After several days of travel, everyone finally returned to Heaven Dou City.
The journey was peaceful. With Thunder Douluo, Poison Douluo, Sword Douluo, and Ning Fengzhi accompanying them, even Spirit Hall wouldn't dare attack such a powerful entourage.
That day, Heaven Dou City was exceptionally lively. Crowds gathered at the city gates, as if awaiting the triumphant return of their heroes. Even Emperor Xue Ye personally came to greet them.
He was overjoyed. News of the tournament's outcome had spread across the continent: the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy had defeated Spirit Hall Academy and claimed first place, bringing immense honor to the empire.
After all, Spirit Hall Academy had monopolized the championship for far too long. Now, it wasn't the Star Luo Empire breaking their dominance—it was the Heaven Dou Empire itself. That made Emperor Xue Ye incredibly proud.
"Your Majesty!"
Everyone dismounted and bowed respectfully to Emperor Xue Ye.
"Haha, no need for such formalities! You are all heroes of the empire—especially the Emperor Team. I'm truly pleased you won the championship for us." Emperor Xue Ye waved warmly. "By imperial decree, all members of the Emperor Team who won the championship shall have their noble titles raised by one rank."
"Captain Yu Tianheng and Deputy Captain Dugu Yan will be promoted from Viscount to Earl. The other eight members will be elevated from Baron to Viscount. Additionally, as promised, the empire will assist each of you in hunting your next spirit ring—freely choosing any beast under 30,000 years old!"
His rewards were generous. Soon, a group of attendants arrived, carrying the Earl and Viscount ceremonial robes.
Jun Tianlin changed into his Viscount attire and turned to Ning Rongrong with a smile. "Look, Rongrong, I'm a noble now too. I've finally reached your class."
All these years, Jun Tianlin had only relied on his status as Sword Douluo's disciple to gain half-noble recognition. But without a blood tie to Sword Douluo, he'd always been a commoner at heart. Now, he had truly stepped into nobility.
Truthfully, he didn't care much for noble ranks—but it brought him pride to marry Ning Rongrong bearing a title.
"Silly Brother Jian." Ning Rongrong's eyes shone with happiness, tinged with bashfulness and helplessness.
How could Jun Tianlin be "worthy" of her? If anything, she felt she had to keep working hard to catch up with him.
She dared to think: if Jun Tianlin had proposed to Emperor Xue Ye right then and there, the emperor would've immediately granted a lavish dowry and married Princess Xue Ke to him without hesitation.
But she knew her Brother Jian would never do that. The first thing he did after becoming a noble was to come to her side. She could feel just how deeply he cared for her.
Standing beside Emperor Xue Ye, Qian Renxue—disguised as Xue Qinghe—watched with a faint trace of envy. Unfortunately, as Xue Qinghe, she could only be Tianlin's brother.
No matter how much she disliked Ning Rongrong's closeness with Jun Tianlin, she had no right to interfere. On the contrary, she had to offer her blessings, even if it went against her heart.
Emperor Xue Ye, being the emperor, could not stay long despite this grand welcome. Soon, with Xue Qinghe's assistance, he returned to the palace.
The academies gradually dispersed. The five-year Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament had officially concluded.
"The Emperor Team… is disbanding." Osler sighed wistfully.
They had been together for over eight years. With their strength, they would've graduated long ago if not for the tournament. Now that it was over, it was time to part ways. Everyone had their own future paths.
At Osler's words, the others lowered their heads, reluctant.
Jun Tianlin clapped Osler's shoulder. "Why so glum? It's not like we won't see each other again. Even if the Emperor Team ends here, as long as we want it, we can always reunite."
"Xiaotian's right," Yu Tianheng added with a smile, embracing Dugu Yan. "In fact, you'll all have a chance to gather soon. Yan'er and I are returning to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. We've been engaged for over four years, and our wedding is set for after the tournament. You all must attend."
He and Dugu Yan were both in their early twenties—an age perfectly suitable for marriage in this fantastical world.
"Really? Congratulations, Tianheng!" The Shi brothers congratulated joyfully.
For a moment, their blessings lightened the sorrow of parting. Dugu Yan, once bold and valiant, stood shyly beside her fiancé, too embarrassed to speak.
They made plans to meet again, and then the Emperor Team members each went their own ways.
The Shi brothers, Osler, and Yufeng returned to their family homes in Heaven Dou City, as their families held minor noble status in the empire.
Ye Lingling's home was farther away; she needed to visit her mother first. Concerned, Gu Ran chose to accompany her. Jun Tianlin suggested they bring Lingling's mother to live in the clan, reasoning that the Nine Hearts Flowering Apple's power would always attract trouble—and it would be safest within the clan's protection.
Ye Lingling agreed, having already considered the same.
In the end, Jun Tianlin returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan with Ning Rongrong, Qin Ming, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and Meng Yiran.
Although Ma Hongjun and the others had already joined the clan, they hadn't held their formal initiation ceremony due to the tournament. Now, Ning Fengzhi took the opportunity to hold an official induction in the grand Seven Treasures Hall.
Ning Fengzhi addressed the gathered group solemnly:
"Jun Tianlin, Ning Rongrong, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Meng Yiran, Qin Ming—step forward."
"Yes, Clan Master!" The six stood in a row, awaiting his words.
"Jun Tianlin, as a disciple of our clan, won the championship in the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament, bringing great honor to the clan. His contributions are immeasurable. Qin Ming, as team leader, is equally deserving. Though Ning Rongrong, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Meng Yiran did not claim the championship, they still placed in the top three and performed admirably. As clan master, I must reward merit accordingly."
Finishing, Ning Fengzhi first turned to Meng Yiran.
"Meng Yiran, this is a poison-attributed skull bone. Today, I gift it to you. I hope you will achieve your title rank soon."
It was a grand gesture. Jun Tianlin had recovered the poison skull bone from Tang San and returned it to Ning Fengzhi—allowing the long-unclaimed soul bone to finally find a worthy master.
"Thank you, Clan Master!" Meng Yiran was overjoyed. A skull bone ranked second among the six key bones—and one with poison attributes—was practically tailored for her.
The Dragon Lord beside her beamed with satisfaction. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was truly generous. They'd given medicinal herbs before, and now a soul bone. How wealthy they were!
He sneaked a proud glance at the Snake Lady, as if to say, *See? Didn't I make the right call? If I hadn't decided to join the clan, how could our granddaughter have gained so much? Truly, I'm the wisest patriarch of the Dragon Snake Family.*
But after so many years together, the Snake Lady could see straight through him. How could she not understand what he was thinking? She rolled her eyes in amused exasperation.
"Hmph! And yet, you were the one grumbling behind my back back then, calling the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan opportunists. Now, you're basking in glory just because of a soul bone and some herbs. Honestly—where's your dignity? I've never seen anyone shameless enough to toss their face into the sea!"