After quite some time, 

The doors of the grand competition hall swung open. 

Disciples like Sun Hong emerged with solemn expressions. 

Su Yuan was the last to exit, his face also grave. 

All ten participants seemed to have lost their ability to speak as they silently returned to their resting areas. 

The spectators watched this scene with intense curiosity. 

No one knew the results of their matches or why they looked so grim! 

The reasons were twofold: first, they had been swiftly defeated by Su Yuan; second, the Sect Leader and Peak Masters had strictly forbidden them from revealing Su Yuan's true strength—not even to Golden Core elders—on pain of being branded sect traitors! 

How could their expressions not be heavy? 

"I'll take my leave first. You all can continue watching," Su Yuan said to Song Cai and the others. 

Song Cai was startled. "Senior Brother, aren't you continuing the competition?" 

Su Yuan smiled. "No need. I have matters to attend to on the Main Peak." 

Song Cai and the others were dumbfounded, mouths opening and closing without words. 

They could only watch as Su Yuan disappeared into the crowd within moments. 

Meanwhile, the Sect Leader on the high platform announced: "I declare that Su Yuan has defeated Sun Hong, Wei Wen, Yang Mengting... all nine opponents consecutively, claiming temporary first place! Anyone who can defeat Sun Hong and the others may challenge Su Yuan for the top position. If no challenges arise, first place belongs to Su Yuan! Subsequent matches will determine rankings from second to twentieth. Let the competition continue!" 

The crowd erupted in uproar. 

"What? Su Yuan won all his matches?" 

"Incredible! He defeated nine top-ten experts in one go!" 

"Even Sun Hong lost? Didn't he obtain treasures from the Golden Core Cave? How could he fall so easily? Is there foul play?" 

"Didn't you see how effortlessly Su Yuan defeated Huang Ye earlier? This outcome isn't surprising!" 

Amid the heated discussions, disciples who had placed bets grew visibly anxious. With Su Yuan claiming a top spot, many betting pools were instantly turned upside down. Those who wagered on first place suffered devastating losses, some wailing over their ruined stakes. 

Song Cai suddenly cheered: "Haha! I won! Six thousand spirit stones at once—I'm rich!" 

"Me too! Though I only bet eighty percent of my assets. I never thought Su Yuan would make top three! My Su Yuan is amazing!" Zhang Wei exclaimed. 

Zhou Wuyou glanced at them, his expression dimming. Among the three, he had won the least. Why? 

Having discovered his talent for pill refining, he had gradually distanced himself from Su Yuan recently. Unwilling to remain subordinate forever, he had contemplated independence. This subconscious shift only became clear to him now. 

Zhang Wei, though seemingly foolish, had steadfastly supported Su Yuan. Song Cai, upon learning of Su Yuan's inferior spiritual roots, had clung tighter instead of withdrawing. Zhou Wuyou realized he was neither as simple as Zhang Wei nor as shrewd as Song Cai—just someone who thought himself cleverer than both. 

Zhang Wei clapped Zhou Wuyou's shoulder. "Hey, what's on your mind? Let's claim our winnings! We'll report the good news to Boss Su Yuan later!" 

Zhou Wuyou snapped out of it, forcing a smile. "Right, Zhang Wei, let's go." 

Zhang Wei blinked—this was the first time Zhou Wuyou had addressed him so formally. Something felt off about Zhou Wuyou today. 

Song Cai simply smiled, the picture of merchant's cunning. 

The remainder of the inner sect competition proved uneventful. 

The top ten disciples demonstrated overwhelming superiority, defeating opponents within mere moves. The defeated emerged bruised and battered, as if the elites had taken out their frustrations on them. 

Soon, the final rankings were decided. 

Mysterious Extremes Peak astonishingly claimed three spots—Su Yuan, Wei Wen, and a fortunate disciple named Yuan Qing. Their victory triggered deafening cheers that shook dust from the Main Peak's structures. 

