Thundering cheers echoed across the square for a long time. Fang Hao stood in the center of the arena; though his green robes were somewhat damaged, his posture was as upright as a pine tree. The Champion of the Five Sect Martial Competition! The weight of this title caused the entire Azure Cloud Sect area to boil with excitement.

Heart of the Sword raised his hand to signal for silence, and the waves of sound gradually subsided. His gaze swept across the field, finally landing on Fang Hao with undisguised admiration.

"The Five Sect Martial Competition has hereby reached Perfection! Next, the awards will be presented!"

Everyone’s eyes grew fervent. The rewards were the main event of the martial competition!

First, the rewards for eleventh to fiftieth place were presented. These Disciples each received a bottle of High Grade ningyuan pills and one thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, which was quite a harvest. Although Ling Yun felt some regret for not making it into the top ten, she also showed a smile when she received her reward.

Next were the heavy rewards for the top ten!

Jian Wuxin said loudly, "The top ten of the martial competition will receive guidance from Nascent Soul True Monarchs!"

As soon as he finished speaking, five majestic auras descended from the sky! Five Nascent Soul True Monarchs appeared high in the air, their pressure like a vast sea, filling all the Disciples with awe. These five were from the five Sects, and they were the witnesses and award presenters of this competition.

The Nascent Soul True Monarch of the Azure Cloud Sect was a green-robed old man with the Dao title Qingxuan. His face was lean and his eyes were as deep as a sea of stars. He spoke first, his voice peaceful yet clearly reaching everyone’s ears:

"Top ten Disciples, step forward."

Fang Hao, Soaring Wind, Nether Child, Nether Fiend, Fairy Ling Yu, and the others, ten in total, stepped forward as ordered and bowed respectfully.

True Monarch Qingxuan’s gaze first fell on Fang Hao, and he nodded slightly: "Fang Hao, it was truly not easy for you to seize the Champion title with your Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivation and Seven Spiritual Roots talent. Your advantage lies in your inclusive Cultivation Technique and your flexible and varied tactics, especially your unique insights into the Dao of Space. However, cultivating with Seven Spiritual Roots requires a massive amount of spiritual power, and it is easy to become broad but not profound. In the future, you should focus on condensing your spiritual power and seek the Dao of balance between the seven systems; that is the correct path. Furthermore, your Heart-Nature is resilient and your Dao Heart is stable, which is excellent. I hope you maintain it."

This speech directly pointed out Fang Hao’s advantages and hidden dangers, making him suddenly enlightened. He said respectfully, "Thank you for the guidance, True Monarch. This Disciple will keep it in mind!"

Next, True Monarch Qingxuan looked at Soaring Wind: "Soaring Wind, your sword heart is pure, your Foundation is solid, and your talent is outstanding. Your defeat to Fang Hao was not due to a lack of skill, but rather because your tactics and adaptability were slightly inferior. On the path of the Dao of the Sword, one must be fiercely powerful, but also know when to advance or retreat and understand change. Being too rigid makes one easy to break; only by combining hardness and softness can one reach the supreme Realm of the Dao of the Sword."

Soaring Wind’s originally somewhat defiant eyes gradually cleared, and he bowed deeply: "The True Monarch’s teachings are like a thunderclap to my ears. Soaring Wind has learned much!"

Subsequently, the other four Nascent Soul True Monarchs also provided guidance to their respective Sects and related Disciples.

The Nascent Soul True Monarch of the Heavenly Sword Sect was a middle-aged Sword Cultivator carrying an ancient sword, with the Dao title Tiangang. He mainly guided Soaring Wind and Nether Child, his words as sharp and direct as a sword: "Soaring Wind, your ’Heaven and Earth Slash’ is powerful enough, but your timing could be more precise. Nether Child, your sword takes unconventional paths; while trickery can be used, you must not become obsessed with it. You need to return to the essence of the Dao of the Sword..."

The Nascent Soul True Monarch of the Profound Nether Cult was a sinister old man shrouded in black robes, with the Dao title Minggu. His voice was raspy as he said to Nether Fiend: "The Qi of Xuan Ming values purity and control, rather than blindly pursuing malice and cruelty. Your Heart-Nature still needs to be tempered..."

The Nascent Soul True Monarch of the Chiyang Sect was a red-haired strongman with the Dao title Yanyang. His voice was like a great bell as he said to Blazing Fierce and others under his command: "The key to fire techniques lies in the balance between burst and endurance. Blindly attacking with full force is merely the courage of a fool..."

The Nascent Soul True Monarch of the Beast Taming Sect was a gentle and elegant beautiful woman with the Dao title Ling Yun. She said softly to Fairy Ling Yu: "The path of beast taming involves the connection between the heart and the beast; it emphasizes compatibility rather than command. You and the Snow Eagle have already developed a rapport; in the future, you should focus more on cultivating your state of mind..."

