145: The grand prize! I want them all!

On the grassland, the cheers were like a tsunami that wouldn't cease.

Just as Qin Lang was enjoying this glorious moment under the spotlight, a familiar cold aura suddenly descended.

Without any warning, that cold and stunning figure appeared out of thin air beside him.

Before Qin Lang could react, a slender and strong hand had already grabbed his arm.

"Come with me."

Fu Yuechi's voice was as cold as ice, yet it carried an unquestionable majesty.

In the next second, the surrounding space distorted.

Under the stunned gazes of tens of thousands of students, Qin Lang's figure vanished instantly, as if he had never been there at all.

A few minutes later.

Qin Lang felt his vision blur, and when he could see clearly again, he was inside an extremely luxurious private airship.

Soft animal hide carpets, precious spiritual wood tables and chairs—everywhere exuded a sense of low-key luxury.

Behind a massive mahogany desk, a slightly chubby middle-aged man with a kind face was looking at him with a smile.

It was Director Wang, a high-ranking official of the academy responsible for this assessment.

"Have a seat, our great hero."

Director Wang pointed to the chair opposite him, his tone as friendly as a neighborly uncle.

Qin Lang didn't stand on ceremony either and sat down graciously.

"In this Secret Realm Assessment, you gave us all a huge surprise."

Director Wang personally poured a cup of tea for Qin Lang, his eyes filled with admiration.

"Not only did you slay that terrifying Blood Demon, but you also saved tens of thousands of the Federation's future pillars."

"What's even more rare is that in the face of such immense merit, you can still maintain this calm and steady Heart-Nature. You will surely achieve great things in the future!"

Facing the big shot's praise, Qin Lang just smiled modestly and didn't let it go to his head.

After some pleasantries, Director Wang's expression turned serious as he finally got to the point.

"According to the regulations, the student who wins the ultimate grand prize can choose one treasure from the academy's vault."

With that, he waved his hand.

Three holographic projections appeared out of thin air, floating in front of Qin Lang.

"These are three selected rewards for you; you can choose one of them."

Qin Lang's gaze narrowed as he immediately looked at the first projection.

It was a potion flowing with dreamlike colors.

"The first is an opportunity."

Director Wang explained, "You can request the Eight-star Potion Great Master of Xuanji City—Dan Chenzi—to concoct a potion of any grade for you, provided you provide the Materials."

An Eight-star Potion Great Master!

Such people are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns in the entire Eastern Alliance, with a status comparable to a Rank 7 powerhouse.

For those high-level Evolvers who have been stuck at a Bottleneck for years, this promise is practically a priceless treasure, enough to make them go bankrupt to trade for it.

But Qin Lang only took a glance before looking away.

Was he joking?

He was a man with the "Creation Gene" and the System.

As long as he had enough Materials and time, let alone an eight-star potion, he might even be able to concoct legendary nine-star or ten-star divine medicines.

This reward had extremely low cost-effectiveness for him.

Qin Lang looked at the second projection.

It was a silver battle suit shimmering with faint starlight, its surface flowing with complex runic light paths, appearing mysterious and unpredictable.

"The second one is called the 'seven star battle armor'."

Mentioning this treasure, Director Wang's tone became a bit more solemn.

"This is a true life-saving divine object."

"As long as enough biological energy is injected, it can even withstand a blow from a Rank 7 powerhouse."

Withstand a blow from a Rank 7 powerhouse!

Qin Lang's heart skipped a beat.

What did Rank 7 even mean?

Those were true mighty beings, existences that could destroy heaven and earth with a simple gesture.

Even if it was only a one-time defense, it was enough to make it a trump card that countless people dreamed of.

Although the cost of charging it would certainly be ridiculously high, it would be a second life in a life-or-death moment.

Qin Lang was somewhat tempted.

Although he had the Undying Divine Phoenix Gene and could undergo Nirvana to be reborn, the pain and consumption were also immense. Who would want to die once if they could avoid it?

Suppressing the desire in his heart, Qin Lang looked at the final projection.

It was a broken sword.

