they spoke, Yuanshi Tianzun and Sect Master Tongtian suddenly waved their hands.
The next second, Saint's Power swept across the plaza.
Other than Guang Chengzi and Duobao, all the Golden Immortal Realm disciples of the Two Sects were enveloped within it.
Immediately afterward, their injuries and Magical Power began recovering at rapid speed.
In merely a few breaths, everyone had fully recovered. Even their Magical Power had returned to its peak.
"This~"
Guang Chengzi and Duobao were dumbfounded at the sight.
They had never expected Yuanshi Tianzun and Sect Master Tongtian to pull such a move.
The others had been completely restored, so did that not mean the advantage they had gained by opportunistically conceding was now gone without a trace?
Most importantly, they could both sense the anger of their masters.
Though it was not expressed openly, this action already showed their masters' dissatisfaction with them, perhaps even...
"Damn it, I shouldn't have conceded just now."
"Damn it, how could I have done something so foolish just now?"
At that moment, Guang Chengzi and Duobao were ashen-faced. Their fists clenched as they stood there, turmoil raging in their hearts. What they felt most was unease, confusion, and fear...
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