Three seconds later, the square erupted in murmurs and exclamations:

"Spectacular, just freaking spectacular!"

"Fang Qiu is incredibly strong, but Wang Xiaoqiang is even more exciting. Given time, he will definitely surpass Fang Qiu!"

"For Wang Xiaoqiang to become the runner-up of this competition as a fresh-faced rookie is already very impressive!!"

"The key point is that he managed to make Fang Qiu look embarrassed, that was the most thrilling part. I was so fired up watching it!!"

...

Amidst these discussions, Fang Qiu walked down the stage somewhat dejectedly. Even though he had won, he seemed a bit downcast,

Yes, he did win the match and became the champion of this tournament, but in actuality, he lost,

because he had been at Yueyang Academy for over three years, which made him relatively like an old student, whereas Wang Xiaoqiang had been in the academy for less than three months, truly a newcomer, and in terms of age, he was also much older than Wang Xiaoqiang,

All things considered, he had lost.

At this moment, Wang Xiaoqiang truly became the dark horse of this tournament, attracting the attention of most of the students, especially the female students, with their eyes kindling with a hint of warmth as they gazed at him.

Even Princess Hua Shao was no exception at this moment; she suddenly recalled, as if driven by fate, that day in the Jade Banquet Hall, where her parents had once said that she and Wang Xiaoqiang looked like a couple.

Thinking of this, her elegantly beautiful face blushed slightly.

Princess Hua Shao also participated in this Armor Snatching Tournament, but her cultivation base was only at the First Soldier Realm of the Immortal Sage. Relying on her talent and a powerful magic treasure, she barely squeezed into the top ten,

Recalling back then, her cultivation base was slightly higher than Wang Xiaoqiang's during the Armor Snatching Tournament, but now it seems her strength compared to Wang Xiaoqiang's is vastly inferior, it could be described as the difference between earth and sky.

Ann Miaoyi's gaze was also fixed on Wang Xiaoqiang at this moment. However, her look was different from that of other women; her eyes were sinister and malicious, mixed with a hint of apprehension and anxiety,

The stronger Wang Xiaoqiang becomes, the more disadvantageous it is for her, so her determination to eliminate Wang Xiaoqiang grew increasingly resolute.

With the emergence of the champion and runner-up, Yueyang Academy's current tournament finally came to an end,

Yueyang Academy had no special rewards for the champion, runner-up, or third place winner, no tangible benefits. If there were rewards, it would be having gained a lot of fame.

The treatment for the top ten is having the chance to undergo the washing of Old Master's Power of the Sacred Dao, as well as obtaining an opportunity for external training.

At this moment, the students outside the platform lined up neatly in front of the podium, amidst enthusiastic applause and envious voices, the top ten contestants of this tournament stepped to the front of the line, forming a row according to their ranks,

Old Master walked peacefully from the podium, stood in front of the top ten students, glanced at them with a comforting smile, and with a wave of his robe sleeve, a "Dao" character flew out, glistening in gold, expanding with the wind, surprisingly transforming into a huge character in an instant.

On that Dao character, a dignified and holy aura exuded, causing anyone who saw it to feel reverence involuntarily, not daring to show any contempt nor have the slightest disrespect.

As soon as the "Dao" character appeared, the onlooking students all exclaimed in unison:

"Wow! Power of the Sacred Dao!!"

Old Master remained calm and composed, repeatedly waving his sleeve, allowing the glittering "Dao" character to float above the heads of the top ten students, where the golden light prospered, spewing forth flames of gold like brilliance, then from that glittering Dao character, ten golden rays of light shot out, brimming with mighty force.

The ten golden rays of light landed on each of the ten students' heads, enveloping them,

Once enveloped by the golden light, the bodies of the ten students turned completely golden, gradually becoming transparent and bright, then within each of the ten, a character emerged and gently flowed around.

The first in line, Fang Qiu, had a "Li" character within him, and as it rotated, it shone with brilliant golden light, with each rotation, power flowed into it, the Power of the Way of Etiquette surged.

Standing second in line, Wang Xiaoqiang had a "Yong" character within him, and as the shining golden Yong character rotated, it too continuously accumulated power...

In the third position, the third place winner Yuee Buhui, within it, the Way of Respect strength expanded under the washing of Old Master's Power of the Sacred Dao...

The fourth position...

The fifth position...

...

The ten students were all receiving the washing of Old Master's Power of the Sacred Dao, the Power of Dao within them expanded continuously, becoming vigorous, with drastically increasing might...

At this moment, each of the ten students wore expressions of excitement, exhilaration, and gratitude.

After receiving Old Master's Power of the Sacred Dao, their Power of Dao would directly double. It saved them much more effort compared to their usual understanding.

After baptizing the ten students, Old Master began his speech, first summarizing this session's tournament, finally saying:

"In this session of Yueyang Academy's tournament, many new talents have emerged, with Wang Xiaoqiang, the runner-up, standing out the most. Wang Xiaoqiang's poetry talent startled the world, his cultivation base is also exceptionally outstanding, worth nurturing. His understanding of Dao, the speed of it is astonishing, and his tactical ingenuity in combat and adherence to the rules inspire genuine admiration...

This also proves a point, there is always someone better, and there is always a sky that is higher. Today, I say this to make you all remember, as cultivators, you must lead a life that is grounded, act humbly, never be overweening and lose your original mind. Here, I solemnly remind the ten of you..."

At this point, Old Master pointed his finger at the top ten students and continued:

"Because next, you ten will have an opportunity for external training, this time I've arranged for you to go to the Ghost Territory for training. At that time, you are to slay ghost cultivators to your utmost, uphold justice, and whoever kills more ghost cultivators, I will certainly grant significant rewards...

Achieving a rank in the tournament is not a great honor, but if you can bring back the head of the Ghost King, that would be considered glory...

Old Master hadn't finished his speech when there was a student whispering disdainfully, "Tch, the Ghost King's cultivation base is equivalent to that of an Immortal Sage, every one of the top ten can kill him, is the teacher making a fuss over nothing..."

This student was hiding in the back of the line, saying this in a very low voice, but it was still heard by Old Master,

Old Master didn't blame him, he just paused and, looking at the student, smiled slightly and said:

"Indeed, what that student said is right. The Ghost King's strength is really only equivalent to the Immortal Sage level, and even below the Fifth Soldier Realm of the Immortal Sage, but that's referring to his strength after entering our cultivator's territory...

Everyone knows, ghost cultivators rely on Corpse Qi to refine everything in their spell techniques; Corpse Qi is the foundation for ghost cultivators' cultivation, the root of Ghost Dao Techniques, just like Spiritual Energy is the foundation for our cultivation, the basis of our Myriad Dharma, in the vast Immortal Realm, where is the place where Corpse Qi is most dense? Ghost Territory, yes, it's the so-called Burial Ground of the Ghost Territory...

Because Corpse Qi is densest in the Ghost Territory, while Spiritual Energy is the sparsest, who benefits from such a place? It's obvious it's advantageous for those ghost cultivators. To encapsulate it in one sentence, the Ghost Territory is a paradise for ghost cultivators and hell for cultivators. Ghost Territory, the so-called Burial Ground, buries the bones of our cultivators...

Now you might not underestimate the Ghost King anymore. To be honest with you, the Ghost King's strength in the Ghost Territory is equivalent to an Immortal King. Don't mention one Immortal Sage, even if ten Immortal Sages join forces, it is very difficult to subdue him. One careless moment, and you'll be counterattacked by him...(to be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations or monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com), your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)

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