"If your Dao Heart is unsteady, talent and reserves alone will not take you far."
As the disciples of the various Immortal Dynasties exchanged glances, the Immortal Guard Commander said, "The second trial concerns your Dao Heart. Only those with both a strong Dao Heart and combat strength qualify for the final Heaven Pride Assembly Battle, where you will vie for the pinnacle of the Southern Region!"
At these words, delight appeared in some sect elders' eyes. They knew their disciples had not only secured Dao Fire but also possessed strong Dao Hearts, giving them a good chance of passing this second trial.
The Immortal Guard Commander raised his hand and unfurled a black-and-gold ranking scroll, which rapidly expanded in the wind.
Golden dragon silhouettes coiled around its edges, while its center resembled a flowing river of ink.
"This is the Dao Fire Heaven Pride List. For the first trial, you will be ranked by the amount of Dao Fire in your possession. The top ten will each receive an Immortal Weapon."
At the Immortal Guard Commander's words, the disciples of the various Immortal Dynasties outside the secret realm erupted in excitement.
"There are rewards? And rankings?"
"If I'd known, I would have hunted down more Dao Fire!"
"Senior Brother, you were too softhearted and left the Dao Fire to others. Who would have thought there would be rewards?"
"Rewards? Doesn't that encourage people to plunder more Dao Fire? That's unfair!"
Among the crowd, some of the eliminated disciples were indignant.
Even more of those holding Dao Fire felt regretful. These rewards had not been announced beforehand, or they would have hunted down more Dao Fire too. Now they had missed their chance to make the list, and lost out on an Immortal Weapon as well.
An Immortal Weapon bestowed