Mu En furrowed his brows and contemplated for a while. It did seem feasible.
This plan, first, would ensure Ma Xiaotao's safety by exchanging equally important students with the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy.
Second, it could resolve the issue of her evil fire.
Third, after the tournament, the performance of the Sun and Moon Empire's soul tools had shocked the entirety of Shrek Academy. Learning soul tool technology was now an urgent priority, and even if Ma Xiaotao didn't learn to use them herself, just gathering intelligence while in the Sun and Moon Empire would be extremely beneficial.
"Not bad. We'll go with your plan, Xuan Zi. Originally, since you—a Rank 98 Super Douluo—made such a grave error against a mere five-ringed evil soul master, I hadn't intended to restore your limbs or cultivation. But since you've made up for it with this contribution, I will now do everything in my power to help you recover."
"Thank you, Elder Mu!"
Xuan Zi was overjoyed and kowtowed on the ground, eyes brimming with gratitude.
Outside Shrek Academy, in Shrek's outer city—
At this moment, Wang Yan stood in a daze, backpack slung over his shoulder. He had indeed been dismissed from Shrek Academy.
He clenched his fists tightly, thinking back to the conversation he'd had with Yan Shaozhe after returning to Shrek City with the tournament team.
"Wang Yan, I'm sorry. Since we didn't win the championship, the elders in the Sea God Pavilion were quite displeased. The responsibility can only fall on you."
Though the words were apologetic, Wang Yan saw no hint of true remorse in Yan Shaozhe's expression.
"I'll arrange a respectable job for you here in Shrek City. After all, you were once a teacher in our outer court."
Settling into an inn in the city, Wang Yan buried his face in his hands and wept. The harsh reality of a shattered dream crushed his spirit completely. He couldn't see any road ahead.
Meanwhile, in Mingdu, capital of the Sun and Moon Empire—
The city was boiling with excitement. Countless citizens crowded along Sun Moon Avenue leading to the royal palace, all wearing expressions of eager anticipation.
Two rows of fully armed soul engineer troops lined the avenue in a ceremonial guard.
At exactly noon, under the blazing sun, the opposite end of the avenue erupted with the sound of orchestral music from the imperial band.
The crowd looked toward the source of the music, where the royal honor guard led the way. Following them were three golden carriages, escorted by the band. Inside them rode the victorious team members of the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, who had just claimed glory as champions of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
Wherever the carriages passed, waves of cheers and praise erupted. Several excited team members even stood up, poking their heads out to greet the crowd.
Among them, the most elated was Xiao Hongchen. He never imagined that someone as young as himself could bring such an honor to the empire.
Watching her overly excited brother, Meng Hongchen—seated beside Huo Yuhao—gave a helpless smile. She too was filled with excitement and pride.
"Yuhao, you're so calm. Not at all like my crazy brother."
Huo Yuhao really wasn't feeling particularly thrilled. What he truly looked forward to was the awards ceremony to be held inside the palace afterward.
'What kind of reward will the royal family give us?'
His thoughts drifted as his imagination ran wild.
Before long, the carriages arrived at the base of the imperial palace. Dressed in formal attire, the team from the Royal Academy stepped down and, surrounded by the royal honor guard, entered the palace and made their way to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Seated atop the dragon throne at the highest point of the hall was the old emperor of the Sun and Moon Empire. He had a kind and gentle face, but Huo Yuhao gave him only a brief glance before thinking to himself:
'This mild-looking old man actually gave birth to the cold-blooded prince Xu Tiannan?'
"Salute His Majesty the Emperor!"
At the command, the team knelt on one knee in unison and shouted:
"Greetings to His Majesty!"
The old emperor smiled cheerfully at the talented young people of his empire and slowly said,
"Good, good… you may rise, all of you, the proud young talents of my Sun and Moon Empire."
What followed was a long-winded speech praising their achievements and expressing hope that they would serve the nation in the future.
After he had finally finished, he paused for a moment, then said,
"Now, the empire never shortchanges its heroes. Let the awarding and commendation ceremony begin."
Only then did Huo Yuhao finally relax, not just because the ceremony was starting, but also because he had been worried the old man might drop dead mid-speech—leaving Xu Tiannan to take the throne right then and there.
Though Xu Tiannan's succession was inevitable, Huo Yuhao still preferred for it to happen as late as possible.
Just as the emperor's voice faded, the side door of the hall swung open with a heavy rumble—and the person who entered stunned Huo Yuhao: Xu Tiannan.
"Father."
Pushed in by a guard, Xu Tiannan entered in a wheelchair, followed by over a dozen soldiers each carrying a tray covered with cloth. After bowing respectfully to the emperor, who nodded in response, the old man said,
"Very well. As a symbol of the empire's appreciation and hope for its future talents, the Crown Prince himself will award and honor you."
Upon hearing this, many of the academy students began to breathe heavily with excitement. The Crown Prince himself was going to give them their awards!
Xu Tiannan, wearing a calm smile, walked his wheelchair toward the lined-up team members. He stopped in front of Ma Rulong, took an award from one of the guards, lifted the cloth, and handed it to Ma Rulong.
"Ma Rulong. As the captain of the Sun and Moon team, you bore great responsibility and brought glory to the empire. In recognition, I hereby bestow upon you the Empire's Radiant Glory Medal, the honorary title of Baron, and a Class Nine soul tool."
Ma Rulong's hands trembled slightly as he received the elegant weapon-like Class Nine soul tool and the sapphire short sword engraved with the Sun and Moon emblem, symbolizing his new title.
The rewards were beyond his imagination. A Radiant Glory Medal well known throughout the empire, an honorary noble title that, though not granting land, carried great status and could be passed down—plus a top-grade soul tool.
Moreover, descendants of honorary barons who performed well could eventually receive land matching their title.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
After pinning the medal to his chest, Xu Tiannan simply nodded with a faint smile and moved on to the next student.
Before long, it was Huo Yuhao's turn.
Xu Tiannan looked at him with a meaningful smile, then presented him with his award.
Among the team, only Ma Rulong received the title of honorary baron. The others were granted viscount titles. Everything else was the same.
However, each received a different Class Nine soul tool, seemingly tailored to their individual specialties.
Huo Yuhao's reward was a helmet-like soul tool. As for its specific function, he figured he'd need to consult his teacher—or perhaps his grandfather—to understand it.
(End of Chapter)
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