"It seems the champion of this year’s Elemental Trial can be directly announced and decided ahead of schedule."
"What?" Hearing these words, the other elders were instantly taken aback.
Torin said suspiciously. "Senior Brother Aerin, is that not against the rules? The Elemental Trial has just begun, and the champion has not been determined yet. We have to leave some opportunities for the youngsters trailing behind..."
Aerin said with earnest and well-meaning intentions. "Torin, it is precisely to leave some opportunities for the others that I am deciding the champion early."
"Right now, of the five ultimate Heaven-Reaching Platforms, Taryn has already defeated four. I am afraid he does not plan on letting off the last remaining one either."
"Setting aside who else could achieve such results, just his current points alone have left everyone in the dust."
"If we leave Taryn on the platforms, would any subsequent disciple who advances from the final rings not just get knocked right back down by him?"
"To protect those disciples advancing later, is that not exactly why we must quickly hand the champion title over to him?"
Hearing this, everyone’s expressions became incomparably complicated.
In the hundreds of editions of the Elemental Trial, this was the very first time something like this had happened.
The emergence of a single monster had overturned the balance of the entire trial.
To protect the other disciples, they actually had to hurriedly fork over the champion title and the grand prize just to send this monster away.
If a talent with superior aptitude emerged, it was naturally a great thing. But for an anomaly reaching this level to appear, they truly did not know if it was good or bad.
After the elders made the collective decision, they all headed straight to the bottom of the Heaven-Reaching Platforms.
Right as Alex finished defeating Clement and Ford, Kevin could no longer suppress his excitement. He leaped directly down from his platform.
Standing just a few meters from Alex, he said with sheer excitement. "I truly never expected there to be an expert like you within the Divine Blade Sect! It seems my trip to participate this year was definitely the right choice!"
Alex smiled in bewilderment. "Brother, is your brain completely fried? I just defeated the four of them while you watched from the sidelines. Could it be that, even after witnessing my abilities, you still think you can defeat me?"
Kevin narrowed his eyes and smiled faintly. "Kid, your strength is indeed formidable."
"But do not think that possessing five elemental variations makes you invincible under the heavens."
"The Great Dao is simple, and true mastery returns to the original nature. I, who have refined earth techniques to the absolute extreme, can also defeat you!"
Looking at Kevin’s brimming confidence, a trace of pity flashed through Alex’s eyes. He had heard this young man was the direct disciple of Master Vincent, because he was out executing a mission at the time, he managed to escape the bloodbath of Sunblaze Peak.
Looking at it now, this fellow truly lived up to being Master Vincent’s disciple.
Just as crazy as his master, had he known earlier, he might as well have slaughtered this pitiful young man along with the rest. It would have saved him from living in such pain with his mentally unstable state.
"Alright, since that is the case, I will make my move." Alex narrowed his eyes slightly.
Just as he was preparing to strike, a crisp, clear ringing sound reached his ears.
Alex froze for a moment and glanced behind him, he saw a dark purple wind chime floating in midair, swaying back and forth while emitting an urgent ringing noise. His brows instantly furrowed tight, a heavy look of solemnity appearing in his eyes.
This wind chime was a secret signal he had established with Adrian.
If an incredibly urgent emergency occurred while Alex was busy doing something else, this wind chime would serve as the signal.
In all this time, this was the very first time Adrian had actually used it.
It seemed that something monumental had definitively happened.
Kevin had originally brought his palms together, assuming a flawless defensive posture.
Yet Alex just stood frozen in place, showing no intention of attacking, which instantly left Kevin looking suspicious. "You... why have you not attacked yet?"
Right at this moment, Aerin and the other major elders arrived from a distance, gathering around them.
Alex pondered for a brief moment and slowly lowered his raised fingers, he turned, walked right up to Master Aerin, and asked flatly.
"The championship reward for the Elemental Trial, the Sun and Moon Five Elements Wheel, is it on you?"
Aerin froze for a second, then nodded. "That is right, it is on me..."
"Good, then give it to me in advance." Alex urged.
"I have an urgent matter and need to leave immediately. If anyone else wants to challenge me after I leave, just keep a record and we can settle it when I get back."
Hearing these words, the expressions of all the elders became incredibly bizarre.
Although they had indeed come here to directly award Alex the championship prize, for you to just open your mouth and demand it straight up, was that not a bit too arrogant?
With a complicated expression, Aerin looked over at Sylra.
Sylra shrugged helplessly and gave a slight nod.
Through his interactions with Alex over this period, he had gained a certain understanding.
This kid actually had a good sense of boundaries, especially when it came to treasures: if you give it to him, he takes it, if you do not give it to him, he robs you.
Having received Sylra’s signaling glance, Aerin had no choice but to take the Five Elements Wheel from his storage ring. "Well, since that is the case..."
Alex took one look at it, and his eyes instantly lit up.
The Sun and Moon Five Elements Wheel, cast from solid bluestone, the compass radiated an ancient, heavily stagnant aura.
It took the overall shape of a pentagram.
At the tip of each of the five points was an empty groove.
In the center of the compass were two large grooves, one shaped like the sun and the other shaped like the moon.