As a considerable amount of time had passed, the All-Continent Soul Master Competition in Heaven Dou City was nearing its end.
The Siyi stood on the stage, his voice resonant, amplified by a spirit tool to reach every corner of the Dou Hun Arena.
"The first place in the promotion rounds goes to Heaven Dou Royal Team One."
Even if the Siyi didn't announce it, the surrounding audience could tell who was first: Heaven Dou Royal Team One, who had not suffered a single defeat.
"Now, announcing the list of qualified teams."
"Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Tianshui Academy, Blazing Academy, Thunder Academy, Shenfeng Academy, Shrek Academy…"
There were a total of eight qualifying teams. Shrek was ranked sixth, having lost four matches, just like the two teams behind them, barely making it through.
"Now, please welcome the eight qualifying teams to meet His Majesty the Emperor."
According to the usual custom, as the Emperor, he should meet these Geniuses who were about to go to Spirit City to fight for their Heaven Dou Empire.
It was also a good opportunity to bestow some rewards or titles to win over these Geniuses, to see if they could serve their Heaven Dou Empire.
Amidst the cheers of the surrounding audience, the eight teams slowly walked onto the stage to meet the current Emperor of Tiandou.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Emperor."
At this moment, Dugu Yan and the others already knew that the Emperor of Tiandou before them was Xue Xing, so they still showed him due respect.
"Haha, all of you are young talents of my Heaven Dou Empire, you may rise."
Xue Xing let out a refined laugh, looking at the crowd before him, then turned to the first-place team of this Heaven Dou Soul Master Competition, and said in a gentle voice, like an elder:
"The rewards for our Heaven Dou competitions are usually gold coins, but in this competition, I have seen the vitality of the younger generation of the Heaven Dou Empire. Therefore, I have decided to confer the title of Viscount of our Heaven Dou Empire to all members of the first-place team, and the team captain will be made an Earl. This title is permanent, and your fiefdoms will also be permanently retained for you. The doors of the Empire are always open to you."
Xue Xing spoke quite generously. In his opinion, although Dugu Yan and her team might not value the Heaven Dou titles, the fiefdoms were real.
They were all people loyal to the Supreme Pontiff, and the fiefdoms given out were placed near those disobedient kingdoms. At that time, troops could be directly sent from those lands to eliminate these parasites one by one.
"Your Majesty, this move is inappropriate!" Ning Fengzhi, who was by the side, suddenly spoke up, his expression slightly changed, interrupting Xue Xing's words. He was clearly relying on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's strength, not putting the Heaven Dou Empire in his eyes.
In his opinion, how could a group of people who might be backed by Spirit Hall be granted titles of their Heaven Dou Empire?
Xue Xing, however, was suddenly interrupted and showed displeasure. He casually glanced at Ning Fengzhi and said in a lukewarm tone: "What's inappropriate about it?"
Ning Fengzhi hurriedly brought up the old rules, speaking eloquently: "Your Majesty, do you know that in previous Soul Master Competitions, there has been no precedent for conferring titles? Now, Your Majesty bestows Earl and Viscount titles, and even grants actual fiefdoms. This is truly too much."
Xue Xing, however, casually rolled his eyes at Ning Fengzhi and said coldly: "School Master Ning, as the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, can I not even distribute a few small titles? Or is School Master Ning trying to interfere with the internal distribution of titles in my Empire? And if there's no precedent in previous Soul Master Competitions, then I will set this precedent. From now on, anyone who shows enough talent to suppress their generation can receive a title."
A big accusation was directly placed on Ning Fengzhi's head, immediately making Ning Fengzhi say no more, a hint of gloom flashing in his eyes.
Devil Bear Douluo, who was watching the show from the side, couldn't help but chuckle when he saw Ning Fengzhi being put in a difficult spot, and then said nothing more.
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Emperor."
Dugu Yan and the others also thanked Xue Xing, then stood aside. After that, the captains of Tianshui and Blazing Academy were granted the title of Viscount, and the team members were granted the title of Baron, but without fiefdoms.
The Shrek Seven Devils, due to their lower ranking, received no rewards whatsoever and became mere foils.
"Next, you will go to Spirit City to participate in the final semifinals and finals. I will send people to escort you to Spirit City."
After Xue Xing finished speaking, he waved his hand, signifying that everything was arranged, and the Heaven Dou City Soul Master Competition also concluded.
"Wait a moment!"
At this moment, Tang San suddenly appeared, his expression serious, blocking Xue Xing and the others who were about to leave.
"I want to report that Crown Prince Xue Qinghe is Qian Renxue, the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall, in disguise. The real Crown Prince Xue Qinghe died long ago."
As soon as his words fell, a huge uproar immediately erupted, especially among the noble Crown Prince's faction on the viewing platform, who immediately jumped up.
Pointing at Tang San's nose, they cursed: "You yellow-mouthed brat, the Crown Prince is the Crown Prince, how could he be from Spirit Hall?!"
They had already sensed that the current Emperor of Tiandou's situation was not right and that he seemed to want to get rid of them, so they were preparing to attach themselves to the Crown Prince for stability.
As a result, Tang San immediately wanted to condemn their backer to death, which instantly made these nobles react strongly.
However, the surrounding noise was quickly suppressed by Xue Xing, who waited with interest for Tang San's next words. He was just looking for a reason to depose the Crown Prince.
"Every word I say is true. Otherwise, let Crown Prince Xue Qinghe confront me in court, and his disguise will surely be revealed."
Tang San's expression was serious, speaking as if it were true, almost making Xue Xing unable to hold back his laughter.
He naturally knew that the real Xue Qinghe was real, but his Xue Ye Emperor was fake!
However, he still sternly shouted: "Go, summon Crown Prince Xue Qinghe!"
Not long after, Xue Qinghe rushed over in a hurry, his expression flustered. He looked up and saw Tang San, who was slandering him, staring at him with a look full of mockery.
He immediately flew into a rage, disregarding his Crown Prince etiquette, and cursed: "You yellow-mouthed brat who talks nonsense, I have been the Crown Prince for over twenty years, how could I be replaced by a little girl?!"
His heart was filled with even more fear. This was a critical period, and his father seemed to be growing more distant from him recently.
With Tang San stirring things up like this, he was truly finished.
"Hmph, still pretending. My eyes can easily see through your disguise, Qian Renxue, you don't need to hide."
Tang San snorted, then a purple light flashed in his eyes as he looked at Xue Qinghe, but then he immediately froze.
Where was Qian Renxue? Why hadn't there been any change?
Tang San's heart suddenly trembled. Could he have really wronged Xue Qinghe?
No, that's not right. It must be that Qian Renxue's disguise was even more powerful, and he needed to further advance his Purple Demon Eye.
"You!"
Xue Qinghe was naturally furious. How could there be such a shameless person in the World, slandering him with no evidence?
"Your Majesty, I suggest that Xue Qinghe be immediately thrown into prison to await judgment. If he is indeed fake, he will be executed without mercy. If he is real, it's not too late to release him."
Ning Fengzhi also spoke up. He had already colluded with Tang San. Even if he was Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's teacher, he couldn't show favoritism.
Instead, he had to make a false accusation, after all, for his path to becoming a god, he could only make Xue Qinghe suffer a little.
"Teacher, you!"
Xue Qinghe pointed at Ning Fengzhi, his eyes filled with disbelief. He didn't understand why Ning Fengzhi, as his teacher, would betray him. If he helped him become Emperor, Ning Fengzhi would become the Imperial Advisor!