Soon after Li Xin left to go take care of his own business, a messenger from the Forever Pirates came to Baron's HQ requesting Baron and Roxi's presence. After the pair made their way to Madam Zheng's HQ, the two had to wait for Madam Zheng to be available so the two started chatting it up with Zi Bo and Zi Ji Ge while they waited.
(BM) "Zi Bo, Zi Ji Ge, I don't believe the two of you have met Roxi before. Roxi, these two are candidates for an elder position for Madam Zheng. So they are quite powerful in their own right." Baron introduced Roxi to the siblings.
(ZB) "Nice to meet you." Zi Bo the reserved responded.
(ZJG) "Hmm, what relationship do you have with Baron? Could you two be siblings as well? Or something else?" Zi Ji Ge said with a curious smile.
(RB) "Nothing like that, we've just known each other for a long time," Roxi answered.
(BM) "Anyway, has Madam Zheng picked one of you to become an elder yet?"
(ZJG) "I'm not too sure what she plans on doing as she hasn't really said anything about this matter. She is quite busy making it painfully clear to anyone that would betray her that there will be consequences."
(BM) "That's a bit weird, I'd think that the naval tournament would have solidified her choice in whichever one of you would get the position."
(ZJG) "Yeah, well. Me too."
After a bit more chatting, a messenger from Madam Zheng showed up to show Roxi and Baron the way to her so that she may give the two of them the news.
(MZ) "Good news, Baron. I have found a tutor for your friend here. Now, this is no ordinary teacher that I have called upon here. She is one of the foremost experts in the R&D field." Madam Zheng said with a sly smile.
(BM) "That's great. Who is she?"
(MZ) "She is a rather tough person to get ahold of. I had to send her multiple messages and gifts so that she would even respond to me. As far as I know, she was one of the first people here on planet 4. matron Fu Hao an empress while she was still on Earth as well as an accomplished general."
(BM) "matron Fu Hao? Impressive."
(MZ) "She has stopped appearing in the limelight of warfare and instead devoted herself to the advancement of weapons. In fact, she has made many of the planet 4 only creations like that sound barrier orb thing."
(RB) "Oh! Did matron Fu Hao say when she would take me in?"
(MZ) "20 years from now. Little child. She is quite backed up on other requests at the moment. Not to worry, I'll make sure to send a message every year so that she won't have the excuse to say she forgot."
(BM) "Thank you. Madam Zheng. For all that you have done for me and my group."
(MZ) "Of course, a genius of one generation should pave the way for the next. Wouldn't you agree?"
(BM) "Absolutely, but I don't think either one of us is done growing yet."
(MZ) "You're not wrong about that. That is all, I have other matters to attend to you should try to get your friend over there a beginner instructor before the 20 years is up so that she has at least some experience before she meets the legendary matron Fu Hao."
(BM) "Yes, of course. Take care Madam Zheng, we'll be taking our leave now."
(RB) "Thank you, Madam Zheng."
(MZ) "I won't see you two out, but safe travels."
Baron and Roxi made their way back to their own HQ to see that Yue Fei, Guan Yu, and the Meng Duo were there. Apparently, while they were off to see Madam Zheng, the results for the entire tournament were announced. All of the people who were ranked high enough to receive rewards were called upon in their respective groups or factions to arrive within a few days to collect their rewards. The few groups that received high regard would be called upon separately so that they could collect one blueprint from the Sun Alliance's treasury.
The result for the land portion of the tournament was a tie for first and second place between the Sun Alliance and the Yellow Wang faction. Third place went to the Middle Kingdom faction. The final prize, the hidden gem award, one that was given to an almost no-name group for putting on a great show, was once again Baron's group. This made it so that their group was able to receive two blueprints of their choosing from the treasury.
A first for a hidden gem group award to be awarded twice to the same group. Such an accomplishment made everyone remember what this group would be capable of in the future, not to mention that impressively destructive blue beam weapon that was able to do so much damage. Not unsurprisingly, a flurry of rumors started to begin to make its rounds across the community.
For the next two or so days, the regular prize winners flocked in to collect their coin rewards and left so that the next group would be able to collect theirs. For some, they were able to make a profit from the amount that they had sunk into the tournament. Others were not so lucky and only just passed that mark or lost coins in the endeavor. These groups could only curse at their bad luck and swear to improve so that they may prove themselves worthy next time.
Finally, the time came for when the high regards award ceremony for the best performers of the tournament would be held and broadcasted to the masses to drool over. This was another tactic for the Sun Alliance to increase the motivation for the new generations to quickly get better at warfare. The prizes were astronomical compared to the ones who had gotten near the bottom of the barrel. Especially for the Yellow Wang faction who ranked first in the entire tournament. If the Bair fighters did not leave, that would definitely be a different story.