The most sought-after place in the Taiyi Sect!

"...Third place, Divine Talisman Peak!"

"...Second place, Wanlei Peak!"

"...First place, Taixuan Peak!"

The ownership of the top three remained without suspense, firmly occupied by the Sect Master's lineage and several top peaks.

Everyone was accustomed to this; what truly concerned them was the rankings that followed.

The Elder announcing the rankings cleared his throat and glanced at the list, his voice seemingly carrying a hint of strange fluctuation.

"...Twentieth place, Spirit Beast Peak!"

"...Nineteenth place, Qingxuan Peak!"

When the words "Qingxuan Peak" rang out, the entire square fell silent for a moment before erupting into a tsunami of discussion!

"Is it Qingxuan Peak? Nineteenth place!"

"Heavens! Although it was expected, for Qingxuan Peak—with only two Disciples—to break into the top twenty is still somewhat unbelievable!"

"This probably isn't even Qingxuan Peak's full strength! Think about it, if they had more Disciples—even just ten—wouldn't they have easily broken into the top ten in this Grand Competition?"

"More than just the top ten! If their numbers were equal to other peaks, they might have challenged for the top five, or even the top three!"

In an instant, countless envious and burning gazes were cast toward Qingxuan Peak.

At this moment, Qingxuan Peak was no longer synonymous with decline but represented infinite possibilities and the future!

Some Disciples, including many female ones, couldn't help but look dazed as they fantasized in their hearts.

'If only I could join Qingxuan Peak and study under Peak Master Ye Qing... to see Peak Master Ye every day, how wonderful that would be...'

'Moreover, Peak Master Ye Qing not only knows how to teach Disciples, but he's also strong, settles every score, and is both domineering and handsome...'

In the Luoxia Peak camp, Liu Ruyan's beautiful eyes sparkled. She gazed at Ye Qing's upright back from afar, her heart filled with relief and excitement.

She knew that Ye Qing was no ordinary person!

But she hadn't expected Ye Qing to give her such a massive surprise! It was completely beyond her expectations!

The Disciples around her were even more flushed with excitement.

"Heavens! Peak Master Ye is too powerful!"

"During the second round of the competition, we even fought side by side with Peak Master Ye's Disciples!"

"Our Peak Master Liu is also extraordinary; she must have seen long ago that Qingxuan Peak would stand out. She has such great insight!"

Hearing this, Liu Ruyan gave a light cough.

She stood with her hands behind her back, saying nothing.

Playing the part of someone profound and mysterious... After the Grand Competition ended and the rankings were read.

The rewards followed!

The treatment of Qingxuan Peak rose like a tide compared to before.

The original Medium Grade Low Rank Spiritual Vein of Qingxuan Peak was directly replaced by the Sect with two High Grade Spiritual Veins rich in Spiritual Qi!

The monthly supply of Medicinal Pills, Talismans, Spirit Stones, and other resources more than tripled!

As Ye Qing returned to the rejuvenated Qingxuan Peak with Lin Xueer and Su Chan, the mountain gate became crowded with visitors before they could even settle in.

"The Peak Revered Master of Diancang Peak has come to visit Peak Master Ye!"

"The Peak Master of Divine Talisman Peak has come specifically to congratulate Qingxuan Peak!"

"Spirit Beast Peak..."

The once-deserted Qingxuan Peak had turned from being ignored into a hot commodity!

It instantly became the most sought-after place in the entire Taiyi Sect.

Peak Revered Masters from various peaks arrived one after another with humble attitudes, their words full of intent to befriend him, and all presented Ye Qing with valuable congratulatory gifts.

Spiritual Plants, Medicinal Pills, Artifact Refining Materials, various Talismans... gifts of all kinds piled up like a mountain.

Three months ago, Qingxuan Peak was poor and struggling, but now its pockets were suddenly full!

During this time, Liu Ruyan, the Peak Revered Master of Luoxia Peak, also arrived.

