Since the preliminary rounds in the Heaven Dou City region have all concluded, the awards ceremony will be held immediately according to procedure to award qualification certificates to the top five teams that advanced from the preliminary rounds.
Meanwhile, after the competition staff tallied the results, the outcome of the matches for all twenty-eight teams was clear, and the top five teams were quickly determined:
Shrek Academy, 27 wins in 27 battles;
Qilin Team: 26 wins and 1 loss in 27 matches;
Skywater Academy: 25 wins and 2 losses in 27 matches;
Blazing Fire Academy: 24 wins and 3 losses in 27 matches;
Godwind Academy: 23 wins and 4 losses in 27 matches.
The ceremony was straightforward. As announced by the host, the captains and vice-captains of the top five teams walked onto the stage to receive their prizes and certificates.
Among them, Tang San and Dai Mubai from the Shrek Team went up to receive the award, while everyone thought Qi Ling from the Qilin Team would go up to receive the award. However, Luna and Dugu Yan went up instead.
Many people speculate that Qi Ling was dissatisfied with the result of the Qilin Team's final loss to the Shrek Team, which prevented them from winning all their matches, and that's why she didn't go on stage to accept the award.
Although Qi Ling felt this explanation was plausible, she actually only let Luna go up because she found it interesting.
After all, it's hard not to be captivated by Luna's excited, flushed face and flustered demeanor.
When the ten people stood together on the podium, they all silently looked at one person: Qi Ling, who was standing below the stage. Countless people regarded him as their goal to be defeated. Without achieving this goal, even winning the championship would not be perfect.
"Next, His Majesty, together with Ning Fengzhi, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Salas, the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall, will personally present the qualification certificates and prizes to the five teams that have entered the qualifying rounds."
The award presentation process was very simple, because the most important part of this segment was Xue Ye's speech to everyone.
Xue Ye did not disappoint everyone, promising them titles and even granting fiefdoms to those who achieved final victory, making them lords.
This reward is already quite high-level, and it is enough to prove how much Xue Ye values this competition and these talents.
At the same time, everyone could see that the reason why Xue Ye made such a promise was to rival the Spirit Hall. Otherwise, if all these talents were won over by the Spirit Hall, the Heaven Dou Empire would have nowhere to turn.
Platinum Bishop Salas naturally understood the reasoning behind it, and his expression turned extremely ugly. However, this was, after all, the Heaven Dou Empire, and he had no right to decide on these rewards, so he could only remain silent.
As for Xue Ye, he completely ignored Salas's expression and smiled at everyone, saying, "The upcoming qualifying rounds will still be held within the Heaven Dou Empire, but the location will be changed from here to the Royal Hunting Grounds."
"At that time, the ten teams from the five duchies and kingdoms that passed the preliminary rounds will come to participate in the qualifying rounds with you. I hope you can all achieve good results. The Empire will provide the next Soul Ring for the three players with the most wins. You can choose the type of Soul Beast yourself. The Empire can guarantee all Soul Beast under 30,000 years old."
Hearing this condition, even Qi Ling became interested. He himself didn't lack it, but for others, it was a good option.
He still remembered how difficult it was to find a suitable Soul Ring during his last trip to Sunset Forest, and how he had to take a risk in the end. Now, with the guarantee of the entire empire, he would undoubtedly save a lot of trouble.
Not only Qi Ling, but the teams in front of them were also quite interested in this. They knew that even if they obtained their Fifth Soul Ring, it would not exceed the age limit of 30,000 years, so they could choose the Soul Ring that best suited them.
Starting from level 50, the cultivation speed of Soul Master will decrease significantly. Therefore, everyone will be much more cautious in choosing their Fifth Soul Ring, adhering to the principle of "better to have nothing than something bad," and only the best can be obtained.
Seeing the growing fervor in the eyes of those before him, Xue Ye smiled slightly, "The advancement competition will be held in a month. I hope you can make further breakthroughs within this month. Alright, I won't say anything more. You are all intelligent children, and I believe you will make the right choice."
Xue Ye's words were loaded with meaning, but Qi Ling didn't want to know too much. For them, improving their strength was the top priority.
The month following the competition is the best opportunity for everyone to improve themselves, because the intense battles of the past month will surely become their most valuable practical experience. As for how much they can absorb, that depends on their individual understanding.
So after all the teams disbanded, Qi Ling didn't leave. Instead, in the Qilin Team's rest room, she said to everyone, "For the next month, apart from rest and recovery, everyone will be participating in special training with me! As for the location... it'll be at the Shrek Academy!"
"Huh? Lord Qi Ling, why? Don't we have to go to school anymore?" Tuoliya was the first to ask. As a model student, she would never skip class without a reason.
"Seriously, what's the point of having classes? You'll all graduate after this competition! What kind of Soul Ancestor at level 40 or higher stays in school?" Qi Ling said helplessly.
"You can also consider this an orientation program, since I won't be returning to the Heaven Dou Academy for the next month. Of course, everything is voluntary; I won't force any of you. Anyone want to withdraw?"
Naturally, no one would back down. Over this long period of time, Qi Ling had become their pillar of support, and they had no doubt about what he said.
"Very good. After you go back today, pack your bags. I'll be waiting for you at the Shrek Academy tomorrow morning," Qi Ling said.
Just as Qi Ling was about to disband the team and return to the Shrek Academy, two unexpected visitors arrived: Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er appeared at the door of the lounge at the same time.
Seeing the arrival of these two people, Qi Ling said helplessly, "Let me guess, you two coming to see me probably doesn't have anything good to say, right? Huo Wu, you're not here to confront me, are you?"
Qi Ling had promised Huo Wu that she would defeat Zhu Zhuqing in the competition, but she didn't even play in the last match, which could be considered a break of her promise in some way.
Huo Wu shook her head and said, "No, I thought about it later. Asking someone else to defeat her is pointless, so I decided to do it myself and defeat her!"
Qi Ling smiled and said, "Oh? Is that so? I'm quite surprised that you have such an idea. And you, Shui Bing'er, what brings you here?"
Shui Bing'er stepped forward, stood before Qi Ling, and after a moment of silence, uttered a shocking statement. " Qi Ling, please marry me."