The falling gold foil sparkled with tiny, dazzling stars, coating the venue in a shimmering dreamlike glow.

Gren almost passed out from lack of oxygen, narrowly caught by Galen grabbing her arm.

This time, it wasn't about taking Galen's advice; it was a blind guess based purely on intuition and faith, leaving the matter to be judged by the Holy Spirit.

It wasn't a matter of obstinacy, but the storm and wave Holy Spirit wanted Liszt dead.

Although Gren didn't play leverage.

But the money bet was terrifying, and after a few deep breaths, the betting slip she held for Gedre's win was already damp with sweat. Because it was a huge bet, for convenience and safety, the organizers issued card-like slips.

The odds for the final battle between the two were even, but Gedre's odds were slightly higher.

After deducting bank fees, this card in her hand was worth over 159,000 gold dragons, about 160,000.

It was already seven to eight times the savings in her national debt fund.

"Is this real? Am I not dreaming?"

Gren could sense the surreal atmosphere at the scene.

Among the crowd, some were ecstatic, even stripping off their shirts and waving them; others were unsteady, standing woodenly as if swallowed by the abyss.

There were also extravagantly dressed bands and ceremonial troops entering, descending along the circular stairway passage, blowing trumpets, banging drums slung around their necks, playing the celebratory melody for the closing of the festival.

Colorful streamers, shimmering gold foil, and vibrant flowers were raining down like a heavy storm, already piling up to ankle depth throughout the venue.

Countless fireworks in the sky obscured the stars.

"It's real. Now you're a goddamn... T0-level tycoon of the Western Continent!"

Galen also felt like he was dreaming.

Although it wasn't good news for Liszt, after spending ten days with this girl, there was a sense of the story reaching a perfect conclusion.

"I am... the King of the World!"

Gren raised her arms, fists clenched, feeling the boundless power within her body; Old Beden dared send people to take her back, but now young master could stand on a higher plane and slap you squarely in the face! An all-star strike team was directly arranged!

The entire venue seemed to hit a boiling point, woven into a giant net of celebration.

The protagonist was not allowed to exit. Xiao Long was slightly injured; after examination and injection by the medical team, he could still move. Gedre only needed a simple stitch.

Under the broadcast of the host, the Second Prince of the Aran Empire, the Eternal Sect, and various country dignitaries were all to give speeches to the sixteen contestants.

Except that six couldn't be present, Silence was already dead, Clement, Valentina, Calvin, Julius, Quan Jiu couldn't get out of bed for the moment.

The rest of the contestants sitting in special seats also began to arrive on stage.

It was said to be a speech, but in fact, it was the much-anticipated wish granting ceremony,

Along with the band that was playing throughout, the Royal Knight ceremonial troop followed, and the female host who had been broadcasting from the backstage, with a face like national peace and tranquility, appeared in person.

The female host presented awards on behalf of the organizers to the third, second, and first places of the Continent Martial Arts Competition. Although it was the smallest prize, the procedure had to be followed.

Saleret also temporarily donned a duel outfit blazer, and the female host pinned a precious metal brooch with the number sixteen on his chest, draping a shoulder-length cloak of some unknown material over him.

But Saleret wasn't thrilled about this reward; even as a steely warrior, there was some tension within him. There were too many people in the venue to count, all wealthy and prestigious figures, watching eagerly, with many bigwigs about to make significant moves. He kept glancing at the Church's special seat.

The big things were about to happen!

Xiao Long remained indifferent, only smiling faintly to acknowledge the runner-up accolade. The original plan fell through; he came to end the Sword King legend and unexpectedly landed as just a runner-up, pondering what role he should play henceforth.

He gazed at Gedre, acknowledging the martial skill as a sport, absent of vendetta. Gedre bested him decisively, capable of much more. Whatever he planned to do, Xiao Long was eager to see.

As for the absolute protagonist tonight, Gedre was in an extremely somber mood, without a hint of championship joy. When the female host cloaked him with a gilded shoulder cloak, she attempted to pin a brooch on him, but he blocked her hand, casually finding a spot on his jacket to pin it himself.

The female host was a bit surprised, her finger smarting from the brush-off, but didn't think much of it; perhaps he hadn't quite shaken off the battle yet.

Trailing behind Sky Prisoner Daniel, a multitude of top sixteen contenders followed, their boots making crunching sounds over the flower-and-gold-foil-covered ground.

