Douro Continent

Chapter 365 Snowflakes Fall, Ice Phoenix (Part 2)

"Your Majesty, this is not appropriate," Salas suddenly interjected. Daring to interrupt the emperor's speech demonstrates the immense power of the Spirit Hall.

Emperor Xueye glanced at Salas indifferently. "Is there something wrong, Bishop Salas?"

Salas said, "There's no precedent for awarding titles in previous competitions. Besides, isn't the title too high?"

Whether in the Heavenly Dou Empire or the Star Luo Empire, the ranks of nobility, from highest to lowest, are Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron. To grant ten Viscount titles for just one qualifying round is an astonishing display of generosity from Emperor Xueye.

Emperor Xueye silenced Salas with a single sentence: "Your Excellency, the conferment of titles is an internal affair of the Empire and has nothing to do with the Spirit Hall. Nor is it related to this competition. I simply appreciate the rewards these children have given. They represent the Heaven Dou Empire in this Advanced Soul Master Academy Competition. Here, I also want to make a promise to you. If any of your teams achieves final victory, the entire team's title will be promoted by one level, and the academy's prefix will be changed to 'Royal,' receiving financial support from the Empire."

As the captains and vice-captains of their respective teams, these young people, though worldly-wise, were still somewhat bewildered by Emperor Xueye's barrage of rewards. What did a noble title represent? A viscount already possessed his own territory and servants, and would also receive a certain amount of subsidies from the state. That money alone would be enough to live on.

Although many Soul Masters possess titles, obtaining a title from a kingdom or duchy is relatively easy, but obtaining a title from an empire is not so simple, especially the title of Viscount, which is directly granted. A Viscount's territory can already be as large as a small city.

What's even more valuable is that Emperor Xueye has promised the ten people in front of him that he will grant them fiefdoms after this competition ends.

This shows that they were not just nominally nobles, but real nobles who owned territories.

Salas looked grim. He didn't say anything more, but a sinister glint appeared in his eyes.

The captains and vice-captains of these five teams in the preliminary rounds were all elites among young soul masters, each one more intelligent than the last. From Emperor Xueye's promise and Salas's obstruction, they could vaguely sense the tension between them.

Ning Fengzhi simply stood aside, smiling silently, as if none of this concerned him.

Emperor Xueye seemed oblivious to the grim expression on Bishop Salas's face, and smiled, "The upcoming qualifying rounds will still be held in the Empire. However, the venue will change from the Heavenly Battle Arena to the Royal Enclosure. At that time, ten teams from the five duchies and kingdoms that qualified through the preliminary rounds will come to compete with you in the qualifying rounds. I hope that all five of your academies will rank highly in the qualifying rounds, so that you will have an advantage when you participate in the finals."

"The promotion tournament is the best stage to showcase your individual strength. The top three students with the most wins in the promotion tournament will be provided with the soul beasts needed for their next title upgrade by the Empire. You can choose the type of soul beast yourself; the Empire can guarantee all soul beasts with a cultivation level of less than 30,000 years."

Whether it was Shrek Academy or the four elemental academies, Emperor Xueye's promise at this moment was even more tempting than the previous titles. Even Tang San couldn't help but feel his heart racing.

It's important to know that the ten captains and vice-captains representing their respective academies are all around level 40 in strength. Their next title promotion will be at level 50. While level 50 isn't as significant as a level 30 spirit ring, it still holds true.

However, level 50 is the first level at which one can obtain a ten-thousand-year soul ring.

The strength of their first ten-thousand-year spirit ring has a significant impact on their future. Choosing a spirit beast according to one's needs would undoubtedly be extremely beneficial, eliminating risks and wasting time, and allowing them to maximize the potential of their spirit.

Starting from level 50, a Soul Master's cultivation speed will decrease significantly. Having a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring as a guarantee will undoubtedly allow them to maintain their dominance between levels 50 and 60. This will also bring immeasurable benefits for their future development.

Seeing the growing fervor in the eyes of the ten elites before him, Emperor Xueye smiled slightly. "The advancement competition will be held in a month. I hope you can make further breakthroughs within this month. Alright, I won't say anything more. You kids are all very smart, and I think you will make a wise choice."

After saying this, Emperor Xueye shifted his gaze, sweeping it across the face of the Platinum Bishop Salas. Only then, accompanied by a group of high-ranking imperial officials, did he turn and leave.

