As one of the Nine Heavens, the Jun Tian Realm housed four major powers: Jade Void Palace, Heavenly Demon Palace, Purple Phoenix Palace, and Qiankun Palace.
Among these, Jade Void Palace and Qiankun Palace were human forces, while the other two belonged to the demon race.
Although these four palaces did not always get along harmoniously within the Jun Tian Realm, they presented a united front to the outside world.
There was a certain foundation of camaraderie among the four families; otherwise, they would not have jointly opened a dimensional world in the first place.
On this particular day, it was the Jade Void Palace's Genius Exchange Meet, held once every 100,000 years.
Countless geniuses were selected from their respective affiliated forces, in addition to the talents within Jade Void Palace itself, and disciples from friendly powers would also participate.
Therefore, the exchange meet was exceptionally grand, attracting cultivators from the entire Jun Tian Realm to witness it.
At each Genius Exchange Meet, numerous talents would emerge, capturing the attention of the entire Jun Tian Realm.
The top three ranked geniuses would receive special cultivation from Jade Void Palace, with their future prospects being immeasurable.
They would be sought after by various families and forces, receiving gifts and even daughters, to the point of being overwhelmed.
In this edition of the Genius Exchange Meet, several astonishingly talented individuals had indeed emerged.
Among them, the most dazzling rising star possessed a talent far surpassing those of previous generations.
It was said that this person was named Fei Xin, who had comprehended all five elemental laws, as well as the law of space. Merely this alone placed him above many geniuses from past exchanges.
Furthermore, this genius was also proficient in skills such as alchemy and formations.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this genius would be accepted into Jade Void Palace, receive focused cultivation, and after hundreds of thousands of years, achieve great renown.
Consequently, various major families and forces in the Jun Tian Realm had already sent congratulatory gifts, proactively seeking to forge closer ties with this future prodigy.
The awards ceremony was held in a grand plaza, and the top three geniuses from this exchange event walked towards the center of the plaza in succession.
Along the way, numerous young celestial maidens, some tens of thousands of years old, scattered petals, creating a magnificent and solemn scene.
The three entered in order and stood before the award stage, bowing to an elder with a kind and approachable demeanor.
This person was known as Immortal Lord Cang Lei, who held great prestige within Jade Void Palace. His personal appearance to present the awards was to showcase his high regard for the three geniuses.
First, the third-ranked genius received his award, which was an immortal artifact.
After presenting the prize, Immortal Lord Cang Lei offered warm words of encouragement.
Next was the second-ranked genius, who also received a very good prize.
However, after bowing to Immortal Lord Cang Lei, he requested to exchange his prize for other treasures.
Immortal Lord Cang Lei stroked his beard and smiled, readily agreeing to the request.
With the decline of immortal energy, various treasures had become even rarer, but for the three geniuses selected once every 100,000 years, the Immortal Palace still offered preferential treatment.
Seeing this, Xiao Fei became more confident. When it was his turn, he strode forward and bowed.
At this moment, tens of thousands of eyes were upon him, their gazes filled with envy and jealousy, enough to drown Xiao Fei.
Immortal Lord Cang Lei narrowed his eyes, a look of profound appreciation in them, as he surveyed Xiao Fei from head to toe.
"Junior requests that Senior help Junior exchange for a different reward treasure."
"Oh! Just state it, and as long as it is a treasure within the Immortal Palace, this old man will do his best to satisfy you!"
Immortal Lord Cang Lei held this exceptionally gifted genius in high esteem, even considering taking him as a disciple.
"Junior requires the Qian Yuan Immortal Fruit!"
Upon hearing this, Immortal Lord Cang Lei's expression shifted slightly. Within the entire Nine Heavens, only the Jade Void Palace in the Jun Tian Realm possessed a Qian Yuan Immortal Fruit tree.
This item was extremely rare, capable of nourishing and strengthening the divine soul, as well as healing soul injuries.
"The Jade Void Immortal Palace does indeed have Qian Yuan Immortal Fruits, but the quantity is limited. This old man wishes to ask, for what purpose do you require this fruit?"
"To be frank, Junior's divine soul has been injured, and it requires the Qian Yuan Immortal Fruit for treatment!"
