"Congratulations, you've earned the qualification to advance in this year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. Your performance this time has exceeded my expectations."
As he spoke, Emperor Xueye's gaze flicked briefly to Shui Wuhen before continuing, "As the captain and vice-captain of your team, I have decided to grant you both the title of Viscount, and your teammates the title of Baron. Once you graduate, the lands corresponding to these titles will be permanently awarded to you."
At Emperor Xueye's words, many present felt their breaths catch, and even Shui Wuhen was a bit surprised. The rewards from Emperor Xueye were unexpectedly generous.
In this world, the hierarchy of noble titles is similar to that of the medieval era in the previous world: from lowest to highest, it goes Baron, Viscount, Earl, Marquis, Duke.
Unlike small kingdoms or principalities, Emperor Xueye, as the ruler of the Thundering Dou Empire, grants titles that come with actual fiefs.
A Viscount's fief is roughly the size of several townships, generating considerable annual income from taxes alone. Within the fief, the lord has full autonomy, essentially a "state within a state," and barring special circumstances, no external authority would interfere.
Because of this, the Thundering Dou and Star Luo Empires rarely grant new titles; they don't want more semi-independent kingdoms or principalities.
Yet now, to secure loyalty, Emperor Xueye is granting ten Viscount titles and dozens of Baron titles—an indication of both his audacity and decisiveness.
At this moment, Salas suddenly interjected, "Your Majesty, is this appropriate? There's no precedent for granting titles in the past, and aren't these titles perhaps a bit too generous?"
"It's fine!"
Emperor Xueye smiled calmly at Salas' words. "Titles are nothing for the Thundering Dou Empire. Moreover, I will make a promise here: if your team wins the final championship, the captain and vice-captain's titles will each be upgraded two ranks, and the other members' titles will each rise one rank. The academy you belong to will also receive imperial financial support!"
Salas' expression darkened. There was no mistaking Emperor Xueye's intention—this was clearly aimed at Shui Wuhen, and at the same time, it served to curry favor with his sister, Shui Bing'er.
A Viscount is already a very high rank, and upgrading two levels would make it a Marquis! There are very few such titles in the Thundering Dou Empire. Emperor Xueye's generosity was remarkable.
"Furthermore, if you perform well in the advancement matches, the empire will assist you in acquiring the next level of spirit rings, with no restrictions on the type of spirit beasts!"
Hearing this, everyone present felt their hearts race. Even those backed by some influence could hardly compare to the Thundering Dou Empire. Unlimited spirit beast selection meant they could acquire the ones most suited to them, ensuring even greater future accomplishments.
However, Emperor Xueye's promise held little allure for Shui Wuhen. The empire was strong, yes, but its strength lay in population size and vast territory, not in Soul Masters.
The empire had very few Douluo-level Soul Masters, and only one honorary Title Douluo—the Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo.
Shui Wuhen's sixth spirit ring was already at the fifty-thousand-year level; his seventh would only be higher. Unless the empire mobilized all its resources, it could not provide him with a suitable spirit ring.
As for Shui Bing'er's spirit rings, he could easily help her acquire them himself—there was no need for imperial assistance.
"The advancement matches are in a month. I hope you will achieve further breakthroughs and bring glory to the Thundering Dou Empire."
With that, Emperor Xueye glanced briefly at Salas and, accompanied by senior officials, turned to leave.
Seeing this, Salas' gaze shifted slightly, but he said nothing.
After Emperor Xueye departed, Shui Wuhen left the Thundering Dou Grand Soul Arena together with Shui Bing'er.
He could sense the tension between the Thundering Dou Empire and the Spirit Hall—it had already reached the point of open and covert competition—but he paid it no mind.
This world is a world of the extraordinary, a world where individual strength is paramount. Politics, in the face of personal might, is ultimately insignificant.
Spirit Hall, as an organization, dared to challenge one of the continent's two great empires, relying on its far greater number of Soul Masters.
Yes, even combined, the Thundering Dou and Star Luo Empires barely matched Spirit Hall in the number of Soul Masters.
The might of Spirit Hall was evident.
Emperor Xueye likely sensed the imbalance and was eager to recruit Shui Wuhen and his allies—not only because the empire lacked powerful Soul Masters, but also to prevent Spirit Hall from growing stronger.
That night, to celebrate Thundering Water Academy's undefeated record in the preliminaries, Shui Wuhen unusually skipped training and instead accompanied the academy's girls to the hotel for a celebration.
Afterward, Shui Bing'er looked at Shui Wuhen and said, "Brother, it's so lively outside. Can you take me for a walk?"
Seeing the longing in her eyes, Shui Wuhen did not refuse and nodded in agreement.
"Great!"
Shui Bing'er clapped excitedly and then took his hand, leading him toward the busiest streets of Thundering Dou City.
A short while later, they arrived at their destination. Looking at the brightly lit, bustling shops on both sides, Shui Wuhen was a bit surprised—he hadn't expected Thundering Dou City to be this prosperous.
The dazzling lights almost made him think he had returned to Blue Star.
Seeing this, Shui Bing'er's eyes lit up. Unable to contain herself, she grabbed Shui Wuhen's hand and pointed to a shop, "Brother, let's go look there!"
Shui Wuhen then accompanied his sister, visiting shop after shop.
At the same time, noticing Tang San in a sour mood, Xiao Wu brought him to the same street to relax.
"Third Brother, don't be sad. Look at this little rabbit—it's so cute, isn't it?"
Xiao Wu looped her arm with Tang San's, holding a sugar rabbit, smiling as she said.
Tang San just nodded silently. "It's nice, it's nice."
Soon, they passed quickly by a stall.
"Hm?"
At that moment, Shui Wuhen, who was waiting at a stall for fried potatoes, seemed to sense something. He turned to look in the direction of Xiao Wu and Tang San.
Staring at Xiao Wu's back, a thoughtful light appeared in his eyes. "That is…"