240: Chapter 239 The Head of the Flowing Fire Sect

Elder Huoyun raised his hand to signal for silence, his gaze slowly falling upon Hu Nan and Wang Cheng. "Especially these two, Hu Nan and Wang Cheng, they are rare geniuses seen only once in a century! Within five days, both of their points exceeded ten thousand, crushing all other Prodigies and setting a new record since the start of the Qingyun Ranking trials. Such strength and courage are truly rare!"

On the stage, Hu Nan and Wang Cheng bowed slightly, their expressions remaining calm as they responded in deep voices, "Thank you for the praise, Elder Huoyun."

At that moment, Qin Changsheng's brow furrowed slightly.

Because just now, his Divine Sense had sensed killing intent from Elder Huoyun.

Qin Changsheng was not surprised by this trace of killing intent from Elder Huoyun.

After all, Chen Huan had fallen during the trial.

Elder Huoyun naturally suspected that Hu Nan and Wang Cheng were the culprits.

At the same time, Qin Changsheng also sensed several other gazes filled with killing intent from below the stage.

Qin Changsheng understood that these people were all Cultivators of the Yao Race.

The reason they had such strong killing intent toward Hu Nan and Wang Cheng...

Was likely because the Yao Race Altar within the Secret Realm had been destroyed.

Following the trails of this killing intent with his Divine Sense, Qin Changsheng committed the appearances of these individuals to memory.

On the square, Elder Huoyun spoke in a low voice to the several deacons beside him, "Bring forth the rewards for this trial!"

Over ten deacons walked up from below, each holding a jade tray in their hands.

The deacons neatly arranged the jade trays on the stone tables at the edge of the high platform, then stepped aside and stood with their heads bowed.

Elder Huoyun's gaze shifted back to Hu Nan. "Hu Nan, you are the first place winner of this Qingyun Ranking trial. According to the rules, you may choose any three items from these treasures as your reward!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire field of Cultivators erupted into an uproar, their eyes filled with envy and jealousy.

The rewards for the first place on the Qingyun Ranking had always been generous, but being able to choose any three treasures was an unprecedented honor. Many Cultivators looked at Hu Nan with longing, wishing they could take his place.

Qin Changsheng had already planned which treasures to select.

The three treasures Hu Nan chose were an Earth-grade High Grade longsword, an Earth-grade High Grade inner armor, and an Earth-grade High Grade bracer.

The heavenly dao fragment would be chosen by his Incarnation, Wang Cheng.

He knew that Chen Erniu had been keeping a close eye on Hu Nan.

If Chen Erniu were to discover any clues, it would be very detrimental to Qin Changsheng's future plans to seize heavenly dao fragments.

On the stage, after receiving Qin Changsheng's instructions, Hu Nan no longer hesitated and stepped toward the stone tables at the edge of the platform.

With a steady expression, his gaze slowly swept over the wooden boxes on the table. Without any hesitation, he first picked up a long wooden box.

The moment he opened the box, a chilling sword light burst forth. A longsword, its body lustrous and engraved with sword runes, lay quietly inside. The blade was wreathed in dense fluctuations of spiritual power; it was indeed an Earth-grade High Grade longsword Magical Artifact.

Next, Hu Nan chose the Earth-grade High Grade inner armor and the Earth-grade High Grade bracer.

"Three Earth-grade High Grade treasures!"

"I'm so envious of Senior Brother Hu!"

"He obtained three Earth-grade High Grade treasures all at once!"

"If only I could get just one Earth-grade High Grade treasure!"

Many Disciples looked at Hu Nan on the high platform with faces full of envy.

Although they were already Foundation Establishment Cultivators...

Most of their Magical Artifacts were only Earth-grade Low Grade.

They had always wanted an Earth-grade High Grade Magical Artifact.

Yet Hu Nan had easily obtained three of them.

"Wang Cheng, as the second place winner, you may choose any two items from the remaining treasures." Elder Huoyun's gaze turned toward Wang Cheng.

Wang Cheng approached the rewards and directly picked up the heavenly dao fragment and an Earth-grade High Grade longsword.

After Wang Cheng selected his rewards, the others also chose theirs one after another.

[Ding! Congratulations, you have obtained a heavenly dao fragment. You may upgrade one Golden Trait to a Heavenly Dao Trait!]

The moment Wang Cheng put away the rewards, a notification arrived.

Looking at the prompt on the attribute panel, Qin Changsheng's eyes were filled with joy.

He could once again upgrade a Golden Trait into a Heavenly Dao one.

However, Qin Changsheng was in no hurry to upgrade a Golden Trait into a Heavenly Dao Trait.

