The Championship Was Won; First, Help Them to Their Feet

When the award ceremony stage was set up, the seven members of the Imperial Fighting Team were still in the infirmary.

The healing Soul Master in charge of the examination shook his head after examining Yu Tianheng's right arm. "Don't use Thunder Dragon Body again for a while. His punch was skillful, but that's the price to pay. Power Attack System are most afraid of being injured but still wanting to test if they're healed."

Yu Tianheng remained seated. He had originally intended to touch his wound with his right hand, but Dugu Yan saw this and immediately pressed down on his wrist.

"You didn't hear a word the doctor just said?"

"I just wanted to see how high it could be raised."

"Wait until he lets you see it, then look at it."

Dong Jian sat on the stone bench next door, his shoulder bandaged again and his back and waist treated with medicine. The old burden from the Holy Radiance Battle had not completely worn off, and in the Championship Battle, he had taken a real impact with his body. Now, when he turned around, he had to move his legs as well; twisting only his waist would hurt.

After examining him, Ye Lingling leaned against the wall to rest. The doctor reminded her that she still needed to get enough sleep after recovering her Soul Power and should not continue to treat the entire team.

"If you keep discussing who can play, I'll have someone close the infirmary." Qin Ming came in from outside, holding a confirmation of the match results.

Yu Feng followed behind, and seeing everyone's expressions, he lowered his hands, which were halfway raised. "The audience outside hasn't dispersed yet; they're all looking for you."

Shi Mo rubbed his aching shoulders. "So what if we found it? Can the captain even lift the trophy now?"

Yu Tianheng tried to lift his left hand, and the movement was steady, but he was clearly not as energetic as usual.

Qin Ming placed the confirmation document on the table. "The official review has been completed. The Spirit Hall Academy has voluntarily conceded defeat, and the referee's decision is valid. You have indeed won the championship today."

No one cheered immediately. Osler looked down at his bandages, and after a moment said, "It's not a big deal to say that."

"Winning the toughest match is no easy feat," Qin Ming replied. "Especially this one, where your opponents weren't brought to their knees. Hu Liena and Xie Yue retained the ability to continue fighting; they chose to stop because they also had to be responsible for their teammates."

"Does this count as a win?" Yu Feng asked.

Yu Tianheng glanced at him. "You want to beat the whole team until someone can't get up before you consider it a win?"

Yu Feng quickly waved his hand. "That's not what I meant."

"Then let's take the referee's result with us," Yu Tianheng said. "If we meet again, they'll prepare again, and so will we."

A staff member in charge of the ceremony knocked and came in to remind them of the time to go on stage. Seeing the doctor supporting Ye Lingling, his tone softened. "The ceremony can be shortened. The stage director has agreed that the teacher can carry some of the items."

Qin Ming turned to ask the team leader. Yu Tianheng glanced at his teammates and finally said, "We'll go up and receive the trophy ourselves. If we can't walk fast, the host will have to wait a little longer."

The crowd then formed a very disorganized line.

Captain Shi Mo led the way, with Dugu Yan shielding him from the crowd on the other side. Dong Jian was accompanied by Li Man, while Ye Lingling walked slower than anyone else. Osler had a thick bandage wrapped around his right shoulder. Yu Feng had originally wanted to liven things up, only patted Shi Mo on the back as they entered, seeing the scene.

"At least we can go up together eventually."

The cheers from the stands rushed into his ears, and Dong Jian subconsciously straightened his back, immediately feeling a familiar tug at his waist. He didn't try to be strong anymore, only letting Li Man hold his elbow.

Li Man asked in a low voice, "Would you like to sit down?"

"Just walk this section. Your hands are still shaking."

I didn't ask you to drag me along.

Dong Jian smiled and did not argue.

The championship trophy was held up by seven people. Yu Tianheng held one side with his left hand, the Shi Mo and Shi Mo bore most of the weight, and Dong Jian simply placed his hand on the edge when he got close. Ye Lingling, standing at the back, couldn't raise her arm high, but still gently lifted it along with everyone else.

The applause was loud. Dong Jian could hear someone shifting position under his feet, and the stone bricks vibrated slightly. In the past, he would always analyze the landing and impact, but now he only needed to confirm that Li Man was on her feet before withdrawing his attention from that.

During the award ceremony, the organizers announced that the champion's prize included three precious Soul Bone. The box was not opened on the spot for everyone to examine closely; instead, a designated person checked the seal before handing it over to the Imperial Fighting Team representative. When the host mentioned this, the cheers from the stands grew even louder.

Yu Feng whispered, "Three pieces? How are we going to divide them among nine people?"

Shi Mo replied, "First ask if the injured person can go downstairs. The Soul Bone won't run away on its own if it takes a little longer."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming simply reminded everyone, "Seal the items away first. No one is allowed to open the boxes and try to absorb them."

