Chapter 128: The Emperor's Welcome and the Highest Honors
The morning light over Star Luo City was pale and thin, struggling to pierce the lingering haze of last night's extravagance. The air in the streets still carried the heavy, sweet scent of spilled wine and the faint echoes of a victory banquet that had raged until dawn.
But for the Heavenly Soul Academy team, who had just seized the ultimate championship, this sprawling metropolis felt entirely superfluous. It had witnessed their absolute glory, yet it was not their home.
Liu Yuan, Long Aotian, and every single member of the team shared the exact same sentiment as they stood in the crisp morning air. They looked toward the northern horizon, their blood cooling from the thrill of the arena and warming with the deep, primal urge to return. They felt like veteran soldiers who had just crushed an enemy empire on distant shores, their hearts already flying across the map toward their homeland.
Under the silent, imposing leadership of Du Busi, the group did not waste a single second lingering in the Star Luo Empire.
As the very first ray of golden sunlight struck the towering stones of the East City Gate, the Heavenly Soul team's procession had already set off. They moved at full speed, a blur of motion galloping relentlessly toward the Heavenly Soul Empire.
The journey back was eerily calm. The usual perils of the wilderness simply ceased to exist. Perhaps they were shielded by the immense luck and destiny that came with the championship, or perhaps it was something far more tangible. Du Busi, a Level 98 Super Douluo, radiated an invisible, suffocating pressure that stretched for thousands of miles. The sheer deterrent power of the Body Sect's master, especially after his devastating confrontation days prior, ensured that not a single bandit dared to breathe too loudly, let alone show their faces. Even the notoriously insane Evil Soul Masters who occasionally stalked these routes had vanished like ghosts fleeing the dawn.
Moving at extreme speeds, they crossed the border in record time. The jagged, unfamiliar terrain smoothed out, and the familiar, sprawling mountains and winding rivers of the Heavenly Soul Empire finally came into view.
Soon, the massive, towering walls of the Heavenly Soul Imperial City loomed in the distance.
As Liu Yuan looked ahead, his normally stagnant and perfectly controlled state of mind rippled slightly.
Ten miles outside the Heavenly Soul Imperial City, the normally desolate, dust-choked official road had vanished. In its place lay a thick, incredibly vibrant red carpet that stretched all the way to the city gates, completely covering the earth.
At the very end of this sprawling crimson path stood the Emperor of the Heavenly Soul Empire. He was dressed in his orthodox golden dragon robes, the heavy fabric shimmering under the sun, and wore a flat-topped imperial crown adorned with swaying jade beads. Behind him, standing in absolute silence, were the highest-ranking civil and military officials of the entire nation.
Flanking both sides of the ten-mile official road were tens of thousands of commoners. They had not been ordered to come; they had gathered spontaneously, forming a massive sea of humanity. They waved the soaring flags of the Heavenly Soul Empire, their faces flushed red, their eyes burning with a fanaticism and reverence that bordered on worship.
"They are back! They are back!"
A single, hoarse shout shattered the quiet wilderness. In the next instant, the entire landscape boiled over.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Massive ceremonial cannons, forged specifically for the highest state celebrations, roared in perfect unison. Plumes of white smoke shot into the sky, shaking the clouds.
The very second Liu Yuan's boot touched the edge of the red carpet, a grand band composed of the Empire's most elite musicians struck their instruments. A powerful, blood-pumping triumphal movement washed over the plains.
Several Soul Masters with deep soul power stood atop constructed high grounds, using their cultivation to project their voices like thunder across the masses.
"Heroes return! Welcome home!"
"Champions! Champions! Champions!"
The cheers from the countless civilians merged into a mountain-toppling, sea-draining force. The sheer volume of their voices caused the leaves on the surrounding ancient trees to tremble and shake loose.
This level of reception was unmatched. In the entire ten-thousand-year history of the Heavenly Soul Empire, even after massive military victories against the Sun Moon Empire, the imperial family had never arranged a welcome this grand.
Liu Yuan and Long Aotian exchanged a brief glance, the unspoken weight of the moment passing between them, and immediately quickened their pace.
When they were exactly ten steps away from the Emperor, Liu Yuan, Long Aotian, and the five teammates trailing behind them stopped. They adjusted their robes and bowed in perfect unison, preparing to kneel and perform the formal greeting dictated by imperial etiquette.
"All members of the Heavenly Soul Team, having fulfilled our mission, pay our respects to Your Majesty!"
However, before Liu Yuan's knees could even brush the fabric of the red carpet, the Emperor of Heavenly Soul moved. He completely abandoned the slow, measured steps of imperial decorum and strode forward rapidly.