Salas's eyes flickered slightly, but his expression had completely calmed down, and it was difficult to discern anything from his face.

Just as Emperor Xueye said, although he didn't say it explicitly, the captains and vice-captains of each academy's battle team understood his meaning: the Empire or the Spirit Hall, choose one.

Tang San's heart stirred slightly. The words of Emperor Xue Ye today did not seem like those of an emperor. The Spirit Hall was powerful. Was Emperor Xue Ye trying to show off to them?

Or has the conflict between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Spirit Hall reached an irreconcilable point?

It's best not to get involved in these political matters. He doesn't know what others think, but the path he's chosen is very clear, which can be summarized in two simple words: freedom.

Tang San had a clear goal for himself: the limit of his martial spirit and the limit of the Tang Sect.

Tang San and Dai Mubai walked out of the Heaven Dou Arena together, where the others were waiting for them. Just then, a sudden voice called out to Tang San.

"Tang San".

Tang San turned his head and saw a large expanse of red before his eyes, which was Huo Wu calling out to him.

"What's wrong?" Tang San asked, puzzled.

Huo Wu walked up to him in a few steps, stopping when she was less than a meter away from Tang San.

It has to be said that standing face-to-face with Huo Wu is quite imposing, because her height is exceptionally outstanding for a girl, even slightly taller than Tang San at his current height. Keep in mind that with the absorption of his fourth spirit ring and the devouring of the thousand-year-old Human-Faced Demon Spider, Tang San's physical development has far surpassed that of his peers. He is now nearly 1.8 meters tall. And Huo Wu's height is also 1.8 meters.

Huo Wu stared at Tang San, whose appearance wasn't particularly outstanding and who always exuded a calm and collected aura, and asked, "Do you have the guts to fight me without using your martial spirit?"

Tang San was taken aback for a moment, but the Shrek Academy students around him all laughed. They were all well aware of Tang San's hand-to-hand combat abilities; Tai Long had made the same request before, only to be humiliated in the end.

Tang San shook his head and said, "I'm busy."

"You…" Huo Wu's pupils suddenly contracted, "Aren't your close combat skills quite strong?"

Tang San frowned, glanced at Huo Wu, and looking at this woman who was like a flame, he repeated, "I'm sorry, I don't have time."

After saying that, he turned around and walked towards the Shrek Academy group, not wanting to get entangled with Huo Wu any further.

"Go to hell!" Her rage reached its peak, and Huo Wu's pent-up emotions finally erupted. Her right leg shot up, aiming straight for Tang San's head. Already tall and long-legged, this kick was as swift as lightning.

Sound localization is the most basic ability of the Tang Sect, so how could Tang San let her succeed so easily? He took a slight step forward, his body half-spinned, and his left hand swung out, directly grabbing Huo Wu's ankle.

Huo Wu felt as if the force she had kicked out with her leg had vanished into thin air, disappearing instantly under the slight tremor of Tang San's arm. Tang San's hand, gripping her ankle, was as solid as if it were cast in bronze and iron; no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't pull it back.

That left hand had turned into a color like mutton fat jade.

Raise your left hand, push up Huo Wu's long leg, take a step forward towards Huo Wu, and naturally step your right foot behind Huo Wu's supporting leg. At the same time, lean your upper body forward and directly hit Huo Wu's raised thigh.

With fluid, effortless movements and a perfectly timed opening, Tang San propelled Huo Wu flying before she could react, landing in the arms of Huo Wushuang who had just arrived. Tang San hadn't used much force; he had fully utilized the "Controlling Crane and Capturing Dragon" technique, employing the opponent's force against them.

"Let's go." Tang San glanced at the Shrek Academy students who were gloating as they watched him push Huo Wu's body out, and strode away.

"I'm going to kill him." Huo Wu tried to rush out again after being stopped by her brother, but Huo Wushuang forcibly pulled her back.

"Don't waste your energy, you're no match for him." With a sigh, Huo Wushuang held onto his sister tightly. As an observer, he could see that Tang San had already shown mercy.

"Brother." Huo Wu's eyes reddened. Her competitive nature had been hurt by the same person once again, and she found it hard to bear.

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On the last day of this month, if you still have VIP tickets or recommendation tickets, please don't save them; give them to Xiao San (a popular streamer/another streamer). Thank you.

(End of this chapter)