Chapter 1443: Rules! Generous Champion Reward!

Ye Li's cold, clear gaze shifted slightly, landing on Aiden, and she gave a slight nod.

"Master Aiden, you're too kind."

Ross's beast-like eyes first swept over Ye Li, a faint trace of surprise and solemnity flickering deep within.

He then glanced briefly at Colt beside him, a perfunctory greeting.

He had long criticized the academic ways of the Eternal Star Alliance, but he still showed Ye Li, the "Goddess of Night," due respect.

As for Colt, he showed no such courtesy.

Colt's expression remained unchanged, ignoring Ross's coldness, and simply nodded to Aiden:

"Aiden, Ross, long time no see."

After the brief exchange, Ye Li's gaze swept again over the dense crowd of competitors below.

She then spoke to Aiden and the others:

"Everyone has arrived. If there are no other matters, let's announce the rules and begin."

"The God-Slaying Martial Temple has nothing further."

Ross's rough voice rang out.

"The Cosmic Mercenary Alliance agrees."

Aiden smiled and nodded, looking at Ye Li:

"Master Ye Li, this is your first time here. Would you like to announce the rules this time?"

"Agreed."

Ye Li gave a brief nod, then parted her crimson lips, her cold, clear voice echoing before the thirty thousand competitors on the platform:

"This Demon-Hunting Competition involves three factions: the Eternal Star Alliance, the God-Slaying Martial Temple, and the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance.

I will now announce the competition rules.

First, before the competition begins, you will each receive a standardized space ring.

The ring is pre-equipped with basic survival supplies, standard energy rations, and simple healing potions.

Aside from battle suits and weapons, all starting supplies are identical."

As she spoke, a massive holographic projection appeared above the platform.

It detailed the silver-gray, ancient-styled space ring and its standard supply list.

"Second, the competition lasts one standard stellar year—that is, the year you will spend on Blood Refinement Star.

The core objective is to hunt demonic beasts.

Blood Refinement Star's environment is unique, nurturing countless strange and powerful demonic beasts, each with differing bloodlines, ranks, and rarity.

Killing different demonic beasts grants standardized points set jointly by the three factions.

Points are recorded in real time on your smart bracers."

The projection shifted, displaying grotesque, terrifying demonic beast silhouettes.

Beside each was an estimated point value ranging from hundreds to hundreds of thousands.

Low-rank demonic beasts like "Crimson-Scaled Earth Walker" and "Shadow Bat" yield few points.

Yet some terrifying beings with Imperial Bloodline blood carry point values that stagger the mind.

"During the competition, real-time rankings will be determined by each participant's accumulated points.

Ultimately, the three factions will be ranked by their total accumulated points."

Pausing briefly, Ye Li continued:

"The higher your personal point ranking, the greater your rewards.

The individual with the highest personal points will receive a 'Blood Refinement Badge.'

And they will also receive a reward far beyond the ordinary, jointly provided by the three factions.

Among it is a secret treasure."

As Ye Li's cold voice faded,

the entire platform fell silent for a moment, then erupted like a lake struck by a boulder!

"A secret treasure?! A secret treasure?!"

"My god! This is an outrageous bounty!"

"The Blood Refinement Badge! That's a credential granting special exchange privileges in the treasuries of all three factions! Plus a secret treasure—this champion's reward is unimaginably lavish!"

"......"

Shouts and murmurs surged like a tidal wave from the competitors of all three factions.

Many top experts, such as Eternal Star Alliance's Luo Li and Chi Huang,

along with the fierce leaders from the God-Slaying Martial Temple and Cosmic Mercenary Alliance, sharpened their gazes.

The Blood Refinement Badge and secret treasure—this honor and reward were enough to stir any prodigy's heart.

On the Eternal Star Alliance side, Lan Yu drew a sharp breath, eyes wide:

"A secret treasure! It's really a secret treasure! No wonder the atmosphere felt different this time!"

Yan Ji also breathed faster, a flicker of longing in her fiery eyes:

"A secret treasure offered as a champion's reward must be at least powerful enough to significantly aid a Star Apex cultivator, right?

Too bad it couldn't be arranged for a few thousand years from now, when I've grown stronger."

Beth likewise covered her mouth in shock, and even the usually cold and reserved Yue Ying showed a clear trace of surprise on her exquisite face.

But Xu Jingming was bewildered, asking: "What is this secret treasure?"

His time in the cosmos had been short; though his knowledge was rapidly growing, it still couldn't match those who had lived for centuries.

For instance, he had never even heard of a secret treasure before.

But judging by the others' reactions, it seemed to be something extraordinary?

"You don't know?"

Moon Shadow was a little surprised, but then recalled that she had once browsed through Xu Jingming's file.

He came from a native planet and had only entered the cosmos not long ago, so she understood, and explained softly:

"A secret treasure is a treasure naturally nurtured by the cosmos itself, born in certain extreme or special environments.

Their forms and functions are incredibly varied — they can be implements, or perhaps some kind of crystal or liquid.

From the moment of their birth, they contain unique cosmic laws or strange energies."

She paused, a hint of solemnity in her grey-gemstone-like eyes:

"The functions of secret treasures vary greatly in strength.

Weak ones might only provide some auxiliary effects, such as slightly accelerating primal energy recovery, or enhancing a certain specific perception, and so on.

But powerful secret treasures have unfathomable might — they might even rival SSS-grade equipment!

Some special secret treasures have unique effects that no man-made equipment can replicate.

The secret treasure given as the champion's reward this time is definitely not lacking in effect.

It might even hold a certain attraction or research value for Immortal-rank powerhouses."

"I see."

Xu Jingming understood.

What a good thing!

But unless something unexpected happened, it should be his.

"One last point — each of your spatial rings is equipped with an 'Emergency Badge.'

Once activated, it can instantly release a layer of high-intensity energy shield, capable of withstanding the attack strength of a peak Star-rank beast at maximum.

In theory, this can greatly guarantee your life safety when you encounter irresistible danger."

Her tone shifted, a cold admonition entering her voice:

"However, in theory does not mean absolutely.

The beasts of Blood Refinement Star are bizarre and varied, with unfathomably strange abilities.

Some excel at spiritual shock, able to make you lose focus in an instant.

Some attack as fast as lightning, far beyond the limits of reaction.

Therefore, this badge is not a free pass to immortality — it is only one limited layer of insurance.

In past Monster Hunting Tournaments, the average death rate has remained around 0.5%.

You are all top-tier prodigies of our Cosmic Human race — the loss of even one would be an immense blow.

I hope that in the upcoming competition, you will set aside all侥幸 and arrogance, and maintain the highest vigilance at all times."