Disciples from the other six peaks looked utterly crestfallen, scanning the crowds for the dark horse Su Yuan, only to find he'd already vanished. 

The final battles for top three proved fiercely contested. 

Yang Mengting, Sun Hong, and Wei Wen fought with everything they had. 

Ultimately, Wei Wen lost, placing behind Sun Hong (second) and Yang Mengting (third)—exactly as the betting odds had predicted! 

Sect Leader Gu beamed on the high platform. 

Not only had he discovered a prodigy, but he'd also profited enormously from the betting pools. 

Yet, formalities remained. 

Sect Leader Gu's imposing aura silenced the entire arena as he solemnly declared: 

"Recently, our sect witnessed disgraceful betting activities causing significant financial losses!" 

Hopeful disciples perked up—would their losses be reimbursed? 

"However, due to ambiguous sect rules, punishments remain undefined. Yet this behavior cannot be tolerated!" 

"Thus, all bets will be honored. Su Yuan must pay out according to the odds. Half his profits will be confiscated as penalty, and he'll face ten years of wall contemplation!" 

"From now on, no such incident is allowed to happen again in the sect. This rule will be added to the sect regulations—anyone who violates it will be severely punished. At best, they’ll have their cultivation abolished; at worst, they’ll lose their life. You all better remember this!"

His sweeping gaze cowed the hundred thousand disciples into trembling silence. 

The seven Peak Masters inwardly cursed their leader's shamelessness—everyone knew he'd orchestrated the betting! Having profited immensely, he'd now barred others from following suit. 

As Sect Leader Gu departed, disgruntled elders could be heard muttering about losses and deception while returning to their peaks. 

Shortly after, in the Main Peak's grand hall: 

The Sect Leader, seven Peak Masters, and Su Yuan assembled. 

"Suyuan," Sect Leader Gu said kindly, "I've decided to take you as my personal disciple. Do you accept?" 

Just as Su Yuan began to bow in agreement, Peak Master Wang Siming interjected: 

"Sect Leader, if I may—" 

"Then don't." 

Wang continued undeterred: "Su Yuan is Mysterious Extremes Peak's inner disciple and core candidate. Even if promoted, he should remain our peak's true disciple. This isn't proper." 

Su Yuan stared at Wang Siming, amazed by his boldness. 

Sect Leader Gu smiled faintly. "Merely an inner disciple. Records show he wasn't on your core candidate list, nor did you teach him a single technique this past year. Whereas I've already registered him under the Main Peak's core roster. By logic and affection, he belongs to the Main Peak." 

Wang Siming sputtered, "When did this happen?" 

"A few days ago. Check the records if you doubt—even the Nascent Soul elder council would uphold my claim." Sect Leader Gu's rapid-fire rebuttal left Wang speechless. "Perhaps reflect on your own neglect of discipleship duties all these years? And remember—I am the Sect Leader." 

Su Yuan marveled at his master's rhetorical prowess. 

The Sect Leader turned back to him: "Well? Your answer?" 

"Disciple accepts!" Su Yuan shot Wang Siming an apologetic look. 

The crestfallen Peak Master could only blame himself—preoccupied with his impending Nascent Soul breakthrough, he'd indeed neglected disciples like Su Yuan, whom he'd even considered as potential successor. 

Thus, before all seven Peak Masters, Su Yuan formally became the Sect Leader's personal disciple. 

"Good. Now collect your competition rewards before beginning your wall contemplation," the Sect Leader added cheerfully. 

Su Yuan's smile froze. 

"Actual wall contemplation? What about my share?" 

As the Peak Masters exchanged glances, Sect Leader Gu hastily interjected: "What share? I don't follow. Prepare for contemplation at the Yuan Pool." 

"Yuan Pool? What's that?" Su Yuan feigned ignorance. 

Internally, he knew perfectly well—the Yuan Pool was a precious cultivation site filled with liquefied spiritual energy, equivalent to absorbing spirit stones for ten years. But this was sect property, not the Leader's personal expenditure! 

This Sect Leader was truly shameless!