Yu Tianheng did not immediately distribute the prizes to individuals. Since all nine of them fought their way here, the credit for each match—who went up and who sat below—was not based on the name of the person who landed the final punch.

Before the nine people stepped down from the stage, they were asked to stand together for a group photo. The staff held up the recording Soul Tool and asked everyone to move a little closer to the center. Since Yu Tianheng could not raise his right arm, Shi Mo moved his position slightly to the right so that the captain could stand in the center of the picture without having to turn his shoulder.

Yu Feng quietly shielded Osler's injured arm behind his back. "Don't let them take pictures of you looking like you've just been dug out of a pit."

Osler was so angry he wanted to kick him, but his leg hurt, so he could only mutter a curse under his breath. Ye Lingling heard this and they both stopped.

Li Man noticed that Yu Tianheng's face was pale, so she asked the staff to postpone the photoshoot. At first, they wanted to take more photos, but Qin Ming came over and pointed to the doctor's recovery form, so they agreed to take only one photo of the whole team.

Qin Ming didn't object to the academy using this championship for publicity. But he knew even better that it was less worthwhile to have a group of people who had just come from intense Soul Skill clashes force themselves to maintain a respectable image on stage than to lose a few photos.

As he returned through the side gate, the children outside the academy called Dong Jian's name through the fence, asking if he could make the perpetually black ring light up again. Dong Jian turned around, smiled, and waved his hand. "That's enough for today. We'll talk about it next time we watch the competition."

A child asked, "So, if you practice Kung Fu, will you never get tired?"

Dong Jian patted the medicine bag on his side with his left hand. "Look at me now, don't I look tired?"

The children laughed and made way for them. Dong Jian didn't tell them about the carrying capacity limit, but he knew that this answer was closer to the truth of the day than any exaggerated legend.

On the other side of the awards stage, Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan were also receiving checks and comforting. Hu Liena's gaze swept across the crowd and she saw Yu Tianheng accepting the trophy with his left hand, so she nodded slightly. Yu Tianheng returned the gesture without saying anything.

Back in the rest area, Qin Ming finally allowed everyone to sit down. Ye Lingling drank some warm water, and Dugu Yan helped her tie her cloak. Just as Dong Jian was about to reach for the snacks on the table, Li Man brought them over.

"You're being unusually nosy today," he said softly.

"Things I couldn't control today, you've already done on the competition stage."

Dong Jian stopped teasing her and took a piece. The pastry was very sweet, and he only realized he had actually been hungry after taking a bite.

In the evening, the college sent official congratulatory letters. The first one came from three members of the Education Commission, and was solemn in its wording, requesting that all recovery examinations be conducted according to the doctor's advice. The second one was sent in the name of Prince Xue Qinghe, congratulating the whole team and inquiring in particular about the severity of Yu Tianheng's right arm injury and Dong Jian's old injury.

"You asked quite detailed questions," Yu Feng said.

After reading the letter, Qin Ming closed it. "It's normal for the Crown Prince to be aware of the injuries sustained after the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy team's victory."

Li Man listened without responding. The letter's greetings made no mention of the Dark Gold Spine Armor, nor did it offer any further hints, yet she still remembered Xue Qinghe casually mentioning the special bone fragments on the back of the Dark Gold Earth Vein Bear.

Dong Jian noticed she hadn't touched her chopsticks, and gently nudged the cup beside her. "What's on your mind again?"

"There's no evidence."

"Then drink some water first."

Li Man glanced at him and picked up her cup. She didn't portray the uncertain situation as an impending danger, nor did she force Dong Jian to suppress his back and maintain normal Soul Power circulation even while sitting.

The sound of a bell signaling the end of the ceremony came from outside the window. The champion's banner had already been hung on the Spirit City arena, but inside the room, only the smell of medicine and a plate of food that was getting cold remained.

Ye Lingling heard the cheers still outside and closed her eyes for a while. Tomorrow everyone will remember that they defeated the Spirit Hall, but she is more concerned about whether Shi Mo's old injury has become hot again after being bandaged. Dugu Yan accompanied her to find a doctor to check, and they only returned to eat after confirming everything.

Yu Tianheng picked up the spoon, only to find that he wasn't very skilled with his left hand, and some soup spilled onto the table.

Dugu Yan handed him a piece of cloth and chuckled, "Now you know it's difficult?"

"Knew."

"Then take good care of it."

Qin Ming put away the Soul Bone transfer certificate, confirmed that the seal was intact, and placed the key in the academy's safe. He took one last look at the nine people who were still resting, then went out and closed the door for them.

The championship has been won.

Let them get some sleep tonight.