On the next day morning, in front of Cyan Yang Hall.
The Grand Elder Zhao Quanxuan stood to the right of the hall entrance, his white beard fluttering and his long robe rustling. His gaze was comforting as he looked at the five individuals including Chu Ming.
He said, "You all did well this time. In nearly a hundred years, this is the highest survival rate ever. In previous editions, there were even instances of zero survival rate."
As he spoke, a trace of embarrassment appeared in his eyes. Although the Cyan Yang Sect is one of the Five Great Sects of the Great Yan Kingdom, the Celestial Flame Secret Realm is extremely unpredictable. Many core disciples were killed before figuring out the situation.
Beside the Grand Elder was the Fifth Elder who continued, "Hand over the gains you obtained in the Celestial Flame Secret Realm, the Sect will compensate you with Contribution Points. Cultivation Techniques and Martial Techniques can be handed over as well, although their value will be seventy percent of the original. Of course, if you are unwilling to hand them over, the Sect won’t force you."
Saying this, the Fifth Elder gave Chu Ming a deep look. All the elders staunchly believed Chu Ming had heavy treasures on him. However, they were not inclined to seize them since they were old; even if they obtained the treasures, their life’s achievements would be limited.
Instead, Chu Ming might use this opportunity to bring glory to Cyan Yang Sect.
Including Chu Ming, the five individuals brought out their Storage Rings!
Chu Ming himself had a dozen of them, including his own. He handed over resources that were of little use to him. There were Cultivation Techniques, Martial Techniques, and even some rare minerals. The useful items were kept in the Storage Ring around his neck.
This was a Middle Grade Storage Ring, whose space was considerably larger than Lower Grade Storage Rings.
Even so, the number of Lower Grade Storage Rings he handed over was still a dozen, several times more than others. Most rings were plundered from others.
The Grand Elder Zhao Quanxuan smiled slightly. He guessed that Chu Ming must have more Storage Rings, but unless Chu Ming voluntarily handed them over, he had no authority to ask for them.
After counting, the Contribution Points of the five individuals were announced!
"Zhao Ming, can receive one million two hundred thousand Contribution Points!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ming’s face lit up with joy. One million two hundred thousand Contribution Points was a substantial amount, enough for him to use it for one to two years. Under normal circumstances, it would take six months to earn this amount.
"Lin Yumei, two million five hundred thousand Contribution Points!"
"Li Qinghao, three million seven hundred thousand Contribution Points!"
"Li Yuqing, six million two hundred thousand Contribution Points!"
Li Yuqing was one of the Five Great Talents of the Great Yan Kingdom. In the Celestial Flame Secret Realm, she managed to snatch a significant number of Storage Rings from other sects’ core disciples. In the later stage, she could freely collect resources, her Contribution Points were two to three times that of Li Qinghao and Lin Yumei.
Finally, it was Chu Ming’s turn. The resources he handed over were plentiful, at least as much as Li Yuqing’s. It took some time for the Fifth Elder to count them.
"Chu Ming, nine million two hundred thousand Contribution Points!"
Upon hearing this, everyone gasped. Even the Inner Sect Elders looked envious.
Nine million two hundred thousand Contribution Points, what a concept! Most Inner Sect Elders only receive two to three million Contribution Points for their annual duties. Though there are other ways to earn Contribution Points, amassing nine million is still a monumental task.
And Chu Ming managed to earn nine million in just seven days, truly infuriating by comparison!
In fact, a small portion of these Contribution Points were obtained by Chu Ming on the last day. After comprehending Slaughter Sword Intent, his strength in the Celestial Flame Secret Realm was virtually unbeatable, speeding up his resource collection!
The Grand Elder spoke after a long while, "Very good, with nine million Contribution Points, your growth speed will significantly increase!"
Within the sect, the items that consumed the most Contribution Points were Elixirs and Martial Techniques, particularly Elixirs. The sect possesses many precious Elixirs that are not available outside.
The higher a Martial Artist’s Cultivation, the more Spiritual Power needed. In a region like the Great Yan Kingdom, where Spiritual Power is thin, relying solely on Cultivation to improve one’s realm takes an incredibly long time. No matter how high your Cultivation Technique’s realm is, the demand for Elixirs will always be there, although slightly reduced.
Moreover, the Swordsmanship Chu Ming was practicing is still at the Middle Tier Profound Level. While there are suitable High Tier Profound Level techniques, they are no longer suitable for him. To exchange for a Top Tier Profound Level Sword Technique, he would need two to three million Contribution Points.
Also, exchanging for Top Tier Profound Level Sword Techniques requires permissions beyond just Contribution Points. With Chu Ming’s current talent, his permissions should suffice.
Calculating this, the nine million Contribution Points could be fully utilized within a month!
Chu Ming had a plan in mind. Two months later, after making arrangements in the Great Yan Kingdom, he intended to travel and explore the Celestial Realm. Traveling is the quickest way for a Martial Artist to grow, and it’s an excellent opportunity to broaden one’s horizons and understand the gaps.
The Grand Elder waved his hand, and the Fifth Elder took a stack of Contribution Point tickets from a small wooden box beside him. The Fifth Elder extracted several tickets and handed them to the five individuals.
Putting the Contribution Point tickets into their Storage Rings, the Grand Elder dismissed the five individuals. However, Chu Ming did not leave. He stood aside quietly and waited until the other four had left. Only then did he step forward.
He said, "Grand Elder, I want to learn a Top Tier Profound Level Martial Technique!"
The Grand Elder smiled and nodded. He had predicted this; he knew that Chu Ming stayed behind for the Top Tier Profound Level Martial Technique!
The Grand Elder walked into Cyan Yang Hall. The remaining Inner Sect Elders dispersed. To learn a Top Tier Profound Level Martial Technique, one must seek permission from the Sect. In the Inner Sect’s Martial Arts Pavilion, only High Tier Profound Level techniques are stored. The Top Tier Profound Level techniques are not kept there because they are the true foundation of the Sect!
Chu Ming followed the Grand Elder, walking slowly into Cyan Yang Hall.
Inside the hall, a green lamp cast faint light. On a nearby sandalwood table was a five-inch diameter incense burner. Unidentifiable incense was burning within, emitting a faint aroma. Wisps of white smoke rose from the burner, curling gracefully and ascending to the top of Cyan Yang Hall.
"The Great Yan Kingdom is still too small," sighed the Grand Elder, Zhao Quanxuan, as they entered the hall without pausing.
Chu Ming felt a resonance deep within. Perhaps in the past, he considered the Great Yan Kingdom to be vast. But since comprehending Sword Intent and witnessing the strength of the middle-aged man in white at the Celestial Flame Secret Realm Palace, he has gained a new perspective on the world.