My entry can't possibly be this normal!

In the battle for third place, Long Xiangtian was completely out of sorts due to his internal injuries and loss of face, and was ultimately defeated by Xu Zhiqing.

However, there were only three spots available for promotion to the ninth rank sect, and the champion and runner-up were both from the Qingyun Sect.

Therefore, in the end, the Heavenly Dragon Sect still qualified for promotion.

With this, the entire sect promotion assessment conference came to a complete end.

Without a doubt, this match has completely become the stage for the Qingyun Sect!

From this day forward, the name of the Qingyun Sect will surely resound throughout the world!

And that "mastermind," the Dao Forger of the Qingyun Sect, will become the most feared figure in the eyes of all cultivators in the world...

Great horror!

……

Ren Tianxing announced loudly, "The sect that ultimately succeeded in advancing to the ninth rank is..."

"Qingyun Sect!"

The audience erupted in uproar and thunderous applause!

"Danyang Sect!"

A few scattered claps.

"Heavenly Dragon Sect!"

The whole room burst into laughter.

Although the Heavenly Dragon Sect advanced, the process was by no means glorious...

For a moment, everyone from the Heavenly Dragon Sect was utterly humiliated.

Yun Yaoji, in the name of the Qingyun Sect Master, received the Heavenly Decree from Ren Tianxing.

It was a token that symbolized status and honor.

The large "nine" above signifies that from this point forward, the Qingyun Sect has officially entered the ranks of ninth-grade sects, no longer being considered a heretical sect or a wild path for miscellaneous cultivators.

The members of the Qingyun Sect were all overjoyed.

These disciples then lifted Li Ping'an, their elder master, up and down repeatedly...

As Yun Yaoji gazed at this scene, a satisfied smile appeared on her face...

……

Ren Tianxing also laughed and said, "Sects that advance to the ninth rank will all receive a fiefdom of three hundred li, three spiritual treasures, and ten spiritual pills!"

"In addition, the champion disciple will receive an extra spiritual treasure!"

"The runner-up disciple will receive three additional spirit pills!"

"The third-place winner will receive two additional spirit pills!"

"Of course, the other top ten sects will also receive generous rewards, but they will only be worldly things, namely silver..."

Yun Yaoji's expression suddenly changed!

"So, how much silver will our Qingyun Sect receive?!"

Ren Tianxing was taken aback: "Silver?"

"Your Qingyun Sect is the biggest winner of this competition. You have a fiefdom of three hundred li, four spirit treasures, and thirteen spirit pills. This is an unprecedentedly generous reward..."

"What do you care about money?!"

Yun Yaoji panicked: "I care!"

Ren Tianxing: "...Sorry, no."

He had never seen a sect capable of advancing to the ninth rank so concerned with such mundane matters...

After all, the value of celestial treasures like magic weapons and elixirs is difficult to measure in silver.

Yun Yaoji couldn't help but look miserable, her excitement vanishing instantly.

Back on stage, Li Pingan patted her on the shoulder.

"Senior Sister, are you worried about the Marquis of Wuwei's debt of three thousand taels of silver?"

"It's alright, we can just exchange some elixirs for some silver..."

Su Ziyun shook her head: "Master Chang, that's impossible..."

"No one dares to trade the items bestowed by the Heavenly Dao Sect. Even if we wanted to sell them, no one would dare to buy them..."

"Otherwise, if it gets circulated, there's no guarantee it won't leak the Heavenly Dao Sect's secrets..."

Li Ping'an then realized the seriousness of the situation and frowned deeply.

"Is it?"

"It's alright, there's still the Yellow Heaven Sect, isn't there?"

At this moment, Huang Yuntian also brought all the disciples of Huangtian Sect to his side.

"Sect Leader Yun, I, Huang Yuntian, have lost, utterly defeated..."

"From this day forward, you may do as you please with the entire Huangtian Sect!"

Yun Yaoji immediately asked, "How much silver does your Huangtian Sect have in total?!"

Huang Yuntian was taken aback: "This..."

