Chapter 111: Evaluation

Atop the Sacred Volcano, the demon-infested tombs, ablaze with infernal flames, crumbled inch by inch. From the bodies of numerous disciples of the Devil Sect, streams of demonic energy surged out, vanishing into the air.

Boom!

The demon tomb completely disintegrated, and the four precious weapons flew backward, returning to their respective masters.

“The demon tomb has been destroyed. The main quest has failed. Three hundred merit points will be deducted from each of you.”

“The faction battle quest has failed. Fifty merit points will be deducted in total.”

“Return immediately.”

The voice of the Master of the Sixfold Samsara echoed in Yun Tingfeng’s mind. He gritted his teeth, glaring at the direction of the Sacred Volcano, furious and bewildered.

The faction battle quest had just begun, so how could it end so abruptly?

They had only suffered minor setbacks without any real weakening. Their full strength had not even been displayed yet. How could everything end so suddenly and inexplicably?

How utterly disappointing!

This mission’s bizarre development was rare even among his many experiences.

However, despite his resentment, he could only watch as darkness enveloped his vision, vanishing from beside the Heavenly Venerable.

Likewise, Su Yuanying muttered in frustration, “Yu Longzi, if I ever find you, I will make sure to deal with you properly!”

…

Zhang Yuanshan and Fu Zhenzhen were hurrying toward the Sacred Volcano with the main forces of the four sects when suddenly, the voice of the Master of the Sixfold Samsara rang in their ears:

“The demon tomb has been destroyed, eliminating the hidden danger. The main quest has been completed beyond expectations. Merit rewards are doubled—six hundred merit points for each person.”

“The faction battle quest has been won. Fifty merit points for each person.”

“Return immediately.”

Regarding such a development in the main quest, Zhang Yuanshan and Fu Zhenzhen were equally stunned. They had no idea what Jiang Zhiwei, Meng Qi, and the others had encountered or what tremendous feats they had accomplished.

Fortunately, this question would soon be answered.

With a shift in light and shadow, after experiencing dizziness, Zhang Yuanshan and Fu Zhenzhen saw Meng Qi and others undergoing treatment.

Luo Shengyi also appeared here, seemingly assigned to their small team.

“What exactly did you do?” Zhang Yuanshan asked with a smile. Since everyone was safe and the merit rewards were doubled, it was naturally a great outcome.

Meng Qi had merely exhausted himself. The hidden danger of demonic energy contamination had already been cleansed when the divine lightning essence washed over him. Therefore, he recovered first and briefly recounted his experiences. However, he omitted the various desires that had arisen when he was affected by the illusions of the stone gate, as well as the mysterious lightning mark left on his wrist by the Nine Heavens Lightning Spear.

He refrained from mentioning the former out of fear of being chased and scolded by Jiang Zhiwei, only briefly stating that his power had greatly increased after passing through the illusion and that his A-nan Breaking Precepts Saber Art had improved. As for the lightning mark, he deemed it unnecessary to inform his companions for now—everyone had their own secrets.

“Little monk, you passed through the demonic stone gate. Behind it were the Nine Heavens Lightning Spear and the residual shadow of the Devil Monarch?” Jiang Zhiwei, having completed her treatment, stepped out, deep in thought.

“I killed a powerful evil demon and encountered no further obstacles on the path to the summit. Atop the peak, there was a stone cocoon and demonic flames, vast and seemingly forming its own world. I obtained a crystal of demonic flame, seemingly a material for forging weapons.”

She opened her palm, revealing a black flame crystal that seemed to still burn.

“I first looked over the desert from the cliff’s edge, searching for you. Not finding anything, just as I was about to go deeper, this world shattered along with the collapse of the mountain peak.”

Her words confirmed Meng Qi’s suspicions: different paths led to different places. Perhaps several spaces had overlapped.

