stjorthotic Chapter 465 - 291: Extra Reward
Chapter 465 - 291: Extra Reward
"This month’s exam has concluded. Teleportation will commence shortly. All participants, please wait where you are!"
A majestic voice rang out. Just as expected, the monthly exam was truly over.
But for some reason, they had to wait a full half-hour before the teleportation finally activated, sending everyone away.
Although the final point rankings hadn’t been calculated yet, Zou Feng had already made significant gains.
By using Refinement on the Centipede Monster’s venom, his progress in the Five Poison Holy Lotus Skill had increased by two points.
Two points might not sound like much, but his Five Poison Holy Lotus Skill had already reached the Realm of Transcendence and Sanctity, where every single point of progress was incredibly difficult to achieve.
What’s more, Zou Feng was certain that the Centipede Monster’s most potent Poison Gland had been removed beforehand.
’If I could have used Refinement on that monster’s strongest poison, how much would my Five Poison Holy Lotus Skill have increased?’
’It was a shame that among the items available for purchase with his Token, there were no such Exotic Poisons...’
’But this probably wasn’t an issue of permissions. Rather, such valuable things were simply too rare to begin with.’
Besides, the Pinnacle Celestial Immortal Sect surely had many powerful figures who practiced Cultivation of Poison Techniques. They would never let these Exotic Poisons go, nor would they allow them to circulate for sale.
As his mind mulled over these thoughts, Zou Feng suddenly realized something was wrong.
He had clearly been enveloped by the light of the activated teleportation and had entered that chaotic, now relatively familiar space.
The next step should have been for his surroundings to return to normal, signaling a successful teleportation back to the Pinnacle Celestial Immortal Sect.
So why was this teleportation taking so long?
Although his sense of time was vague in this chaotic space, Zou Feng still felt that this teleportation was taking far too long.
’Don’t tell me there’s a problem with the teleportation?’
"Outer Disciple Zou Feng!"
"Hm?"
Within the chaotic space, a voice that was kind and incredibly comforting suddenly rang out.
The voice held no hostility; instead, it was filled with rich approval.
"Senior, you are?" Zou Feng asked subconsciously.
"I am an Upper Sect Elder, and one of the examiners for this month’s exam. My Daoist name is Indestructible!"
’An Upper Sect Elder?’
That was a being two entire levels higher than the Inner Sect Elders.
Generally speaking, if a True Disciple failed to advance further and exceeded the stipulated age limit, they could choose to become an Upper Sect Elder.
Therefore, these Upper Sect Elders were all veritable old monsters.
At his current level, Zou Feng couldn’t even begin to comprehend the extent of their power.
Not to mention, this guy’s Daoist name was actually "Indestructible"—it sounded ridiculously badass.
"Elder Indestructible, what instructions do you have for this disciple?"
Indestructible did not appear, his voice simply continued: "Your points from this month’s exam have been calculated!"
"According to the calculations of the Celestial Dao Cauldron and my own assessment, no other Outer Disciple in any team within the same Alternate Space performed better than you."
"Uh, so does that mean..."
"That’s right. You are number one on the points ranking for this month’s ’Giant Bug Valley’ exam!"
He had dealt the most damage and ended the battle in a relatively short amount of time.
He had also corrected Zhu Hongyu’s flawed commands, eventually taking over her role as the de facto commander.
To get first place was, without a doubt, well-deserved.
"Furthermore, your performance ranks among the very best across all of this month’s exam locations!"
Indestructible continued, "In light of your outstanding performance, you have successfully attracted the attention of the Celestial Dao Cauldron!"
"Therefore, in addition to the reward for first place, you may make one reasonable request of me."
’A reasonable request?’
Zou Feng knew very well that the inclusion of the word "reasonable" meant he definitely couldn’t make an outrageous demand.
"Correct. You have only one chance. If it is unreasonable, I will refuse, and you will not have the right to make another request."
’Only one chance?!’
’So is this an extra reward, or is he just messing with me?’
With such tight restrictions, Zou Feng couldn’t be bothered to overthink it. The reward for first place was thirty thousand Immortal Fate points anyway, so he shouldn’t be short on funds for a while. In that case...
"This disciple wants a sample of the most potent poison that was removed from the Centipede Monster in the monthly exam!"
Indestructible responded immediately: "Your Poison Skill is superb, and you have no hidden ill effects in your body. This request is reasonable. Granted!"
’He really did see right through me...’
