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Bibi Dong's voice echoed throughout the Pope's Palace, leaving everyone momentarily stunned.
Soon after, the Shrek Academy team erupted in overwhelming excitement.
Li Luochen leapt up from his seat, pointing a finger to the sky and shouting joyfully:
"Yessss!"
Li Luochen's actions left the surrounding Title Douluos somewhat bewildered, but considering he was still just a twenty-year-old youth, it was understandable.
Li Luochen's philosophy was simple: if you're happy, shout it out—no need to suppress yourself.
However, at this moment, Bibi Dong's gaze toward Li Luochen grew icy. She was already contemplating how to punish this brat.
Flender, on the other hand, was teary-eyed. His academy had finally taken an epic step forward.
Qin Ming was also deeply moved. He had once felt regret for not participating in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament, but now, leading his juniors to victory was an honor in itself!
The senior alumni of Shrek Academy who had come were all shedding tears of joy—it hadn't been easy, but their juniors had truly done it.
At this moment, Yaomei also dissolved the Spirit Fusion Technique, splitting back into Xie Yue and Hu Liena. Hu Liena's face was pale, her expression filled with despair. She felt she had failed her teacher's teachings.
The siblings silently left the arena.
By now, Bibi Dong and the other Title Douluos had gathered on the battlefield. Bibi Dong carefully observed each member of the Shrek Academy team.
After finishing her inspection, she nodded quietly. Indeed, their spirit, energy, and vitality far surpassed that of the Spirit Hall team.
Chrysanthemum Douluo sniffed the air, then glanced at Li Luochen before speaking:
"Elder Li, your students seem to carry the scent of many immortal-grade medicinal herbs. Let me see… Ghost Shadow Flower, Ninth Rank Immortal Lotus, and that fire attribute must be the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower. There's also the Otherworldly Flower, Beautiful Silk Tulip, and Eight Petal Immortal Orchid.
Tsk, tsk, tsk, so many immortal-grade herbs. Could it be that Elder Li has discovered a legendary treasure trove?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo's words startled the other Title Douluos. Li Luochen chuckled lightly:
"Naturally, we've found one—one of the three great treasure basins, the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well. It was discovered by the Eighth Elder. Chrysanthemum Douluo is also a lover of flowers; perhaps you can discuss it with the Eighth Elder and pay a visit."
Upon hearing this, Chrysanthemum Douluo's face lit up with excitement. Due to his spirit weapon, he had a deep affection for plants and was well versed in heavenly treasures and immortal-grade herbs.
Within the Spirit Hall, Chrysanthemum Douluo was the foremost authority on medicinal knowledge. The medicinal baths used by the descendants of the Elders and the younger generation of the Spirit Hall were all personally designed by him, granting him a high status within the organization.
Not only had his strength reached Level 95, but his Spirit Fusion Technique with Ghost Douluo was unparalleled. Moreover, his exceptional medical expertise helped cultivate many young prodigies for the Spirit Hall.
"Allow me to ask—do you happen to have the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum?" Chrysanthemum Douluo asked cautiously.
"It exists, naturally. However, the mature one was eaten by me. There's another immature one that will take about ten years to mature. Or, Elder Chrysanthemum, would you like to try cultivating it yourself?"
Li Luochen thought carefully. Since Dugu Bo had taken up flower cultivation, the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well had been meticulously maintained, and the immortal-grade herbs had regrown. In about ten years, they would mature again.
"Great! Great!" Chrysanthemum Douluo readily agreed—flower cultivation was one of his greatest passions in life.
Ghost Douluo, seeing his partner's enthusiasm, smiled and shook his head. 'It seems the workload has increased during Old Chrysanthemum's absence.'
Bibi Dong heard this but showed little interest. Her disciples had already consumed suitable immortal-grade herbs, and with her soul power at Level 99, her next step was ascending to godhood—there was no need for such things.
The only person who might benefit was her grandson, Li Chengqian. But Li Luochen would undoubtedly give his son the best, so there was no need to worry.
"The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament's champion for this year is… Shrek Academy. Congratulations, brilliant young soul masters. Captain of the Shrek team, step forward to receive your reward!"
Bibi Dong spoke calmly. Since Oscar was still lying outside the arena, Ma Hongjun stepped forward to claim the prize.
Three soul bones shimmered from Bibi Dong's scepter, which she handed to Ma Hongjun.
"You are the future hope of soul masters. May you achieve even greater heights in the future. May you soon enter the Hall of Douluo and be bestowed titles!"
Bibi Dong didn't bother with any flattering words—it was unnecessary. The most powerful person in Shrek Academy would soon feel her wrath, and once he was subdued, the rest would fall in line.
