99: First Prize

At this moment, inside Meng Bi’s private residence on Tuyao Peak.

A black-clad subordinate was reporting Yao Delong’s latest movements to Meng Bi.

"What? Envoy Ying has arrived and bestowed Sect gifts?"

Meng Bi’s voice seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, each word carrying bone-chilling coldness and uncontrollable jealousy.

It echoed in the empty, cold stone chamber.

Bang!

The armrest of the incredibly hard Profound Iron Rock Chair he sat on was actually crushed at a corner by the violent Spiritual Power he unconsciously leaked!

Crushed stones rattled down.

"Good! What a generous gift from the Sect! What favor from the Sect Head!"

Meng Bi suddenly stood up, his body surging with uncontrolled earthy-yellow Spiritual Power.

The heavy stone tables and chairs in the Immortal Cave vibrated, and fine cracks appeared on the ground.

He roared, his voice like a wounded beast,

"When I broke through to the Golden Core Realm, apart from my Revered Master, Vice Peak Master Han Yun, who out of Revered Master-Disciple affection privately gave me a congratulatory gift,

the Sect never bestowed a single Spirit Stone! This Yao Delong received a reward as soon as he entered the Golden Core Realm."

The immense sense of disparity gnawed at his heart like a venomous snake.

He, Meng Bi, a dignified Inner Sect Core Disciple, a Middle Golden Core Stage Cultivator, had never enjoyed such an honor!

And that Yao Delong, a piece of trash with a Spiritual Power Affinity of 2, why did he deserve it?!

"Keep a close eye on Luoxia Peak! Every move Yao Delong makes.

Even if a fly flies out of his Immortal Cave, which latrine it goes to, whom he meets, what he says.

I want everything investigated clearly, down to the smallest detail, and reported back immediately!"

Meng Bi’s voice was resolute, every word exuding chilling coldness.

If a fly could speak, it would definitely eat.

"Yes!"

A hoarse, emotionless reply came from the shadows.

However, he was startled and felt immense pressure, "Could that Yao Delong have the ability to control beasts, and even flies can transmit messages!"

The figure’s outline then faded, completely merging into the darkness, as if it had never appeared.

Watching Liu Rumei transform into that resolute fiery-red streak of light disappearing into the sky, Yao Delong’s lips curved into a smile.

With a thought, he opened the long-dormant System panel.

[Current yin yang points]: 56

[Number of Draws]: 1

"Draw!" Yao Delong silently chanted without hesitation.

In his mind, the giant golden wheel instantly appeared, radiant and dazzling.

Countless rare icons spun rapidly on the wheel, making one dizzy.

Yao Delong’s gaze was fixed on the 'First Prize' sector, which was only slightly larger than the 'grand prize' area.

He silently chanted in his heart:

"First Prize! First Prize!"

The wheel’s pointer spun wildly with a heart-pounding whistle, gradually slowing down.

Finally, under Yao Delong’s bated breath, the pointer trembled, extremely reluctantly,

stopping at the very edge of the narrowest 'First Prize' area!

[Ding! Congratulations, host, for winning the First Prize! Reward: Spiritual Power Affinity permanently +1! skill mastery card *3!]

"Awesome!" Even with Yao Delong’s composure, he couldn’t help but let out a low cry, his eyes bursting with ecstatic light!

Spiritual Power Affinity permanently +1!

This was precisely the foundational attribute he currently needed most and found most difficult to improve!

Although the effects of the nine revolutions heavenly soul foundation establishment pill currently boosted his Spiritual Power Affinity to 10 points,

allowing him to absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi as easily as a whale swallowing the sea.

However, this medicinal effect would completely disappear after he broke through to the Nascent Soul Realm!

At that time, his true Spiritual Power Affinity would revert to its original level.

Now, with this permanent +1 point, his true Spiritual Power Affinity reached 3 points.

Although still poor, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step; one leads to two!

And those three skill mastery cards were also priceless treasures!

It meant he could instantly elevate three Cultivation Techniques or Martial Skills to the Perfection Realm, saving countless hours of arduous effort!

He immediately set off, heading once more to Lin Qingxue’s courtyard.

The courtyard was still quiet and elegant, but empty, with only a few fallen leaves swirling in the breeze.

"Two months have passed..."

Yao Delong frowned slightly, the unease in his heart growing again.

"Junior Sister Clear Snow has been home for so long this time, could something unexpected have truly happened?"

Canglan City! A major first-tier city on the eastern side of the Ba Xia Dynasty, where the Lin family resides.

