Crowning the Champions? Seizing Glory

Crowning the Champions? Seizing Glory

The golden flower petals over Star Dou Arena had yet to disperse when the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's ceremonial procession slowly arrived from the eastern side of the arena. Twelve royal guards clad in bright yellow armor held long halberds and stood in two neat rows, their armor gleaming with a cold light beneath the sun. Four palace maids carried gilded trays covered in deep red silk, beneath which the faint outlines of raised objects could be seen—the championship trophy of the All-Continent Soul Master Competition, and the symbol of glory every competing team dreamed of.

The spectator stands fell silent in an instant, every gaze fixed on the procession. The earlier cheers and shouts became breathless anticipation; even the sound of wind stirring the banners became distinctly audible. In the VIP section, Emperor Xue Beng adjusted his dragon robe and, accompanied by Chen Xin and Ning Fengzhi, slowly walked toward the center of Star Dou Arena. This coronation ceremony was not merely to bestow honor upon the Cauldron Sword Team—it was also Heaven Dou City's moment to display its strength to the entire continent.

The seven members of the Cauldron Sword Team had already straightened their attire. The "Cauldron Sword United Heart" emblems on their silver-white uniforms were especially eye-catching under the sunlight. Dai Mubai's White Tiger Claws had withdrawn their sharpness, Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Fire had turned into gentle flames dancing at his fingertips, Oscar stored his sausage maker in his Soul Tool, Jiang Zhu's Seven-Colored Sacred Staff rested diagonally across her back, Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda radiated a soft glow, and Tang San's Blue Silver Grass quietly coiled around his wrist. Only Lin Che still held the Azure Water Sword slanted at his side, its Sword-Tassel Glazed Bead swaying gently with his breathing.

"All members of the Cauldron Sword Team, step forward." Emperor Xue Beng's voice carried a tremor of Soul Power and spread throughout Star Dou Arena. Standing in the center of the raised platform, his gaze swept across the seven of them, his eyes full of approval. "After seven days of fierce competition, you achieved ten consecutive victories in the preliminaries, broke the Soul Erosion Array in the finals, defeated the Golden Generation, and proved your strength with your own abilities. You have also won honor for Heaven Dou City."

Two palace maids stepped forward and lifted the silk from the tray. A golden cup half a foot tall appeared before them. Its body was forged from pure gold and engraved with intricate patterns of Soul Master battles. Most striking of all was a diamond-shaped fragment embedded at its rim. The fragment glowed with a light blue halo, and even beneath the sunlight, it could not conceal the vast energy it contained. It was a fragment of a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, the ultimate prize Spirit Hall offered in every tournament—enough to drive any Soul Master mad with desire.

"Lin Che, step forward and receive the cup." Emperor Xue Beng gestured for the palace maid to hand the golden cup to Lin Che, his voice solemn. "As captain of the Cauldron Sword Team, you should represent the team in accepting this honor. At the same time, I hereby decree that the Cauldron Sword Team be appointed Royal Attendants of Heaven Dou City. You shall enjoy the highest treatment of the imperial family and may call upon Heaven Dou City's Soul Master resources and supplies at any time, safeguarding the peace of Heaven Dou City!"

Lin Che took a deep breath and slowly stepped forward. When his fingers touched the golden cup, a warm current of Soul Power flowed from the Soul Bone fragment at its rim, entering his body through his fingertips and resonating with his own Soul Power. This force could not only nourish Soul Power, but also temporarily enhance the effects of soul skills in battle. It was truly a priceless treasure. Holding the golden cup in both hands, he turned toward his teammates and raised it high. "This honor belongs to all of us! It belongs to the Cauldron Sword Team!"

"Cauldron Sword Team! Cauldron Sword Team!" Cheers erupted from the stands once more, fiercer than ever before. Golden flower petals poured down again, royal guards sounded celebratory horns, and the entire Star Dou Arena was immersed in an atmosphere of glory.

Tang San stood at the side of the team, watching Lin Che hold the golden cup, and a trace of complexity flashed through his eyes. His fingertips curled slightly. In the original course of events, this championship honor should have belonged to Shrek, to the result of his and his companions' hard work. But now, because of Lin Che's arrival and the birth of the Cauldron Sword Team, everything had changed. He was no longer the one standing at the center and receiving the cheers, nor did he hold that golden cup symbolizing the pinnacle.

Scenes of fighting side by side during the preliminaries flashed through his mind: Lin Che desperately shielding Dai Mubai when he was badly injured, Lin Che's full-power defense while Jiang Zhu healed them, Lin Che's precise coordination during Ma Hongjun's evolution... Those moments of life and death, those times they gave up personal gains for the team's victory, surged into his heart like a tide. He suddenly realized that, compared with standing alone at the summit, striving alongside his companions and sharing the joy of victory with them held far greater meaning.

