I Am Overlord

"Baili Yixiao and Zhan Wushuang really can't be moved from their positions, while the rest of the list has changed greatly. But isn't this way of ranking somewhat unfair?" 

"I find this ranking perfectly acceptable. Sure, strength is everything and all, but luck is also important. If you are strong but were eliminated earlier, that can only mean that others have better luck than you. Without luck, it won't be easy for you to reach for the heavens in the future."

"The top 10 has changed too much. Xiang Shaoyun is actually in the top 3 now? They are over-glorifying him."

"Don't you know that he fought Zhan Wushuang to a draw? He is strong enough to sit at his current position." 

"That's right. Xiang Shaoyun has already fused nine powers, showcasing his might. Nobody can stop him. Zhan Wushuang probably wouldn't be his match if the two have the same cultivation level."

"Has he really succeeded in creating the path of cultivating nine powers?"

...

Everyone was talking about the new ranking, with Xiang Shaoyun being the talk of the town. After all, he was the greatest dark horse, and nobody could compare to him.

The principal coughed and said, "Everyone, silence. Now, we will be announcing the rewards for the top 10. All of them will get an entire month of free entry into the first three floors of the Book Pavilion. They can also enter the first three floors of the armory to pick a weapon each. Finally, they will be awarded 10 million contribution points each." 

Everyone's eyes were burning after listening to the announcement. There were many books on the first three floors, including a lot of high-tier battle techniques. Staying inside for free for a month was basically giving out battle techniques for free. 

Also, the armory also had many high-grade weapons. Picking one there would better equip them. As for the contribution points, they could purchase even more treasures from the academy. The three rewards were incredibly generous.

Those not on the Dragon Phoenix List were filled with envy, thinking that if time was to rewind, they would definitely try harder for the top 10. But were they really capable of that?

Next, the principal announced the rewards for the top 100. Each of them was allowed half a month of free entry into the first two floors of the Book Pavilion. They could also pick a weapon each from the first two floors of the armory. Also, each was rewarded five million contribution points.

As for the top 1,000, each was awarded one million contribution points. For everyone else, there were no rewards.

The assembly did not end with the reward announcement. The principal continued and made another important announcement, "The disciples on the top 100 list will represent the academy and enter an area with the disciples from the other three academies to temper themselves. Numerous fortuitous encounters are there waiting for you, and some might even help you easily enter the Soul Foundation Realm. Of course, for those entering that place, your life will be entirely dependent on fate. No protective jades will be provided. So those who wish to withdraw can still do it now."

That news shocked everyone.

"Is this going to be a fight for resources of the four great academies? That will be a grand occasion!" 

"Right, I've heard that the four academies have always been competing to outrank each other, and the competition never ended. I reckon this is the start of another round of competition. It will be the true gathering of freaks."

"Our Dragon Phoenix Academy has always been ranked third behind the True Martial Academy and the Nine Palace Academy. The freaks of those two academies are definitely no weaker than Baili Yixiao and Zhan Wushuang. If we really start a confrontation against them, our rank might even drop."

"Being able to compete against geniuses from all over the dominion is in itself a great glory. A cousin of mine is in the True Martial Academy. I heard from him that the freaks over there are incredibly scary. My cousin is a sixth-stage Dragon Ascension Realm cultivator, but he couldn't even get in the top 1,000."

"Are you exaggerating? You make it sound like our academy is filled with weaklings."

...

The disciples were envious of those with a chance to partake in the confrontation of the four academies. That was the true stage of the dominion where they would get to meet more of their peers who were similarly as talented. Partaking in the confrontation would be beneficial for their growth, but unfortunately, many weren't even able to get into the top 100. Thus, they had no way of partaking in the grand event.

As for those actually on the Dragon Phoenix List, they were filled with joy. Their eyes were filled with excitement, and they were extremely eager to start competing against the other academies.

Next, the principal ended the assembly. The primary-grade Dragon Phoenix Battleground event formally ended, and a new battlefield awaited. Everyone left, making use of the final six months they had to properly rest and prepare themselves. At the same time, they would increase their strength as best as they could. After all, their time in the academy had yet to end, so they had to continue working hard. Nobody knew what the future entailed for them.

Xiang Shaoyun, Ouyang Chuanqi, Han Chenfei, and the others headed toward 1 Dragon Villa. The captains of the Overlord Legion were also gathering there. As an influential faction, they naturally needed to gather more and increase their group cohesiveness.

There, Zhuge Zhantian started reporting about the details of their venture into the battleground. Many had died in the battleground. Some were killed by the plants, while some were killed by the other factions. These disciples were the ones who were killed before they could even crush their protective jades.

At this point, the deaths no longer fazed Xiang Shaoyun that much. After all, where there was conflict, there would be death. There was nothing to be said if one died in the midst of competing against others. After all, he himself was nearly assassinated by Gui Mochou.

After saying some words of encouragement, Xiang Shaoyun shifted the topic. He said, "When we were in the battleground, I announced that the ones that managed to get on the Dragon Phoenix List would be awarded that set of equipment. With the result out, the set now belongs to Xuan Yuantian."

He then took out the set of equipment from the ancient stele he had kept with him. When everyone saw the bright and dazzling equipment, their eyes became burning. When they looked at Xuan Yuantian, they were filled with envy. That was a set of sovereign-grade equipment!

Xuan Yuantian blanked out slightly before stepping forth and thanked happily, "Thank you, Overlord."

He had not expected to receive the set of equipment. After all, Tang Longfei and Yuan Xuefen had also entered the Dragon Phoenix List. Xiang Shaoyun should have rewarded the set to Tang Longfei instead. However, he did not do so. One could not deny that Xiang Shaoyun was a fair leader.

Someone close with Tang Longfei asked, "Overlord, Deputy Commander Tang is also on the Dragon Phoenix List. Why didn't you award him the set?"

Everyone focused on Xiang Shaoyun, waiting for his answer.

Xiang Shaoyun smiled and said, "Deputy Commander Tang's rank is lower, so Xuan Yuantian is naturally prioritized. However, both he and Yuan Xuefen will still be rewarded."