Chapter 1767: Nine Stele First

Quickly, one after another, first-place entries appeared on the nine divine steles.

First place on the Ancient Demon Sage Merit List: Jiang Fan.First place on the Ancient Buddhist Sage Merit List: Jiang Fan.First place on the Ancient Confucian Sage Merit List: Jiang Fan.First place on the Ancient Cloud Wilderness Sage Merit List: Jiang Fan.First place on the Ancient Immortal Sage Merit List: Jiang Fan.First place on the Ancient Sky Guardian Sage Merit List: Jiang Fan.

Jiang Fan, first on all nine steles!

Even though it had been long anticipated, the Sages present were still overwhelmed with shock.

"I recall, even Sword Sovereign Beixuan didn't achieve first on all nine steles, did he?" murmured Sage Cold Moon.

Sage Thunder Extinction gazed at the stele, taking a deep breath. "Sword Sovereign Beixuan only achieved first place on six lists. Confucianism, the Demon Race, and Buddhism each nominated their own people. Now, these three steles no longer show favoritism."

Sage Imprintless was deeply shaken, shaking his head and saying, "Historically, there has never been a first place on all nine steles. Who among those who reached the top five lists didn't risk their lives to establish immortal battle achievements? Who could possibly concede to anyone else? Jiang Fan... is the first, and only, to achieve first place on all nine steles!"

As soon as he spoke, the entire venue fell silent.

The only first place in ten thousand years, uniformly recognized by the will of the Ancient Sages, irrespective of race or tradition, had been born!

After a moment of silence, the entire venue erupted in thunderous, overwhelming cheers:"We've witnessed history!""An achievement not even reached in the golden age a thousand years ago has been accomplished by our generation, seemingly at the end of its road! Hahahahaha!""Legends span the ages, heroes emerge from our ranks. Who says the new is inferior to the old?""Nine steles affirm one, his name resonates through ancient and modern times. We laughingly ask the heroes of the world, who can contend with him?"

Jiang Fan not only forged an honor that reverberated through history for himself, but also brought forth an eternal glory for their era, which was supposed to be in decline. Future generations would forever remember that in the darkest, most decadent era of the Central Lands, someone with their bare fists forged a brilliant future for countless generations and rewrote the history of the Central Lands with their blood.

Several Sages personally approached Jiang Fan, offering their congratulations. Even Venerable Ancient Zen Buddha, a Sage of the Two Calamities realm, and Demon Lord Nine Nether, offered their heartfelt congratulations. With such a figure of legendary renown in the Central Lands, they, as contemporaries, also felt a sense of pride. Powerhouses from various prefectures also offered their congratulations, their eyes filled with admiration. Even the previously unknown Heavenly Secret Pavilion garnered attention from various prefectures, with people inquiring about Jiang Fan's sect.

For a time, the atmosphere was incredibly lively.

At this moment, the nine divine steles radiated golden light, and nine massive feathers of merit, as large as rooftops, flew out towards Jiang Fan. Everyone who looked on had eyes gleaming with fervent desire. This amount of merit was truly immense. If a Grand Exalt were to be blessed with these nine feathers of merit, reaching the Three Calamities realm in a single day would be no exaggeration.

Under the gaze of countless eyes, the nine feathers of merit flew to hover above Jiang Fan's head. Just as they were about to settle upon him, a Sage's power intercepted the nine feathers of merit mid-air, preventing them from descending. This action immediately caused several Sages to frown. Someone was openly obstructing another from receiving merit? This was unprecedented! Even from within the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, the Grand Libationer's angry rebuke echoed: "Presumptuous! How dare you obstruct the merit bestowed by the Sages?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the Sage's power, discovering it was none other than the Reincarnation Mountain Lord, who had just entered the Sage realm. Facing the general indignation, the Reincarnation Mountain Lord remained neither humble nor arrogant. From his robe, he respectfully took out a small jade figurine. The carved face was extremely ancient, and remarkably lifelike, especially the eyes, which truly held a sense of indifference and majesty, as if they had long gazed upon all living beings.

