If Hu Liena and Xie Yue were happy at this moment, then Yan was depressed.
I'm so frustrated!
Of the three members of the Golden Generation, he was the only one who didn't get Soul Bone. But he couldn't blame the Pope for not giving him Soul Bone. It was simply because he was less skilled and lost the Soul Master Tournament, which resulted in him losing the Soul Bone. What else could he say?
If anyone's to blame, it's Yu Tianheng. Since he'd already sold two Soul Bone, why didn't he sell the remaining one too? What was the point of keeping it?
Isn't this disgusting?!
He was certain that Yu Tianheng did this on purpose, but he was no match for Yu Tianheng at the moment. He could only go to Death Canyon to train desperately and strive to fight Yu Tianheng again in the future to avenge his previous defeat.
On the other side, Yu Tianheng left the Spirit Hall, boarded a carriage, and departed from Spirit City, returning to the Heaven Dou Empire Heaven Dou Empire. Along the way, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's three thousand troops provided constant protection, and with Pope Bibi Dong's guarantee, there was no need to worry about his safety.
The sound of the carriage wheels rolling over the bluestone slabs was enveloped in the twilight. Dugu Yan lifted the curtain a crack and watched the last rays of sunset being swallowed by the clouds.
The fatigue from days of fighting had etched fine lines between her brows. Turning her head, she saw Yu Tianheng leaning against a soft cushion, resting with his eyes closed. His sharply defined profile was bathed in a cold light in the dimly lit carriage.
" Tian Heng," she withdrew her gaze, her fingertips unconsciously stroking her cuff, "What are your plans after returning to the sect?"
Yu Tianheng's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and his amber eyes opened with a hint of languor, yet couldn't conceal their sharpness. "After returning, I'll likely first accept Xue Ye's commendation, since we've won glory for the Heaven Dou Empire this time. Then, I'll graduate smoothly from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and after that, we'll each develop our own paths. I should continue to cultivate diligently and constantly improve my strength. When I grow into Titled Douluo, I'll take over the position of patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan from my grandfather, and finally lead the clan to develop on the continent."
He paused, then suddenly leaned closer to Dugu Yan, his warm breath brushing against her ear, "But can all these things be put aside?"
But there is one thing that cannot be delayed!
"What's up?"
You are the most important person in my life!
Dugu Yan's ears turned red, and she turned her head to avoid his burning gaze. "What nonsense are you talking about..."
"Nonsense?" Yu Tianheng chuckled, reaching out to grasp her wrist. His palm was burning hot, carrying an undeniable force. " Yanyan, we're both over twenty; it's time for us to get married."
The carriage suddenly swayed, Dugu Yan fell into Yu Tianheng's arms, her nose filled with his peculiar scent. Looking at the dark glint in his eyes, her heart pounded faster.
Yu Tianheng's fingertips traced her flushed cheeks. "We've known each other for many years, and we're already an inseparable part of each other. You must stay with me; don't even think about running away!"
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting golden threads on the intertwined shadows of the two figures.
Dugu Yan bit her lip, finally raising her hand to wrap around his neck, burying her burning face in his shoulder. "Young Master Yu, you certainly know how to make things easy for yourself, not even giving me a chance to refuse."
"Are you willing to refuse me?" Yu Tianheng chuckled and tightened his arms. The carriage continued forward, crushing the golden sunset on the ground.
The carriage moved forward slowly.
Half a month later, the team sent by the Heaven Dou Empire to Spirit City to participate in the Soul Master Tournament finally returned to the Heaven Dou Empire.
The warm spring sun shone on the vermilion walls of the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace. The Xue Ye, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, stood before the white marble steps, with his court officials standing behind him. His python robe and jade belt shimmered with golden light in the sunlight.
As the Imperial Fighting Team's gilded carriage rolled across Vermilion Bird Avenue, its wheels crushing the jade-like locust blossoms scattered on the ground, thirty-six golden-armored guards simultaneously thrust their long spears into the ground, the clanging sound causing the bronze bells on the eaves to jingle.
Welcome back in triumph!
The sound resounded through the sky, and the moment Yu Tianheng lifted the carriage curtain, the entire square fell into a brief silence.
Xue Ye strode down the steps and grasped Yu Tianheng's hands, which were still stained with gunpowder smoke. "Nephew Yu, this battle has brought glory to the Heaven Dou and truly honor to the Empire!"
His eyes glistened with tears, but his gaze was intense as he looked at the Imperial Fighting Team. " The Spirit Hall Academy Team may be strong, but they ultimately fell to you. This is the true spirit of a Heaven Dou Soul Master!"
Dugu Yan stepped forward amidst cheers. "Your Majesty flatters me; I have merely lived up to the Empire's expectations."
"Issue the decree!" Xue Ye turned and waved his sleeve, and the officials of the Ministry of Rites behind him unfurled the bright yellow imperial edict, " The Imperial Fighting Team has defeated a powerful enemy and won unparalleled glory for the Empire. They are hereby granted a thousand taels of gold and a hundred acres of land! Team captain Yu Tianheng is awarded the title of Earl of the Empire, and the Suotuo City is granted to Yu Tianheng as his Earl. He may assume office soon..."
The room fell silent upon hearing this.
The fact that the Imperial Fighting Team represented the Heaven Dou Empire in this year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament and won the championship, bringing unparalleled glory to the Empire, is indeed a cause for celebration. Xue Ye's reward was fairly standard, but the reward given to Yu Tianheng was somewhat excessive.
Earl title? That's nothing special, just a noble title. There are plenty of nobles with Earl titles in Heaven Dou City, so Yu Tianheng is no exception. Besides, he's the young patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, so he might not even care about Earl title.
However, the decision to grant this fiefdom is debatable.
It should be noted that in the Heaven Dou Empire, most nobles who held titles were merely nominal, possessing titles but no fiefdoms. However, Yu Tianheng was granted a city as his fiefdom right from the start, and it was the relatively wealthy Suotuo City. This was truly rare in the history of the Heaven Dou Empire.
However, no one thought much of it. After all, Suotuo City was the territory of the Balak Kingdom Balak Kingdom, which had long been independent and basically did not obey the orders of the Heaven Dou Empire except for necessary tributes. Therefore, Xue Ye's words were just talk and should not be taken seriously.
Amidst cheers, Prince Xue Beng stepped forward, holding a medal inlaid with seven rubies, deliberately lowering his voice. "Captain Yu, I admire you greatly for turning the tide this time. I wonder if we'll have a chance to talk later..." Before he could finish speaking, Yu Tianheng had already taken the medal and pinned it to his chest, his eyes slightly narrowed. "Fourth Prince, you flatter me. It was merely that everyone did their best."
After saying that, he slightly turned his body away, no longer listening to Xue Beng's words.
The white doves atop the palace dome suddenly took flight, their wings flapping. Xue Ye raised his hand, gesturing for silence, and his aged yet majestic voice resounded across the plaza. "From this day forth, the name of the Imperial Fighting Team shall be inscribed on the Heaven Dou Heroes Monument! May all Soul Master of my Empire take this as their model!"
In an instant, bells and drums resounded, and ceremonial music filled the air. Colorful ribbons and falling locust blossoms intertwined and rose into the clouds, forever etching the glory of this triumphant celebration into the eyes of the people of Heaven Dou City.