The sound of Pope Bibi Dong announcing her surrender echoed across the arena, drawing the final curtain on this peak showdown.
Amid thunderous cheers and cries of astonishment, the members of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team embraced one another in excitement. Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the others were overcome with joy and disbelief. They had really done it! They had defeated the seemingly invincible Spirit Hall Golden Generation and claimed the championship!
The awards ceremony was held shortly afterward. Beneath countless envious, reverent, and conflicted gazes, Pope Bibi Dong personally presented the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team with the championship trophy and three Soul Bones that gleamed with an alluring light.
The three Soul Bones were:
A Head Soul Bone that shimmered with a faint purple radiance and exuded an air of wisdom (Spirit Gathering Wisdom Skull);
A Right Arm Bone wreathed in dark red flames and brimming with explosive power (Explosive Burning Flame Right Arm Bone);
And a Left Leg Bone encircled by swirling green winds, light and nimble (Rapid Movement Wind Chasing Left Leg Bone).
When Lin Yi, representing the team, accepted the heavy trophy and the silk-lined tray holding the Soul Bones from Bibi Dong, he could clearly sense a remarkably complex emotion deep in the seemingly tranquil gaze of His Holiness the Pope: admiration, wariness, and perhaps even a trace of... killing intent?
Sure enough, after the ceremony, Bibi Dong fixed her gaze on Lin Yi. Her voice rang through the VIP stands, seemingly gentle yet leaving no room for refusal. "Lin Yi, your talent is extraordinary. To have achieved so much at the age of fifteen is a miracle the Soul Master World has never seen.
"Spirit Hall is the sacred ground of Soul Masters across the world, with the finest resources and inheritances.
"By the authority of the Pope, I sincerely invite you to join Spirit Hall. We will devote every resource to your cultivation, and the position of elder in the Papal Hall will be yours in the future. Will you accept?"
Her words stunned the entire arena!
The Pope herself was recruiting him and offering him an elder's position! What an honor! Countless Soul Masters dreamed of such an opportunity and never got it!
Everyone's gaze turned to Lin Yi, waiting to see what he would choose.
Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong's expressions instantly grew grave. Spirit Hall's move was tantamount to openly poaching their talent!
Lin Yi sneered inwardly. How could he not know Spirit Hall's sinister intentions? Joining them would mean being controlled, not cultivated!
Yet he remained composed. Bowing slightly, he replied with respect and resolve, "Thank you for your generous offer, Your Holiness. But I have already become a disciple of my teacher, Sword Douluo. As a member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I must not forget where I come from, much less betray my sect."
He tossed the question straight to the sect behind him.
Ning Fengzhi stepped forward at just the right moment, wearing a warm, unhurried smile. He cupped his hands toward Bibi Dong and said, "Your Holiness, Lin Yi is the sole personal disciple of Sword Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. He is also betrothed to my daughter, Rongrong, and is an indispensable pillar of our sect.
"We are grateful for Your Holiness's kind offer, but I'm afraid we must decline his joining Spirit Hall."
His tone was gentle, but his stance was unmistakably firm. At the same time, Sword Douluo Chen Xin's tangible gaze swept over Bibi Dong. He said nothing, but the invisible sword intent and the pressure of a Level 97 Super Douluo made his position clear. Bone Douluo Gu Rong let out a cold chuckle, the space around him faintly warping.
Faced with the firm position of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's master and two Super Douluos, even Pope Bibi Dong could not force the matter.
She gave Lin Yi a long look, then glanced at the three others. Her beautiful face betrayed no joy or anger as she merely said, "In that case, I was too forward.
"I hope the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will take good care of this talented young man."
A potential crisis was temporarily averted by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's show of strength.
Once they returned to their lodgings, the matter of dividing up the championship Soul Bones came next.
Everyone looked to Lin Yi. Without him, those Soul Bones would never have been theirs.
Lin Yi had already made up his mind. He picked up the Spirit Gathering Wisdom Skull and said, "This Head Soul Bone matches my Martial Soul best, so it will benefit me the most. I'll take it."
Naturally, no one objected. It was only right that it belonged to him.
Next, he picked up the Explosive Burning Flame Right Arm Bone and handed it to Yu Tianheng. "Tian Heng, your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul is fierce and domineering. This Flame Right Arm Bone will further boost your explosive attack power. It suits you perfectly."
Yu Tianheng froze, then his eyes burst with joy and gratitude. He had never expected Lin Yi to give him such a precious Soul Bone! "Team leader, this..."
"Take it. You've earned it." Lin Yi's tone left no room for argument.
Then he picked up the final Soul Bone, the Rapid Movement Wind Chasing Left Leg Bone, and handed it to Dugu Yan. "Yanzi, your Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul is tricky and nimble, so speed is crucial.
"This Wind Chasing Left Leg Bone will greatly improve your speed and agility. Whether you're chasing down an opponent or dodging an attack, it'll make you even more formidable."
Dugu Yan accepted the Soul Bone and gazed at Lin Yi, her beautiful eyes shining. Her voice trembled with excitement. "Thank you... Thank you, Teacher Lin Yi!"
The distribution was fair and sensible, leaving everyone satisfied.
Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan became even more devoted to Lin Yi.
With the tournament over, the various powers began to depart.
Ning Rongrong had also officially "graduated" from Shrek Academy, and Ning Fengzhi had brought her to his side.
She looked at Lin Yi with a complicated gaze: grief over her companions' defeat, shock at his strength, and confusion about their engagement.
After taking care of the sect's affairs, Ning Fengzhi found Lin Yi and asked warmly, "Lin Yi, now that the tournament is over, what are your plans?"
Lin Yi had already made them. He replied, "Sect Master, this tournament has made me realize that I still need to grow stronger. I plan to return to that Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well secret realm and enter long-term seclusion to reach a higher level."
He paused before offering a more important suggestion. "Sect Master, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is a wonder of nature. It is rich in vital energy and nurtures countless rare flowers and herbs, making it invaluable.
"Although Poison Douluo Dugu Bo occupies it now, he's alone and lacks the ability to fully develop and protect it. Why shouldn't the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect negotiate with him to buy it or develop it together?
"If we brought it under the sect's control and established a secret branch there, it could serve as a strategic resource base for cultivating core disciples and growing medicinal herbs. It would be irreplaceable to our sect's future development!"
Ning Fengzhi's eyes blazed as he heard this. As the sect master, he immediately grasped the immense strategic value it held!
A stable, top-tier training ground and medicinal herb base was irresistible to any sect!
"Good! This is a matter of great importance. I'll discuss it with Uncle Jian and Uncle Gu personally, and look for an opportunity to approach Dugu Bo." Ning Fengzhi gave his solemn word. He looked at Lin Yi with deep admiration. "Lin Yi, you have not only exceptional talent but also remarkable foresight. You are truly a blessing to our sect!"
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