"If that Heaven Transformation Realm fellow doesn't make a move, there's no suspense left over who'll claim the Spirit Crown," someone below said, looking toward the battle platform where the girl in the red dress stood.
"Of course. It's a shame we don't know what would happen if she fought those two."
"True. Those two are both badly injured now. Who knows how long we'd have to wait to see them fight? It would probably be even more spectacular."
As the sword light and spear aura enveloping the battle platform vanished, the two figures came into view again.
Two pillars of spiritual energy had descended from the sky to protect Luo Li and Ji Xuan, preventing the power that erupted at the final moment from striking them with its full force.
Even so, their faces were pale, and blood seeped from the corners of their mouths. Each sat cross-legged on the battle platform, doing everything they could to calm the rampaging energy within them.
Meanwhile, working in concert with the Mirror of Judgment, the deans cast their profound healing techniques to treat the pair's injuries and stabilize their now somewhat unsteady cultivation realms.
Clearly, however, there was no possibility of Ji Xuan and Luo Li fighting again anytime soon.
"Heh, it seems the Spirit Road's Spirit Crown Holder has been decided just like that."
Dean Tang Qiu looked at those who had forfeited on the other battle platforms, then turned toward Wen Qingxuan, who still stood proudly in the arena, and smiled.
"A well-deserved title."
The three deans, Tai Cang, Tiansong, and the Heavenly King, regarded Wen Qingxuan warmly. None of them found anything objectionable about the outcome.
Dean Tian Sheng glanced at Ji Xuan and frowned slightly, but he could only nod slowly and acknowledge the final Spirit Crown Holder.
"Then allow me to make the announcement." Dean Tang Qiu extended her slender, jade-like hand and pointed at the other battle platforms. Dazzling light burst from them at once as they crumbled and dissolved into nothingness.
Now, only the battle platform beneath Wen Qingxuan remained.
Tang Qiu smiled faintly and pointed at Wen Qingxuan, gently drawing her up to the highest point of the Spirit Road. Countless streams of spiritual energy blossomed radiantly around her, illuminating the entire expanse of space.
At that moment, everyone, including the elders of the Five Great Academies, held their breath in rapt attention. Their gazes were drawn to that graceful figure in red.
Some pressed their lips together, their eyes filled with admiration. Others were visibly excited and envious. Yet there were also those whose expressions darkened, their eyes full of complicated emotions.
"The final recipient of the Spirit Road's Spirit Crown is Wen Qingxuan."
Tang Qiu spoke slowly, her voice resounding across the heavens as the Mirror of Judgment suspended in the air gave a long, lingering chime.
"Spirit Crown Holder, Wen Qingxuan!"
The announcement reached everyone present, finally drawing cries of astonishment from them. Their hearts surged with emotion, and they could no longer remain calm.
"Congratulations, Qingxuan. As this Spirit Road's Spirit Crown Holder, you may receive a reward from the Five Great Academies. It can be a divine weapon or a divine art."
Tang Qiu looked at Wen Qingxuan with an undisguised smile. As the dean of the Ten Thousand Phoenix Academy, she naturally knew Wen Qingxuan's background very well. In fact, Wen Qingxuan had entered the Spirit Road through the Ten Thousand Phoenix Academy.
Earlier, when she had failed to spot Wen Qingxuan in the Mirror of Judgment, she had been puzzled. Still, she trusted Wen Qingxuan's strength and believed the Spirit Road would pose no obstacle to her.
In the end, things had turned out exactly as she expected. Wen Qingxuan had appeared in the final Guardian Land, and the strength she possessed had allowed Tang Qiu to breathe a long sigh of relief.
"Let me use the Mirror of Judgment once. I only want to find a heavenly treasure," Wen Qingxuan said, smiling back at Dean Tang Qiu.
Tang Qiu blinked. Although she did not quite understand why someone from Wen Qingxuan's family would go out of her way to search for a heavenly treasure, she asked no further questions. She simply nodded and looked toward the other deans.
The Mirror of Judgment was a supreme treasure jointly owned by the Five Great Academies, with extraordinary powers of detection. Using it, however, required a vote from all five academies.
"Heh, we have no objections," Tai Cang said with a smile after exchanging glances with the Martial Heavenly King and the others.
Even Dean Tian Sheng gave a slight nod. It was only a small request.
Standing below, Yun Mo watched the Mirror of Judgment appear before Wen Qingxuan in the distance, his expression somewhat silent. With his current maturity, he could readily guess what she was thinking.
"Hmph, Captain Yun Mo. Hmph, hmph." Wu Yingying wrinkled her nose and waved her fist at him.
"Heh, little brat, what do you know? Watch out, or those deans might crown you with some awful-sounding name and make you the laughingstock of the Spirit Road." Yun Mo glanced at her and shooed her away with a wave.
"Tch, a King-Sealing Title is just a name. It's no big deal. You can choose one yourself when the time comes, and it doesn't matter even if you don't want a title." Wu Yingying rolled her eyes and turned back toward the Mirror of Judgment, which radiated a profound aura.
The others below also looked inquisitively at the Mirror of Judgment that had suddenly appeared in the distance. They wanted to know what reward the Five Great Academies would grant the Spirit Crown Holder.
Before long, however, the other deans stepped forward, their imposing figures appearing before everyone. Spiritual energy churned around them as they exuded an overwhelming might that filled the onlookers with yearning.
"Now, we shall begin the ceremony to crown the holders of Level-Nine Tokens as kings."
Dean Tian Sheng unleashed his magnificent aura and pointed at those holding Level-Nine Tokens, causing their figures to rise slowly until they stood suspended in midair.
Then the tokens in their hands erupted with light. The crimson radiance contained within them blazed forth, forming pillars between heaven and earth, as though the whole world were vying to celebrate this moment.
At the same time, each person suspended in the air had their own name appear above their head.
"Ji Xuan, title: King Xuan."
"Luo Li, title: King Luo."
"Yan Ling, title: King Yan."
"..."
"Wu Ling, title: King Ling."
"Yun Mo, title: King Mo."
Those in the Heaven Fusion Realm could be crowned kings, while those below it could be recognized as possessing the potential to become kings. Naturally, the prerequisite was holding a Level-Nine Token.
As one kingly title after another appeared, every Spirit Road trial participant below seemed to share in the honor.
Their conversations continued to rise.
"So the Spirit Crown Holder is called Wen Qingxuan, and that Heaven Transformation Realm fellow is called Yun Mo."
"I wonder which Spiritual Academy they'll go to. I think I might have to avoid them."
"Heh, do you really need to be that scared? Following
"behind them might give you even more motivation."
"No, I think that could be a disaster. It means the academy's resources will be directed toward them."
Quite a few people thought this way, but others believed that following them to the same Spiritual Academy might instead bring unexpected rewards.
Only by seeing geniuses and recognizing the gap between themselves and those geniuses could they spur themselves onward and strengthen their resolve.
"Next, every trial participant may choose the academy they wish to enter. The Sacred Spirit Academy, the Martial Spirit Academy, the Ten Thousand Phoenix Academy, the Azure Heavens Spiritual Academy, and the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy-the Five Great Academies-now open their doors to all of you. The choice is yours."
Before you continue