215: Chapter 215 Obtaining the Nascent Soul Pill

These words seemed to win people over, but in reality, they concealed the manipulative arts of an emperor.

Baili Yunche lowered his head to listen, but in his heart, he was as clear as a mirror.

This Cangxuan Emperor seemed broad-minded, but every word and sentence was actually a warning, reminding everyone that the Cangxuan Empire ultimately belonged to the Zhou Family.

As Zhou Daoyan's voice fell, his gaze turned to Baili Yunche, and a gentle smile actually appeared on his face.

That smile was like a spring breeze brushing across his face; one could not see a shred of anger born from the Seventh Prince's miserable defeat, but instead, it exuded an elder's appreciation and warmth toward a Junior.

"Congratulations, Baili Yunche, on winning the championship of the Cangxuan Assembly."

His tone was gentle as his gaze looked over Baili Yunche, and he nodded slightly:

"With the body of the Nascent Soul first layer, you repeatedly defeated several Middle Stage Revered Masters of the Nascent Soul. Such combat power and Heart-Nature, even We back then might not have been able to match. The Xuanyang Sect has produced a good sapling."

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Baili Yunche bowed and saluted once more with a respectful posture, but inwardly he was secretly vigilant.

This old fox was far too deep in scheming. The Seventh Prince had been beaten half-to-death by him, yet he could still smile so warmly. This level of composure was far beyond what greenhorns like Seventh Prince Zhou Changyu could compare to.

"Not bad, not bad. A young man who is neither arrogant nor impetuous, and remains calm in victory—truly rare."

Zhou Daoyan clapped his hands and chuckled lightly, then turned his head to look at Eighth Prince Zhou Daoyi, his voice recovering an emperor's majesty:

"Men! Present the rewards for the top ten of the Assembly! We will award them personally!"

"Yes!"

Eighth Prince Zhou Daoyi acknowledged.

Not long after, all the Disciples who made the top ten stood upon the arena stage.

Aside from the original top ten such as Baili Yunche, Fifth Prince Zhou Changfeng, Li Miaomiao, and Huang Yunxiao, because Liang Hong, Liu Yuze, and Ji Zhan had been slain or crippled by Baili Yunche, their spots were naturally filled by the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth place Disciples.

Those three substitute Disciples stood on the stage with apprehensive expressions, their gazes stealing glances at Baili Yunche from time to time, their eyes filled with awe and gratitude.

If not for Baili Yunche, they wouldn't even have the qualifications to obtain the extra rewards for the top ten!

Ten maids dressed in light gauze holding purple-gold trays moved with lotus steps, slowly ascending the stage.

Upon the trays, various colored spiritual lights circulated, shrouded in a divine aura.

"From the sixth to the tenth place of the Assembly, be rewarded with the Biling Pill!"

Zhou Daoyan's voice was sonorous.

The five Disciples knelt one after another to express their gratitude, their faces overflowing with excitement.

"From the second to the fifth place of the Assembly, be rewarded with one volume of an Earth Rank secret technique!"

Fifth Prince Zhou Changfeng, Huang Yunxiao, and the others stepped forward to take the Jade Slips from the maids' hands, bowing respectfully.

Earth Rank secret techniques already belonged to the top-tier Legacy within the Cangxuan Empire, sufficient to be passed down through generations as the foundation of a Family or Sect.

"Many thanks to Your Majesty for bestowing the treasures!"

"Many thanks to Your Majesty for bestowing the treasures!"

Everyone shouted in unison, their voices shaking the firmament.

Finally, it was Baili Yunche's turn.

The entire audience's gazes instantly converged.

Zhou Daoyan personally took the tray from the last maid's hands. Resting quietly upon the tray was a mutton-fat white jade bottle.

Holding the jade bottle, Zhou Daoyan's gaze fell upon Baili Yunche, and the smile on his face remained gentle.

However, the moment he handed out the jade bottle, a trace of imperceptible reluctance and heartache flashed deep within his eyes.

"Baili Yunche, this is the reward for first place in the grand competition—the nine-turn deity transformation pill!"

His voice was steady, yet he paused slightly before continuing:

"This pill is a supreme treasure treasured by Our imperial Family for hundreds of years. It is of Medium Grade quality, possessing a forty percent probability to help a Late Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator break through to the Soul Transformation Stage."

"We bestow it upon you today, hoping you can make good use of it and not fail the preciousness of this Medicinal Pill."

"If you achieve success in the future, remember to contribute more to the Cangxuan Empire. The Empire will always be your backing."

These words sounded impassioned and rousing, but in reality, they concealed sharp barbs.

Baili Yunche received the jade bottle with both hands, his fingertips touching the warm jade texture of the bottle body, while inwardly he sneered repeatedly.

This old fox spoke so loftily, but in his heart, he was probably bleeding from the pain.

He had long since noticed that when Zhou Daoyan handed over the Medicinal Pill, his fingertips trembled slightly, and a gloomy shadow flashed past the depths of his eyes.

"This nine-turn deity transformation pill was originally supposed to be safely in the pockets of Seventh Prince Zhou Changyu or Fifth Prince Zhou Changfeng, right?"

Baili Yunche thought to himself.

He noticed that when Zhou Daoyan gave the nine-turn deity transformation pill to him, the complexions of several old ministers in the imperial faction down below instantly turned ashen. Clearly, to the imperial Family, this Medicinal Pill was also a pain akin to cutting flesh.

"Many thanks to Your Majesty for bestowing the treasures! Baili Yunche is endlessly grateful!"

Baili Yunche bowed and saluted with a sincere tone, but in his heart, he was already blooming with joy.

He tightly grasped that white porcelain bottle, so excited that his fingertips were trembling slightly.

It was finally in his hands!

Revered Master Peak Master Luo Yunshang had been stuck at the ninth layer of Nascent Soul for many years. If she had this pill to assist her, the probability of breaking through to the Soul Transformation Stage would greatly increase!

Once Revered Master advanced to Soul Transformation, the Xuanyang Sect's status would inevitably rise with the tide, and he would also have a much more solid backing.

"We look forward to your future."

Zhou Daoyan took a deep look at him, his gaze as though wanting to carve his appearance into the depths of his heart, then turned around to face the entire audience.

He loudly delivered some words of encouragement, which were nothing more than polite superficialities hoping that all the Prodigies would prioritize the Empire and keep the common people in mind in the future.

Having finished speaking, his figure flashed, turning into a streak of golden light that vanished above the firmament, leaving only a faint Dragon might lingering in the air.

Eighth Prince Zhou Daoyi stepped forward, cleared his throat, and announced loudly:

"This Prince announces, this session of the Cangxuan Assembly has come to an end!"

"Three days from now, we set off for the Yinwu Mountain Range. Will all Disciples entering the Cangxuan Secret Realm please make preparations!"

As soon as Eighth Prince Zhou Daoyi spoke these words, the crowd in the venue slowly retreated like a receding tide.

The originally bustling and heaven-shaking imperial martial arts arena became desolate in just a short moment.

Leaving behind only scattered debris and shattered arenas all over the ground, bearing witness to that heaven-shaking Peak battle just a moment ago.