A core the size of a clenched fist rose into the air, blazing with seven radiant stripes—gold, red, white, blue, violet, silver, and green—each strand flickering like a star pressed into a heartbeat.
Its presence alone felt like it was negotiating airspace rights with the sun.
Tian Lei bowed, accepted it with steady hands, and the crowd thundered in applause.
Then came the second reward.
A scroll materialized in dazzling golden light—with it Tian lei can go to any of the Four Great Sect he want.
"This," the elder announced, "is your privilege as first place: the right to choose any of the Four Great Sect to join. No restrictions. No prerequisites. No approvals needed."
Tian Lei looked at the scrolls as his smile turned awkward. He was just six, so he had yet to awaken his beast—which meant he didn't know which sect to join. Not to mention, in the sect there would surely be someone who might see through his illusion.
