With the conclusion of the finals, Su Qinghe once again ascended the platform and loudly announced the rankings.
Then, he began to announce the rewards for this competition.
"The champion's reward is 1,000 Qi and Blood Pills, 10,000 Contribution Points, and an additional 100 Contribution Points every day for the next year, until you enter the Inner Sect."
As these words were spoken, the crowd, which had calmed down, erupted in astonishment once more.
"This is so exaggerated! It's almost ten times more than previous years!"
"Why was there no news about this earlier? Could there be some ulterior motive?"
Even Jiang Heng, who had calmed down, looked towards the platform in shock.
The rewards were so generous! Converted to currency, it was equivalent to 200,000 silver taels, which was equal to 200 million from his past life! On top of that, the daily Contribution Points were equivalent to 1 million per day!
This was only the annual Outer Sect competition, so why were the rewards so extravagant?
At this moment, someone speculated, "Do you think a high-ranking figure noticed Jiang Heng and deliberately gave him these benefits?"
Once this idea was proposed, many people suddenly realized the truth. With Jiang Heng's extraordinary talent, he was more than enough to attract the attention of the sect's higher-ups.
Moreover, with Jiang Heng's strength, it was already clear that he would easily win the championship in this competition.
Therefore, the sudden increase in the champion's rewards seemed to be a clear gift to Jiang Heng.
At this point, someone couldn't help but say, "Could it be that someone high up took a fancy to Jiang Heng and intentionally gave him these advantages?"
Once this idea was proposed, many people suddenly realized the truth. With Jiang Heng's extraordinary talent, he was more than enough to attract the attention of the sect's higher-ups.
Moreover, with Jiang Heng's strength, it was already clear that he would easily win the championship in this competition.
Therefore, the sudden increase in the champion's rewards seemed to be a clear gift to Jiang Heng.
At this point, someone couldn't help but say, "Could it be that someone high up took a fancy to Jiang Heng and intentionally gave him these advantages?"
Once this idea was proposed, many people suddenly realized the truth. With Jiang Heng's extraordinary talent, he was more than enough to attract the attention of the sect's higher-ups.
Moreover, with Jiang Heng's strength, it was already clear that he would easily win the championship in this competition.
Therefore, the sudden increase in the champion's rewards seemed to be a clear gift to Jiang Heng.
This time, when Su Qinghe continued to announce the rewards, starting from the second place, the rewards were more in line with previous years. This seemed to confirm the speculations of the onlookers.
Everyone looked at Jiang Heng, who stood on the platform, with envy.
"Jiang Heng is truly stepping into the limelight."
"Just one Outer Sect competition, and he has already caught the attention of the higher-ups, receiving so many resource rewards. In the future, he's bound to soar!"
On the platform, Su Qinghe loudly declared, "Top fifty, come up and receive your rewards!"
Jiang Heng and the others walked up to the platform and stood in a long line behind Su Qinghe.
Several disciples held small wooden boxes, distributing them to each of the winning disciples.
In the middle of the line, Jiang Heng received a luxurious wooden box with golden patterns.
"I announce that in the year 3022 of the Tai Sui Calendar, the Outer Sect Disciples' Competition of the Eighth Peak has officially come to an end!"
After Su Qinghe's announcement, he let everyone disperse. However, he asked Jiang Heng to stay behind.
Jiang Heng was puzzled, but Su Qinghe solemnly said, "The Sect Master wishes to see you."
The Sect Master of the Great Luo Sect was a figure equivalent to the chairman of a trillion-dollar corporation in the world of the Water Blue Star. Even in this world where martial arts were revered, the Sect Master's power and cultivation level were awe-inspiring, far beyond Jiang Heng's reach.
Finally, Jiang Heng would have the opportunity to meet one of the world's top martial artists.
...
One hour later.
The Fifth Peak, the Grand Hall of Sect Master's Cultivation.
Four well-built disciples in blue stood quietly outside.
Su Qinghe brought Jiang Heng, who was holding the wooden box, to this place.
After the announcement, Jiang Heng temporarily stored the wooden box in the steward's office and walked alone into the hall.
There, he saw an elegant middle-aged man dressed in purple robes, sitting cross-legged in the spacious center of the hall, his eyes slightly closed.
"Jiang Heng, come here!" Bai Haocang's gentle voice echoed throughout the entire hall.
Jiang Heng immediately obeyed and walked forward, stopping at a distance of ten meters.
"Master!"
"Please, have a seat."
Jiang Heng glanced at the floor around him, which was covered in countless fine sword marks, and then sat down on the floor in front of Bai Haocang.
At this moment, Bai Haocang fully opened his eyes. His gaze was like a deep and vast ocean, profound and thick.
"Your father, Jiang Wenjing, was once an elder of our Dalu Sect. After his passing, you were entrusted to an ordinary family among the common people. Did you ever hold any grudges?" Bai Haocang asked.
Jiang Heng remained silent for a moment before responding, "I had some resentment when I was younger, but not anymore."
This was the truth. With his memories fully integrated, he understood the thoughts of the young Jiang Heng. When he was young, his parents, as elders of the Dalu Sect, led a life of luxury and never lacked valuable resources for cultivation. However, his physical constitution remained weak, and his innate talent was extremely poor.
When he was eight years old, his parents passed away, and his life went from heaven to hell. He could only be considered a family member of the elders and was not an official disciple of the sect. After his parents' death, he had no right to stay within the sect. The complex power struggles within the sect and the fact that his parents had rivals meant that even if he stayed, he would have faced numerous forms of bullying.