The Emperor reached out with both hands, firmly gripping Liu Yuan's arms and pulling him upright with surprising strength. He then turned, personally reaching out to help Long Aotian and the rest of the team to their feet, one by one.
"Everyone, please, rise!" The Emperor's voice carried a heavy, uncontrollable tremor. His eyes were visibly red-rimmed as he looked deeply at Liu Yuan, and then at Long Aotian.
"Your Majesty, your subjects have not failed the mission and have finally brought the championship trophy back to the Empire." Long Aotian spoke, his voice thick. Though he was unyielding and fiercely proud by nature, the sight of the supreme ruler of the nation abandoning his absolute authority to support them moved him deeply.
The Emperor turned back to Liu Yuan, his grip on the young man's arm tightening. "You speak too heavily. What you brought back is far more than just a trophy. It is the dignity of our Heavenly Soul Empire, a dignity we have bled for over ten thousand years! I watched your performance at Star Luo Plaza the entire time."
The Emperor took a deep breath, his gaze burning into Liu Yuan's calm eyes. "Especially you, Liu Yuan. That heavy blow of yours did not just shatter your opponent's defense. It shattered the suffocating gloom that has been weighing on my heart, and the heart of this Empire, for decades!"
Liu Yuan lowered his head slightly, his posture relaxed, his tone entirely peaceful. "It is all thanks to the Sect's guidance and Your Majesty's absolute trust. As a member of the Empire, I should naturally do my utmost."
"Good! What a great 'do my utmost'!" The Emperor threw his head back and laughed heartily, the sound echoing over the roaring crowd. He gestured broadly to the side. "Today, this ten-mile red carpet was laid exclusively for you. And today, you shall share my carriage!"
A collective gasp rippled through the civil and military officials, though none dared to voice an objection. Under their astonished yet entirely accepting gazes, the Emperor personally took Liu Yuan and Long Aotian by the hand. He led them up the steps of the massive, opulent imperial carriage, a towering structure of gold and jade that symbolized supreme imperial power, pulled by eight top-tier, heavily armored Soul Beasts.
Following the Emperor's sharp command, the honor guard pivoted, and the grand procession began its slow return journey into the city.
The atmosphere along the route reached a fever pitch.
Civilians packed the streets, leaning out of windows and standing on rooftops. They continuously threw handfuls of vibrant flowers toward the carriage, creating a rain of petals. Men and women with faces flushed from screaming loudly thanked Liu Yuan by name for the glory he had brought them.
In the eyes of the Heavenly Soul Empire's citizens, utterly crushing Shrek Academy meant they were no longer mere vassals or stepping stones in the mouths of foreign powers. They were the true dominators of the continent.
Inside the spacious, incense-filled cabin of the carriage, the Emperor poured tea himself, expressing his deep gratitude to Liu Yuan and the others multiple times. This was no longer a condescending favor from a ruler to his subjects; it was genuine appreciation built on a foundation of absolute, equal respect.
Soon, the procession passed through the towering gates of the magnificent Heavenly Soul Imperial Palace.
Inside the sprawling grand hall, standing before the assembled might of the nation's officials, the Emperor officially announced the royal decrees.
"Team core Liu Yuan is hereby conferred the title of 'Marquis of Soul Suppression.' He is granted a permanent fief in the most prosperous core area of the Empire's southeastern province, encompassing ten thousand hectares of fertile land, and a fully staffed Marquis mansion. Additionally, he is awarded ten thousand jin of refined gold and three thousand sets of core parts for top-tier soul tools!"
"Long Aotian is hereby conferred the title of 'Marquis of Mighty Distance.' He is granted a vital fief at the throat of the Empire's western border and shall permanently enjoy the resource treatment of a Prince of the Blood!"
Following the two leaders, Chen Lu, Wang Yanfeng, Gu Tong, and the rest of the team were all granted the title of Count. They received corresponding fiefs, vast estates, and staggering amounts of gold, silver, and rare cultivation resources.
These rewards were astronomically valuable, shattering conventional promotion logic and bypassing decades of military service. Yet, as the decrees echoed through the hall, not a single civil or military official felt a trace of dissatisfaction.
They looked at Liu Yuan, who stood with a perfectly calm expression, accepting the title of Marquis without a flicker of arrogance or overwhelming shock. The officials felt only deep awe. Every pillar of the nation understood the truth: the political use, the national cohesion, and the sheer intimidating power these seven youths brought back far exceeded the value of dead gold and dirt.
Liu Yuan was worthy of every single coin and title.
That night, the grandest victory banquet in recent history was held beneath the glowing chandeliers of the Imperial Palace.