It seems I must make a trip myself.

However, Yao Delong knew this trip would be perilous. That Meng Bi was narrow-minded and vengeful.

Once he left the Sect’s protection, the opponent would surely arrange an ambush!

"I must make full preparations!" Yao Delong’s eyes sharpened.

He suddenly remembered Elder Liu Duan of Spirit Forging Peak,

who was crafting a protective soft armor for him. Calculating the time, it should have been completed long ago.

Yao Delong immediately took out a jar of treasured, Spiritual Qi-infused "Hundred Fruit Spiritual Brew" from his storage ring, transformed into a streak of light, and headed straight for Spirit Forging Peak.

Spiritual Qi-infused "Hundred Fruit Spiritual Brew", transformed into a streak of light, and headed straight for Spirit Forging Peak.

Spirit Forging Peak, flames soared, and the sounds of hammering were incessant. Yao Delong soon arrived at Elder Liu Duan’s courtyard.

"Elder Liu!" Yao Delong called out loudly.

Hearing Yao Delong’s voice, Liu Duan immediately smiled, put down his work, and patted the dust off his body:

"Haha, Kid Yao! I thought you had forgotten about that set of soft armor and weapons! You haven’t come to collect them for so long!"

Yao Delong scratched his head sheepishly and presented the spiritual brew in his hand:

"Elder, you jest. How could this Disciple forget your great kindness? It's just that after the Inner Sect assessment, I went into seclusion to break through to the Golden Core Realm.

I only stabilized my Realm and emerged from seclusion a few days ago. Today, I specially came to bother you with a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it, Junior Martial Uncle."

"Oh? Broke through to the Golden Core Realm?"

Liu Duan took the wine jar, and the rich aroma of wine mixed with pure Spiritual Qi made his eyes light up.

At the same time, he carefully sensed Yao Delong’s aura and was immediately moved:

"Hiss... What powerful vital energy! This Physical Body... hiss, your physique, kid, is simply comparable to a humanoid Vicious Beast!"

It seems that the Great Sun Body Forging Art has truly shone in your hands! Good! Very good!"

Liu Duan praised repeatedly, his eyes full of admiration.

He said no more, turned and entered the inner room, and a moment later emerged holding an ancient jade box.

"Here, the High Grade Earth-Grade Weapon I forged for you, kid – the 'Demon Mongoose Soft Armor'!"

Liu Duan opened the jade box. Inside lay a soft armor as thin as cicada wings, dark red all over.

Its surface was covered with intricate and mysterious scale patterns. It was cool and flexible to the touch, yet contained powerful defensive fluctuations.

"This armor uses Blood Demon Mongoose as the main Material, integrated with 'Earth Fire Essence Crystal' and 'Thousand-Year Cold Silkworm Silk'. I put a lot of effort into it!"

Liu Duan introduced, his tone carrying pride,

"Within the Golden Core Realm, whether it's spell attacks or Magic Treasure slashes, it can neutralize fifty percent of their power!

Even a full-force strike from an Early Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator can have ten percent of its damage blocked for you!

Wearing it, it’s as light as nothing, not affecting any movement."

Yao Delong took the soft armor. It was slightly heavy in his hand, cool and flexible to the touch.

His Divine Thought probed it, and he immediately felt the powerful protective Restriction contained within.

He was overjoyed. With this precious armor protecting him, combined with his already incomparably powerful Great Sun Glazed Body,

within the Golden Core Realm, those who could break his defense were probably truly few and far between!

Even when facing a Nascent Soul Cultivator, he had an extra layer of confidence to save his life!

Liu Duan then opened a wooden box, inside which lay a short blade, entirely black, ancient in style, with a cold, eerie glint on its edge.

The blade was only about a foot long, yet it exuded a chillingly sharp aura.

"This 'Black Scale' is a Medium Grade Earth-Grade Weapon. The remaining Blood Demon Mongoose Materials were only enough to forge this short weapon.

However, it excels in unparalleled sharpness, armor-piercing, and spirit-penetrating capabilities, making it invincible for sneak attacks and assassinations!"

"Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle Liu! This Disciple will engrave this kindness in his heart!" Yao Delong sincerely bowed again.

"Alright, alright, enough with the pleasantries."

Liu Duan waved his hand, but his eyes showed satisfaction, "Just live well! Don't waste my efforts!"

Yao Delong exchanged a few more pleasantries with Liu Duan, sought some Body Refining insights, and then bid farewell.

Next stop, Pill Cloud Peak!