Chapter 203: The Awards Banquet
On the awards podium, seven figures stood side by side.
Sunlight poured down upon them, bathing them in a golden halo. In this moment, they were the focal point of the entire venue—the very center where all eyes converged.
The Spirit Hall Academy Team.
Sun Chuantao, Xu Yu, Li Kai, Zhang Ping, Yan, as well as Tian Yue and Jiang Li’er.
The seven of them stood arranged in two rows.
Below the stage, thunderous applause erupted, and cheers shook the heavens.
Qian Renxue slowly descended from the VIP seating area.
She wore a long gown of platinum-white, its hem trailing along the ground; with every step she took, the fabric swayed gently, rippling like flowing water. Her golden hair cascaded down her back, and atop her head sat an angelic diadem; her entire being exuded an aura of divine sanctity and majesty.
A attendant, holding a tray aloft with both hands, followed respectfully close behind her.
The tray was not large, yet it captured the gaze of everyone in the venue.
For upon that tray lay—piled together with casual ease—nine Spirit Bones!
A left leg bone, a right leg bone, a left arm bone, a right arm bone, a skull, a torso bone... nine Spirit Bones in all, shimmering with a kaleidoscope of colors that intertwined to form a dazzling, radiant halo.
The brilliance of that light was breathtakingly beautiful.
It was also a brilliance capable of driving men mad.
Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Bones!
Nine Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Bones!
Treasures of such rarity that an ordinary Spirit Master might never glimpse a single one in their entire lifetime were, at this very moment, piled casually upon a tray—looking no different than common cabbages being hawked on a street corner.
Once again, the entire venue fell silent.
Everyone held their breath, their eyes locked unblinkingly upon those nine Spirit Bones.
In the stands, countless pairs of eyes gleamed with a burning intensity.
There was greed, desire, envy, and awe.
Yet, no one dared to make a move.
For those items belonged to the Spirit Hall.
And because the one standing there was the Supreme Pontiff of the Spirit Hall.
Qian Renxue walked up to the awards podium and came to a halt.
She raised her hands and accepted the tray from the attendant. Her movements were elegant and unhurried, as if what she held was not a Soul Bone of inestimable value, but merely a plate of ordinary pastries.
She turned around to face Jiang Li’er.
Their eyes met, and a faint glint of amusement flickered in both their gazes.
Qian Renxue extended the tray toward Jiang Li’er.
At that very moment, a subtle voice reached Jiang Li’er’s ears: "Little Sister Li’er, remember to bring the Soul Bones back to me later."
It was a telepathic message from Qian Renxue.
Jiang Li’er blinked and gave a slight nod.
I know, I know!
She reached out and accepted the tray.
In that instant, she could feel countless burning gazes converging upon her—and upon that tray—all at once.
Yet, she remained completely unperturbed.
She grinned broadly, revealing two rows of pearly-white teeth.
Her smile was as radiant as the sunlight itself.
Qian Renxue turned back around to face the grandstands.
Her gaze swept across the entire arena.
Her eyes were as calm as still water, yet they made everyone present feel an invisible, palpable pressure.
She spoke.
Her voice was cool and clear, yet imbued with an indisputable authority; amplified by her Soul Power, it reached every single person’s ears with perfect clarity: "The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament has now come to a successful conclusion."
"Let us offer our congratulations to..."
Her voice suddenly rose in volume: "...the Spirit Hall Academy Team, for claiming the championship title!"
The entire arena instantly erupted!
"Boom—!!!"
Cheers and shouts of triumph pierced the very heavens!
The applause thundered like a storm, deafening to the ears!
Countless spectators rose to their feet, waving the banners in their hands as they cheered wildly for the champions!
Standing upon the podium, Jiang Li’er cradled the nine Soul Bones in her arms, her smile shining brighter than ever.
Tian Yue stood beside her, arms crossed over her chest, the corners of her lips curving upward ever so slightly.
Yan stood to the side, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions.
There was excitement, a sense of profound sentimentality, and even a hint of bitterness.
Finally...
We finally won the championship.
He thought to himself in silence.