Every Nascent Soul True Monarch’s guidance struck the heart of the matter, causing the benefiting Disciples to suddenly see the light and the onlookers to benefit greatly as well. This brief guidance was worth far more than ordinary Medicinal Pills and Spirit Stones.

Each of the top ten Disciples also received five thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones and a bottle of extremely precious "Peiyuan Pills," which have miraculous effects on consolidating the Foundation and enhancing potential.

After the top ten rewards were presented, the atmosphere on the scene became even more enthusiastic. Because next were the extra heavy rewards for the top three!

Jian Wuxin’s voice rose, carrying a hint of excitement: "The top three of the martial competition, in addition to the rewards mentioned above, are also granted the qualification to enter the ’Tianyan Secret Realm’!"

"Tianyan Secret Realm!" A sound of collective gasping rose from below. Even some Golden Core Elders showed looks of envy.

Fang Hao, Soaring Wind, and Nether Child stepped forward. Even a Genius as proud as Soaring Wind was filled with anticipation at this moment.

True Monarch Qingxuan personally handed three simple and unsophisticated jade talismans to the three of them. The jade talismans were warm to the touch, carved with profound runes that were faintly connected to some kind of spatial fluctuation.

"This is the heavenly derivation secret key." True Monarch Qingxuan said solemnly, "The Tianyan Secret Realm was left behind by an ancient powerhouse and contains endless Opportunity and danger. The Secret Realm opens once every ten years, allowing only a hundred people to enter each time. Holding this secret key, you can enter when the Secret Realm opens in three years. The Opportunities within depend on your own luck, but it is fraught with danger, and fifty to sixty percent of those who enter perish there. You must act cautiously and prepare well." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

A mortality rate of fifty to sixty percent! Everyone was shocked, but the gazes of Fang Hao and the other two became even more determined. High risk means high rewards; true Geniuses do not fear challenges!

In addition to the Secret Realm qualification, the top three also received extra rewards: Fang Hao, as the Champion, received a Top Grade Spiritual Artifact "Flowing Light Shuttle," which integrates offense and defense and is especially good for flying and escaping; Soaring Wind received a "Sword Heart Pill," which can help his Dao of the Sword insights reach a higher level; Nether Child received an Earth Rank High Grade Cultivation Technique, "Nether Shadow Escape Technique," greatly increasing his survival ability.

The award ceremony ended, and the Five Sect Martial Competition officially came to a close.

Fang Hao returned to the Azure Cloud Sect team and was immediately surrounded by excited fellow Disciples.

"Junior Brother Ning! You’re too amazing!"

"You’ve brought honor to our Azure Cloud Sect!"

"The Sect Master will surely give you a heavy reward when we return!"

Lin Wan squeezed to the front, her eyes sparkling: "Junior Brother Ning! Tianyan Secret Realm! I heard there’s an Opportunity for Immortal Ascension inside!"

Liang Ling also walked to his side and said softly, "Congratulations. You have three years; you need to prepare well."

Fang Hao nodded, feeling the warmth from the heavenly derivation secret key in his hand, his heart filled with anticipation for the future. He knew that being the martial competition Champion was just a new starting point; the real challenges were still ahead.

Bao Zhijian stood on the outskirts of the crowd, his expression incredibly complex. Jealousy, unwillingness, and an indescribable sense of frustration were intertwined. He eventually snorted coldly and turned to leave.

That night, the Heavenly Sword Sect hosted a banquet to entertain the Disciples of the five Sects. At the banquet, Fang Hao became the absolute protagonist, with people constantly coming to toast and befriend him. Soaring Wind also walked over with a wine cup, his expression having returned to calm: "Junior Brother Ning, I have benefited much from today’s battle. Let’s meet again in the Secret Realm in three years; I hope to fight alongside you." He showed his magnanimous character.

Fang Hao raised his cup in response: "Senior Brother Soaring Wind, you are too kind. I look forward to your guidance then."

The banquet atmosphere was lively, but Fang Hao knew in his heart that after the bustle, there would be even harder cultivation. In three years, he must become stronger to fight for that sliver of immortal chance in the Tianyan Secret Realm!

The next day, the people of the Azure Cloud Sect boarded the flying boat and set out on their return journey. They came with anxiety but returned with glory.

The flying boat passed through the clouds, and Fang Hao stood alone at the bow, looking down at the mountains and rivers below. His gaze was already fixed on the mysterious and dangerous Tianyan Secret Realm three years away.

The immortal path is long; one must only keep moving forward with determination.