Less than a third of the blade remained, rusted and looking like a piece of junk picked up from a scrap pile.

But the moment Qin Lang saw it, the Chaos Sword Intent within him began to tremble uncontrollably.

It was fear, and also longing.

"This third item has the greatest origin."

Director Wang took a deep breath and said in a heavy voice, "It is a damaged 'Sacred Artifact', a sword once used by a Rank 10 Saint."

"Although it is dilapidated and its artifact spirit has dissipated, its material and sharpness are still far beyond ordinary weapons."

"If you can comprehend the trace of Saintly Intent remaining within it, it will bring a revolutionary improvement to your sword cultivation."

Sacred Artifact fragment!

A Rank 10 Saint's weapon!

Qin Lang's breathing instantly became rapid.

The boost this broken sword provided to attack power was definitely nuclear-level.

If the seven star battle armor was the strongest shield, then this broken sword was the sharpest spear.

For a moment, Qin Lang fell into deep conflict.

The potion was excluded first.

The battle suit could save his life, and the broken sword could kill enemies.

Both were top-tier; giving up either one would be painful.

Just as Qin Lang was struggling to choose, Fu Yuechi, who had been standing silently nearby, suddenly spoke.

"Director Wang."

She took a step forward, her voice cold. "The merit Qin Lang achieved this time is more than just winning a championship."

"He saved tens of thousands of students, averting a tragedy for the Alliance."

"This Karma alone far exceeds any ultimate grand prize from previous years."

Fu Yuechi paused, looking directly at Director Wang with a firm tone.

"Letting him choose only one is too stingy."

Director Wang was stunned and gave a bitter smile. "Elder Fu, these are the rules..."

"Rules are dead, but people are alive!"

Just then, a lazy voice came from the doorway.

Fei Changqing walked in unsteadily, holding a wine flask.

He flopped onto the sofa and crossed his legs without any regard for his image.

"Old Wang, we've been friends for decades."

Fei Changqing let out a wine burp and started playing the emotional card.

"I remember when you first joined the academy; I was the one who taught you how to fill out the entry forms. I even held you when you were a kid."

"My disciple has had a hard life. He fought for his life alone in the Secret Realm and almost didn't make it back."

"Do you have the heart to watch him return empty-handed?"

Director Wang's mouth twitched, his forehead covered in dark lines.

These two, one playing the good cop and the other the bad cop.

This was blatant robbery!

Under Fu Yuechi's cold gaze and Fei Changqing's shameless pestering, Director Wang wiped the sweat from his forehead and finally gave in.

"Fine, fine, fine, I give in to you two."

Director Wang sighed helplessly. "I'll request the higher-ups and apply for an exception for this kid."

"But let me make this clear: this is a one-time thing, not to be repeated!"

Hearing this, Qin Lang was ecstatic.

This was simply a divine assist!

As expected, having protective mentors felt great!

Director Wang dialed an encrypted communication in front of everyone.

A few minutes later, he hung up the phone with a smile on his face.

"The higher-ups agreed."

"In view of Qin Lang's special contribution, he is specially permitted to choose two prizes."

"However, this matter must be kept secret and not disclosed."

Qin Lang was overjoyed and didn't hesitate for a moment.

"I choose the seven star battle armor and the damaged Sacred Artifact!"

Only children make choices; adults, of course, want them all!

Half an hour later.

Carrying his haul of treasures, Qin Lang left the airship under the escort of his two mentors.

Returning to the independent lounge arranged by the academy, Qin Lang impatiently dumped all the rewards onto the bed.

A heavenly dao talisman emitting spatial fluctuations—this was the reward for the Freshman Group champion.

A radiant seven star battle armor—this was his life-saving trump card.

A rusted broken sword that emitted a terrifying aura—this was a Sharp Weapon for killing.

And a black gold card containing thirty million units of biological energy—this was the prize money for the assessment.

Looking at the pile of treasures before him, enough to make any high-level powerhouse envious, Qin Lang took a deep breath.

This Secret Realm Assessment had truly been a massive profit.