Xiao Fei could only honestly state the truth. Lying before such a powerful expert would be largely ineffective, as their immortal sense could discern the truth at a glance.
Immortal Lord Cang Lei released his immortal sense, examining Xiao Fei. After a while, he retracted it. However, his previously amiable demeanor had considerably lessened, replaced by a solemn and majestic air.
"Your soul injury is too severe; it has already affected your cultivation and advancement. Without the aid of a supreme treasure, you will not even be able to reach the Heavenly Immortal realm."
As Immortal Lord Cang Lei spoke, he sighed and shook his head, feeling a sense of regret.
Meanwhile, the tens of thousands of eyes on the plaza, which had initially held envy and jealousy towards Xiao Fei, now shifted to a look of relief. The entire populace felt a sense of ease.
When others are too outstanding, it makes oneself feel stupid and incompetent. It is much better when everyone is mediocre together.
Xiao Fei had witnessed this kind of sentiment before, but he hadn't expected the Jade Void Palace in the Nine Heavens to be the same.
Moreover, his clone in his spatial dimension had long since advanced to the Heavenly Immortal realm.
"May I ask Senior, can the Qian Yuan Immortal Fruit not heal it?"
Xiao Fei felt a pang of uncertainty. Could the Qian Yuan Immortal Fruit not save him?
"The Qian Yuan Immortal Fruit can indeed heal soul damage, but your injury is too severe. Your divine soul has already been depleted by more than half, and it is remarkable that you are still alive.
If the Qian Yuan Immortal Fruit were to be used for treatment, it would certainly not be cured by just one or two fruits."
"The Qian Yuan Immortal Fruit production in the Immortal Palace is limited. Only a dozen mature fruits can be harvested every 100,000 years, yet the demand is high…
Therefore, given the severity of your soul injury, you cannot obtain the title of the first genius of this exchange meet."
Immortal Lord Cang Lei's words were very clear. Xiao Fei's soul injury was too grave. Although the Qian Yuan Immortal Fruit could heal it, the Qian Yuan Immortal Realm was a rare treasure in the immortal realm, and its consumption would be too great. For Jade Void Palace, it would be a loss that outweighed the gain.
Since his injuries could not be healed, and given Xiao Fei's current condition, even advancing would be difficult, he held no value for cultivation.
With immortal energy resources being so scarce, any waste was unacceptable.
Missing out on a genius like Xiao Fei, while regrettable, was not entirely unacceptable.
As old geniuses faded, new ones would emerge, but immortal energy resources were finite and non-renewable.
Weighing the gains and losses, they had to abandon Xiao Fei.
Immortal Lord Cang Lei then surveyed the surrounding crowd in the plaza, noticing that the vast majority held an optimistic and approving attitude.
A very small minority felt indignant on Xiao Fei's behalf, but they kept their feelings to themselves and did not express them.
When the tallest tree in the forest, it will be destroyed by the wind. When people encounter someone stronger than themselves, they are all happy to see them fall.
Only Xiao Fei, the person involved, felt a mix of emotions.
He had seen success within reach, the prospect of entering Jade Void Palace, obtaining the Qian Yuan Immortal Realm, and gaining the friendship and daughters of various forces.
Just as he was about to step onto the pinnacle of his life, his hope was once again dashed, and he plummeted from the clouds.
"This matter is also this old man's oversight. I can make an exception and allow you to join Jade Void Palace as a menial disciple. Should your performance be outstanding in the future, you may be promoted to a formal disciple."
After rejecting Xiao Fei, Immortal Lord Cang Lei offered him another chance.
Xiao Fei fell into contemplation.
If it weren't for the Qian Yuan Immortal Fruit, he had no interest in joining Jade Void Palace. He possessed his own spatial dimension and two Jian Mu worlds, so his cultivation resources would not be lacking.
However, throughout the entire immortal realm and the Nine Heavens, based on currently known information, only Jade Void Palace had this Qian Yuan Immortal Fruit tree.
Now, being offered a chance to join Jade Void Palace as a menial disciple, it seemed difficult for him to refuse.
As long as he remained within Jade Void Palace, he could still create opportunities in the future…