As Yuanzhu called out the names in a ringing voice, the gathering gradually grew livelier.
Yun Zhen tugged at Jiang Yang's sleeve, delight lighting up her round little face as she teased softly:
"Wonderful, wonderful! You really did take first place. Now that old Dragon King will have to bleed a little~"
Naturally, Jiang Yang would not join her in saying that. He merely smiled, then rose from his seat.
Dragonkind was extraordinarily wealthy. Jiang Yang certainly did not believe that choosing a few Spirit Treasures would leave them impoverished.
He gave the Dragon Prince seated above a slight nod of greeting, then headed toward the main hall.
Joining Jiang Yang were Qu Hუarao of the [Ascension to Mystery Dao] and Han Gui of the [True Void Cave].
The three walked in step and came to a halt before the hall. Countless gazes from the Purple Mansion True Persons swept over them. Though those gazes carried none of the might of Divine Powers, they still exerted tremendous pressure. Sweat inevitably dampened their backs; anyone with a slightly weaker disposition might even have betrayed their discomfort.
Ao Qian's voice broke the silence, rough as a whetstone, as he laughed heartily:
"Young dragons extend their claws; fledgling phoenixes sing clear. You were all victors in the Martial Arts and Spell Duel, as our fellow Daoists witnessed. You truly deserve to be called the outstanding talents of the various immortal traditions..."
"Since that is so, this king will never break his word or stint on rewards. Attendants!"
At his command, the strongmen, Clam Maidens, and shrimp and crab attendants who had appeared earlier filed out once more, carrying chests, supporting stands, and bearing jade trays, arranging themselves in rows before the hall.
On the jade trays carefully held by the Clam Maidens lay