233: Chapter 233 Rewards

"Whoa, that statue is the Dragon Clan Young Lord. I have to say, it actually looks pretty good."

"Haha, who would have thought the Dragon Clan would have a day like this? It's not even certain who the Dragon Clan is anymore."

"The most miserable one is Young Lord Young Master Ao Xing. Being alive is more humiliating than being dead; he was turned into stone while still alive and displayed at the city gate for all to see, becoming the laughingstock of the entire city."

The idle gossip, mockery, and ridicule were clearly audible, piercing into his ears.

Clan Leader Ao Yi remained calm, his footsteps steady.

He ventured deep into the Imperial Palace. The halls and pavilions were layered and majestic. The Imperial Luck and the pressure of the Formations intertwined, possessing a domineering aura that controlled the mortal realm and suppressed all clans, far more so than the Dragon Clan's palace.

Reaching the front of the main Imperial Palace hall, the plaza was vast and open, with a gentle breeze blowing and high, clear skies.

Unlike the noisy bustling outside the city, this place was quiet and solemn, every blade of grass and tree exuding an indifferent aura of controlling heaven and earth.

Elder Hei Yan stood quietly outside the hall, his posture upright, his gaze falling on the approaching Clan Leader Ao Yi with a complex expression.

Clan Leader Ao Yi stopped and took the initiative to cup his hands: "Elder Hei Yan, how have you been lately?"

He regretted asking as soon as the words left his lips. How could he not be doing well?

Now that he was following Yuan Chen, he was truly invincible under the heavens.

Elder Hei Yan tried hard to suppress the corners of his mouth from curling up: "Yeah, it's just, you know."

After Clan Leader Ao Yi entered the hall, he did not dare to delay for even a moment, nor did he hold onto any airs as a Clan Chief. He bowed deeply, his posture extremely humble, and pleaded guilty in a low voice: "This time, my Dragon Clan descendants Young Master Ao Xing and Second Elder Ao Ni were ignorant and arrogant. They crossed boundaries to provoke trouble, offended Your Majesty's dignity, disturbed the Daming Dynasty, and disrupted the peace of the Eastern Wasteland. They truly deserve to die. My Dragon Clan failed to discipline them strictly or restrain them effectively, leading to the junior's arrogance and their grave mistake. Today, I, Clan Leader Ao Yi, have come specifically on behalf of the Dragon Clan to offer a formal apology to Your Majesty and beg for Your Majesty's forgiveness."

Nowadays, Yuan Chen's status was no lower than his; it was even higher, so he needed to speak with a tone of equality.

Yuan Chen nodded slightly, unhurried, and asked indifferently: "No need to say more. Isn't it about compensation? How much are you paying?"

Hum—

Three dazzling rays of spiritual light soared from his sleeve and hovered in the center of the Golden Hall. They were resplendent, with Dao rhythms roaring, and an ancient, vast aura instantly filled the entire hall.

The first item was a crimson bead containing the endless Origin of Dragon Fire, the Myriad Calamity Dragon Fire Pearl. Its surface flowed with ancient flames. It was a Legacy treasure of the Dragon Clan, capable of refining all laws, tempering the Dao body, and breaking through cultivation Bottlenecks. It was rare in the heavens and priceless.

The second item was a simple, yellowed scroll with deep patterns, the Primordial Dragon Pattern True Scripture. It recorded the Origin Dao of the ancient Dragon Clan and contained countless lost Supreme secret techniques. Even the top clans of the heavens would fight madly for it.

The third item was a pool of Ancestral Dragon Origin Marrow Liquid sealed in a jade cup. It condensed the residual Origin of the ancient Ancestral Dragon. A single drop could cleanse the Dao foundation, reshape one's roots and bones, and nourish the Divine Soul. It was a truly Heaven-Defying sacred object.

The three heavy treasures hovered in the hall, filling the air with rosy light and vibrating with Dao rhythms. Even Elder Hei Yan, who was on duty outside the hall, felt his pupils shrink and his heart tremble.

This was no longer a simple apology; it was half of the Dragon Clan's underlying foundation.

Taking out such treasures was not only for the previously promised apology, but mainly to ease the relationship with Yuan Chen.

