The recorded footage had only just been put away.
The discussion outside the Martial God Palace had yet to subside when a beam of teleportation light descended from above the Sky-Reaching Stairway.
The Martial Emperor who had projected the footage was about to respond to someone when he stopped halfway through his words and turned toward where the light had landed.
A nearby Martial Venerable also looked over. His finger was still pointing at the Martial God Palace, but his expression quickly froze.
The light drew in, revealing Jiang Hao's figure. He had simply appeared beneath the Sky-Reaching Stairway.
"Jiang Hao?"
Someone only managed to call out his name before the rest of the words caught in their throat. The discussions nearby also fell briefly silent.
Everyone had just watched Jiang Hao blow apart the Examination Secret Realm with a single punch. They knew he had secured thirty billion points and firmly claimed first place in the examination.
According to the rules announced by the Martial God Palace, the top thirty would receive further rewards. Jiang Hao should have remained inside to choose his treasures.
Yet the others who had entered the top thirty had not emerged, while he, the first-place winner, had been sent out first. No matter how they looked at it, something felt strange.
"Why did he come out?"
The Alien Races Martial Emperor who had questioned the recorded footage earlier blurted it out. His voice was much lower than before, and a trace of embarrassment still lingered on his face.
Another Martial Venerable turned to look at the palace entrance. After waiting several breaths, he still did not see a second beam of teleportation light.
"Wang Teng and the others are still inside. Why did Jiang Hao come out first?"
Voices rose one after another from