The exchange between Gu Xuan and Qian Renxue high in the sky was known only to the Second Worship, Golden Crocodile Douluo; the crowd below remained entirely in the dark. After sealing the Three-Year Promise with Qian Renxue, Gu Xuan gave another respectful bow to the Second Worship and descended toward the arena below.
As Gu Xuan landed on the stage, Qian Renxue returned as well, while Golden Crocodile Douluo resumed his seat.
Qian Renxue had replaced her golden veil, her face expressionless as she announced, "I lost..."
No one present doubted this admission. They had seen the final result; had Golden Crocodile Douluo not intervened, Qian Renxue might not even be standing there now. Still, the outcome did nothing to dampen their shock and awe at Gu Xuan's strength!
A Rank 56 Soul King had actually defeated the Rank 74 Qian Renxue? Not only was her Six-Winged Angel a god-level Martial Soul, but she also possessed a domain! That was a power even Titled Douluos didn't necessarily possess. And yet, she lost?
'Is this Gu Xuan truly such a monster? Even Tang San likely cannot compare to him now,' the spectators whispered. While Tang San was a twin martial soul user with immense potential, who at the same rank could boast the combat power Gu Xuan just displayed?
The members of the Imperial Team were ecstatic. Though they played no part in the final clash, as the winning team, this glory undoubtedly belonged to them as well.
As Gu Xuan landed, beams of pale pink and blue light enveloped him, mending his physical wounds and replenishing his soul power. These came from Ye Lingling and Ning Rongrong, respectively. The two girls looked at Gu Xuan with heartache, pouring out their soul power without regard for the cost to provide him with recovery.
Dugu Yan, Li Li, and Zhu Zhuqing also watched Gu Xuan with deep concern. Fortunately, thanks to the healing and restoration from the other two, Gu Xuan's swaying figure managed to stabilize.
'Because I used the Gold-level Second Awakening, my body is on the verge of total overload. Being able to stand is already a miracle,' Gu Xuan thought.
Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin exchanged a silent glance, seeing both relief and immense joy in each other's eyes. As his elders, they were the ones most gratified by Gu Xuan's achievement.
Qian Renxue left immediately after her brief announcement, with Golden Crocodile Douluo following her. Her exhaustion was significant, and she required time to recover as well.
With her departure, the rest of the Spirit Hall team followed. How could they bear to stay and watch the Heaven Dou Imperial Team claim the rewards that were supposed to be theirs? Though their hearts were full of resentment, what could they do? Even Qian Renxue had lost; had they stepped up, they would have only lost more miserably. They could only retreat in dejection.
As Hu Liena left, she cast a long, lingering look at Gu Xuan from a distance. No one knew what she was thinking.
With the Spirit Hall team gone, the members of the Imperial Team swarmed onto the stage. Ye Lingling supported Gu Xuan, asking anxiously, "How is your body?"
Gu Xuan patted her head and smiled. "I'm fine."
This sight caused a pang of bitterness in the hearts of Dugu Yan and the other three girls. 'The one closest to the water enjoys the moon first! Such a perfect opportunity to show concern, and Sister Lingling snatched it up.'
Ning Rongrong, in particular, pouted inwardly. 'I was the one who helped Brother Gu Xuan recover, but Sister Lingling is the only one who gets a head pat... I'm not happy...'
At that moment, Pope Bibi Dong and the Titled Douluos all rose. Bibi Dong announced with a calm face, "The final champion of this year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament is—the Heaven Dou Imperial Team."
"Congratulations to you, talented young soul masters."
The members of the Heaven Dou Imperial Team stood in a line. Their leader, Qin Ming, stood beside them, his face radiating absolute glory. If Flender were here, his teeth would be aching with envy; the dream he had chased for half his life had been realized by Qin Ming. Though Qin Ming hadn't contributed much and had instead benefited from Gu Xuan's presence, from this day forward, he would be a "Golden Brand" in the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
Bibi Dong tapped her scepter lightly, and the three brocade trays holding the three soul bones reappeared. These were treasures of the soul master world!
The Cardinal, acting as referee, shouted, "Representative of the Heaven Dou Imperial Team, please step forward to receive the championship reward."
Naturally, everyone's eyes turned to Gu Xuan. Who else could represent the team on that stage? Qin Ming smiled at him. "I held no hope for this battle, but because of you, we won. This is your honor."
Gu Xuan offered a small smile and walked with firm, steady steps toward Pope Bibi Dong.
When Gu Xuan arrived before her, he realized just how breathtakingly beautiful the Pope was. Noble, elegant, and serene—every beautiful adjective seemed to apply to this woman. Though she was no longer young, time seemed to have left no mark upon her.
However, even as a self-proclaimed 'connoisseur' (LSP), Gu Xuan could feel no tenderness for her. 'This woman is the source of all the chaos. She appears infinitely beautiful on the surface, but in reality, she is an absolute lunatic. If I must have feelings for her, she could be treated as a trophy or a toy...'
He cast only a brief glance before lowering his eyes and bowing. This was respect for a powerhouse.
Bibi Dong gazed at Gu Xuan, a glint of light in her eyes as she spoke softly. "You are remarkable—even more so than I anticipated. Your life should not be lived in mediocrity. Are you willing to join Spirit Hall?"
Gu Xuan didn't look up, though he was speechless. 'Isn't this the same play she used on Tang San in the original story? Does she not know I'm from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?'
He lowered his head further and said in a respectful tone, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Holiness. However, I was born into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan; that is where I belong."
Gu Xuan's tone was so humble that it would be difficult for anyone to speak a harsh word to him. This was exactly what he wanted. He didn't like 'showing off'; he wanted to remain as low-profile as possible.
'It's best if no one notices me. I'll just develop in secret and then shock everyone in the end!'
As if she had already guessed his answer, Bibi Dong feigned a look of regret. "In that case, I wish you greater achievements in the future. May you one day step into the Hall of Douluos."
With that, she handed over the trays.
Feeling the powerful aura emanating from the three soul bones, Gu Xuan took them. Even a man of his experience felt his heart tremble violently. Three soul bones! These weren't cabbages; a single soul bone could change a soul master's life. And he had just won three top-tier ones in a single afternoon.
Simultaneously, countless greedy gazes shot toward him from all sides. What soul master wouldn't feel desire upon seeing a soul bone? Gu Xuan took the reward and walked back to his companions through a sea of avarice.
(End of Chapter)
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