Even Luo Bing, who had clashed with Xiao Han in the past, and Shi Lei, who had been defeated by him, and other core members, were now completely convinced.
Luo Bing pursed her lips, her eyes filled with complex emotions, but ultimately she let out a soft congratulation. Shi Lei, on the other hand, exclaimed heartily, "Xiao Han, you're really awesome!"
Xiao Han earned everyone's respect through his undeniable strength.
Following the awards ceremony was the routine post-match press conference.
Faced with a barrage of questions and tricky questions from the media, Xiao Han maintained his consistent style.
"Xiao Han, may I ask how you managed to evolve your F-rank dual-useless Martial Soul to such a level in such a short time?" a reporter asked preemptively.
Xiao Han smiled faintly, "I was lucky; I encountered some fortuitous events."
"Was the extraordinary power you unleashed in the semi-finals and finals related to your Martial Soul? Has your Martial Soul's rank surpassed SSS+?"
Another reporter pressed for an answer.
"I suppose so. As for the rank, I'm not entirely sure myself." Xiao Han answered ambiguously, his face bearing a "guess what" expression, leaving the reporters scratching their heads in bewilderment, yet utterly helpless.
He was a man of few words, especially when it came to his own secrets, simply expressing his gratitude to the university and his mentors for their guidance and stating that he would continue to work hard.
This low-key and mysterious attitude only added to his unfathomable image in the eyes of others.
The press conference ended abruptly, Xiao Han declined all invitations to banquets and celebrations. Under Lin Qingxia's cover, he quickly returned to his private courtyard.
"Bang!"
Closing the courtyard gate shut out all the noise from the outside world, Xiao Han swayed and almost fell. He leaned against the wall, breathing heavily, his back instantly soaked with cold sweat.
"Damn it, showing off is fun for a moment, but it's a disaster afterwards..." He chuckled to himself, trying to find humor in his actions, and dragged his exhausted body, staggering into the cultivation room.
He sat down cross-legged and immediately took out the reward scroll awarded by the principal from his storage ring.
With a probe of divine sense, the contents of the list clearly appeared.
[Permanent access to the third floor of the Star Pavilion]: You can freely view all cultivation techniques, martial arts skills, and secrets within the third floor.
[Special Secret Realm - Chaos Pool]: One of the forbidden areas of the academy, it is rumored to be a source of chaotic energy left over from the founding of the academy, with incredible effects on Martial Soul evolution, physical tempering, and realm comprehension. Usage period: thirty days.
[Academy Contribution Points]: One million points.
[Champion Exclusive Resource Pack]: Contains one Grade 9 healing elixir, "Nine-Turn Soul-Returning Pill"; ten bottles of Grade 8 cultivation aid pills, "Purple Extreme Spirit Nourishing Pill"; several high-level exotic beast cores; and several rare refining materials...
Faced with this dazzling array of rewards, even Xiao Han demeanor, couldn't help but breathe more rapidly.
The third floor of the Star Pavilion means that he can access the most advanced cultivation methods in the Dragon Nation, and perhaps find the complete chapters of "Annihilation Divine Fist" and "Green Lotus Sword Song", or even find a shadow void-type divine skill that is more compatible with the Eternal Night Monarch.
The Chaos Pool! The mere mention of "chaos" was enough to excite him.
His Chaos Green Lotus Martial Soul might gain tremendous benefits there, and even evolve again! If he uses this month properly, his strength could definitely undergo another earth-shattering transformation.
One million contribution points instantly transformed him from a "poor boy" into a "millionaire." Countless rare resources in the academy's treasury could be exchanged as long as he had enough contribution points.
And that Nine-Turn Soul-Returning Pill is exactly the healing elixir he needs right now!
"This is a huge win!" Xiao Han's eyes gleamed. For him, winning the competition was not just an honor, but also a solid stepping stone to a higher level.
Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately took out the Nine-Turn Soul-Returning Pill, which emitted a rich medicinal fragrance, and swallowed it in one gulp.
The elixir melted upon entering his mouth, transforming into a powerful yet gentle life energy that rapidly flowed throughout his limbs and bones, repairing his damaged meridians and depleted essence.
At the same time, he activated the "Creation-Heaven-Penetrating Art" and the "Shadow Void Scripture," combining them with the purification and vitality power of the Chaos Green Lotus Martial Soul to accelerate the refining of the medicinal power.
He knew that the end of the Academy Grand Competition was just the beginning.
Beyond the Dragon Nation lies a vast world; the threat of alien beast invasion still hangs over humanity; and those lurking enemies will not give up just because he won a championship.
The road ahead is long, and only by constantly becoming stronger can we take control of our own destiny and protect everything we want to protect.
"The Chaos Pool..." Xiao Han murmured to himself, his eyes filled with anticipation.
He couldn't wait to enter that legendary secret realm and seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to achieve another earth-shattering leap in his strength!
The Imperial Capital Academy Grand Competition has concluded, but the storm it unleashed has only just begun to sweep across the entire Dragon Nation Federation.
"Have you heard? A prodigy has emerged from the Imperial Capital Academy! He Twin Martial Souls, and both are SSS+ level!"
"That's not all! Xiao Han went from the bottom to the top all the way, and in the finals he even defeated Ye Wuchen, the top student of Zero Class!"
"It's said he also possesses a mysterious lineage; his fist techniques and sword skills are unheard of, utterly domineering!"
"Crossing boundaries is as easy as eating a meal for him; Third Level of the Martial Master Realm directly confronting a peak eighth-level Martial Master—he's simply inhuman!"
Teahouses, taverns, streets, alleys, the virtual world... Xiao Han's name is spreading like wildfire everywhere.
Double SSS+ Martial Soul, mysterious inheritance, champion of the Academy Grand Competition —each of these labels is enough to grab attention, and when all these labels are combined on one person, the sensational effect is unimaginable.
Xiao Han's name seemed to sprout wings overnight, soaring from the Imperial Capital Academy to every corner of the Federation, becoming an idol worshipped by countless young Martial Artists and a highly sought-after "hot commodity" in the eyes of various powerful forces.
Sure enough, the day after the competition ended, the entrance to the Imperial Capital Academy was bustling with traffic.
Countless figures representing the top powers of the Dragon Nation flocked to the scene like sharks smelling blood.
There were long-established martial arts families, top sects with profound foundations, representatives of the Federation military in crisp uniforms, and even some reclusive forces that rarely show their faces.
Their only goal was to recruit Xiao Han.
"Xiao Han, we are the Jiangnan Wang Family. Our patriarch speaks highly of you and wishes to invite you with the treatment due to a core member of the Wang Family. You can choose from three ninth-grade cultivation techniques, and there will be plenty of rare and precious materials!"
"Young friend Xiao, I am an elder of the Heavenly Sword Sect. If you wish to join my sect, the position of the sect leader's personal disciple is vacant, and the sect's forbidden area, the [Ten Thousand Sword Mound], will be open to you!"
"Comrade Xiao Han, I'm from the Federation Military Department's Special Recruitment Office. If you agree, you'll start as a Major General, receive preferential treatment in military resources, and your future will be limitless!"