Chen Shu and the other two left the duel arena, simultaneously receiving the champion's rewards for the beast taming competition: a hundred million cash prize and the qualification for three custom skills.
The prize money was distributed on the spot, and the qualification for skills could be reported to the local government at any time, at which point lord materials would be delivered.
The group headed to a restaurant. Despite their efforts to be low-key, they were still recognized. The establishment insisted on covering their meal, and after some subtle and then resigned attempts to refuse, they ended up enjoying a free feast.
"Congratulations to the three of you for successfully winning the championship for Nanjiang City!" Shen Wushuang sincerely congratulated them, proving his judgment correct. Although Chen Shu had been constantly pushing the boundaries, he undeniably possessed strength. This single trophy was enough to justify the resources Nanjiang Second High School had invested.
Shen Wushuang downed his drink and asked, "By the way, how do you plan to divide the rewards?"
"Let's split the prize money equally, and each of us will get one custom skill qualification," Chen Shu said. While greedy, he wasn't unreasonable. Xia Bing and Xu Xiaoyu had both contributed significantly; he wouldn't have won without them.
"You can take the prize money. We'll each take a custom skill," Xia Bing and Xu Xiaoyu exchanged glances and immediately declined the cash. The custom skill slots were incredibly precious, far more valuable than mere Chinese Yuan.
After some discussion, it was decided that Chen Shu would receive fifty million Chinese Yuan and one custom skill slot.
"What skills are you planning to customize?" Chen Shu asked.
"I won't be customizing one. I need to pay off family debts," Xu Xiaoyu replied.
"Pay off debts? Isn't your family associated with the 666 Liquid Company? How could you be short on money?" Chen Shu was taken aback, wondering if his family had fallen on hard times so quickly.
Xu Xiaoyu shook her head and explained, "To prepare for the competition, my family spent nearly two hundred million Chinese Yuan."
"No way?" Chen Shu raised an eyebrow and immediately realized, "Did your family bribe the officials?"
"???" The three of them looked at him in unison. He dared to think such a thing. The provincial competition was organized by the Nancang Provincial Government and broadcast live. Who would dare to rig it?
"She bought skills," Shen Wushuang interjected. "Otherwise, do you think an A-class contracted spirit could have lasted so long?"
Chen Shu was slightly stunned. The Flame Bird had definitely played a decisive role in their victory in the finals.
"Teacher Shen anticipated that Nancang First High School would target your Slime, so he had me specifically purchase skills to deal with any crisis," Xu Xiaoyu explained, a hint of admiration in her eyes. Shen Wushuang's ability to become a special training class teacher clearly meant he had his tricks. It was a case of "one inch of righteousness defeats one foot of evil."
"To acquire a pseudo-invincible body skill, my family spent nearly a hundred million Chinese Yuan. Coupled with two other life-saving acceleration skills, that was another thirty million in expenses," Xu Xiaoyu continued. "Custom skills cost a little over a hundred million. Since they are restricted to below the Gold level, one can only learn skills from Silver lords. The materials for a Silver lord are a little over ten million, potentially twenty million for rare skills. Usually, around five sets of materials are sufficient to successfully learn a skill."
Chen Shu was taken aback, surprised by Xu Xiaoyu's all-in gamble. Had they not won the championship, it would have been a colossal loss. In the end, the Flame Bird survived for five minutes solely relying on its innate talent, "Unyielding," the pseudo-invincible body skill, "Extreme Toughness," and the two acceleration skills. Although it faced the encirclement of three S-class contracted spirits, the speed of the Heavenly Purple Thunder Beast and the Extreme Ice Horned Deer was insufficient, and being ground-based, they posed little threat to the Flame Bird. The primary pursuer at the time was the Shadow Blood-Eyed Bird. However, even so, the Flame Bird's performance still astonished everyone; surviving against an S-class contracted spirit was a testament to its capabilities and a point of pride for A-class contracted spirits.
"Teacher Shen is truly remarkable," Chen Shu exclaimed, surprised that Shen Wushuang had been orchestrating things.
Shen Wushuang shook his head and said, "Otherwise, what do you think I came to Nancang City for?"
"To convince me to surrender?"
Shen Wushuang coughed and replied, "Persuading you to surrender was the primary objective; the secondary objective was to act as your strategist."
"Teacher Shen, why didn't you offer any guidance to my Slime?" Chen Shu's card now held over a hundred million Chinese Yuan, making it easy to cultivate a basic-level contracted spirit.
"Forget about it," Shen Wushuang scoffed. "I can't even understand your Slime. What guidance could I possibly give? The scene of an F-class Slime chasing down two S-class contracted spirits has spread throughout the province. Any expert would be bewildered on the spot."
After a satisfying meal, the four returned to their hotel to pack. With the college entrance examination fast approaching, they needed to return to Nanjiang City as soon as possible.
The next morning, Chen Shu's phone rang. It was Xie Fengyu from Nancang First High School.
"Hello? Student Chen Shu, would you like to have dinner tonight?"
Chen Shu rubbed his sleepy eyes and replied directly, "The competition is over, what's the point of dinner now?" The competition, which should have been an easy victory, almost turned into a disaster due to Nancang First High School's lack of cooperation. Was it too late for dinner now? He then hung up the phone.
Xie Fengyu was bewildered. What did that mean? He had been so enthusiastic just the day before, and now he was acting distant? What happened to "friendship first, competition second"?
In the afternoon, the four returned to Nanjiang City.
"Ah! The familiar scent!" Chen Shu spread his arms and took a deep breath. Upon returning to his hometown, his ruffian instincts emerged, making him want to blow something up.
"Welcome back, champions!" At that moment, thunderous cheers erupted outside the train station. Hundreds of people were already lined up, waiting for them, with crowds of onlookers gathered around, eager to catch a glimpse of the champions. Chen Shu immediately spotted a giant banner congratulating the Nanjiang Second High School team on their championship victory.
Among the crowd were Mayor Zhou, followed by various government officials and the principals of different schools. "Champions! Champions!" Everyone was excited, looking at Chen Shu and the others.
"Just a small matter!" Chen Shu waved his hand, walking humbly towards the crowd. Mayor Zhou's eyes were filled with relief, and he smiled, "Nanjiang City is proud of you!" Shen Wushuang and the others were visibly moved, feeling a sense of homecoming.
Chen Shu, however, sidled up, his brows raised, rubbing his hands together, and said, "Mayor, shouldn't there be tens or even hundreds of millions in rewards?"
Seeing his greedy and suggestive expression, everyone's mouths twitched. Was this the demeanor of the Nancang Provincial Champions? "Glory is always priceless!" The Mayor coughed, choosing not to engage with Chen Shu's request. Dealing with him would likely be difficult for the municipal government.
"Welcome champions! Welcome champions!" The surrounding citizens cheered, escorting Chen Shu and the others back to the school. Shen Wushuang and the two girls looked excited, even a little overwhelmed. Chen Shu, on the other hand, seemed somewhat unimpressed, wondering why such a grand display was put on without any prize money.
In the evening, with the college entrance examination approaching, everyone dispersed, not wanting to interfere with Chen Shu and the others' revision. The principal of Second High School was beaming. The Ministry of Education had already held a meeting the previous day, clearly stating that they would increase support for Nanjiang Second High School next year. Just that statement alone made him feel that everything was worthwhile!
During the evening study session, the principal specifically convened an assembly for the entire school, highly praising Chen Shu and the team's performance. However, to maintain the school's image, Chen Shu was not asked to give a speech on stage.