Chapter 1186: Top Eight Prize

The other contestants’ expressions, however, were far less cheerful. Everyone could see that Xiuxiu had broken through during that last battle, entering an entirely new level. And the two of them were one unit. How were the remaining matches supposed to be fought?

Even Qi Tianlong could not help but show a look of surprise, paying more attention to Bai Xiuxiu. Previously, Xiuxiu’s brilliance had been completely overshadowed by Lan Xuanyu. Now, she too was beginning to make her mark in the final stage—something many had not anticipated. She had used her performance to tell everyone that she was not merely Lan’s appendage, but a true partner of “her.”

The most excited of all was naturally Huang Daoqi. He had never imagined that Xiuxiu could display such combat power. This was the daughter he had been the first to claim, truly a member of the Royal Family! Now he rather regretted claiming her as a daughter. If he had not, and instead had his son marry her, that too would have been an excellent choice.

As for Lan, he now had a bit of a headache. Ever since the final stage began, several city lords had already approached him, openly or covertly, with marriage proposals.

Lan had already signed the thousand-year contract with the family. If there really was to be a marriage alliance, he, as the clan leader, would have to agree. Of course, it also depended on Lan’s own wishes. He was naturally extremely reluctant to let Lan marry into another family. But now Lan’s displayed strength was growing greater and greater, and she had even caught the attention of several Dragon Knights. A woman like this was no longer someone his son could match. The Dragon Knights would not agree to let Lan marry someone like Huang Yuanlang, who had no real future as a dragon. As a female dragon with such excellent bloodline and talent, any offspring she bore in the future would surely be the hope of the dragon race. So her marriage was by no means a simple matter.

He gently shook his head, casting aside his distracting thoughts. No matter what Lan’s future held, at least the thousand-year contract had already been signed. As long as that contract existed, she would always belong to the Royal Family. As for marriage alliances—that could be discussed later.

Returning to the waiting area outside the competition grounds, Lan Xuanyu pulled Bai Xiuxiu down to sit on the spot. Once again, they pressed their four palms together and began absorbing dragon energy together. Striking while the iron was hot, they consolidated the gains from Xiuxiu’s breakthrough.

Qi Tianlong admired this inwardly, a hint of a smile appearing on his face. He could naturally see that Xiuxiu’s breakthrough had a great deal to do with Lan. Without Lan’s support, she could not have broken through like this. The relationship between these two women, as seen from the fusion skill they had performed in the previous match, was practically seamless. If that were the case…

At this thought, Qi Tianlong’s heartbeat also quickened a little.

The competition continued. This last match had taken significantly less time than their previous one and had been much more exciting. But for the other contestants, competing for the remaining spots was equally fierce. In elimination matches, it was either a step to glory or instant elimination.

The following matches were all quite tense. Among those who had made it into the top fifteen, who was weak? In the end, by the time all eight finalists were decided, another two hours had passed.

“Those eliminated, leave. The top eight stay,” the referee announced solemnly.

Lan Xuanyu and Bai Xiuxiu, who had been cultivating, opened their eyes. They exchanged a glance and immediately understood what was coming, rising to their feet together.

According to the rules of the Rising Dragon Competition, before the top eight were decided, all prior matches also had rankings. But those rankings were only symbolic, proving a dragon’s standing among those below god rank and helping their status within the clan. They came with no other rewards.

But the dragons who made it into the top eight were different. Starting from the top eight, prizes would be awarded. Rewards at every round: once for the top eight, once for the top four, once for the top two, and the final champion would receive an additional prize.

The reason the Celestial Dragon Alliance decided that only the top eight would receive prizes in the Rising Dragon Competition was not because they were stingy. As dragons, they already received the most resources on the Celestial Dragon Planet. Ordinary things would be beneath notice. It was better to concentrate rewards on the most outstanding talents, giving them substantial prizes to help smooth their path forward. Hence the rule that prizes began with the top eight.

The Dragon Force Pillars were extinguished one by one. Led by the seven Dragon Knights, over a hundred god-rank dragons slowly stepped forward.

Lan Xuanyu and the other nine stood in a row under the referee’s guidance, shoulder to shoulder.

The foremost Secondary Seat Dragon Knight came closer and said with a smile, “You have performed well today. As the top eight of this Rising Dragon Competition, you deserve rewards.” With that, he waved his hand, and eight beams of light shot toward eight of the nine—excluding Bai Xiuxiu. She and Lan Xuanyu were counted as one unit.

The group hurriedly reached out to catch them. Everyone’s reward was the same.

It was a jade box a foot in diameter, about ten centimeters thick. The box felt warm, smooth, and sleek in the hand—indescribably pleasant. It seemed soft yet was actually hard—the finest quality jade.

Lan Xuanyu held it in his hand and could not help but feel surprised. He did not yet know what was inside the jade box, but from the box itself, it was already a treasure. More importantly, he had seen a similar jade box before—the kind Huang Daoqi had used to present them with Dragon Marrow. Only, this box was much larger than the one Huang Daoqi had given them. And the jade was of far superior quality—flawlessly white, warm as congealed fat.

This truly was a prize directly from the alliance—a substantial reward by any measure. Could it be that inside were all Dragon Marrow?

Naturally, they could not open the box right there to look. At the Second Seat Dragon Knight’s gesture, the nine bowed respectfully in thanks, then left the Rising Dragon Platform and returned to their respective residences.

Back at their quarters, Lan Xuanyu opened the jade box immediately. As soon as he did, he drew in a sharp breath.

The rich undulation of dragon energy emitted a faint dragon’s roar from within the box. A pale yellow paste filled the interior—indeed a box of Dragon Marrow. An entire box! The box was large, and the Dragon Marrow inside was even more than the total amount the Royal Family had sent before. And the quality of the Dragon Marrow was clearly exceptional as well.

Although Dragon Marrow was not of great use to Lan Xuanyu, it was immensely helpful for tempering Bai Xiuxiu’s body. Besides, who would ever have too much of such a thing? Among the Thirty-Three Sky Wings, there were no small number who possessed dragon bloodlines—they could all use it. Lan Xuanyu could use it himself too; the effect was not as good as for Xiuxiu, but it still worked. He had simply been reluctant to use it before and had given it all to Xiuxiu.

“We are rich!” Bai Xiuxiu could not help but exclaim in admiration. “With this much Dragon Marrow, it’s enough for me for several months. If I’m frugal, it might even last a year.”

Lan Xuanyu laughed. “A year from now, you should have already succeeded in Marrow Forging. No other dragon cultivates as lavishly as we do.”

Bai Xiuxiu said, “That’s not necessarily true. I think people like Qi Tianlong definitely use no fewer resources than we do—probably more. The only thing they lack is your Dragon God bloodline.”

Lan Xuanyu laughed heartily. “Then how about you trade with him? I’m sure he’d be very willing.”

“In your dreams,” Bai Xiuxiu shot him a glare. “You’re mine. Everything you have is mine. Why would I trade with anyone else? You haven’t gotten used to being a woman, have you?”

Seeing her skeptical expression, Lan Xuanyu knew she was doing it on purpose, but he was still speechless. He grabbed her by the waist and said fiercely, “Want me to prove it?”

Bai Xiuxiu giggled. “I’m wrong, no need to prove it. I believe you. I’ve always believed in my man.”

Lan Xuanyu’s heart warmed, and he lowered his voice. “But I’m not your man yet, am I?”

Bai Xiuxiu huffed. “Are you asking me to freeze you? You haven’t even declared your love to me through the Sea God’s Fate Matchmaking Assembly. Don’t even think about it.”