Chapter 686

Hunbai's eyes had very small pupils, making him look chilling.

Although he was smiling, Zhao Chi still felt very uncomfortable.

The host respectfully bowed to the people present.

Then he said, "Alright, our distinguished guests have all arrived. Next is the award ceremony. Let us first welcome Captain T'unei to give a speech!"

The several people present all applauded.

But the outer area was silent; the audience stared at the inside, showing no reaction.

Captain T'unei stood in front of the ten contestants and haltingly said a few words.

"I'm very glad… to present the awards."

"You are all very good, very impressive, the hope of the future."

"As long as you remain loyal, you all have a chance to serve under us."

"We will strengthen you."

"You must be loyal, and we can prosper together."

Zhao Chi listened to his hoarse voice and the disjointed words, growing more and more uneasy.

Soon, Captain T'unei finished speaking.

The host led the way, applauding furiously.

But just as before, only the nobles and others present clapped; the audience outside merely watched in silence.

Zhao Chi had originally wondered why none of them had left.

But on second thought, probably no one dared to leave early now.

Tens of thousands of eyes around were silent, with a hint of eeriness.

The host smiled and said, "In that case, please welcome our champion—Zhao Chi of Stream Village—to the stage to receive his award!"

At this point, some applause finally appeared among the audience.

But that applause seemed out of place within the overall silence, and quickly faded away as well.

Zhao Chi walked onto the stage.

The host smiled and asked, "Alright, just as the rules announced earlier, please choose a prize!"

Zhao Chi's system displayed a prize list.

【Prize List】

【1. Attribute Jade】

【2. Three Lives Stone】

【3. Marrow Washing Pill】

【4. Forgetting River Water】

【5. Heavenly Battle Axe】

【6. Silver Treasure Chest】

【7. Long Lin Breastplate】

【8. Territory Migration Token】

【9. Celestial Fragrance Life-Continuing Dew】

【10. Ice Seal Skill Book】

【11. Hundred Taboos Skill Book】

【12. Individual Gene Expansion Stone】

【13. Beginner Hero Commission】

【14. Self-Select Super-Improved Costume Blueprint Treasure Chest】

【Please choose any 3 items from the above prizes】

Zhao Chi had already had a target before the competition.

Although these 14 prizes were all decent.

There were still strong and weak ones after all.

Zhao Chi immediately clicked to complete his selection.

【You have selected "3. Marrow Washing Pill," "12. Individual Gene Expansion Stone," and "14. Self-Select Super-Improved Costume Blueprint Treasure Chest." Confirm?】

【Confirm!】

At the moment of confirmation, the host received a notification.

He announced loudly, "Zhao Chi truly lives up to being the champion—every choice is a good item."

As he spoke, the large screen reappeared in the sky.

The 14 prizes appeared on the screen, and the 3 prizes Zhao Chi had chosen turned grey.

Zhao Chi's brow furrowed.

Why are the chosen prizes being announced?

But the one whose brow furrowed even deeper was not Zhao Chi, but the other contestants.

The Self-Select Super-Improved Costume Blueprint was actually fine.

After all, these contestants were all beginner lords; super-improved costumes weren't very useful, and even if they had them, they couldn't make them.

But the Individual Gene Expansion Stone and the Marrow Washing Pill were different.

Although obtaining individual genes was very expensive, these top 10 contestants all had family support, so obtaining them wasn't difficult.

Being able to expand one more gene meant one more ability.

Everyone wanted this item.

But they had actually thought it through too — without winning the championship, there was basically no point in thinking about it.

Quite a few people also wanted the Marrow Washing Pill.

After all, it could randomly produce 3 new attributes, possibly high-tier ones right away. High-tier attributes could immediately save a huge amount of training time.

But it was also taken by Zhao Chi.

After all, Zhao Chi was the champion; even if they felt it was a real shame, there was nothing they could do.

The other contestants watched helplessly as the host took out these prizes and placed them separately on red-silk trays.

Then respectfully handed them over to Captain Jingshi, Zhao Quan, and Xiao Qiqian respectively.

The three walked up to the stage in turn and handed the items to Zhao Chi.

Captain Jingshi grinned: "Zhao Chi... heh-heh, I'll remember you, heh-heh."

Zhao Chi truly hadn't expected this.

How the hell did the alien race set their sights on him again?

He had originally assumed this Rookie Tournament was just a village-level competition.

How could he have known it would be this complicated?

Damn it...

Zhao Chi's heart was in turmoil, but his face was as calm as ever.

"Thank you, Captain Jingshi."

Captain Jingshi nodded and walked down the stage with his bowlegs.

Next up, Zhao Quan approached.

Besides the prize, there was also a fist-sized golden treasure chest on Zhao Quan's tray.

Zhao Quan said: "This is the golden treasure chest I promised you. Now that you've truly won the championship, it's yours. Develop well."

Zhao Chi nodded: "I will."

Zhao Quan did not leave the stage.

Instead, he whispered: "Zhao Chi, you are my subordinate; you can only be loyal to me. The alien race and us are ultimately not the same kind of people. Don't be bewitched by them, and don't trust them lightly."

Without waiting for Zhao Chi to reply, Zhao Quan walked down the stage.

Zhao Chi swiftly pocketed the prizes.

He had never had any goodwill toward the alien race to begin with — joining them was absolutely impossible.

Zhao Quan was overthinking it.

While he was thinking, Xiao Qiqian had already walked up.

His face was utterly expressionless.

He handed the prize to Zhao Chi as a matter of routine, then swiftly left the stage without a word.