Champion's Honor

The roar of cheers, like mountains and seas, continued unabated, washing over the central arena like a tide.

Mo Yuan stood holding his spear, his posture as upright as a pine tree. Although his face was slightly pale, his robes were dusty, and the bloodstains on his cracked tiger's mouth had yet to dry, his eyes shone astonishingly bright, like the most brilliant stars in the night sky—sharp, calm, and carrying a hint of exhaustion and relief after a great battle.

Champion! The champion of the Three Sects Tournament!

This title weighed heavily on his shoulders, and it ignited the passion and glory of all the disciples of Mount Mao.

On the high platform, Sect Leader Shi Jian slowly rose. His purple robes fluttered slightly in the wind, and his imposing gaze swept across the entire venue, finally landing on Mo Yuan with undisguised praise and relief.

He raised his hand in a gesture of peace, and the surging crowd gradually quieted down.

"The Three Sects Tournament of this session has now successfully concluded," Shi Jian's voice was calm yet clearly carried to every corner. "Mo Yuan, a disciple of Mount Mao, has overcome strong opponents and bravely won the championship, bringing glory to Mount Mao. He is truly a blessing to our sect!"

He turned his gaze to Celestial Master Zhang of Dragon Tiger Mountain and Qingxu Zhenren of Ge Zao Mountain, nodding slightly. "Fellow Daoist Zhang, Fellow Daoist Qingxu, I concede."

Celestial Master Zhang stroked his beard and smiled. Despite his grandson's defeat, his demeanor remained composed. "It is indeed a joyous occasion that Fellow Daoist Shi's disciple has produced such a remarkable talent."

Qingxu Zhenren also said, "Martial Nephew Mo is a divinely gifted genius with boundless potential for the future."

Shi Jian looked at Mo Yuan again, his voice raising slightly. "Mo Yuan!"

"This disciple is here!" Mo Yuan replied with a bow.

"Your performance in the tournament was outstanding, surpassing all others. You are hereby awarded: one hundred High-Grade Spirit Stones, one Foundation Establishment Pill (Mid-Grade), and three thousand contribution points! Furthermore, you are permitted to enter the fourth floor of the Scripture Pavilion for three days!"

The generous rewards elicited gasps of envy from the disciples below.

One hundred High-Grade Spirit Stones were enough to support a Qi Refining stage cultivator's long-term cultivation. A Mid-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill was priceless and could greatly increase the success rate of establishing a foundation. Three thousand contribution points were an immense sum. And the fourth floor of the Scripture Pavilion housed Mount Mao's true core inheritances and profound secret arts; ordinary inner disciples might never have the chance to enter it in their lifetime!

"Thank you, Martial Grand-Uncle (Sect Leader), for your generous bestowal! This disciple will surely cultivate diligently and not fail the sect's nurturing!" Mo Yuan bowed solemnly, his heart churning with emotion. These resources would be a powerful aid in his attempt to reach the Foundation Establishment Realm.

The award ceremony proceeded under the watchful eyes of the crowd. When Mo Yuan received the jade box containing the Foundation Establishment Pill and the special token recording his contribution points from Shi Jian, he could feel countless burning gazes upon him. Glory had been bestowed upon him, but his mind remained exceptionally clear—this was both recognition and responsibility, and it meant he would henceforth stand on a higher, more precarious precipice.

Following the ceremony was a grand celebration. The disciples of the three sects cast aside their competitive spirits from the bouts, drinking and conversing about their Daoist practices in a lively atmosphere. Mo Yuan naturally became the center of attention, with disciples from various sects coming forward to befriend him and offer congratulations. He handled himself with grace, neither arrogant nor subservient, maintaining the demeanor of a champion while also showing humility, earning him considerable goodwill.

However, beneath the clamor and glory, Mo Yuan's keen spiritual sense constantly detected a few faint, chilling presences, like venomous snakes lurking in the dark, appearing and disappearing. He knew that those gazes hidden in the shadows had not retreated because of his victory; rather, they might have become even more fervent and dangerous due to his brilliance.

The celebration gradually dispersed late into the night.

Returning to the Listening Thunder Abode, the noise was shut out, leaving only master and disciple. Uncle Nine (Lin Jiu) looked at his disciple, his eyes filled with indescribable complex emotions—pride, relief, and a hint of imperceptible worry.

"Yuan'er, after today, you are truly renowned among the three sects. But remember, a tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. You must be even more cautious in your actions from now on."

"This disciple will engrave Master's teachings in his heart," Mo Yuan nodded, deeply aware of the implications. "Outside the venue today, there seemed to be some petty individuals watching."

Uncle Nine snorted coldly, "Mere clowns, not worth fearing, but one cannot be too careful. You are in the spotlight now, and they dare not act within the sect. But when you descend the mountain for your trials in the future, you must be extremely careful. The Foundation Establishment Pill bestowed by Martial Brother Sect Leader today must be kept safe. You should take it when your cultivation reaches the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refining and your foundation is stable, to attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment."

"Yes, Master."

