Martial Conquest of the Nine Desolates
Chapter 389 - 385: Three Rewards

Chapter 389: Chapter 385: Three Rewards

The voice of Emperor Donghuang echoed in the Heroes Hall, instantly invigorating Xiao Ye. He was the first place winner in the Kingdom Battle, so his reward would definitely be the most generous.

The young talents from East State eligible for the rewards were also excited, leaning in to listen carefully.

"This is the reward list, you shall announce it on behalf of me."

With a wave of Emperor Donghuang’s hand, a blazing light shot out and landed in the hands of the Third General, manifesting as a roster.

The Third General bowed respectfully, then opened the roster. His booming voice filled the air.

"Wang Haoge, ranked fiftieth in the Kingdom Battle, may proceed to the first level of the Scripture Collection Hall in the Heavenly God Dynasty. He may browse any Virtual Martial Realm Technique, Combat Techniques, or secret technique within the first level, with the time limit of one incense stick."

As his words fell, the crowd was astonished. The young man named Wang Haoge trembled all over and stood up excitedly, saying, "Thank you for the grace of Emperor Donghuang."

Every great force has a place to store their Cultivation Techniques, Combat Techniques, and secret techniques. The Heavenly God Dynasty, being the top power in East State and controlling hundreds of kingdoms, naturally was no exception.

After being established by eight generations of Emperor Donghuang, its Scripture Collection Hall stored an extensive array like an ocean of Martial Arts secret manuals, including Eighth Grade Combat Techniques, precious secret techniques, and even treasures like Upper Class Virtual Martial Realm Techniques considered as treasures.

Under the restrictions of East State, young talents getting access to Eighth Grade Combat Techniques were extremely scarce, let alone Intermediate and Upper Class Virtual Martial Realm Techniques – privileges typically reserved only for the descendants of Emperor Donghuang.

Thus, the reward of entering the first level of Heavenly God Emperor Realm for the duration of one incense stick was an irresistible offer for any Virtual Martial practitioner, even for the descendants of Emperor Donghuang themselves who faced numerous restrictions besides time to enter the Scripture Collection Hall.

"Damn, the reward for the fiftieth rank is too generous. Had I known this, I would have fought to death to make it into the top fifty!" one young man beat his chest and stamped his feet, filled with regret.

"Such is fate," another sighed and shook his head.

The Third General cast a sharp, knife-like glance and snorted coldly, causing all the young elites to quiet down instantly, as the previously noisy Heroes Hall quieted down.

Seeing this, the Third General continued reading from the roster.

Xiao Ye listened with interest, from the fiftieth to the twentieth names, the rewards were all to enter the first level of the Scripture Collection Hall to browse the Martial Arts secret manuals, the only difference being the extended duration of the times allowed.

By the twentieth name, the time spent in the first level had reached five hours, causing the Heroes Hall to grow noisy once again due to the tempting reward.

"My main goal now is still to comprehend the Four Emperors Technique, to enhance my own cultivation, and to understand the Slaughter Principle. This is the true path to enhancing my strength," Xiao Ye thought, his eyes flickering. He was not very interested in the rewards of the Scripture Collection Hall.

He had already obtained three books of Eighth Grade Combat Techniques from the Sky Breaking King Realm in the Death Mountain Range, so he did not lack them.

As for Cultivation Techniques, he needed them even less; any Virtual Martial Realm Technique was mere trash in front of the profound and extensive Four Emperors Technique.

"I hope my reward is not to enter Emperor Donghuang’s Scripture Collection Hall," Xiao Ye hoped inwardly.

The Third General continued reading the list.

"Ding Cheng, ranked nineteenth in the Kingdom Battle, may stay in the Scripture Collection Hall for three hours, and additionally receives one High Grade Essence Stone."

High Grade Essence Stone!

As the words fell, the hall went dead silent, you could hear a pin drop, everyone stared agape in shock.

High Grade Essence Stones were essential cultivation resources for practitioners above the King Martial Realm, only produced in Central State, containing the purest Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi.

For instance, Xiao Ye was able to reach Half-step Virtual Martial quickly and then develop four Grotto Heavens mostly because he had obtained ten High Grade Essence Stones from the Sky Breaking King Realm, with the help of King Xingyun, which made his success possible.

Even the total wealth of King Martial Realm experts from the Four Great States of the northeast, southwest combined would probably amount to just a few dozen High Grade Essence Stones, and now Emperor Donghuang was rewarding these to the Virtual Martial Realm young talents, which was incredibly lavish.

"Wang Kai, ranked eighteenth in the Kingdom Battle, may stay in the Scripture Collection Hall for three hours, additionally receiving two High Grade Essence Stones."

The Third General continued announcing the rewards. With each rank increase, one more High Grade Essence Stone was added, all the way up to the eleventh place, who besides entering the Scripture Collection Hall, accumulated ten High Grade Essence Stones, nearly half the wealth of a King Martial Realm expert.

Madness!

Complete madness!

Everyone’s faces showed a craze, even the rulers of the major kingdoms of King Martial Realm were no exception, this reward made their hearts pound and raised some doubts in their minds.

Why was the Eighth Emperor Donghuang so generous?

"I now have only three High Grade Essence Stones left..." Xiao Ye was stirred up.

