Chapter 354: Announcing the Rewards

"The 20th Martial Arts Grand Ceremony officially begins! During this period, all fighting and brawling are prohibited, except when competing on stage. Violators will be punished without mercy!"

The voice boomed, echoing all over the Great Snow Mountain's Big Snow Plateau, from the peak to the foot. The words were shouted by the Seven Kills Sword Master, who had channeled the Spiritual Power in his body, making his voice incredibly loud.

After the man's voice faded, the tolling of a bell rang out many times.

Cultivators from every camp rushed out, including those stationed at the foot of the mountain, all swarming toward the Big Snow Plateau at once.

The crowd was immense, a dark, surging mass of at least several thousand people.

The majority were in the Qi Cultivation Realm, but there were also many in the Foundation Establishment Realm and the Human Martial Arts Peak Realm.

A spectacle like this could probably only be witnessed once every fifty years. Seeing such a scene on a normal day was practically impossible.

"All those in the Foundation Establishment Realm, take one step forward!" the Seven Kills Sword Master shouted at that moment.

From the surrounding crowd, a great number of people stepped forward. A quick glance revealed that there were over a thousand Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivators from the various great families and Martial Arts Sects.

It was a truly shocking sight, something utterly unimaginable on a normal day.

Chu Feng and Bai Han walked together. By the time they reached the center of the Big Snow Plateau, a large crowd had already gathered.

These Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivators each had their own designated seats, so after stepping forward, they all sat down.

Chu Feng and the other twenty-three Martial Arts Venerables also found their seats and sat down.

Once everyone was settled, the Seven Kills Sword Master began to speak.

"Welcome, everyone, who has traveled from all corners of the country to the Big Snow Plateau for this year's Martial Arts Grand Ceremony. On behalf of the Great Snow Mountain's Twelve Sects and the twenty-four Martial Arts Venerables, I welcome you all."

At that moment, down in the crowd, Li Zhengyi of the Cloud Mist Sect, who had previously encountered Chu Feng, was staring wide-eyed, his face a mask of disbelief.

He even rubbed his eyes, wondering if they were playing tricks on him.

Among the twenty-four Martial Arts Venerables on the stage was the very person he had met just a few days ago. The two of them had even exchanged a few words.

Thus, Li Zhengyi was profoundly shocked, his face filled with utter astonishment.

'He's actually a Martial Arts Venerable!' Li Zhengyi sat inconspicuously within the crowd.

"Seven Kills Sword Master, what kind of goodies have you prepared for this ceremony? What are the rewards?" someone in the crowd asked boldly.

"Of course there are! The rewards this time are far more generous than in previous years. Any Cultivator who makes it into the top ten will each be rewarded with a Cultivation Spirit Stone. They will also receive personal instruction from a Martial Arts Peak Realm expert for half a month! The rewards for the top three will be even more lavish!" the Seven Kills Sword Master's voice rang out.

Personal instruction from a Human Martial Arts Peak Realm expert, and for a full half-month at that!

This was a benefit that couldn't be measured in money. In a sense, it was far more valuable than a Martial Cultivation Spirit Stone.

Receiving personal instruction from a Human Martial Arts Peak Realm expert could allow many to rapidly advance their strength and realm. It would help them understand their own shortcomings and avoid going down the wrong path in their cultivation.

The benefits were self-evident. Any Martial Cultivator would be ecstatic at the prospect.

"I heard that the top three also get an Essence Enhancing Pill as a reward?" someone asked curiously. The speaker was at the Human Martial Arts Peak Realm.

"That's right. Anyone who makes it into the top three will receive an Essence Enhancing Pill. The first-place winner gets even more!" the Seven Kills Sword Master said with a smile.

'There really is an Essence Enhancing Pill!' Li Zhengyi of the Cloud Mist Sect abruptly looked up, his eyes filled with shock.

Chu Feng hadn't been bluffing. The reward for the top three was real.

The Cloud Mist Sect and the Medicine King Hall were like fire and water, so one could only imagine how difficult it was for him to obtain an Essence Enhancing Pill. His only chance was to win one at this Martial Arts Grand Ceremony.

"Besides the Essence Enhancing Pill, are there any other rewards for first place?" another person asked, still curious.

Everyone knew that while the so-called Essence Enhancing Pill might be quite useful for ordinary people, its significance to a Martial Cultivator wasn't that great.

After all, with only a few extra years of life, achieving a breakthrough to the next realm was still incredibly difficult.

"Of course, there are other rewards, but I won't be telling you what they are. I'll let everyone maintain a sense of mystery. You'll find out in due time."

"Furthermore, I must emphasize one thing: the original purpose of the Martial Arts Grand Ceremony is for everyone to spar, exchange knowledge, and improve together. However, if anyone dares to use this opportunity to cause trouble, they will have to bear the consequences themselves. The Four Celestial Kings of all Huaxia have come here today. If anyone dares to cause an offense, you'd best start praying," the Seven Kills Sword Master said with cold severity.

At this, the Four Celestial Kings, who were already seated to the side, all had icy expressions.

They represented the official power of Huaxia, holding sway over the land. Who would dare to provoke them?

"Everyone, the four of us have come here simply to observe some of Huaxia's recent young Martial Cultivators. To that end, the government has also prepared some rewards as an incentive to encourage you all. I can only reveal a portion of these rewards for now."

"Anyone who enters the top ten will be granted an official military rank and directly appointed as a Commander!"

The one on the far left of the Four Celestial Kings began to speak. He looked quite old, with graying temples, but his voice was full of vigor.