Chapter 339: The Ninth - Part 1
“If one’s Dao Heart is not firm, then even with innate talent and profound foundations, one cannot walk far upon the path.”
As the disciples of each Immortal Dynasty exchanged glances, the commander of the Immortal Guards declared, “The second trial to come tests your Dao Heart. Only those who possess both Dao Heart and battle strength shall be qualified to join the final Grand Competition of Heaven’s Chosen and vie for supremacy in the Southern Region!”
Upon hearing this, several elders from various sects revealed looks of delight. Knowing that their disciples had not only seized Dao Fires but also possessed strong Dao Hearts, they now saw genuine hope for passing the second trial.
The Immortal Guard Commander raised his hand and released a scroll of black-gold color, which expanded and floated upward with the wind.
Golden dragon shadows coiled around the scroll’s edges, while its center flowed like an ink river.
“This is the Dao Fire Heaven’s Chosen Roll. The first trial is ranked according to the number of Dao Fires you hold. The top ten shall each receive a Celestial Weapon as a reward.”
Upon hearing the commander’s words, the disciples outside the secret realm erupted in excitement.
“There’s a reward? And a ranking too?!”
“If I had known, I would have hunted more Dao Fires!”
“Senior Brother, you were too soft-hearted and let others have your Dao Fires—who would’ve thought there’d be rewards now!”
“Rewards? Isn’t this encouraging others to rob more Dao Fires? That’s not fair!”
Among the crowd, those who had been eliminated expressed anger.
Yet those still holding Dao Fires were filled with regret. Had they known of the rewards, they would have fought for more. Now, they had lost the chance to be ranked—and worse still, missed out on a Celestial Weapon.
The Celestial Weapons granted by the Heavenly Palace were, without doubt, of exceptional quality.
Facing the growing unrest, the Immortal Guard Commander remained cold and indifferent, stating flatly:
“We do not advocate seizing others’ resources or taking their places—but reality is harsh. Opportunities will not wait quietly for anyone. You must fight, seize, and struggle for them!”
“For this first trial, we prepared three thousand Dao Fires—three thousand places. But we knew from the start that there would never be three thousand people advancing.”
“Resentment? Regret? This first trial is meant to teach you that when faced with opportunity, one must pursue it without hesitation or mercy!”
“You, the ones who step beyond your sects and receive countless cultivation resources, shall become the pillars of the human race. It is time to cast aside your naïve ideals!”
These icy admonitions echoed across the Southern Region, and even among the common folk of the Immortal Dynasties, many who had been indignant fell silent.
Indeed, as much as they disliked admitting it, they all understood: from merchants to emperors, the world ran the same way.
To gain, one must fight. One must strive!
“It was not announced beforehand because we do not encourage violence—it was to give others a chance. Otherwise, some would have absorbed most of the Dao Fires for themselves. This was the mercy of the Supreme!”
The commander’s voice was frosty. “Now, this reward is a recognition of their effort. If they hunted more Dao Fires, they deserve more benefit. That is fairness!”
Upon these words, those who had still harbored discontent fell silent, unable to speak.
Among the Immortal Dynasties, many wise elders even clapped in approval.
The compassion of the strong lies in silence.
They do not coddle the weak—nor do they flatter them.
Seeing no more objections, the Immortal Guard Commander raised his hand again, and all the Dao Fires held by the disciples were drawn forward, converging on the black-gold Dao Fire Roll.
Li Hao watched as over a hundred clusters of Dao Fire flew from above his head, but his gaze turned toward Di Linchen. He transmitted a message:
“I didn’t expect this. The Dao Fires you gave me earlier—I’ll return them to you.”
“No need.”
Di Linchen was surprised to hear from Li Hao, but then a faint smile curved his lips. “It’s just a Celestial Weapon—I don’t need it. This ranking doesn’t mean anything. Only the final battle truly matters.”
Hearing this, Li Hao did not persist in pushing back.
By now, the Dao Fire Roll had absorbed the Dao Fires, and streaks of golden light began appearing upon it, forming names one by one.
At the very top was the youth from the Ancient God Clan—Shen Wuji.
Following closely behind was someone named Jian Xin.
When Li Hao looked over, he saw his own name ranked ninth.
He hadn’t expected that the Dao Fires he had casually gathered would now earn him a Celestial Weapon. It was quite the unexpected boon.
However, since he already possessed the Taowu Celestial Weapon, unless the reward weapon had a unique function, it wouldn’t be very useful to him—he might as well give it away.
“Haotian, this Dao Fire...”
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