Lin Che seemed to notice his gaze. The hand holding the golden cup paused slightly, and he smiled in Tang San's direction. It was not a show of pride, but acknowledgment—a signal that he saw Tang San as an indispensable companion. The complexity in Tang San's heart gradually faded, replaced by relief. He raised his hand and, together with Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun beside him, waved with all his strength, cheering for Lin Che and for the Cauldron Sword Team. The victory of the team would always be more important than personal honor.

"Your Majesty, I have a matter to report." Ning Fengzhi's voice suddenly rang out, interrupting the celebratory mood. He slowly ascended the platform, holding a token of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. The sect's emblem was carved upon it, radiating a pale purple glow. "Through this competition, I have personally witnessed the strength and character of the Cauldron Sword Team, as well as the potential of Shrek Academy. To resist the threat of Spirit Hall and protect the peace of Heaven Dou City, I hereby announce that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Shrek Academy shall formally form a permanent alliance, sharing resources and resisting foreign enemies together!"

"What?!" Cries of shock erupted from the spectator stands. Everyone knew that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was one of the Upper Three Sects, possessing formidable strength and extensive connections, while Shrek Academy was merely a rising academy. Their alliance would undoubtedly cause an enormous uproar across the continent.

Chen Xin stepped forward as well. The Seven Kill Sword gave off a low hum within its sheath, carrying unquestionable authority. "This old servant swears upon the Seven Kill Sword that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will honor this alliance and fight side by side with Shrek Academy until the threat of Spirit Hall is completely eliminated!"

Emperor Xue Beng was overjoyed. He had been worrying over how to deal with Spirit Hall's inevitable retaliation, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's alliance was exactly what he needed. "Good! What a permanent alliance! I shall bear witness here. The Heaven Dou Imperial Family will also support you with all its strength and protect this land together with you!"

Surprise flashed through Tang San's eyes. He looked at Ning Fengzhi, then at Lin Che. The establishment of this alliance was not only recognition of the Cauldron Sword Team, but also crucial preparation for resisting Spirit Hall in the future. He suddenly understood that even if the form of honor had changed, their goal of protecting their companions and fighting evil had never changed.

Just then, a Black Shadow suddenly sprang out from the shadows of the spectator stands. Holding a poisoned dagger, he lunged straight for the platform. He was a surviving Spirit Hall spy, trying to assassinate Emperor Xue Beng amid the chaos and sabotage the alliance ceremony!

"How dare you!" Dai Mubai reacted first. He lunged forward, his White Tiger Claws shining with Golden Light as he grabbed the spy's wrist and twisted it lightly. The dagger fell to the ground with a clang. At the same time, Ma Hongjun launched Phoenix Fire, and golden flames instantly surrounded the spy, leaving him unable to move.

"Take him away!" The royal guards immediately stepped forward, subdued the spy, and escorted him out of the arena. This minor incident not only failed to spoil the ceremony's atmosphere, but instead made everyone realize that Spirit Hall's threat had never gone away. The importance of alliance and unity became even more apparent.

The coronation ceremony continued. Emperor Xue Beng presented every member of the Cauldron Sword Team with a Royal Attendant token. The tokens were forged from refined iron and engraved with images of their respective martial souls. With them, they could travel freely throughout Heaven Dou City. When Oscar received his token, he excitedly made a golden Celebration Sausage on the spot and handed it to Emperor Xue Beng. "Your Majesty, try my cooking! It'll refresh your mind and strengthen your Soul Power!"

Emperor Xue Beng accepted it with a smile and took a bite, surprise flashing through his eyes. "Not bad! It tastes good, and the effect is excellent too! From now on, I want you as the head chef at royal banquets!"

The atmosphere at Star Dou Arena became relaxed and cheerful once more. Holding the golden cup aloft, Lin Che led the members of the Cauldron Sword Team around the arena, accepting the crowd's cheers. Tang San walked beside him with a relieved smile; Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun had their arms around each other's shoulders, excitedly discussing their future plans; Ning Rongrong and Jiang Zhu held hands, quietly sharing their joy; while Oscar busied himself handing out sausages to the surrounding spectators, earning a wave of praise.

As the sun set, golden afterglow spilled over Star Dou Arena, coating the coronation ceremony in a warm halo. Lin Che stood at the center of the arena, looking at the companions beside him, the cheering spectators, and Heaven Dou City in the distance. His heart was filled with resolve.

This championship honor was only the beginning. In the future, they would stand in the name of the Cauldron Sword Team, as Royal Attendants, and with the strength of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect alliance to resist Spirit Hall's threat and protect everything they held dear.

Crowned in glory, their original resolve remained unchanged; united in heart, the Cauldron Sword Team's future was boundless.