Claim the Top Prize

"The way of formation arrays is profound and extensive. I refuse to believe she can win again!"

The top-tier formation master facing off against Mo Tianxiao consoled himself inwardly.

However, as time passed, the formation masters of the Supreme Dao Sect realized that today would be a nightmare for their sect.

"Four Symbols Sealing Array! Seven Stars Sword Array! Nine Dragon Vein Array?!"

"I... have been defeated..."

After setting up three top-tier formation arrays, the Supreme Dao Sect's master was left completely subdued.

"The Righteous Spirit Sect wins again!"

"Holy crap! Elder Nan is unmatched under heaven!"

"This Li has never seen such a prodigy. Today, I have truly gained new insight!"

Without exception, based on Mo Tianxiao's dominance over the Supreme Dao Sect's formation masters, the other disciples of the Righteous Spirit Sect also performed strongly, securing another victory in the formation competition.

With this, the scores lost by the Righteous Spirit Sect in the earlier combat competition were finally tied up.

Zhou Muxi, who had looked somewhat worried earlier, now tensed up with anticipation. Whether the Righteous Spirit Sect could claim victory would come down to the final round.

The atmosphere on the Righteous Spirit Sect's side was electric, and the crowd was brimming with excitement. Could the Supreme Dao Sect, which had dominated for so many editions, finally see its championship throne shift?

"Where on earth did the Righteous Spirit Sect dig up such a freak?!"

Zhang Wudao clenched his fists tightly, his expression dark and grim. Was the Supreme Dao Sect, which had held the righteous championship for multiple consecutive editions, about to have its streak broken here?

He desperately wanted to pause the competition and find a way to halt the Righteous Spirit Sect's momentum, but he couldn't find a good excuse.

With over a million spectators watching, if the Supreme Dao Sect resorted to any underhanded tactics, even if they managed to keep the title of Righteous Champion, their reputation would surely take a heavy hit.

"The final round of the Righteous Champion competition! Contestants for artifact refining, please step forward!"

As the presiding elder finished speaking, the crowd, as well as the members of the Supreme Dao Sect, all turned their eyes to Mo Tianxiao in the Righteous Spirit Sect's camp.

Under the eager gazes of countless cultivators, Mo Tianxiao slowly rose from her seat once again.

"As expected! Since Elder Nan is so skilled in alchemy, talismans, and formations, she must not be weak in artifact refining either!"

"It's rare to see a woman like Elder Nan take up artifact refining."

"The Righteous Spirit Sect is incredibly fortunate to have such an extraordinary woman. With Elder Nan's talents, her future achievements will surely make her renowned throughout the entire Xuanhuang Realm."

When the contestants from both sides took to the competition stage, the four members of the Supreme Dao Sect were visibly downtrodden and tense after losing three consecutive rounds, accentuated by Mo Tianxiao's crushing defeat of their lead elder.

"Elder Nan, please go easy on us," the Supreme Dao Sect's top artifact refiner said with a helpless smile and a tone of flattery.

He didn't think he was any different from the Supreme Dao Sect's other top-tier deputy-profession elders. He had no advantages.

Mo Tianxiao just smiled lightly and said, "Let's begin."

With that, the synergistic fire of heaven and earth, merged from three sources, ignited once again. Alchemy required fire, and so did artifact refining. Such heavenly fire was a godsend for the craft.

Even in terms of equipment, the Supreme Dao Sect's top artifact refiner was already at a disadvantage.

Under the watchful eyes of over a million spectators, the high-spirited Righteous Spirit Sect faced the demoralized Supreme Dao Sect. As expected, they secured victory without any surprises.

Once again, Mo Tianxiao crushed the competition by forging a top-tier dao-grade weapon and claiming victory.

"They won! They really won! The Righteous Spirit Sect has won!"

"The Righteous Spirit Sect truly snatched the Righteous Champion title from the Supreme Dao Sect!"

"This is karma—the Supreme Dao Sect took the title from the Righteous Spirit Sect back then and held it for several editions. Now it's returned to the Righteous Spirit Sect. Who knows how long they'll hold it."

"With Elder Nan here, I doubt the Supreme Dao Sect will have a chance next edition either."

"That's not certain. What if Elder Nan advances to become a Saint-level alchemist, formation master, talisman master, or artifact refiner in two hundred years? Then she'd be disqualified from competing."

"That's easier said than done. If that happens, Elder Nan would become the most all-round cultivator in the Xuanhuang Realm."

Amid the buzz of the crowd, Zhang Wudao suppressed his various emotions and forced a smile. "Congratulations to the Righteous Spirit Sect for winning this edition's Righteous Champion title!"

Zhou Muxi, radiant with triumph, clasped her hands toward the audience and the Supreme Dao Sect. "You flatter us."

"To have a genius like Elder Nan is truly rare for the Righteous Spirit Sect. It's a pity that I, Zhang, had never heard of the legendary talent Nan Mo before, or I would have tried to recruit her into the Supreme Dao Sect early on," Zhang Wudao said with a mix of regret and reluctance.

He lamented that while heroes were as numerous as carp crossing the river, not all could join his Supreme Dao Sect.

With the Righteous Champion decided, the remaining participating factions had to compete for their rankings. Since the Righteous Spirit Sect had already secured the top spot, they could relax and watch until the end before leaving.

"Sis Muxi, how are you going to thank me?" Mo Tianxiao picked up her teacup, blew on it gently, and asked Zhou Muxi with a teasing tone.

Zhou Muxi broke into a rare smile. "Dear sister, I underestimated this alliance of mine. It seems your background is even more mysterious than I imagined."

She studied Mo Tianxiao carefully, as if trying to see through her alluring exterior. The original plan in her mind began to shift slightly.

Originally, she had considered treating Mo Tianxiao and her companions as temporary allies, to be abandoned after use.

But now, it seemed this alliance was full of potential and worth maintaining for the long term, especially for the upcoming plan to seize control of the Blood God Palace, which required their help.

"You flatter me, sister. I just happen to know a bit more. As for our identities, before becoming elders of the Righteous Spirit Sect, we were nothing more than a group of wandering cultivators, hiding and surviving with no one to rely on."

As long as her true origins weren't exposed, claiming to be a wandering cultivator was perfectly fine.

Mo Tianxiao had long perfected the art of having a face as thick as a city wall. No matter what she said, there wasn't a single crack in her facade.

Yun Sangyi, however, felt embarrassed listening on the sidelines.

These three—one was from the Chaotic Star Sea with close ties to a quasi-emperor-level powerhouse, one was a princess from the Ten Thousand Mountains and a quasi-emperor's daughter, and the other was the young master of a demonic sect, protected by a quasi-emperor master.

If they could be considered wandering cultivators, then she, as the eldest daughter of the Yun family from the Western Domain, might as well be a beggar.

Zhou Muxi clearly didn't believe Mo Tianxiao either, but she didn't care who she really was. As long as she could help, that was enough.

"When this event is over, I plan to break through to the Saint King realm. After I finish my secluded cultivation, I'll proceed with the next phase of the plan. That's when I'll truly need your help, sister."

Mo Tianxiao set down her teacup. "Same here—I'll need to go into secluded cultivation for a while when I get back. Who knows, I might have quite a few things I need your help with too, sister."

Zhou Muxi looked at Mo Tianxiao with a meaningful gaze, extending her fair hand. "Since that's the case, let's have a pleasant cooperation."

"Pleasant cooperation!"