Chapter 24

"What do you all think of today's matter?" The First Elder was still sitting at the head of the table. He looked at the other elders and asked.

The elders hesitated, not knowing how to answer.

The truth was right there. How could they explain? They were all elders, not idiots. They couldn't lie through their teeth.

Thus, the gazes of the other elders all turned to the Second Elder. Everything was caused by the Second Elder, so it was up to him to explain.

"This was an accident. I didn't expect such a thing to happen. Zi Chen's talent is not bad, but Wu Sheng's talent is not ordinary either." After thinking for a while, the Second Elder slowly said.

"Wu Sheng is my grandson. He can give up the first place, but the core disciple spot must be his. I beg the First Elder and the other elders to agree." The Second Elder bowed to the elders.

The First Elder didn't move. The other elders all stood up. They didn't dare to accept this bow.

"Although Zi Chen's talent is not bad, he hasn't been in the Nimbus Martial Ancestor for a long time. Although his talent is enough to enter the inner sect, his loyalty still needs to be tested." One of the elders suddenly said.

"That's right. Wu Sheng's talent is also very high. He's also the Second Elder's grandson. He's even stronger than Zi Chen. His loyalty can definitely be guaranteed. Therefore, I think this spot should be given to Wu Sheng."

"I agree. This year's spot was originally prepared for Wu Sheng."

The elders all said.

"What do you all mean?" The First Elder looked at them.

"I hope the First Elder will agree to Wu Sheng's request." The elders all said.

The First Elder was silent. He didn't say anything. He seemed to be thinking.

"Sigh. Both of them are very talented. Unfortunately, the Sect Leader isn't here. We only have one spot, so we have to give up one. However, it's not a loss for the inner sect. It can be considered as an experience." After a long time, the First Elder sighed. His eyes were filled with regret.

The scene became silent again.

"If the First Elder feels that this is inappropriate and can't convince the other disciples, we can try to give Zi Chen some rewards. For example, contribution points." An elder said softly.

After a long discussion, the Great Elder finally nodded. "Let's do it this way. Tomorrow, Elder Wu will announce this order on my behalf. We'll give you 75 contribution points."

The Nimbus Martial Ancestor's Contribution Points were exclusive to the Inner Sect disciples. One Contribution Point could be exchanged for one Qi Returning Pill, and two Contribution Points could be exchanged for one True Qi Dan.

But a five hundred year old Snow Ginseng, if exchanged for contribution points, would only be worth twenty points, which could be exchanged for ten True Qi Dans.

"Yes, Great Elder is wise." The group of elders nodded.

The First Elder left directly, and then the other Elders left one after another.

"Zi Chen, you have actually caused this old man to lose so much face today. Hmph." The second elder, who had maintained a faint smile as he watched the group of elders leave, a cold glint flashed across his eyes. Today's bow could be said to have caused him to lose a great deal of face. He would remember this debt to Zi Chen.

That night, Zi Chen was unable to sleep for a long time. He spent the night in a state of restlessness.

The next morning, on the same high platform, many disciples had already gathered. They wanted to see how yesterday's matter would be judged.

There were many disciples here, and many of them didn't have any background. If today's matter wasn't given an explanation, then many disciples' hearts would turn cold.

When Wu Sheng came out, cheers rang out, but there weren't as many cheers as yesterday. There were even some disciples who coldly looked at Wu Sheng.

Wu Sheng's expression was calm, and he calmly walked to the side of the high platform. The Elders were already waiting there, but there was no trace of the First Elder. Sitting in the middle was the second elder.

Wu Sheng was calm, but when he saw the second elder sitting at the head seat, the corner of his mouth curled into a faint smile.

"Hmph, truly shameless. Isn't it just a relationship?"

In the distance, Lin Xue let out a dissatisfied cold snort. As for Miao Kong, he didn't say anything, but his eyes were filled with sorrow.

The appearance of the Elders today was enough to explain everything.

Zi Chen soon appeared, and the crowd cheered. The cheers were very loud, even louder than yesterday's boos. Those who cheered were the disciples of the Nimbus Martial Ancestor who didn't have any background. They all practiced third-rate martial arts. Zi Chen's battle yesterday had made him famous, and they were all proud of Zi Chen.

At the same time, Zi Chen's ability to use a third-rate martial arts to defeat a second-rate martial arts gave those disciples without any background hope.

Zi Chen stood side by side with Wu Sheng. Last night, Zi Chen's mind was a bit dispirited, but when he suddenly saw the second elder, Zi Chen calmed down.

In his heart, he already had a guess.

"Background?"

Zi Chen bitterly smiled in his heart, but he could only accept reality. He comforted himself in his heart that being able to get first place was already pretty good.

"Yesterday, due to some delays, we were unable to make a ranking. I am very sorry. After a night of research by the Elders, in accordance with the principle of fairness, we have made the following rankings." The second elder stood on the high platform and began to speak.

"First place, Zi Chen." When the second elder finished speaking, the crowd burst into cheers. Waves of cheers spread through the air.

