The finals left the audience reeling with emotion—from soaring excitement, to crushing disappointment, and then to overwhelming exhilaration once again.
At first, the crowd was thrilled, eagerly anticipating this rare clash of titans. But when they saw that Shrek Academy only sent one person for the team battle, many were disappointed—was this a joke? Then, the lone warrior exploded onto the battlefield, displaying a second martial soul with five hundred-thousand-year soul rings, instantly defeating all seven members of the Sun Moon Team.
It was beyond exhilarating.
Over 80% of the spectators had watched every match from the very beginning of the tournament. When Zhu Ziyang revealed his five crimson soul rings, they were instantly reminded of the first match—of another boy who had also shown five red rings: Huo Yuhao.
But this time, it was fundamentally different.
That earlier moment with Huo Yuhao had felt like a tease—as if Shrek Academy were playing a joke or giving them a vague preview.
But Zhu Ziyang?
He wasn't a joke.
He was a masterpiece.
This was what it meant to bookend the story with impact—to begin and end with echoes of greatness.
The moment Heavenfiend Douluo Huang Jinxu announced Shrek Academy as the champion, the crowd could no longer contain themselves. They stood up en masse, shouting in unison:
"Shrek! Shrek! Shrek!"
After three thunderous chants of Shrek, someone started shouting another name—
and quickly, the entire plaza followed:
"Zhu Ziyang! Zhu Ziyang! Zhu Ziyang!"
Zhu Ziyang stood in the center of it all, basking in the glory.
He loved the sound of his name being called as the undeniable victor.
In Shrek Academy's rest area, the four elders smiled in satisfaction. They rose and applauded.
Wang Yan was beaming. His mission was finally complete.
Ma Xiaotao and Jiang Nannan were both gazing at Zhu Ziyang, eyes full of admiration and infatuation.
"So this is Ziyang's true strength…"
Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi exchanged wry smiles.
"We should've known."
"I want to become just like Brother Ziyang!" Huo Yuhao declared in his heart.
He cast a glance at the imperial palace in the distance.
"Only then can I avenge my mother—and make that man pay!"
"What do I do? Yuhao, Wang Dong, I regret attaching soul rings to my second martial soul!" Xiao Xiao wailed, genuinely distraught.
"Ahhh! I want to be like Senior Ziyang too—with all hundred-thousand-year rings! Or at least all ten-thousand-year ones! What do I do?!"
Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, who also had twin martial souls, felt secretly grateful they hadn't made that mistake. Still, they comforted her.
"It's not too late, Xiao Xiao," Wang Dong said.
"Just don't attach any more rings to your Phoenix Flute until you can handle higher-tier ones."
"Kids, it's time to go onstage!" Wang Yan said with a wide smile.
Ma Xiaotao and Jiang Nannan rushed forward and leapt onto the platform, throwing themselves into Zhu Ziyang's arms. Their faces glowed with excitement, and Zhu Ziyang's smile only brightened as he held them.
To sleep on a beauty's lap, and wake with the world in your grasp—what more could a man want?
As the rest of the Shrek team ascended the platform, Emperor Xu Jiawei stepped down from the city tower, accompanied by his officials and nobles. With all eyes watching, he declared loudly:
"As Lord Heavenfiend has announced, the champions of this Continental Elite Tournament are once again—Shrek Academy!
I'm not surprised by this outcome. Shrek has earned this glory.
But I am delighted—because Shrek has given us the honor of witnessing the rise of a once-in-a-lifetime prodigy!
Citizens! Let us shout their names together!"
He turned toward the Shrek team, now standing proudly before the crowd. His gaze settled on Zhu Ziyang, as if etching his image permanently into his memory.
Then, with conviction, he raised his voice:
"Shrek!"
Following the Emperor's lead, the audience's already-burning passion ignited once more. Together, they chanted:
"Shrek! Shrek! Shrek!"
