Chapter 127: The Ecstatic Heavenly Soul Emperor: A Handsome Reward
Star Luo City was usually swallowed by the quiet dark at this hour, but tonight, the capital blazed like a second sun. The brilliant glow of countless illumination Soul Tools painted the night sky in vibrant hues. It was a scene of absolute triumph, forming a stark, almost cruel contrast to the desolate, lonely figures of Elder Xuan and his team slinking away into the shadows. Right here, right now, the newly crowned champions—the Heavenly Soul Imperial Academy team—stood at the absolute pinnacle of glory.
Seven figures stood shoulder to shoulder atop the highest tier of the velvet-draped podium: Liu Yuan, Long Aotian, Vina, Chen Lu, Wang Yanfeng, Gu Tong, and the rest of their vanguard. Bathed in the dazzling beams of the arena's Soul Tools, they reached out together. Their hands closed around the cold, heavy gold of the championship trophy, hoisting it high into the air. It was the ultimate symbol of supremacy across the entire Douluo Continent.
A tidal wave of sound crashed down from the stands. The roar of a hundred thousand throats shook the very foundations of the arena. It was not just the traveling supporters of the Heavenly Soul Empire screaming themselves hoarse. Even the proud, militaristic citizens of the Star Luo Empire rose from their seats, their hands stinging from frantic applause. They were witnessing history. They were cheering for the absolute monsters who had finally shattered Shrek Academy's ten-thousand-year monopoly.
"Liu Yuan!"
"Long Aotian!"
"Long live the Heavenly Soul Empire!"
The pure, unadulterated adulation washed over the stage, ringing in the ears of every team member.
Once the ceremony concluded, the Star Luo royal family spared no expense. They hosted a lavish celebration banquet exclusively for the Heavenly Soul team at the most luxurious hotel in the capital. Long mahogany tables groaned under the weight of exotic delicacies, towering crystal glasses, and roasted meats dripping with rich sauces. Representatives of the Star Luo royal family, along with heavyweights from various major factions, filed into the grand hall, their eyes gleaming with calculating intent as they sought to curry favor with the new champions.
Du Busi, however, had zero tolerance for political theater. With a single, dismissive wave of his hand and a sharp glare that promised violence, the Body Sect Master ordered his disciples to ignore the flocking nobles. Following his strict instructions, the Heavenly Soul team bypassed the hypocritical smiles and honeyed words of the socialites. They claimed a secluded corner of the hall for themselves, choosing to savor the fruits of their hard-fought victory in peace.
Liu Yuan occupied a plush armchair at the edge of their private circle. A small mountain of plates sat before him, piled high with premium, high-tier Soul Beast meat. He ate methodically, his jaw working through the tender, energy-rich cuts. Releasing the Ultimate Sublimation state had taken a massive toll on his cells. Even with the Life Gold constantly pulsing within him, knitting his torn muscle fibers back together and replenishing his vitality, a hollow, ravenous ache gnawed at his stomach. He needed raw calories and pure energy.
"You all fought so hard today. Eat up, don't hold back." Vina raised a crystal goblet filled with chilled, sweet fruit juice. Her usually composed, elegant features were flushed a deep, rosy pink, her eyes sparkling with lingering adrenaline and joy.
Glasses clinked. Laughter echoed over the table. For the first time in weeks, they ate without the looming shadow of the tournament hanging over their heads.
The banquet stretched deep into the night. Eventually, exhaustion began to overtake the adrenaline. Guided by bowing attendants, the team left the noisy hall and made their way up to the luxury suites on the hotel's top floor. The upper corridors were wide and lined with plush carpets. Massive floor-to-ceiling windows offered a sweeping, unobstructed view of Star Luo City's East Gate.
Chen Lu dragged his feet near the back of the group, his hands stuffed into his pockets. He turned his head lazily to glance out the glass. Down below, bathed in the dim, flickering glow of the curfew lamps, a cluster of blurry figures was hurrying through the city gate checkpoint. Their movements were jerky, rushed, and utterly devoid of dignity.
Chen Lu stopped dead in his tracks. He blinked, pressing his face closer to the glass, before raising a finger. "Wait, isn't that Elder Xuan and the Shrek team?" he asked, his voice laced with sudden amusement.
