Heaven Dou Royalty Arrives

"The Crown Prince?"

Salas's eyes flickered, his grayish-white eyebrows rising slightly.

Xue Qinghe?

Why would this Crown Prince, instead of staying in Heaven Dou City, come all the way to Fasnuo Province?

The relationship between Martial Soul Hall and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family was delicate, like a taut string.

Salas had walked on thin ice during his years in Heaven Dou City.

Unless it was the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament or other important celebrations, he would not step foot into the Imperial Palace.

Similarly, the Imperial Family rarely entered the Martial Soul Sacred Hall.

Salas's gaze shifted to Yu Cheng, a thought arising in his mind.

"Could the Crown Prince be here for Yu Cheng?"

The group entered the venue.

The young man at the forefront was around twenty years old, with a handsome face. He wore a simple white robe, cinched at the waist with a light golden belt.

He walked with a commanding presence, a gentle smile on his lips, exuding an air of composure.

This person was none other than the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe.

Two people followed by his side.

To his left was a tall, thin old man with silver hair meticulously combed, his eyes sharp, exuding an invisible pressure.

Salas's gaze lingered on this person for a moment but found nothing unusual.

Yu Cheng also sized up the group. He recognized the person on the far right.

This was Bai Lin, the dean of Fasnuo Junior Academy.

"Bishop Salas."

Xue Qinghe cupped his hands in greeting with a smile, his voice clear and resonant.

"Qinghe comes uninvited; I hope the Bishop will forgive me."

Salas's expression remained neutral, only nodding slightly.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince's personal visit, may I ask what brings you here?"

He didn't engage in pleasantries and asked directly.

As a Platinum Bishop of Martial Soul Hall, he didn't need to be overly courteous to a Crown Prince.

Moreover, he had never had a good feeling about this Crown Prince.

Xue Qinghe was amiable, but Salas always felt there was something hidden beneath his smiling face.

People like him were far more difficult to deal with than mere spoiled brats.

Xue Qinghe chuckled dismissively, his gaze turning towards Yu Cheng.

"This must be Master Yu Cheng, who has recently become famous across the continent."

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Yu Cheng stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting.

"No need for formalities."

Xue Qinghe raised his hand as if to steady him, scrutinizing the young man before him.

"Whale Rubber was originally a common item, yet Master Yu Cheng ingeniously uncovered its mysteries. Truly an outstanding talent of our Heaven Dou Empire!"

"Your Highness is too kind."

Yu Cheng quickly waved his hands.

"It was merely my luck; I don't deserve the title of outstanding talent."

"This is not my own opinion; Emperor Xue Ye also holds your theories in high regard."

Xue Qinghe's smile deepened.

The next moment, he took out a scroll of imperial decree, colored imperial yellow, from his embrace and held it above his head.

The smile on Xue Qinghe's face vanished, replaced by a solemn expression.

"Yu Cheng, receive the decree."

As the words fell, the air in the entire venue seemed to freeze.

Yu Cheng blinked in surprise for half a second before reacting. He placed his right hand on his chest and bowed.

The reactions of the people in the hall varied.

The Soul Masters present, like Yu Cheng, placed their right hands on their chests. The attendants, lacking Soul Power, knelt on both knees, prostrating themselves on the ground.

Even Bishop Salas solemnly placed his right hand on his chest.

Xue Qinghe unrolled the imperial decree, his clear voice echoing through the venue:

"I, Emperor Xue Ye, in my capacity as Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, do hereby declare to all my subjects: In view of Yu Cheng's discovery of the theory of Whale Rubber, which has made outstanding contributions to the development of Soul Masters, he is hereby granted the title of Viscount."

He paused, then continued reading:

"His territory shall be Nuoding City in the Fasnuo Province, with half the annual tribute and perpetual inheritance."

After finishing, Xue Qinghe closed the decree, a smile returning to his face.

"Congratulations, my Lord Viscount of Nuoding."

Yu Cheng accepted the decree, feeling a sense of disbelief for a moment.

Viscount?

He had actually become a Viscount?

After the death of the former city lord of Nuoding City, Xiao Dachuan, the empire had not dispatched a new city lord to take over.

He hadn't expected this place to become his fief?

The next moment, a murmur rippled through the venue. Even several high-ranking officials from the Martial Soul Hall couldn't help but whisper amongst themselves.

In the Heaven Dou Empire, after a Soul Master broke through to become a Soul Elder, if they possessed outstanding talent, they could typically receive the lowest rank of Baron, enjoying privileges such as tax exemption.

