The victory banquet was held on the top floor of Qiongyue Tower.
The hall blazed with lights, cups and goblets crossing amid the revelry.
The guests included not only the powerful nobles of Heaven Dou City, but also the academy's Three Education Committee Members.
When Lin Yang arrived with Xiao Wu and the others, every gaze in the hall converged on them.
Those eyes held fervor, reverence, curiosity, and even traces of concealed greed and hostility.
Faced with all that scrutiny, Lin Yang's expression remained unchanged.
His teammates were sitting together. Osler stood and waved. "Boss, over here!"
Lin Yang nodded. After first greeting the Three Education Committee Members, he walked over and sat beside Osler and the others.
While they were chatting, Xue Ye stepped onto the dais in plain robes.
Everyone fell silent and turned to look.
Xue Ye's deep, commanding voice resounded through the hall. "Today's banquet celebrates the eight brave warriors of our Heaven Dou Empire, who seized the crown at the Martial Soul Elite Tournament."
"They are the pillars of the empire, the hope of our future."
Then he raised his cup high. "Come, let us drain our cups-to our warriors, and to Heaven Dou!"
Everyone raised their cups and drank together, and the atmosphere immediately grew lively.
Afterward, Xue Ye began bestowing rewards one by one.
Every team member received lavish rewards: noble titles, Gold Soul Coins, and even all manner of cultivation resources.
When Lin Yang's turn came, Xue Ye paused.
"Lin Yang."
His gaze settled on the young man before him, his eyes carrying a measure of fervor and admiration. "I have witnessed you lead Heaven Dou to the crown twice. Heaven Dou will forever remember your contributions."
Lin Yang bowed slightly, neither servile nor overbearing. "You praise me too highly, Your