After Layton was carried off the arena.
Qi Wu was already the undisputed victor.
The referee stepped into the arena, his voice ringing like a bell. "The winner-Qi Wu! Qi Wu of Great Xia!"
The instant those words fell, the entire Dragon Abyss Plaza erupted.
A hundred thousand spectators rose at once. Their cheers swept in like a tsunami, wave after wave, so loud they made everyone's eardrums ache.
Some waved the flags in their hands, some were moved to tears, and some hugged the strangers beside them, jumping and shouting.
Children rode on their fathers' shoulders, clapping until their little hands turned red. Elderly spectators stood with the aid of their canes, tears glimmering in their clouded eyes.
"Qi Wu! Qi Wu! Qi Wu!" A hundred thousand voices became a single name, echoing above the plaza long after it was shouted.
[Popularity Points +1,000] [Popularity Points +2,000] [Popularity Points +3,000]
Enormous amounts of popularity points came pouring in at that moment.
In the VIP seats, the Human Emperor's aged face was wreathed in smiles. Those eyes that had witnessed ten thousand years held nothing but pride and gratification. Watching the white-haired young man in the arena, he slowly raised his hands and applauded softly.
Once, twice, three times. His applause was quiet, yet carried an indescribable weight.
Di Tian stood behind him, wearing a gracious, gentle smile as he applauded softly alongside the Human Emperor.
Yet deep within his eyes lurked the faintest trace of something no one could catch.
Had anyone been watching him at that moment.
They would certainly have noticed the viciousness in his eyes.
Pope Pius I rose, his purple robes stirring gently in the breeze.
He looked at Qi Wu and gave a slight nod, his eyes full of admiration. Then he