Sacred Hall Bestows Rewards, Longevity Dao Rhyme Inspires the Heroes

Upon the plaza of the Hongmeng Sacred Hall, lanterns and decorations had been hung everywhere, and the air brimmed with festivity. At the center of the plaza stood a reward platform a hundred zhang high, its body paved with Chaos Jade and engraved with the emblem of Ten Thousand Races United. From its peak hung an enormous Longevity Lotus lamp, shedding a gentle golden glow. Around the plaza lay spiritual fruits and fine wines presented by every race, their rich fragrances mingling in the air.

At the third quarter of the Hour of the Snake, a melodious bell rang out from the depths of the Sacred Hall, resounding through the heavens. The people of the ten thousand races in the plaza fell silent, their blazing gazes fixed upon the reward platform.

Shen Hao wore a bright yellow Dragon Robe, its hems embroidered with nine lifelike golden dragons. Blossoms of Longevity Lotus dotted the spaces between the dragon patterns, while the Longevity Dao Rhyme swirling around him complemented the robe's golden radiance, making him appear all the more majestic. He slowly ascended to the center of the reward platform, his gaze sweeping across the countless people below as a gentle smile rested on his face.

Zi Xuan wore a crimson phoenix robe and held a golden bamboo scroll. She followed close behind and stood at Shen Hao's side. The scroll recorded in detail the names and merits of those who had rendered service during this expedition into the secret realm.

Lei Meng and Elder Mu Chen stood at either side of the reward platform, their eyes shining as they looked over the crowd below. The three hundred disciples of the exploration team stood in a neat square formation before the platform, every face carrying both excitement and solemnity.

"Everyone," Shen Hao