For this reckless flattery, Wei Mo temporarily appreciated it, laughing and waving his hand, letting Wu Jinliang, who had received the reward, leave first.

Then it was Xiang Laner's turn to receive the reward for the third place, which was also one million Sandalwood gold and a set of real estate.

After that, Bian Weiyin suffered a relative loss. Judging from the scale of the Insect Extreme Crystals, the gap between her and Xiang Laner was not large; however, her rewards were much less. The fourth place wasn't announced separately; it was collected alongside those who ranked fifth and sixth, and their rewards were all the same—three million Sandalwood gold.

The arrangements for seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth places were similar, with the four of them receiving rewards together, each receiving only one million Sandalwood gold.

For them, the significance of receiving an award on stage was not about the million Sandalwood gold. Unlike Shi Chun and others, who received this award and only had this award, they did not expect Wukang Mountain to have any further rewards for them, let alone any favoritism regarding cultivation resources.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were very clear that they had no backing behind them; they were pushed out by Wukang Mountain to make up numbers and face death.

Their competition for first place was not for Wukang Mountain.

According to what Shi Chun said in his earlier years, "Everything I eat, I snatch for myself!"

Both parties were merciless and disloyal, truly sworn enemies!

"The Sky Rain Meteor Conference, is now officially over!"

"This monument, being sent to the West Pole, will stand in the Moon Sea, to memorialize the deceased and eternally commemorate the departed souls!"

As the proclaimer shouted loudly, it officially marked the end of the Sky Rain Meteor Conference. Those who were alive remained alive, and those who had died were gone.

The last sentence caused those like Shi Chun, who were named on the list, to be stunned for a moment. They stared blankly at the massive four-sided stone column, then realized that their victory was built on the sacrifices of countless deceased.

They realized why such a large column list was created—it was intended to be sent to the West Pole as a memorial monument.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang exchanged glances, feeling a different sentiment—a method unlike any from their Land of Exile, capable of stirring emotions in the hearts of people. Both felt they had learned something.

The significance of this was worth carefully savoring for the two of them.

Wei Mo threw his sleeve, and his entire figure soared into the sky, departing as soon as his job was done.

It was over, he was gone, the gathering dispersed, and the people at the school grounds rose to leave.

On the mountaintop viewing platform, a group flew to the pavilion where Shi Chun and others were situated, beginning to shout and holler.

"Wu Jinliang."

"Brother Wu."

"Don't run, let's go together!"

A group of mischief-makers directly grabbed Wu Jinliang, congratulating him while slinging arms over his shoulders and thumping his chest, all insisting that Wu Jinliang treat them.

Wu Jinliang was really reluctant to treat them. Once interacting, one would know that this group's spending was way too extravagant; his one million Sandalwood gold award couldn't withstand a few of their lavish rounds.

He came from a poor and hard background; how could he endure such squandering when this money was struggled for with his life, unlike those who drank others' blood?

But it was not okay not to treat them. He could only find excuses, gesturing them to lower their voices quietly, like a docile daughter-in-law, "Stop it, our Sect Leader is here. We need to return to the Sect. Gentlemen, let's meet again in the capital next time; I'll make sure to host you well."

The group of mischief-makers all turned their eyes toward Bian Jixiong.

One of them asked, "What is the Sect Leader's honorable last name?"

Knowing that these people were not ordinary, Bian Jixiong smiled calmly and replied, "Wukang Mountain, Bian Jixiong."

The man said, "So it's Sect Leader Bian, long admired. The conference has just ended; why the rush to leave? Why don't you head back first, and lend him to us for a couple of days? He can return on his own later?"

Bian Jixiong fell silent for a moment, then brightened the decree in his hand, "No rush, I just need to handle some matters at the Manufacturing Bureau tomorrow before leaving."

Hearing this, Wu Jinliang was stunned.

"Thank you, Sect Leader Bian."

With a polite response, then the group started shouting "Let's go, let's go," and forcibly whisked Wu Jinliang away as if pushing and binding him.

Wu Jinliang exclaimed, "Chun Tian!"

This money needs to be split equally.

Immediately someone cried out, "Confused! We forgot the first place winner, Shi Chun, let's go, together!"

Consequently, under the watchful eyes, Shi Chun was also forcibly taken away.

Xiang Laner and Bian Weiyin, with no one calling them, a group of men taking two women along was no fun.

On the viewing platform, people like Miao Dingyi also looked toward the direction of the howlers and whiners, guessing whom they were seeking.

Lan Qiaoyan sighed, "How did they end up mingled with these rowdy people?"

Miao Dingyi gave a smiling response, "Probably messing with Young Master Nan's betting rings."

Lan Qiaoyan instantly understood, exclaiming, "No wonder, they actually helped them make a fortune."

Miao Dingyi added, "There are two kinds who make a fortune around Young Master Nan. One kind is these rowdy types, and the other is those calm and profound ones—the latter being the majority, who don't pay attention to Shi Chun and the others, as they don't mix together."

While mentioning the latter, he glanced at Gong Shaoci nearby.

Gong Shaoci hurriedly chimed in, "I think Shi Chun and the others are quite good."

Miao Dingyi smiled and said, "It's over, let's go."

They hadn't walked far when they encountered Young Master Nan, who was seeing off a guest and greeting them politely...

"Shi Chun!"

Just coming down from the mountain at the training grounds, Shi Chun and his group suddenly heard someone calling out.

