After a night of wild celebration, the grand festival of lights and laughter finally came to an end. As dawn broke, the lingering excitement began to fade, replaced by a calm that slowly settled over everyone's hearts.
The thrill and tension brought by the tournament gradually subsided, like a receding tide returning to tranquility.
A day later, the two academies that had risen above all others in the grand competition received an official invitation to the imperial palace—to select the prizes that symbolized both glory and power: the Soul Bones granted to the champions and runners-up.
On Shrek Academy's side, the chosen representatives were naturally Zhou Sicheng, the team's captain who had displayed both remarkable strength and leadership, and Ye Guyi, his vice-captain, whose own power was anything but ordinary.
From the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, the representatives were the gifted siblings Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, whose performance in the tournament—especially their astonishing Martial Soul Fusion Technique—had left countless opponents in awe.
Of course, the image of Ma Rulong's severed arm during the tournament still haunted many minds. The sight had been both shocking and tragic. The moment the match ended, the Sun Moon Empire sent people racing back with him, desperate to save him, clinging to even the faintest sliver of hope that his injury could somehow be restored.
When the four young elites met again, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen still showed traces of exhaustion from the intense battles. Yet, when they looked at Zhou Sicheng, there was no hostility in their eyes—only genuine respect born from combat between equals.
Xiao Hongchen was the first to speak, offering a polite smile.
"Congratulations. You truly deserved this victory."
Zhou Sicheng waved his hand casually, his expression calm and good-natured.
"Wins and losses are part of a Soul Master's path. Don't take it to heart. We're all still young—this was just one step along our journeys."
Meng Hongchen nodded lightly, a faintly complicated look flashing across her eyes.
"That technique of yours—'Dragon Emperor's Radiant Rend'—completely shattered our arrogance. In a way, we should thank you for showing us our limits."
She hesitated, then added, "But I still don't understand how you did it. We're both five-ringed Soul Kings, our soul power levels are about the same, and yet you broke through our Martial Soul Fusion Skill so easily."
Xiao Hongchen chuckled softly, now much more relaxed than before. Perhaps the end of the competition, or his growing respect for Zhou Sicheng, made him feel no need to hide his curiosity anymore.
"I asked Elder Ma about it," he said. "He told us that move of yours was a secret art created by a senior from Shrek Academy. Judging by your age… that senior must be quite old now. You must be, what, his great-grandson?"
Though he said it lightly, Zhou Sicheng could tell the intent behind his words—Hongchen was fishing for information, hoping to learn more about Shrek Academy's hidden heritage.
A mischievous thought crossed Zhou Sicheng's mind. With a faint smirk, he decided to tease him a little.
"You could say that, but actually… that 'senior' you're talking about is my father."
The two siblings froze like statues, their expressions blank with disbelief.
Father?
That Dragon God Douluo was at least two hundred and fifty years old!
Could he really still…?
Their thoughts spiraled as they recalled Zhou Sicheng's registered age—only thirteen! That would mean the Dragon God Douluo, despite being centuries old, was still vigorous enough to father a child. Which could only mean… he was still alive!
Otherwise, who at that age would still be chasing such "worldly pleasures"?
Or perhaps, they wondered darkly, once someone reached that level of power, their Martial Soul instincts became… difficult to restrain. After all, dragons were known for their primal nature…
Zhou Sicheng couldn't help but laugh aloud at their shocked expressions.
"Ah, I got carried away for a moment. Don't take that too seriously, alright? If word of this reaches him, I'd be in serious trouble."
The siblings quickly recovered, forcing awkward smiles.
"Understood, we won't breathe a word."
"I believe you," Zhou Sicheng replied, nodding approvingly. "You both seem trustworthy."
As they chatted, a palace guard in ornate uniform approached respectfully, bowing slightly before motioning for them to follow.
They walked through a series of grand palace gates and lavish courtyards. The splendor of the imperial architecture—painted beams, carved dragons, and golden roofs—radiated the dignity and opulence of the Star Luo royal family.
Before long, they arrived at a magnificent hall where Xu Jiujing, dressed in an elegant imperial gown, awaited them.
Her robe shimmered with threads of gold and silver, studded with gemstones that accentuated her regal grace. Though usually more relaxed around Zhou Sicheng, in front of others she wore a formal and composed expression.
"In accordance with the tournament rules," she announced clearly, "the champion team may choose three Soul Bones from the ten presented, and the runner-up team may choose one."
She turned first to the Hongchen siblings and bowed gracefully. "Please wait for a moment."
Then, glancing toward Zhou Sicheng and Ye Guyi, she smiled faintly. "Follow me."
Zhou Sicheng gestured a friendly farewell to the Hongchens before following Xu Jiujing into the hall alongside Ye Guyi.
Once the great doors closed behind them, cutting off the sounds from outside, Xu Jiujing relaxed slightly and asked with mild curiosity,
"You seemed to get along quite well with those two. What were you talking about?"
