Ning Fengzhi gave a practiced, apologetic cough and leaned toward Emperor Xue Ye. "Your Majesty, Lu Yuan has had a bit to drink. Please, forgive him."
The Emperor, who had just been offered a swig straight from a wine jar by the boy in question, let out a booming laugh. "Hahaha! No offense taken. You're right—I am an old man. But alas, I can no longer touch wine these days."
His laughter carried a strange warmth. Perhaps it was the blunt way Lu Yuan had addressed him, without the usual suffocating layers of flattery. Or perhaps it was simply that Lu Yuan's strength was undeniable, bolstered further by his ties to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Whatever the case, Emperor Xue Ye looked at the boy with far more fondness than anger.
"Old man, you're pretty easy to get along with!" Lu Yuan grinned, swaying on his feet.
The courtiers gasped at such insolence, but Emperor Xue Ye merely chuckled again. "Unexpected! Our Tiandou Empire truly has such an outstanding genius. Lu Yuan, as long as you can lead Tiandou Royal Academy to seize this year's championship, I shall grant you the noble rank of Viscount within the Empire." His voice carried weight across the chamber; the decree was practically settled already. In truth, he had made up his mind after Lu Yuan's very first battle. The championship condition was nothing but a formality.
A child this monstrous, this wickedly talented—if the Crown could win him over—it would be a treasure for the entire Tiandou royal line.
But Lu Yuan only blinked, tilted his jar, and burped loudly. "Title? What do I need a title for? Your Majesty, if you want to reward me, just give me dozens of good wine jars."
The palace went silent.
The Emperor froze for half a heartbeat, unused to rejection, especially of something most nobles would slaughter their kin to attain. A viscountcy—lands, wealth, prestige—turned down without hesitation.
Even Princess Xue Ke almost choked. She tugged frantically on the hem of Lu Yuan's robe. "Brother Lu Yuan, that's not just some gift! A knighthood means you'll one day hold a fief! Do you understand?" Her heart raced. If Lu Yuan accepted such an ennoblement, she could approach her father openly to ask for betrothal. With a knighthood, he would never be dismissed as "only" a gifted student.
But Lu Yuan shrugged her off gently. "I only like wine. Fiefs, lands, titles—what can I drink from those?"
Xue Ke nearly cried on the spot.
Ning Fengzhi quickly stepped forward, smooth as ever. "Your Majesty, Lu Yuan is still very young. He's used to being carefree, without much concern for worldly status. Why not leave the matter of titles aside for now? Later, when he matures, such honors will surely have greater meaning."
Though he smiled, Ning Fengzhi's motives were sharp. First, Lu Yuan was part of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. They had no desire to see his loyalty chained to the Tiandou royal family. Second, a title would inevitably bind Lu Yuan under imperial authority—something Ning Fengzhi had no intention of allowing.
Hearing this, Emperor Xue Ye stroked his beard, pondering. He could not press after Ning Fengzhi offered such a tactful deflection. And so he adjusted, his eyes gleaming.
"Very well. Since you don't care for titles… then I shall grant you what you desire most." He raised his arm grandly. "Fetch it! A reward of one hundred altars of the Empire's tribute wine."
The courtiers gasped, but Lu Yuan's lips instantly curled into a wide, intoxicated smile. He licked them greedily, his eyes glittering.
A hundred jars of fine wine.
This Tiandou Cup really was worth it.
He swayed happily in place, humming nonsense, while the most powerful men of the empire exchanged complicated glances around him.
Two days later, after the scheduled off‑season break, the Tiandou Cup resumed.
Lu Yuan's savage hammering of Feng Xiaotian and Blazing had left ripples across the tournament. Still, with Kamikaze battered and demoralized, Blazing Academy managed to scrape a victory over them.
Thus, the semifinal four were decided: Tianshui, Thunder, Blazing, and Tiandou Royal Academy.
From this stage, the matches shifted to a one‑on‑one format. A safer choice, perhaps, given that with Lu Yuan teaming in—well, "teams" had been meaningless anyway. Win two duels out of three, and your academy advanced.
Across the Royal Academy's rest benches, the loudest sigh of relief belonged to Yu Tianheng.
No more team matches. No more standing on the same battlefield as Lu Yuan, their supposed "teammate." He could finally breathe without worrying about blades whirling past his head—or fists meant for an opponent slamming into his ribs instead.
Better still, Thunder Academy's first fighter was none other than Yu Tianxin—his cousin, his equal, his rival.
Among the twin talents of the Blue Lightning Overlord Sect, the struggle had always been between them: Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin, the so‑called Twin Stars, equally gifted and equally burdened by expectation. The seat of Sect Heir had always hung balanced between them.