He planned to see what traits he could draw next year.

If next year's trait was good, he would directly strengthen that Golden Trait.

If next year's Golden Trait wasn't great, then he would select one from his current Golden Traits to upgrade.

Once the last Cultivator had collected their treasure, Elder Huoyun slowly stood up. His Golden Core Stage Pressure spread out once more, instantly suppressing the clamor in the square.

"Everyone, this Qingyun Ranking trial officially concludes here!"

As his voice fell, a burst of warm applause and cheers erupted in the square, lasting for a long time before gradually subsiding. The five-day trial, with its gains, regrets, growth, and deaths, had finally come to a Perfection.

As the trial concluded, the names of Hu Nan and Wang Cheng seemed to grow wings, instantly spreading throughout the entire Flowing Fire Sect and even the Southern Region Cultivation World.

Everyone was discussing these two Prodigies whose points had exceeded ten thousand, marveling at their formidable strength.

"Hu Nan and Wang Cheng are just too incredible! To break ten thousand points in five days has never happened in the history of the Qingyun Ranking. They are bound to be top figures in the Southern Region Cultivation World in the future!"

"The Heavenly Sword Sect truly has deep foundations to be able to nurture a Disciple like Hu Nan. Eleven thousand five hundred points is a crushing lead!"

"And then there's Wang Cheng—mysterious, unpredictable, and powerful. I wonder which Sect he comes from and what kind of background he has!"

Discussions rose one after another. The names Hu Nan and Wang Cheng became the most dazzling labels of this Qingyun Ranking trial. Whether it was the Elders of great Sects or ordinary Loose Cultivators, everyone remembered these two names with hearts full of respect and curiosity.

The Disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect were even more proud, surrounding Hu Nan and cheering incessantly, their faces full of reflected glory.

Hu Nan was also preparing to leave, but he was called back by Elder Huoyun just as he stepped off the stage.

"Hu Nan, wait a moment."

Hu Nan paused and slowly turned around, saying, "Elder, do you have further instructions?"

Elder Huoyun smiled and said, "Our Sect Head has heard of your deeds and admires you greatly. He wishes to meet you personally. Please follow me to the Flowing Fire Sect's main hall."

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd was in an uproar again, everyone showing looks of disbelief.

The Sect Head of the Flowing Fire Sect was a Peak Golden Core Stage powerhouse with a noble status. He rarely summoned Foundation Establishment Cultivators personally. Now, he was specifically summoning Hu Nan, which was enough to show that Hu Nan's talent and strength had received high recognition from the Flowing Fire Sect's leader.

Though Hu Nan was somewhat surprised, he did not hesitate. He bowed again to Elder Huoyun and said, "I'll trouble the Elder to lead the way."

Elder Huoyun nodded slightly and turned to walk toward the Flowing Fire Sect's main hall.

Shortly after, Hu Nan followed Elder Huoyun into the main hall of the Flowing Fire Sect.

Elder Huoyun walked to the center of the hall, bowed slightly, and reported in a deep voice toward the high platform at the head of the hall, "Sect Head, Hu Nan has been brought here."

Hu Nan looked up toward the high platform. There sat a middle-aged man dressed in bright yellow Daoist robes, surrounded by the thick and heavy Pressure of the Peak Golden Core Stage, possessing a powerful aura.

This person was the Sect Head of the Flowing Fire Sect, Shen Guhong.

"Greetings, Senior!" Hu Nan cupped his hands.

Shen Guhong slowly opened his eyes. His gaze fell upon Hu Nan, containing no severity but rather a warm smile. He raised his hand and gestured, "Little friend, no need for formalities. Please, have a seat."

His voice carried an inexplicable friendliness, like that of a kind Elder, with none of the arrogance of a top Sect Head.

Hu Nan bowed slightly and responded in a deep voice, "Thank you, Senior."

Then, guided by an attendant beside the Sect Head, he walked to a stone stool on one side of the hall and sat down.

Shen Guhong smiled and said, "Little friend, your performance in this Qingyun Ranking trial was extremely stunning. To break ten thousand points in five days and take first place while crushing all other Prodigies... such talent and strength are truly rare in a century."

He paused and continued, "For the Heavenly Sword Sect to nurture a Disciple like you, their foundation is indeed deep."

"I have heard that you specialize in the Dao of the sword and possess extraordinary talent. If you cultivate diligently in the future, you will surely break through to the Golden Core and become a pillar of the Southern Region Cultivation World."

His words were full of warmth, as if he truly appreciated Hu Nan and was enthusiastically receiving this young Prodigy.