Deserved Recognition

"He won! Hao won!"

"First place in the Myriad Phenomena Genius Tournament!"

Qin Yuntian's face brimmed with excitement, a keen light flashing in his eyes.

"Congratulations, Lineage Head! Congratulations!" Liu Wei could hardly contain his excitement either. Once, he too had believed that Qin Hao would achieve little with a first-grade Martial Soul, until that day when he had sensed something extraordinary about Qin Hao...

In the end, Liu Wei had even gone so far as to personally teach Qin Hao the Firmament Phantom Sword!

Qin Yuntian laughed heartily. "Liu Wei, make preparations with the Lineage's council of elders. Our Qin Lineage will hold a grand feast to celebrate Hao's victory in the Myriad Phenomena Genius Tournament!"

"Yes, Lineage Head!" Liu Wei replied.

"How is this possible? How could that useless Qin Hao take first place?"

Elsewhere, the Grand Supreme Elder drew a shallow breath, his eyes round with utter disbelief.

Before, one could still have said that Qin Hao had only made the top three by a stroke of luck.

But now, his victory was well earned!

That final sword strike had surpassed everyone's imagination.

It had even... carried a hint of something beyond the bounds of sword arts!

"Qin... Qin Hao won?"

"Gasp! Chen Yuntian actually lost to Qin Hao."

"This really is... like rolling a seven on a single die. Unbelievable!"

Around the martial arena, everyone came back to their senses, their faces filled with shock.

Chen Yuntian was at the late stage of the seventh level of the Body Tempering Realm, and he had brought his Two-Yi Sword Art to major accomplishment. Even against someone as powerful as Liu Xiao, he had needed only eleven strikes to win with ease.

Yet now, against Qin Hao, he had lost?

This Qin Hao hid his strength so well.

At that moment, towering waves of shock surged through Liu Xiao's heart. He had never fought Qin Hao, but Qin Hao's battle with Chen Yuntian was enough for him to gauge the gap between them.

I couldn't possibly withstand his second form. And that final strike... I probably wouldn't even have a chance to attack!

Gasp! Isn't this guy far too strong?

Liu Xiao drew a sharp breath, but a fighting spirit gradually kindled in his eyes.

The stronger the opponent, the stronger he would become. Liu Xiao admitted that he was no match for Qin Hao now, but in the future, anything was possible!

Besides...

If Tianshui City's Myriad Phenomena Genius Tournament produced someone as powerful as Qin Hao, how strong would the geniuses from the Myriad Phenomena Hall's other cities be?

Anticipation flashed in Liu Xiao's eyes.

According to the Myriad Phenomena Hall's past practice, it recruited over a thousand new disciples each time, all astonishing talents from their respective cities.

Among them, there were bound to be many top-tier geniuses!

"Silence!"

Suddenly, a powerful voice rang out like the tolling of a bell.

Chi Zhenheng slowly rose, then shot forward and landed abruptly on the platform.

He moved so quickly that almost no one had time to react.

"Hmm?" Qin Hao's gaze sharpened. Elder Chi is so fast!

The entire martial arena fell silent.

Everyone looked toward Chi Zhenheng.

With the top three decided, this Genius Tournament had come to an end. The contests for fourth through tenth place would be held later, and their rewards distributed afterward.

The Myriad Phenomena Hall would not waste time.

"I hereby declare this year's Tianshui City Myriad Phenomena Genius Tournament concluded!"

Chi Zhenheng's voice rang out powerfully. "Third place, Liu Xiao."

"Second place, Chen Yuntian."

"First place, Qin Hao!"

At this point, Chi Zhenheng paused. His gaze swept over Qin Hao, Chen Yuntian, and Liu Xiao as he said solemnly, "You three have tonight to prepare. Tomorrow morning, you will accompany me to the Myriad Phenomena Hall!"

"I will not wait for anyone who is late!"

"We obey!"

Qin Hao, Chen Yuntian, and Liu Xiao hurriedly answered.

As for Chen Yuntian... despite his unwillingness, he could only accept reality.

