Chapter 478: Number One

477. Chapter 472: Number One

Ding Huan laughed heartily: "Master Ji is truly someone who does great things. Master Ji, rest assured—no one will dare bully Dafanxian Sect."

Ji Changsi didn't catch the meaning behind Ding Huan's words and lowered his voice: "I originally intended to invite you to sit at our Immortal Gate. But now too many are watching you—if I keep you here, it will be extremely dangerous for you."

"Once the rewards are distributed, you must flee immediately—preferably to the Chaos Zone."

Ding Huan was deeply moved; Ji Changsi was still this loyal—he never expected this.

He pulled out a jade box and handed it to Ji Changsi: "Master Ji, this jade box was meant for someone else. After I'm gone, you'll receive a message. Remember—you must follow exactly what the message says."

Ji Changsi didn't understand what Ding Huan meant, but he took it anyway.

Ding Huan pulled out another transmission array plate and handed it to Ji Changsi:

"Master Ji, I must flee at once. Once you have the item, place it on this transmission array plate and send it to me."

"Understood," Ji Changsi nodded solemnly and carefully stored the transmission array plate.

At that moment, a massive screen rose in the center of the square, and every cultivator's spiritual sense locked onto it.

The rankings for this Immortal Gate Grand Competition had been revealed.

The number one spot was unmistakably Dafanxian Sect, with a total score of 3,320.

Though everyone had guessed Dafanxian Sect would take first, when the rankings were finally announced, the entire square erupted in clamor and uproar.

A five-star Immortal Gate had won first place in the Immortal Gate Rankings Competition—something that had never happened before.

Because this competition wasn't something a single outstanding cultivator could win by himself.

The Immortal Gate Rankings Competition assessed every aspect—no matter how powerful one person was, they couldn't match a veteran Immortal Gate. Those gates had strength across the board; how many points could one person possibly earn?

Ding Huan thought to himself: it seems Dafanxian Sect still had some talent. Although he alone had earned 3,000 points, the rest combined had still scored over 300.

One must admit the eight-star Immortal Gates were strong—Jiukunxian Sect, crushed by Ding Huan into this state, still secured 2,650 points and came in second.

Had Ding Huan's suppression of the eight-star Immortal Gates been even slightly weaker, first place would have gone to Jiukunxian Sect.

Fortunately, Ding Huan's principle was: if a seven- or eight-star Immortal Gate wasn't dead, beat it to death.

Yan Yue Immortal Pavilion scored 2,390 points and took third.

Fourth place went to the six-star Immortal Gate Xiao Kunlun Immortal Sect, with 2,370 points.

Xiao Kunlun Immortal Sect was just barely short of becoming an eight-star Immortal Gate.

As for Lingyao Immortal Pavilion, it was completely pushed out of the top ten, dropping straight from eight-star to six-star.

Ding Huan walked boldly into Ban Ting Gambling House.

A large crowd followed Ding Huan, but Wan Jinjiang, the first to recognize him, received a warning from his sect and dared not approach or speak to Ding Huan.

Ding Huan had angered too many people—except for Dafanxian Sect, which didn't fear death, anyone who touched him would die.

Seeing Ding Huan come to claim his Immortal Crystals, even Ban Ting Gambling House, though unwilling, dared not utter a single word and immediately handed him one hundred million superior-grade Immortal Crystals.

"Everyone, disperse! The Immortal Gate rewards are about to be distributed—hurry to the square. If you catch the attention of the Immortal Court's elites, you might ascend to heaven in one step."

Ding Huan took the Immortal Crystals and waved to the crowd.

Far away, Mu Mu Qingqing stared fixedly at Ding Huan—she had to keep her eyes on him.

As soon as Ding Huan was captured, she would reclaim her three Six Paths Reincarnation Blades.

She also knew exactly when he would be seized.

That moment would come after the Immortal Gate Rankings were announced, after Southern Daojun assigned star ratings to each Immortal Gate, and after rewards were distributed.