The rest of the group paused.
"Leaving in such a hurry?" Chen Lu chuckled, a wide grin splitting his face. "Look at them scurry. They're actually fleeing the city overnight. I guess they're terrified of walking the streets in daylight. Afraid the commoners will point and laugh at the mighty Shrek Academy?"
Wang Yanfeng leaned against the glass beside him, a cold, mocking sneer twisting his lips. "Can you blame them? Elder Xuan didn't just lose a tournament today. He dragged Shrek's ten-thousand-year pride through the mud and stomped on it."
"Sure, the hundred thousand people in the arena saw that pathetic display of kneeling," Wang Yanfeng continued, his tone dripping with venom. "But the Douluo Continent is massive. The vast majority of the population wasn't here to witness it firsthand. I bet that old dog Elder Xuan is desperate to scurry back to the 'safe haven' of Shrek Academy. He wants to hide behind his walls before the news sweeps across the empires."
Gu Tong rubbed his chin, a wicked, expectant gleam dancing in his eyes. "You know, watching them run like beaten dogs just makes me look forward to tomorrow even more. Once the printing presses start rolling and the messenger birds take flight... oh, it's going to be glorious."
He let out a low laugh. "I really can't imagine the sheer chaos. When the rest of the continent wakes up in a day or two and realizes that Shrek didn't just lose the championship, but their leading Super Douluo actually kowtowed in public? The streets are going to riot with gossip. They'll be the laughingstock of the century."
Chen Lu patted Gu Tong's shoulder heavily and finally pulled his gaze away from the retreating cowards. A deep, settling satisfaction connected in his voice. "As fun as it is to mock them, I'm looking past Shrek now. I want to see what the Sect Master and His Majesty the Emperor have lined up for us. We just handed the Body Sect and the Heavenly Soul Empire the greatest glory they've seen in generations. And better yet, we used Shrek's face as a stepping stone to do it."
He turned his head toward the towering figure of Du Busi, who was walking a few paces ahead. "Sect Master!" Chen Lu called out, a bold, cheeky grin on his face. "You and His Majesty aren't going to be stingy with us, right? This is a first in the entire history of the Body Sect!"
Du Busi halted. The old monster was still riding the absolute high of the day's victory, his blood pumping with residual adrenaline. Hearing Chen Lu's question, he spun around, threw his head back, and let out a booming, thunderous laugh that rattled the crystal fixtures along the corridor.
"You greedy little brats! Just relax and wait your turn!" Du Busi waved a massive hand, his posture radiating a wild, domineering spirit. "Once we return to the sect, the vault doors are opening. I will personally distribute our core resources based on your contributions in the arena."
His grin turned fierce, revealing his teeth. "And as for the Emperor? Hah! If that man dares to shortchange you after what you've done today, I'll be the first one kicking down his throne room doors to object! Just sit tight and wait for the gold to rain down!"
Vina lifted a hand to cover her mouth, a soft, elegant chuckle escaping her lips. "Knowing my father, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. He values the empire's prestige above all else. Now that we are bringing home the first championship trophy in ten millennia? He is likely pacing his chambers, grinning from ear to ear. I guarantee he is already drafting the most extravagant reward edicts the royal court has ever seen."
Walking near the front, Liu Yuan listened to the lively banter of his teammates. His usually placid, calculating mind felt a rare ripple of genuine anticipation. He wasn't one for vanity, but tangible resources and political power were the stepping stones to the pinnacle of cultivation.
"You're making even me look forward to it," Liu Yuan said, a faint, genuine smile touching his lips.
With spirits high and bellies full, the team finally dispersed into their respective luxury suites. As heads hit soft pillows, the exhaustion of the tournament claimed them. It was a deep, dreamless sleep—the most peaceful and restful night they had experienced since setting foot in Star Luo City.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, deep within the heavily guarded heart of the Heavenly Soul Empire Palace.
The Emperor of the Heavenly Soul Empire sat alone in the sprawling main hall of his private bedchambers. The room was dark, save for the harsh, glowing light of a massive projection Soul Tool hovering in the air before him.
