CHAPTER 79: CHAPTER 79 RANKED_1

Indeed, he still had one trump card he had not yet revealed.

That was the Soul Refining Flag.

Although this Soul Refining Flag had completed its Blood Sacrifice, it had not yet truly bound a Soul General to command.

However, its power was not to be underestimated. If Shen Mo were to draw upon this flag, he would still have a fighting chance.

However, this Soul Refining Flag had questionable origins, making it too sensitive to be revealed easily. Moreover, he had initially planned to use the Soul Refining Flag as his ultimate trump card at a life-and-death juncture. If he used this trump card in public, it would no longer be a trump card. Exposing his trump card merely for the title of top newcomer was simply not worth it. It was better to maintain a low profile; after all, life was paramount!

In the end, Shen Mo abandoned the idea of continuing the fight.

Upon hearing Shen Mo concede defeat, Elder Chu Chen nodded slightly and announced, "The final battle has concluded, and the victor is determined."

"The champion of this session of the Newcomers Competition is... Lu Ming!"

As Elder Chu Chen’s voice faded, the Newcomers Competition finally drew to a close.

Simultaneously, the rankings for the Newcomers Competition were quickly established.

First Place: Lu Ming

Second Place: Shen Mo

Third Place: Lv Xu

Fourth Place: Qian Sun

Fifth Place: Yang Qingshan

"As per the rules, the first-place newcomer shall be awarded a Newcomer’s Immortal Outfit."

As Elder Chu Chen spoke, he waved his sleeve.

Instantly, a streak of spirit light flew towards Lu Ming.

When Lu Ming reached out and caught it, the spirit light dissipated. The Immortal Outfit, suffused with strands of spirit essence, was exceptionally dazzling.

"I’m so envious... That’s a profound-level, middle-grade magic artifact, worth at least a thousand low-grade Spirit Stones!"

"Moreover, this outfit symbolizes glory. To dominate the Newcomers Competition and earn it is truly an impressive feat."

"Envy is useless; none of us have the ability to obtain it," one disciple lamented. "Speaking of which, Lu Ming was hardly known in the sect before this. After today, his fame is sure to skyrocket."

The crowd eyed the Newcomer’s Immortal Outfit in Lu Ming’s hands with intense envy.

Soon, however, Elder Chu Chen began to distribute the rewards for the top five newcomers.

"Those new talents who ranked in the top five will each be rewarded with an opportunity to select a magic technique from the third floor of the Magic Tower. Here is your token."

With these words, Elder Chu Chen once again transformed the tokens into streaks of spirit light and distributed them.

Shen Mo also received a token granting access to the third floor of the Magic Tower.

The third floor should hold quite a few good things.

Shen Mo carefully pocketed the token, a sense of anticipation building within him.

He had selected the ’Purple Mansion Heart Scripture,’ a Cultivation Method, from the first floor of the Magic Tower. This alone was a testament to the richness of its collection.

The cultivation methods, magic, and martial arts techniques on the third floor must surely far surpass those on the first in terms of grade and rarity.

"Next are the rewards for the top ten newcomers: one Foundation Pill each!"

Elder Chu Chen continued to distribute the rewards according to the established procedure.

This award ceremony continued for the time of a stick of incense.

Once Elder Chu Chen had distributed the final reward, he tucked his hands into his sleeves and said, "Now is the time for the Peak Masters to select their chosen talents. This old man shall not overstep."

With that, he withdrew from the Yuxu Altar.

Simultaneously, atop the high platform in the clouds, three imposing figures revealed themselves to the assembled new disciples.

"I am Tang Lv, Peak Master of Rising Sun Peak."

"I am Yuan Jing, Peak Master of Bright Moon Peak."

"I am Zhou Shili, Peak Master of Stars Peak."

The three Peak Masters surveyed the crowd and introduced themselves sequentially.

"We pay our respects to the three Peak Masters!" the crowd bowed in unison.

"Enough with the pleasantries," Zhou Shili waved his hand, brushing aside such decorum, and addressed Lu Ming directly, "Young man, you are quite outstanding. Your elder brother recommended you to me. Are you willing to join my Stars Peak?"

"If you are willing to join my peak, I shall make an exception and accept you as my personal disciple."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire assembly erupted.

"The Peak Master of Stars Peak is personally accepting a disciple!"