Zhou Sicheng smiled softly. "Just some casual conversation. They have talent—remarkable potential, in fact. With the right guidance, they could become shining stars in the Soul Master world."
Xu Jiujing frowned lightly, clearly unconvinced.
"Honestly, I can't understand you sometimes. Ma Xiaotao already crippled Ma Rulong. You had the perfect opportunity to strike at the Hongchen siblings too—to weaken the Sun Moon Empire's future power. Why spare them?"
"You know how ruthless those people can be on the battlefield. They've shown no mercy to anyone."
Zhou Sicheng's expression remained calm.
"True, but until now, neither of them has ever harmed others intentionally. Strength is important, but so is character. We can't destroy someone just because they might become an enemy someday."
Xu Jiujing sighed softly, not entirely convinced but unwilling to argue further.
"Well, it's your decision. I suppose I'm just venting."
Behind them, Ye Guyi followed silently, her eyes calm and unreadable. When she glanced at Xu Jiujing, something subtle flickered in her gaze—something that quickly vanished as she remained quiet.
Soon, they reached the center of the grand hall.
There, arranged neatly in two rows, stood ten ornate treasure boxes, each carved with intricate patterns that emanated faint, mysterious energy. Within them lay ten precious Soul Bones.
Because the royal treasury was far too valuable to let outsiders enter, Xu Jiawei, the emperor himself, had selected and sent out these ten Soul Bones for the champions to choose from.
Xu Jiujing turned to Zhou Sicheng with a gentle smile.
"Normally, you'd have to appraise them yourself, and the results—good or bad—would have nothing to do with the royal family. But for you, I'll make an exception and explain them in detail."
Zhou Sicheng nodded gratefully. "Thank you."
She then began to describe each Soul Bone carefully—its age, origin, the kind of soul beast it came from, and even the potential Soul Skills it might contain. Her explanation was thorough and precise, revealing her deep knowledge.
All ten were Ten-thousand-year Soul Bones, the most powerful of which had reached seventy thousand years in age. The faint light radiating from it alone showed it was a treasure beyond compare—one of the finest pieces in the Star Luo Empire's entire collection.
Zhou Sicheng listened quietly before making his selection—three Soul Bones, including the seventy-thousand-year one.
Afterward, he and Ye Guyi left the hall satisfied, while the Hongchen siblings entered to make their own choice.
When they emerged, surprised to find Zhou Sicheng still waiting, they exchanged curious looks.
Ye Guyi had already returned to their hotel, so Zhou Sicheng greeted the siblings warmly.
"Come, let's walk and talk."
As they left the palace under escort, a gentle breeze carried the cool scent of the morning air.
Zhou Sicheng broke the silence first.
"The Three-Legged Golden Toad is a divine beast-type Martial Soul, blessed with tremendous power and mystical properties. But controlling it fully is no easy task. If you wish to master it, you'll need to devote yourselves completely."
He then turned to Meng Hongchen.
"The Crimson-Eyed Ice Toad is no less extraordinary. Its potential is vast, but it, too, demands careful cultivation."
The siblings nodded instinctively, puzzled by his sudden words of advice.
Xiao Hongchen finally spoke, hesitant.
"Brother Zhou, we'll certainly remember your words… but may I ask why you're telling us this?"
Zhou Sicheng chuckled softly. "Because you're wondering why I'd bother helping you, right?"
They nodded in unison.
Zhou Sicheng's gaze was calm, his tone sincere.
"We're all peers walking the same path. I simply hope to have worthy rivals—ones who can push me to grow stronger. Competition drives progress. Don't think too much of it."
The siblings exchanged doubtful looks, clearly not buying that explanation completely.
Zhou Sicheng continued, smiling faintly.
"In the world of Soul Masters, no one reaches the top alone. Having strong rivals keeps me sharp—and keeps the world itself alive with energy. I look forward to the day we meet again on a greater stage, stronger than we are now."
The Hongchen siblings pondered his words and slowly nodded. Deep down, they understood—wasn't that their own wish as well?
To face powerful opponents, grow together, and reach higher peaks.
Zhou Sicheng watched them quietly, his expression serene, but in his eyes flickered a calculating glint.
He knew his words were mostly a façade. His true goal was to leave a lasting impression—to ensure that, one day, the siblings might become useful allies.
With his strength and foresight, he knew these talented youths were, for now, nothing more than potential cards to be held in reserve. Even the most gifted could fall, as history had shown with the prodigy of the Body Sect, Long Aotian, who reached seven rings before twenty—only to die a meaningless death.
Zhou Sicheng understood one truth well: absolute strength decides everything. Still, every connection, every favor, every impression could become a resource.
And one day, when the time came, he would play his cards as he saw fit.
For in this world of ruthless competition and endless ambition, only those who planned every step ahead could truly stand at the top.