On the other side, Xue Qinghe seemed to notice Lin Mo's surprise, smiled slightly, and further explained, "I know you quite well, and I know that you are currently focused solely on cultivation and do not want external matters to interfere with your practice."
"I have mentioned this to my father."
Therefore, your title of Earl is merely nominal. You only need to enjoy the corresponding benefits and honors, without having to assume any actual duties or consider any other mundane matters.
His tone was sincere.
"Furthermore, your father has high hopes for you. He told me personally that once you lead your team to victory in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, the Empire's rewards for you will only be more generous!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Mo was stunned for a moment.
He lowered his eyes, pondered for a moment, and then slowly said, "Then I will thank Brother Xue for his kindness in advance, and please also convey my thanks to His Brother Xue for his favor."
Lin Mo felt ashamed to accept such an offer.
After a moment's thought, Lin Mo quickly figured out what Xue Qinghe, or rather Qian Renxue, was up to.
Qian Renxue is probably worried that she is too closely tied to the Heaven Dou Empire.
Otherwise, this Earl wouldn't just be a figurehead, but would come with a corresponding position of real power.
Or, the reward could be even more generous, or to take a more extreme approach, granting the individual greater fame and power, thus completely binding them to the Heaven Dou Empire's war machine.
Instead of what it is now, where it's just a simple empty title, enjoying only honors and salaries without any real power or obligations.
There's no harm in accepting such a title.
Seeing Lin Mo accept so readily, a hint of surprise flashed in Xue Qinghe's eyes.
Based on his understanding of Lin Mo, Lin Mo should dislike being entangled in such mundane matters, and given Lin Mo's past behavior, he would likely politely decline.
However, since Lin Mo has changed his mind and chosen to accept the offer, this is a good thing for him.
This means that his efforts to win them over have had an initial success.
Thinking of this, Xue Qinghe's smile became even more genuine. He took out an exquisite token from his pocket and handed it to Lin Mo.
The token is crafted from dark gold metal, with the crown emblem of the Heaven Dou Empire engraved on the front and the coat of arms representing Earl on the back.
"This is your Earl's token. With this token, you can enjoy corresponding privileges within the Empire. Your salary will be paid monthly to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and then transferred to you by the academy."
Lin Mo accepted the token with both hands; it felt slightly heavy and cool to the touch.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Xue Qinghe waved his hand and said gently, "You just need to focus on your cultivation from now on. There's no need to worry about being disturbed by worldly affairs."
If you need anything, you may find me at any time through the academy or directly at the Crown Prince's residence.
He exchanged a few more pleasantries with Dugu Bo, then got up to take his leave.
As she left, Xue Qinghe's gaze lingered on Lin Mo for a moment before she turned and left completely.
After Xue Qinghe left, only Dugu Bo, Lin Mo, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling remained in the reception room.
Dugu Bo looked at Lin Mo, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
"Young man, why did you accept this time?" There was a hint of surprise in his voice. "Based on my understanding of you, you shouldn't like being entangled in such external matters."
Lin Mo put away the Earl's token in his hand, his expression calm.
"It's just a hollow title; it doesn't really have much impact anyway."
He paused, then continued, "On the contrary, I can use my status as a member of the Heaven Dou Empire Imperial Family to buy myself some quiet time for cultivation."
He looked at Dugu Bo, his tone calm.
" The Heaven Dou Imperial Family is a very useful shield, able to protect me from the gaze of other major powers within the Heaven Dou Empire. I can't possibly stay here with you forever, senior."
Lin Mo's voice was soft, "Read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles; the cultivation of Soul Master should also be like this."
Upon hearing this, Dugu Bo seemed to be deep in thought.
Lin Mo then turned his head and looked out the window.
If he remembered correctly, in another time and space, the two guardian Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong, immediately harbored murderous intent after learning that Tang San possessed a ten-thousand-year Fourth Soul Ring.
In the end, Ning Fengzhi stopped him from making a move.
Now, the talent and potential he has shown are no less than, if not stronger than, that of Tang San in that timeline.
It's hard to say how the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will react if they find out.
However, now that he has the title of Earl bestowed upon him by Xue Ye, plus the overt protection of Dugu Bo, a Titled Douluo, he is in a position to protect himself.
Even if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wanted to touch me, they would have to think twice.
After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School is based within the Heaven Dou Empire and has close ties with the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.
If they really offend the Heaven Dou Empire Imperial Family, they won't get any benefits.
Ning Fengzhi is a smart man who knows how to weigh the pros and cons.
Dugu Bo remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking.
"Actually, it doesn't matter whether it's the Heaven Dou Empire or the Star Luo Empire."
His voice carried an air of arrogance, "Even without the royal family's backing, with me here, no one dares to touch you."
His emerald eyes turned to Lin Mo, his gaze becoming serious.
"What I'm truly worried about is the Spirit Hall."
Dugu Bo paused, his tone becoming more serious.
"I'm not referring to the Platinum Bishop Salas in Heaven Dou City, but rather the group in the Pope Hall in Spirit City."
From the very beginning, Dugu Bo had never taken the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Imperial Family seriously. Although the royal family was powerful, if they really angered him, he could simply take Lin Mo and the two little ones and leave.
The world is so vast, there's nowhere he can't go.
But the Spirit Hall is different. His old rival, Yue Guan, was just one of Pope Bibi Dong's two generals in the Spirit Hall.
Pope Bibi Dong could summon far more than just these two Titled Douluo; from the very beginning, his only concern was the Spirit Hall.
Upon hearing this, Lin Mo remained silent for a moment.
He raised his head, looked at Dugu Bo, and said calmly, "We'll deal with whatever comes our way. Let's take it one step at a time."
At this point, Lin Mo raised his eyes again and looked out of the hall, his gaze fixed on the direction where Xue Qinghe had just left.
If he's lucky, the Spirit Hall might not even need him to do anything; the problem will resolve itself.
Judging from their previous experience in the Star Dou Great Forest, Qian Renxue most likely intends to win him over.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have done something like giving up his Soul Ring and then leaving safely.
Qian Renxue's position in the Spirit Hall is extremely special.
Moreover, for him, the worst outcome from the Spirit Hall was simply being forced to join.
He was different from Tang San; he had no irreconcilable blood feud with the Spirit Hall.
The reason I had always avoided contact with the Spirit Hall was mainly due to the uniqueness of my own Martial Soul and the eccentric Pope Bibi Dong.