"The second place is Wu Sheng, who lost by a fluke. What a pity, Wu Sheng just accidentally fell off the battle platform," the Second Elder said.

This time, the cheers were a lot weaker. Occasionally, there would be one or two boos from the crowd.

Hearing these boos, Wu Sheng and the second elder's face became very ugly.

"Third place, Lin Xue."

"Fourth place, Miao Kong!"

"Fifth place, Wang Xiong!"

"Sixth place, Ke Xue!"

"Seventh place!"

“”

"Tenth place, Lu Ben!"

The rankings had already been announced, and the cheers from the crowd finally stopped. However, no one left. There was still a highlight that hadn't appeared yet.

Who would be lucky enough to enter the core and become a core disciple?

If it was in the past, they would have said Zi Chen without hesitation. However, after yesterday's incident, and today's incident, no one was confident in their hearts.

"Alright, the rankings have been announced. I hope that the ten of you will continue to create glory.

Next, we will announce who is lucky enough to become a core disciple. "

Under the expectant gaze of the crowd, the second elder looked at Zi Chen and praised, "If there is no accident, this person will be Zi Chen."

"Hua!"

The crowd was in an uproar. Waves of cheers came one after another. They thought that the second elder had chosen Zi Chen. Just as some people were puzzled and most people were about to cheer, the second elder said a "but".

"But!"

A "but". The uproar of the crowd instantly calmed down, and they all stared at the second elder.

"However, after a night of research by the Elders, through strength, age, and Zhen Qi, we found that there is a more suitable candidate."

Strange looks came from the crowd. There was pity, ridicule, disdain, and also gloating.

Zi Chen's heart skipped a beat. Fortunately, he had already expected this and didn't lose his composure.

"This person is younger than Zi Chen, stronger than Zi Chen, and stronger than Zi Chen. His Zhen Qi and battle skills are much higher than Zi Chen's, Wu Sheng." The second elder said excitedly, "Our genius Wu Sheng has become a core disciple."

The crowd began to cheer. These people all wanted to curry favor with Wu Sheng, but some also wanted to curry favor with him.

The crowd stopped booing. Since the Elders had already decided, Wu Sheng would definitely become a core disciple. No one would dare to provoke him again.

Today, the fact that they didn't cheer with the others was already indirectly supporting Zi Chen.

The Elders' trick was too obvious. Everyone was well aware of it, but no one had the strength to refute it.

Zi Chen was very calm. He had already imagined this scene countless times last night.

The second elder's speech wasn't over yet. After congratulating Wu Sheng, he turned to Zi Chen and said, "Zi Chen's talent is outstanding. Unfortunately, there is only one spot for core disciples. Therefore, after a night of discussion, we Elders have decided to give Zi Chen some compensation."

Zi Chen raised his head in surprise. The disciples who had been dejected earlier also raised their heads in surprise. They were secretly cursing the elders for spending an entire night discussing with each other.

After once again attracting everyone's attention, the second elder said, "We have decided to give Zi Chen ten contribution points as compensation."

Ten contribution points could be exchanged for five Zhen Qi Pills. This was a decent amount of compensation, but compared to a spot as a core disciple, it wasn't even a drop in the ocean.

"Zi Chen, why aren't you thanking us?

It wasn't easy for me to get this compensation for you. "Seeing Zi Chen standing there in a daze without any reaction, the second elder said unhappily.

Zi Chen reacted and hurriedly thanked, "Thank you Second Elder, thank you Elders, thank you Nimbus Martial Ancestor for nurturing me."

The Elders were very satisfied with Zi Chen's reply. Beside him, Wu Sheng sneered, his smile was full of disdain.

"Having talent but no background, what's the use of that?"

The inner disciple exam ended just like that. Some were happy, some were sad. Many disciples saw the reality. The reward for first place and the spot as a core disciple were all prepared by the second elder for Wu Sheng. However, Man proposes, God disposes. Suddenly, Zi Chen appeared.

He was strong enough, and his talent was high enough. Unfortunately, Zi Chen didn't have a background, so he only got first place and didn't enter the core disciple exam.

Apart from this, no one knew that Zi Chen deserved twenty contribution points and not ten.

Wang Xiong sneered, killing intent flashing in his eyes. He left with Wang Meng and the others. When he returned, he would plan on how to kill Zi Chen.

Su Mengyao also left. She had long since expected this. Chen Feng also left.

"Zi Chen, are you alright? Be happy. This world is like this." Miao Kong walked over and patted Zi Chen's shoulder to comfort him.

Zi Chen gently smiled.

Lin Xue walked over with red eyes. She wanted to help Zi Chen, but she was powerless. Even Su Mengyao couldn't do anything, let alone her.

The Elders also left. Now it was time to receive his reward.

"Five True Qi Pills, a first-rate Battle Skill, and ten contribution points." Thinking of his own reward, Zi Chen's disappointed heart was somewhat comforted.

"Let's go and receive our reward first." Miao Kong said.

Zi Chen nodded and the three of them left together.

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