Due to the Devouring Race's retreat, the Town Boundary Army stationed in the Shattered Star River also began returning to the Three Emperors Barrier in sequence.
The team Lu Xingling was with waited for a while, and upon realizing Jun Xiaoyao had not returned, they had no choice but to leave first.
Jun Xiaoyao had previously told them that if something came up, they could leave ahead of him.
Lu Xingling was somewhat distraught.
Although the earth-shattering fluctuation from before had been noticed by everyone, Lu Xingling found it hard to believe that it was caused by Jun Xiaoyao.
After all, that was an Emperor Realm level fluctuation.
No matter how Heaven-Defying Jun Xiaoyao was, it was impossible for him to be that outrageous.
Therefore, Lu Xingling still felt some worry in her heart.
The Blind Old Cultivator and One-Armed Cultivator, among others, exchanged glances when they saw Lu Xingling's expression.
It seemed their Captain Lu's feelings for Jun Xiaoyao were not merely limited to that of a master and follower.
"Alright, Captain, Young Lord Jun Xiaoyao is an extraordinary individual; good fortune always favors the virtuous, he will be fine."
"That's right, now that the Devouring Race has retreated, Young Lord Jun Xiaoyao might be looking for some Opportunity, such as ancient ruins or similar places, which caused a delay."
Some team members consoled her.
Lu Xingling could only nod and lead her team away.
Several days later, the Town Boundary Army returning from the Shattered Star River gathered in a plaza within East Ridge Pass.
They began to tally their merits as usual.
This time, both the Town Boundary Army and the Prodigies undergoing training suffered heavy losses.
It was much more severe than the first Demon Tide training session.
Many squads were even completely wiped out, leaving no corpses behind, having been devoured by the Devouring Race.
Only then did everyone realize how terrifying the Devouring Race, a part of the Black Calamity Race, truly was.
However, what was fortunate was that later, in the depths of the Shattered Star River, a Big Shot from the Boundary Sea side made a move, seemingly fighting against a Devouring Race Big Shot.
Finally, the Devouring Race began to retreat.
This undoubtedly indirectly saved many lives.
"Who was that mysterious Big Shot?"
"Yeah, which Big Shot was it? If that Big Shot hadn't acted, we might not have made it back alive."
"Senior, do you know which Big Shot made the move?"
On the plaza, the clamor was ceaseless.
Some Prodigies were asking an old Senior.
"This…"
Even this old Senior was completely bewildered and confused.
When did a Big Shot from their East Ridge Pass make a move? Why didn't he know?
Moreover, if an Emperor Realm Expert had acted, they should have known.
"That Big Shot was indeed extraordinary; they must have slain a supreme existence among the Devouring Race."
Xiahou Divine Treasure also spoke.
Previously, even his Ninth Squad had encountered some crises.
If that Big Shot hadn't acted and caused the Devouring Race to retreat, Xiahou Divine Treasure would probably have had to pay some price.
Therefore, he felt some gratitude towards that existence and wanted to know who it was.
"Could it be a Big Shot who doesn't wish to reveal their identity?"
Huangfu Jing of the Huangfu Emperor Clan also speculated.
It could be said that these Prodigies were able to return alive, more or less, thanks to that Big Shot.
"Why hasn't Young Lord returned yet?"
Yun Yusheng, Yun Xuanxu, and others were not calm.
Because Jun Xiaoyao had not yet returned.
Lu Xingling was also worried.
Just then, the teleportation array within the Three Emperors Barrier suddenly lit up.
A white-robed figure stepped out from it.
Naturally, it was Jun Xiaoyao, who had returned.
"Young Lord…"
"Young Master…"
Yun Yusheng, Lu Xingling, and others all gathered around him.
"He didn't die, lucky."
Xiahou Divine Treasure glanced at him and shook his head slightly.
"I apologize for making everyone worry. I was merely collecting some Opportunity, which delayed me for some time," Jun Xiaoyao said with a faint smile.
Next, an old Senior began to tally the merits.
Jun Xiaoyao casually handed over his merit token.
When the old Senior examined it, he immediately froze.
He rubbed his eyes.
