The grand finals concluded early due to the wager between Xu Tianran and Zhang Lexuan.
The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy successfully defended its championship title for the first time, achieving its first major comeback in over four thousand years.
Before this, Shrek Academy stood like an insurmountable monument, firmly occupying the pinnacle of the entire continent's Spirit Master's world.
Their radiance was so dazzling that even though the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy stood out in the field of spirit tools, it had always lived under that shadow.
Countless generations of students from the Sun Moon Empire had hacked through thorns and thistles, and countless Soul Engineers had poured their heart and blood into their work, yet none could shake Shrek's dominant position in the tournament.
But this time, Xu Tianran, leading his teammates, achieved a resounding and satisfying victory.
They brought this altar that had stood for four thousand years crashing down, completing their comeback.
Four thousand years of suppression and four thousand years of anticipation were now transformed into a wild joy that pierced the clouds.
Xu Tianran had done it, not just for himself, but for the entire Sun Moon Empire, reclaiming this glory that had been delayed for far too long.
The day after the competition ended, Shrek Academy delivered a Spirit Bone that was over fifty thousand years old.
Added to the three ten-thousand-year Spirit Bones awarded for the championship, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy had gained a total of four Spirit Bones.
It is worth mentioning that Shrek did not play any tricks with the Spirit Bones.
Among the three Spirit Bones awarded by the tournament, the one with the highest age was only forty thousand years old, and the quality of the three Spirit Bones could only be considered average.
However, the Spirit Bone provided by Shrek reached an age of sixty thousand years and came from the rare Diamond Mammoth, making it a top-tier Spirit Bone.
Of course, this wasn't because Shrek was truly kind-hearted, but rather because they couldn't let go of their so-called pride.
If they had truly given an ordinary Spirit Bone, it would have made Shrek look like they couldn't afford to lose.
However, there are basically no poor-quality Spirit Bones above the fifty-thousand-year level; when "ordinary" is used here, it refers to that level of fifty thousand years or more.
As a top-tier defensive Spirit Beast, the Diamond Mammoth likely provides a defensive Spirit Ability, and since it is a top-tier defensive Spirit Ability, it undoubtedly qualifies as a top-tier item.
Of the four Spirit Bones, Xu Tianran kept the Diamond Mammoth right leg Spirit Bone for himself and distributed the remaining three to his teammates.
For this group of Soul Engineers, having an extra Spirit Bone meant having an extra life-saving Spirit Ability, which was undoubtedly an excellent way to improve their strength.
After the competition concluded, the various major Spirit Master academies left one after another, returning to their respective institutions.
As the major Spirit Master academies left, the bustling crowds in Dou Ling City gradually dispersed.
Spectators, participating teams, merchants, and travelers from all over the world embarked on their journeys home, each carrying their own gains and memories.
Dou Ling City, which had been noisy for so long, finally slowly returned to its former tranquility.
Only the tournament posters plastered on street corners continued to silently tell the tale of the legendary duel that had just concluded.
Under the leadership of Jing Hongchen, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy team also set off to return to the Sun Moon Empire.
Unlike the tense and solemn atmosphere when they arrived, the group was now filled with laughter and joy.
The students gathered in twos and threes, either excitedly discussing the spectacular moments of the competition or sharing the joy of obtaining their Spirit Bones; every face was filled with pride and accomplishment.
They had defeated the arrogant Shrek Academy and defended their championship title; this glory was enough for them to remember for a lifetime.
"I really didn't expect that we would actually beat Shrek!" Ji Rufeng said excitedly, his tone still carrying a hint of disbelief.
Qin Jie patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "That is because we had His Highness leading us, as well as the Dean's careful guidance."
Jing Hongchen walked at the front of the team, listening to the conversations of the students behind him, a gratified smile appearing on his face.
He had taught for many years and witnessed the growth of countless students; now, seeing the academy reach such heights, the excitement in his heart was no less than that of these young students.
He turned to look at Xu Tianran beside him, his eyes filled with admiration, "Your Highness, this time it is all thanks to you."