Yuan Chen leaned forward slowly, his gaze sweeping over the three treasures. His expression was calm; there was no greed, no emotion, only a trace of faint scrutiny.

"The heavy treasures are indeed extraordinary."

Yuan Chen spoke slowly, his voice cold and indifferent, "Placed in any faction, they would count as top-tier Opportunities, enough to make countless Old Ancestors fight madly for them."

Although they were of no use to him, the fact that Clan Leader Ao Yi could take these things out was enough to show that the other party had come with sincerity.

Clan Leader Ao Yi felt slightly relieved and quickly replied: "Since that is the case, can you help Young Master Ao Xing undo the Seal? Having been humiliated at the city gate for these days is enough, right?"

"Not enough. Second Elder Ao Ni brought Young Master Ao Xing across borders and threatened to trample my Exotic Beast Mansion. How can that be written off with just three treasures? Being able to let him go back is already enough."

"I only said that heavy treasures could be used to pay for the crime and spare his life. Now that his life is still intact, I have not broken my word."

With one sentence, he left Clan Leader Ao Yi speechless.

When the voice transmission was sent across the distance, the situation was hasty and the words were brief. Yuan Chen only promised to spare his life and allowed the heavy treasures to redeem his crime; he never promised to fully undo the Seal or cancel all punishments.

It was the Dragon Clan members who subconsciously assumed that giving up these treasures would completely offset the fault and restore everything to how it was.

In this negotiation, from the very beginning, the initiative was firmly held in Yuan Chen's hands.

Clan Leader Ao Yi gritted his teeth, forcibly steadying his mind, and continued to bargain: "Your Majesty! You spared his life, yet you suppressed him into a stone pedestal and displayed him in public. Even if he returns alive, how is that any different from being dead?"

"Then let's just kill him here right now!"

"Uh..."

Yuan Chen watched him quietly, and after a moment, spoke slowly: "Clan Leader Ao Yi, let me tell you the truth."

"Today the Eastern Wasteland Martial Arts Tournament begins, and Prodigies from the six realms have gathered. The entire Eastern Wasteland is watching how I deal with the Dragon Clan."

"If the Dragon Clan can redeem their humiliation by sending gifts today, then tomorrow if other factions make mistakes, they will all follow suit and redeem themselves with heavy wealth. Where does that leave the rules of my Eastern Wasteland!"

Clan Leader Ao Yi shook his head speechlessly. What rules? Being able to fight is enough. If he didn't want to release him, he should just say he didn't want to.

"I will accept all three heavy treasures. Our grudge is gone. You can take him back. Just go back the same way you came to save him, isn't that fine?"

Clan Leader Ao Yi felt a bitter lump in his chest; he had already offended Elder Ping He earlier.

Yuan Chen shook his head, his tone resolute, with no room for negotiation: "No."

After a long while, he slowly opened his eyes. All the sharpness in his eyes faded away, leaving only endless exhaustion and dejection. He bowed heavily: "My Dragon Clan accepts the punishment."

Yuan Chen nodded slightly and raised his hand to collect them.

The three heavy treasures—the Myriad Calamity Dragon Fire Pearl, the Primordial Dragon Pattern True Scripture, and the Ancestral Dragon Origin Marrow Liquid—hovering in the hall instantly turned into streams of light and fell into Yuan Chen's palm. He stored them away casually, showing no trace of wild joy, as if he had just accepted three ordinary objects.

"Go."

"After today, if the Dragon Clan behaves itself, I will let bygones be bygones. If you harbor evil intentions again..."

Clan Leader Ao Yi said nothing more, bowed deeply, turned around, and left in dejection.

...

On the Golden Hall, Yuan Chen watched Clan Leader Ao Yi leave, his gaze looking indifferently toward the bustling, boiling plaza in the distance.

The aftermath of the Dragon Clan's Clan Leader Ao Yi leaving in dejection with the battered Young Master Ao Xing had not yet dissipated, and the noisy heat of the Daming Imperial City had not decreased in the slightest; instead, it became even more intense.

The largest riverside teahouse in the Imperial City was already packed with people. The three-story pavilion was filled with powerful Cultivators from the six realms. This place was a mix of fish and dragons, with the most well-informed news, naturally becoming the core place for all parties to inquire about intelligence and discuss matters.