As soon as the Immortal Court forces departed under Southern Daojun's leadership, it would be Ding Huan's death.

Ding Huan knew full well that a host of people were watching him.

His first move was to seek out Chi Feitao, the master of Yihai Palace.

Chi Feitao now felt only regret—he shouldn't have provoked Ding Huan at this moment.

How could he have known so many were watching Ding Huan?

Unfortunately, Ding Huan had come looking for him now, and he couldn't escape.

"Heh, Sixth Brother, congratulations on taking first place," Chi Feitao said with a forced smile.

Ding Huan pulled out a jade box and handed it to Chi Feitao: "Master Chi, this is the location orb I need to reach. After you leave, we'll meet up."

Chi Feitao could only accept the jade box under the watchful spiritual senses of many and store it in his ring.

After handing the jade box to Chi Feitao, Ding Huan turned again into the streets of Ban Ting Xiancheng, as if he cared little for the approaching Southern Daojun.

Several sect masters watching Ding Huan, along with Monk He, paid no mind—no matter where Ding Huan went, he couldn't escape their surveillance.

In other words, Ding Huan couldn't leave Ban Ting Xiancheng.

His body was covered in their spiritual sense marks—where could he possibly run?

Even if he removed every single spiritual sense mark, his Dao aura could not be altered.

Only Mu Mu Qingqing constantly kept her eyes on Ding Huan.

Ding Huan acted as if he had nothing to do—entering one shop, then another, busily occupied.

Not only Mu Mu Qingqing, but everyone knew: Ding Huan was preparing to leave Ban Ting Xiancheng and was making massive purchases.

Loud cheers erupted from the square—the Daojun had arrived.

Mu Mu Qingqing still stared at Shuanghai Trading House.

This trading house not only sold and bought treasures, but also had a tea pavilion upstairs.

What puzzled Mu Mu Qingqing was that Ding Huan had been inside for a full hour and still hadn't emerged.

But the mark on him and his aura remained detectable, which slightly eased her tension.

In the center of the Immortal Court square, ripples appeared in the air, and then the figure of Southern Daojun Ju Fei slowly solidified.

Beneath his feet, a massive Bai Yu platform suddenly materialized.

The crowd below fell instantly silent.

Ming Mu frowned as he stood behind Ji Changsi, while Ding Huan had simply walked away; now that Dafanxian Sect was basking in glory, once the Immortal Court's Daojun departed, Dafanxian Sect would be just as desolate.

The sect leader is stubbornly going his own way, staking Dafanxian Sect's fate—he dares not.

"Sect Leader, this… sigh…" Ming Mu even considered urging the sect leader to give up the top spot.

Ji Changsi slapped Ming Mu's shoulder: "Elder Ming, if our Dafanxian Sect dares not claim the top spot we've won, what is the purpose of our immortal sect's existence?"

"Cultivators defy heaven and walk against the Dao—if we hesitate and fear, and reject opportunities handed to us, how can we ever attain the Great Dao?"

"But Sect Leader, this could lead to our sect's annihilation!" Ming Mu was speechless.

Ji Changsi chuckled:

"Even if we never step onto the Eight-Star Immortal Sect rank, when the time comes, we'll still be annihilated. Look at the Thirty-Three Dao, look at Luodaoxian Sect? They didn't win first place—weren't they still annihilated?"

"It's only a matter of sooner or later."

"If one day we offend a powerful being, won't we be annihilated just the same?"

"In other words, if we can hold our ground at the Eight-Star Immortal Sect rank, we won't need to kowtow to others—we'll at least control part of our own fate."

"Besides, even if our sect is annihilated, that old sixth might help us seek revenge someday. Don't underestimate him—he will surely become a figure equal to a Daojun."

Ming Mu helplessly said: "Sect Leader, do you really think old sixth can escape? Almost every Immortal Sect above Seven-Star has their eyes on him—where can he run to?"

Ji Changsi said with firm certainty: "He will escape—I know it by instinct."

