Enfeoffment Ceremony, Journey to Sunset Forest

The next morning, Xue Ye announced to the Heaven Dou Empire that Lin Xiao was being enfeoffed as the tenth duke of the Heaven Dou Empire and appointed Protector of the Nation. Once the news spread, many influential nobles arrived in Heaven Dou City by noon to witness the birth of this duke.

Among them were Ning Fengzhi, Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Sword Douluo, and the other noble ministers. They personally witnessed Lin Xiao become the tenth duke of the Heaven Dou Empire and its Protector of the Nation.

In the end, Xue Ye directly bestowed upon Lin Xiao a Silver Crown, a Silver Scepter, and a Silver Robe, symbolizing Lin Xiao's supreme status within the Heaven Dou Empire, second only to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.

Unexpectedly, the enfeoffment ceremony did not barely conclude until sunset. At the same time, Lin Xiao was completely exposed to everyone's notice. Those nobles, those sect forces, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect all learned that the Heaven Dou Empire now had a powerful Super Douluo serving as its Protector of the Nation!

With the enfeoffment ceremony over, the influential nobles who had come to watch began leaving in an orderly fashion amid laughter and cheerful celebration. They boarded their exquisite carriages and slowly departed.

"Black Dragon Duke, whose courtesy name is Future, you will serve as our Heaven Dou Empire's Protector of the Nation. Your authority will be second only to mine and Qinghe's. I sincerely hope that you will live up to the trust we have placed in you!" Xue Ye slowly said to Lin Xiao beside him as he watched the nobles disperse in an orderly manner.

Lin Xiao was dressed in silver robes, wore a silver crown, and held a silver scepter that symbolized authority. Everything about him showed that he now possessed an exceptionally high status and immense power!!!

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. As your subject, I bear your concerns while receiving your salary. Since Your Majesty trusts me so greatly, I will naturally devote myself wholly to Your Majesty's service, striving until my dying breath."

"I will never betray Your Majesty's trust and high expectations. To repay Your Majesty's grace, I will fulfill my duties to the best of my ability, remain loyal and responsible, seek blessings for Your Majesty's realm, and strive for peace for all under heaven!" Lin Xiao said respectfully with cupped hands.

Hearing this perfect answer, Xue Ye smiled and nodded inwardly. With this Super Title Douluo present, he would no longer have to worry that the Heaven Dou Empire would fall into turmoil after his death.

Moreover, his imperial son, Xue Qinghe, possessed exceptionally strong political and leadership abilities. With this Super Title Douluo as well, so long as he served the Heaven Dou Empire with unwavering loyalty, the Heaven Dou Empire would surely grow ever stronger!

It could even be said that surpassing the Star Luo Empire in the future would be no problem at all. Completely defeating the Star Luo Empire, an adversary that had existed for centuries, was no longer some distant prospect!

Xue Ye gazed at the lingering glow of the sunset, clasped his hands behind his back, and said calmly, "I hope so. With you and Qinghe in the Heaven Dou Empire's future, I believe the Heaven Dou Empire will only become stronger and stronger!"

"Since Your Majesty places such trust in me, I will certainly not fail Your Majesty's expectations. I will wholeheartedly assist the Crown Prince with all my strength," Lin Xiao replied calmly.

"Your Majesty, there is something I need to tell you."

"Oh? What is it?!" Xue Ye asked.

"It is like this, Your Majesty. Many years ago, I discovered a place that could improve the quality of one's Martial Soul and one's cultivation aptitude. However, this place can only be used twice in total."

"Since I have chosen to pledge my loyalty to the Heaven Dou Empire, there is no reason to conceal this place. I hope His Highness the Crown Prince can accompany me there to improve the quality of his Martial Soul and his cultivation aptitude. Perhaps His Highness may one day become a Title Douluo with the Snow Swan Martial Soul!" Lin Xiao explained.

Upon hearing this, Xue Ye was stunned. There was actually such a place in the world?

"Black Dragon Duke, this place can only be used twice?! It cannot be used any more than that?!" Xue Ye asked. If the effects of this place were truly as Lin Xiao described, the Heaven Dou Empire's surpassing of the Star Luo Empire would come even sooner.

Lin Xiao gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "Yes, Your Majesty. I discovered it during my travels across Douluo Continent in my early years. Its most miraculous quality is that it can improve Martial Soul quality, cultivation aptitude, and even Soul Power Level without side effects, but it can only be used twice at most."

"What a pity. What a terrible pity. If this place could be used repeatedly, then perhaps our Heaven Dou Imperial Family's Snow Swan Martial Soul could truly evolve and produce a Title Douluo!" Xue Ye said regretfully.

The Heaven Dou Empire's imperial Martial Soul, the Snow Swan, was not actually of poor quality. Yet producing a Title Douluo was nearly impossible. Since the founding of the Heaven Dou Empire, the number of imperial family members who had cultivated the Snow Swan Martial Soul to become Title Douluo could be counted on one hand!

Compared to the Star Luo Imperial Family's Evil Eye White Tiger Martial Soul, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's Snow Swan Martial Soul was pitifully weak.

"Since this miraculous place has one final use remaining, Black Dragon Duke, I will trouble you to take Qinghe there."

Just as Xue Ye finished speaking, Xue Qinghe, who had been seeing off the nobles, slowly approached and asked, "Father, Black Dragon Duke, what are you discussing?"

Seeing Xue Qinghe, Xue Ye smiled faintly and said, "Qinghe, Black Dragon Duke says there is a place that can improve the quality of your Martial Soul and your cultivation aptitude. Therefore, I intend to have Black Dragon Duke take you there. What do you think? Consider this a holiday for you during this period."

Xue Qinghe found it somewhat difficult to believe and asked, "Father, Black Dragon Duke, is the place you speak of truly so miraculous? If it really exists, can it really improve one without any side effects?"

Lin Xiao smiled faintly. "It does exist, but it has a major restriction. It can only be used twice in total. I used it once back then, and I wish to give the final opportunity to Your Highness the Crown Prince."

After thinking it over last night, Lin Xiao had decided to put on an act with Qian Renxue before Xue Ye today. It would also give them a clear reason to leave Heaven Dou City.

"Father." Xue Qinghe looked toward Xue Ye, waiting for his opinion.

Xue Ye smiled and said, "Qinghe, go with Black Dragon Duke to this place. If the Snow Swan Martial Soul had not held you back, perhaps you could become a Title Douluo in the future!"

He knew well that Xue Qinghe's cultivation talent was not poor. However, because her Martial Soul was the Snow Swan, her chances of becoming a Title Douluo in the future were likely slim.

With Xue Ye's approval, Xue Qinghe finally nodded slightly and said, "Since Father says this place is miraculous and can improve Martial Soul aptitude and cultivation aptitude, how about I leave with Black Dragon Duke tonight?"

"Of course." Xue Ye smiled and did not refuse.