Chapter 139: The Royal Olive Branch, Xue Qinghe's Arrival
Heaven Dou Empire, Dugu Manor.
Lin Mo watched the recently departed Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing with a face full of helplessness.
He felt that his current situation was like that of a rare giant panda. Everyone wanted to come and take a look, and if they could reach out and touch him, even better.
Prince Xue Xing had only brought Xue Beng over for a brief meeting this time.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Dugu Bo and leaving behind the gifts they had brought, he immediately took Xue Beng and left.
Xue Xing did not rely on his relationship with Dugu Bo to linger here for too long.
He still had this much sense of propriety.
Otherwise, given Dugu Bo's temperament, even if Xue Xing was his savior, it would have been impossible for him to stay within the Heaven Dou Empire for so many years.
Seeing Lin Mo in such a state, Dugu Bo could not help letting out a loud laugh.
He understood Lin Mo very well and knew that Lin Mo did not much care for this kind of social formality.
Dugu Bo withdrew his gaze and looked at Lin Mo. "In this Heaven Dou Empire, this old man only gets along reasonably well with Prince Xue Xing. As for the others, humph."
He paused, then continued, "Among the several children under Emperor Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Xing is closest to that playboy Xue Beng."
At this point, Dugu Bo shook his head helplessly and did not continue.
Although he was not interested in the affairs of the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family and never actively inquired about them, he had inevitably heard some things because of Prince Xue Xing.
Aside from Prince Xue Xing, he was one of the few people who knew why Xue Beng acted like such a playboy.
This was inextricably linked to Xue Beng's elder brother, Xue Qinghe.
After all, in the eyes of outsiders, his elder brother Xue Qinghe was the perfect Crown Prince and the sole heir of Emperor Xue Ye.
However, the other princes had either died young or died in accidents. Now, besides Xue Qinghe, only the sole survivor, Xue Beng, remained.
If Xue Beng did not play dumb and act the fool, he likely would not have survived until now.
Dugu Bo understood the reasons behind it, but he was too lazy to point them out.
He had always been unwilling to get involved in the internal struggles of the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family.
Shortly after Xue Beng and Xue Xing left, a servant in the residence hurried in to report.
"Master, the Crown Prince's carriage has arrived outside the residence."
Hearing this, Dugu Bo's brow twitched slightly.
He looked at Lin Mo, but before he could ask, Lin Mo took the initiative to speak.
"Since the Crown Prince has arrived, let's go meet him. I imagine the Crown Prince's visit this time does not just represent himself."
Dugu Bo nodded without saying much.
A moment later, Dugu Bo, Lin Mo, Ye Lingling, and Dugu Yan met Xue Qinghe, who was disguised by Qian Renxue, in the reception hall.
To Lin Mo's surprise, only some attendants from the Crown Prince's Residence accompanied Xue Qinghe this time.
The attendants were busy moving the gifts Xue Qinghe had brought, a large number of boxes and cases.
Lin Mo's gaze swept over those attendants. He did not see the three from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School arriving with Xue Qinghe.
After a brief thought, Lin Mo understood the reason.
Xue Qinghe, or rather, Qian Renxue, was likely worried about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School making a move to intercept him.
After all, with Ning Fengzhi's calculating nature, once he learned of Lin Mo's current situation, he would surely try to recruit him at any cost if given the chance.
Because of the unique nature of their inherited Martial Soul, no one craved the addition of genius Spirit Masters more than the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
And whether out of the need to play the role of Xue Qinghe or because of her original identity, Qian Renxue likely did not want to see that happen.
Today, Xue Qinghe wore moon white casual royal robes. His golden hair was tied with a crown, his face was handsome, and his aura was gentle.
With a perfect smile on his face, his gaze first fell on Dugu Bo, and he nodded slightly.
"Senior Dugu, please forgive my sudden visit."
Dugu Bo waved his hand and said casually, "The Crown Prince is too polite. Sit."
Only then did Xue Qinghe turn his gaze to Lin Mo.
"Lin Mo, long time no see."
The corner of Lin Mo's mouth twitched imperceptibly as he forced himself to maintain his expression and greeted Xue Qinghe.
"Long time no see, Brother Xue."
However, he could not help muttering inwardly.
If he remembered correctly, he and Qian Renxue had just met in the Star Dou Great Forest not long ago. Not even a week had passed, so where did this "long time no see" come from?
Of course, he could not say those words aloud.
Xue Qinghe stepped forward, reached out to pat Lin Mo's shoulder, and said with a face full of gratification, "I didn't expect you to hide your strength so deeply."
His tone carried undisguised admiration.
"I did not expect that after your cultivation reached the Level 40 Bottleneck, you would actually be able to restrain yourself for so long without obtaining a spirit ring, forcibly suppressing your cultivation at the level of a Quasi Spirit Ancestor."
"This kind of heart nature is truly rare."
Xue Qinghe looked at Lin Mo, his eyes gleaming.
"No wonder you were able to break through to a five-ring Spirit King at this age. It is not just talent. This steadiness and patience also played a vital role."
Lin Mo responded, "Your Highness the Crown Prince overpraises me. It was just some clever tricks, nothing much."
Xue Qinghe shook his head and said seriously, "There is no need to be too humble. With your current achievements, even looking across the entire history of the continent, you are a unique existence."
After a few more polite exchanges, Xue Qinghe's expression turned serious as he came straight to the point of his visit.
He looked at Lin Mo, his voice clear and solemn.
"Lin Mo, I have come today on behalf of my father."
"Father has already learned of your situation. As the Dean of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he is naturally very pleased that such an outstanding student has emerged from the academy."
"According to custom, for such an outstanding student, the academy and even the Empire must grant some rewards."
At this point, Xue Qinghe coughed lightly, and his tone became formal.
"By my father's decision, Lin Mo is hereby granted the title of Earl, with the stipend of an Earl."
As Xue Qinghe's words fell, the reception hall became quiet for a moment.
Both Dugu Bo and Lin Mo himself were somewhat surprised.
In the two great Empires, whether Heaven Dou or Star Luo, noble titles from highest to lowest were Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron, five ranks in total.
He had not done anything yet, but he had directly received the third rank title of Earl. This was indeed beyond Lin Mo's expectations.
After all, if Lin Mo remembered correctly, in another timeline, when Tang San led Shrek Academy to win the championship of the Continental Spirit Master Competition, the reward Emperor Xue Ye had prepared was only the title of Earl.
However, because Tang San saved Emperor Xue Ye's life, he was later granted the extraordinary title of Prince of a different surname.
And Dai Mubai and the others only received the title of Duke from Emperor Xue Ye after returning from Sea God Island and performing great deeds on the battlefield.
Now, simply because of his aptitude as a twelve year old Spirit King and his ten thousand year fourth spirit ring, he had directly received the title of Earl.
This gift could not be considered anything but heavy.
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