The audience at the finals experienced an emotional rollercoaster — soaring to the clouds and then crashing to the ground, only to rise again just as dramatically.
At first, they had eagerly looked forward to this rare grand finale. Then they were shocked to see Shrek Academy send out only one person for the team battle. And in the end, they were left completely stunned as Shrek's lone fighter revealed his second martial soul with five hundred-thousand-year soul rings and instantly crushed all seven members of the Sun Moon Team. It was simply electrifying!
Over eighty percent of the audience had followed the tournament from the very first match to the final one. The moment Zhu Ziyang revealed those five red soul rings, many recalled that first match — the young boy who had also once displayed five red soul rings.
However, this time was fundamentally different. That boy, Huo Yuhao, had seemed more like a joke played by Shrek Academy — or perhaps a prelude to what was to come. But Zhu Ziyang, this youth destined to be etched into everyone's memories, was Shrek Academy's most prized masterpiece on full display.
This, truly, was what it meant to bookend the tournament with symmetry.
As soon as Heavenly Fiend Douluo Huang Jinxu declared Shrek Academy the champions, no one could suppress their excitement any longer. The entire audience rose to their feet and shouted in unison:
"Shrek! Shrek! Shrek!"
After three thunderous chants of "Shrek," someone took the lead again — and the crowd shifted their cheers to Zhu Ziyang:
"Zhu Ziyang! Zhu Ziyang! Zhu Ziyang!"
Zhu Ziyang thoroughly enjoyed this victorious chorus being sung in his name.
In the resting area beneath the stage, the four elders from Shrek Academy wore satisfied expressions. They stood and applauded while shouting praises. Wang Yan, too, was visibly emotional — the mission he had shouldered was finally complete.
Ma Xiaotao and Jiang Nannan gazed at Zhu Ziyang on stage with infatuation and admiration sparkling in their eyes.
"So this is Ziyang's true strength!" Beibei and Xu Sanshi exchanged bitter smiles.
"We really should have seen this coming."
"I want to become someone like Big Brother Ziyang!" Huo Yuhao made a silent vow in his heart as he cast a quick glance at the imperial platform. "Only then can I avenge my mother and make that man pay!"
"What do we do? Yuhao, Wang Dong, I totally regret attaching soul rings to my second martial soul!" Xiao Xiao cried out in frustration. "Aaaah! I want to be like Senior Ziyang, with only hundred-thousand-year soul rings on my second martial soul. No wait, even just ten-thousand-year ones would be fine! What should I do now?!"
Hearing Xiao Xiao's outburst, the also dual-souled Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong felt somewhat lucky, yet they didn't ignore her plight and quickly consoled her.
"Xiao Xiao, it's not too late. Just don't attach any more soul rings to your Phoenix Melodic Flute. Wait until you can bear the load of ten-thousand-year soul rings, then continue."
"Children, it's our time to step onto the stage!" Wang Yan beamed at his students.
Ma Xiaotao and Jiang Nannan were the first to dash onto the platform and tightly hugged Zhu Ziyang, their faces glowing with ecstatic smiles. Zhu Ziyang, now embraced by two soft beauties, smiled even brighter.
To be drunk upon the knees of a beauty, and awake to wield power over the world — was there anything better?
As all the students of Shrek Academy stood proudly on the platform, the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire, Xu Jiawei, descended from the imperial platform with his officials and nobles. He stepped onto the stage and, before the entire audience, declared in a booming voice:
"As His Excellency Heavenly Fiend said, the champion of this year's All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament is once again — Shrek Academy!"
"I am not surprised by this result, for it is an honor Shrek rightfully earned. However, I am truly amazed — because Shrek Academy has granted us the incredible fortune to witness the elegance and might of a peerless genius!"
"My people, let us chant their names together!"
After finishing his proclamation, Xu Jiawei turned to the Shrek Academy team lined up proudly under the crowd's gaze. His eyes landed firmly on Zhu Ziyang, as if to etch him into his very soul, and he led the cheer:
"Shrek!"
Following their emperor's lead, the audience's passion ignited anew.
"Shrek! Shrek! Shrek!"
