Ennoblement

Xue Qinghe, disguised by Qian Renxue, walked over with just the right mix of pride and excitement on her face. She patted Lin Wan's shoulder. "Thanks for the effort, Lin Wan. You've won the empire supreme glory."

Lin Wan gave a slight nod in reply.

"Father will be delighted when he hears the news," Xue Qinghe continued gently.

"We've arranged carriages. We'll return to Heaven Dou City in a few days. Get some rest until then."

"Mm," Lin Wan replied, saying nothing more.

Spirit City remained lively over the next few days, but for the Heaven Dou Team, whose matches were over, the atmosphere was much more relaxed.

Yu Tianqing and Yan Xin grew restless and went out to explore Spirit City's markets.

Ye Qing stayed with Song Yi while he recovered. Elders from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect took Ning Zetian to visit some old acquaintances in Spirit City.

Lin Wan spent most of his time shut inside the residence Spirit Hall had arranged for him.

He needed time to digest what he had gained from the tournament—not just Reputation Points, but the experience of fighting experts like Qian Heng and Jin Chuan.

Now and then, he sensed a faint gaze resting on his residence, scrutinizing and probing.

He knew it came from Spirit Hall, from the pope seated high upon her throne.

But he did not care.

A few days later, the Heaven Dou delegation set out for home.

The mood on the road was far lighter than it had been on the journey there.

Yu Tianqing and Yan Xin threw their arms around each other's shoulders and boasted about their heroics in the final. Ye Qing smiled more often, and Song Yi's injuries had mostly healed under the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's care.

Even Qian