Xue Ye's Sincere Recruitment
Yali led Huo Lei, Xie Chong, and Lin Yin all the way to the general manager's office on the sixth floor of the hotel before stopping.
A burly middle-aged man stood guard at the gate, about the same height as Huo Lei, around 1.8 meters. He had black hair, a resolute face, and a strong physique. Dressed in a black outfit, he stood there like a javelin. Huo Lei could tell at a glance that the man in front of him was a powerful Soul Master, at least much stronger than himself.
"Just who is this mysterious person? The gatekeeper is already so powerful. The middle-aged man in front of us is probably at the Soul Sage level, on par with Teacher Xie Chong." Huo Lei was filled with curiosity and surprise.
Yali bowed respectfully to the gatekeeper and said, "Please announce that the guest the master wishes to see has arrived."
The middle-aged man guarding the door knocked twice lightly and reported, "Sir, the guest has arrived."
"Please come in, you three." A middle-aged man's voice came from inside the room.
The middle-aged gatekeeper looked at Yali and said, "You may leave now."
Yali dared not delay, and quickly bowed slightly to the middle-aged man before turning to leave.
The middle-aged gatekeeper opened the door only after Yali had left. "Please come in, the three of you."
At this moment, Huo Lei and Xie Chong exchanged a glance. Xie Chong went in first, followed by Huo Lei, and Lin Yin walked last.
As soon as Lin Yin entered the room, the door was tightly closed by the middle-aged guard.
Upon entering the room, the first thing you notice is that all the curtains are drawn. The room is spacious and simply furnished, with several sofas, a luxurious desk, and a main seat behind it. Standing next to the main seat is a middle-aged man with brown hair, but gentle eyes. He is muscular, also dressed in black, and is half a head taller than Huo Lei, probably close to two meters. His aura is restrained, making it impossible to discern his cultivation level, but his height and physique prove that his strength is definitely not low. The person in the main seat has his back to Huo Lei, so it's impossible to see what he looks like.
"Hahaha! Huo Lei, we meet again." The main seat behind the desk began to slowly rotate, moving from a position where it was facing away from Huo Lei and the other two to a position where it was facing them directly.
"Xue Ye!" Huo Lei exclaimed in surprise.
Xie Chong and Lin Yin both looked utterly astonished.
At this moment, Xue Ye was no longer wearing a magnificent robe, but had changed into simple casual clothes.
"What? Are you surprised to see me?" Xue Ye looked at Huo Lei with a kind expression.
Huo Lei, Xie Chong, and Lin Yin spoke almost simultaneously, bowing to Xue Ye and saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Heaven Dou Emperor."
Xue Ye smiled and said, "No need for formalities, please excuse the formalities. I know a little about Huo Lei, but not so much about you two. Could you please introduce yourselves?"
Xie Chong and Lin Yin exchanged a glance, reaching a tacit understanding.
Xie Chong clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Xie Chong, the instructor leading the team at the Blazing Fire Academy, is forty years old this year, a level 71 Agility Attack System, Martial Soul Blazing Fire Ostrich."
Seeing that Xie Chong had finished his introduction, Lin Yin hurriedly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Lin Yin, Lord Huo Lei's attendant, thirty-four years old this year, Level 62 mental system, Martial Soul Illusionary Dragon."
Xue Ye's face showed a hint of surprise, "The Blazing Fire Academy is truly full of talented people! I didn't expect that you two would achieve so much at such a young age. You truly impress me."
"Your Majesty, you flatter us," Xie Chong and Lin Yin hurriedly replied modestly.
Xue Ye smiled and said, "This time, I am conducting a secret investigation without making it public, which is why I am meeting you all in this way. I hope the three of you don't mind."
"No! No! No!" Xie Chong and the other two responded in unison.
Huo Lei clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I didn't know beforehand that His Majesty had summoned me, so I brought an extra friend. I hope you won't take offense."
Xue Ye looked at Huo Lei and smiled, "Hehehe! I understand! I understand! Better safe than sorry! Now that you've met me, you can rest assured. Actually, I wanted to meet Huo Lei alone, but considering the special way I summoned him, I was afraid the people from the Blazing Fire Academy wouldn't feel at ease, so I specially sent word to include your teacher in charge."
Xie Chong cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, since there is nothing more for us to do, we will take our leave."
Xue Ye raised his right hand, gesturing, "No need to rush. Since you're here, let's chat a bit longer. Blazing Fire Academy achieved first place in the Preliminary Round —congratulations! The team members have all received awards, and the teachers leading the team should also be rewarded. Does Teacher Xie Chong hold a title?"
Xie Chong replied, "Your Majesty, I currently enjoy the privileges of Honorary Viscount."
Honorary Nobility is a title without Fief or real power, but it still belongs to the nobility. Those who hold this title can enjoy many privileges in the empire that granted them the title and can be exempted from many unnecessary expenses. Whether in the two great empires, or in vassal kingdoms and duchies, many people are granted Honorary Nobility, and the reason for this is the limited land.
Xue Ye nodded, pondered for a moment, and said, "Xie Chong, I will promote you by one rank. Starting tomorrow, you will enjoy the privileges of Honorary Earl and be rewarded with 30,000 Gold Soul Coin. I will draft the document after I return, and the document and Honorary Medal will be delivered to you by tomorrow night at the latest."
Xie Chong bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty's meeting with the three of you today must be kept secret. Do not let it leak out. You two may leave now. I wish to speak with my Huo Lei alone. Shi Hai, you may also leave."
"Yes!" Xie Chong, Lin Yin, and the middle-aged man in the room responded in unison.
After the three left the room, Xue Ye smiled and said, "Huo Lei, please have a seat!"
Huo Lei hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Your Majesty, this... isn't that inappropriate?"
Xue Ye chuckled and said, "It's alright, have a seat. Just treat me like a friend, no need to be shy."
"Then I'll gladly accept your offer." Huo Lei didn't stand on ceremony and sat down on the sofa.
Xue Ye gazed at Huo Lei with intense eyes and smiled, "Huo Lei, your first move has astonished me. I never expected the Heaven Dou Empire to produce a genius with Twin Martial Souls. As far as I know, you are only the third person in the last hundred years to possess Twin Martial Souls. Those with Twin Martial Souls have a significant advantage over those with only one Martial Soul Master. If they can grow up, their achievements will be remarkable. To be frank, there are many conflicts between the Empire and the Spirit Hall, and the Spirit Hall is becoming increasingly arrogant, as you can see from Salas's behavior. Therefore, I will not beat around the bush. You are a subject of the Empire, and I hope you will serve the Empire."
"If you agree to my request, you will hold a position second only to the Emperor in the Heaven Dou Empire. I promise to provide you with all six Soul Bones, each of quality exceeding ten thousand years. The Empire's resources will not only be allocated to you but also to your family and friends. You will be provided with the best security, at least a Soul Douluo and two Soul Sages. Furthermore, a large amount of funds will be injected into the Blazing Fire Academy for upgrades and renovations, granting you a royal title. The Empire will also cover all your future Soul Ring. I further promise that the Empire will spare no expense to acquire two Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings for you. This is the Empire's limit and my sincere commitment. What do you say?"
At this moment, Huo Lei hesitated. "It's clear that Xue Ye is sincerely trying to recruit me, and the treatment he promised is indeed the greatest sincerity the Heaven Dou Empire can offer at the moment. To be pleaded with like this by an elderly emperor, I really can't bear to refuse."
Xue Ye looked at the hesitant Huo Lei, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes. Perhaps in his mind, everyone would immediately agree to such good treatment.
Xue Ye maintained his smile and asked, "Huo Lei, is there something you're worried about?"