"Congratulations, you proud talents of Shrek Academy!" Xu Jiawei continued once the cheers had subsided. "Now, please accompany us to the imperial palace. I have prepared a banquet in your honor to celebrate your championship victory. Your rewards are also ready. Come, walk with me!"
Wang Yan hesitated slightly, unsure whether he should agree right away, but Elder Lin's voice reached his ears.
"Accept the invitation."
"Then we shall respectfully accept His Majesty's hospitality," Wang Yan said promptly.
"Hahaha, this way, please!" Xu Jiawei laughed heartily, turning to lead the way toward the imperial palace. Zhu Ziyang and Wang Yan walked beside him, followed by the others amidst the cheers of the crowd. Thus, the team from Shrek Academy entered the imperial palace of the Star Luo Empire.
They were led directly to the royal banquet hall. Everything had already been prepared. Emperor Xu Jiawei sat at the head of the table, with Duke White Tiger Dai Hao to his right and Zhu Ziyang on his left. Wang Yan, Ma Xiaotao, Jiang Nannan, and the rest took their seats accordingly.
"Everyone, please!" Xu Jiawei smiled and raised his cup.
"To His Majesty!" the officials of Star Luo and members of Shrek Academy all raised their cups in unison. Whether or not the cups held wine, everyone performed the gesture of downing the drink in one go as a sign of respect to their host.
The feast began.
The students of Shrek Academy did not act the least bit restrained or awkward. Everyone ate and drank freely, without the slightest nervousness about being at a royal banquet. The nobles at the banquet, each harboring their own motives, came forward one after another to toast and praise the Shrek students. Unfortunately for them, only Ma Xiaotao among the group was of drinking age, as per Shrek Academy's rules. The rest couldn't touch alcohol. Thus, poor Wang Yan had to take on the burden of accepting all the toasts himself — and his face quickly turned beet red.
After a few rounds of wine and dishes, Emperor Xu Jiawei waved his hand. A group of palace maids carrying exquisitely carved wooden boxes entered the hall. Each box had a transparent crystal embedded in its lid, through which the contents inside could be seen clearly.
Soul bones. All of them were soul bones.
With a warm smile, Xu Jiawei said, "In light of Shrek Academy's outstanding performance in this tournament, I have decided to increase the championship reward to five soul bones. Now, Teacher Wang Yan and Student Zhu Ziyang, please select your desired soul bones from these ten. They are all rare treasures from our imperial treasury, each at least ten-thousand years in age."
Zhu Ziyang and Wang Yan were both visibly surprised, while the other students were nearly ecstatic. According to Shrek Academy's rules, the championship rewards would be distributed among the participating team members. Previously, with only three soul bones, none of the reserve team members had any chance. But with five now available, at least one would go to the reserve team!
After a brief moment of stunned silence, Zhu Ziyang was the first to speak.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generosity."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Wang Yan quickly echoed.
"Haha, no need for thanks. You've earned it!" Emperor Xu Jiawei smiled. For him, increasing the reward from three to five soul bones was just the opening move in his bid to deepen ties with Shrek. He continued, "Please, go ahead. Jiujiuming, help Student Zhu Ziyang with the selection."
Xu Jiawei summoned Xu Jiujiu.
A hint of shyness flashed across her face, but she moved without hesitation. She approached Zhu Ziyang, gave a graceful palace bow, and smiled.
"Zhu Ziyang, we meet again."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Zhu Ziyang replied politely, unaware of the emperor's ulterior motives.
"Let's begin with this first one." Starting from left to right, they began examining the soul bones. As a top-tier auctioneer, Xu Jiujiu maintained a calm and elegant tone even though her heart was fluttering.
"This is a thirty-thousand-year Thunderfury Crocodile left arm bone. Upon fusion, it enhances lightning resistance and arm strength. It contains a fixed soul skill — Thunderfury Roar. This is a control-type skill that can stun enemies within a certain range for three seconds. I recommend this one for a lightning-element soul master."
"The second is a thirty-thousand-year Exploding Flame Ghost Shark left leg bone. It boosts fire element attacks and explosive leg strength. It is a non-fixed soul bone, so fusing it may produce a powerful offensive soul skill, especially if the user has a fire-attribute or serpent-type martial soul."
(End of Chapter)
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