Previously, offending someone wouldn't have brought such great benefits, so it wasn't worth it.

Now, I'm not quite sure what to do.

Now that the benefits are in hand and people have been offended, there's nothing left but to face reality.

After bowing to the Domain Master, Bian Jixiong soared back into the loft from which he had come.

Wei Mo turned to someone beside him and said, "Next one."

Usually, following a lengthy process, the ceremony should start with the distributions of awards by continents, then by sects, and lastly, individuals.

However, since the Right Minister hadn't showed up and the Star Lords had left, they were left to entertain themselves. Giving themselves awards was almost laughable. As Xun Gate's prize could not be given yet and would need to be settled later, Wei Mo skipped over the process of continents receiving awards and jumped directly to the awards for the sects.

The announcer called out, "Li State's Ascending Immortal Island, ranking second in the Sky Rain Meteor Conference, come up to receive your reward!"

With those words, the Leader of the Ascending Immortal Island flew up to the top of the stone pillar.

Wei Mo still wore a smile as he handed over a decree to him, offering warm congratulations.

The announcer called out again, "All disciples of Ascending Immortal Island have earned a three-hundred-year free pass throughout all publicly accessible places of Xun Gate in the Divine Continent!"

A wave of envy and astonishment rippled through the assembly.

Though three hundred years of free access seemed considerably less than a lifetime's pass, its practical value might not be any less. Many sects might not last three hundred years, and for many monks, three hundred years was already a lifetime of free enjoyment.

The Leader of Ascending Immortal Island was also very pleased and kept bowing to the various sects in the arena as a gesture of respect.

Though they were the second in the Divine Continent, they were first in the Li State. A substantial reward awaited them back in Li State, and it was almost like they could potentially even establish a new Xun Gate.

Following closely were the third, fourth, and so forth, each being called up to receive their rewards.

Those ascending the stage were delighted, as after three strenuous months, their relentless efforts had finally paid off.

Of course, those disciples who had brought immense benefits and honor to their sects would naturally be lavishly rewarded by their sects.

Those sects that didn't make it to the stage were certainly envious, and many felt bitter.

Some felt this way because their sects were almost on par in strength, others because their sects were even stronger, but it was another sect reaping both fame and fortune, putting their own sect in an inferior position as if overshadowed. How could they feel comfortable? Although they couldn't lash out publicly, they could only go home and scold their children.

For many participating disciples, this was precisely why they fought so hard. The pressure of inter-sect rivalry weighed on them, winning meant a bright future, but losing made them sinners, plain and simple.

In the Divine Continent, only the top ten sects received awards; the rest would see what rewards their respective continents would give them after returning.

After the awards for the top ten sects were finished, Wei Mo, thinking of the next one to be awarded, smiled and gestured for it to begin.

The announcer loudly proclaimed, "Shi Chun, disciple of Wukang Mountain in Sheng Province, ranking first in the individual category of the Sky Rain Meteor Conference, come up and receive your reward!"

In the stands, mother and daughter, Lan Qiaoyan, looked at each other, then all eyes were filled with anticipation.

Shi Chun, who had been previously led by officials to the forefront, was promptly invited by someone beside him with a gesture, "Please, go up."

It was Shi Chun's first time experiencing this event. Having observed the actions of the prior sects, he quickly imitated, leaped up, and upon seeing Wei Mo, immediately bowed, "Shi Chun greets the Domain Master."

Wei Mo smiled knowingly, took a bank note and a set of house and land deeds from someone beside him, and handed them over saying, "Well done."

Shi Chun received them with both hands, "Thank you, Domain Master."

The announcer called out loudly, "Shi Chun is awarded one million Sandalwood Gold, and a set of property deeds in the capital."

Mother and daughter, Lan Qiaoyan, watching the small figure atop the stone pillar, both felt sentimental. They couldn't help but remember that studious, impoverished young man from the past. It hadn't been long, yet he now stood at this coveted position as the first.

Envy filled the younger generation from various sects in the assembly. Normally, whichever sect disciple received such an honor would have a bright future in the sect and gain access to corresponding resources.

Bai Shuchuan from Jieyun Mountain was so envious that his eyes turned red, his gaze full of resentment.

It wouldn't matter who else took the first place, but Wukang Mountain—a thorn in his flesh—taking it, made him feel utterly incompetent.

The rankings on the stone pillar made it clear: Wukang Mountain had taken the first four places, yet here he was, an elite disciple of the leading sect in Sheng Province, not even in the individual top ten, which was like nailing him to a pillar of shame.

Ji Qinghe from Su Yuan Sect subconsciously turned back to look at Mulan Qingqing beside him. He noticed her gaze fiercely fixed on Shi Chun atop the stone pillar, her expression complex, but her eyes becoming increasingly resolute as if she had made some decision.

This made Ji Qinghe quite anxious; he resolved to keep a close watch, just to prevent any mishap.

Atop the stone pillar, Wei Mo, still distributing rewards, then laughingly asked Shi Chun, "Regarding Sheng Province, what reward would you like?"

Previously, there hadn't been any mention of individual rewards from Sheng Province—this was usually managed by the sects themselves.

This was an additional honor from Wei Mo to Shi Chun.

Certainly, this was because Shi Chun's contributions were substantial.

The situation was quite clear; the harvests of Sheng Province and Wukang Mountain, including the capturing of the first to fourth individual awards, could in truth be all attributed to the effort of Shi Chun, to at least consider him the principal, most significant contributor.

With so many Xun Gates won, the achievement was immense, and how could he, the Domain Master, not show his gratitude?

As the ruler, without clear rewards and penalties, how could he command respect?

If he were petty, who would be willing to sacrifice under his command in the future?

Even if just for show, he needed to award generously.