Having advanced to Virtual Martial Realm, Xiao Ye truly understood the importance of High Grade Essence Stones, especially since he had four Grotto Heavens, making it extremely difficult to enhance his cultivation, and he needed High Grade Essence Stones even more.

He was worried that his High Grade Essence Stones were running out, and unexpectedly, they were included in the battle rewards.

"Tu Xuan, ranked tenth in the Kingdom Battle, the reward is..." The Third General continued to read, causing the Heroes Hall to quiet down again, everyone listened attentively, the rewards for the top ten had finally been reached.

"Enter the Heavenly God Emperor Realm Scripture Hall for five hours, thirty high-grade essence stones!"

Boom!

This statement, like a fierce lightning strike, stunned everyone speechless.

The difference between 11th and 10th place was merely one rank, yet it resulted in an additional twenty high-grade essence stones. It’s important to note that many weaker King Martial Realm experts might not even be able to produce thirty high-grade essence stones.

It was evident that Emperor Donghuang places great importance on the rewards for the top ten young talents, increasing ten high-grade essence stones with each rank up.

The one ranked second, Nangong Xingyu, could obtain one hundred and twenty high-grade essence stones.

The list of rewards ended abruptly here, and the Third General closed the roster respectfully and returned it to Emperor Donghuang.

Seeing this, everyone was puzzled. Why was Xiao Ye, who ranked first, not awarded?

Emperor Donghuang noticed the crowd’s confusion and chuckled, "The reward for the winner of the Kingdom Battle is specially arranged by myself."

This statement sparked even greater curiosity among the audience, as the reward for first place must be extremely precious, hence not announced publicly.

Following Emperor Donghuang’s order, the rewards were distributed, and the guards removed the platform from the center of the Great Hall, rearranging tables and chairs as the banquet proceeded normally with a lively atmosphere. Those who received awards were glowing with joy, frequently toasting.

Many King Martial Realm experts stepped forward, wishing to exchange for high-grade essence stones with these young talents, but most were turned down.

As the banquet disbursed, everyone departed under the guidance of the Third General, leaving only Xiao Ye and Emperor Donghuang in the Heroes Hall.

Xiao Ye looked at the throne where Emperor Donghuang sat with a somewhat nervous expression.

Facing an Emperor Martial Realm super-strong expert, it was inevitable to feel a bit intimidated.

"Xiao Ye, before I give you your reward, there is something I must remind you of," Emperor Donghuang suddenly said with a serious expression and a profound gaze set on Xiao Ye.

Xiao Ye’s heart stirred, wondering if his remaining was due to this matter.

Thinking of this, Xiao Ye respectfully said, "Please speak, Your Majesty."

"Do you remember Jun Shitian?" Emperor Donghuang asked, his eyes sparkling with intensity.

Xiao Ye nodded, "Of course, I remember."

"This man is not one of the prodigies from the great kingdoms of East State but suddenly appeared in the Sky Breaking King Realm, possessing tremendous strength. If not for being defeated by you, he undoubtedly would have been within the top three."

"After receiving the envoy’s report, I specifically formed an avatar to go to the Sky Breaking King Realm and witnessed you killing Jun Shitian, discovering something astonishing," Emperor Donghuang said.

Xiao Ye was shocked upon hearing this. Emperor Donghuang’s avatar was there that day?

However, given Emperor Donghuang’s cultivation level, if he intended to hide his presence, no one in East State would notice. But what could be the astonishing discovery that Emperor Donghuang mentioned?

"The one you killed was merely an avatar," Emperor Donghuang said straightforwardly.

"An avatar? How is that possible!"

Hearing this, Xiao Ye’s complexion changed drastically, and a storm of thoughts surged within him.

Given Emperor Donghuang’s insight and cultivation level, he certainly wouldn’t deceive him.

To form an avatar, a martial artist must have at least King Martial Realm cultivation. Could it be that he has offended a power that possesses at least King Martial Realm strength?

With this thought, Xiao Ye felt as if a scythe of the death god was hanging above his head, ready to strike at any moment.

"I do not know the origin of this Jun Shitian, but his main body’s cultivation level is likely extraordinary, and since you destroyed his avatar, he will definitely seek revenge. Therefore, you must be extremely cautious," Emperor Donghuang advised.

"Thank you for the warning, Your Majesty," Xiao Ye took a deep breath, forcibly calming the tumultuous thoughts in his mind.

Since the incident had already happened, pondering further was futile. What he needed to do was to enhance his strength before the real Jun Shitian came seeking revenge.

Seeing Xiao Ye calm down so quickly, admiration flashed in the eyes of Emperor Donghuang.

"The first reward for achieving the first place in the Kingdom Battle, I originally planned to give you a set of upper-class Virtual Martial Arts, just like for my sons and daughters."

"However, seeing that you already possess the Eighth Grade Battle Technique and have cultivated an upper-class Virtual Martial Technique, I won’t repeat myself. Instead, I’ll grant you three different rewards," Emperor Donghuang suddenly smiled.

"The first reward, six hundred high-grade essence stones; the second reward, the forbidden artifact, Emperor’s Undying Order; the third reward, although you have not yet reached the King Martial level, I grant you the treatment of a King Martial, bestowing you with the title of king and territory," Emperor Donghuang continued.

"This..." Xiao Ye’s breath hitched, his eyes flushing with intensity.