Luo Shengyi, having sustained injuries from evil demons and undergone prolonged treatment, now stepped forward and said, “I kept wandering in the desert until the four precious weapons flew toward me. I followed them toward the Devil Peak, but before reaching the foot of the mountain, the demon tomb had already completely collapsed.”

“I fled to a lake formed from coagulated blood. It seemed to suppress evil demons, allowing me to ascend to the summit,” said Qi Zhengyan, now dressed in clean clothes. “Upon reaching the summit, I also opened a stone gate and endured the torment of being crushed to dust. Fortunately, I withstood it. At the summit, there were ancient, mysterious traces filled with a sense of vicissitude—unknown relics from some forgotten era. Observing these traces granted me some insights.”

Zhang Yuanshan and Fu Zhenzhen listened with great interest, as if they had personally experienced these events themselves.

“Unexpectedly, the ruins of the Nine Heavens still exist. I wonder whether Gu Xiaosang’s chain quest will ultimately be completed…” Zhang Yuanshan mused. Ancient secrets and celestial ruins always captured people’s attention.

As for the matter of the Devil Monarch’s inheritance, no one mentioned it directly. On one hand, the most likely candidate to have obtained it was clearly Meng Qi, yet all he received was the phrase, “You’re too late.” Zhang Yuanshan and others believed Meng Qi’s honesty because if he had truly acquired the Devil Monarch’s inheritance, given Gu Xiaosang’s love for stirring up trouble, she would surely have announced it loudly at the time. On the other hand, considering the reappearance of the Devil Emperor’s Claw on several subsequent occasions, it was likely that someone had already obtained the Devil Monarch’s inheritance long ago.

“Quest evaluation: Zhang Yuanshan and Fu Zhenzhen rated ‘Ordinary,’ no additional rewards; Luo Shengyi rated ‘Medium,’ rewarded with fifty merit points; Jiang Zhiwei and Qi Zhengyan rated ‘Good,’ each receiving one hundred merit points and one draw opportunity, with the draw range covering all items below the Outer Scenery level.”

As for Zhen Ding, rated “Excellent,” rewarded with one hundred and fifty merit points, one “Cycle Talisman,” and one draw opportunity, with the draw range covering all items between the Open Aperture and Outer Scenery levels.

This evaluation was more or less expected by everyone. Zhang Yuanshan and Fu Zhenzhen had no experience in the demon tomb and performed averagely in the quest. Although Luo Shengyi entered the demon tomb, he uncovered nothing significant, and the tomb’s collapse had nothing to do with him, hence the ‘Medium’ rating. Jiang Zhiwei and Qi Zhengyan entered the Devil Mountain, each reaching the summit and gaining insights, indirectly contributing to the tomb’s destruction, hence the ‘Good’ rating. Meng Qi, having explored the ruins of the Nine Heavens, pushed open the demonic stone gate, and encountered the residual soul of the Devil Monarch, directly causing the tomb’s destruction, hence the ‘Excellent’ rating was appropriate.

Nevertheless, Meng Qi couldn’t help but mutter inwardly. Frankly speaking, the greatest contributor was Gu Xiaosang; he and the others were merely incidental.

A gray, dusty lottery box appeared before Jiang Zhiwei, waiting for her to shake it.

She had always been quite interested in this novelty. Now, with a smile on her lips and anticipation in her heart, she shook the box, her youthful excitement evident.

With changes in light and shadow, various objects flashed by rapidly, difficult to discern. Gradually, the flashing slowed, finally stopping on a grayish stone.

“A mineral containing ‘Metal of Geng,’ a material for forging weapons…” Jiang Zhiwei read the description aloud, picking up the grayish stone with delight. “My White Rainbow Through the Sun Sword was polluted this time. I was planning to repair and elevate it. Never did I expect to receive both the demonic flame crystal and the Geng metal ore. Truly fortunate.”

