Chapter 38 Trial Rewards

Looking at the results displayed on the ranking board, the originally dead silent venue became even more deathly quiet.

Many people rubbed their eyes hard, wondering if they were hallucinating.

Ye Fan?

Two hundred Demon Cores?

First place in the Trial Assembly?

They recognized these words individually, but putting them together was confusing.

As the widely known good-for-nothing, the result Ye Fan presented was beyond being described as shattering common sense.

After a brief moment of stunned silence, the venue erupted as if a pot had boiled over, and numerous Disciples almost shared the same thought.

A conspiracy!

Blatant foul play!

This must be backroom dealing!

Cries of foul play echoed inside and outside the venue, with countless Disciples shouting about conspiracies, but they were met with Elder Tie's merciless reprimand.

"All of you, shut up!"

The pressure of a Core Formation Realm Cultivator radiated outwards, sweeping across the entire venue like a flood.

The complexions of the many Disciples instantly changed, and they dared not utter another word of nonsense.

"Ye Fan, I need to inspect your Demon Cores. Is that a problem?" Elder Tie asked with a frown.

"Naturally, there is no problem."

Ye Fan generously handed over the Demon Cores, feeling a touch of disdain for the stirring Disciples in his heart.

If this matter could be faked, the Joyous Union Sect should be expelled by the major Sects.

As Ye Fan guessed, a special barrier had long been set up in the Trial Secret Realm.

All Demon Cores originating from there possessed a unique mark; even if you brought Demon Cores from outside and presented them, it would be useless.

After Elder Tie's inspection, not only were Ye Fan's submitted two hundred Demon Cores fine, but Yun Li's and Murong Wan's Demon Cores also passed inspection.

If someone else had said this, the Disciples might still have harbored some suspicion.

After all, there were already rumors circulating that Ye Fan had some 'unclear' relationship with the Sect's higher-ups, making it hard to guarantee this wasn't some backroom dealing.

But Elder Tie's reputation was known to everyone; once he spoke, no one dared to doubt him. Consequently, the correct answer became obvious.

"This good-for-nothing leech!!"

In everyone's eyes, these Demon Cores were clearly hunted by Murong Wan.

It was one thing for Ye Fan to benefit from her, but he was actually being touted as the first place winner of the Trial Assembly.

This wasn't just leeching; this was forcefully taking the benefits!

When the numerous Disciples thought of this, their teeth ached with jealousy. The way they looked at Ye Fan was filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.

Yet, he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying himself, even protectively wrapping an arm around Murong Wan's slender waist as if to show off, nearly inciting universal wrath.

Being held by Ye Fan under the gaze of countless people, Murong Wan's pretty face instantly flushed crimson.

But she only struggled symbolically a couple of times before seemingly accepting Ye Fan's action as default.

The last sliver of hope for countless Disciples was completely shattered, and they left the venue with expressions of heartbreak, as if they had suffered a breakup.

Seeing Ye Fan's smug appearance, Elder Tie's face was grim. He truly wished he could slap him twice, but he simply couldn't find a reason.

The Trial Assembly allowed solo efforts or team-ups; how the Demon Cores were divided depended entirely on the participants' wishes.

Even if Ye Fan was truly leeching off Murong Wan and taking her first place, they couldn't do anything about it.

The Sect and the higher-ups were also left speechless, secretly cursing that this kid Ye Fan always managed to stir up trouble.

"Forget it. Since the Demon Cores are fine, distribute the rewards according to the results."

Seeing that even the Sect Head had spoken, no one else dared to say anything more.

Soon, Ye Fan became the only Disciple in the history of the Trial Assembly to luckily reach the top by relying on Murong Wan, causing countless people to secretly curse him.

The rewards for ordinary Disciples were not worth mentioning; they could exchange them later based on their scores.

The Sect primarily distributed rewards to the top one hundred as role models to motivate more Disciples to Cultivate diligently and participate in the next Trial Assembly.

The most eye-catching among them were undoubtedly the top ten, or perhaps the top three.

"Third place in the Trial Assembly, Yun Li of Pill Cauldron Peak, submitted one hundred Demon Cores. Reward: one foundation establishment pill and ten thousand Spirit Stones."

Despite being mentally prepared, countless Disciples' eyes turned red when they heard the words 'foundation establishment pill'.

The Foundation Establishment Realm and the Qi Refining Realm seemed separated by a thin line, but in reality, they were worlds apart.

Except for direct Disciples like Murong Wan, who were almost guaranteed to achieve Foundation Establishment, other Outer Sect or even Inner Sect Disciples were merely slightly stronger cannon fodder to the Joyous Union Sect, possessing very limited inherent value.

Only by stepping into the Foundation Establishment Realm could one truly transform like a Dragon emerging from a carp, becoming an indispensable backbone force of the Sect, enjoying treatment good enough to make anyone envious.

But how could ordinary Disciples achieve Foundation Establishment so easily? Even a one percent chance was considered high.

Excluding some special Cultivation Techniques that could improve the success rate of Foundation Establishment, only the foundation establishment pill could significantly increase the chance of a Breakthrough.

Generally speaking, as long as one's Aptitude wasn't too poor, success in breaking through was almost certain within three foundation establishment pills; the exceptionally intelligent might even succeed easily with just one.

Therefore, in a sense, one foundation establishment pill almost represented the birth of one Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivator, illustrating how high its value was. Compared to this, the reward of ten thousand Spirit Stones was merely a token prize.

If not for this, Yun Li's Senior Brothers wouldn't have taken the risk of ambushing her, the pearl of Pill Cauldron Peak, for the Spirit Medicine needed to refine the foundation establishment pill.

Looking at the foundation establishment pill in her palm, Yun Li couldn't help but breathe rapidly.

Originally, sneaking out to participate in the Trial Assembly while her Master thought she was in seclusion would surely earn her a severe scolding.

But having this foundation establishment pill made a huge difference; she immediately felt much more confident.

"Thanks to Senior Brother Ye Fan," Yun Li thought with a blush.

Murong Wan's reward was even richer when it was her turn, receiving two foundation establishment pills and thirty thousand Spirit Stones.

Murong Wan accepted them calmly, showing no visible reaction.

After all, she was confident that even without the aid of a foundation establishment pill, breaking through wouldn't be difficult given her Aptitude.

When it was Ye Fan's turn to receive his reward, it was a full three foundation establishment pills and fifty thousand Spirit Stones, causing countless people's eyes to turn red with jealousy.

Boos immediately erupted from inside and outside the venue, and a few bold Disciples took the lead in shouting that he was a good-for-nothing leech who didn't deserve the first place position.

"Silence! Anyone who dares to disrupt the assembly again will be dealt with according to Sect rules."

As soon as Elder Tie spoke, the noisy venue instantly quieted down; not a single person dared to speak nonsense anymore.

Ye Fan cheerfully accepted the foundation establishment pills, but then he made a decision that surprised everyone.

"Sect Head, this Disciple has something to say."

"Oh? What is it?"

"Regarding these foundation establishment pills... I wish to offer two of them to the Sect Head."

Ye Fan's words stunned everyone; whether it was the Disciples or the Sect's higher-ups.

Even the Sect Head almost pulled out several of his own beard hairs, unable to believe what he had heard.

"This Disciple knows his Aptitude is dull; consuming too many foundation establishment pills would be a waste."

"It might as well be better to keep one to try my luck. I will leave these two for the Sect Head to handle."

Ye Fan had a sincere expression, showing no sign of coercion or displeasure.

The Sect Head recovered his composure and gave Ye Fan a meaningful look, thinking to himself that although this kid's Aptitude was poor, his mind was certainly top-tier.