Douluo: Peerless Black Tortoise Moon God

Chapter 211 Conferring the title of Marquis, Marquis of the Month, and preparing for a nationwide celebration.
Meng Hongchen was dressed in a neat and stylish outfit, her long silver-white hair styled into a sleek ponytail, looking clean and dashing.

Xu Tianxi hadn't expected the other party to be so anxious about his spontaneous remarks last night. After thinking for a moment, he said in a serious tone:

"We'll go when you break through level 60."

Meng Hongchen's current soul power is at the late stage of level 59, and he still needs to work hard for a while.

Seeing the serious expression on the other side, Meng Hongchen nodded earnestly and said, "Okay."

She glanced at the villa where the four had been staying, and with a shift in her eyes, she took out a ten-thousand-year-old right arm bone, about to activate her soul power to begin absorbing it.

"Hey, there's no need to rush to break through to higher soul power. It's such a waste."

Xu Tianxi hadn't expected the other party to be so well-prepared, and hurriedly stepped forward to press down on Meng Hongchen's impatient wrist.

Meng Hongchen was stopped and asked in confusion, "This 40,000-year-old soul bone was extorted from Shrek Academy, is it alright?"

During this period, the Sun Moon Empire, which did not have a rich reserve of soul bones, opened up business one after another. With the friendly sponsorship of the two major forces, Shrek Academy and Holy Spirit Cult, it acquired a large number of soul bone resources, to the point that Meng Hongchen could carry soul bones with him at all times.

In Meng Hongchen's opinion, a 40,000-year-old soul bone is already a top-tier soul bone; she had never seen so many high-level items since she was a child.

Xu Tianxi said with a serious expression, "We can set our goals higher. Don't forget our purpose in going to the far north: to find the 100,000-year-old Zhu Qing Ice Toad. A 100,000-year-old soul beast will definitely produce a 100,000-year-old soul bone."

“If you absorb it now, but later you encounter a top-tier soul bone, and the body part already carries the soul bone, wouldn’t that be a waste? Although there is definitely no body part that can have a 100,000-year soul bone, the right arm is more suitable if it is at least 50,000 years old.”

As he spoke, he grabbed Meng Hongchen's wrist, threw the soul bone back into the storage soul tool, and then retreated as if nothing had happened.

He had specifically inquired about the soul bone issue with the Ice Emperor. He learned that ferocious beasts and 100,000-year-old soul beasts would also leave behind soul bones after failing their tribulation, and there was never a shortage of soul bones in the gathering places of soul beasts.

According to Bingdi, the Zhu Qing Ice Toad clan has never had a ferocious beast-level existence, but there have been more than one individuals at the 100,000-year level, meaning there is more than one 100,000-year soul bone.

Xu Tianxi intends to buy at the bottom as much as possible this time, as it would be a shame to waste the opportunity.

People like Mu En and Du Busi all possess three 100,000-year-old soul bones. With such excellent conditions, how could he possibly take fewer? He's underestimating his own strength.

Normally, to become a level 98 Super Douluo, a hard requirement is to possess a 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone.

Meng Hongchen originally wanted to say, "Actually, my pursuit of soul bones isn't that high," but seeing Xu Tianxi's serious expression and his quiet return of the soul bone, she couldn't help but respond with delight.

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

He looks young, but he's actually quite domineering. How come I never noticed before?

Unbeknownst to her, two faint blushes of rosy pink quietly appeared on her cheeks, causing Meng Hongchen to dart away, somewhat unwilling to meet Xu Tianxi's gaze.

Behind Xu Tianxi, the trio of Xiao Hongchen, who had been whistling and looking up at the sky, were about to cough to break the atmosphere when Xu Tianxi exclaimed in surprise:
"Senior brother, what brings you here? And who is that eunuch behind you?"

The trio of Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen all looked up, following Xu Tianxi's gaze.

Then, the peerless master Ye Yulin arrived, followed by a richly dressed old eunuch who held a tray of badges. His smile spread across every wrinkle on his old face, like a chrysanthemum in full bloom.

"Hahaha, of course I'm here to celebrate your success, you young people!"

Ye Yulin's voice was strong and powerful, and his loud voice was nothing like that of an elderly person.

