The transcript in Chang Yueying’s hand listed the results clearly, and even if Ling Xiao wanted to hide them, he couldn’t.
Fortunately, many spiritual herbs and fruits were not included in the calculations.
For example, items like the Longevity Fruit and Dragon Pearl.
It was as if the transcript completely ignored these.
It also excluded a large number of spirit stones and even the Book of Seals, which were not listed on the transcript.
It seemed that the rules of the Moonlight Treasure Pagoda were not perfect, and some things truly could not be displayed. What was shown might only be treasures within the rules, while those outside the rules, if obtained, remained unknown to others.
This was, of course, fortunate for Ling Xiao.
Hearing those results, many high-ranking members were so excited that they were practically salivating.
Especially the Supreme Sect Leader, who, thinking that all these items would belong to her and her disciples, was so thrilled that her mouth kept twitching.
“Young man, the Heavenly Vein Divine Stone is not something you can possess, and as for the rest, with your cultivation level, you have no right to own them. Hand them over to the sect, and perhaps your punishment can be lightened!”
The Supreme Sect Leader shouted sternly.
“May I ask, did the Demon Flame Heavenly Venerable or the Sect Leader ever hand over what they obtained in the past?”
Ling Xiao countered.
“No, they did not,”
Chang Yueying replied, frowning.
“In that case, it means there’s no such rule for the tower-climbing ceremony, right? If I choose to hand something over, that’s my decision. If I don’t, no one can force me. Isn’t that the logic?”
Ling Xiao pressed further.
“Exactly!”
Chang Yueying nodded.
“Supreme Sect Leader, you heard it yourself. Everything I obtained in the Moonlight Treasure Pagoda belongs to me. Of course, without the Moonlight Sect, I wouldn’t have had this trial opportunity, so naturally, I will hand over some items to the sect. But what I hand over is my choice!”
Ling Xiao stated firmly, neither humble nor arrogant.
“Putting that aside, Ling Xiao, since you encountered the avatar of the Moonlight Heavenly Maiden, did you obtain her martial soul inheritance?”
The Demon Flame Heavenly Venerable asked pointedly, cutting straight to the core.
If Ling Xiao had obtained the Moonlight Heavenly Maiden’s inheritance, no one in the Moonlight Sect would be able to restrain him in the future. He would need to be eliminated quickly.
His question reminded many others.
So, everyone turned to look at him, eager to know the answer.
Among the disciples who entered the Moonlight Treasure Pagoda for this trial, Dai Yuling, Tantai Lingzi, and Zhao Zhi each obtained a martial soul inheritance.
Dai Yuling received the Ancient Gourd Vine Martial Soul, Tantai Lingzi got the Spider Goddess Martial Soul, and Zhao Zhi obtained the Black-Winged Great Peng Martial Soul.
Zhao Zhi’s Black-Winged Great Peng Martial Soul was even acquired with Ling Xiao’s help.
So, by that logic, Ling Xiao should have also obtained a martial soul inheritance, though it was unclear which one.
Ling Xiao smiled and said, “Although I obtained a martial soul inheritance, it has nothing to do with the Ancestral Grandmother. I acquired the Black Dragon Martial Soul in the Land of Dragons!”
Of course, he was lying.
What he had actually obtained was the Dragon Soul inheritance of the Ancient Hell Dragon.
But this was even more astonishing than the Moonlight Heavenly Maiden’s inheritance. If he revealed it, it would likely cause a huge uproar.
If word got out to those with ulterior motives, he would likely be hunted down wherever he went in the martial world.
Thus, he chose the safer option, claiming he had obtained the Black Dragon Martial Soul inheritance.
Since the Black Dragon was a descendant of the Ancient Hell Dragon, he could use the Ancient Hell Dragon’s soul to perfectly simulate the Black Dragon Martial Soul.
If he claimed to have obtained nothing, no one would believe him.
The higher-ups here weren’t fools. You helped Zhao Zhi obtain a martial soul inheritance, stayed in the pagoda the longest, and acquired the most treasures, yet you claim to have gotten nothing?
Only an idiot would believe that!
So, revealing the Black Dragon Martial Soul was the most credible and suitable approach.
Black Dragon Martial Soul?
Hearing Ling Xiao’s words, some sighed in relief, while others still showed jealousy.
Those relieved felt that, although a dragon soul was precious, it wasn’t one of the nine ancient dragon souls or the twelve immortal martial souls, nor was it the Moonlight Heavenly Maiden’s inheritance. Thus, Ling Xiao wasn’t too overwhelmingly powerful.
This was acceptable.
The jealousy, of course, stemmed from the fact that Ling Xiao’s Black Dragon Martial Soul was still a dragon soul.
While martial souls themselves had no hierarchy, martial soul inheritances did.
The Black Dragon Martial Soul inheritance was undoubtedly far stronger than ordinary martial soul inheritances.
“Damn it, not only did he get so many good things, but he also obtained the Black Dragon Martial Soul inheritance. Am I destined to never surpass him?”
Ming Tian felt utterly defeated. Even if he had snatched rewards from Shangguan Lei, what did it matter?
Failing to obtain a martial soul inheritance was still a massive failure.
“It’s not too bad. My Spider Goddess Martial Soul is no worse than his Black Dragon Martial Soul inheritance. It seems I was worrying too much, he might not surpass me!”
Tantai Lingzi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
“Hmph, no matter what you got, you must die!”
The Demon Flame Heavenly Venerable snorted coldly. He no longer underestimated Ling Xiao. In the past, his underestimation had led to his disciple’s tragic death. Now, given any opportunity, he would definitely kill Ling Xiao.
“Black Dragon Martial Soul inheritance? It’s a pity it’s not the Moonlight Heavenly Maiden’s inheritance, otherwise it could have been used for Feifei.”
The Supreme Sect Leader frowned but soon smirked coldly, “The inheritance can be overlooked, but I must get my hands on what this kid obtained!”
Seeing everyone’s reactions, Ling Xiao chuckled inwardly.
His lie had essentially achieved the desired effect.
If he had honestly admitted to obtaining the Ancient Hell Dragon Martial Soul, the Supreme Sect Leader would likely have commanded the guardian beast to attack him.
That was a no-brainer.
And that would only be the beginning.
If his acquisition of the Ancient Hell Dragon Martial Soul spread across the entire Heavenly Dragon Continent, he would likely spend his days fleeing from pursuers.
As long as he kept the danger contained within the Moonlight Sect, he had nothing to worry about.
“Alright, no matter how dazzling your results or what you obtained, killing your fellow disciples is a grave sin!”
At this moment, Elder Jin waved his hand and said, “You claim there’s no such rule for the tower-climbing ceremony, and I acknowledge that. However, the sect has a rule against harming fellow disciples, which naturally applies to the tower-climbing ceremony. On this point, your guilt is undeniable.”
Ling Xiao frowned. It seemed these people wouldn’t rest until they punished him.
“Exactly, Ling Xiao. While you have made contributions to the sect, contributions are one thing, and punishment is another. They must not be confused. The sect has always been clear about rewards and punishments.”
Elder Mu from the Law Enforcement Hall also nodded.
“I agree!”
The Demon Flame Heavenly Venerable naturally supported this view.
“I agree too!”
The Heavenly Eye Venerable said after some thought. Although Zhao Zhi was his disciple and had received Ling Xiao’s help, in his view, it wasn’t worth opposing the Law Enforcement Hall for Zhao Zhi’s sake.
