104: Awards ceremony concluded

Lin Chuan watched as Elder Shen punched the Second Prince twice more in the face before finally stopping, panting and coughing twice as he bent over.

The Second Prince fell to the ground with a thud like a broken sack, his arm twisted and unconscious.

The Demon Sword stabbed into the platform still emitted an evil and violent aura, its purple-black demonic flames still burning, though the Demon Eye on the blade was now closed.

Spiritual Void Master hurried forward to support the Second Prince and summoned a Spirit Realm Sect Disciple, instructing him to take the Second Prince away for healing first.

Elder Shen looked up at Lin Chuan and said, "You must give an explanation for today's events, otherwise the Imperial Family will not let you off!"

Lin Chuan felt a bit awkward; he hadn't expected such a troublesome item to come out of the rewards.

Lin Chuan could only smile and say, "His cultivation is currently too low to resist the Demon Sword's corruption. But you've seen its power. Think about it—if someone could fully control its strength, wouldn't this reward be truly excellent?"

Elder Shen fell silent, thinking to himself, "Indeed, the Second Prince, at only the Golden Core Early Stage, could fight several veteran Soul Transformation experts alone with that sword. Even if they weren't trying to kill him, it proves the Demon Sword's overbearing power."

"Hmph, talk is cheap. Who knows if this Demon Sword can be fully controlled? What if his strength increases but he still becomes a Demon Sword Puppet? What then?" Elder Shen asked.

"Let me try!" Martial Wuling True Person, who hadn't spoken for a while, said with great interest as he stood up.

He walked to the Demon Sword, reached out to grab the hilt, and secretly circulated his spiritual energy to protect his mind.

The purple-black tentacles on the Demon Sword extended from the hilt again, spreading toward Martial Wuling True Person's hand.

But as soon as those tentacles touched Martial Wuling True Person's skin, they immediately retracted into the Demon Sword. Not only that, the purple-black demonic flames on the blade instantly extinguished, and the sword became covered in rust.

"Heh, I told you. All weapons obtained here are bound to the winner and cannot be used by others," Lin Chuan added.

Martial Wuling True Person looked depressed, let go, and walked aside.

Lin Chuan communicated with the System in his mind before asking, "What class does this... idiot... no, the Second Prince have in the Secret Realm?"

"He's an Ammunition Expert who Advanced from the Gunner class!" Elder Shen replied.

"Sigh! That's a pity then," Lin Chuan sighed.

"There are two ways now. First, if the Second Prince reaches Nascent Soul Peak, he should be able to resist the Demon Sword's mental control." Lin Chuan hesitated before continuing, "Second, have him create a new Ghost Swordsman class and advance. That way, he could likely use this Demon Sword at the Nascent Soul Early Stage."

Elder Shen pondered for a moment and said, "I'll have to discuss this with the Second Prince after he recovers."

Lin Chuan nodded and said, "Regardless of the method, he won't be able to touch this Demon Sword in the short term."

"Then, should such a divine weapon just be left here? What if it's lost?" Spiritual Void Master scratched his head.

Monk Dehai smiled slightly. "No matter, I will set up a Formation for it. I presume ordinary people won't be able to take it."

Unexpectedly, the Archbishop of the Church of Light also stepped forward and said, "We have yet to thank you for taking in the people of the Western Region. Since that's the case, I'll help with this matter as well!"

Lin Chuan's eyes darted around as he said, "Then place it next to Kelli's enhancement machine. She can help look after it too."

Remembering his battle with Kelli, Jian Wenxuan felt fairly confident in that woman's strength and immediately agreed, "Let's do that for now."

Thus, the Demon Sword was dug out along with the stone from the stage and placed next to Kelli's Disassembler. Inside was Monk Dehai's Buddhist Formation, and the outer layer was reinforced with a Light Barrier by the Light Archbishop.

Everyone stepped forward to test it and agreed that it was indeed impossible to get close for the time being, so they finally felt at ease.

Lin Chuan said to Elder Shen, "The sword will be kept here temporarily. Once the Second Prince's strength reaches what I mentioned, he can come and take it at any time!"

Elder Shen had no choice but to nod in agreement.

Seeing the matter resolved, Lin Chuan immediately announced, "The award ceremony for the leveling event ends here. Thank you, Seniors, for coming to support us."

Suddenly, Yi Jianwu stood up and asked, "Young Master Lin, I've also become interested in your Secret Realm. May I ask if I could also go in and take a look?"

At these words, many big shots expressed great interest and asked if they could enter the Secret Realm.

Seeing his chance, Lin Chuan quickly announced, "No need to ask, everyone. Just enter directly. This Secret Realm is open to everyone. Not just you big shots, even Mortals can enter if they wish."

The big shots all showed gratified smiles, expressed their impatience, and left one after another to enter the Secret Realm.

The elf Elder also said to Spiritual Void Master, "I want to go in and take a look too. Could you lead me?"

Spiritual Void Master quickly indicated there was no problem.

Jian Wenxuan, standing nearby, curled his lip. "If you leave, what about the three of us?"

Spiritual Void Master replied directly, "The three of you are enough. I'm going into the Secret Realm with Elder. Don't contact me again; I'm afraid Elder might misunderstand."

Ignoring the stunned Jian Wenxuan, Dehai, and Green Plum, he eagerly trotted off with Elder.

Lin Chuan went to Seria's side and whispered instructions, "A lot of new people will be entering these next few days. Work hard and fool them into buying revival coins and Lucky Gift Boxes. Tell them the Contracts from the Lucky Gift Boxes allow them to learn Advanced skills early; many will be tempted!"

Seria nodded obediently, "Yes, I understand, Master!"

Inside the Secret Realm, Grand Elder Elder felt distressed seeing Seria in tattered clothes in the forest. She really couldn't bear to see the Elf Clan's Goddess of Wealth in such a destitute state.

After driving away those disgusting green-skinned monsters, she hurriedly asked Seria why she had ended up like this.

Seria still maintained that pitiful look as she led Elder back to the tree house in the Elven Defense Line.

Looking at the dilapidated tree house, Elder thought, "It matches, it all matches. Legend says the Goddess of Wealth indeed loves living in the hollow of the Elven Divine Tree. To think she still keeps this habit even in this Secret Realm."

Seeing Seria worry about the villagers being harassed by Goblins nearby, Elder Elder felt even more admiration. She hadn't expected the Goddess to be so kind no matter where she was.

Finally unable to hold back, Elder asked Seria directly, "Goddess, do you need anything else?"

Seria smiled sweetly and said the line that countless people could never forget: "Hehe, today is also a day full of hope!"