The Heron Empire.
Although the Seven Kingdoms Grand Competition is important, not all countries pay attention to Seven Kingdoms Grand Competition results.
For example, the Heron Empire didn't receive as much attention.
Even though the Seven Kingdoms Grand Competition had ended and the rankings were about to be sent back to the country, the Heron Empire didn't seem to care much.
I'm always at the bottom, both sides are bottom-tier, I'm used to it.
Not many people care at all.
The messenger who delivered the rankings met with the royal steward in charge of receiving the message, and seeing the steward's somewhat indifferent attitude, couldn't help but shake his head.
"Your Heron Empire has been keeping a low profile for a while, but you've really made a name for yourself this time."
The royal steward was taken aback upon hearing this.
Big splash? What big splash?
As he pondered this, he unfolded the rankings he had just received and glanced at them casually...
Um?
The royal steward's gaze froze.
His mouth gaped open in disbelief, and only two words echoed in his mind.
Holy crap!
What happened?
Top three? Our Heron Empire?
Yunyi? Isn't that a prodigy of the Spirit True Empire? How did she become a member of the Jade Balance Sword Palace of the Heron Empire?
What's going on?
After slowly regaining his senses, the Grand Steward of the Heron Empire held the list in his hand and swallowed hard.
He had a premonition that once this list was released, the entire Heron Empire... no, the entire Seven Moon-Reflecting Kingdoms would be shaken to its core!
Has the list been released yet?
At the same time, within the Dawn Imperial City, the Palace Master of the Jade Pivotal Star Sword Palace, who had just emerged from seclusion, was also inquiring about this matter.
She had sensed something earlier and went into seclusion. Now, emerging refreshed and invigorated, she checked the time and realized it was about time to receive the good news brought back by the sect disciples...
The Palace Master of the Jade Pivotal Star Sword Palace strode out of his secluded residence to welcome the returning disciples of the Jade Pivotal Star Sword Palace who had participated in the competition.
However, when she went outside, she saw a group of disciples who had just disembarked from the spirit boat, looking dejected and devoid of any joy.
Even Gongyi Wen, on whom she had placed high hopes, remained silent, his aura oppressive.
The Palace Master of the Jade Pivotal Star Sword Palace felt a sudden jolt in her heart.
She kept a straight face, took two steps forward, and immediately saw the equally distraught elder. She asked in a deep voice.
What happened?
At the same time, she was also constantly speculating in her mind.
Judging from his appearance, could it be that he lost the bet?
This shouldn't be happening...
She knew Gongyi Wen's strength better than anyone else; even if he wasn't in the top Thirty, entering the top fifty was absolutely a certainty.
As for the disciples of the Jade Balance Sword Palace, it's not that she looks down on them, but they wouldn't even make it into the top 100, let alone the top 50.
Looking across the entire Heron Empire, it's unlikely anyone could even crack the top 100. The Jade Balance Sword Palace?
The elder of the Jade Pivotal Star Sword Palace remained silent for a long time before finally revealing a bitter smile, slowly shaking his head, and speaking the truth with difficulty.
"Palace Master... we... we've lost."
"How is that possible!" The Jade Pivotal Star Sword Palace Master's first reaction was disbelief, and she hurriedly asked, "Could it be that we didn't even make it into the top 100?"
"No, our ranking in this Seven Kingdoms Grand Competition is forty-sixth."
"Then why do you say we lost?"
The elder leading the team looked even more distressed, and said with a mournful expression, "Because... because, Gongyi Wen did manage to break into the top fifty, but the Jade Balance Sword Palace... they swept the top three spots!"
What!
Like a bolt from the blue, it struck the Jade Pivotal Star Sword Palace Master directly on the head. He could no longer maintain his composure, grabbed the elder leading the team, and looked anxious and flustered.
"What exactly happened?! Tell me in detail! And where's the list? Show me the list, I need to know the specifics! Tell me!!"
A mix of bewilderment, disbelief, and other complex emotions welled up in the heart of the Jade Pivotal Star Sword Palace Master.
When she received the list and glanced at it, seeing her ranking, all her hopes vanished.
Yes, it's true...
The Palace Master of the Jade Pivotal Star Sword Palace slumped down, his hands trembled violently, and his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
Jade Balance Sword Palace... How is that possible?
How could such a prodigy exist?!
And... her fifty million Spirit Stone just vanished like that!
Just imagining it made the Palace Master of the Jade Pivotal Star Sword Palace almost faint. A powerful figure was so angry that he felt dizzy and lightheaded.
"Palace Master! Palace Master!"
The elder leading the team hurriedly Jade Pivotal Star Sword Palace, fearing that she might actually suffer a serious injury from anger.
It was at this moment that the elder leading the team suddenly thought of something of utmost importance. With a thought, he quickly approached the Palace Master of the Jade Pivotal Star Sword Palace and whispered something to her.
"Palace Master! Don't worry, perhaps we don't need to be too concerned about the fifty million Spirit Stone."
"We might not need to pay those fifty million Spirit Stone!"
The Palace Master of the Jade Pivotal Star Sword Palace barely managed to steady her dizziness and forced herself to ask, "What do you mean?"
The elder in charge slowly raised the corners of his lips, forming a slightly contemptuous arc, clearly indicating that he had thought of something that would benefit them.
"Although the Jade Balance Sword Palace has made such a big splash, it has also brought trouble upon itself. Their external support has offended... no! It has crippled the young master of the Li Household!"
Li Household?
Which Li Household?
The Palace Master of the Jade Pivotal Star Sword Palace was taken aback at first, then realized what was happening, and suddenly shivered, somewhat incredulous.
" The Li Household... could it be... the Li Household I'm thinking of?"
The team leader nodded without hesitation, his gloating expression becoming even more pronounced.
"That's right! It's the Li Household, the Li Clan of the Dawn Empire!"
" The Li Household's prodigy son had his Dantian destroyed by One Sword strike from that disciple of Su Lianxin from the Jade Balance Sword Palace..."
" The Li Household will absolutely not let this matter rest, especially that old monster from the Li Clan. He dotes on Li Jing'an the most. With the Jade Balance Sword Palace facing imminent disaster and barely able to protect itself, how could he have time to argue with us about fifty million Spirit Stone?"
Having obtained the answer he wanted, the Palace Master of the Jade Pivotal Star Sword Palace slowly grinned into a strange smile, even managing to laugh out loud.
"Ha... hahaha, excellent, truly excellent! It seems the Jade Balance Sword Palace is doomed this time! Fifty million Spirit Stone —if we can stall a little, perhaps we really won't have to pay them!"
"However, considering we were once one family, we'll just burn some paper money for them after they destroy their sect."
"The sect leader is wise!"