However, these details were unknown to the young Jiang Heng. He only knew that as soon as his parents passed away, the sect had expelled him, which led to his deep dissatisfaction with the Dalu Sect and a mixture of complex emotions, including nostalgia and yearning.
It wasn't until he returned to the Dalu Sect six years later, after experiencing various hardships and growing in character, that he had let go of all his pride, self-esteem, face, and vanity. He had earnestly sought to enter the sect, even if it meant becoming a servant.
He wanted the chance to become a martial practitioner, no matter how slim the odds.
So, he had successfully become a servant of the Dalu Sect.
Now, with the memories of two lifetimes merged, Jiang Heng could better understand the situation. In reality, the position of an elder was just that—a position within the Dalu Sect, similar to an executive in a corporation. His parents were high-ranking officials, and the sect provided accommodation and various benefits. However, after his parents' deaths, he, as their child, couldn't inherit their benefits and had to find his own way.
Surprisingly, the sect had provided him with a proper arrangement, which was actually a kind gesture. Details about how his parents had died, where their personal assets were, or whether the sect had offered any compensation after their deaths were not vividly recorded in the young Jiang Heng's memory. Perhaps it was because he was too young at the time and didn't pay much attention to such matters.
Bai Haocang observed Jiang Heng's expression and spoke calmly, "The Dalu Sect is the Dalu Sect for everyone. Therefore, the comprehensive rules must be followed by all."
"Poor talent means that the child of anyone, regardless of their status, cannot enter the sect."
"Good talent, on the other hand, will naturally receive strong support from the sect."
"This is the foundation that has allowed the Dalu Sect to prosper for thousands of years."
Jiang Heng nodded in silence. Indeed, in many novels from his previous life, many sect disciples were constantly in conflict, and there was an air of hostility from top to bottom. None of them seemed to have a sense of belonging to their sect.
He wondered how such sects could continue to exist.
At this moment, Bai Haocang suddenly asked, "Do you think your talent is good?"
"Good!" Jiang Heng replied confidently.
However, Bai Haocang shook his head. "Not necessarily."
"I'm 16 years old, and my physical body is invincible at the Body Refining Realm. I've even defeated True Qi Realm warriors. Doesn't that prove my talent?" Jiang Heng asked in surprise.
Bai Haocang didn't answer directly. Instead, he explained, "The cultivation path consists of many realms, and broadly speaking, it can be divided into three stages."
"The first stage is Body Refining, which includes the Mortal Realm and Body Refining Realm."
"The second stage is Qi Cultivation, encompassing True Qi Realm, Innate Realm, Sea of Spirits Realm, and Myriad Manifestations Realm."
"The third stage is Soul Refinement, starting from the Myriad Manifestations Realm, and all subsequent realms likely fall under this stage."
"The focus of cultivation varies at each stage. Therefore, some people may excel in the first stage but become average when they reach the second stage. Conversely, some may have an ordinary start but suddenly excel when they enter the second stage."
"So, what you're currently displaying is extraordinary potential in the Body Refining stage."
"In other words, you are indeed unmatched at the Body Refining Realm, but when you reach the True Qi Realm and even the Innate Realm in the future, there's no guarantee of how big your advantage will be."
Jiang Heng raised an eyebrow and asked, "So, why was I judged to have poor talent when I was younger? Maybe my talent in Qi Cultivation is excellent?"
Bai Haocang remained calm. "Talent in Body Refining depends on the constitution, talent in Qi Cultivation depends on the spiritual roots, and talent in Soul Refinement depends on comprehension."
"As for you, both your constitution and spiritual roots are extremely poor."
Jiang Heng sighed in resignation. "Alright, so why did the Sect Master call me here then?"
"Are you willing to become my disciple?" Bai Haocang asked.
Jiang Heng was momentarily surprised. He had speculated about this earlier, but after the Sect Master presented his theories just now, he had dismissed those thoughts. Since it couldn't be guaranteed that his future talent would be excellent, letting him naturally grow within the sect seemed like the best choice.
But now that the Sect Master had brought it up, he felt puzzled.
"You have exceptional comprehension. You've mastered several techniques to perfection in just a month," Bai Haocang continued. "Ordinary people, even with excellent comprehension, wouldn't have a significant impact because they can't reach the stage of Soul Refinement. However, you excel not only in comprehension but also in your current constitution. From Body Refining to Soul Refinement, your future prospects will be extraordinary."
"So, you are qualified to become my disciple."
Bai Haocang gazed at him calmly.
Jiang Heng asked tentatively, "If I become your disciple, will there be countless resources and special techniques provided for free?"
"Yes, but it will also depend on your future performance," Bai Haocang replied with a nod.
"Great! I'm willing!" Jiang Heng immediately agreed. With rewards ten times greater than the Sect Competition and an abundance of resources as the Sect Master's disciple, he would undoubtedly soar to new heights. Jiang Heng was secretly thrilled.
"Then go down for now. Come back to see me after you break through to the True Qi Realm," Bai Haocang said.
Jiang Heng's expression suddenly stiffened, and he had a bad feeling in his heart. "Master, do I get any rewards before breaking through?"
"Isn't a tenfold reward enough?" Bai Haocang finally showed a change in expression as he gave Jiang Heng a stern look.