Chapter 115: The Emperor's Reward and the Silver Dragon's Legacy
Upon hearing the decree from the Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire, the old eunuch immediately dropped to his knees.
"Your Majesty is truly benevolent. It is a great blessing for our Sun Moon Empire to have such a wise and just ruler!"
"Thanks to Your Majesty's divine guidance, we now have the chance to triumph over Shrek Academy in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament. This is an achievement that even the late emperor and his predecessors never accomplished!"
"You are indeed the true Dragon Emperor of our Sun Moon Empire, destined for greatness!"
The old eunuch's words were full of reverence and flattery. This time, however, unlike the usual hollow praise from court officials, his words struck a chord with the Emperor—because they rang true.
Throughout the reigns of previous emperors, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy had never once defeated Shrek Academy. To think that he, the current Emperor, had finally brought this long-standing ambition to fruition… it filled him with pride.
As he basked in the realization that he had achieved something none of his predecessors could, a warm smile crept across his face. It was as if his lingering illness had lifted—at least more than halfway.
"Announce this to the entire Sun Moon Empire—I hereby declare a general amnesty across the land! In addition, when the students return to Mingdu, summon them to the palace. I will personally bestow upon them another reward."
"Your Majesty is wise beyond compare!"
After another round of flattering words, the old eunuch quickly left to deliver the decree. Everyone in the imperial court understood the importance of this victory to the Emperor, and no one dared to obstruct the order, not even Jing Hongchen. Thus, the news of the Emperor's reward soon reached Jing Hongchen's ears.
When he announced that each of the regular team members would be granted the noble title of Earl, excitement surged through the ranks of the Sun Moon Empire's representative team.
Although the title of Earl wasn't the highest rank in nobility, for the students of the Royal Soul Engineer Academy—most of whom came from ordinary backgrounds and had average talents—it was a reward they could never have dreamed of attaining on their own.
The sudden and generous reward ignited cheers among them. They were ecstatic.
But not everyone shared the same enthusiasm.
Xiao Qiang, along with Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, remained calm.
To someone like Jing Hongchen, the title of Duke was more symbolic than practical. His true influence came from his role as the Hall Master of the Hongchen Hall. As for his children and disciples, their status and access to resources already surpassed what any noble title could offer.
As Jing Hongchen's disciple, Xiao Qiang had long enjoyed far superior resources than what an Earl's status could provide. The title would grant him more land and a noble rank, yes—but in terms of soul tool resources, wealth, and real influence, it was a far cry from what the Hongchen Hall offered.
While the other team members celebrated, Jing Hongchen quietly called Xiao Qiang aside.
"Teacher, you asked for me?" Xiao Qiang inquired respectfully.
"You're aware of how the current Emperor ascended to the throne, aren't you?" Jing Hongchen asked, eyeing his disciple.
Xiao Qiang nodded. Even without relying on the memories of his past life and knowledge of Tang Sect's legends, as Jing Hongchen's disciple, he had access to information that was restricted to the empire's highest echelons.
Though it was taboo to openly discuss the Emperor's usurpation of the throne, those at the top knew what had transpired.
"Our victory over Shrek Academy didn't just bring honor to the empire," Jing Hongchen said solemnly. "It also helped solidify the Emperor's position. His controversial rise to power can no longer be considered hollow."
Xiao Qiang's heart skipped a beat. Was it truly safe to speak so casually of the Emperor's illegitimate rise in this feudal era?
Seeing the flicker of concern in Xiao Qiang's eyes, Jing Hongchen chuckled softly.
"You don't need to be so surprised. The current Emperor's position is no secret among the nobility. If it weren't for Crown Prince Xu Tianran's arrangements, the Emperor would likely still be sitting in the position of prince. Everyone at the upper levels of the Sun Moon Empire knows what kind of man he is. So it's fine as long as this information doesn't spread to outsiders."
Xiao Qiang remained silent, but his mind was spinning.
So it really was Xu Tianran who allied with the Holy Spirit Church to orchestrate the rise of the current Emperor… and possibly the massacre of He Caitou's family? He recalled from the original novel that Xu Tianran had dealings with the Holy Spirit Church, but he hadn't expected the bloodshed to reach that far back.
Thinking about it now, many things in the original story made more sense. The old Emperor had always been portrayed as a cautious, unambitious man—one who avoided war at all costs. But this new Emperor had dared to stir up conflict when He Caitou was still a child. And yet, despite his bold actions, he had only reigned for a little over a decade and now lived as a sickly shadow in the background.
With this context, the gaps in the original narrative were beginning to align.
"Don't go spreading rumors about the Emperor's illegitimacy. What I really wanted to talk to you about is this." Jing Hongchen took out a rod-shaped object that resembled a soul tool.
"Teacher, this is…?"
"I made this based on the design of the legendary Silver Dragon Staff. But make no mistake—this isn't the real one."
"The Silver Dragon Staff?" Xiao Qiang asked curiously.
"Three thousand years ago, the empire hunted down a silver dragon. Its body was a treasure trove of powerful components, but the most valuable part was its dragon core. That core was used to create the Silver Dragon Staff."
Jing Hongchen continued, "The Emperor is preparing to give a separate reward to those who contributed greatly in this competition. That reward is a chance to enter the royal treasury and choose a ninth-level soul tool. Considering your fifth soul ring came from the Silver Wolf, the Silver Dragon Staff would be incredibly beneficial to you."
"In what way, teacher?" Xiao Qiang asked, intrigued.
"It can enhance your control over elemental forces," Jing Hongchen replied. "But more importantly—it contains an element you currently lack: space."
"Space!" Xiao Qiang echoed in shock.
"Yes. With the Silver Dragon Staff, you'll have the chance to sense the spatial element. If you succeed, it might even evolve your fifth soul skill to include spatial control."
"Teacher, something so precious… How could it still be in the treasury after all these years?"
Jing Hongchen smiled. "The Silver Dragon Staff is one of the few royal treasures that cannot be granted permanently. Whoever selects it gains lifetime usage rights, but not ownership. Upon the user's death, it returns to the royal family. That's how it has remained in the treasury for three thousand years."
"I understand, teacher," Xiao Qiang said solemnly.
Jing Hongchen nodded, his expression serious. "When the time comes, make sure you choose wisely. This opportunity may shape your future."