The three great experts of the Outer Gate, two had already been defeated in previous rounds.
The final result did not involve any unexpected circumstances.
In the six-to-three competition, one person had a bye, followed by the four-to-two and two-to-one contests.
Mu Jinyu naturally took the first place, Jian Ruyan the second, and Li Xiaoxiao the third.
Wen Rou, due to her lack of combat experience and limited knowledge of martial techniques, spells, and divine skills, did well to secure fourth place.
When Lin Feng returned to the competition platform and announced Mu Jinyu as the first place winner, many of the Outer Sect disciples looked at him with envious eyes.
Having just joined the Heavenly Sword Faction and becoming the first of the Outer Gate, winning numerous unimaginable rewards in the Outer Gate grand examination, how could they not be envious?
"Now, could the disciples who achieved the top ten rankings in the Outer Gate grand examination come up!" Lin Feng announced.
The disciples who had achieved the top ten rankings in the Outer Gate grand examination, upon hearing Lin Feng's words, ascended the stage without hesitation.
"The top ten can each receive one superior-grade spirit stone."
Once everyone had ascended the stage, Lin Feng took out ten pieces of jade from his storage bag, crystal-clear, evenly cut, and shimmering with a captivating brilliance, and handed them out one by one.
These were the superior-grade spirit stones.
Although it was just one piece, it could be exchanged for ten medium-grade spirit stones or one hundred low-grade spirit stones.
It wasn't a small matter; for the Outer Sect disciples, it required completing several sect missions to obtain it. It was indeed a fine reward!
The disciples ranked from fifth to tenth couldn't help but smile with joy on their faces.
"The top three can receive ten superior-grade spirit stones each!"
After distributing the rewards for the top ten, Lin Feng announced loudly again and took out thirty superior-grade spirit stones from his pocket, handing them out one by one to Mu Jinyu, Jian Ruyan, and Li Xiaoxiao!
Receiving the ten superior-grade spirit stones, Li Xiaoxiao's beautiful face lit up with an even more intense smile.
Although she was one of the top three experts of the Outer Gate and didn't lack one or two superior-grade spirit stones, a one-time reward of eleven superior-grade spirit stones was far more substantial than usual. How could she not be happy?
As for not winning the first-place reward, she wasn't disappointed or disheartened at all.
Regardless of Mu Jinyu and Jian Ruyan's sudden rise, she always understood that she would be ranked among the top three in the Outer Gate grand examination.
Compared to Wu Lei and Chen Qiuqiao, who didn't even make it into the top ten, she indeed felt very fortunate to secure the third place reward.
After distributing the rewards for the top three, Lin Feng announced again: "The first place winner can receive thirty superior-grade spirit stones, select secret manuals from the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion, and cultivate in the Heaven Cave blessed land for three days!"
Saying this, he pulled out a small bag containing thirty superior-grade spirit stones, handed it to Mu Jinyu, and then took out two tokens made of special materials.
He handed the tokens to Mu Jinyu and instructed, "This token grants access to the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion, and this one grants access to the Heaven Cave blessed land!"
"I understand." Mu Jinyu, excited to receive so many rewards at once, accepted them while speaking.
"Keep working hard. I believe it won't be long before you earn a place in the Four Sects' Genius Ranking!"
Lin Feng patted Mu Jinyu's shoulder and smiled with satisfaction.
'The Four Sects' Genius Ranking?' Mu Jinyu's heart stirred upon hearing Lin Feng's words.
But he didn't ask further, knowing that in front of so many people, asking such basic questions could easily cause laughter.
Just by the name, he could guess that the Four Sects' Genius Ranking must be the ranking list of the Yan Kingdom's Four Great Sects' genius disciples.
Whichever sect's disciples occupied more spots on the Four Sects' Genius Ranking, that sect would gain more prestige.
Perhaps, like the Kunlun Hidden Dragon List, there might also be some rewards involved?
Unaware of Mu Jinyu's inner confusion, Lin Feng patted his shoulder again with satisfaction and announced:
"This Outer Gate grand examination is the most successful and exciting in history, with six disciples reaching the fourth layer of the Divine Transformation Realm appearing at once!"
"Next, as the top three of the Outer Gate grand examination, Mu Jinyu, Jian Ruyan, and Li Xiaoxiao, will be promoted to Inner Sect disciples of the Heavenly Sword Faction, with an additional reward of three hundred contribution points each. Wen Rou, Wu Lei, and Chen Qiuqiao, although not ranking in the top three, will also be promoted to Inner Sect disciples for reaching the middle stage of the Divine Transformation Realm, but without the contribution point reward!"
"Clap clap clap!!"
Nearly five hundred Outer Sect disciples present clapped enthusiastically at Lin Feng's announcement.
The rules of the Heavenly Sword Faction's Outer Gate grand examination were such that if one's cultivation hadn't reached the middle stage of the Divine Transformation Realm, even securing a top-three spot in the grand examination only granted rewards but no direct promotion to the Inner Sect.
Thus, despite Wu Lei and Chen Qiuqiao consistently taking the third spot in the Outer Gate grand examination multiple times, they remained among the top three experts of the Outer Gate without breaking into the Inner Sect.
Only by reaching the middle stage of the Divine Transformation Realm could one be promoted to the Inner Sect after the Outer Gate grand examination.
Typically, those who performed exceptionally in the Outer Gate grand examination with cultivation at the middle stage of the Divine Transformation Realm would rank in the top three, thus receiving an additional reward of three hundred contribution points for encouragement.
This time was unique; six participants in the middle stage of the Divine Transformation Realm made it impossible for everyone to rank in the top three.
Wu Lei and Chen Qiuqiao had it worse; after facing Mu Jinyu and Jian Ruyan, they were knocked out early and didn't even make it into the top ten.
If it weren't for their high reputation in the Outer Gate, Lin Feng's announcement of their promotion to the Inner Sect would have caused an uproar with many disagreeing!
As the applause died down, Li Xiaoxiao, standing beside Mu Jinyu, put away her eleven superior-grade spirit stones and smiled at Mu Jinyu, "Congratulations, Senior Brother Mu; we shall meet again in the Inner Gate."
"Thank you, and congratulations to you too." Mu Jinyu wasn't surprised at Li Xiaoxiao's change of address, understanding that Kunlun Ruins respected strength above all.
Then, Mu Jinyu put away his forty-one superior-grade spirit stones and two tokens, preparing to leave the stage with the others and return to his residence to pack up and head to the Inner Gate.
"Mu Jinyu, please wait a moment."
At this time, Elder Cheng, who had remained mostly silent, suddenly spoke up.
"Hmm?" Mu Jinyu paused and looked at Elder Cheng.
Li Xiaoxiao and the other top ten outer gate examinees also slowed down upon hearing Elder Cheng, looking back thoughtfully at Elder Cheng and Mu Jinyu.
They understood now why Elder Cheng attended this Outer Gate grand examination; he was here for Mu Jinyu.
Seeing the wary look in Mu Jinyu's eyes, Elder Cheng smiled and waved his hand, "Don't be nervous. I mean no harm. Once you are promoted to the Inner Gate, it won't be like the Outer Gate, where no one guides you, no masters to pass on skills, and only periodic teachings from the Elders in the hall. Would you be willing to become my disciple and let me mentor you..."
"No need, I've already told the Sect Leader that I have only one master." Mu Jinyu coldly rejected.
Elder Cheng quickly explained, "Oh, my mistake, I don't mean the formal master-disciple relationship with rituals and lifelong obligations, but more like a regular teacher-student relationship..."