"Qin Hao!"

An azure fruit half the size of a fist appeared out of thin air in Chi Zhenheng's hand, suffused with rich spiritual energy.

It was the Azure Origin Fruit!

At once, a stir swept through the square.

Everyone stared at the azure fruit in Chi Zhenheng's hand with burning eyes.

Where the Liu Lineage stood, Liu Ruoxue's and Yang Benhong's gazes sharpened. Jealousy stirred in Liu Ruoxue's heart. The Azure Origin Fruit can cleanse the meridians and marrow. Letting that useless Qin Hao consume it would be a criminal waste of heaven's bounty!

"How can we let a good-for-nothing squander such a treasure? It would be better to give it to Senior Brother Lei!" Liu Ruoxue nodded. Then the two exchanged a glance, each seeing the killing intent in the other's eyes.

On the platform, Qin Hao's eyes burned with eagerness. "Elder Chi!"

Chi Zhenheng smiled faintly. "Once you arrive at the Myriad Phenomena Hall, you can collect your contribution points and martial techniques from the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall yourselves. But I can give you the first-place reward, the Azure Origin Fruit, right now."

An uproar rose...

The martial arena erupted. He was awarding the Azure Origin Fruit on the spot!

Chi Zhenheng continued, "I have heard a little about your deeds."

"On the path of martial cultivation, the Martial Soul is certainly important, but comprehension and temperament are no small matters either. Once you reach the Myriad Phenomena Hall, remember to devote yourself to cultivation. Do not let yourself go to waste!"

"Thank you for your guidance, Elder Chi. I will keep it firmly in mind!"

Qin Hao nodded solemnly, then accepted the Azure Origin Fruit.

Chi Zhenheng smiled, a meaningful look in his eyes.

Others could not discern it, but Chi Zhenheng had sensed it clearly. Qin Hao's final strike had already contained a trace of sword force!

Among the many talented disciples of the Myriad Phenomena Hall's outer hall, few had mastered "force." Yet Qin Hao had comprehended it before even joining the Myriad Phenomena Hall. What a genius!

But there was something Chi Zhenheng did not know.

Qin Hao had long since fully mastered sword force!

Chi Zhenheng smiled faintly. "Very well. I have other important matters to attend to. We depart at sunrise tomorrow!"

With that, Chi Zhenheng suddenly leaped into the air, turning into a streak of gray light. In the space of a few blinks, he vanished between heaven and earth.

Only after Chi Zhenheng left did Qin Hao withdraw his gaze and look down at the Azure Origin Fruit in his hand.

Such rich spiritual energy in this Azure Origin Fruit! Qin Hao took a deep breath, his eyes full of anticipation. I wonder whether this fruit will be enough for me to advance to a fourth-grade Martial Soul!

Once my Martial Soul reaches the fifth grade, I can cultivate the second section of the Great Dao Spirit-Seizing Art: Sacred Embryo!

The Great Dao Spirit-Seizing Art was divided into nine sections.

The first section: Spirit Seizing.

The second section: Sacred Embryo.

The third section: Heaven and Earth!

For some unknown reason, only these three sections existed in Qin Hao's mind.

Of these, cultivating the second section, Sacred Embryo, required a fifth-grade Martial Soul!

Qin Hao suppressed his anticipation, put away the Azure Origin Fruit, and walked toward the Qin Lineage.

"Father!"

Qin Hao smiled. "The Genius Tournament is over. I'll head back to prepare. Tomorrow, I'll leave for the Myriad Phenomena Hall."

"Good, good, good!"

Qin Yuntian was in high spirits as he laughed heartily. "Hao, go back and get some proper rest. Once you're at the Myriad Phenomena Hall, remember to cultivate even more diligently!"

"I understand."

Qin Hao smiled.

Then Qin Hao swept his gaze toward the Grand Supreme Elder and said, "Grand Supreme Elder, don't forget our agreement! Once you return, go into seclusion and devote yourself to cultivation. If you make a breakthrough someday, that will at least count as a contribution to the Qin Lineage."