He landed with the old eunuch, and introduced himself with a smile:
"This is Eunuch Wang, the head of the Directorate of Ceremonial, a trusted minister of His Majesty. You may also call him Qingchen Douluo."

Ye Yulin knew that these young people were arrogant and looked down on the positions of these palace eunuchs, so he simply emphasized their strength.

As expected, upon hearing this, the nonchalant group of people composed themselves and bowed slightly to the bearded eunuch: "Greetings, Your Majesty Qingchen."

The power of a Title Douluo is beyond doubt, and Xu Tianxi and others acknowledge this strength; respecting the other is also respecting their future selves.

The fact that the Sun Moon Empire could train its chief eunuch into a titled Douluo shows how abundant its resources are.

"Haha, gentlemen and ladies, there's no need for such formalities. I'm just someone who runs errands for His Majesty. I'll have to rely on your abilities in the future."

Wang Gonggong's voice was hoarse, but it didn't sound harsh; instead, it sounded like that of a kind old man.

His gaze was warm, first landing on Xu Tianxi, and he said with a smile:

"This must be our royal family's once-in-a-millennium genius, Young Master Kong, right? His Majesty and I have heard your name many times, and today we are finally able to meet you."

"It is an honor for this junior to have Your Majesty and His Majesty take this to heart," Xu Tianxi replied with a smile.

"Haha, Young Master Kong, don't be modest. Your background has been told to us and His Majesty by the venerable Confucius. You were exiled to a foreign land but returned to your motherland with great difficulty. You are a first-rate person."

Eunuch Wang didn't put on airs; he spoke very politely, and Xu Tianxi even detected a hint of respect in his voice.

As expected, Kong Deming's influence was very strong. In the Sun Moon Empire, the imperial palace was just for show; the Hall of Offerings was the real imperial palace.

"During this period, Young Master Kong, you led the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy team to victory, bringing back the first major championship for the Empire in over four thousand years. His Majesty was overjoyed upon hearing this news, and his weakened health has improved considerably."

Eunuch Wang chuckled as he continued, “His Majesty originally intended to bestow titles upon each of you participating team members upon learning of this matter. However, you resumed your top-secret research shortly after your return, and last night, the flames of war raged through the sky. Only now has the peace been restored.” “Upon learning that you had settled down, His Majesty promptly sent me and His Majesty Starry Sky to find you and finalize the bestowal of titles.”

"Awarding titles? Our Sun Moon Empire hasn't had this tradition in previous competitions, has it?"

A hint of doubt appeared on Xu Tianxi's face.

Ten thousand years ago, the Heavenly Dou Empire had bestowed many titles upon participating teams to attract them; those at the Soul Master level or above could obtain the rank of Viscount.

However, at that time, due to the existence of the Spirit Hall, the two great empires had to offer huge rewards to top geniuses in order to compete with the Spirit Hall for genius soul masters.

After the Spirit Hall was abolished, the various measures to attract geniuses and wild spirit masters, such as granting titles to spirit masters, naturally disappeared.

Even free martial soul awakening no longer exists. Those who can awaken martial souls are all members of the aristocratic system. Why bother trying to win over commoner geniuses?
As for the Sun and Moon Empire, it is said that in the previous major competitions, they had conferred titles. However, after consistently finishing second for so long, the royal family stopped conferring titles, probably because they found it meaningless.

Ye Yulin laughed and said, "This tradition was rare in the past, but you won the championship, isn't that unprecedented? Of course His Majesty will show his appreciation to you."

"Such a great victory, we should celebrate it as a whole nation."

"I see." Xu Tianxi and the Hongchen siblings understood upon hearing this.

They won the championship and the emperor bestowed a title upon them, which meant that the old emperor also had a share in this success. It could become strong evidence that the emperor "worked hard during his reign, encouraged education, appointed people based on merit, and achieved remarkable results," leaving a mark in the history books to wash away the stain of his usurpation.

Although this success had almost nothing to do with the old emperor, who told him to sit on the throne?
Of course, Xu Tianxi and the others didn't care about that. As long as they could get benefits, it would be a win-win situation for everyone.