In a private seat by the window on the second floor, there was a low conversation.

"Speaking of this Immortal Dao Tournament, what are the rules exactly? Previously, I only heard that Golden Core Initial Stage and Nascent Soul Cultivators could participate, but we haven't gotten any accurate information on how the competition works, how the rankings are determined, or if there are any taboos." A young Disciple picked up his Spirit Tea and asked softly.

An Elder leading the group at the table stroked his beard and spoke, his gaze steady, clearly having inquired about the details in advance: "I have already asked someone to find out the rules thoroughly. This tournament is extremely fair, and it is a new rule deliberately set by the Mansion Master Yuan. The entire process does not distinguish between the status of Sects, the superiority or inferiority of realms, or the strength of backgrounds. As long as one's cultivation is between the Golden Core Initial Stage and the Nascent Soul Great Perfection, anyone can sign up to participate."

"The tournament is divided into two rounds. The first round is a melee selection where all participating Prodigies compete on the same stage, determining rankings by defending the arena and seizing tokens, eliminating ninety percent of the Cultivators. The second round is a one-on-one arena duel, with opponents matched by drawing lots. It is fair and just throughout, and no one can engage in favoritism or cheating."

Several Disciples at the next table leaned over upon hearing this, their eyes burning with heat, and they asked impatiently: "We roughly understand the rules, but what about the rewards? Rumors outside say there are countless heavy treasures, but what kind of Heaven-Defying Opportunities are there exactly? This is what we are most concerned about!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Cultivators at several surrounding tables looked over, and everyone's attention instantly focused here. Rushing to the Imperial City to participate or watch the tournament, in the final analysis, most people came for the legendary Supreme heavy treasures.

Seeing this, the Elder did not hide anything and slowly stated the details of the rewards that everyone was most concerned about: "The rewards for this tournament can be called the greatest in the Eastern Wasteland in a thousand years, unprecedented and unmatched. Anyone who qualifies for the first round can receive one thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones, and one hundred each of high-level healing pills and barrier-breaking pills, enough to equal the offerings of an ordinary Sect for a hundred years."

"Those who rank in the top one hundred in the second round can enter the Imperial City's Dao Enlightenment Pool for three days of cultivation to cleanse their Dao Heart, stabilize their cultivation, and break through cultivation Bottlenecks. Many Nascent Soul Cultivators have been stuck for many years, but with just one session of Dao Enlightenment in the pool, they can make a Breakthrough."

"Those who rank in the top ten can obtain a Dao Origin Crystal and can also receive one day of personal guidance from an Exotic Beast Mansion Elder to answer questions and sort out their Dao path."

"And for the champion, runner-up, and second runner-up of this tournament, the rewards are even more Heaven-Defying. The second runner-up can receive an ancient Cultivation Technique and one Low Grade Immortal Artifact; the runner-up can choose a Secret Realm in the Imperial City to cultivate alone for three months and receive three Low Grade Immortal Artifacts; the champion Prodigy can meet Mansion Master Yuan in person, receive a personal blessing and Dao guidance from Mansion Master Yuan, and can also receive one Medium Grade Immortal Artifact!"

Boom!

These short words instantly made the entire floor of the teahouse boil. Countless Cultivators breathed rapidly, their eyes filled with extreme heat and longing.

Immortal Artifacts! Those were Immortal Artifacts!

Such an Opportunity, let alone the younger generation of the Eastern Wasteland, even countless hidden Old Ancestors and veteran Sect Masters would go crazy for it.

If others said this, there might be doubts, but if it was Yuan Chen, then it was really possible.

Who doesn't know Yuan Chen's two "manys": many wives, many Magic Treasures.

He treats Low Grade Immortal Artifacts like wholesale goods.

"My god! These rewards are too terrifying!" A Loose Cultivator clenched his fists, his face full of excitement, "Let alone winning the championship, even if I can squeeze into the top ten and get guidance from an Exotic Beast Mansion Elder, that would be enough to make my Dao path smooth and worry-free for this life!"