“Zhiwei, are you upgrading the White Rainbow Through the Sun Sword?” Meng Qi asked in surprise. Why not simply redeem a new weapon with additional effects? After all, she was about to embark on a journey, and having an extra weapon would raise no suspicions.

Jiang Zhiwei smiled lightly. “For sword practitioners like us, the sword we accompany daily is our best companion. Given the choice, I will elevate the White Rainbow Through the Sun Sword. Perhaps in the future, it will allow me to communicate with both heaven and earth simultaneously, advancing in all aspects.”

“That makes sense.” Meng Qi understood. Although she wasn’t a traditional sword cultivator whose life was intertwined with a flying sword, the Sword Washing Pavilion established its sect around the sword. Their sword techniques represented their cultivation level and inner energy. Such a statement was entirely normal.

The lottery box appeared before Qi Zhengyan. He took a deep breath, picked it up, and shook it twice. Meng Qi and others fell silent, waiting patiently for the result.

The flashing slowed down and stopped on a talisman.

“The Spirit Travel Talisman…” Qi Zhengyan said expressionlessly. This talisman, crafted with external forces, allowed one to ride the wind, serving as a decent aid for escape, though it could only last for a quarter of an hour.

Meng Qi rubbed his hands together, grinning. “It’s my turn now.”

He lifted the lottery box and gave it three vigorous shakes. Items corresponding to the Open窍 tier flickered past: secret manuals, sharp weapons, medicinal pills, talismans, and auxiliary tools.

Meng Qi had gained much this time, having comprehended new techniques and acquired a mysterious lightning mark. Therefore, he approached the result with a relaxed attitude, unlike his previous eagerness. As the flashing slowed, each object passed by until it finally stopped on a secret manual.

“The Solitary Sword of Dugu…” He twitched his lips. Previously, when he had desired it, it never came. Now that his path in saber techniques was gradually becoming clear, it arrived on its own. Could it be that he was truly destined to master both sword and saber techniques?

Such items obtained through the draw could only be used by oneself. They couldn’t be exchanged with the Master of the Sixfold Samsara or traded with others.

At the same time, a jade talisman with the words “Cycle” inscribed in seal script appeared in his hand.

Looking at this talisman, he had a rough idea of what he would choose to redeem next.

“The Solitary Sword of Dugu… It looks great. It exhausts the path of technique variations,” Jiang Zhiwei glanced at the description, her beautiful eyes sparkling with excitement, as if she wished to snatch it and read it immediately. However, she also understood that it was merely a fantasy. She should instead consider what sword techniques to redeem next.

According to the Master of the Sixfold Samsara’s evaluation, the “Solitary Sword of Dugu” exhausted the path of technique variations, touching upon principles and laws, nearly reaching the Outer Scenery level. It was extremely valuable.

Meng Qi smiled bitterly. “I used to really like this sword technique, but it only came to me after I gave up. Now it comes willingly.”

“Anyway, you haven’t reached the Outer Scenery level yet. Your foundation hasn’t solidified. It’s the perfect time to learn and explore. Who knows? Perhaps in the future, you will master both sword and saber techniques.”

Jiang Zhiwei smiled and comforted Meng Qi. Although she was firmly committed to the path of the sword, if she obtained excellent saber or palm techniques, she would definitely take a look, drawing insights from their common principles.

Looking at Luo Shengyi, she whispered in secret transmission, “You have the ‘Cycle Talisman,’ giving you an extra month. Redeem another month later and attempt to open your ear acupoint. After returning, you will have a much better chance of defeating An Guoxie.”

Her mentioned chance of victory clearly included the element of surprise, catching An Guoxie off guard while still recovering from severe injuries.

“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” Meng Qi nodded slightly and said aloud, “Everyone, prepare to redeem your items.”

Unfamiliar with the group, Luo Shengyi stepped aside to browse the jade catalog, selecting the items he wished to redeem. Meng Qi and the others, knowing little about him, made no attempt to invite him into their discussion. Instead, they gathered together to deliberate on their plans.