"Rest well and recover your injuries and spiritual energy. In three days, I will take you to the fourth floor of the Scripture Pavilion," Uncle Nine said before returning to his quiet room.

Mo Yuan returned to his room and did not rest immediately. He first used his spiritual power to nourish the injury on his tiger's mouth, then took out the Mid-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill. The pill was the size of a dragon's eye, perfectly round, with a deep purple hue. Misty auspicious clouds flowed on its surface, emitting a refreshing fragrance. Just inhaling it made his spiritual energy feel more active.

"Foundation Establishment..." Mo Yuan's gaze deepened. Qi Refining to Spirit Transmutation, Foundation Establishment was the crucial first step into the true path of cultivation. It involved opening the Purple Mansion, condensing stronger spiritual sense, transforming spiritual energy into a higher form of True Essence, and significantly increasing one's lifespan. This was his most important goal moving forward.

He carefully put away the Foundation Establishment Pill and then inventoried his other rewards. The hundred High-Grade Spirit Stones were piled together, emitting a dense spiritual energy that almost formed a mist. The three thousand contribution points were a fortune, enough to exchange for many rare resources.

"System, sign in!" On such an important occasion, he naturally would not forget to sign in.

[Ding! Sign-in successful! Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Top-Grade Spirit Stone x3, Grand Unifying Qi Artifact Refining Outline (Fragment) x1, Myriad Year Warm Jade (Small Piece) x1, Residual Aura from the Primordial World: A wisp of thin Innate Dao Rhyme (Attribute-less)!]

[Grand Unifying Qi Artifact Refining Outline (Fragment)]: Records a refining philosophy and technique that directly targets the origin, capable of enhancing the quality and spirituality of artifacts, and even has a certain chance of causing artifacts to develop a spirit (The fragment only extends to the level of magic treasures).

[Myriad Year Warm Jade]: A precious jade containing gentle and immense spiritual energy. Long-term wear can nourish meridians, stabilize the soul, aid cultivation, and resist inner demons.

[A wisp of thin Innate Dao Rhyme (Attribute-less)]: Contains traces of the origin Dao principles from before the heavens and earth were opened. It can greatly enhance comprehension, assist in understanding the laws of heaven and earth, and integrate all methods (Extremely precious, requires slow refining and absorption).

"Innate Dao Rhyme!" Mo Yuan's heart trembled.

This item is more precious than all the previous sign-in rewards! Although it's faint, the level it represents is too high.

This is a treasure that directly points to the origin of the Great Dao. It will bring immeasurable benefits to his future cultivation of any technique and his comprehension of the rules of heaven and earth!

He immediately guided this wisp of Dao rhyme, which was formless and intangible yet seemed to contain the ultimate principles of the universe, into his sea of consciousness.

In an instant, he felt his thoughts become clearer and more transparent. Many obscure and difficult points in his previous cultivation now seemed to have new directions for understanding.

Even his understanding of the Nine Heavens Thunder Talisman Scripture, Divine Dragon Body Refining Art, and Gengjin Sword Qi Secret Arts was subtly moving towards a comprehensive mastery!

"With the help of this item, my path to Foundation Establishment, and even my future cultivation path, will be much smoother!" Mo Yuan's heart was filled with joy.

He hung the Myriad Year Warm Jade on his chest. A gentle and mellow spiritual energy immediately flowed into his limbs and bones, nourishing his body, which was fatigued from the great battle, and his slightly damaged meridians. Even his spiritual sense felt a sense of comfort.

This jade would be of great benefit to him in stabilizing his current realm and preparing to break through to Foundation Establishment.

Afterward, he picked up the Grand Unifying Qi Artifact Refining Outline (Fragment) and sank his spiritual sense into it. The artifact refining philosophy expounded within was completely different from the Detailed Explanation of Basic Artifact Refining he had previously studied. It focused more on communicating with the spirituality of the materials, using his own essence, qi, and spirit as a guide, and forging the origin with the Grand Unifying Qi.

This would have revolutionary guiding significance for him to re-temper the Thunder Dragon Evil-Slaying Spear and the Soul Cleansing Banner in the future, and even to refine new magical artifacts.

The harvest was immense! The glory of being the champion and the system's rewards had once again caused Mo Yuan's foundation to skyrocket!

Just as he was immersed in the joy of his gains and began to circulate his energy to recuperate, absorbing the spiritual energy from the Myriad Year Warm Jade and slowly refining that wisp of Innate Dao Rhyme.

Outside the Listening Thunder Abode, in the night, several shadowy figures, like phantoms, used the cover of the formation to stealthily approach.

Their auras were hidden extremely well, blending almost seamlessly with their surroundings, clearly indicating they were masters of stealth and assassination.

The person in the lead held an unremarkable black clay pot, with a faint glow flickering from its opening, as if probing for something.

"The target is inside the courtyard... their aura is stable, seemingly cultivating..."

"Act! Make it quick! Seize his storage magical artifact and that thunder spear! If there's a chance, capture his soul!"

Killing intent descended abruptly upon Mo Yuan at the moment of his greatest glory and his greatest need for rest!