Eunuch Wang continued, "I heard from His Majesty the Starry Sky that during this period, Young Master Kong, you have led your men to achieve numerous victories, eliminating three important figures from Shrek Academy and a large number of evil soul masters. Your achievements are remarkable. Even the demise of those two titled Douluo from the Evening Water Alliance was largely due to your efforts."

He smiled apologetically and said, "His Majesty originally intended to bestow upon you a high title, but considering your young age, even before you have reached adulthood, he has no choice but to lower the rank for now..."

Xu Tianxi nodded, saying nonchalantly, "It's nothing, I'm fine just like everyone else..."

Historically, all team members have been granted the title of baron, the team captain has been granted the title of viscount, and those with special backgrounds may be granted the title of earl.

Once his soul research is published, becoming a duke like Jing Hongchen will be a piece of cake.

The words of Eunuch Wang still echoed: "Those dukes are all older figures. His Majesty was afraid that you, a young man, would not be able to deal with them, so he had to demote you to marquis. I hope you will not find it distasteful."

"Actually, there's not much difference between earls and viscounts... Wait, Your Majesty, what did you say? Marquis? Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Tianxi was somewhat taken aback by the other party's generosity. To start with a marquis, the second-highest rank among the five ranks of nobility: duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron? The emperor is quite generous.

Eunuch Wang said in a serious tone, "That's quite appropriate. Young master, don't forget that you come from the royal family. Back when your great-grandfather, Master Kong Zhen, was still alive, he held the title of Prince. As a member of the royal family, who can question you?"

As he spoke, he glanced meaningfully at Xu Sanshi beside him and smiled at Xu Tianxi, saying, "If you, young master, are willing to make a trip to the ancestral temple and rejoin the clan, inheriting the title of Prince will be a piece of cake; however, you can only do so after you have come of age."

"This time, young master, you are a marquis. His Majesty has decreed that all participating students will be granted the title of baron. The captain of the main team, Ma Rulong, and the young master and young lady of the Hongchen family will be viscounts, whose titles will be hereditary."

Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen's eyes shone. Although they already had their grandfather's dukedom to inherit, there was still a big difference between a position that fell from the sky and one that they had to fight for.

Soon, Xiao Hongchen's eyes darted around, and he whispered a suggestion:
"Eunuch Wang, could you please speak to His Majesty and give my position to Meng after the investiture, so that she can be promoted to Earl? I already have my grandfather's Duke inheritance."

Qingchen Douluo's smile froze on his face: "..."

I'm tempted to give this brat who treats his title like a joke a good beating, but I'm worried about offending his grandfather. What should I do?
Snapped!
Meng Hongchen slapped the guy on the back of the head, saying, "You better be serious," then turned around and smiled, trying to smooth things over and change the subject:
"By the way, Your Majesty, I wonder if Tianxi's title is a single-character title or a double-character title?"

Qingchen Douluo breathed a sigh of relief, composed himself, and said solemnly:
"His Majesty intends to use the character 'moon' as his title, and name him Marquis Moon."

"If Young Master Kong has any other ideas, he may bring them up."

As soon as the words were spoken, everyone except Ji Juechen's expression changed slightly. The word "moon" itself didn't mean anything, but considering the country's name... the meaning was a bit deeper.

Xu Tianxi thought for a moment and nodded slightly: "The name 'Yue' is very good. If you want to change the name, we can talk about it later."

The Xuanming Sect hasn't moved here yet, so it won't be difficult to add another character later.

"it is good."

Qingchen Douluo happily agreed and continued, "His Majesty means that this conferment of titles should be a grand affair, and everyone should walk around the main road of Mingdu City so that the people of our country can see your demeanor."

Xu Tianxi suddenly felt a little socially awkward and was about to refuse when he heard Ye Yulin chuckle:
“Junior brother, this matter was personally decided by Master Kong. He said that if you make a contribution, you should be honored. If you don’t do it, then you are disrespecting him.”

Xu Tianxi's face twitched, and he gritted his teeth as he asked, "When will the title be officially conferred?"

Ye Yulin smiled smugly and snorted, "That depends on when Shrek Academy arrives. What we want is for all four empires to know."

Xu Tianxi: “…”

You guys are really something!

(End of this chapter)