Ning Fengzhi nearly fainted.
"His Majesty, forgive him. Lucien… is drunk. Please don't take offense."
Emperor Xue Ye chuckled heartily. "No offense, Sect Master Ning. He's not wrong—indeed, I am an old man by now. But I confess… I cannot drink at my age."
He looked down at Lucien again, faint amusement flickering in his jewel-bright eyes. The boy's crude address hadn't angered him—in fact, he felt strangely warmed. Perhaps years on the throne, smothered by endless etiquette, made Lucien's blunt honesty refreshing.
Of course, what truly softened him was Lucien's strength, and the shield of the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect standing behind his back.
"Unexpected. Our Tiandou Empire still harbors such an outstanding spirit master," Xue Ye mused aloud. "Lucien… bring glory to the Imperial Academy in this Cup, and I shall bestow upon you the rank of Viscount of Tiandou."
The court stirred—such a high honor, given at only twelve years of age!
But Lucien only hiccupped, waved dismissively, and grinned. "Viscount? Title? What's it worth? Old man, just give me… dozens of good wine jars instead!"
"…"
The Emperor froze. So did the nobles.
The throne room had rarely been silenced so thoroughly.
Countless soul masters would fight for a knighthood, a fief. He… rejected it?
Even Princess Xue Ke tugged desperately at his sleeve, face nearly red as her dress. "Lucien! That's a knighthood! With it, Father could even grant permission for us to—"
But her words died in her throat.
Ning Fengzhi's voice slid smoothly over the awkwardness. "Your Majesty, Lucien is still very young. He has an unruly nature, unaccustomed to formality. Let us revisit the matter of titles later."
His intent was clear: best not to bind Lucien too closely to the crown. The Sect preferred him under their own banner, not shackled by imperial fealty.
Emperor Xue Ye studied them both, then chuckled again, releasing the pressure. "Very well! If it is wine you want… then wine I shall give you. A hundred altars of my royal tribute stock!"
Lucien's eyes gleamed. He licked his lips audibly. "Now you're talking!"
Two days later, after the off-season break.
The Tiandou Cup entered its elimination rounds. Thanks to Lucien's presence, Kamikaze had been hammered, and Blazing advanced by surrender-shenanigans.
Now, the top four remained: Tianshui, Thunder, Blazing, and Tiandou Royal Academy.
The first semi-final: Tiandou Royal Academy vs. Thunder Academy.
This round was singles. Best of seven.
Yu Tianheng sat in the rest seats, practically glowing with schadenfreude. For once, he didn't have to risk his life as Lucien's "teammate." Even better, his cousin—Yu Tianxin—stood on the opposing bench.
Last night, Tianheng had even snuck Lucien two full jars of fragrant wine, whispering: "Big Brother, please… beat him until he squeals."
And Lucien, of course, had laughed, tipped the wine down, and declared, "Deal."
Tianheng was still grinning hours later. As long as he doesn't die, beat him half-dead. Perfect!
On the stage.
"Tiandou Royal Academy versus Thunder Academy! Fighters, enter!"
Yu Tianxin walked stiffly forward, heart pounding. His teammates chattered in panic—
"Captain, don't fight. Just surrender, Blazing surrendered too!"
"Why be the only fool?!"
"Captain, you'll get killed up there!"
But Tianxin's jaw set firm. If I surrender, I'll lose all claim to succeed the Blue Lightning Overlord Sect. I can't be branded a coward. Even if I lose, I must stand tall.
The gong struck—"Start!!"
Lucien swayed into the ring, jug already half-drained, eyes hazy. "Two jars last night, cousin? Wahahaha… hiccup!"
Yu Tianxin grit his teeth. "Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon—possess!"
Spirit power roared over him, claws of thunder sparking.
"Third Ability—Thor's Wrath!" His muscles bulged, lightning doubling his strength.
"Fourth Ability—Dragon Disease!" Tiny azure dragons leapt from his body, hissing with violent arcs, converging on Lucien.
Black mist swelled. Lucien drove his sword into the ground. Flames surged, cruel and dark, rising two meters high.
Sword · Will.
The granite beneath his feet charred in a spreading circle. Azure lightning serpents plummeted into the black fire—detonating into crackling sparks, nothing left behind.
The crowd gasped.
And then—Lucien vanished.
Appearing behind Tianxin before the audience could blink, he casually drove his fist into his cousin's waist.
BOOM—!
Tianxin skidded meters across stone, wheezing, grimacing in pain.
"Hah! Nice! Hit that silly roe deer!" Yu Tianheng cheered obnoxiously from the benches, clapping with delight.
Shaking, Tianxin charged again. "For my Sect's heirship—Thunderbolt!!"
But Lucien's afterimages scattered like wind.
A black slash drove into Tianxin's chest, crushing through his lightning armor, flattening him to the ground. He gasped for breath, staring at the ceiling.
The referee bolted up, waving frantically. "Winner: Lucien! Thunder Academy's Yu Tianxin—defeat!"
Cheers shook the arena.
Lucien grinned, took another long drink. "Not bad, brat. At least you dared to fight. Better than those Muggles earlier."
For a flicker, Tianxin's chest swelled with a strange pride. Lucien praised me…
Then came the sting.
"But still weaker than that stinky boy Yu Tianheng."
"…"
Yu Tianxin's face collapsed, despair heavier than the beating. Why compare me to him?!
On Thunder's side, their supervising teacher stood instantly. "Enough! We surrender this match!"
The flag went up. To stay meant annihilation. No good seedlings would be thrown away just to prove a point.
"Thunder Academy concedes! Tiandou Royal advances!"
From the audience, voices whispered:
"Another Academy surrenders?"
"Who dares actually compete against this monster?"
"At least Kamikaze fought on. Blazing and Thunder folded like sheep."
Feng Xiaotian leapt up, furious. "At least I didn't surrender! I fought him head on!"
Students jeered: "Oh right, and got used as a mop!"
"Flattened like a pancake!"
"Arghhh!!!"
Feng Xiaotian nearly fainted from sheer rage.
Back in the rest area, Lucien drained yet another jug, belly warm. "Gulp, gulp… ha! This Tiandou Cup's the best. Beat people, win wine… should've joined years ago."
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