"I really didn't come to the wrong place this time. Yuan Chen, you are my own father; you are too generous!"

"Don't say that. He has many offspring, and your talent is... tsk tsk tsk."

Amidst the clamor, a sigh came: "The Zhao Family was destroyed well! Yuan Chen coming to the Heavenly Domain is a blessing for our Eastern Wasteland!"

Of course, the person speaking must be a Loose Cultivator; Sect factions definitely wouldn't think so.

"Is this news accurate? Don't let everyone get happy for nothing."

"Of course it's accurate. My grandfather's aunt is one of Yuan Chen's wives, and the news was asked from there."

"Whoa, so you're also imperial kin, brother!"

"Think about it carefully. Previously, when the Daming Dynasty attacked across borders, if it weren't for Mansion Master Yuan's strong suppression and trampling of the threat, I'm afraid our major Eastern Wasteland factions would have already been liquidated one by one and crushed. At least there hasn't been direct fighting yet, which can be considered giving us some decency."

There were also a few people who had concerns and worried in low voices: "But after unification, all power will be in the hands of one person. If the rules are strict and controls are tight in the future, will our veteran Sects completely lose their autonomy and become vassals?"

Inside the teahouse, discussions from all sides continued one after another, endless.

Some studied the tournament rules and devoted themselves to polishing their combat power, just to compete for the Supreme heavy treasures;

Some sighed at the change of dynasties, lamenting the end of the old era and the arrival of the new;

Some discussed the future trend, clarifying the settled fact of unification and the impossibility of further separatism;

Some were in awe of Yuan Chen's methods and sincerely recognized this Co-Lord of the Eastern Wasteland.

Just as Daming Imperial City was clamorous and all Sects gathered, with Cultivators from all walks of life discussing hotly, outside the borders of the Eastern Wasteland, strangers were also gathering.

Hearing that the Eastern Wasteland was holding an unprecedentedly grand Immortal Dao Youth Tournament with countless heavy treasures and endless Opportunities, many Sects, Families, and strong Loose Cultivators from the surrounding areas could not suppress their curiosity and desire to watch. They gathered in groups to cross borders, traversing the border mountains and rivers, and rushed to the Eastern Wasteland to join in the fun, observe the general trend, and probe the reality.

A veteran Elder from the Western Desert, with white hair hanging to his shoulders and eyes containing the vicissitudes of life, stood stroking his beard, watching the majestic Luck rising into the sky from the Imperial City. He couldn't help but sigh in a low voice: "I heard the name Yuan Chen a few years ago. Back then, he was still a junior. I didn't expect him to grow to this point in just a few short years. The world is truly unpredictable."

Beside him, a highly arrogant Western Desert Prodigy frowned and spoke, his tone carrying a bit of dissatisfaction and probing: "It must be exaggerated. I think the Dragon Clan wants to support this person, so they put all their prestige on his head."

"What do you know?" The white-haired Elder glanced at him indifferently, his tone grave, "Don't look at external rumors, like the Dragon Clan split being a conspiracy, etc. Think carefully, is there any benefit for the Dragon Clan?"

"I brought you here this time so you can see for yourselves whether the other party is just famous without substance, or if he truly holds the power to change the world."

"If Yuan Chen really has a monstrous layout and invincible combat power, the Eastern Wasteland will inevitably rise completely, and we will have to weigh things carefully in the future."

"If he is just borrowing the Dragon Clan's foundation and is strong on the outside but weak on the inside, that's fine too. He has real things in his hands. If you bring back a few awards, the trip won't be in vain."

"Let's go." The white-haired Western Desert Elder waved his hand and ordered in a low voice, "Everyone, hide your sharpness. Behave yourself when entering the city. Watch more and speak less, and do not provoke trouble."

The group of Cultivators nodded one after another, adjusted their robes, followed the crowd, and headed toward the Imperial City.

For a time, the Eastern Wasteland Imperial City not only gathered local Prodigies from the eight realms but also attracted a large number of powerful outsiders.

Some truly wanted the treasures in Yuan Chen's hands, while others wanted to see Yuan Chen's ambition to prepare for the future.

After all, if one has the strength, no faction will be willing to stay in their own nest, and Yuan Chen is certainly no exception.