"If you had not devised the strategy and defeated Zhang Lexuan single-handedly, we might not have won so decisively."
Xu Tianran nodded slightly, "Dean, you are too kind; this is the result of everyone's joint efforts."
He looked into the distance, his gaze profound, "Moreover, this is only the beginning."
"We have now defeated the younger generation of Shrek, and in the future, we will make the entire Spirit Master's world submit to the glory of our Sun Moon Empire."
The team embarked on the return journey, traveling at high speed in specially made spirit tool carriages.
After returning to the Sun Moon Empire, they received an unprecedentedly warm welcome as they passed through every city along the way.
The common people of the Sun Moon Empire had long since learned of their successful championship defense through various channels.
Learning that the heroes would be passing through their cities, they flocked to the streets, waving flags, shouting their names, and offering their most sincere blessings.
Some people even specifically prepared fruits and pastries, pressing them into the hands of the students, their eyes filled with reverence and pride.
"This is the pride of our Sun Moon Empire!" An elderly man with white hair looked at the team, his eyes brimming with tears of excitement.
"After being suppressed by Shrek for so many years, we have finally raised our heads in triumph!"
The surrounding people echoed his sentiments, and cheers rose one after another, echoing in the sky above the city for a long time.
Xu Tianran and his teammates sat inside the carriage, watching the enthusiastic people outside the window, a strong sense of responsibility welling up in their hearts.
This glory did not belong to them alone; it belonged to the entire Sun Moon Empire and to every citizen who looked forward to the rise of the Empire.
Traveling south, the spirit tool carriages journeyed day and night, finally arriving at the capital of the Sun Moon Empire—Sun Moon City.
Sun Moon City is also known as the Bright Capital.
Looking from afar, the city gates were already packed with people, and Emperor Xu Jilong personally led the civil and military officials out of the city to welcome them.
This was an unprecedented courtesy; even for a general who had achieved great military feats, a triumphant return might not necessarily receive such an honor.
When the spirit tool carriages slowly came to a halt, Xu Tianran was the first to step down, followed by his teammates who exited the carriages in turn, standing neatly in a row.
Xu Jilong was dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, his face dignified, yet his eyes carried an undisguisable joy and excitement.
He walked up quickly, grabbed Xu Tianran's hand, and said in a resonant voice, "Tianran, well done! You have not failed my expectations, nor have you failed the expectations of the Empire!"
"Father, you flatter me; this is what I and my brothers should have done." Xu Tianran bowed and saluted, his tone humble.
Xu Jilong waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over every student present, and said loudly:
"You defeated Shrek and broke their myth of ten thousand years of invincibility; this achievement is more heartening than any great victory!"
"From this day on, you are all heroes of the Sun Moon Empire, and meritorious subjects of the Empire!"
The civil and military officials also stepped forward to offer their congratulations, their words filled with admiration and praise.
An old official said excitedly, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's victory this time has not only won glory for the Empire but has also solidified the Crown Prince's position as the successor."
"Among the Crown Princes of past generations, no one has ever achieved such a feat; the Crown Prince's ability is clear for all to see!"
Hearing this, Xu Jilong nodded with satisfaction.
The victory in this competition was far more significant than just the glory on the surface.
Shrek Academy was not just a Spirit Master academy; it was the spiritual symbol of the Spirit Master's world.
Defeating them meant that the Sun Moon Empire already possessed the strength to contend with Shrek in the field of Spirit Masters.
And Xu Tianran, as the leader of this victory, had undoubtedly proven his ability and courage to the entire Empire.
From now on, no one would be able to shake his position as the Crown Prince.
The crowd surrounded the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy team, slowly walking into the Bright Capital.
The streets were already packed with people who had come to welcome them, and cheers, applause, and blessings intertwined to form an ocean of joy.
Xu Tianran walked in the center of the crowd, feeling the heavy burden of this glory and expectation, and secretly made a resolution in his heart.
He would lead the Sun Moon Empire toward a more glorious future and let the light of the Sun Moon illuminate the entire continent.