Ding Hao, darting through the net, pushed his speed to the limit. With a whoosh, he was the first to rush out of the cave!
Hardly had he emerged from the cave when several astonished exclamations arose from all directions. Ding Hao paused, looking around, and discovered that the people from various sects had already been waiting outside.
The members of the various sects had never expected that the first one to come out of the cave would be Ding Hao. The Limitless Demon Sect had suffered a total defeat in the Soul-refining Sect Assembly for several consecutive sessions. In the recent few sessions, no one even dared to participate. Such a change in the situation was truly unexpected. Everyone stared at Ding Hao with a look of surprise and whispered among themselves.
After spotting the location of the Limitless Demon Sect, Ding Hao walked slowly towards his master, Chen Ling. The four elders of the sect, including Sect Master Li Nantian, all looked at Ding Hao with an incredulous expression. They had never imagined that Ding Hao could achieve such an outstanding result. Originally, they thought that his participation in this competition would only bring shame. Who could have thought that Ding Hao would be so remarkable? Not only did he survive unharmed, but he also achieved the best result since the founding of the Limitless Demon Sect. Seeing the envious expressions of surprise and bewilderment on the faces of the others, they all felt a great sense of honor. Consequently, their gazes towards Ding Hao became much more favorable.
Chen Ling also looked at Ding Hao with a beaming smile. Although Chen Ling had some understanding of Ding Hao's strength, he had only expected Ding Hao to save his life. He had never anticipated that Ding Hao could win the first place. As Ding Hao's master, he felt extremely proud. At this moment, looking at Ding Hao, he suddenly found Ding Hao so endearing. All the previous unpleasantness between them had been completely forgotten.
Before Ding Hao reached the area of the Limitless Demon Sect, a sound of something breaking through the air rang in his ears. It turned out that Feng Xingran had already blocked his way.
Looking at Ding Hao with her beautiful eyes full of admiration, Feng Xingran chuckled softly, "Even your sect's elders didn't have high hopes for you, but this girl knew long ago that you, little rascal, would surely achieve such a result. Otherwise, how could you be worthy of being Xingran's husband?"
Although her voice was low, given her current behavior, even without saying a word, everyone could guess that the relationship between the two must be rather close.
"Thank you, Miss, for your kindness. I'm afraid I don't deserve it. If it weren't for your previous plot, how could I have encountered so many troubles?" Ding Hao said calmly upon seeing her expression.
"Little rascal, don't think I was trying to harm you. If I really wanted to harm you, I would only need to instruct the people of my sect to attack you. How could you be so triumphant?" Feng Xingran didn't mind and still smiled lightly.
"Heh heh, is that really so? Then why did Cheng Jiao of your sect keep targeting me? I almost died at his hands!" Hearing what the girl said, Ding Hao laughed instead of getting angry.
Feng Xingran's charming face froze, and she said in confusion, "Is there such a thing? Cheng Jiao is so insensible. Hmph hmph. It seems that this girl really needs to teach him a good lesson. Who does he think he is to be so rampant on the Broken Soul Mountain?"
Seeing her response, Ding Hao ignored her and walked quickly towards the Limitless Demon Sect, bypassing the girl.
Seeing Ding Hao's actions, Feng Xingran glared fiercely at Ding Hao's imposing back. Then, with another chuckle, she also walked towards Feng Aotian.
Seeing Ding Hao approaching, Sect Master Li Nantian stepped forward first and laughed heartily, "Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Our sect is proud of you. Ding Hao, your achievement is truly remarkable. Even when you first joined the sect, I knew you were extraordinary. But who could have thought that you would continuously bring me surprises! With a disciple like you in our sect, why should we worry about the sect not prospering?"
Ding Hao cursed inwardly but said respectfully, "Sect Master, your words make me ashamed. My achievement is all due to the sect's favor. How dare I take the credit? If it weren't for the sect's meticulous cultivation, I would still be just an ordinary hunter. I have always been deeply grateful for the sect's great kindness. Today, I was lucky enough to win and earn a little honor for the sect. It's all thanks to the Sect Master and the elders."
Hearing Ding Hao's flattering words at this moment, the several people felt especially comfortable. The four elders, whether sincerely or not, also praised him repeatedly. When Chen Ling saw Ding Hao coming, although he didn't speak, his gaze was a sincere congratulation. Ding Hao also bowed politely to him.
Just as Ding Hao and the others were still chatting, several whistles sounded from inside the cave. Moments later, Xu Feng's figure was the first to leap out. Then, the disciple surnamed Fei of the Yin-Yang Harmony Sect also emerged from the cave. After a while, the other four members of the Purgatory Demon Sect also came out one by one. The last ones to come out were Lu Xueyun of the Blood Fiend Sect and the people of the Talisman Sect.
Xu Feng saw Ding Hao's figure and laughed heartily, "Brother Ding, you are truly a formidable opponent. I admit defeat. Heh heh. It's really fortunate for our sect to have a person like you on the Broken Soul Mountain. We should have a good exchange in the future!"
"Brother Xu, you are overestimating me. Such words really make me ashamed. My actions were not entirely aboveboard. I hope you can forgive me." Seeing Xu Feng's magnanimity, Ding Hao said modestly.
