Chapter 267: Returning to Earth

With Zhang Lie's promise in hand, Hong Yu nodded and graciously moved aside, allowing the next guest to take her place.

"Mr. Zhang, congratulations on becoming the champion of the Void Cup. You've completely toppled my past understanding of the human race!" Lianna of the aquatic stepped forward.

"You honor me, Princess Lianna. It was merely a matter of luck."

After a moment of casual conversation, Lianna turned to the main topic at hand. "Am I correct in guessing that you'll be leaving tomorrow? I'd like to learn more about how we should be cooperating with regards to our limit fragment research."

Zhang Lie paused for a moment. "Before we leave tomorrow, send three promising teenagers, not past the age of eighteen, to come back to Earth with me."

"Ah, is three enough? I can prepare more of them for you, if you'd like," Lianna assured him.

"No, it's a matter of quality, not quantity. Three would be enough, and I don't have the resources to take care of more."

Indeed, the humans were traveling light, and taking three members of the aquatic with them was the most they could handle. After all, they weren't the only ones who would be sending promising test subjects his way: the night spirits, starbeasts, and nightdemons would likely be doing the same.

There would be twelve of these teenagers running around in all, and the trip back to Earth wasn't a short one. Thus, three was Zhang Lie's firm limit.

Lianna inclined her head, promising that she would have them sent to the Nike Hotel by that night.

After Lianna came the nightdemons' Pu Kui and the night spirits' Ye Mo. Just like with Lianna, they were both informed to send three of their most promising teens to Earth with Zhang Lie. As for subsequent arrangements, Zhang Lie promised that he would keep in contact with the various races via intergalactic videoconference.

The remaining races also stepped forward to toast Zhang Lie. Among them was Yao Yue, who was slated for the second batch of races to join Zhang Lie's research program. After some discussion, they settled on a time at which she would send her race's most promising representatives to Earth.

While the other races weren't necessarily able to secure a spot for themselves for their limit fragment research, they at least made their faces and identities known to Zhang Lie.

This would clearly be an ongoing collaboration between the humans and the races of the galaxy, so just meeting Zhang Lie would be a good start to developing a relationship with the humans and acquiring such an opportunity.

The banquet lasted deep into the night. By the time it was over, it was already nearing midnight. Even Yan Long and Su Feng were exhausted, let alone Zhang Lie and the others. There were simply too many guests present, and they had had to greet and say goodbye to far too many of them.

However, the end of the banquet wasn't the end of their troubles—by that time, the nightdemons, night spirits, aquatic, and starbeasts had already sent three representatives each to Team Zenith's suites. The oldest among them was only fourteen years old, and they had an average age of twelve.

The humanoids were better off, but the young cubs of the starbeasts looked no different than small kittens or pups from Earth. The only difference was that they could speak, and they were clearly far more intelligent than wild beasts.

Team Zenith's suites devolved into pandemonium. This was the first time these children had met their idol in person, as well as been in contact with so many humans and each other. Alternating between fear and excitement, they caused a gigantic ruckus.

Fortunately, they were more or less afraid of Zhang Lie, and he ultimately enticed and wheedled them into going to bed in the rooms that were arranged for them.

The next morning, when Zhang Lie found himself woken up by frenzied, youthful giggling, he wished he could return these 'goods' to their various representatives. He wasn't even twice their age! Who would want to take care of these troublesome children?

At the very least, he would only have to be around them for three more days. After that, they would all be back at the Zenith Dojo, and he could leave them in Zhang Hong's care. Once they learned to be obedient, they would move on to the testing required for the limit fragment research. The research would be done on their bodies, after all, so Zhang Lie had to secure their cooperation first.

By then, Yan Long and Su Feng had finished their preparations. Once everyone else woke up and finished packing, they took the first step on their three-day trek back to Earth.

"Welcome home!"

"Welcome home, our heroes—Zhang Lie, Fang Yi, Sun Mengmeng, Sun Xiaowu, Li Feng, Yang Ze, Zhou Ying!"

"Welcome home, Commanders Yan Long and Su Feng!"

When the party arrived back in the Chinese capital's main teleportation array, well-rehearsed shouts rang throughout the capital, causing everyone to stir. Zhang Lie, champion of the Void Throne, hero of the humans of Earth, the Dragonwolf of China, had finally returned!

A series of fireworks was launched into the air, dyeing it in shades of red and green.

Outside the teleportation array, the soldiers that had been waiting there for them quickly formed a cordon to protect them. There were specially prepared hovercars that would escort Zhang Lie and the others to China's national assembly hall, where they met the Chinese president and the representatives of each country that warmly thanked the hunters of Team Zenith for their efforts during the tournament.

Zhang Lie and the others were, once again, commended for their actions. This time, every member of Team Zenith was heralded as a dragonsoul warrior, whereas Zhang Lie himself was bequeathed with the title of dragonlord and given its corresponding medal, immediately elevating his status in the military above even Yan Long.

By the time the ceremonial proceedings were over, it was already evening. On Zhang Lie's insistence, the officials finally relented and allowed them to return to Ning, which was already in an uproar over Zhang Lie's return.

After all, the moment he had been spotted in the capital, the news had spread to Ning. The interior of the Zenith Dojo, along with the streets all surrounding it, and even several rooftops, were packed with people.

His apprentices and disciples lay in wait in the dojo. Their dojo leader's impending return excited them more than anyone else. They stood straight at attention, facing the teleportation array, vibrating with nerves.

Zhang Hong, Zhang Hanxiang, Jun Jiuxiao, and Ye Xianchen were waiting right outside the array to receive the hunters of Team Zenith.

The accolades that Zhang Lie had won were so incredible that Zhang Hong couldn't imagine how much the Zenith Dojo would grow as a result. The dojo leader, along with his trusted teammates, had returned victorious, monopolizing the top three places in the Void Cup!

Such an accomplishment would certainly propel the Zenith Dojo beyond the reach of any other dojo on Earth, or even the Solar System at large. Given all of this, it was imperative that they prepare to receive their dojo leader formally.

That evening, as Zhang Hong was wondering whether they would have to stand at attention the entire night, the teleportation array flashed with white light, and Zhang Lie appeared with Commander Su Feng and the rest of Team Zenith.

"Brother!"

"Dojo Leader!

"Congratulations on your triumph, Dojo Leader!"

"Congratulations on your triumph, Dojo Leader!"

Cheers and shouts rang out across the dojo, spreading throughout all of Ning.