"Music!"
At the Sun Moon Emperor's command, the Royal Military Band, already lined up and waiting, instantly struck up a stirring and majestic triumphal march.
The low sound of horns echoed through the clouds like dragon cries, and the dense beat of war drums seemed to strike at everyone's 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 movement below as well.
"This... this is?"
Xiao Hongchen was the first to react; at this moment, his eyes were nearly bulging out of his head.
"Grandpa! Look below! Is that... is that His Majesty?!"
Xiao Hongchen's voice cracked slightly.
Although he was the heir of the Hongchen Family and was considered well-traveled and knowledgeable, he had never even heard of such a spectacle as the Emperor himself coming out ten miles from the city to welcome someone!
The usually steady Ma Rulong's palms were sweating now, and he nervously adjusted his collar: "My god... so many people? Even Old Hall Master Kong is there?"
Although Jing Hongchen had expected this, seeing it with his own eyes still caused a surge of emotion in his heart.
He took a deep breath, trying to suppress the smile at the corners of his mouth, and put on a calm front: "What's the panic! Everyone, straighten your backs! Don't embarrass our academy!"
After speaking, he turned to look at Liu Yuan, only to find that the greatest hero of them all still wore that same unruffled expression, as if the person waiting below wasn't the ruler of a nation, but just a group of ordinary passersby.
"Xiao Yuan, are you satisfied with this reception?" Jing Hongchen couldn't help but tease.
Liu Yuan glanced at the sea of people below, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly: "His Majesty is thoughtful."
...
The group soon landed.
And the moment they touched down, deafening cheers rushed toward them like a tsunami.
"Long live Sun Moon! Long live Liu Yuan!"
"Champions! Champions!"
Liu Yuan took the lead, guiding the group out of the cabin door.
Almost the instant his foot touched the ground, the Sun Moon Emperor, accompanied by Kong Deming, disregarded imperial dignity and strode forward to meet them.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Jing Hongchen hurriedly led the group to pay their respects.
"No need for formalities! No need for any of that!"
The Sun Moon Emperor caught Liu Yuan just as he was about to bow; in those aged eyes that were usually filled with majesty, there was now nothing but 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 temperament, and couldn't help but nod repeatedly.
"Good! Excellent!"
"I have long heard that Captain Liu Yuan is a dragon among men, and seeing you today, your reputation is well-deserved! You truly are the Qilin child of my Sun Moon Empire!"
The Sun Moon Emperor held Liu Yuan's hand tightly, with no intention of letting go, his tone as warm as a grandfather next door.
"It has been a hard journey. You are heroes of the Empire. It was you who helped me, and helped these billions of citizens, vent a long-held grievance!"
"Your Majesty overpraises me. It is my duty to win glory for the country."
Liu Yuan responded neither humbly nor arrogantly, showing neither the panic of being overwhelmed by favor nor the arrogance of claiming credit. This Heart-Nature made the Sun Moon Emperor secretly praise him even more.
Afterward, the Sun Moon Emperor personally greeted Ma Rulong, Xiao Hongchen, and the others. Each received a few words of heartfelt praise, making the young people flush with excitement, wishing they could die for the Empire right then and there.
Even an arrogant fellow like Xiao Hongchen was as well-behaved as a quail, nodding repeatedly in agreement.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries.
"Someone, prepare the carriage!"
The Sun Moon Emperor waved his hand, pointing toward the specially made 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 little fellows, all of you come up! Today, I shall ride with you and return to the palace together!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire field was shocked.
Even someone as deep-seated as Xu Tianran couldn't help but twitch his eyelids.
Did Imperial Father actually value them this much?
"This... Your Majesty, I'm afraid this might not be in accordance with etiquette?" the Minister of Rites on the side wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and whispered a reminder.
"Etiquette?"
The Sun Moon Emperor snorted coldly, his dominance leaking out. "Today is a day of great joy. Rules are dead, but people are alive! If anyone thinks it's inappropriate, then let him go to Shrek City and win that championship trophy back for me again! If you can't win it back, then shut your mouth!"
These words directly silenced everyone.
Liu Yuan wasn't formal either; under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he boarded the Dragon Carriage with poise.
...
On the road from the outskirts to the palace, it could be said that the streets were empty.
The massive golden Dragon Carriage moved slowly under the escort of the Imperial Guards, and the buildings, trees, and even rooftops along the streets were packed with people.
Flowers fell like raindrops, and cheers rose wave after wave.
The Sun Moon Emperor was in high spirits; along the way, he not only frequently waved to the people but also held Liu Yuan's hand, pointing at the bustling scenes outside the window and chatting about domestic matters.
From Liu Yuan's hometown to his Cultivation insights, he even vaguely asked if he had a girl he liked.
That kind and approachable appearance showed no trace of his usual iron-blooded emperor persona.
This left Xiao Hongchen and the others in the same carriage dumbfounded.
"Was this still the dignified and heavy-handed Emperor who made people afraid to breathe? Why did he feel like an old man eager to sell his granddaughter in front of Liu Yuan?"
Only Kong Deming, in the corner, watched this scene with a thoughtful light flashing in his eyes.
He knew very well that His Majesty wasn't just showing affection; it was a form of recruitment, an investment that bordered on currying favor.
Because the potential Liu Yuan displayed was simply too terrifying.
...
Finally, the motorcade drove into the palace and stopped before the magnificent Great Hall.
By now, the prepared victory banquet had been set out, with civil and military officials lined up on both sides, the atmosphere solemn and enthusiastic.
The Sun Moon Emperor sat high upon the dragon throne, while Liu Yuan and the others were arranged in the prestigious first row on the left, even ahead of many imperial relatives.
After several rounds of wine and food.
The most exciting moment finally arrived—the rewarding of merits!
A Chief Eunuch held an Imperial Decree in his hands, walking with small steps to the center of the hall, unfurling the bright yellow scroll, and reading it aloud.
"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, bravely seizing the crown, raising our national prestige, and shaking our renown. I am greatly pleased and hereby bestow these rewards!"
"Ma Rulong, Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen... and 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, a thousand catties of rare metals, and one spirit tool from the royal collection!"
"Whoa—"
As soon as these words were spoken, a wave of envious praise erupted in the hall.
Earls right off the bat! And Earls with actual power and fiefs!
One must know that in the Sun Moon Empire, it was extremely difficult to obtain a title; many people struggled their whole lives only to become a Viscount or a Baron.
How old were these young people? Not even twenty, and they were already Earls. This was simply a meteoric rise!
Xiao Hongchen's hands were shaking with excitement. Although he didn't get a ninth-rank Core Formation, this Earl title was a solid symbol of status! From now on, in Bright Capital, he, Xiao Hongchen, would be a prominent figure!
However, the real highlight was still to come.
The Chief Eunuch cleared his throat, his voice suddenly rising several degrees, sounding exceptionally solemn.
"Captain Liu Yuan, brilliant and extraordinary, turned the tide. With the strength of one person, he swept away powerful enemies and achieved unprecedented merit! He is truly a pillar of the Empire, my right hand!"
"Specially, Liu Yuan is enfeoffed as—"
Everyone held their 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!"
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