"Music!"
At the Sun Moon Emperor's command, the Royal Military Band—already in formation—immediately struck up a stirring, majestic triumphal march. The deep blare of horns rolled through the clouds like dragon roars, while dense war drums pounded straight into the heart, instantly pushing the already boiling atmosphere to its peak.
At this moment, the formation of flying spirit tools in the sky was clearly visible. They had obviously noticed the commotion below as well.
"Th-this is…?"
Xiao Hongchen was the first to react. His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
"Grandpa! Look down there! Is that… is that His Majesty?!"
His voice cracked slightly. Though he was the heir of the Hongchen Family and well-traveled, he had never even heard of an Emperor personally coming ten miles out of the city to welcome someone.
Even the usually steady Ma Rulong felt his palms grow damp. He nervously adjusted his collar.
"My heavens… so many people? Even Old Hall Master Kong is here?"
Jing Hongchen had expected something like this, but seeing it with his own eyes still stirred his emotions. He took a deep breath, suppressing the smile at the corners of his mouth, and put on a calm front.
"What are you panicking for? Everyone, straighten your backs! Don't embarrass our academy!"
After speaking, he turned toward Liu Yuan—only to find that the greatest hero among them all still wore the same unruffled expression, as if the person waiting below wasn't the ruler of a nation, but merely a group of ordinary passersby.
"Xiao Yuan, are you satisfied with this reception?" Jing Hongchen couldn't help teasing.
Liu Yuan glanced at the sea of people below, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
"His Majesty is thoughtful."
…
The group soon landed.
The moment their feet touched the ground, deafening cheers surged toward them like a tidal wave.
"Long live Sun Moon! Long live Liu Yuan!" "Champions! Champions!"
Liu Yuan took the lead, guiding everyone out of the cabin.
Almost the instant his foot hit the ground, the Sun Moon Emperor—accompanied by Kong Deming—cast aside imperial decorum and strode forward.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Jing Hongchen hurriedly led the group in salutation.
"No need for formalities! None at all!"
The Sun Moon Emperor caught Liu Yuan just as he was about to bow. In those aged eyes that usually brimmed with authority, there was now only undisguised affection and excitement.
He looked the youth up and down—a boy half a head taller than himself—taking in his pine-straight posture and calm bearing, nodding repeatedly.
"Good! Excellent!"
"I have long heard that Captain Liu Yuan is a dragon among men. Seeing you today, your reputation is more than deserved! You truly are the Qilin child of my Sun Moon Empire!"
He held Liu Yuan's hand tightly, with no intention of letting go, his tone warm and genial, like that of a kindly grandfather.
"It's been a hard journey. You are heroes of the Empire. It was you who helped me—and these billions of citizens—vent years of pent-up grievance!"
"Your Majesty flatters me. Winning glory for the country is my duty," Liu Yuan replied calmly.
Neither overly humble nor arrogant, neither flustered by favor nor greedy for credit—his composure made the Sun Moon Emperor praise him even more in his heart.
After that, the Emperor personally greeted Ma Rulong, Xiao Hongchen, and the others, offering each of them sincere praise. The young people flushed with excitement, feeling as though they could die for the Empire on the spot.
Even the usually arrogant Xiao Hongchen behaved like a well-trained quail, nodding repeatedly.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries—
"Someone, prepare the carriage!"
The Sun Moon Emperor waved his hand, pointing toward the specially crafted Dragon Carriage behind him. This was the Emperor's exclusive vehicle; aside from the Empress and the Crown Prince, no one else was qualified to ride in it.
"Liu Yuan, Hall Master Jing, and you youngsters—come aboard! Today, I shall ride with you and return to the palace together!"
The moment these words were spoken, the entire field was stunned.
Even someone as deep-seated as Xu Tianran couldn't help his eyelids twitching.
Imperial Father… actually valued them this much?
