Since Ye Yu had always attended school together with Ye Lingling, naturally, when taking the carriage to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy this time, Ye Lingling came along as well.
As they got into the carriage, Ye Lingling, her long dark blue hair cascading like a waterfall and deep blue eyes partly hidden by long bangs, showed a hint of curiosity. She asked softly:
"Ye Yu, why are we riding a carriage to the academy today?"
Ye Yu coughed lightly, using the same excuse he'd used on Zhu Zhuqing earlier.
Although Ye Lingling had a cold and quiet personality, she was also very perceptive and intelligent—especially since she had experienced something similar in the past.
After all, back when she had sacrificed herself for Ye Yu, she'd been gravely injured—unable to even walk—and had relied entirely on the healing power of her Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul.
If not for that, the truth would've been exposed!
Now, seeing her best friend Dugu Yan acting shy and flustered, Ye Lingling quickly put two and two together.
Though Ye Yu tried to cover it up, Ye Lingling—knowing how proud yet thin-skinned Dugu Yan was—found it amusing but didn't expose him.
When Ye Yu explained that Dugu Yan had suffered injuries during a spar due to her Martial Soul evolving, Ye Lingling played along and smiled, pretending to be pleasantly surprised.
"Yanyan, congratulations!"
She then expressed concern and summoned her Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul to heal Dugu Yan.
Once Ye Lingling's treatment concluded and she felt her body had finally returned to normal, Dugu Yan let out a sigh of relief. She had been limping all morning and was dreading the teasing she'd receive at the academy. Now, she no longer had to worry about being exposed!
Soon after, the group arrived by carriage at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, heading straight for the Board of Education.
"Ye Yu! Student Dugu! Student Ye Lingling! Student Zhuqing!"
Upon hearing that the academy had won the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament, and seeing Ye Yu, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and Zhu Zhuqing arrive, the three members of Board of Education—Meng Shenji, Zhi Lin, and Bai Baoshan—were beaming with joy. They quickly invited the group into the office.
"Please come in, quickly!"
Inside the office, Zhao Wuji, Shi Mo, Shi Mo, Yu Feng, and Osler were all present. Today, everyone—including Zhao Wuji—was dressed in formal attire.
They looked like young heroes and elegant maidens. Even Zhao Wuji, stocky and broad-shouldered, looked quite dignified in the academy's formal uniform.
Only Ning Rongrong had yet to arrive.
"Everyone, congratulations on winning this year's tournament!"
"Thank you for bringing such great honor to the academy—and to the Empire!"
After welcoming them in and confirming that only Ning Rongrong was missing, Meng Shenji stroked his snow-white beard and laughed happily.
"As per His Majesty's prior decree!"
"The captain and vice-captain of the champion team shall be granted the title of Earl!"
"The remaining members of the team shall receive the title of Viscount!"
"His Majesty has instructed us to inform you—the royal palace is ready."
"Once Student Rongrong arrives, you may proceed to the palace for the conferment ceremony and select your fiefdoms."
"Congratulations—future Viscounts and Earls of the Empire!"
The mention of being awarded noble titles brought a wave of excitement among the team members like Yu Feng, Osler, Shi Mo, and substitutes Zhu Zhu and Xiao Yu.
"Yes! Viscount! I, Yu Feng, am going to be a Viscount of the Empire!"
Yu Feng was the most excited of all, practically dancing with joy.
About half an hour later, Ning Rongrong finally arrived.
With her arrival, Meng Shenji led the group to the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
Upon reaching the palace gates, Meng Shenji showed a token to the guards, who allowed the group inside.
The Heaven Dou Imperial Palace was surrounded by towering walls, with opulent palace structures throughout. The buildings were primarily silver in tone, accented with gold, feather-like patterns, and phoenix motifs—resplendent yet solemn in majesty.
Not long after, the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Ye, dressed in a silver imperial robe and wearing a crown, appeared.
By his side stood a tall, graceful young man in golden formal wear—his features delicate and androgynously handsome. He was Qian Renxue, still disguised as Xue Qinghe.
"Dean Meng Shenji!"
"Are these the outstanding youths who led our Royal Academy to victory and brought unmatched glory to our Empire?"
As he spoke, Emperor Xue Ye's gaze swept over the group—but lingered especially long on Ye Yu.
From both Qian Renxue and Meng Shenji, he had already learned that Ye Yu had been the true core of the Heaven Dou Royal Team.
In the finals, their championship win had largely hinged on Ye Yu's strength alone.
Though he knew from Ye Yu's background that he had already pledged loyalty to his "son," Xue Qinghe, and had even received a baronial title years ago for contributing the Quyuan Plow, Emperor Xue Ye felt a mere noble title was not enough to bind such a prodigy.
In fact, if possible, the Emperor would've loved to betroth his daughter, Xue Ke, to Ye Yu.
But alas—Ye Yu already had a proper girlfriend, Dugu Yan, who was the granddaughter of Dugu Bo, the Poison Douluo.
Trying to match Ye Yu with a royal princess would certainly offend Dugu Bo.
And besides Dugu Yan, Ye Yu also had ties with Ye Lingling of the Nine Heart Begonia Clan, Ning Rongrong, daughter of Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and even a noble lady from the Duke of Hell of the Star Luo Empire.
It left the Emperor frustrated.
Still, on the surface, Emperor Xue Ye maintained a warm smile as he stroked his beard and addressed the group:
"As promised, for bringing such honor to the Empire—"
"The team's captain and vice-captain shall be conferred the title of Earl."
"All other members shall receive the title of Viscount."
"Come with me!"
The Emperor then led everyone to a wide open square within the palace grounds.
At the center stood a red-carpeted ceremonial platform, already prepared for the Conferment Ceremony.
"By the will of Heaven, His Majesty decrees—"
"Ye Yu, Dugu Yan, Zhu Zhuqing, Zhu Zhu, and Xiao Yu of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy have won this year's Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament on behalf of the Empire!"
"Ye Yu and Dugu Yan shall be conferred the title of Earl. Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Yu shall receive the title of Viscount!"
"So decrees the Emperor!"
A eunuch standing beside the Emperor unrolled an imperial edict and read it aloud in a booming voice.
"Captain Ye Yu, please step forward to receive your title seal and certificate!"
Under the eunuch's guidance, Ye Yu stepped onto the platform.
On either side, maidservants scattered multicolored flower petals into the air. A band of musicians played ceremonial music.
Another eunuch approached, holding a red-draped tray. When unveiled, it revealed:
A jade seal carved with the character "Earl"
A silver scroll inscribed in golden script, bearing the seal of the Emperor
This was Ye Yu's official edict of nobility, personally sealed by Emperor Xue Ye.
After receiving his title seal and imperial certificate, Ye Yu descended the platform.
Then, Dugu Yan, Zhu Zhuqing, Shi Mo, and the others took their turns receiving their titles and documents.
Ye Yu kept fiddling with his newly received seal and unrolling the certificate.
The jade seal was engraved with feather and phoenix patterns, and at the base were two golden characters: Blue Silver.
"So my full noble title must be: Earl of Blue Silver."
On the Douluo Continent, a Spirit Master's noble title was often named after their Martial Soul.
Thus, Ye Yu—whose Martial Soul was the Blue Silver Jade Tree—was granted the title of Earl Blue Silver.
"I'm probably the first 'Blue Silver Earl' in history…"
Ye Yu couldn't help but find it a bit amusing.
After all titles had been conferred, it was time to choose their fiefdoms.