After several days, everyone finally returned to Heaven Dou City.
The journey was peaceful, since Thunder Douluo, Poison Douluo, Sword Douluo, and Ning Fengzhi were all present. Even Spirit Hall wouldn't dare attack such a group now.
Heaven Dou City was especially lively that day, with crowds welcoming the heroes' return. Even Emperor Xue Ye came in person.
He was overjoyed. The results of the tournament had spread across the continent—Heaven Dou Royal Academy defeated Spirit Hall Academy and won great honor for the empire.
After all, Spirit Hall Academy had been champion for too long. Now, it was Heaven Dou Empire, not Star Luo, that broke their monopoly. He was truly proud.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Everyone got off the carriage and saluted the emperor.
"Haha, no need for formalities. All of you are heroes, especially the Emperor Battle Team, for bringing the empire glory. I am greatly pleased." Emperor Xue Ye waved his hand. "By decree, all Emperor Battle Team members who won the championship will be promoted one rank in nobility."
"Captain Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan, from viscount to earl; the other eight, from baron to viscount. Also, as promised, for your next soul ring—under thirty thousand years—the empire will help you hunt any one you choose!"
The emperor gave out generous rewards. Soon, maids brought them the robes of earls and viscounts.
Tian Lin donned his viscount's robe and said to Ning Rongrong, "Look, Rongrong, I'm a noble now. I've finally reached your level."
He had always relied on his status as Sword Douluo's disciple for half a noble identity. But with no blood relation, he was still a commoner. Today, he truly entered the nobility.
He didn't care about the rank, but marrying Rongrong as a noble would bring her honor.
"Silly Sword Brother." Ning Rongrong was both happy and shy, a bit helpless.
Now, it wasn't that Tian Lin had matched her, but the other way around—she had to work hard to keep up with him.
She knew that if Tian Lin stopped liking her and proposed to Emperor Xue Ye, the emperor would instantly prepare a massive dowry and send Princess Xue Ke.
But she knew her Sword Brother wouldn't do that. The first thing he did as a noble was come to her side, and she could feel how much he cared.
Looking at Ning Rongrong's delighted face, Qian Renxue, standing by the emperor, felt a little envious. Unfortunately, she was now disguised as Xue Qinghe, and could only be Tian Lin's brother.
No matter how much she disliked Tian Lin and Rongrong's relationship, she had no grounds to deny it; she even had to pretend to give her blessing.
As an emperor, Xue Ye couldn't stay long. Soon, with Xue Qinghe's help, he returned to the palace.
The other academies dispersed. The five-year Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament was now truly over.
"Is the Emperor Battle Team disbanding too?" Oslo said wistfully. After eight years together, if not for the tournament, they'd have graduated long ago.
Now it was over, and everyone had their future.
Tian Lin patted his shoulder, "Why so gloomy? It's not like we'll never meet again. As long as we want, we can always gather again."
"Xiao Tian's right, and we'll have the chance soon. Yan and I need to go back to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. We got engaged over four years ago, and the wedding is set for after the tournament. You all must come," Yu Tianheng smiled, holding his fiancée.
They were both over twenty, an appropriate age for marriage in this world.
"Really? Congratulations, Tianheng!" The Shi brothers congratulated them.
Blessings for the new couple swept away the sorrow of parting. Dugu Yan, always so valiant, now shyly held her lover's hand and couldn't say a word.
Having agreed to meet again, everyone went their separate ways.
The Shi brothers, Oslo, and Yu Feng returned home, as their families were minor nobles in Heaven Dou City.
Ye Lingling's home was farther away, so Gu Ran accompanied her and would bring her mother to the sect for safety, as the Nine Heart Begonia would always attract trouble.
Ye Lingling agreed—it was what she wanted too.
Finally, Tian Lin took Ning Rongrong, Qin Ming, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and Meng Yiran back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Though Ma Hongjun and others had joined the sect before, they'd never had an induction ceremony due to the tournament. Today, Ning Fengzhi held a grand ceremony for them in the main hall.
Ning Fengzhi solemnly called, "Jun Tian Lin, Ning Rongrong, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Meng Yiran, Qin Ming—step forward."
"Yes, Sect Master!" The six lined up, awaiting instruction.
"Jun Tian Lin, as our sect's disciple, won the championship and brought us honor—great merit. Qin Ming, as lead teacher, shares the credit. Ning Rongrong, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Meng Yiran entered the top three, also performing excellently. As Sect Master, I must reward merit and punish faults." Ning Fengzhi first looked at Meng Yiran.
"Meng Yiran, this is a poison-type skull bone. I bestow it upon you—may you reach Title Douluo soon."
Tian Lin had recovered the poison skull bone from Tang San and returned it to Ning Fengzhi. Now, after so many years, it finally found its true owner.
"Thank you, Sect Master!" Meng Yiran was overjoyed. A poison-type skull bone, the second rarest of the six, was perfect for her.
Dragon Duke was also delighted. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was so generous—first pills, now soul bones, truly wealthy!
He cast a proud glance at his wife as if to say, "See, didn't I make the right call joining the sect? If not for me, would our granddaughter have gotten so many benefits? I am the wisest clan leader!"
After so many years, Granny Snake understood him immediately, rolling her eyes as if to say, "You dare talk? Didn't you used to complain the sect was taking advantage of us? Now you see a soul bone, and your thick skin is gone!"