"Y-Your Majesty, I'm afraid this may not be in accordance with etiquette…" the Minister of Rites whispered anxiously, wiping cold sweat from his brow.
"Etiquette?"
The Sun Moon Emperor snorted, his dominance flaring.
"Today is a day of great joy. Rules are dead—people are alive! If anyone thinks this is inappropriate, let him go to Shrek City and win that championship trophy back for me! If you can't, then shut your mouth!"
The words instantly silenced everyone.
Liu Yuan didn't stand on ceremony. Under the gaze of countless eyes, he boarded the Dragon Carriage with calm poise.
…
On the road from the outskirts to the palace, the streets were completely empty.
The massive golden Dragon Carriage moved slowly under the escort of Imperial Guards. Buildings, trees, even rooftops along the way were packed with people. Flowers rained down, and cheers rose in endless waves.
The Sun Moon Emperor was in high spirits. Along the way, he frequently waved to the people and held Liu Yuan's hand, pointing at the bustling scenery outside the window while chatting about state affairs.
From Liu Yuan's hometown to his cultivation insights, he even vaguely asked whether he had a girl he liked.
That warm, approachable demeanor showed no trace of his usual iron-blooded authority.
Xiao Hongchen and the others, seated in the same carriage, were completely dumbfounded.
"Is this really the stern Emperor who made people afraid to breathe? Why does he feel like an old man eager to marry off his granddaughter to Liu Yuan?"
Only Kong Deming, sitting quietly in the corner, watched with a thoughtful gleam in his eyes.
He knew full well that His Majesty wasn't merely showing affection—this was recruitment, an investment bordering on overt favor.
Because the potential Liu Yuan displayed was simply too terrifying.
…
At last, the motorcade entered the palace and stopped before the magnificent Great Hall.
By now, the victory banquet was fully prepared. Civil and military officials lined both sides, the atmosphere solemn yet fervent.
The Sun Moon Emperor sat high upon the dragon throne. Liu Yuan and the others were arranged in the prestigious first row on the left—seated even ahead of many imperial relatives.
After several rounds of wine and food, the most anticipated moment finally arrived.
The conferral of rewards.
A Chief Eunuch stepped forward, holding an Imperial Decree. He unfurled the bright yellow scroll and read aloud in a clear voice.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"
"The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy Team has triumphed over all rivals in the All-Continent High-Rank Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament, seizing the crown, exalting our national prestige, and shaking the world. I am greatly pleased and hereby bestow these rewards!"
"Ma Rulong, Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, and the other team members fought bravely and achieved outstanding merit. They are hereby granted the title of Earl, with a fief of five hundred households, ten thousand taels of gold, one thousand catties of rare metals, and one spirit tool from the royal treasury!"
"Whoa—!"
A wave of astonished murmurs swept through the hall.
Earls—just like that! And not empty titles, but true enfeoffments with land and authority!
In the Sun Moon Empire, noble titles were notoriously difficult to obtain. Many struggled their entire lives just to become a Viscount or Baron. These youths weren't even twenty, yet they were already Earls—a meteoric rise.
Xiao Hongchen's hands trembled with excitement. Even without a ninth-rank Core Formation, this Earl title was a solid mark of status. From this day on, he would be a prominent figure in Bright Capital.
But the true highlight was still to come.
The Chief Eunuch cleared his throat, his voice rising, solemn and resonant.
"Captain Liu Yuan—brilliant and unparalleled—turned the tide of battle. With the strength of one man, he swept aside powerful foes and achieved unprecedented merit! He is truly a pillar of the Empire, my right hand!"
"Thus, Liu Yuan is specially enfeoffed as—"
The entire hall held its breath, countless gazes converging on the youth standing calmly.
"The Duke of Divine Might!"
"Five thousand households! His fief—the Zijin Mountain Range, within a hundred-mile radius of the eastern suburbs of Bright Capital!"
"Furthermore, he shall enjoy the treatment of a Prince and is granted the right of no kneeling before the sovereign!"