It was a level of honor and luxury Liu Yuan had never experienced, even in Star Luo City. Ministers who held the power of life and death over millions, men who previously looked down on young Soul Masters, now took the initiative to lower their posture. They walked over to Liu Yuan's table, bowing slightly, and raised their jade cups to toast him.
These crafty, seasoned politicians gave plenty of face, their words dripping with elegant praise and subtle offers of future alliances.
To add to the festivities, the Emperor arranged dozens of performances featuring the absolute pinnacle of the Empire's cultural arts. Against the backdrop of flowing fine wine, soaring music, and captivating dances, every member of the team finally let their guard down, enjoying a thoroughly perfect night.
By the afternoon of the second day, the celebrations had finally concluded. Liu Yuan and his team prepared to leave the Imperial Palace and return to the Body Sect.
As they walked down the wide, white-jade imperial road leading out of the palace gates, Chen Lu and the others were still buzzing, heavily feeling the aftertaste of the unmatched glory.
"Tsk, tsk. I never thought in my entire life that I would be able to sit inside His Majesty the Emperor's personal carriage." Chen Lu patted the heavy, cool jade plaque of a Count hanging at his waist, his face flushed with lingering excitement.
Wang Yanfeng nodded vigorously, his eyes gleaming. "Yeah. Seeing those high-and-mighty ministers who usually wouldn't even spare us a glance... the way they were fawning over us last night, pouring our wine? It was truly satisfying."
Gu Tong, walking beside them, suddenly retracted his wide smile. He looked toward the southern horizon with a deeply emotional, almost vicious glint in his eyes. "We are indeed happy. But you have to remember, there must be someone on this Douluo Continent right now who feels so miserable they want to die."
Wang Yanfeng reacted instantly, a sharp grin spreading across his face. "Who? Are you talking about that Elder Xuan from Shrek?"
"Of course!" Gu Tong pursed his lips, his tone dripping with heavy schadenfreude. "He committed so many arrogant mistakes, led their invincible team to lose a ten-thousand-year championship streak, and even knelt and kowtowed in public like a dog. Now that he's dragged himself back to Shrek, he must be getting lectured by the Sea God Pavilion, right? I bet those old, dusty veterans will scold him to death."
Chen Lu took up the conversation, snorting coldly, his fists clenching at the memory of their past treatment. "This is exactly what they deserve. Who told them to look down on people back then? Who told them to insist on driving Senior Brother Liu Yuan away like he was trash?"
Chen Lu spat on the ground. "Now they must be regretting it so much that their intestines are turning green. Watching Senior Brother Liu Yuan lead us to completely rub Shrek's face into the dirt... that feeling of absolute regret must be worse than killing them."
Liu Yuan walked at the very front of the formation. He listened to the heated, vindictive discussion of his junior brothers behind him, but his steady pace did not pause in the slightest. His face remained a mask of cool indifference.
"The past is irrelevant," Liu Yuan said calmly, his voice easily cutting through their chatter. His dark eyes looked deeply toward the distant, towering peaks where the Body Sect resided. "How Shrek regrets it, or how they suffer, has absolutely nothing to do with me. Now, I just want to return to the Sect to cultivate."
Hearing the sheer focus in Liu Yuan's words, the smiles on everyone's faces vanished, replaced by serious respect.
They all knew the truth. Liu Yuan's current cultivation had reached an extremely critical, dangerous threshold.
He was currently standing at the absolute peak of Rank 49. He was just a paper-thin barrier away from shattering the shackles of his current realm and stepping into the domain of a Soul King at Rank 50.
For an ordinary genius, Rank 50 was a massive milestone. But for Liu Yuan, Rank 50 was by no means just a simple increase in soul power.
It meant his physical body and soul would be able to bear a vastly more powerful soul ring, granting him a terrifyingly destructive new Soul Skill.
More, Liu Yuan could vaguely feel it in his blood. As his soul power violently crashed against the Rank 50 barrier, his Martial Soul—the Double Pupils—was trembling. It was preparing to welcome a much deeper, fundamental level of awakening.
If the Double Pupils fully awakened, what kind of heaven-defying power would that be? A power meant to tower above all living beings.
Is it the absolute truth that sees through all worldly falsehood, or is it the sheer, unadulterated annihilation that dominates the very fabric of space?
Liu Yuan's heart beat with a cold, heavy anticipation for this evolution.
He no longer paid any attention to the clamor of the outside world, the titles, or the distant suffering of his former academy. Carrying the absolute glory of an empire and an endless, burning desire for power, his figure disappeared into the ancient, mist-shrouded mountain path leading back to the Body Sect.
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