The projected image was frozen on a single, glorious frame: Liu Yuan, bathed in golden light, hoisting the championship trophy toward the heavens. The Emperor had already rewound and replayed the footage of the match—and the subsequent, deeply satisfying recording of Elder Xuan dropping to his knees—over a dozen times.
Just as Vina had predicted, the absolute ruler of millions had completely abandoned his regal composure. The moment the Emperor received the transmission and confirmed the final outcome, he had leaped from his gilded chair, cheering at the top of his lungs in the empty hall.
This wasn't just a tournament win. For an imperial family that had spent generations suffocating under the overwhelming shadows of Shrek Academy's arrogance and the Sun Moon Empire's military might, this victory was nothing short of a baptism of the soul. It was a declaration of strength.
"Heaven bless the Heavenly Soul Empire!" the Emperor roared, his fists clenched tight. "Heaven bless my royal bloodline!"
He slammed his palms down onto his carved dragon desk, the heavy thud echoing through the chamber. He turned his blazing eyes toward the trembling imperial scribe who had been summoned in the dead of night.
"Draft the decree immediately!" the Emperor commanded, his voice trembling with manic excitement. "Every word must be perfect! Do not make a single mistake!"
The scribe scrambled to ready his brush, ink flying across the parchment.
"Pass this order down to the royal court," the Emperor paced rapidly, his robes swishing. "Wang Yanfeng, Chen Lu, Gu Tong, and the rest of the vanguard have won supreme glory for our nation. They have washed away ten thousand years of humiliation! In addition to a massive bounty of Gold Soul Coins, they are all hereby granted the noble title of Earl. Award them prime fiefdoms in the most prosperous inner provinces of the Empire. They are officially permitted to establish their own noble houses!"
The Emperor paused, taking a sharp breath, his eyes locking back onto the frozen image of Liu Yuan on the screen.
"As for Liu Yuan and Long Aotian... their performance was extraordinary. They are the absolute backbone of this Empire and the undisputed future of the Body Sect. They are to be specially elevated to the title of Marquis!, the size and wealth of their granted territories will be allocated according to the standards of a Duke!"
The Emperor slammed his fist on the desk again for emphasis. "And for Liu Yuan—he may choose his fief from anywhere within our borders. North, south, east, or west. Whatever territory catches his eye, I will personally stamp the approval!"
The Emperor resumed his frantic pacing, his face flushed red with extreme elation.
"Also, the moment the sun rises tomorrow, I want this news broadcast nationwide! Dispatch the fastest messenger hawks to every province, every city, and every remote farming village! Tell my subjects that through the blood and sweat of Liu Yuan and his team, the Heavenly Soul Empire has crushed Shrek Academy! We have shattered their invincible myth, and we stand as the undisputed champions of the Douluo Continent!"
He spun around, pointing a commanding finger at the scribe. "Summon the Ministers of Rites and Works. Wake them up if you have to! Tell them to begin preparations immediately. I do not care about the financial cost. Empty the treasury if necessary! They are to prepare the grandest, most extravagant welcome ceremony this capital has seen since the very founding of the Heavenly Soul Empire!"
The Emperor's eyes blazed with fierce pride. "When our heroes return, I will personally ride out ten miles beyond the city gates to welcome them home!"
Following the Emperor's rapid-fire decrees, the massive, slumbering administrative machine of the Heavenly Soul Empire roared to life in the dead of night. Because the news of the victory had been transmitted ahead of time, the capital was already vibrating with the prelude to an unmatched, nationwide carnival. Every minister, general, and minor official who caught wind of the results understood one obvious truth: from this night forward, the political landscape of the entire continent had permanently shifted.
Meanwhile, far from the warmth of banquets and the promise of royal titles, the remnants of the Shrek Academy team trudged through the pitch-black wilderness.
Elder Xuan walked at the front of the ragged formation. A harsh, biting wind howled across the plains, whipping against their faces and seeping through their clothes. But the bone-chilling cold that made them shiver didn't come from the midnight weather.
It came from the crushing, suffocating dread of the future that awaited them—a future defined by shattered pride, endless disdain, and the unforgiving blame of the academy they had failed.
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