The voice of Southern Daojun Ju Feihe was exceedingly gentle, yet clearly reached every ear:

"I represent the Heavenly Court and the Heavenly Emperor, and extend congratulations on the successful conclusion of this Grand Immortal Domain Sect Ranking Competition."

"I've also brought some important news—but before I deliver it, the foremost task is to assign star-ranks to each Immortal Sect and distribute the rewards."

Ji Changsi and Ming Mu dared not speak further.

Precisely at this moment, Ji Changsi's communication bead flickered.

Ji Changsi's divine sense landed on the communication bead, and his expression subtly changed: "Sect Leader Ji, you, as the first-place winner, are permitted to meet the Southern Daojun."

"Remember—you must deliver the jade box I gave you to the Southern Daojun."

Ji Changsi was stunned—deliver something to the Southern Daojun?

Was this suicide? Or sheer madness?

"The winner of this Immortal Sect Ranking Competition is… Dafanxian Sect."

Even as he announced it, the Southern Daojun felt puzzled—Dafanxian Sect? He had some memory of them; they were a Five-Star Immortal Sect—how had they risen to first?

Yet he quickly regained his composure: "Dafanxian Sect excelled in Law, Artifacts, Arrays, Pills, and Talismans, scoring 3320 points and claiming first place."

"I now declare Dafanxian Sect's star-rank upgraded from Five-Star to Eight-Star Immortal Sect; all future sect resources shall be allocated according to Eight-Star status."

"Now, please Sect Leader Ji Changsi of Dafanxian Sect ascend to receive your reward and speak on behalf of all Immortal Sects in the Great Immortal Domain."

A long golden staircase descended directly, reaching the Bai Yu platform.

Ji Changsi took a deep breath and ascended the golden steps. Yet his mind was filled with Ding Huan's words: deliver the jade box to the Southern Daojun.

Should he deliver it—or not?

Amid the gaze of ten thousand eyes, he arrived before the Southern Daojun and bowed deeply: "Sect Leader Ji Changsi of Dafanxian Sect, humbly greets Southern Daojun—may the Daojun forever be at peace!"

Ju Feihe studied Ji Changsi carefully, then nodded approvingly: "Excellent—you possess the bearing of an Eight-Star Immortal Sect leader."

"The reward for first place in this Immortal Sect Competition: one spirit treasure—the Soul-Devouring Realm Ring; one top-grade immortal spirit vein; twenty upper-grade immortal spirit veins; ten Luowang Immortal Pills…"

Before the Southern Daojun finished listing the rewards, everyone gasped in astonishment.

The rewards far exceeded prior announcements—ten Luowang Immortal Pills? Those pills enable Luo Tian Xian to ascend to Immortal King!

If Dafanxian Sect survives this ordeal, it will surely become the number one Immortal Sect in the Great Immortal Domain.

Even Ming Mu, who had been anxious below the stage, stood with his mouth agape—these rewards were terrifying.

But it wasn't over—next, the Southern Daojun announced the exclusive access slots granted to Dafanxian Sect by the Heavenly Court's secret realms, and the official positions within the Heavenly Court open to Dafanxian Sect members.

Ji Changsi listened, equally exhilarated—if Dafanxian Sect could survive the retaliation from other sects, it would soar beyond measure.

"Sect Leader Ji, these are your rewards from Dafanxian Sect." The Southern Daojun spoke gently, handing Ji Changsi a ring.

"Thank you, Daojun," Ji Changsi quickly received it with both hands.

The ring's seals were simple; the moment he grasped it, he sensed its contents.

All manner of treasures, jade tablets—everything was there.

"Very well, now speak," the Southern Daojun nodded slightly.

Ji Changsi gritted his teeth, pulled out the jade box Ding Huan had given him, and offered it to the Southern Daojun: "Daojun, this is something entrusted to me to deliver to you."

Ji Changsi's action left the Southern Daojun stunned—and every single person on the Ban Ting Square froze in shock.

What is Ji Changsi trying to do?