"In the future, we'll all make a fortune together in the Royal Court. Let's look after each other, hey."

Gunfire Pocket Watch Louis arrived at the scene, found his spot and stood, chuckling, a beautiful life waiting for him. According to past conventions, generals leaped to new heights with a single bound.

"Of course, we're all forged in sixteen rounds of swords and guns, got to look out for each other,"

Gray Wolf King Reksey, an exceedingly bold and carefree man, accomplished reaching the quarter-finals and had hopes of promoting the Advancement Movement in his homeland.

For other regions, the Advancement Movement might not be ideal; for Chenfeng Plateau, it's pure profit.

"Look at your smug face; you still got wrecked by that monster power guy."

Highway Ranger Bai Xing stood next to Xiao Long, gleeful over the showing off type being smashed, though the swirling gold foil flowers were quite tacky, weren't they?

Xiao Long just managed an awkward smile.

"Underestimated you; didn't think you'd beat that Qigong man."

Lady of the Golden Land Marian gazed at Saleret; honestly, the unmasking made him look a bit dashing to her. Having battled together, they'd also be in the Royal Court henceforth, intriguing indeed.

"Hm."

Saleret still spoke sparingly, full of thoughts about the graveyard, even cow assaults held no sway. The big reveal was coming!

"I'm sticking with you, don't waste my boost."

Ivanovic knew something significant was coming, walking alongside Kai Deng.

"Got it,"

Kai Deng was quite assertive, stepping squarely between Marian and Saleret, a meaningful look directed at Saleret.

Marian's eyelids twitched, but she said nothing, recalling the talk of the Overlord Descendant earlier that day, knowing these two had a history.

"Incredible, huh? We have no clue what that dumb Dark Elf said."

After visiting Golden Palm Port.

Kai Deng and Saleret had their first formal conversation after previously battling without many words, fighting ensued within five seconds of meeting.

The weight of a third-place title was heavier than a quarter-finalist's, and Kai Deng intended to apply some psychological pressure first.

"Liszt gave you the script to pretend to cozy up to the Royal Court, a left-hand fighting the right-hand scheme in grace; I know about the breaking news just now, it's explosive, indeed worthy of confronting Doringger Diaz, but you know, Aran's Royal Court is bound to play deaf, pit one against the other, and still leave it a mess for me to clear up. Your blood kin is still at Heaven Port, right? You have to work for Liszt; I'd gladly tattle. Best you kill me now, dare you?"

Kai Deng laughed somewhat maniacally, already weighing the situation in his mind; regardless of what was said, the stance of the Aran big whoever aligned with his by default, secure in invulnerability!

Cracking down on Liszt and retrieving Alicia was his business, unavoidable.

That day's news slightly dented his reputation, but it didn't matter; once he was actually in the Royal Court, could Diaz still control him? After some reprimand and reform, the Emperor and Emperor of the Night would serve him alone.

Saleret: "..."

He didn't care about Kai Deng; this couldn't have the Royal Court turning a deaf ear. This night... they had to make a damn statement.

The champion, runner-up, and third place stood together.

Xiao Long and Gedre heard the two's conversation, knowing it was about to be publicly declared anyway, Kai Deng didn't hide it.

Xiao Long found the situation getting interesting. During his journey from the Far East to the Western Continent, he also passed through Heaven Port, though it was during Doringger's era, intrigued by the new East Sea Dominator.

Gedre remained unmoved, rehearsing what he would say next in his mind.

Make every Aran fool afraid, even in their dreams.

"The annual Martial Arts Competition is about to conclude during this significant Stargazing Festival. Thanks to the organizers for bringing such a grand event; under the King's guidance, with the Dragon Lord's blessings, Aran progresses towards prosperity. Also, gratitude to all contestants for the astonishingly thrilling matches brought forth; finally, may we invite the Prince to speak."

Upon the female host's words, being Aran herself, she half-kneeled on the ground,

The audience fell silent; the year's biggest sensation, what wish the champion would make, was at hand. Over sixteen editions, each wish held some explosive surprise, the most outrageous even exempting the Duchy from taxes for three years.

Gedre... as a person without nationality, what would he wish for?

In the special Royal Family seat, Phoenix's eye was heavy with seriousness.

Cicero already instructed how to handle these people; just follow along.