Sensing Liu Ruyan's arrival, Ye Qing personally welcomed her into the main hall in front of everyone.

He performed the etiquette of a Junior and affectionately called out, "Aunt Liu."

That "Aunt Liu" caused a stir in the hearts of all the Peak Revered Masters present.

They recalled the time during the Grand Competition.

Luoxia Peak had assisted Qingxuan Peak multiple times, and when Zhao Qian attacked Ye Qing, Peak Master Liu had even disregarded her own safety to help him.

Which of these Peak Revered Masters wasn't as shrewd as a fox?

They immediately understood that the relationship between Luoxia Peak and Qingxuan Peak was extraordinary.

Those Peak Revered Masters, who were originally powerful and never associated with a downstream peak like Luoxia Peak, now all showed friendly smiles toward Liu Ruyan.

"So it is Peak Master Liu, I have long heard of your great name!"

"Haha, greetings, Peak Master Liu!"

"Peak Master Liu, if there's anything you need help with, feel free to come to my Diancang Peak and ask!"

Liu Ruyan was slightly dazed, feeling the massive shift in the attitudes around her.

In the past, she had never enjoyed such treatment!

At this moment, Liu Ruyan couldn't help but feel deeply moved. Of course, she knew Ye Qing was doing this intentionally to repay her kindness.

Her gaze toward Ye Qing grew increasingly tender.

After seeing off the Peak Revered Masters, Liu Ruyan looked at Ye Qing and said softly:

"Nephew Ye, it's wonderful. Seeing your achievements today, Aunt Liu is truly happy for you. By the way, I need to go down the mountain soon. Within the Sect, you must still be careful in everything you do."

"I understand. By the way, where is Aunt Liu going?" Ye Qing asked.

A flash of determination appeared in Liu Ruyan's eyes.

"I'm going out to perform a Sect mission to gain experience and find ways to increase my strength."

"Seeing you confront Li Cangyun today... he is a Peak Revered Master, and I, Liu Ruyan, am also a Peak Revered Master, yet I could only worry helplessly from below. That sense of powerlessness... heh, it really didn't feel good..."

Liu Ruyan did not want to feel that way a second time!

She had never been so desperate to become stronger!

Not just for herself, but so that in the future, she would be qualified to stand beside this young man she regarded as a nephew and shield him from the elements!

Ye Qing was silent for a moment. Knowing this was Aunt Liu's own choice, he could only respect it.

So he nodded:

"Aunt Liu, take care on your journey. This jade talisman has a good meaning for safety; please take it."

Ye Qing handed a snow-white jade talisman to Liu Ruyan.

A jade talisman, of course, couldn't literally ensure safety.

But within the jade talisman were three of Ye Qing's Sword Intent Imprints. If she encountered any danger, they could protect her.

After seeing off Liu Ruyan, Qingxuan Peak returned to tranquility.

Ye Qing called Lin Xueer and Su Chan before him.

After the tempering of the Grand Competition, the auras of the two women became increasingly solid, and both had gained new insights.

Su Chan had even broken through to the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer and was only one step away from the Golden Core Realm.

Lin Xueer had also broken through to the Eighth Layer of Foundation Establishment and was about to challenge the Ninth Layer.

From the congratulatory gifts, Ye Qing selected several Heaven And Earth Treasures and Medicinal Pills suitable for their current stage and bestowed them.

"Xueer, this is the 'Seven Treasure Pill'; it can help you stabilize your Foundation and increase your cultivation."

"Su Chan, this third-tier Low Grade Spiritual Artifact, the 'Purple Cloud Barrier-Breaking Heart-Binding Ribbon,' can protect your original heart and has a miraculous effect on your attempt to break through the Golden Core Bottleneck."

"Thank you, Revered Master!" The two women were overjoyed.

At the same time, the familiar notification sound for the critical hit return rang out.