Drifting Snow Ice Phoenix (3)

"Your Majesty, that won't do."

Salas suddenly interjected harshly from the side. Daring to interrupt an emperor's words, this clearly showed the tremendous influence of Spirit Hall.

Emperor Xue Ye looked indifferently at Salas,

"Is there something inappropriate? Your eminence bishop Salas."

Salas said:

"In past competitions, there's no precedent of awarding titled of nobility. Even more, aren't the titles given too high?"

Whether it was Heaven Dou Empire or Star Luo Empire, the titles of nobility were ranked from the highest as Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, Baron. Handing out ten noble titles of viscount just for the qualifiers, Emperor Xue Ye's generosity was enough to shock anyone in attendance.

Emperor Xue Ye only used one sentence to shut Salas up,

"Your eminence, conferring titles of nobility is an internal matter of the Empire, unrelated to Spirit Hall. Unrelated to the current tournament. I only admire these children and accorded them some rewards, that's all. They represent our Heaven Dou Empire in this time's Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament. I will also give you a pledge here. If there is any team among you that can obtain final victory in the tournament, the noble titles of everyone in the team will be promoted one level, and at the same time the academy will be given the 'Imperial' prefix, receiving the financial backing of the Empire."

As the leaders of their teams, even if these youths had all seen some of the world, as Emperor Xue Ye's great string of rewards smashed down, they were still left somewhat stupid. What did titles of nobility represent? A viscount could already possess their own territory and attendants, and still draw a certain stipend from the Empire. This sum alone was enough to live on.

Even though a lot of Spirit Masters had titles of nobility, obtaining them from kingdoms and duchies was easy. Obtaining an imperial title wasn't so simple, especially being directly conferred the title of viscount. The territory a viscount could possess was already a small town.

Even more valuable, emperor Xue Ye had already guaranteed to these ten that after the end of this tournament, they would directly be conferred fiefdoms.

In other words, their titles absolutely weren't just empty words, but rather truly nobles with territory.

Salas' expression appeared very unsightly. He didn't say anything else, but in his eyes was a cold and cruel expression.

As the captains and vice captains of the five qualified teams, they were all elite young Spirit Masters, one more intelligent than the other, and from emperor Xue Ye's promise and Salas' protest, they could all sense the smell of gunpowder contained within.

Ning Fengzhi only sat smiling and silent to the side, apparently all this was unrelated to him.

Emperor Xue Ye basically didn't seem to notice platinum bishop Salas' ugly expression, and smiling said:

"Next is the ranking competition, also held by the Empire. But the location will change from Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena to the imperial household hunting grounds. At that time, the ten teams from the five kingdoms and duchies will come to jointly conduct the ranking competition with you. I hope that your five academies will rank among the best, holding the best opportunity in the finals."

"The ranking competition is the best stage to show your own strength. When the time comes, for the three students that obtain the highest number of victories in the ranking competition, the Empire will furnish the spirit beast for your next title promotion. You can chose what type you want, and the Empire will guarantee a spirit beast under thirty thousand years cultivation."

Whether Shrek Academy or the four elemental academies, emperor Xue Ye's current pledge made their hearts beat even faster than the previous noble titles. Even Tang San couldn't help feeling his pulse quicken.

In fact, these ten academy team leaders all had fortieth ranked ranked or so strength, their next title advancement would be at fiftieth ranked. Even though the fiftieth ranked spirit ring wasn't as important as the thirtieth, fiftieth rank was still the first level where a ten thousand year spirit ring could be obtained.

How strong the first ten thousand year spirit ring was would have enormous influence on all of their futures. If they could freely choose the spirit beast they required, it would no doubt hold enormous benefit, not only wouldn't they need to take risks or waste time, but they could also display their own spirit to the greatest degree.

From fiftieth rank and on, a Spirit Master's cultivation speed would drop substantially. Having a guarantee for their first ten thousand year spirit ring could undoubtedly let them keep a strong advantage from fiftieth to sixtieth rank. The benefits to their future growth would be boundless.

Seeing the gradually rising flames in the eyes of the ten elites, emperor Xue Ye smiled calmly,

"The ranking competition will be held in one month, I hope you can make even further breakthroughs in this month. Good. I won't say more. You are all intelligent children, I think you will make the most intelligent choices."