Now? That balance was doomed.
If Yu Tianxin were thrashed here, before the Emperor's own eyes, the heir's path would tilt heavily in Yu Tianheng's favor. Two jars of fine wine were sent overnight to secure Lu Yuan's fists for the cause.
"Brother Lu Yuan," Tianheng had whispered eagerly, "please… just beat that silly deer into the ground. As hard as you like."
Lu Yuan's eyes had gleamed through his haze. "No problem. As long as the wine flows."
The day came quickly.
"Tiandou Royal Academy versus Thunder Academy! Enter the arena!"
The crowd roared with anticipation as both teams formed up.
Yu Tianxin felt his heartbeat hammering like a drum. He had only just broken through the previous day—stepping into the Soul Sect realm. Surely, it would give him a little face against Lu Yuan. Perhaps he didn't have to lose too pitifully.
Besides, if he backed away, Tianheng would use it forever against him. The heir's seat had no room for weakness.
"Game start!"
Blue‑purple light lit Yu Tianxin's body instantly. His dragon claws glimmered with electricity, muscles surging in size and power.
"Third skill! Thor's Wrath!" he shouted, his body crackling as raw thunder wrapped him like coiled serpents. His power doubled in a heartbeat. Immediately after—
"Fourth skill! Blue Lightning Dragon's Rage!"
Dozens of tiny azure dragons burst from his aura, screaming forward toward Lu Yuan like a tide of current.
But Lu Yuan just sighed, planting his sword lazily into the arena floor behind him.
Black fire erupted upward, climbing two meters. The granite beneath charred and cracked like fragile wood, the very stone melting to cinders.
The flame swallowed the lightning whole. The brilliant blue dragons fizzled one by one, burning to vapor with hissing pops.
The crowd gasped.
And by the time recognition hit, Lu Yuan's body was already gone.
He appeared behind Yu Tianxin in the blink of an eye. His fist slammed into the boy's waist, sending him airborne across the stage. He crashed several meters away, coughing, then pushed himself up groggily, grinning through bloody lips.
"Yes! Hit that silly deer harder!" Yu Tianheng roared from the stands, clapping wildly, his grin wide. Pure joy radiated from him.
"Thor's Lightning!!" Yu Tianxin screamed, gathering everything left, the thought of his succession on the line.
But Lu Yuan was already moving. His figure blurred, leaving phantom images on the battlefield. Then a blade struck directly against his cousin's chest.
The beautiful violet armor broke like glass. Gasps filled the air as his body slammed down hard, the impact rattling the boards. Yu Tianxin choked for air, throat constricting painfully.
The referee rushed in, panicked. "Lu Yuan wins!" he declared instantly, fearful the Soul King would cut again if left unchecked.
Lu Yuan swayed, purple jar in hand. "Boy, not bad! At least you dared to fight." He took another loud gulp.
Yu Tianxin, groaning as he staggered upright, froze. Was… that a compliment? Did Lu Yuan just praise him?
His heart actually swelled a little. But then—
"…Still weaker than Yu Tianheng, though."
Yu Tianxin's face fell into a sea of dark lines. Why compare me only to him?! Anyone but him!
Thunder Academy, shattered in spirit, didn't even bother with round two. A teacher raised the white flag almost immediately.
"We surrender! Thunder Academy forfeits!"
They had seen enough. This wasn't a contest. This was slaughter disguised in rules. Why squander their future talents just for show?
The announcement rang out.
"Thunder Academy surrenders! Royal Academy advances!"
The crowd buzzed, some cheering wildly, others murmuring about unfairness. But one thing was certain: none could stand before Lu Yuan.
"See! Our Kamikaze never surrendered," Feng Xiaotian boasted loudly over the noise. "The rest are all scaredy‑cats—softbones!"
The stands responded with unimpressed jeers.
"Oh really? You didn't surrender because you couldn't move, you fool!"
"If Lu Yuan hadn't stopped, you'd still be stuck face‑down in the dirt!"
"Don't brag about being a scarecrow!"
Feng Xiaotian's face turned crimson.
But Lu Yuan? He simply grinned, lifting his jar. With wine in hand and victory at his feet, life was comfortable.
Especially now, knowing—back at the Palace—a hundred altars were waiting for him.
--
Unlock 50 exclusive advanced chapters for just $10 – don't miss out! Check the synopsis/description for the link! 🚀
Loved this fic? 🔥 Then you'll absolutely binge my other hits — "Douluo Dalu: Ten Thousand Years Early System!" & "Douluo Dalu: My Harem System is Bugged!" — don't miss out!