Eternal life begins with saving my clan

Chapter 199: The Reward - Part 1

Following the unsettling prelude of Ye Zhen's defiance, Ai composed her expression and scanned the hushed crowd.

Adjusting her crisp white uniform and straightening her back, she declared in a voice both sweet and commanding, "With that… over, let's begin the event."

Her words echoed through the halls, met with a cacophony of conflicting emotions. The memory of how she effortlessly extinguished three lives and sealed the fates of Ye Zhen and his mother, all without batting an eye, was still vivid in their minds.

Could they still call these children mere kids?

The casual flick of her hand that sent Ye Zhen collapsing like a puppet to the ground defied explanation. The scene, etched in their memory, was a stark reminder of the Celestial Heavenly Store's unyielding power.

Their actions had spoken volumes. To tangle with them was to invite wrath, unpredictable and multifaceted, leaving no room for escape.

Ai's voice broke the suffocating silence once more. "Congratulations to all participants for your efforts and enthusiasm. We, the Celestial, deeply appreciate your dedication."

The crowd erupted in applause, particularly those hailing from lesser families.

With a raised hand, Ai continued, "Many may not have taken this competition seriously, missing a rare opportunity to rise above the rest. Nevertheless, congratulations to those in the top ten."

Cheers erupted, the previously tense atmosphere slowly thawing under Ai's unwavering control.

"Let us proceed to the badge distribution," she declared.

The store doors swung open, revealing a procession of women adorned in sleek robes, each carrying a tray. A collective gasp escaped the audience as they beheld the newcomers. Their presence emitted an aura so intimidating that many men couldn't tear their gaze away.

The seductive beauty was both captivating and arousing, leaving many yearning to approach them if not for their allegiance to the store.

Unfazed by the murmurs and gasps, Ai continued, "Please come forward according to your rank, starting from the 100th and working your way down. Only the top ten are excluded."

The crowd, momentarily captivated by the alluring women, turned their attention back to the stage. Excitement crackled in the air, anticipation mounting as the first participant stepped forward, eager to claim their prize.

With a nervous gait, the young man approached the podium, desperately trying to maintain his composure.

Beads of sweat clung to his forehead, and his trembling hands betrayed his anxiety.

As he reached Ai and Aiguo, his clothes were completely soaked through with cold sweat.

Despite their warm smiles, he felt a suffocating pressure emanating from them, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm against his ribs.

"Congratulations," Aiguo spoke, his voice breaking the stillness.

He took a circular blue badge, emblazoned with a nine-level black pagoda at its center, and placed it gently upon the young man's chest.

Instantly, a notification echoed in the young man's mind:

'You have been rewarded with the Badge of Recognition.'

'The badge effect will expire in one month.'

He froze, eyes wide with astonishment, staring at the seemingly ordinary badge adorning his chest. He never imagined such a simple competition would grant him such a mysterious artifact.

"You can check the badge's effect later," Aiguo reminded him with a reassuring smile.

"Y-Yes," the young man stammered, recovering from his shock. "Thank you. Thank you very much." He bowed deeply, his voice thick with gratitude.

Witnessing the scene on the podium, the crowd was bewildered. They had seen nothing but a simple badge being awarded, yet the young man reacted as if he had won the lottery.

Puffing out his chest and beaming with a wide grin, the young man left the podium. He realised that participating in the competition had been one of the best decisions he had ever made.

Back at his spot, he delved his consciousness into the badge, and a moment of stunned silence followed. Those around him watched with envy and jealousy, eager to understand the source of his sudden elation.

Though unaware of the badge's true purpose, they sensed its significance.

One by one, others ascended the stage, each mimicking the exaggerated reaction of the first.

For a few seconds, they were struck with awe, only to erupt in wide smiles shortly after.

The strange pattern continued, leaving the crowd even more intrigued and eager to discover the secret of the mysterious badges.

As more people acquired their badges, whispers and gasps rippled through the crowd as they swiftly recognized the profound benefits associated with the emblem.

The badge boasted a remarkable defense mechanism capable of fending off attacks from a Peak of Foundation Building realm stage 9 expert three times before succumbing to destruction.

This revelation elicited a collective sense of awe and appreciation from the assembly, realizing the potential lifesaving attribute the badge offered.

Moreover, the badge served as an implicit shield for its wearer.

The demise of anyone bearing the badge would be considered a direct affront to the Celestial Heavenly Store, and the consequences were clear – the Celestial would not hesitate to pursue and bring the perpetrator to justice.

In addition to this potent safeguard, the recipients of the badge were entitled to a generous reward of 100 spirit stones.

This tangible boon was accompanied by a 10% discount on all purchases within the store for the ensuing month.

The allure of such bountiful rewards left the crowd in awe, their eyes widening in surprise and anticipation.

From the badge, they reaped a triple harvest – protection, financial gain, and acknowledgment.

The crowd marveled at their unexpected fortune, and those with nefarious intentions quickly abandoned any thoughts of attempting to steal the badges.

The atmosphere was charged with curiosity, and the anticipation within the crowd became palpable.

Observing the excitement of the assembly, Ai cast a glance over them with a light smile gracing her adorable face. "Now that all of you have glimpsed the benefits of the badge, you're yet to see the real advantage," she announced, her words capturing the audience's intrigue.

"Let us direct our attention to the top ten rankers," she continued, signaling the departure of the trade-bearing ladies from the podium.