Boom!
The shock within the grand hall was like a physical wave, crashing into the minds of everyone present one after another.
Duke of Divine Might!
Exempt from bowing to the Monarch!
Prince-level treatment!
In the past, any one of these honors would have been enough to cause an uproar throughout the court and the commonality, potentially even leading to countless officials risking death to protest.
After all, Liu Yuan was too young, and before this, he had absolutely no Foundation.
However, what felt eerie yet strangely logical was—
After that initial suffocating and brief silence, not a single voice of doubt rang out within the massive palace.
Those veteran officials who usually cared most about seniority were now all looking down at their noses, focused inward, as if the Emperor hadn't just enfeoffed a King of a different surname, but had instead handled a most trivial and common matter.
Furthermore, the gazes some directed at Liu Yuan were already filled with undisguised fawning and awe.
Why?
Because although they were in the imperial court, it didn't mean they were blind or deaf.
The recordings of the finals of the All-Continent High-Rank Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament had long since been sent back to the country at the first opportunity.
Liu Yuan's strength, which was like a god or demon descending to the world, had already completely crushed all doubts.
This was an existence destined to become a Titled Douluo, or even a Limit Douluo!
For such a powerhouse destined to stand above all living beings in the future, was a mere dukedom really too high?
Many even thought to themselves that His Majesty's move was called a reward, but was actually a way to climb higher by association!
"Your Majesty is wise! Heaven bless the Sun Moon! Heaven bless Your Majesty!"
Someone took the lead, and the grand hall immediately erupted with a mountain-shaking, tsunami-like roar of praise.
Liu Yuan stood in the center of the hall, feeling the various gazes cast from all around—there was envy and jealousy, but more than anything, there was awe.
With a faint, almost imperceptible smile on his lips, he bowed again: "I thank Your Majesty for your profound grace. This subject will certainly not fail Your Majesty's high expectations."
His voice was calm and powerful, without the slightest hint of arrogance.
Liu Yuan's heart was as clear as a mirror.
The old Emperor had invested so much, even going so far as to break ancestral traditions to grant a bunch of privileges, simply to use chains of interest to tie him completely to the Sun Moon Empire's war machine.
This was a blatant overt scheme—a recruitment.
But Liu Yuan didn't dislike it.
As a transmigrator, he didn't have any so-called homeland sentiment toward the Three Great Empires of the original Douluo Continent.
On the contrary, Shrek Academy's style of acting like a hypocrite—acting immorally while maintaining a facade of virtue—actually made him quite disgusted.
In comparison, although the Sun Moon Empire promoted hegemony, it emphasized strength above all else, and they truly had nothing to say against him.
They gave resources when resources were needed, and status when status was needed, even allowing the imperial family's face to yield for his sake.
"Since it's comfortable to stay here, there's no harm in taking root."
Liu Yuan secretly made a decision.
As for the Sun Moon Empire unifying the continent in the future? As long as it didn't affect his interests, why not lend a hand? Regardless, it was time for the world's power structure to change anyway.
Seeing Liu Yuan's sincere attitude and that he hadn't become unruly due to his skyrocketing strength, the smile on the Sun Moon Emperor's face became even more brilliant.
"Good! Good!"
The Sun Moon Emperor said 'good' twice in a row, then waved his hand, "My dear minister, no need for formalities, quickly take your seat! Today is a victory banquet; we only speak of leisure, not affairs of state! My dear ministers, let the music continue, and the dancing proceed!"
At the Emperor's command, the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments rang out again, and a group of graceful dancers flooded into the hall, making the atmosphere lively once more.
After three rounds of drinks.
The Sun Moon Emperor seemingly casually shot a glance at the attendant beside him.
Soon, the little princess Xu Tianzhen, who had originally been sitting on the other side in the imperial seats, was guided by the attendant. Carrying a wine cup, she walked gracefully toward the seat where Liu Yuan was located.
Under the Emperor's deliberate arrangement, the several empty seats originally beside Liu Yuan had been removed at some point, leaving only one position extremely close to him.
"Duke Liu Yuan."
A crisp and pleasant voice, carrying a hint of naive charm and pride, rang in Liu Yuan's ear.
Liu Yuan turned his head and saw a young girl dressed in pale gold palace attire standing prettily before him.
Her skin was like snow, her large eyes sparkled with intelligence, and her long golden hair was draped casually over her shoulders. She possessed both the nobility of the imperial family and a unique youthful vitality of a young girl.
It was indeed the little princess of the Sun Moon Empire, Xu Tianzhen.
"So it is Her Highness the Princess." Liu Yuan nodded slightly. Out of politeness, he did not appear arrogant or rude just because he had the privilege of "not bowing to the Monarch," and he raised his cup in greeting.
"Imperial Father said you are the Empire's great hero and insisted that I come to toast you."
Xu Tianzhen sat down beside Liu Yuan with poise, her beautiful eyes quietly sizing up the youth before her.
Although she had seen him from afar during the city entry ceremony, now that they were in close contact, Xu Tianzhen discovered that Liu Yuan was even better looking than the rumors suggested.
It was a temperament that wasn't ostentatious but impossible to ignore.
His features were well-defined, with sword-like brows and starry eyes. Especially those deep eyes, which seemed to hide an endless starry sky, making one unconsciously want to explore further at a single glance.
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