It was a woman's voice, somewhat familiar upon hearing. Turning back, they saw a beauty clad in white, adorned with a sword, walking unhurriedly toward them. It was Mulan Qingqing.

Shi Chun was slightly startled and quickly activated his right eye's superpower to scan the surroundings. The killing moves of the Su Yuan Sect were indeed terrifying and unpredictable.

Little did he know he was overthinking; the other party didn't know that he could detect assassination techniques, so they wouldn't misuse it against him.

"Oh, this beauty looks quite magnificent," said a person who had his arm around Wu Jinliang's shoulders, clicking his tongue.

Someone nearby quickly elbowed him as a reminder in a low voice, "The daughter of Mulan Jin."

Once this was mentioned, the group who had been giggling quieted down instantly. They lowered their raised hands, reined in their smiles, straightened up, and then, as if they didn't recognize Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, gradually walked away.

What did this mean? Wu Jinliang quickly looked around, witnessing how these fellows acted, and felt even less like spending money to treat them.

Shi Chun saw it too, and also didn't feel like splurging.

Mulan Qingqing approached him, and after looking each other in the eyes for a while and sizing him up, she finally showed a hint of emotion on her otherwise icy face, "I've gotten used to calling you Wang Sheng, calling you Shi Chun still feels a bit odd."

Perhaps slightly mocking.

Shi Chun didn't rush to respond, instead, he took the opportunity to save money, turning to the others and saying, "Everyone, I'm catching up with an old friend here. Let's reschedule our meeting."

"Sure."

"You go ahead with your important matters, we're not in hurry."

"Brother Wu, you guys go ahead, we'll leave first."

The crowd dropped these words and left, disappearing in an instant. Wu Jinliang rolled his eyes as he watched them leave, realizing the reality was even more evident than he had imagined.

Mulan Qingqing seemed slightly surprised, "Did I interrupt you guys? It's nothing serious, I just came to congratulate you."

Her words implied that they didn't have to be so formal, just a greeting, and she wouldn't hold them up.

She was still a bit out of touch with what had just happened, unaware that upon meeting, Shi Chun had used the situation to help them save a lot of money.

Shi Chun responded with a bitter smile and a clasped hands, "I really can't accept that, just not being blamed is already fortunate enough."

Mulan Qingqing said, "No problem, I've heard about your background. You just came out from the Land of Exile and were forced into the Sky Rain Meteor Conference to make up numbers and face death. I understand you were fighting for a rank to save your life, consequences and means be damned."

"…"

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang exchanged a bewildered look. Was it really like that? Thinking about it, it seemed to be the case.

"To come out on top is indeed a feat, congratulations!"

"Thank you, thank you," Shi Chun said with a face full of embarrassment.

Mulan Qingqing suddenly changed the topic, "The humiliation you brought upon me, one day, I will personally return it to you. Rest assured, I won't bully you using my position or sect's influence. It's just between you and me personally. Three years from now, I will seek you out for a rematch!"

After saying this, she nodded slightly to Wu Jinliang as a courtesy, then turned and left.

The people who passed by both from afar and near were all looking back at the pair, but they didn't witness the drama they had anticipated.

Not far away, Ji Qinghe secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

Wu Jinliang turned to ask Shi Chun, "Chun Tian, what does this mean?"

"Looking for trouble, what else could it mean," Shi Chun scoffed dismissively. In his opinion, this woman was delusional, a defeated challenger daring to speak boldly of fighting again, even talking about a fair duel without the backing of her sect? Was she worth worrying about in a fair fight?

He didn't take it seriously at all, and neither did Wu Jinliang, who chuckled, "This woman came just in time, at the very least saving us hundreds of thousands."

Looking around, he asked, "Where to next?"

Shi Chun thought for a moment, "Don't you know Miss Miao's address?"

Snap, Wu Jinliang snapped his fingers and pointed at his head, then waved and called out, "Let's go."

The two of them walked off this way, carrying no apparent weapons as they hadn't been for days, leaving their gear at the place where Bian Jixiong's group was staying.

Ji Qinghe also got his disciples into the carriage.

As the carriage started moving, Mulan Qingqing spoke up, "Elder, please inform the sect to tell the disciples not to trouble Shi Chun. I want to deal with Shi Chun personally, to reclaim my honor!"

Ji Qinghe frowned slightly, remaining silent, not knowing what to say to this young woman. If not for someone breaking the rules and intervening, you would have died at their hands, and there was also a confidentiality agreement finalized behind the scenes. By all accounts, this incident should be put to rest; why stir up old grievances?

He didn't bother to say much more, planning to go back and report to her grandfather, having him personally discipline her.

The Miao family's residence was easy to pinpoint, but getting close proved difficult.

The path through the lush forest seemed uninhabited, and the spirit beast-pulled carriage couldn't enter, stopped by a fluctuating barrier.

Regardless of their efforts, they couldn't get in, knowing there was a protection array in place.

"We don't have a way to contact them, what should we do? Maybe ask Young Master Nan for help connecting with them?" Wu Jinliang asked.

"Forget it, it might make people think we are too familiar with the Miao family, and they might not welcome it. Just confirming it's here is enough; someone will eventually come through this road," Shi Chun replied. He turned back to signal the spirit beast to adjust the carriage, blocking the road horizontally.

Then, the two of them just waited there.

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