As the glow of the setting sun gradually covered the main peak, the minor tournament finally came to a perfect conclusion. The new elite rankings were officially established.
As the host of the tournament, I stepped onto the center of the arena once again. My gaze swept across the densely packed sea of people below, and my voice, amplified by spiritual energy, spread throughout the entire venue.
"Fellow disciples, after a full day of competition, this year's minor tournament has officially concluded. Congratulations to all of you."
After that, I began announcing the names on the rankings one by one, and each name was accompanied by waves of cheers.
"Third place, Zhao Jinyin. Second place, Hua Chengfeng." Then I paused slightly before announcing in a loud voice, "First place, Xiao Jinhan."
Thunderous applause erupted throughout the arena. No one doubted his strength. If not for his duel with me, this position would undoubtedly have belonged to him without question.
However, just as I was about to announce the rewards, Xiao Jinhan suddenly stepped forward. He cupped his hands and spoke loudly. "Senior Brother, please wait."
Instantly, the entire crowd focused their attention on him once again.
Xiao Jinhan said solemnly, "This disciple was defeated by Senior Brother and is completely convinced. This first place ranking, I do not dare accept it. In this disciple's opinion, the position of first place should belong to Senior Brother."
I paused slightly before laughing and shaking my head. This person's personality was truly upright to the point of stubbornness.
"I am the host of the minor tournament," I replied gently. "And the duel earlier was also initiated by your challenge. The purpose of the minor tournament is to encourage disciples to improve. If I were to take this position, wouldn't that ruin the rules?"
But Xiao Jinhan remained just as firm as before. "Senior Brother speaks reasonably. But in the cultivation world, strength is supreme. Senior Brother's swordsmanship and cultivation are both far beyond mine. If I accept this position, my heart will not be at peace."
Countless discussions immediately erupted below the stage. Some praised his broad-mindedness, while others felt my reasoning made more sense.
As for me, looking at his serious expression that bordered on stubbornness, I felt both amused and somewhat emotional inside. A young man like this actually wasn't bad at all.
I looked at him and slowly asked, "Junior Brother Xiao, do you know what cultivation is for?"
He froze slightly before replying, "To seek longevity. To pursue the great Dao. And to become stronger."
I nodded. "That's right. That is the path of cultivators. But those nurtured by the sect do not live only for themselves."
My gaze swept across all the disciples below, while my steady voice rang clearly beneath the evening sky.
"Cultivators also cultivate in order to protect. The title of first place is not merely personal glory. It is also the responsibility of standing at the forefront of one's fellow disciples, so that when the sect encounters danger, you can be the first person to step forward and bear the burden. And even—" I continued slowly, my gaze passing over every face beneath the arena stage, "—be like the ancient sages of old, to carry the world in one's heart and establish destiny for all living beings, to inherit the ultimate teachings of predecessors and bring peace to countless generations. Only someone like that deserves to be called number one."
My voice was not loud, but within the silent martial arena it sounded incomparably clear. Many disciples who had still been excited because of the earlier battle now unconsciously revealed thoughtful expressions. Some lowered their heads in contemplation. Others had eyes that suddenly brightened, as though they had just realized something important. To certain people, those words felt like the first time someone had pulled their perspective away from mere victory and defeat on the arena stage, allowing them to see the broader road ahead.
I looked toward Xiao Jinhan, my tone gentle yet several degrees more serious. "Junior Brother Xiao possesses extraordinary talent and an unyielding heart. In the future, you will certainly become a pillar of the sect. This position of first place has never merely been an empty title. It is also a form of expectation and encouragement. I hope you will use it as a reminder to yourself, to one day become the pillar that shelters your fellow disciples."
Xiao Jinhan stood motionless where he was, listening to every word I said. It felt as though a surge of heat was flowing through his heart. He had originally believed that being first place was merely proof of strength, but at this moment he finally realized that behind this title lay something far heavier. His eyes trembled slightly, as though a completely new door had just opened before him.
He took a deep breath before bowing deeply once more. "Senior Brother's words are like pearls of wisdom enlightening me. This disciple understands now. This position of first place, this disciple will accept it. In the future, I will certainly not disappoint Senior Brother's expectations, nor the sect's nurturing."
I smiled in satisfaction. "I'm very glad that Junior Brother can think this way."
What could have become an awkward struggle over the position of first place was instead gently resolved, like a spring breeze brushing across water. The disciples below looked at me with even greater admiration in their eyes, not only because my strength was unfathomably deep, but also because of the way I handled matters fairly and won people over through virtue. Some of the younger disciples even revealed expressions of worship so intense that they almost seemed ready to return immediately and write several hundred more words of cultivation insights.
If Lingyun Sect had a five-star review feature for senior brothers, my trust rating today probably would have exploded off the charts.
"According to the rankings," I announced loudly, "we will now begin distributing rewards for this minor tournament."
The disciples of the four ritual halls immediately stepped forward in order, one by one. They distributed pills, magical treasures, and tokens granting entry into the Scripture Pavilion and Wudao Cliff to those who had achieved high rankings.