But a Viscount was entirely different.

This was the fourth-highest rank, and it came with a fief!

Under normal circumstances, only those above the rank of Soul Ancestor, or those who had made outstanding contributions to the empire, could possibly be granted the title of Viscount.

"Master Yu Cheng's Soul Power seems to be only around level ten?"

"Most importantly, he's only ten years old this year!"

"A ten-year-old Viscount, has there ever been such a precedent since the founding of the empire?"

"No. This is absolutely the first time."

"And he earned it through his own abilities, not by inheriting a family fortune..."

On the high platform, Salas's expression was rather grim.

The Heaven Dou royal family, what a generous move!

In peacetime, a Viscount was almost the highest honor a commoner could attain.

As for the higher rank of Count, it was basically monopolized by established noble families and rarely granted to outsiders.

It could be said that Yu Cheng had now taken half a step into the upper echelons of the empire's nobility.

A complex emotion welled up in Salas's heart.

As a Soul Douluo, he held a high position in the Martial Soul Hall, but he had no noble title within the empire's system, nor did he have a fief.

He wasn't envious, of course, just somewhat emotional.

Yu Cheng was only ten years old!

With his intelligence, if he were to make further contributions to the empire in the future, becoming a Prince or even a King wouldn't be impossible.

"Wait!"

Salas suddenly jolted awake.

This is bad!

The royal family is trying to poach him!

After being granted a noble title, Yu Cheng would be a legitimate noble, a member of the royal family.

Regardless of his future achievements, this title would firmly tie him to the Heaven Dou Empire's chariot.

"Well played, Emperor Xue Ye!"

"Truly cunning and old!"

"No..."

Salas stared at Xue Qinghe, his gaze sharp.

Emperor Xue Ye's health had been poor in recent years, and most administrative affairs were handled by Xue Qinghe.

This matter was definitely Xue Qinghe's doing!

Salas's face turned cold, his hand in his sleeve clenching slightly.

What was the Papal Palace doing?

What was Bibi Dong doing!

For such an important talent, the Papal Palace had not offered any substantial rewards?

Even an honorary bishop could have tied Yu Cheng to the Martial Soul Hall's system first.

As a result, the royal family had seized the initiative!

If not for the inappropriate occasion, Salas would have truly wanted to storm off.

"Does the Bishop have something on his mind?"

Xue Qinghe's voice pulled him back to reality.

"Hmph."

Salas snorted coldly and didn't reply.

Xue Qinghe didn't mind, turning to look at Yu Cheng and continuing, "Viscount Yu Cheng, I heard you registered at Fasno Junior Academy?"

Yu Cheng nodded. "Yes."

"That's perfect then."

Xue Qinghe smiled. "I've already had your file retrieved and arranged for you to be admitted directly into Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Don't be too quick to refuse—"

He raised a hand to stop Yu Cheng and continued:

"The Royal Academy gathers the empire's most outstanding young Soul Masters, including many noble disciples. These connections will be greatly beneficial for your future development."

"Moreover, the academy has the best simulated cultivation environment, and countless ancient texts in its library, which will undoubtedly help your theoretical research."

Xue Qinghe's tone was sincere.

Yu Cheng frowned. "This... isn't this backdoor-ing a bit too obvious?"

"Viscount is too modest."

Dean Bai, standing nearby, chimed in at the opportune moment with a smile.

"Fasno Academy recommends a batch of outstanding students to the Royal Academy every year. With your talent, promotion is a natural progression."

"This... isn't it somewhat inappropriate?"

Salas finally couldn't help but speak.

"Master Yu Cheng still has some theories to research, and a sudden change of environment might affect his progress."

"Bishop worries too much."

Xue Qinghe's smile remained unchanged.

"If Master Yu Cheng needs it, his entire experimental team can be invited to the Royal Academy. The royal family is willing to allocate special funds to build a new laboratory within the academy."

Salas stared at Xue Qinghe, almost laughing in anger.

This man was taking everything, not content with just Yu Cheng, and now he wanted to poach Martial Soul Hall's research team?

Xue Qinghe appeared refined and gentle on the surface, but his actions were ruthless.

Truly a smiling tiger.

"Heh heh."

Salas ultimately just let out a cold laugh and said no more.

At this point, he knew he couldn't keep Yu Cheng.

The empire's noble title decree had already been issued. This was an open scheme, conducted with utmost propriety, and Martial Soul Hall simply couldn't stop it.

"This Bibi Dong, she really is too young."

Salas sighed inwardly.

Let the elders worry about this difficult problem.