"Brother Ding, you are overthinking. We people of the Demon Sect only care about the result, not the process. So, there is nothing wrong with what you did." Seeing Ding Hao's words, Xu Feng explained with a laugh and then walked towards the Purgatory Demon Sect.
Just as Xu Feng left, Lu Xueyun also came over. Looking at Ding Hao venomously, she said, "Brother Ding, I will surely remember what you did to me in the cave. Sooner or later, I will seek justice from you!"
"Heh heh, if Miss is willing, I will accompany you." Ding Hao smiled.
Seeing his response, Lu Xueyun stared at Ding Hao intently for a few more seconds and then walked towards the Blood Fiend Sect.
At this point, this session of the Soul-refining Sect Assembly came to a successful end. However, the results brought mixed feelings. The happiest was undoubtedly the Limitless Demon Sect. Not only did they win the first place, but more importantly, Ding Hao had made a name for the Limitless Demon Sect. It was estimated that the other sects would no longer completely ignore its existence in the future.
The most depressed were probably the Black Demon Sect and the Soul-devouring Sect. The total annihilation of the Black Demon Sect was the most tragic. And the one survivor of the Soul-devouring Sect, who was injured by Ding Hao, would probably take a year or half a year to recover.
The great changes in this session of the Soul-refining Sect Assembly completely puzzled everyone. Those in the know were aware that Ding Hao was largely responsible for this. And Ding Hao's name became known to everyone through this Soul-refining Sect Assembly.
Seeing that the survivors of the various sects had already left the cave, Feng Aotian stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Regardless of the results, this session of the sect assembly has finally come to a successful end. Please all move to the hall of the Purgatory Demon Sect. Our sect will be responsible for distributing the prizes you deserve."
Upon hearing this, the sect masters all responded with a chorus of agreement and gave soft instructions to the members of their own sects.
Only the Sect Master of the Black Demon Sect said with a bitter smile to Feng Aotian, "Sect Master Feng, there are important matters in our sect. Moreover, all of our sect's disciples have been killed. There is no need for us to participate. I hope Sect Master Feng will allow us to take our leave."
Feng Aotian seemed to have just realized the situation of their sect. Seeing his words, he comforted, "Sect Master Situ, don't be too concerned. Every session of the sect assembly is like this. If the result is not satisfactory this time, you can seek revenge next time. Since you are determined to leave, Aotian will not force you."
The Sect Master of the Black Demon Sect nodded bitterly. Since all of their sect's disciples had been killed, they didn't even know what had happened in the cave. Even if they wanted to take revenge later, they didn't know who to target.
After greeting Feng Aotian, this person led the people of the Black Demon Sect and left in a dejected manner. Seeing the situation of their sect, the other sects all showed a look of ridicule. Only the participating disciples of each sect knew that the strength of their sect was originally quite good. If they hadn't provoked Ding Hao, their sect's result would definitely not have been so bad.
The Limitless Demon Sect was the most elated. The people of their sect had always been bullied by the Black Demon Sect recently. Today, seeing such a change, they all felt a sense of vindication.
Seeing the people of the Black Demon Sect leaving, Ding Hao showed a sarcastic smile. When Chen Ling saw Ding Hao's expression, he asked in a low voice, "Good disciple, what exactly happened in the cave? Why was the Black Demon Sect completely wiped out?"
"The people of their sect have always been enemies of our sect. As soon as I entered the cave, the disciples of the Black Demon Sect wanted to kill me. If it weren't for my certain means, they would have succeeded. Heh heh, however..." Seeing Chen Ling's question, Ding Hao also whispered in reply.
Sect Master Li Nantian and the others were feeling extremely proud at this moment. Hearing Ding Hao's detailed account, they all leaned in to listen.
After a while, Ding Hao briefly summarized the situation in the cave. The expressions of the several people were a mixture of joy and worry. Although they felt a great sense of satisfaction, Ding Hao's ruthless actions had completely offended the Black Demon Sect. Fortunately, for the time being, all the participating disciples of the Black Demon Sect had been killed by Ding Hao, so they couldn't know the truth for a while. But paper can't wrap fire. Sooner or later, their sect would find out the truth. By then, the Limitless Demon Sect would surely face a cruel blow.
Seeing the worried expressions of the several people, Ding Hao was a bit disdainful. It was precisely because of their timidity that the Limitless Demon Sect had fallen into such a situation. Since they had entered the Demon Sect, they should act boldly. Why so many scruples?
In just a short while, the people of the various sects also learned the real situation in the cave from the mouths of their participating disciples. They all looked at Ding Hao with a look of doubt and solemnity from a distance. Ding Hao didn't care at all. Instead, he bowed politely to everyone's gaze.
When looking at the gazes of Feng Aotian and Feng Xingran, father and daughter, Ding Hao's heart skipped a beat. He always felt that their gazes were rather unusual, but he couldn't figure out why. So he stopped thinking about it.
After a while, the people of the various sects had all adjusted themselves and rushed towards the hall of the Purgatory Demon Sect.