Chapter 426: Chapter 368: Lin Ke Is Enfeoffed! The Title of Duke of Lava!
The Insomnia Emperor said, "This noble council is concluded; all of you, follow me back to the Abyss."
Saying this, the Insomnia Emperor casually slashed open a tear.
"Whoosh—"
This tear was almost wider than the void of the Abyss itself, enough for everyone to enter together.
Lin Ke’s pupils were filled with shock. Although such power from the Insomnia Emperor was to be expected, one couldn’t deny that this scene was rather startling.
After creating the space rift, the Insomnia Emperor was the first to step inside.
The other powerful beings, along with Lin Ke, also entered one after another.
On stepping in, they arrived at the human race’s palace at the bottom of the Abyss.
The hall was spacious, with powerful figures seated on either side, while Lin Ke and others stood in the center.
The Insomnia Emperor stood on the high platform at the front, with the Moon Goddess and the Five-Colored Dragon Mother behind him. Further back were the Grand Dukes of the Gula Kingdom, along with Princes and Princesses.
The Eldest Prince and the Dark Maiden were present, but the Mist Princess was absent, as Lin Ke had asked her to guard the Great Wilderness City.
The entire hall was filled with an atmosphere of solemnity and heaviness.
Lin Ke glanced to the right and saw the Ratman Monarch of the Holy Life Alliance among its people, who smiled at him upon catching his gaze.
Lin Ke returned the smile.
The Ratman Monarch and the Sun God were the ones who wanted to kill him and were responsible for Ove’s death.
"My Human Race shall stand unshakable forever!"
The Insomnia Emperor’s voice suddenly erupted, dignified and solemn.
Those present, including Lin Ke, joined in the chorus.
"My Human Race shall stand unshakable forever!"
"My Human Race shall stand unshakable forever!"
As everyone chanted this phrase, they felt something indescribable stirring within their hearts.
This phrase, which Lin Ke had seen many times in books, was one of the famous sayings of the Insomnia Emperor.
"Today, our Gula Kingdom has seen the rise of many new, powerful nobles. In each of your figures, I seem to see the image of your ancestors fighting through trials to protect the Gula Kingdom and safeguard Naseng..."
The Insomnia Emperor’s voice was firm and powerful, slowly narrating the arduous and determined struggle of the Human Race.
"...Based on the performance of the past three years, the noble ascension ceremony of our Gula Kingdom commences!"
Noble ascension ceremony?!
Lin Ke was somewhat surprised.
Wasn’t this supposed to be an internal affair?
With so many representatives from other factions present, shouldn’t the overall rankings be announced first, followed by a gradual conferment after they leave?
This made Lin Ke more convinced that something must have happened for the Insomnia Emperor to elevate the Gula Kingdom above the entirety of Naseng.
"The first, Lin Ke Azen!"
Just as Lin Ke was pondering, the Insomnia Emperor pronounced his name.
First place!
No dispute, well deserved!
The Insomnia Emperor looked at Lin Ke with a smile in his eyes:
"In the Faser Plane, you assumed the identity of Buck, led Faser’s forces to success over other adversaries, and conquered the entire Faser. Your governance score is 100, leadership score is 100... I hereby confer you the title of Duke! You shall be the Duke of Lava!"
Duke of Lava!
Lin Ke was conferred as the Duke of Lava!!
No one felt surprised; everything was as expected, and so did Lin Ke.
Already anticipated!
Lin Ke’s displayed strength in Faser had long reached a stellar level. Being made a duke was quite fitting.
This strength was not merely individual strength but an amalgamation of influence, followers, and various strategies.
When it came to conquest, Lin Ke was not surprised.
If Ove were still around, he might even become a grand duke.
"The second, Garoce Azen! In Faser, you assisted Lin Ke Azen in accomplishing his mission, reaching the required level, thus I confer upon you the title of Marquis of Torrent! Your domain shall be within the Duke of Lava’s Territory!"
"The third..."
The Insomnia Emperor proceeded with the enfeoffments, taking nearly an hour to ennoble all the nobles of the Gula Kingdom participating in this noble council.
As the final Pioneer Knight was made a baron, the results of this Gula Kingdom noble council were essentially concluded.
When the Insomnia Emperor’s final words fell, the space within the hall began to tremble slightly.
Words turning into law!
The Insomnia Emperor’s vocation was [King]!
The power of endless laws poured down, infusing into Lin Ke and others, naturally condensing some items for them.
For instance, in Lin Ke’s hand appeared a black-red scepter, inscribed with the characters "Lava" in Naseng’s common language.
This represented his conquest authority!
On his chest, a noble coat of arms condensed, the intertwining laws forming visions of thunder and lava, transforming into purple and black-red.
This noble coat of arms seemed like a triangle, with one side as thunder, one as lava, and one resembling muscular patterns.
Inside the triangle was brilliant white light; outside was thick darkness.
This was the noble coat of arms constructed by the laws, belonging to the Linke Clan!
Others generally just condensed a noble coat of arms, with no scepter.
Only dukes and grand dukes possessed their own scepters.
Next, the Insomnia Emperor turned to those other than the Gula Kingdom.
"Now, let’s begin the ranking of this Naseng evaluation!"
The Insomnia Emperor’s voice had shed the tone of appreciation and joy, becoming plain.
"First place, Gula Kingdom, Duke Linke!"
"Second place, Gula Kingdom, Marquis Garoce!"
"Third place, Holy Life Alliance, Minotaur Chief..."
The Insomnia Emperor announced the rankings one after another for more than two hundred factions.
No doubt, the humans of the Gula Kingdom were all ranked at the top!
Besides this, only a few who defected to Lin Ke were ranked highly.
All others were placed far below!
This was to be expected.
This is obvious, isn’t it?
People from other factions, killed or captured, had no right to participate in the rankings.
Had Lin Ke not been concerned about negative repercussions, nor the potential wealth from trading captives, he would have eliminated them all, and could even sell some divinity.
After reading the rewards, the corners of the Insomnia Emperor’s mouth curled slightly, though no one knew what he was smiling about.
He simply said, "The prizes for this Naseng evaluation are contributed by all our factions. These prizes are currently with me, and you may pick them up from the Minister of Internal Affairs at any time."
"With this, the Naseng evaluation formally concludes!"
With these words, the expression of the Insomnia Emperor instantly changed, becoming amiable and kind.
From Great Emperor to an uncle.
"Son-in-law, how was it inside this time? Were you cold or hungry?" The Insomnia Emperor quickly walked down, and so did the Five-Colored Dragon Mother.
Before everyone, these two terrifying, continent-mighty, supreme Dominators behaved like two ordinary fathers-in-law and mothers-in-law.
"Father! You didn’t ask me first!" Rica exclaimed, rushing forward, hugging the Insomnia Emperor’s neck, hanging onto him.
The entire hall’s atmosphere changed instantly.