Even though, strictly speaking, this championship victory had nothing to do with him.
...
Up in the grandstands...
The representatives from the various major factions wore expressions that varied widely. Seated in the section reserved for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Luomian sat motionless.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the complex emotions swirling within him.
A twenty-year-old Titled Douluo...
Just how many secrets was the Spirit Hall still hiding?
He did not know.
But he knew this much: from this day forward, the Spirit Hall’s status would become even more unshakable.
The representatives from the lower four sects—the Fire Leopard Sect and the Wind Sword Sect—wore equally grim expressions.
They glanced at the disciples beside them, then looked toward Jiang Li’er standing on the awards podium; a profound sense of powerlessness welled up in their hearts.
Did their sects still have any hope left?
The Spirit Hall was simply too powerful.
A twenty-year-old Titled Douluo, a twenty-five-year-old Spirit Saint, and all those young Spirit Kings and Spirit Elders...
In the future of this continent, would there still be a place for their voices to be heard?
...
Meanwhile, in the lounge of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy...
Yu Tianheng lay on a bed, his body swathed in bandages.
He stared blankly at the ceiling, uttering not a single word.
Dugu Yan sat nearby, arms crossed over her chest, her face devoid of expression.
Yu Feng leaned against the wall, equally silent.
The others, too, remained mute.
The atmosphere in the lounge was terribly oppressive.
After a long silence...
Yu Tianheng finally spoke, his voice hoarse: "Am I... a disgrace?"
No one answered.
But their silence was the clearest answer of all.
Yu Tianheng closed his eyes, and a single tear slid down the corner of his eye.
Sob... my position as Young Clan Master...
I never should have tried to show off! I’m such an idiot!
Why did I have to act so tough?
Sure enough, a true man knows when to yield and when to stand firm...
Watching him in this state, Dugu Yan couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.
She rose from her seat, walked over to the window, and gazed out at the bustling Spirit City below as she spoke in a soft voice: "Don’t dwell on it too much."
...
Nightfall.
The Spirit City Grand Hotel.
The most luxurious hotel in all of Spirit City was ablaze with light this night.
The grand hall on the first floor had been transformed into a banquet hall; long dining tables were laden with rare delicacies—golden-roasted meats, crystal-clear jellies, fragrant pastries... everything imaginable was there.
Academy teams hailing from the various empires, kingdoms, and duchies had all been invited to attend this banquet.
Those very youths who, just days ago, had been locked in fierce combat upon the tournament stage, now stood together in perfect harmony—raising their cups to drink, chatting and laughing spiritedly.
After all, the competition had come to an end.
Any grudges, too, ought to be laid to rest.
At least, on the surface.
On the eastern side of the hall, seated beside a long table positioned slightly higher than the others, sat Qian Renxue.
Today, she wore a long gown of gold and crimson, a choice that accentuated her radiant beauty and captivating allure. Her golden hair cascaded down her back, and upon her face rested a smile of impeccable propriety—elegant and composed.
Many students mustered their courage to approach her and offer their greetings.
After all, an opportunity to make an appearance before Her Holiness the Pope was a rare privilege indeed.
Qian Renxue responded to each of them with a gentle smile—a smile pitched to perfection: neither appearing aloof nor overly familiar.
Just then, an attendant approached her side and whispered softly into her ear:
"Your Holiness, the Star Luo Royal Academy has politely declined the invitation; they have not attended."
Not the slightest ripple disturbed the smile on Qian Renxue’s face.
She nodded nonchalantly.
The attendant bowed deeply and withdrew.
Qian Renxue raised her wine glass and took a delicate sip.
The Star Luo Royal Academy didn’t come?
She mused inwardly.
Tonight, every member of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy—save for the bedridden Yu Tianheng—had attended.
Yet the Star Luo Royal Academy... had actually failed to show?
The corners of Qian Renxue’s lips curled upward ever so slightly.
She could hazard a fairly accurate guess as to where they had gone.
The Blue Tyrant Academy...
Enjoyed the action? Drop a review, fire off a comment, and send those Power Stones rolling! Your support keeps the updates coming fast—let’s keep the momentum going! 🔥