For the Sake of Recruiting Lin Yuan, Xue Ye Offered a Noble Title

After hearing Lin Yuan's words, Xue Ye's aged face revealed a trace of disappointment. After all, if a Title Douluo could join the Heaven Dou Empire, it would bring nothing but benefits to the Empire.

But judging by Lin Yuan's demeanor, he seemed to have no intention of pledging loyalty to the Empire at all.

Dream Machine immediately stepped in to smooth things over, saying with a chuckle, "Your Majesty, please do not take offense. Teacher Lin has always been like this. Besides, Teacher Lin is a teacher at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, so in theory, he is already the Empire's Title Douluo."

Upon hearing this, Xue Ye felt somewhat relieved. Dream Machine's words did make some sense. After all, Lin Yuan was currently a teacher of the Empire, so theoretically, he already counted as one of the Empire's Title Douluo.

With a smile, Xue Ye said, "In that case, I shall say no more. If Lord Lin Yuan is willing to support the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial family, I will certainly satisfy all of Your Lordship's demands. I am even willing to grant you a noble title."

The Heaven Dou Empire's noble titles were divided into Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, and Baron, in descending order of rank.

Given Xue Ye's character of valuing talented people, he would certainly grant Lin Yuan the title of Duke outright. This alone showed just how highly he regarded a powerhouse at the Title Douluo level.

Lin Yuan answered with a smile, "We can discuss that later. At present, I have no plans to accept an Imperial noble title."

Within the entire Heaven Dou Empire, the title of Duke held an extremely lofty status, second only to that of a Prince. Even some Princes would not dare offend a Duke lightly. This was enough to show that such a position placed one above countless others.

Xue Ye nodded. "It seems Lord Lin Yuan is not someone greedy for power and status. I was indeed somewhat presumptuous. But as I said, should Senior ever wish to join the Heaven Dou Empire, its gates will always be open to you, no matter when or where."

Dream Machine and the other two exchanged glances, but said nothing further. They could only sit in their chairs, sipping tea as they pondered what might happen next.

Lin Yuan had been like this since childhood. Even when studying, he rarely spent time with them. He even cultivated alone on the academy's Back Mountain, as if walking on thin ice, indifferent to worldly matters.

How could a Title Douluo with such a state of mind possibly remain confined within a mere Heaven Dou Royal Academy?

With one hand behind his back, Lin Yuan swirled the wine in his cup and replied softly, "Then I thank Your Majesty."

Xue Ye nodded and rose to his feet in front of everyone. "Dream Machine, it is getting late. I shall take my leave first. We can speak further at the Imperial Palace when the opportunity arises."

"Your Majesty, I will see you out personally."

For Xue Ye's safety, Dream Machine personally escorted him out of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Before leaving, however, he did not forget to praise Lord Lin Yuan's strength before Xue Ye.

Inside the magnificent room.

Zhi Lin looked at Lin Yuan, let out a heavy breath, and shook his head helplessly. "Teacher Lin, why did you refuse such a good opportunity? If you became an Imperial Duke, your status would be on par with those city lords."

"Moreover, the annual stipend a Duke receives would certainly be far greater than what we earn as teachers here..."

Seeing Zhi Lin's confusion, Lin Yuan gently shook his head and replied, "If I agreed, it would mean that I had completely chosen to join the Heaven Dou Empire and accept its restraints. But all of you know my temperament. I do not like being bound by others."

Bai Baoshan patted his protruding belly and said with a chuckle, "All right, Zhi Lin. We watched Teacher Lin grow up. His disposition is completely different from ours. It is already no easy thing for him to remain at the academy as a teacher, and you still want him to become an Imperial Duke?"

Zhi Lin said nothing more and returned to his seat. Yet he still felt some regret in his heart. After all, this might very well have been an opportunity for Lin Yuan to turn his life around.

Lin Yuan finished the tea in his cup, then slowly rose to his feet. After bowing respectfully to the two chiefs of the Teaching Committee before him, he turned and left without looking back.

Zhi Lin asked, "Bai Baoshan, do you think Teacher Lin was right or wrong to do this?"

"Hehehe." Bai Baoshan laughed. "What is right, and what is wrong? He merely followed his heart. If he wants to join, he joins. If he does not want to join, then he does not. After all, you should understand what a Title Douluo bound to an Empire is required to do."

"Teacher Lin is not a fool. He understands that there are advantages and disadvantages. And if it were me, I might not join the Empire either. After all, money, power, and status are all less important than being a free and unfettered soul master."

Zhi Lin stroked his chin and laughed as if a burden had been lifted from his heart. "Hehe, yes, yes, yes. It seems we were presumptuous. We are old now. The road ahead belongs to these young people."

"Their generation will surely walk a smoother path than we did in our time..."

Within the quiet courtyard.

Ye Lingling was currently seated cross-legged. The appearance of four Soul Rings around her body caused the Soul Power within the courtyard to tremble faintly.

Over all these years, no one had ever possessed the ability to absorb a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring. Even exceptionally gifted disciples had a great chance of becoming idiots if they could not withstand the spiritual shock brought by a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring.

The reason Tang San had been able to absorb a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring was largely due to the Immortal Grade Herbs he had used and the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Otherwise, even if he were the protagonist, he would still have died without a doubt beneath that overwhelming pressure.

The reason Ye Lingling could absorb a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring was likewise because Lin Yuan had secretly helped her completely shatter the soul beast's spiritual power, allowing her to avoid that heart-rending pain.

"Teacher~"

Upon hearing movement from the entrance, Ye Lingling immediately raised her head. When she saw Lin Yuan looking at her, she promptly stood up, ran over, and threw herself into his arms.

Lin Yuan smiled. "Has your cultivation been going smoothly?"

Ye Lingling nodded obediently. "The Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring has perfectly fused with my body, and I can instantly restore a dying Soul King to peak condition."

"It's just..."

At this point, Ye Lingling fell silent. With her head lowered, she fidgeted awkwardly, at a loss for what to do.

Lin Yuan seemed to see through Ye Lingling's thoughts. He merely gently rubbed her head without saying anything.