Even more astonishingly, the figurine actually came to life!

It walked through the air with its hands behind its back, emitting an ancient and profound voice.

"It is I."

As the voice emerged, the Grand Libationer in the Imperial Astronomical Bureau was startled: "Great Sage Reincarnation! Is that you?"

A Great Sage is usually an honorific for beings below the Sage realm. If it appears at the Sage level, there is only one possibility: the person being referred to has reached the pinnacle of the Sage realm. Just as within the Divine Transformation realm, those undergoing the Five Heavenly Human Declines are referred to as Grand Exalts. The Great Sage Reincarnation before them was a Sage of the Three Calamities! Undoubtedly, within the jade figurine was a wisp of Sage Reincarnation's soul.

Upon realizing it was Great Sage Reincarnation, Venerable Ancient Zen Buddha put his palms together. "Ancient Zen greets Great Sage." Sage Thunder Extinction, Sage Cold Moon, Sage Imprintless, and Sage Heavenly Craftsman all respectfully bowed. Even the unruly Demon Lord Nine Nether respectfully clasped his hands.

Whoosh—

From within the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, the Grand Libationer of Tianzhou flashed out. He was burly, with a thick, red neck and a fleshy face, giving the impression he could lose his temper at any moment.

"No wonder you returned a century ago to establish something called Reincarnation Mountain," he said. "So, it was to seal away a wisp of your soul, as a precaution against the unforeseen."

Everyone suddenly understood. No wonder Great Sage Reincarnation had suddenly returned to the Central Lands a century ago, established a sect, and then left after leaving behind a trove of resources. It turned out the purpose of establishing the sect was to protect the wisp of his separated soul that he had secretly left behind.

Great Sage Reincarnation said with a sigh, "The Source of All Evil is brewing a dark tide that will sweep across the myriad heavens and hundred realms. We Sages on the battlefield are highly likely to perish in this tide. Therefore, we had no choice but to leave a contingency plan. Those like me, who have never cultivated by possessing another's body, can still leave a wisp of a separated soul as a contingency. Those who lost the chance to possess a body can only leave behind descendants, to ensure their lineage doesn't end."

At this, several Sages' hearts stirred, and they subtly glanced towards Young Emperor Mountain. Who he was referring to was self-evident.

The Grand Libationer of Tianzhou snorted, "I have no objection to you leaving a separated soul in the Central Lands. But what is your intention now?" He pointed at the intercepted merit, demanding coldly.

Great Sage Reincarnation turned his body, looking at the nine feathers of merit, his eyes burning with fervor, and said, "So much merit, wouldn't it be a waste to give it to someone in the Heavenly Human Two Declines realm? If given to me, even if my main body perishes, this remnant soul could use it to instantly recover to the Three Calamities realm. This is the greatest utilization of the merit."

Several Sages frowned slightly, but weren't surprised. Knowing he was a remnant soul, they had already anticipated the purpose of Great Sage Reincarnation's separated soul appearing. Who wouldn't want such merit? It was just that they couldn't bring themselves to openly seize it.

Jiang Fan's heart felt a chill. Before he came, the Grand Libationer of Taicang Prefecture had warned him that the young Qilin bore too much merit and would easily attract covetous eyes. He hadn't expected someone to jump out and intercept the merit even before the young Qilin had absorbed it! This was something he had risked his life for time and again. This 'Great Sage Reincarnation' wanted to seize it with just a phrase about 'maximizing merit utilization'?

Considering the other party was currently battling the Source of All Evil on the outer-realm battlefield, Jiang Fan suppressed his displeasure and said, "Senior, even if this junior were willing to yield the merit, you would not be able to recover your cultivation on the spot. After all, you would need to possess a body first. Currently, there are no Sage's remains suitable for you in the Central Lands." The only Sage who had perished in the Central Lands was Sage Benevolent Heart, slain by Jiang Fan. However, that body was already ancient and had been drained of blood by Jiang Fan, making it unsuitable for possession.

Great Sage Reincarnation glanced at Jiang Fan, scoffing, "For this Sage to possess a body, what difficulty is there?"