Finished speaking, emperor Xue Ye's gaze deviated a moment, sweeping across platinum bishop Salas' face. Then, under the protection of his imperial high officials, he turned and left.

Salas expression twitched slightly, but his expression had already completely calmed, nothing to be seen of the ugliness from before.

Just as emperor Xue Ye said, even though he didn't state it clearly, the academy team leaders all understood his meaning. The Empire and Spirit Hall, pick the first.

Tang San's heart twitched slightly. What emperor Xue Ye said today didn't seem to be something a monarch should say. Spirit Hall was so powerful, could it be emperor Xue Ye wanted to make a show of force?

In other words, had the conflict between Heaven Dou Empire and Spirit Hall already reached a condition that couldn't be reconciled?

It was better not to participate in these political matters. He didn't know about others, but his own road was already very clear cut, and could easily be summarised in one word: Freedom.

Tang San had set very clear-cut goals for himself, the limit of his spirit, the limit of Tang Sect.

Tang San and Dai Mubai walked out of Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena together. The others waited for them outside. At this moment, an abrupt voice suddenly called out for Tang San.

"Tang San."

Tang San turned his head to look, only to see something red growing larger in his vision, recognizable to him as Huo Wu.

"What do you want?"

Tang San puzzled asked.

Huo Wu reached him in several steps, directly walking until she stood less than a meter from Tang San.

It had to be said that confronting Huo Wu held quite a bit of pressure. Because her height was quite outstanding among girls, right now she was even a bit taller than Tang San. In fact, along with absorbing the ten thousand year level Pit Demon Spider as his fourth spirit ring, Tang San's body was already more developed than his contemporaries. Right now his height was close to one meter eighty, and Huo Wu was precisely one meter eighty.

Huo Wu gazed at this, not particularly outstanding appearance, always seeming even tempered, Tang San,

"Have you got the courage to fight me without spirits?"

Tang San stared blankly a moment, the Shrek Academy group next to him all smiling. They were all very clear on Tang San's physical combat ability, and Tai Long had once raised this request to him, the result leaving his head and face in the dirt.

Shaking his head, Tang San said:

"I don't have the spare time."

"You..."

The pupils of Huo Wu's eyes suddenly contracted,

"Isn't your close combat ability very strong?"

Brows wrinkling, Tang San fixed his eyes on Huo Wu. Looking at this just like a flame woman, he once again repeated:

"I'm sorry, I don't have the spare time."

Finished speaking, he turned and walked toward the Shrek Academy party, without wanting to get further involved with Huo Wu.

"You go to hell."

Temper stretched to the limit, the fury Huo Wu had restrained for several days finally erupted. Her right leg snapped out, going straight for the back of Tang San's head. With her height, her legs were long, and she moved like lightning.

Distinguishing sounds was the most basic capability at Tan Sect, how would Tang San let her easily do as she wished? Taking a quick step forward, half turning, left hand shooting out, he directly grabbed Huo Wu's ankle.

Huo Wu only felt the momentum of her kick disappear like a clay ox entering the sea, instantly vanishing like smoke with a slight quiver of Tang San's arm. Tang San's hand gripped her leg like a vise, and no matter how she exerted herself, she was unable to withdraw it.

That left hand had already turned the color and luster of sheep fat jade.

Raising the right hand, pushing up Huo Wu's long leg, taking a step towards Huo Wu, right foot naturally stepping behind Huo Wu's supporting right leg, simultaneously bending forward, directly striking Huo Wu's raised thigh.

Movements as natural as moving clouds and flowing water, smoothly finding the weak point, left Huo Wu without any opportunity to react before she had already been sent flying by Tang San, falling into the embrace of the just arrived Huo Wushuang. Tang San didn't use much strength, amply displaying Controlling Crane Catching Dragon's method to use strength against itself.

"Let's go."

Tang San swept the Shrek Academy group who were all looking at Huo Wu getting pushed around with schadenfreude, then left with large strides.

"I'll kill him."

Huo Wu wanted to rush out again after being caught by her big brother, but was forcefully restrained by Huo Wushuang.

"Don't waste your breath, you aren't his match."

Sighing, Huo Wushuang firmly pulled back his little sister. He could of course see that Tang San had already started off leniently.

"Ge."

The rims of Huo Wu's eyes reddened. She really was somewhat unable to bear having her competitive nature once again being given a blow by the same person.