The celebration banquet was held on the top floor of Qiong Yue Tower.
The hall was brightly lit, and people clinked their glasses.
Not only many important figures from Heaven Dou City attended the dinner, but also the three members of the academy's education committee.
When Lin Yang arrived with Xiao Wu and the others, every gaze in the hall gathered on them.
In each pair of eyes burned desire, reverence, curiosity, and even faint hidden greed or hostility.
Despite the numerous prying and scrutinizing gazes, Lin Yang showed no sign of being affected.
At that moment, his teammates were sitting together. Osler stood up and waved.
"Boss, over here!"
Lin Yang nodded. After greeting the three members of the education committee, he sat down beside Osler and the others.
While the group was chatting and laughing, Emperor Xue Ye, dressed in simple clothing, walked up to the high platform.
Everyone fell silent and looked in that direction.
Emperor Xue Ye's deep and dignified voice echoed throughout the hall.
"Today's banquet is held to celebrate the eight warriors of our Heaven Dou Empire who won the championship in the Spirit Master Elite Tournament."
"They are the pillars of the empire and the hope of the future."
Then he raised his glass high.
"Come, fill this cup to the brim. Let us honor the warriors and celebrate the battle for Heaven!"
Everyone raised their glasses and drank together. The atmosphere instantly became lively.
Then Emperor Xue Ye began bestowing rewards one by one.
Each team member received luxurious prizes such as titles, gold soul coins, and various cultivation resources.
When it was Lin Yang's turn, Emperor Xue Ye fell silent for a moment.
"Lin Yang."
His gaze was fixed on the young man in front of him. His eyes held a mixture of enthusiasm and admiration.
"I have witnessed the two victories you led Heaven Dou to. Heaven Dou will never forget your contributions."
Lin Yang lightly lowered his head, neither humble nor arrogant.
"Your Majesty, I am honored by your praise. This victory was only achieved through the efforts of all my teammates."
"There is no need for modesty."
Emperor Xue Ye waved his hand and then said,
"I have decided to bestow upon you the title of 'Honored Guest of the Heaven Dou Royal Family,' grant you the rank of Marquis, and additionally bestow a spirit bone that has undergone ten thousand years."
These words caused an uproar in the hall.
Although the title of Honored Guest Advisor carried no real power, it occupied an extremely high status.
Currently, among the members of the education committee of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, only three people in the entire Heaven Dou Empire held this title.
Those who held this title had the authority to request an audience with the emperor at any time.
Not to mention the hereditary Marquis rank.
But the most astonishing thing was that Emperor Xue Ye was actually willing to take out a ten-thousand-year spirit bone.
Considering the scale of the empire, parting with a spirit bone that had been passed down for ten thousand years would be extremely painful for them.
He seemed determined to make this talented young man his own.
In an instant, countless envious and jealous gazes were directed at them.
Lin Yang's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly for a moment, but he quickly returned to his usual expression.
Soon, a young girl with an admiring gaze emerged carrying a brocade tray.
Her clothing was simple, yet every gesture radiated elegance.
Those who knew her identity all turned in surprise, because she was Xue Ke, the only daughter of the current emperor, Xue Ye!
And Lin Yang was probably the only person who might receive a reward directly from the princess.
Emperor Xue Ye personally pinned the badge symbolizing the "Heaven Dou Royal Family" onto Lin Yang's chest, and then, under the watchful eyes of everyone, personally handed the spirit bone to Lin Yang.
Lin Yang accepted the spirit bone with a calm expression.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The audience erupted in applause!
Whether it was sincere or not was another matter, but at least on the surface, no one wanted to anger Lin Yang, nor did they dare.
After the rewards were bestowed, Xue Ke went straight to Emperor Xue Ye's side and called out in a sweet voice.
"Father!"
"You are so lacking in manners. Who told you to rush out like that?" Xue Ye appeared to be scolding her, but he was not actually angry.
"Father, I just wanted to see the great hero of Heaven Dou with my own eyes."
As Xue Ke spoke, she boldly appraised Lin Yang.
"Hello, I'm Xue Ke!"
"Greetings, Your Highness." Lin Yang lightly nodded.
"Don't call me Princess. Call me Xue Ke."
She smiled gently.
"Father often talks about you. You're only two years older than me, yet you're so powerful. Even the people of Spirit Hall are no match for you."
"Your Highness, I am honored by your praise."
"I already told you to call me Xue Ke," Xue Ke waved her hand a little angrily.
"If you're not used to it, then call me Sister Xue Ke."
"This…"
Lin Yang glanced at Xue Ye and saw that he had already turned away. So Lin Yang began to form a plan.
He averted his gaze, smiled lightly, and said in a calm tone,
"Then, Sister Xue Ke, I will accept your offer…"
On the way back after the banquet, Dugu Yan and Xiao Wu behaved as if they were performing a comedy sketch, one playing the straight man and the other the comedian.
One would call out in a high-pitched, sweet voice, "Brother Lin Yang," and the other would immediately follow with a clear, distinct voice, "Sister Xue Ke."
The two took turns speaking, their exchanges full of sarcasm and wit.
Lin Yang felt goosebumps all over his body as he listened.
Lin Yang explained that it was merely acting, but Sister Yan and Xiao Wu were not so easily fooled.
Even Ye Lingling, who was usually the most obedient, was not on his side.
Left with no other choice, Lin Yang was forced to reveal his true purpose.
"The cover of the Vast Ocean Universe?"
Dugu Yan stroked her chin, looking thoughtful.
"I think Grandpa mentioned it before. It seems to be a national treasure of Heaven Dou. Do you want it?"
Lin Yang nodded with unwavering determination.
Of course he wanted it.
The Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud was not only an extremely practical soul tool, but also the core of the Sea God's inheritance.
Simply put, anyone who obtained the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud would possess the potential to become a god.
Its value was immeasurable.
Therefore, for the time being, he did not want to sever relations with the Heaven Dou royal family.
The path Xue Ke was walking could be called unconventional and unusual.
However, he still could not say these words out loud, and only told Dugu Yan and the others this much.
He absolutely had to obtain this Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, because it was extremely important for his future cultivation plans.
Hearing this, Dugu Yan and Xiao Wu could say nothing more.
The day after the banquet, Lin Yang and his classmates headed to the academy to complete their graduation procedures.
The three education committee members readily agreed.
Although they felt reluctant about parting, they also understood…
This academy was already too small. It could no longer contain this soaring dragon, Lin Yang.
Thus, Lin Yang and the others quietly graduated with excellent grades.
Just as they were about to leave, Lin Yang unexpectedly ran into Qin Ming.
As expected, Qin Ming had also resigned from his teaching position at Heaven Dou Royal Academy and planned to return to Shrek Academy to teach.
Lin Yang did not say much. He only said, "That is a matter of personal choice."
Afterwards, as planned, Lin Yang hurriedly prepared ten Body Strengthening Pills and personally headed to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
The mountain gate of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was located on a high mountain in the outskirts of Heaven Dou City.
Palaces and towers shrouded in clouds and mist overlapped one another in orderly arrangement. From a distance, they looked like fairy palaces.
"Truly worthy of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect… filled with wealth and power…"
Lin Yang muttered something and ascended the stairs.
The moment Lin Yang appeared, a disciple informed Ning Fengzhi.
In the main hall, Ning Fengzhi listened to the disciples' report, and a flash of surprise appeared in his eyes.
"Is the medicine already ready?"
Even if the medicine was ready, he could have simply sent someone to summon him. Why did he have to come here in person?
Whatever Lin Yang's purpose was, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect could not neglect a guest.
The current Lin Yang was someone he could take seriously as an opponent.
….