’But all the hidden dangers of cultivating the Poison Skill have been passed on to the big guys, so of course I don’t have any ill effects myself.’
"Thank you, Elder Indestructible!"
"Remember, do not become too arrogant. You must understand that while you are first in Giant Bug Valley and rank among the best across all exam locations, in this monthly exam alone, there were still several Outer Disciples who were even more outstanding than you!"
"Not to mention, if we count the prodigies from all previous Outer Sect generations, a performance like yours is even less remarkable."
Zou Feng, of course, believed these words.
After all, in the Pinnacle Celestial Immortal Sect, even powerful figures undergoing Reincarnation Rebirth weren’t particularly rare.
Moreover, the Pinnacle Celestial Immortal Sect accepted all comers, recruiting talents from across the heavens and the Ten Thousand Realms. It was no surprise that over so many years, countless prodigies among prodigies had emerged.
Therefore, in response to Indestructible’s well-intentioned admonishment, Zou Feng said respectfully, "This disciple will remember Elder Indestructible’s teachings!"
"Our Pinnacle Celestial Immortal Sect generally does not interfere too much in the growth of its prodigies, in keeping with the principle of the Natural Daoist Skill."
"So, whether you continue to stay in the Outer Sect to build your foundation, or ascend to the Inner Sect as soon as possible, is entirely up to you."
"That is all!"
As he spoke his last words, Indestructible’s voice gradually faded.
And at that, the chaotic space finally dissipated, and Zou Feng found himself back on the teleportation platform in the Pinnacle Celestial Immortal Sect.
At this moment, disciples from other exam locations were also being teleported out one after another.
Because time flowed differently in each Alternate Space, as long as the powerful figures controlling them wished it, all the monthly exams could be concluded within the same time frame.
This was why the points for all Alternate Spaces were calculated at almost the exact same time.
Zou Feng didn’t linger. After stepping off the teleportation platform, he headed for Courtyard No. 9 on Taian Mountain.
Along the way, acquaintances were already sending him congratulatory messages.
It couldn’t be helped. The number one spot on the rankings was simply too conspicuous; it was impossible to keep a low profile.
When he returned to his room, the three women—Teng County, Gongsun Jinghong, and Qiu Lan—had not yet returned.
This was normal. After all, even if the exams ended simultaneously, the teleportation platforms had a limited capacity, so disciples had to leave the Alternate Spaces in batches.
But the item Zou Feng had requested from Elder Indestructible had already been delivered.
A small vial containing the Centipede Monster’s truly most potent venom was sitting at his doorway. Both the body and the mouth of the vial were covered with special talismans.
In the Outer Sect, no one would be foolish enough to take something from another’s doorway, especially something that was obviously delivered by a special envoy from the Sect.
The moment Zou Feng saw the small vial, he felt as if a giant centipede had emerged from its mouth, baring its fangs and brandishing its claws, ready to pick a victim and devour them.
’This toxicity... I’d better not drink it all in one go.’
If he couldn’t completely use Refinement on the poison, he would have to remain in a state of Cultivation indefinitely. Otherwise, he himself would have to bear the brunt of its fiercely unfathomable toxicity.
Picking up the vial, he entered his room. Zou Feng couldn’t resist peeling off the talismans and looking down into the mouth of the bottle.
Inside was not liquid or powder, but a tiny centipede with its body curled up.
Its physical characteristics were identical to the Centipede Monster from the monthly exam.
’This is...’
Before Zou Feng could get a closer look, Xiaolv flew over from out of nowhere.
It had clearly smelled something "delicious."
But after the creature flew onto Zou Feng’s arm and also peered down into the vial, its body visibly stiffened before it fled in a panic.
It had obviously realized that this "delicious" meal might very well devour it instead.
The next moment, the centipede in the vial did indeed "come alive," thrashing about and trying to leap out of the bottle.
With quick eyes and even quicker hands, Zou Feng hurriedly slapped the talismans back on.
Only then did the inside of the vial return to calm.
He gave it a shake, and the sound from within was once again that of sloshing liquid.
Venom taking form?!
This damn poison... it’s become a demon...
Once freed from its restraints, it could transform into a Poison Demon and truly "come alive."
It was truly terrifying to this extent.
No wonder they had to remove this poison during the monthly exam. Otherwise, it couldn’t have been called a team battle; it would have been a one-sided slaughter of the Outer Disciples by the Centipede Monster.