Chapter 160: Reward

As the Grand Deacon finished speaking, the noisy murmurs of the crowd abruptly died down into absolute silence. Every single pair of eyes turned to focus on Li Jiansan.

They were consumed with curiosity, wondering which class this peerless genius would choose to enter.

The elders present also gazed at Li Jiansan with burning anticipation. Although Li Jiansan's current strength meant he hardly needed their personal guidance, who wouldn't want to recruit such a prodigy? Moreover, capturing a monstrous genius like Li Jiansan was an immense honor!

"He certainly won't go to the Class A."

"Why wouldn't he? That's the most prestigious class. If it were me, I'd jump at the chance."

"You think everyone's like you? He's Li Jiansan! Given how harshly he humiliated Elder Liu Yan earlier, how could he possibly go to Liu Yan's Class A? Use your head."

"Then which class will he choose?"

"Class B, probably. Class B isn't too bad either. While slightly inferior to Class A, it's still the best alternative for Li Jiansan. In any case, he definitely won't go to Class D!"

Amidst the hushed discussions, Li Jiansan glanced briefly at Wu Jiang and said, "Grand Deacon, I have decided to enter Class D."

The moment Li Jiansan spoke, everyone was startled, their faces contorted in utter disbelief.

Never in their wildest dreams had they imagined that Li Jiansan would choose Class D.

That was the worst class of all—a dumping ground that even students with the most mediocre aptitude approached with extreme reluctance.

Yet now, Li Jiansan, the most dazzling genius of them all, had chosen the absolute lowest tier.

Even Wu Jiang himself found it hard to credit.

The Grand Deacon's expression shifted, his face turning a shade of sheer bewilderment. "Are you certain?"

"Yes."

"Since that is your choice, you shall enter Class D." The Grand Deacon looked at Li Jiansan; since this was Li Jiansan's own decision, it was not his place to interfere.

For a moment, the crowd remained frozen, and then an uproar broke out.

"Good heavens, Li Jiansan actually picked Class D, the worst of them all!"

"Did I hear that correctly?"

"With a talent as formidable as his, he would shine brightly no matter where he went."

Then, the Grand Deacon swept his gaze across the remaining students. "The rest of you will be assigned to classes according to your scores. Now, moving on..."

"Grand Deacon," interrupted Zhang Dabao, stepping forward.

The Grand Deacon cast a sidelong glance at him. "Do you have a question?"

"Ahem, Grand Deacon, since Brother Li has joined Class D, I'll go to Class D as well."

The Grand Deacon paused slightly. "Have you thought this through?"

Zhang Dabao nodded his chubby head affirmatively.

"And me."

"I'll join Class D too."

At that, Zi Xuan and Xu Yan spoke almost in unison.

Seeing this, a trace of helplessness crossed the Grand Deacon's face. He turned to Li Huazhan standing nearby. "And what about you?"

Li Huazhan bowed slightly to the Grand Deacon and replied, "Naturally, I shall enter Class A!"

Soon, the rest of the students made their respective class selections.

Among the top ten, nearly half had chosen Class D, and of the top three, two had entered Class D.

Out of the top three performers in the trials, only one had chosen Liu Yan's Class A.

Wu Jiang was absolutely thrilled. He had originally expected his Class D to be filled with another batch of underperforming students, but he never anticipated that several top-tier geniuses would end up in his class.

There was even the peerless genius who had claimed first place!

All of this was brought about by a single youth...

Such a dramatic reversal of fortunes was unprecedented within Azure Dragon Academy.

"Very well. Now, the top ten performers in the trials, follow me to collect your rewards."

Led by the Grand Deacon, Li Jiansan and his companions were soon escorted before the Spirit Treasure Hall.

This was a realm shrouded in drifting mists. Suspended high above the clouds stood a solitary stone platform. The platform was not particularly spacious, but it provided ample room for a person to move around.

Zi Xuan gasped in surprise, saying, "Wow, there's actually someone sitting up there!"

Hearing this, Li Jiansan raised his gaze and gently projected a strand of spiritual sense. Sure enough, he perceived an aged elder sitting cross-legged atop the stone platform.

Although the old man kept his eyes closed and appeared utterly languid, Li Jiansan could faintly sense a formidable power radiating from around him.

"Hmm?"

Seeming to have detected something, the old man suddenly opened his eyes and cast a downward glance.

"Little girl, show some respect!"

Catching sight of this, the Grand Deacon hurriedly scolded Zi Xuan, then bowed slightly toward the elder on the platform, speaking with deep deference:

"Elder Hong, I have brought the top ten new recruits to collect their rewards from the Spirit Treasure Hall."

"Heh heh, there are quite a few fine saplings among this batch of newcomers."

As Elder Hong spoke, he swept a brief glance over Li Jiansan.

Then, with a casual wave of his large hand, he closed his eyes once more and paid no further attention to the group below.

With Elder Hong's wave, the surrounding mists instantly parted, revealing a magnificent, awe-inspiring hall.

The hall stood like a colossal tower piercing through the mountain peaks, rooted firmly within Azure Dragon Academy. Tendrils of mist coiled and twined around its perimeter, making it look like a sacred sanctuary of immortals.

Standing before this grand edifice, everyone felt exceptionally diminutive. A slight tilt of the head was required merely to catch a glimpse of the hall piercing through the clouds, yet no matter how hard one strained, the summit remained hidden, visible only as a faint, shimmering light amidst the sea of clouds.

