Normally, a prince's fiefdom would encompass roughly an entire province.
However, unless they rendered extraordinary merit, most princes were not actually granted land titles.
Otherwise, whether it was the Heaven Dou Empire or the Star Luo Empire, they would've long since fractured into countless kingdoms and duchies.
Below the rank of prince was the duke.
A duke's fiefdom could reach the size of a duchy — about half a province.
A marquis held land half the size of a duke's.
A count's was half of that again.
A viscount? Usually no more than a small city's jurisdiction.
Emperor Xue Ye had already made up his mind regarding the territories to be granted.
For instance, the fiefs of Zhu Zhuqing, Yufeng, Shi Mo, and Shi Mo were all situated north of the Imperial Star Province, where Heaven Dou Imperial City was located — in the colder and sparsely populated Snow Spirit Province.
As for Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong, their lands were relatively better.
Dugu Yan's fief sat on the border between the Northern Province and Fanos Province, near the Frost Stream River, situated on a flat plain with fertile land and favorable climate.
Ning Rongrong's domain was in Fanos Province, at the confluence of the Frost Stream River and Barak River, closer still to Nuoding City — boasting excellent water and soil conditions.
It was clear: the world remained cruelly realistic.
"Ye Yu!"
After assigning the fiefs to Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong, Emperor Xue Ye stroked his long beard and looked toward Ye Yu with a kind smile.
"You are the finest student of the Imperial Team, and the key reason we claimed this year's tournament championship."
"As for your territory, I truly don't know where would be fitting."
"Here is the imperial map. You may choose any land not yet granted to others — as your own fief."
This statement was no less than bold and generous.
With this decree, Ye Yu could claim land even within the Imperial Star Province, near Heaven Dou City itself — land of incalculable value.
However, Ye Yu hadn't even considered land near the capital. To him, the location didn't really matter.
So his gaze naturally drifted toward the border region of Fanos Province — toward the place where his journey began, his hometown: Nuoding City.
"Your Majesty, I choose this area."
With a faint smile, Ye Yu pointed to the map — indicating the region encompassing Nuoding City and the surrounding area by the Barak River.
After the investiture ceremony ended and they returned to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Ye Yu privately sought out Zhao Wuji and brought him to the back mountains of the academy.
"Master, what is it?" Zhao Wuji scratched his head, puzzled, as they arrived at a secluded grassy patch.
Ye Yu's purpose was simple.
Back in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, using the Immortal Herb Compendium he had obtained from Chrysanthemum Douluo Yueguan, Ye Yu had located a number of powerful herbs.
Among them was the Immortal Herb: Land Dragon Golden Melon, which, among everyone by his side, was most suited for Zhao Wuji.
Now that Zhao Wuji had pledged his loyalty, Ye Yu naturally intended to bestow this herb to him.
"Recently, I happened upon a rare herb — one that can help your Vigorous Vajra Bear Martial Soul evolve."
"I called you here today to give it to you."
Ye Yu smiled slightly at Zhao Wuji as he explained.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Wuji was stunned and ecstatic — almost unable to believe his ears.
He had no doubt about Ye Yu's words. After all, both Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing had already evolved their Martial Souls under Ye Yu's guidance — not to mention Ye Yu himself.
Unlike that empty-talking, talentless so-called 'Grandmaster' Yu Xiaogang, Ye Yu clearly had real ability.
But Martial Soul evolution — that was a fortune countless Spirit Masters and major factions had pursued across generations, without success.
Even after swearing allegiance to Ye Yu, Zhao Wuji had never imagined such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity would fall to him.
"Zhao Wuji thanks Master!"
Overwhelmed with emotion, Zhao Wuji dropped to his knees, trembling with gratitude as he cupped his fists.
"No need for such formality."
Ye Yu pulled him up, then handed him a jade box containing the Land Dragon Golden Melon.
"This is the herb — the Land Dragon Golden Melon. Once ingested, it should not only evolve your Vigorous Vajra Bear, but also awaken a trace of Dragon bloodline within it."
"Simply eat it all in one go."
As per Ye Yu's instructions, Zhao Wuji opened the jade box and immediately devoured the Land Dragon Golden Melon in just a few bites.
Then he sat cross-legged on the ground and closed his eyes to begin refining the medicinal energy.
A dazzling dark-gold light suddenly erupted from Zhao Wuji's body.
Behind him, the massive figure of the Vigorous Vajra Bear Martial Soul materialized — tall and muscular, covered in thick golden fur streaked with dark-gold markings, and equipped with razor-sharp bear claws.
At the same time, two yellow, two purple, and three black Spirit Rings rose around him — the mark of a Spirit Sage.
Under the effect of the Land Dragon Golden Melon, waves of brilliant dark-gold energy flowed over the bear's body.
With each pass, the Vigorous Vajra Bear Martial Soul grew larger and began to transform — sprouting dragon scales, horns, and a powerful, whip-like dragon tail.
Eventually, aided by the Land Dragon Golden Melon, the Vigorous Vajra Bear evolved completely — becoming the Land Dragon Bear Martial Soul!
Zhao Wuji's Spirit Power had only just reached Rank 77, barely advancing from Rank 76.
But with the power of the Land Dragon Golden Melon — and the Martial Soul evolution — his cultivation skyrocketed by three full ranks, reaching Rank 80, the threshold of a Spirit Douluo!
Sensing this tremendous breakthrough, Zhao Wuji could hardly contain his joy.
"Master! My Martial Soul evolved!"
"My cultivation broke through to Rank 80!"
"Not bad. Congratulations." Ye Yu smiled and offered his praise.
"Tomorrow, I'll take you with my grandfather to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt a Spirit Beast."
Though the Blue Silver Emperor seed in the Blue Silver Space hadn't yet sprouted...
Once it did, and once he wanted to rapidly push Ah Yin's cultivation back to the 100,000-year level...
She would need an enormous amount of Soul Power and life force stored via the external Spirit Bone, Demon Willow Fluff.
While there were still plenty of ten-thousand-year herbs around the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Ye Yu preferred to preserve them when possible.
The best plan?
Send Demon Willow Fluff into the Star Dou Great Forest to devour Spirit Beasts and store the required life force and bloodline essence.
And as a bonus — he could use those bloodline origins to further enhance his Blue Silver Jade Tree Martial Soul!