The prestige of a duke is unimaginable.
Not only do they possess autonomy, but they also enjoy countless benefits.
Aside from true royalty, they are the most prestigious!
The entire Heaven Dou Empire doesn't have many dukes, but now two have appeared at once.
Moreover, besides the dukedom, there's also a reward of two soul bones.
The preciousness of soul bones goes without saying; they are the dream of every soul master, extremely valuable and rare.
Even a Title Douluo might not possess one!
Hearing Emperor Xueye's reward,
Qian Renshang and Gu Yuena frowned almost simultaneously. Clearly, they both understood how extravagant this reward was.
But Qian Renshang understood even more clearly that there's no such thing as a free lunch.
"Your Majesty, this reward is far too precious... Even though I saved those nobles last night, it's not worthy of this level of reward."
Qian Renshang declined in a deep voice, but Emperor Xueye chuckled and continued to persuade him.
"How can it not be worth it?
It's extremely worth it... If it weren't for your intervention last night, my Heavenly Dou Empire would have suffered a truly devastating blow!"
"So any reward is worth it."
Qian Renshang wanted to say something more, but Emperor Xueye interrupted him directly.
"Alright, no need to say anything more, my mind is made up... Can't you even give this old man this much face?"
Since Emperor Xueye had said this, Qian Renshang couldn't continue to refuse.
Gu Yuena spoke up expressionlessly from the side.
"Take it if you want it, I'll bear any consequences!"
Her lighthearted words left Qian Renshang dumbfounded. Sister Nana was truly domineering!
Emperor Xueye also laughed heartily; he liked this girl's personality.
"Stop dawdling... Qian Renshang, step aside, I'll speak."
Gu Yuena walked directly in front of Qian Renshang, staring at Emperor Xueye.
"Tell us the real reason you called us here... or we're leaving now!"
Gu Yuena hated this roundabout way of humans; they talked for ages without getting to the point, just rambling on and on.
Emperor Xueye was taken aback, then smiled wryly.
These two were truly domineering.
Emperor Xueye completely dropped the pretense!
He looked at Qian Renshang with a majestic gaze!
"Then I won't waste any more words, Qian Renshang... you're the son of the previous Pope of the Spirit Hall, Qian Xunji, right?
And you and Qian Renxue are siblings!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room became noticeably tense!
The relationship between the Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire was very delicate, and Qian Renshang's identity as the son of the previous Pope Qian Xunji was very sensitive.
"...That's right!"
Qian Renshang answered in a deep voice.
There was no point in hiding it; it would inevitably be exposed from the first day he entered the world anyway, so it didn't matter whether it was exposed sooner or later.
Emperor Xueye's expression was somewhat wistful.
"The Spirit Hall truly lives up to its name; every successor is an exceptionally talented individual, it's utterly despair-inducing!"
From Qian Daoliu and Qian Xunji to the current Bibi Dong, the Spirit Hall seems to have always been so powerful, almost as if favored by heaven.
These two great empires have increasingly felt that war is imminent, as the Spirit Hall's appetite has only grown ever larger.
"May I ask... what is your current relationship with the Spirit Hall?"
Emperor Xueye asked hesitantly.
"Nothing much. I am me, and the Spirit Hall is the Spirit Hall!"
Qian Renshang replied. Emperor Xueye breathed a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness! If Qian Renshang had sided with the Spirit Hall, then both empires would have been truly doomed.
"However... I will not help your Heaven Dou Empire actively fight against the Spirit Hall!"
Emperor Xueye was just feeling happy when Qian Renshang suddenly interrupted, his smile instantly freezing.
"I understand some of Your Majesty's thoughts, but... the conflict between me and the Spirit Hall is my own business, not something you can use to your advantage."
"If you want me to deal with the Spirit Hall... then you've really picked the wrong person!"
Qian Renshang's motto is clear-cut: I won't offend others unless they offend me!
The people he truly has conflicts with are Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue.
No one else has wronged Qian Renshang; in fact, the Spirit Hall is, strictly speaking, still his "family business."
Fighting to the death with Qian Renxue and helping the Heaven Dou Empire fight the Spirit Hall are two different things!
Unless the Spirit Hall attacks him first, he certainly won't sit idly by!
Qian Renshang isn't stupid; he naturally knows what Emperor Xueye is planning.
He stares directly at Emperor Xueye!
"Uh… Your Excellency is joking.
How could I possibly let you deal with the Spirit Hall?"
Emperor Xueye's expression froze.
He hadn't expected Qian Renshang to see through him.
It seems his plan needs to be revised.
"I just want to ask you to stay at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy… to represent the Heaven Dou Royal Academy in the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament!"
"The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament?"
Qian Renshang was somewhat surprised. Emperor Xueye nodded.
"I believe you are aware of the significance of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament.
It marks the highest level of competition among Soul Masters in the entire Soul Master world.
It can be said that most of the geniuses who can achieve a ranking there will grow into powerful figures who can stand alone!"
"However, for so many years, without exception, the champions of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament have all come from the Spirit Hall... They almost represent the epitome of genius!"
"Now, the Spirit Hall's intention to invade is becoming increasingly strong... If they win the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament again this year, perhaps everyone will think that the Spirit Hall is the chosen one."
Their invincible momentum will truly be achieved!"
Emperor Xueye was filled with excitement.
"With their invincible momentum achieved, launching a war is almost a foregone conclusion!"
"I do not ask you to deal with the Spirit Hall, but we want you to take action... to prevent the Spirit Hall from winning this year's All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament, and break their invincible momentum."
"To create a few more years of peace for the continent!"
With these words, Emperor Xueye even left his throne and came directly to Qian Renshang.
"You can make any request you have, as long as my Heavenly Dou Empire can fulfill it!"
Emperor Xue Ye was old, and now Crown Prince Xue Qinghe was gone…
The entire empire was on the verge of collapse and truly couldn't withstand another war, so he thought he could postpone it.
"War…"
Qian Renshang stood frozen, his expression complex.
Emperor Xue Ye truly lived up to his reputation as an emperor; his foresight was indeed accurate.
The Spirit Hall would indeed launch a war later.
A continent-wide war, almost engulfing everything!
Countless deaths and injuries!
Qian Renshang hadn't expected Emperor Xue Ye to have such intentions, wanting him to break the Spirit Hall's invincible momentum to postpone the war?
The continent would eventually be unified, and only after unification could the flames of war be reduced—this was Qian Renshang's understanding.
But… the war of unification was too cruel!
And so, Qian Renshang fell silent!
(End of Chapter)
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