After all, he now found Shi Chun quite pleasing to the eye, the lad was commendable, daring to dream and act, smart, resourceful, and energetic, although a bit reckless—well, he was young, wasn't he? And what kind of youth would he be if he weren't a touch reckless?

Shi Chun was stunned by the unexpected favor; he hadn't even considered that the Domain Master would offer an additional reward, and at the moment, he truly didn't know how to begin his request.

He knew opportunities like these were rare and that he needed to make a reasonable request, but having never anticipated this scenario, what reward should he ask for?

Such a golden opportunity should not be wasted if mishandled.

Wei Mo glanced at the eagerly waiting crowd and chuckled, "Alright, you may step down for now, think it over carefully. Once you've decided, you can come to the domain residence to see me. As long as it is reasonable, I'll do my best to fulfill your wish."

Those words even made the assisting personnel nearby envious—this was a promise from the Shengzhou Domain Master!

"Thank you, Domain Master." Shi Chun gave another bow of thanks before respectfully stepping back and then turning to fly back.

Lan Qiaoyan and her daughter followed his soaring figure with their eyes, their faces showing smiles mixed with emotion.

Wei Mo gestured for the next participant.

The announcer sang out, "Disciple Wu Jinliang from Wukang Mountain of Sheng Province, who has achieved second place in the individual category at the Sky Rain Meteor Conference, come up to receive your reward!"

A tall figure flashed across the space, landing atop a stone pillar—it was Wu Jinliang, unable to hide his wide grin.

Before he could speak, a chorus of shouts arose from a distance in the stands.

"Wu Jinliang, well done."

"Wu Jinliang, make a stylish exit!"

"Brother Wu, good job!"

"Brother Wu, it's your treat!"

The sudden rising and falling of shouts surprised everyone in the venue, especially the members of various sects who didn't expect someone to make such a racket at this type of event.

Everyone turned their heads, and seeing that the shouts were coming from the VIP stands, they realized their source—those with power and influence indeed had the audacity.

They were also surprised—what was Wu Jinliang's situation that so many high-status people would address him familiarly, wasn't he said to have just been released from prison?

Young Master Nan, brimming with joy, also joined in the shouting; with the outcome settled and everyone having made a bundle, the mood was merry and shared.

On the same stand, Lan Qiaoyan and her daughter looked at each other in confusion, not quite understanding the situation. How come the second-placed Wu Jinliang seemed to have higher prestige than the first-placed Shi Chun?

It wasn't really about prestige; it seemed more about connections.

The mother and daughter, still trying to sort out the situation, were also puzzled about how the tall man had established relationships with those individuals who seemed to be the wealthy young masters from the royal city.

Inside the Waiting Platform, Bian Jixiong, Elder Ke, and Yin Huixin glanced at each other, realizing this must be the result of the few days Wu Jinliang was unaccounted for, likely mingling in the royal city. In a way, they felt somewhat envious.

They were also somewhat speechless; Wukang Mountain had many capable disciples like Wu Jinliang, so why couldn't any of them achieve such "success"?

The Domain Masters in the best viewing stand also turned their heads towards the source of the howling ruckus.

Wu Jinliang, initially smiling, was embarrassed by the loud crowd. He quickly turned to bow to the figure before him, "Wu Jinliang greets the Domain Master."

Wei Mo glanced at where the commotion was coming from, instantly understanding the situation. Currently, he had people secretly keeping an eye on Shi Chun and the others, aware of what this group had been up to in the royal city, especially this fellow in front of him—never too tired to cease.

The fact that he had gotten so familiar with those people so quickly was also surprising to him.

For now, he just smiled wordlessly, then took a bank note, a deed to the house, and a land deed from someone nearby and handed them over with a meaningful tone, "Wu Jinliang, well done!"

The last three words, spoken with a hint of teasing.

Wu Jinliang, however, didn't catch the jest and bowed deeply, "Thank you, Domain Master."

The announcer, casting a spell, shouted loudly, "Wu Jinliang receives one million in Sandalwood Gold, along with the corresponding deeds to property in the royal city!"

"Wu Jinliang, it's your treat!"

"Brother Wu, it's your treat!"

"Treat us, treat us!"

The raucous shouting resumed, seemingly more excited than Wu Jinliang himself.

Ignoring them, Wu Jinliang scanned the rewards in his hands, slightly puzzled—why did it sound like his rewards were the same as Chun Tian's? At least, he couldn't discern any differences.

Seeing this, Wei Mo asked, "What, is there a problem?"

"No, no," Wu Jinliang quickly denied but couldn't resist asking, "Domain Master, how much are these house and land deeds worth?"

This straightforwardness amused Wei Mo, who smilingly replied, "I'm not exactly sure how much they're worth, but they should be worth something. Originally, this real estate reward was for the first place, but I negotiated on your behalf, so the first-place reward level was increased, and accordingly, the rewards for you and third place were moved up a notch."

This information wasn't necessary for him to share; he had negotiated for them purely because he felt these fellows had earned some credit, and naturally, he helped where he could.

Since Wu Jinliang cared so much about the value, Wei Mo didn't mind mentioning his effort to bring him some joy.

Wu Jinliang's eyes widened, oh, this was originally the first-place reward!

He wasn't foolish; the difference between the first and second-place rewards must be significant. With the value elevated, he surely profited considerably.

Immediately bursting with joy, his wide mouth splitting ear to ear, he repeatedly nodded and bowed deeply, "Thank you, Domain Master, thank you, Domain Master. You are the best Domain Master in the world, and no other Domain Master can compare to you!"

The two assisting personnel nearby were at a loss for words and wanted to ask what he meant by that—was he treating them like they were dead? Complimenting like this, directly belittling other Domain Masters, wasn't he afraid of repercussions?

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