Zhao Liuhe, who was standing next to him, said awkwardly, "There are probably four or five hundred taels in circulation..."

Yun Yaoji felt a glimmer of hope...

Unexpectedly, Zhao Liuhe continued, "If you add all the real estate, pills, magic weapons, materials, and then factor in the loans, debts, and other liabilities..."

Yun Yaoji: "How much in total?!"

Zhao Liuhe: "We might still owe several hundred taels..."

Yun Yaoji: "..."

Huang Yuntian gave a wry smile: "Sect Leader Yun, do you really think our Huangtian Sect is rich and powerful...?"

"Although a master craftsman holds a prestigious position, even the most skilled cook cannot make a meal without ingredients. The materials needed to forge magical treasures for his disciples have already emptied the entire Huangtian Sect..."

"To be honest, all these years I've been borrowing money to keep the sect afloat. Otherwise, why would I risk gambling with Sect Master Yun?"

Xiao Xile said, "Since you have a ninth-grade Dao forging master, why don't you let him refine magic weapons? He should be able to make a lot of money that way!"

Zhao Liuhe blushed slightly: "Actually, although I am a ninth-grade Dao forging master, my talent is mediocre. To successfully forge a magic weapon, I might have to fail five or six times, so..."

The Qingyun Sect members were speechless for a moment.

This entire Huangtian Sect is a complete money-loser!

To be honest, they might not even be as good as the Qingyun Sect!

Although the Qingyun Sect is also poor, it was at least once wealthy...

That was Yun Yaoji's own savings.

Although, I still don't know where she got so much money...

Even Li Ping'an had no idea about her background.

Yun Yaoji was furious: "So you're going to gamble with me using the Huang Tian Sect, which is full of debts?!"

Huang Yuntian could only manage a wry smile.

"Sect Leader Yun, actually...aren't you the same...?"

Yun Yaoji was speechless.

"In short, your Huangtian Sect has lost, and from now on you will be slaves and servants, working like cattle and horses. Is that true?"

Huang Yuntian said, "I'm a man of my word, and I will never renege on my debt."

Yun Yaoji said, "Fine! From today onwards, the entire Huangtian Sect will have to work hard and make money for me!"

Huang Yuntian shuddered: "How much...how much can I earn?"

Yun Yaoji snorted, "I'll keep making money until I'm satisfied!"

"Okay, okay..."

In fact, this was already considered very lenient treatment from Yun Yaoji. According to the bet, even if she made these people into slaves, they would have no choice but to accept it.

Moreover, the Qingyun Sect is now a ninth-grade sect bestowed by the Heavenly Dao Sect, with a territory of three hundred miles, which the Huangtian Sect can no longer afford to offend.

For them, joining forces with the Qingyun Sect was actually a good thing...

……

After Huang Tianzong and his group left with sighs,

Ren Tianxing, an elder of the Heavenly Dao Sect, came over in person to congratulate the Azure Cloud Sect on its promotion.

However, their gazes fell on Li Ping'an.

"Are you the Dao Forging Master of the Qingyun Sect?"

Before Li Ping'an could speak, Bai Xiaoxian had already giggled.

"That's right, this is our Elder Uncle, the genius Dao Forging Master Li Ping'an!"

Ren Tianxing chuckled to himself.

"Indeed a genius Daoist..."

"How were those...special entries of yours forged?"

"I'm quite curious..."

Li Ping'an smiled and said, "You really want to know?"

Ren Tianxing said earnestly, "I really want to know."

Li Pingan extended his right hand.

"Take the money."

Ren Tianxing: "...Are you serious?"

Yun Yaoji immediately understood his intention and replied, "Of course I'm serious!"

"This is the biggest secret of the genius Dao-forging master Li Ping'an..."

"It can be described as priceless."

"I don't need any more than you right now, three thousand taels will be enough!"

Ren Tianxing gave a wry smile: "...Why are all the people of your Qingyun Sect so greedy?"

The members of the Qingyun Sect looked at each other, then answered in unison.

"poverty!"