Chapter 281

"Oh, Comrade Lie actually wants a Qi Condensation disciple?"

"Pity, if this were just an ordinary disciple, I could have given him to your sect—but this boy just achieved great merit in the trial and ranked second in the secret realm trial. If we give him away now, it will demoralize our own disciples." Tianchan Laozu shook his head and refused outright.

"If Comrade Tianchan is unwilling, then forget it. I was only mentioning it in passing. It seems this little one has no connection with our Sunset Sect." Lie Guang replied indifferently.

"Enough, friends, your idle chatter ends here. The disciples below are still waiting. Tian Yue, begin." The old woman in green grew impatient and abruptly interrupted the two Golden Core elders, addressing a towering Jianzhu Sect Foundation Establishment disciple below.

"Yes, Old Ancestor."

The Jianzhu Sect giant, hearing his sect's Old Ancestor's command, stepped forward at once and bowed in acknowledgment.

He flicked his sleeve, and a shimmering silver scroll flew out, unfurling in the wind, revealing rows of golden text-phantoms that rapidly expanded into a vast luminous screen.

"The Jialan Secret Realm has closed. All disciples' temporary merit points have been tallied. I, Tian, am ordered by the Old Ancestors to announce the trial rankings and rewards for the top disciples."

"The top thirty disciples receive one vial of Grade One rare spirit herb: Soul-Returning Elixir, which rapidly restores spiritual energy."

"The top ten disciples receive one Grade Two Cao Ling Pill, capable of replenishing damaged bodies and regenerating flesh and bone."

"The top three disciples receive one Grade Two Xi Yuan Pill, capable of purging internal dan toxins and refining spiritual energy."

"The top-ranked disciple receives one Attack Talisman Treasure, for use in future cultivation and protection."

"Additionally, the Merit Repository is now open. Disciples of all four sects may exchange their temporary merit points for various treasures, in order of ranking."

"On the first day, the top ten on the list may exchange; on the second day, the top thirty; on the third day, the remaining disciples may exchange..."

"After a while, the top ten ranked disciples may proceed to the exchange station one by one, every incense stick's time..."

The giant stood beneath the massive floating list, announcing loudly; his voice boomed like thunder, clearly reaching every disciple in the encampment.

Wang Yu listened, his gaze sharpening—he saw his own name, "Wang Yu," ranked second on the giant luminous list, with the number 430 after it.

Above him, at the top rank, was indeed "Gu Lian," with a staggering 1080 points.

Wang Yu first whistled in envy, but then thought: better that Gu Lian took the top spot—it would draw most of the attention away from him.

Relieved, he began considering which treasure to exchange his merit points for.

Without question, the Foundation Establishment Pill was the first priority.

As for other treasures...

The rumored Small Spirit Gathering Array Plate—if it's available, get it. It directly boosts cultivation speed; once this chance passes, it won't come again.

If he still had surplus merit points, the rumored Blood Spirit Pill, said to purify bloodline, might also be useful to him, a bloodline cultivator...

As Wang Yu pondered, the giant below finished his announcement and returned to his place.

At that moment, Lie Guang stepped forward, radiating authority as he addressed the four sect disciples below:

"This Jialan Trial, though our four sects suffered losses, the demonic sects suffered far greater casualties—and we secured the fifth Jialan Secret Key. From now on, we will fully control this secret realm, thus dealing a heavy blow to the demonic sects' morale."

"Therefore, on behalf of the other three elders, I declare: every disciple who emerged from the secret realm receives an additional thirty temporary merit points for treasure exchange."

"Three days from now, the trial officially ends. All disciples return to their sects."

"Dismissed!"

No sooner had he spoken than Lie Guang swept his sleeve and flew directly toward the Sunset Sect's spiritual vessel.

Tianchan Laozu and the other three followed suit, heading toward their own sect's vessels.

Below, the disciples chorused in unison: "Thank you, Old Ancestors for the reward!"—then scattered in all directions.

Soon after, disciples of the four sects either gathered in small groups, chatting excitedly, or walked alone, faces alight with joy.

Thirty temporary merit points!

Recall: previously, killing one demonic outer disciple granted one merit point; an inner disciple granted ten. Thirty points meant each disciple had effectively slain three demonic inner disciples—this reward was no small thing.

Among the disciples, morale that had sunk due to fallen comrades now surged dramatically.

Some even privately resolved: next time such an opportunity arose, they'd risk it again.

Wang Yu returned to his quarters, restless and uneasy.

He wondered what treasures Gu Lian, as top-ranked, would choose first—and though his own 400+ merit points were substantial, he still had no idea what exactly he could obtain.

One incense stick's time felt like an eternity.

Estimating the time had passed, Wang Yu finally stepped out of his wooden hut and headed straight for the center of the four sects' encampment.

Along the way, he encountered many disciples of the Four Symbols Sect—some familiar, some not. All who saw him from afar pointed and whispered; those nearby bowed respectfully.

Clearly, he was now known to every disciple of the Four Symbols Sect.

Fortunately, they all knew where he was going, so none foolishly approached to chat—only gazed at him with envy.

In moments, he arrived at the former merit point tally station.

The two wooden huts were gone, replaced by a larger two-story wooden pavilion, still faintly smelling of fresh timber.

Above the door hung a plaque, now inscribed with four large silver characters: "Merit Exchange."

At that moment, a young man in a red robe stepped out, smiling broadly.

It was none other than Gu Lian!

Gu Lian spotted Wang Yu approaching, his smile vanished—he winked at him, then walked off as if nothing had happened.

Wang Yu understood: Gu Lian didn't wish to appear familiar with him. He kept his expression neutral and entered the pavilion.

Inside the first floor, there was nothing but a long wooden table.

Behind it sat four Foundation Establishment cultivators, each dressed in the attire of one of the four sects.

One wore black iron armor—it was the former merit point tally officer, "Jin Shibo." The other three were unfamiliar faces, but they regarded Wang Yu with curiosity.

Clearly, these four Foundation Establishment cultivators knew: had Gu Lian not been so fortunate, the top rank should have been this late-stage Qi Condensation disciple's.

"Disciple Wang Yu bows to Jin Shibo and the senior elders." Wang Yu bowed deeply to the four.