Feeling the overwhelming aura emanating from the three soul bones, Ma Hongjun accepted the tray. Though he desired them, his longing wasn't overwhelming.
Three soul bones—three soul bones! From all around, greedy gazes locked onto him. Any soul master who saw soul bones would naturally crave them. Ma Hongjun almost drowned in a sea of greed as he returned to his teammates.
Then, Ma Hongjun looked at Li Luochen, who had already noticed. Li Luochen approached him and took the soul bones away. Instantly, the greedy gazes vanished—such was the power of being strong.
"The Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament has concluded. Students from various academies may now leave Wuhun City at their leisure."
With that, Bibi Dong departed.
"Cough, cough, everyone from Shrek Academy, follow me."
Li Luochen cleared his throat and trailed behind Bibi Dong. The members of the Shrek team were unsure of what was happening.
Eventually, they all followed. Yu Tianxin even went to the spectator stands to carry Oscar back.
Everyone from the Shrek team, including their leader Qin Ming, followed along. As for Flender and the other teachers, they headed straight to drink in Wuhun City—they were celebrating today!
Ning Fengzhi, seeing that his daughter hadn't left, accompanied them to the Pope's Palace, as did Yu Luomian.
Upon returning to the Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong frowned. What was this brat doing, bringing so many people here? She glared at Li Luochen, silently demanding an explanation—or else she'd beat him to a pulp later!
"Cough, cough, students, I've brought you to the Pope's Palace to distribute soul bones. It's safer here with the Pope herself present—you can absorb the soul bones without worry."
Li Luochen's words eased Bibi Dong's frown slightly. So she was to act as their guardian? Still, the part about the Pope's Palace being safe pleased her.
Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Yu Luomian were speechless. Was this brat really so bold? After winning the Pope's soul bones, he dared to pull this stunt? Wasn't he afraid of death?
Li Luochen: Not afraid of death, just afraid of getting beaten!
"You all performed exceptionally well this time, so most of you will receive rewards. Hongjun and Xiao Ao, you two don't need any. I already know what soul bones you possess, so there's no need."
Oscar and Ma Hongjun nodded. They indeed already possessed several soul bones.
"First, the three soul bones awarded for winning the tournament: the 55,000-year Spirit Condensation Wisdom Skull Bone goes to Ye Lingling—take good care of it. The 35,000-year Swift Wind Left Leg Bone goes to Jing Ling, and the 35,000-year Flame Burning Explosive Left Arm Bone goes to Teacher Qin Ming."
Li Luochen assigned the soul bones, but Qin Ming immediately objected.
"Little Chen, I didn't participate in the tournament—I shouldn't receive a soul bone. This one suits Hongjun perfectly; I refuse it!"
Qin Ming was flustered, as the distribution of soul bones seemed somewhat unfair.
"Old Qin, why are you in such a hurry? Hongjun already has a left arm bone better than this one. Among everyone here, you're the most compatible with fire attributes—it's only natural that it goes to you."
Qin Ming: So it's because no one else wanted it? I retract my earlier statement.
"Next are the soul bones from my personal collection. Rongrong, this 20,000-year Spirit Condensation Illusion Skull Bone is a gem-type head bone—it's the most compatible for you. (A/N: Shi Nian was long ago dealt with by Li Luochen, though the author didn't write it. Killing Shi Nian was as easy as snapping one's fingers.)
Zhu Qing, this 48,000-year Swift Wind Right Leg Bone suits you. Tianxin, this explosive Thunder Left Arm Bone from the Hao Tian Sect is yours.
Yang Wu, this Strength Right Arm Bone from the Hao Tian Sect is for you. Niu Dun, this Legacy Left Leg Bone from the Hao Tian Sect is yours. These are three of the Hao Tian Sect's legacy soul bones—consider it revenge for you all.
Dai Mubai, here's a 10,000-year tiger-type Right Arm Bone for you. Huang Yuan, this 20,000-year Grey Wolf Left Leg Bone is yours. Jiang Zhu, this 20,000-year Spirit Condensation Wisdom Skull Bone is for you. You may absorb them on the spot."
Li Luochen distributed so many soul bones in one breath, giving nearly every student something. This left the surrounding Title Douluos utterly dumbfounded.
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo recognized some of these soul bones—they were part of the trade with Li Luochen. The Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Sect now had very few ten-thousand-year soul bones left.
However, seeing that Li Luochen had given his daughter a gem-type head bone, Ning Fengzhi felt it was worth it.
At this point, Li Luochen truly had no more ten-thousand-year soul bones left—he had squeezed them all dry.
Even Bibi Dong was stunned. How had this brat hidden so much? Was he joking? No way—she needed to rob him once!
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