"Although I am not young, have my eyes become this blurry?" The old Senior shook his head.
At this moment, from the depths of the Three Emperors Barrier, a brilliant sun rose.
Within it floated a scroll, which was none other than the heaven and earth treasure mirror!
This time, the light emitted by the heaven and earth treasure mirror was unprecedented.
Even in the Void Realm, flowers rained down, and the sound of the Dao rumbled.
It was as if a salute was being offered for the birth of a King.
"What in the world is going on?"
"Did Young Lord Jun Xiaoyao obtain merits like last time again?"
Some Prodigies took a deep breath.
During the last Prodigy Blood War, Jun Xiaoyao also earned great merits, causing the heaven and earth treasure mirror to react.
It was the same this time.
But why did it feel even more astonishing?
Rumble!
Amidst a tremor, Jun Xiaoyao's merits were revealed.
And at this, the clamor of the entire audience instantly ceased!
It was as if it had been abruptly cut off!
What did they see?
It wasn't sixth-class merit!
Nor was it the fifth-class merit from last time!
It wasn't even the Heaven-Defying fourth-class merit!
It was third-class merit!
Whoosh…
After a brief silence, an incredibly astonishing roar of clamor exploded throughout East Ridge Pass!
"Holy cow, I didn't see wrong, did I? Third-class merit!"
"My goodness, third-class merit, what in the world does that even mean?!"
"Damn, third-class merit, that's enough to be a marshal, what kind of Heaven-Defying battle record is that?!"
All the Prodigies present were swearing, unable to express their shock otherwise.
What was the concept of third-class merit?
Even within the Three Emperors Barrier, it was an absolutely Heaven-Defying merit.
Let alone these new Prodigies undergoing training, even some of the older generation, or even Quasi-Emperor, could not obtain such merits.
What was the concept of third-class merit?
It was the merit one could obtain only by slaying an Emperor Realm Black Calamity Race supreme expert.
Were the Black Calamity Race's Emperors something ordinary people could kill?
Therefore, third-class merit, even across the Three Emperors Barrier, was as rare as a Phoenix feather or a unicorn horn.
Many old generation supreme experts could not obtain it.
As for those new Prodigies, they wouldn't even dare to dream of such a thing, because it was too outrageous!
"What Heaven-Defying deed did Young Lord Jun Xiaoyao do to obtain such merits…?" A Prodigy looked dazed.
Suddenly, everyone realized.
"Could it be… that mysterious supreme expert…"
Another Prodigy's throat felt dry, unable to believe it.
Countless shocked gazes locked onto Jun Xiaoyao.
Xiahou Divine Treasure's mind went blank, unable to imagine.
The mysterious supreme expert he was grateful to was actually Jun Xiaoyao?
Huangfu Jing took a deep breath, her beautiful eyes filled with shock.
Even those old Seniors who had seen many great storms felt a little dizzy; this was too bizarre!
However, the shock didn't end there.
The heaven and earth treasure mirror vibrated again.
Jun Xiaoyao had not just one third-class merit, but two third-class merits!
This even surprised Jun Xiaoyao a bit.
He knew that one third-class merit should have been obtained from slaying the Scarlet Empress.
As for the other third-class merit, he estimated it was probably from destroying a Devourer Nest.
After all, Devourer Nests were also War fortresses; even among the Devouring Race, their numbers were very limited, and they were Sharp Weapons of War, also equivalent to a third-class merit.
As for fourth-class merits, there were even more.
Jun Xiaoyao, by his own ability, slew the Three-Headed King.
Later, he used the power of the Divine Spirit Dharma Body to slay the remaining King-level Devouring Races.
As for fifth-class, sixth-class, seventh-class merits, and so on, they were countless and immeasurable.
This time, Jun Xiaoyao truly caused an earth-shattering stir, unparalleled by anyone.
And what was even more shocking was yet to come.
The heaven and earth treasure mirror once again displayed the merit rankings.
This time, Jun Xiaoyao's name instantly flashed to the top of the young generation's merit list!
He even entered the forefront of some supreme experts' merit lists!
At this moment, the entire Three Emperors' Bulwark Nine Great Passes would tremble and boil!