A Farmer's Journey To Immortality

"I can choose five rewards this time?" he mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

It meant that he had indeed performed more spectacularly than he did in the 7th or 8th stage.

He had again managed to get into the Top 100 Ranking List meant for the 9th stage's test. In fact, he was the first place holder again, dethroning the previous champion by a huge margin once again.

It meant that his earlier assumption that the 9th stage's test was easier to attempt than the last two tests was not true. In fact, the 9th stage was the most difficult trial set for all the disciples of the Holy Land Torel.

Aksai didn't know the reason why the Holy Land Torel prioritized the comprehension abilities over any other aspects of Spirit cultivation. But with his neural link fabric helping him, it was good news for him.

His initial shock was quickly replaced with growing excitement.

Five rewards!

This was a rare and monumental opportunity—one that could define the trajectory of his cultivation for years to come. After all, he knew what kind rewards the Holy Land Torel had offered for him at this point.

He clenched his fists, his heart racing slightly at the possibilities. "This… this is a great haul for me. I have to choose wisely."

Before he could dive into the rewards, another screen appeared beside the rewards list. This one displayed the Top 100 Ranking List of those who had previously challenged the 99th stage. Aksai's eyes widened as he examined the list.

However, unlike what the title suggested, the list contained only about 20 names including his. This was odd. Unless… only the 20 disciples managed to successfully clear the 9th stage.

"Not even Nascent Soul realm disciples managed to clear the 9th stage?" Aksai found it a bit surprising at first. But then it made sense to him. After all, the 9th stage test would be set according to one's Spirit cultivation base.

He was only in the Foundation Building realm so the test that he needed to clear was completely different from the Core Formation disciples and beyond.

Nevertheless, Aksai's place as the first place holder in the list spoke volumes about his achievements. Even though he was the weakest disciple of the Holy Land to clear the 9th stage, he was seen as most talented by the Holy Land Torel's strongest standards.

"Only 20 disciples cleared the 9th stage… and all of them were core disciples."

He frowned slightly, realizing the scarcity of individuals who had successfully reached this level. His eyes were quickly drawn to a familiar name:

[ 2nd Place: Amel Everwood ]

Aksai couldn't help but chuckle bitterly. "Second place again? This person is a monster. I only managed to secure first place due to my unique advantages…. But this guy… he pulled it off on his own without having to pursue any alternative cultivation path."

As the ranking list faded, the original screen with the list of rewards expanded before him, displaying a dazzling array of options. There were over 50 choices, each described in exquisite detail.

Aksai's heart skipped a beat as he scanned the options. Many of the treasures and resources were items he had only read about in fantasies or heard of in legends.

"So… so many treasures in one place. I still don't like the idea of joining sects… but if I had to join… I would have indeed selected this sect if given a choice."

Thankfully, his earlier guess proved correct—the rewards he had missed out on during the 7th and 8th stages had reappeared on the list. He smiled faintly, a sense of relief washing over him. "I'll finally have a chance to claim them."

But the choices were overwhelming. Each item was incredibly valuable, and choosing only five in a limited time felt like a test of its own.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

"I need to think this through. Each of these rewards must serve a purpose—either for my immediate growth or for long-term advancement."

After careful consideration, Aksai began selecting his five rewards:

The first reward was the Divine Insight Pearl, which had appeared as a potential reward in the 8th stage's reward options.

"If I'm to master the array formations and cultivation techniques from Heretic Dao Inheritance, this will be invaluable. My comprehension abilities are already strong thanks to the neural link fabric, but this pearl will push them to the next level," Aksai thought to himself.

The second choice was Mystic Lotus Essence.

"This is perfect for consolidating my gains from the trials," Aksai murmured. "The Mystic Lotus Essence will ensure my foundation remains solid, even as I advance. Perhaps… it will help me improve my Spirit Root Aptitude as well."

The third choice was a 3rd Order Snakeskin Armor, which was an option that was offered to him after clearing the 7th stage's test. He finally managed to claim the armor for himself.

"I've already made up my mind about this one," Aksai said. "Its invisibility and durability can be useful in my Duya Forest trip."

The 4th choice was something that wasn't presented to him before. It was the Blood Essence of the 4th Order Green Flood Dragon. It was a vial containing the condensed essence of a 4th Order Green Flood Dragon.

When consumed or used in body cultivation techniques, it significantly enhances physical strength, vitality, and Qi conductivity. However, according to Yelia, he could use the Blood Esesence to nurture the demon beast egg he had received earlier. As such, he decided to select this option. It was a form of investment in his future demon beast pet.

The fifth and last option was Druidic Blood Refinement Pill. it was an alchemical pill created by infusing druidic energy into medicinal herbs. When consumed, it refined the bloodline of the user, enhancing their affinity with nature energy while purifying impurities within the body.

This was quite different from the previous elixirs that he had consumed. It sought to harmonize the Spirit and vessel bloodlines, especially when they were of druidic nature.