Chapter 720 – "The First Rankings"
The crowd was still buzzing from Alex's reveal when the announcer's voice rose over the arena, echoing through the formation arrays.
"That concludes all one-on-one matches for the first round! We will now announce the top scorers from each continent — the ten sects who will be awarded round prizes."
A translucent projection flared to life above the arena, names and numbers flickering into view.
Western Continent
Heavenly Sect – 190Azure Spirit Sect – 10Iron Fist Sect – 60Golden Root Sect – 10White Lotus Sect – 10
Northern Continent
Blood Moon Sect – 180Savage Fang Hall – 80Ghostfire Abyss Sect – 90Thousand Fangs Pavilion – 120Shadow Claw Sect – 140
Southern Continent
Frost Moon Palace – 170Radiant Sun Palace – 100Serpent Song Sect – 30Sky Feather Hall – 20Ocean Soul Sect – 60
Eastern Continent
Emerald Jade Sect – 170Scarlet Halberd Sect – 20Nine Waves Sect – 40Fallen Star Sect – 130Heaven's Edge Sect – 50
Central Continent
Celestial Dragon Sect – 180Immortal Flame Pavilion – 180Heavenly Phoenix Hall – 170True Void Sect – 150Mountain Sea Sect – 140
The announcer let the numbers hang for a moment, letting the audience murmur and compare scores before continuing.
"However — in cases where two or more sects share the same score, ranking will be decided by their continent's standing! Sect representatives, remember: in this tournament, continent pride weighs as heavily as personal victory. Even with equal points, the sect from the continent with the greater total performance will stand higher on the board."
That announcement drew a few frowns from the pavilions. In the Central Continent seats, the Immortal Flame Pavilion's sect master leaned toward the Celestial Dragon Sect's leader with a thin smile. "Looks like we'll be seeing each other sooner rather than later."
In the Heavenly Sect's section, Yu Mei watched the board with calm satisfaction. "We're leading. And by this margin, we'll keep leading for a while."
Alex, still holding his mask loosely at his side, didn't even look at the scores. "The real matches haven't started yet."
From the Emerald Jade Sect pavilion, Elder Mei Suhua's eyes remained fixed on him, even as her sect's name shone in the top ranking of their continent. Her lips curved faintly. And when they do… I'll be watching every move you make.
The shimmering projection above the arena shifted, reorganizing itself into a neat vertical list that displayed the rankings from first to last based on the announcer's rules.
Heavenly Sect – 190 points (Western Continent)
2. Celestial Dragon Sect – 180 points (Central Continent)
3. Immortal Flame Pavilion – 180 points (Central Continent)
4. Blood Moon Sect – 180 points (Northern Continent)
5. Frost Moon Palace – 170 points (Southern Continent)
6. Emerald Jade Sect – 170 points (Eastern Continent)
7. Heavenly Phoenix Hall – 170 points (Central Continent)
8. True Void Sect – 150 points (Central Continent)
9. Mountain Sea Sect – 140 points (Central Continent)
10. Shadow Claw Sect – 140 points (Northern Continent)
11. Thousand Fangs Pavilion – 120 points (Northern Continent)
12. Fallen Star Sect – 130 points (Eastern Continent)
13. Radiant Sun Palace – 100 points (Southern Continent)
14. Ghostfire Abyss Sect – 90 points (Northern Continent)
15. Savage Fang Hall – 80 points (Northern Continent)
16. Ocean Soul Sect – 60 points (Southern Continent)
17. Iron Fist Sect – 60 points (Western Continent)
18. Nine Waves Sect – 40 points (Eastern Continent)
19. Serpent Song Sect – 30 points (Southern Continent)
20. Scarlet Halberd Sect – 20 points (Eastern Continent)
21. Sky Feather Hall – 20 points (Southern Continent)
22. Azure Spirit Sect – 10 points (Western Continent)
23. Golden Root Sect – 10 points (Western Continent)
24. White Lotus Sect – 10 points (Western Continent)
The announcer's voice rolled over the crowd once more. "These standings reflect not only your individual victories, but the might of your home continents. Remember — the road to the finals is shaped by more than personal pride."
In the stands, whispers spread quickly as rival sects measured their position against the leaders. For many, the tournament had just become far more than a series of matches — it was now a war of continental prestige.
Yu Mei allowed herself a small, confident smile at seeing Heavenly Sect's name at the very top. Alex, however, merely glanced at the list once before turning his eyes back to the arena floor, as if already thinking several matches ahead.
The projection faded, replaced by the shimmering image of the first prize. The announcer's voice carried over the crowd.
"For first place — a Level 9 weapon of exceptional craftsmanship!"
A collective murmur rippled through the audience. Even among the great sects, a Level 9 weapon was a treasure worthy of the vault. When the ornate weapon — a sleek black-gold sword etched with glowing runes — was presented to Alex, countless eyes followed its every movement.
Alex accepted it without fanfare, his expression unreadable.
Beautiful work… but I could make something better in an afternoon, he thought, already sliding the blade into his dimensional storage without a second glance.
"For second place — a Level 8 breakthrough pill, capable of aiding a cultivator from Level 7 to Level 8," the announcer continued. Gasps erupted; such a pill could shave years off cultivation time. The Celestial Dragon Sect's representative accepted it with visible pride.
"Third place — a Level 8 weapon." Immortal Flame Pavilion's champion raised the gleaming spear overhead to appreciative applause.
"Fourth place — also a Level 8 weapon, slightly lesser in quality but still worthy of any master's hand." Blood Moon Sect's fighter inspected the icy-blue blade with open satisfaction.
"Fifth place — a Level 8 healing pill, capable of restoring grievous injuries in moments." The Frost Moon Palace's sect master accepted it personally, her tone polite but eyes guarded.
"Sixth place — a mysterious box… origin unknown, but radiating a unique aura." When the Emerald Jade Sect's Elder Mei Suhua received it, her attention barely left Alex, even as the box pulsed faintly in her hands.
The announcer moved briskly down the list:
7th place – Heavenly Phoenix Hall – A set of enchanted armor forged from mana-infused silversteel.
8th place – True Void Sect – A Level 7 enchanted talisman for defensive barriers.
9th place – Mountain Sea Sect – A Level 7 elemental staff capable of channeling water or earth mana.
10th place – Shadow Claw Sect – A pair of twin daggers coated with an alchemical edge that can cut through most magical wards.
As each prize changed hands, the murmurs in the arena never ceased. For many sects, the value of these rewards would influence not just the rest of the tournament, but their power for years to come.
From the Heavenly Sect's seats, Yu Mei glanced at Alex's calm profile. "You really didn't care about that sword?"
Alex's eyes stayed on the arena floor. "Not when I can make something better with what I already have."