"Congratulations to all of you—geniuses of Shrek Academy!" Xu Jiawei said after the cheers subsided.
"Now, please join me in the palace. I have prepared a banquet to celebrate your victory. Your rewards are also ready—follow me, and receive what you've earned!"
The invitation left Wang Yan briefly uncertain. He was about to ask for time to consult the team when Elder Lin's voice echoed in his ear:
"Accept it."
"We would be honored, Your Majesty," Wang Yan responded at once.
"Hahaha! Then come with me!" Xu Jiawei laughed heartily, turning to lead the way.
Zhu Ziyang and Wang Yan followed beside him, and under a cascade of cheers, Shrek Academy entered the Star Luo Imperial Palace.
They were led straight to the grand hall where royal banquets were held. Everything had been exquisitely prepared.
Xu Jiawei sat at the head of the table, with Duke Dai Hao on his right and Zhu Ziyang on his left.
Wang Yan, Ma Xiaotao, Jiang Nannan, and the others sat further down the long table.
"Everyone, please!" Xu Jiawei smiled, raising his wine cup.
"Your Majesty, please!" the Star Luo officials and Shrek members echoed, lifting their cups. Whether they drank or merely mimed the motion, all followed etiquette to show respect for their host.
The banquet began.
None of the Shrek students were reserved. They laughed, ate, and enjoyed the food openly. They didn't feel overwhelmed by the royal setting at all.
The nobles present, each with their own agenda, tried to curry favor—especially with Zhu Ziyang. They toasted him repeatedly, but aside from Ma Xiaotao, who was of drinking age, none of the other students were allowed to drink by Shrek's academy rules.
The one who suffered for this was Wang Yan, who had to drink in their place.
Cup after cup went down until his face turned visibly red.
After several rounds of wine and dishes, Xu Jiawei clapped his hands.
A group of palace maids entered, each carrying a beautiful wooden box in her hands. They stood in a line before the Shrek students, each box inset with a transparent crystal window that revealed the treasures inside—
Soul bones. All of them soul bones!
Xu Jiawei beamed.
"In light of Shrek Academy's extraordinary performance, I've decided to increase the championship reward from three soul bones to five.
Teacher Wang Yan, Student Zhu Ziyang—please select your preferred ones from these ten soul bones. Each is a treasured relic from the royal vault, all over ten thousand years old."
Everyone—Zhu Ziyang, Wang Yan, even the rest of the team—was visibly stunned.
The preliminary team, including Bei Bei and the others, were especially ecstatic. Under normal rules, if there were only three soul bones, they would never have gotten one. But with five soul bones now offered, even the prelim team had a chance!
After all, who could resist the allure of a soul bone?
Zhu Ziyang was the first to speak.
"Thank you for Your Majesty's generosity!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wang Yan quickly followed.
"Haha, no need for thanks. You've earned this," Xu Jiawei replied warmly.
This reward was just a first step in strengthening ties with Shrek.
"Now then—Jiujiu, help Student Zhu Ziyang choose."
Princess Xu Jiujiu stepped forward. Though her cheeks were slightly flushed, her composure didn't falter. She performed a graceful court salute.
"Zhu Ziyang, we meet again."
"I'll trouble you, Princess," he responded politely, unaware of Xu Jiawei's intentions behind this pairing.
"Please look at this first soul bone," Jiujiu began.
"It's the Thirty-Thousand-Year Wild Thunder Crocodile Left Arm Bone.
Once fused, it enhances lightning resistance and arm strength. It comes with a fixed soul skill: Thunder Roar, a control-type skill that stuns enemies within a range for three seconds. Ideal for lightning-element soul masters."
She moved to the next one.
"This is the Thirty-Thousand-Year Blazing Ghost Shark Left Leg Bone. It increases fire-elemental attack power and explosive burst from the leg. It doesn't have a fixed skill, but if fused with a fire-element or serpent-type soul master, it may grant a powerful offensive ability."
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