"Isn’t this Lu Ming incredibly fortunate? With a Peak Master for a master, won’t his future be a meteoric rise?"

"How can you call it luck?" another countered. "Ultimately, it’s because he’s strong enough. After all, a disciple of such strength might not appear even across several Newcomers Competitions."

The disciples who had come to spectate looked at Lu Ming with eyes full of unconcealed envy.

Indeed, many among the spectators in the outer areas couldn’t even gain entry to the Three Peaks, let alone become a Peak Master’s disciple.

But at the same time, they knew Lu Ming was indeed qualified.

"Disciple Lu Ming is willing to join Stars Peak," Lu Ming, however, was remarkably composed, his expression unfazed by favor or slight. He merely bowed and stated his decision.

"Good, very good!" Zhou Shili laughed heartily upon hearing this.

Once the champion of the Newcomers Competition had been chosen, many gazes began to shift towards Shen Mo.

Although he had been defeated by Lu Ming in the final battle, his performance had still been exceptionally brilliant.

It was widely assumed that he, too, would be a prime candidate for the Three Peaks to contend over.

As expected, no sooner had Lu Ming stepped aside than Tang Lv, Peak Master of Rising Sun Peak, extended an olive branch to Shen Mo.

"Are you willing to join my Rising Sun Peak?" Tang Lv stood with his hands clasped behind him, his tone proud. "My Rising Sun Peak is the foremost of the Three Peaks, possessing the greatest strength and the most opportunities. If you are willing to join, a vast future awaits you."

"Get lost with that nonsense!" Before Tang Lv’s voice had even faded, Yuan Jing interjected to undermine him. "Recruiting disciples, are we? And so stingily too, without even a welcoming gift? Do you truly believe your Rising Sun Peak can attract all talented individuals on the basis of strength alone?"

Turning to Shen Mo, he said, "Young man, I observed your performance, and it was quite commendable. If you are willing to join my Bright Moon Peak, I am prepared to offer you a profound-level, middle-grade magic artifact as a welcoming gift. How about it?"

A murmur of admiration swept through the crowd. Such generosity!

This welcoming gift was in no way inferior to the reward granted to the champion of the Newcomers Competition.

However, Shen Mo did not immediately respond to the two Peak Masters’ invitations.

Because, in the next instant, Zhou Shili, Peak Master of Stars Peak, also spoke.

"Young man, you and Guo Zhao, a disciple of my peak, are old acquaintances. If you were to join another peak, I fear you might not receive adequate support and could find life less comfortable."

Even though he had already recruited Lu Ming, Zhou Shili was unwilling to let Shen Mo go.

To him, the more disciples with abundant potential, the better, naturally.

"If you are willing to come to my Stars Peak, I can gift you five Earth Yuan Pills. From your performance in the competition, I observed that your physique and strength are considerable. You seem to cultivate some kind of external cultivation method that consumes Qi and blood essence, though your mastery of it is not yet complete. These Earth Yuan Pills are top-tier among Grade II spiritual medicines. Their effect is to rapidly consolidate Blood Qi, which would be highly beneficial for your external cultivation. What do you say?"

With Peak Master Yuan’s generous precedent, Zhou Shili’s offer didn’t seem particularly high.

Regarding the choice of a peak, Shen Mo was quite clear: it was better to have acquaintances to navigate things more easily. Otherwise, however enthusiastic these Peak Masters appeared while recruiting him, once he truly entered their peak, they would hardly have time to inquire after his well-being or concern themselves with his every need. After all, talented disciples were not uncommon in any of the peaks. Although Shen Mo’s performance was respectable, it was far from sufficient to ensure a Peak Master would personally attend to his every matter.

After some consideration, Shen Mo still chose Stars Peak.

There was no other reason: Guo Zhao was there.

"Disciple Shen Mo wishes to join Stars Peak," Shen Mo took a deep breath and finally announced his decision.

"Foolish!" Tang Lv shook his head and sighed upon hearing this.

He, for one, was relatively unperturbed. His Rising Sun Peak was, after all, the leading peak in the Riverside Sect. Even if this session of the Newcomers Competition didn’t yield him the very best disciples, it was but a minor regret.

Peak Master Yuan Jing of Bright Moon Peak, however, seemed quite aggrieved, muttering indignantly for a good while.

"That old Zhou... he truly doesn’t want to let a single one go! Utterly detestable."