Heaven Dou's Viscount

After the final match of the Preliminary Tournament, the seven Shrek players were unable to leave the arena immediately.

An awards stage was set up in front of the central arena, and the five teams that advanced took to the stage in turn. Shrek stood at the front, followed by Divine Wind, Thunderclap, Heavenly Water, and Blazing Fire.

Each team changed out of their tattered school uniforms from the match. Feng Xiaotian's right Wolf Wings was injured in the previous battle, and his arm was still wrapped in Bandage. After standing still, he nodded to Yuan Yu, reminding him not to forget the challenge in the Promotion Tournament.

Yuan Yu gave him a reassuring gesture.

Huo Wu was standing right next to Feng Xiaotian. Seeing their little interaction, she immediately turned her face away. Shui Yue'er, on the other hand, was quite generous. She waved to Yuan Yu across the line and was about to ask him if Myriad Phenomena True Body had recovered when Shui Bing'er pulled her back to her original position.

The awards ceremony looked formal, but even with the five teams standing together, the competitive atmosphere from the competition was still palpable.

While straightening his school uniform, Ma Hongjun whispered to Oscar, "How many Gold Soul Coin does the first place get?"

You've asked three times already.

"I'm afraid they'll give me too little."

Flender stood at the back, nodding frequently as he listened. Liu Erlong noticed his expression and stepped on his shoe to prevent the Dean from going up to check the accounts in front of everyone.

Xue Ye stepped down from the VIP seats, with Ning Fengzhi and Salas standing on either side.

After the five qualification certificates and prize money were handed to the team representatives, Xue Ye did not immediately end the ceremony.

His gaze swept over the ten captains and vice-captains, and he announced in a loud voice, "You have distinguished yourselves among the young Soul Master of the Empire by standing out from the Heaven Dou Division. Today, in the name of the Heaven Dou Emperor, I hereby confer upon the captains and vice-captains of the five teams the title of Viscount, and upon the remaining participants the title of Baron. After the competition, the Empire will distribute your fiefdoms accordingly."

There was a moment of silence in the audience, followed by a burst of cheers.

The Heaven Dou nobility ranks are divided into five levels from lowest to highest: Baron, Viscount, Earl, Marquis, and Duke. Before these students even graduated, Xue Ye bestowed more than fifty nobility titles upon them in one go.

As the captain and vice-captain of Shrek, Dai Mubai and Tang San will directly receive the title of Viscount. Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and others will become Baron.

The Xue Ye gave more than just a title.

Baron do not currently have fiefs, but they receive an imperial stipend, which will reduce many problems for them when they enter the military or government. Viscount have even better benefits; once their fiefs are allocated, taxes, servants, and residences will all be provided.

For ordinary Soul Master, this is a path they may never encounter in their lifetime.

Oscar was somewhat stunned when he received the badge. He had no family since childhood and grew up with Flender. His greatest ambition had always been to become a powerful Food System Soul Master. Now, before he had even graduated, his name was about to be written into the Imperial Noble Register.

Ning Rongrong didn't pay much attention to the title and whispered to him, "Keep the badge safe. Dean Fu's gaze was a bit off."

Oscar immediately tucked the badge inside his clothes.

Salas's face immediately darkened.

"Your Majesty, the Soul Master Academy Tournament is jointly hosted by the Spirit Hall and the Two Great Empires. Directly conferring titles based on tournament results is probably against the rules."

Xue Ye looked at him. "Platinum Bishop has misunderstood. The competition is only responsible for selecting talent; the title will be bestowed upon me personally. The internal affairs of Heaven Dou do not require the approval of the Spirit Hall."

Salas tapped his Scepter lightly on the ground.

Ning Fengzhi stood between the two, his expression gentle, but he showed no intention of speaking up for Salas.

Xue Ye distributed ten Viscount badges to the captains and vice-captains of each team, and then took one out for himself.

"Yuan Yu."

Yuan Yu took a step forward.

"You are not the captain or vice-captain of Shrek, yet you ranked first in individual performance Preliminary Tournament. At twelve years old and Seventy-third Level, this talent deserves a Viscount's badge."

The badge was placed in Yuan Yu's palm.

Salas suddenly said, "Yuan Yu grew up in Spirit City. He might not be willing to accept His Majesty's fiefdom."

His voice carried on, drawing all eyes to him on the stage.

Yuan Yu fiddled with the badge, first asking Xue Ye, "Is this a prize for the competition?"

"Calculate."

"Then I'll take it."

He tied the badge to the bottom of the Wine Gourd, and the small gold tag made a soft sound as it touched the gourd.

"The Spirit Hall raised me, Shrek taught me how to fight with my teammates, and His Majesty is willing to give me an honor, so there's no reason for me to refuse."

Xue Ye asked, "If I were to invite you to teach at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy after graduation, would you be willing?"

Meng Shenji, sitting slightly upright in the VIP section.

Xue Ye already knew that Prince Xue Xing Shrek. Royal Academy inviting Yuan Yu in front of everyone, he was both trying to win over a future powerhouse and making amends for the Royal Family's past mistakes.

Yuan Yu didn't mince words. "I'm only twelve years old, and I'm not even always on time for class. I'll talk to His Majesty when I'm truly qualified to teach."

Meng Shenji was not disappointed; instead, he smiled and nodded. He didn't make a definitive statement, nor did he agree on the spot to please the emperor. Such an answer was more befitting of a twelve-year-old Soul Sage.

Yuan Yu turned to look at Salas, a smile still on his face.

"I dare to accept the title, and I'll return to Spirit City. In the future, if anyone wants me to draw my sword against my friend for a fiefdom, remember to send them a few first, and see if you can knock me unconscious."

Xiao Wu, standing behind, clapped first. Ma Hongjun followed suit, Dai Mubai and Oscar laughed.

Tang San looked at the golden badge on Yuan Yu's gourd and understood perfectly well. Both the Empire and the Spirit Hall were trying to recruit him, but Yuan Yu had drawn a line between them in front of both sides. He could accept benefits, but if anyone thought they could use those benefits to decide who to strike next, they were dreaming.

The audience was silent at first, then burst into laughter.

Feng Xiaotian gave a thumbs-up from behind. Huo Wu pursed her lips, a smile appearing in her eyes as well.

Salas could no longer use Yuan Yu's identity to cause trouble, so he could only look away.

Xue Ye chuckled.

He publicly announced that the Promotion Tournament would be held a month later at the Royal Hunting Grounds. The three teams that performed best in the Promotion Tournament would also receive under-30,000-year Spirit Beasts from the Empire, which would be needed for their next advancement.

"If the Heaven Dou Empire ultimately wins the championship, all participating team members will have their titles elevated by one rank."

Even Feng Xiaotian became serious this time.

The promotion in rank is only part of the reward; the option to choose under-30,000-year Spirit Beasts is even more attractive to young Soul Master below level 50. The Royal Family provides Soul Beast slots and high-ranking Soul Master guards, which greatly reduces the danger when absorbing Spirit Ring.

Dai Mubai glanced behind him. Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing were all at the fourth ring stage, so the reward could be used on them.

After the ceremony ended, Flender was the first to rush over.

"Show me the Viscount's coat of arms."

Yuan Yu protected the Wine Gourd: "Tell me first whether you'll sell it or not after you've seen it."

Am I that kind of person?

The Shrek members all nodded.

As Flender glared angrily, Xue Qinghe's attendant walked over from outside the crowd.

"Yuan Yu Viscount, His Crown Prince requests your presence at his residence tonight."

Yuan Yu touched the badge at the bottom of the gourd.

Qian Renxue chose this time to see him, most likely not just to offer her congratulations.