"Grand Deacon, what is the background of that old man on the stone platform?"

As soon as they stepped inside the Spirit Treasure Hall, Zhang Dabao's curiosity got the better of him.

"It seems no one remembers his actual name anymore, but we are all accustomed to calling him Elder Hong. He is the guardian elder of the Spirit Treasure Hall."

Noticing the awed expressions on Zhang Dabao and the others, the Grand Deacon warned them, "You must not underestimate this elder. If he loses his temper, even the elders of our academy must yield to him by three parts."

"Then what is his background, Grand Deacon?"

"As for his origins, even I am unaware. Perhaps only our Headmaster knows the truth."

The Grand Deacon's expression grew solemn. "There are three levels within the Spirit Treasure Hall. Given your current ranks, you are only permitted to select treasures from the first level."

"You have one hour to make your selections. Remember, do not aim too high for things beyond your reach; what suits you best is the finest choice. As for how you choose and what you obtain, it all depends on your individual destiny."

"The first-place winner of this trial may select three treasures from the first level. Second to fourth place may select two, and the rest may choose one."

"Furthermore, every treasure is sealed with a restriction. Do not touch them casually. Let me know once you have made your choice, and I will retrieve them for you."

Having said this, the Grand Deacon walked aside and leisurely poured himself a cup of tea.

Li Jiansan slowly scanned the dazzling shelves arrayed before him. Here lay an endless array of treasures: martial arts techniques, cultivation manuals, rare natural resources, miraculous elixirs, and high-grade weapons—everything one could possibly imagine was present. If you could think of it, it was here.

"Purple Gold Spear: A mid-grade weapon forged from cold purple gold iron. When channeled with spiritual energy, it can unleash double its power with infinite might!"

"Slaying God's Absolute Art: A mid-grade cultivation manual. Upon mastery, it condenses terrifying killing intent, emitting the aura of an Asura capable of intimidating opponents from dozens of meters away."

"Flowing Conch True Water: A tier-three spirit treasure used to temper the physique. Not only does it strengthen the body, but it also renders the skin more delicate and refined. Highly suitable for female martial artists."

Row upon row of rare and precious items drifted past Li Jiansan's vision. Any single treasure here, if placed in the outside world, would cause a massive sensation.

Yet, within Azure Dragon Academy, these items were considered nothing extraordinary, relegated merely to the first level of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion.

As expected of Azure Dragon Academy; only an influence of this caliber possessed such profound foundations.

These treasures, even if placed in the imperial capital, would incite frantic contention among all parties, but here within the academy, they appeared quite ordinary.

"Golden Mountain Armor: A top-grade defensive treasure armor with astonishing defensive capabilities, capable of withstanding attacks from practitioners at the Profound-Passing Realm."

"Nine Cauldrons Face-Changing Powder: A tier-three miraculous pill. Consuming it allows one to alter their appearance at will, and even change their voice."

Zhang Dabao's heart pounded violently, and it took him quite a while to regain his composure. "Good grief, even I, the wealthy master Zhang, have never laid eyes on treasures like these!"

"Ancient medicinal formulas, incomplete divine arts..."

Gazing at these terrifying treasures, the expressions of amazement on the faces of Zi Xuan and Xu Yan deepened. With their current wealth, they wouldn't be able to afford even a single item here for another ten years. Outside, any of these would serve as foundational heirlooms for a major clan.

The further Li Jiansan looked, the more terrifying the precious items became. As he scanned the shelves, his gaze suddenly locked onto a particular item.

"Xuan Kun Essence Blood! This is the blood of an ancient divine beast. Its essence blood can temper the physique and strengthen the physical body. If one can refine ten drops of Xuan Kun Essence Blood, it will completely reconstruct their constitution, forging their flesh into a Martial Dao Saint Body!"

The moment Li Jiansan laid eyes on the Xuan Kun Essence Blood, his eyes blazed with brilliant light.

"Once I acquire the Xuan Kun Essence Blood, I can begin practicing the *Nine Bright Azure Emperor Scripture* and embark on the cultivation of the physical body."

After a short while, everyone in the Spirit Treasure Hall had selected their respective items.

Seeing what Zhang Dabao had picked, the Grand Deacon was taken aback. "Flowing Conch True Water? Nine Cauldrons Face-Changing Powder? What are you playing at, kid? Why are you picking these? These are things for young girls."

"Besides, these items offer little help to your cultivation, nor do they hold much intrinsic value. Don't waste this opportunity," the Grand Deacon cautioned.

Yet Zhang Dabao merely grinned and said, "Grand Deacon, rest assured; these things are useful to me."

"Fine, fine. Have it your way." With a flick of his sleeve, the Grand Deacon removed the restriction above the items.

Zi Xuan held a softly glowing armor in her hands. "Grand Deacon, I've chosen a Golden Mountain Armor."

"I have chosen a top-grade martial art," Xu Yan chimed in immediately after.

"Very well." Seeing what the two had selected, the Grand Deacon nodded in satisfaction.

He then turned his gaze toward Li Huazhan. "Slaying God's Absolute Art and the Purple Gold Spear. You chose these two?"

Hearing the Grand Deacon's words, the others looked at Li Huazhan with a mixture of curiosity. These were aggressively offensive treasures; they hadn't expected that Li Huazhan, usually so quiet, was actually quite ruthless.

Li Huazhan replied succinctly, "Yes."

After dispelling the restrictions on those items, the Grand Deacon finally looked at Li Jiansan. "And what about you?"