Ye Feng was quite interested in Skywater Academy where Shui Bing'er and her teammates belonged.
It could be said that they were a strong team as well.
Especially with their Martial Soul Fusion Skills.
Today, the Continent's Senior Soul Master competition preliminaries had ended.
The advancing teams had been granted an audience with His Majesty the King.
As the champion team, the Tiandou Royal Academy Douluo Team had tidied up and now arrived at the exclusive palace entrance.
"All the competitors from the advancing teams are talents of our Empire, and I congratulate you on earning your place in the qualifiers!"
The speaker above was an older gentleman who seemed quite aged.
His voice was loud and clear.
"Thank you, Prince Xue Ye!"
Prince Xue Ye sat in the center, with Crown Prince Xue Qinghe sitting on one side and a gaunt old man on the other side.
His entire demeanor was somewhat stern and formidable.
The members of the Dou Huang Battle Team all bowed to Prince Xue Ye one after another.
Of course, this included Ye Feng.
After all, his current identity was nothing more than a school assistant teacher.
Without the growth in power, it was natural not to be overly arrogant.
"There's no need for formality, as this is what you deserve. As the monarch of the Tiandou Empire, I've decided to grant you some substantial rewards. I hereby announce the conferment of the rank of viscount to the captains and vice-captains of each team, and the rank of baron to the other team members. Upon your graduation, you will all receive territories!"
Emperor Xue Ye of the Tiandou Empire declared.
"What, granting territories??"
The participants from the other academies were dumbfounded upon hearing this.
Especially those from Shrek Academy, there was no need to even mention it.
They were as ecstatic as if they had won the lottery.
"A baron, wow!"
The chubby kid's eyes were shining.
Would he be able to get a discount when visiting the brothel??
Oscar was also visibly excited.
After all, both of them came from meager backgrounds.
As for Tang San, although he was somewhat happy, there wasn't much of a stir in his heart.
After all, his father was Hao Tian, and he himself was the Young Master of the Strength Clan.
A noble title was simply icing on the cake for him.
Dai Mubai showed no interest at all.
As for the Dou Huang Battle Team, it was much the same.
They all had at least some degree of family influence.
Nobility was just that, nothing more.
Yet, the Emperor's attitude still pleased them greatly.
After all, it was a sign that the Empire valued them.
To give such great rewards just for the preliminaries,
what would they give for the qualifiers and the finals?
"Your Majesty, this may not be appropriate!"
Suddenly a voice rang out, and everyone's gaze at the venue turned toward the source.
It was the gaunt old man sitting beside them.
His words carried with them a chill.
And he looked very unhappy.
"Oh? Does Platinum Bishop have any advice?"
Prince Xue Ye looked at the gaunt old man beside him, his words tinged with frost.
"There's never been a precedent for granting noble titles as rewards; moreover, aren't these titles too lofty?"
The Platinum Bishop said indifferently.
Emperor Xue Ye's actions were unseemly.
He was clearly wooing the victors of the preliminaries,
and had offered such high terms.
He was blatantly ignoring the prestige of Martial Soul Hall's Platinum Bishop.
"Heh, the bestowal of noble titles is an internal affair of the Empire and has nothing to do with Martial Soul Hall. If the Tiandou Empire can produce the ultimate champion team, then the titles of all the members of that team will be elevated by one rank, and the academy will be granted Imperial status and financial support from the Empire!"
Prince Xue Ye said, without giving any consideration to the other's expression.
Just a Platinum Bishop.
He was the ruler of a nation.
Even Pope Bibi Dong of the Martial Soul Hall had to bow slightly before him.
What was this person, in comparison?
"Heh! Your Majesty, I hope you will pay the price for your actions!"
The Platinum Bishop's face turned even colder after hearing these words.
"The Tiandou Royal Academy Douluo Team, Shenfeng Academy, Thunder Academy, Shrek Academy, Blazing Fire Academy, Skywater Academy, you are the top six teams who have stood out among many academies. I hope you will shine even brighter in the qualifiers, and the three best-performing students will receive soul beasts for advancement provided by the Empire, with less than thirty thousand years of cultivation for you to choose from!"
Emperor Xue Ye said without paying attention to the old man, going straight to his announcement.
"Humph! I will report this matter to His Holiness the Pope!"
The old man's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot as he heard this!
He headed straight outside!
"Your Majesty is wise!"
The members of the various academies below all began to speak.
Empress Xue Qinghe also showed a slight nod of acknowledgment.
She knew why Xue Ye had acted this way.
The strength of Martial Soul Hall was growing ever stronger!
"I didn't expect the Empire to be so generous in this year's preliminaries!"
After exiting the luxurious palace, Dugu Yan remarked.
Even though she didn't particularly covet a noble title,
having it was still a sign of the Empire recognizing her achievements.
"Providing guaranteed ten-thousand-year soul beasts, I think this is about making us choose between the Empire and Martial Soul Hall."
At the same time, Zhu Zhuqing expressed her thoughts.
Indeed, the Continent's Senior Soul Master competition was to select talent.
In the end, those talents would belong somewhere,
either to the two Great Empires or to the Martial Soul Hall.
Clearly, Xue Ye's offer was meant to facilitate a choice between the two.
Upon hearing this, Ye Feng was somewhat surprised.
He hadn't expected Zhu Zhuqing to see things so clearly.