Reya tugged at Lin Tian's clothes again and whispered, "Brother Tian, how can you speak to the Elder like that? The Elder will get angry."

"This small matter... The Elder is magnanimous and kind-hearted, he won't get angry, right?" Lin Tian replied nonchalantly.

"Small matter?" Reya and Luo Lin were dumbfounded, then seriously said, "Title conferment is a huge deal. How can it be a small matter? Moreover, being conferred a title, Brother Tian will have a place in Sinmore, Brother Tian should take it seriously."

"Alright, I'll take it seriously." Lin Tian said helplessly.

Asina said expressionlessly, "What's the matter? Being conferred a title and you're still unhappy?"

With the Female Elder's expression like that, any other member of the Blood Clan would have been terrified, for life and death was just a trivial matter to the Elders, yet only Lin Tian was indifferent.

Lin Tian calmly replied, "Elder, as long as I can contribute to Sinmore, whether I'm conferred a title or not is secondary. Wholeheartedly serving Sinmore is the only thing I wish for."

Anyone can say nice words, and Lin Tian said it effortlessly since he doesn't have to pay taxes anyway.

Asina was slightly surprised, then laughed, appreciatively saying, "Everyone heard that, didn't you? Sinmore needs people like Lin Tian who work wholeheartedly. You all should take him as an example, understood?"

As to whether she was sincere in her praise, perhaps only she herself knew, while the Blood Clan below responded loudly, "Understood!"

"Lin Tian, step forward to receive your title." Asina suddenly announced loudly.

"This... let's not." Lin Tian seemed reluctant.

"Hm?" Asina grunted, and immediately put on a stern face.

Reya and Luo Lin quickly pushed Lin Tian forward, reluctantly forcing him onto the podium. Only then did Asina smile with satisfaction and said, "Although Lin Tian is a newcomer, he has made great contributions in alchemy to the clan. After the Elder Council's review, Lin Tian is conferred the title of Earl."

"Earl? I thought at least it would be Marquis." Lin Tian said, disappointed.

Reya and Luo Lin below heard this and were speechless. From a newcomer to a Baron, then skipping a rank to become an Earl—an occurrence unprecedented not only in Sinmore but also in the Blood Clan Alliance—this man even has complaints. Is there no justice?

"Take it." Asina shoved the badge into Lin Tian's hand, looking stern as she did so. She was tempted to slap Lin Tian because of his annoying look of disdain.

If it weren't for the stagnant progress Sinmore had been facing in alchemy for years, lacking new research results, if it weren't for the Prince personally identifying him for focus cultivation, if she didn't need to use this newcomer to reach her goals of advancing to a lord, even a Prince, Asina almost couldn't hold back the urge to slap Lin Tian.

Lin Tian took the badge, didn't even look at it, and stuffed it into his pocket. Compared to his earlier attitude, this bit of disrespect was completely ignored by Asina.

Luo Lin and Reya were constantly giving Lin Tian signals, and when Lin Tian saw their strange expression, he was perplexed. Finally, Luo Lin, in a panic, mimed a gesture of kneeling and kissing the foot to remind Lin Tian that he needed to perform the foot-kissing ceremony after receiving the conferment.

Lin Tian finally understood, but this was exactly what he was reluctant to do. Asina was also watching him, waiting for him to perform the ceremony. He glanced at Asina's foot, clad in exquisite high heels, her skin was very fair and soft with an alluring sheen.

For those with a foot fetish, these feet would be exceptional. Lin Tian didn't have such a fetish, but he must admit they were perfect. However, perfect as they may be, he couldn't bring himself to go through the kissing motion.

But if he didn't do something, the Female Elder would be made a fool of, that would not end well, and if it ruined his plans it would be undesirable, Lin Tian pondered internally.

Right, as a civilized modern person, how could I forget this, a flash of insight hit Lin Tian and he had a plan.

Everyone was waiting for him to perform the ceremony, Lin Tian adjusted his clothes, steeled his expression, and walked over to Asina. Asina thought he was about to perform the foot-kissing ceremony, but Lin Tian instead took her hand and lightly kissed the back of her hand.

"Thank you for the Elder's trust and the Prince's favor." After the hand-kiss, Lin Tian said in a very serious manner.

The Blood Clan below wore grim expressions, not due to anger, but because Lin Tian's ceremony felt awkward. To say it was wrong, it seemed all of Europe did it this way, even the royal family was no exception. To say it was right, it seemed lacking something, yet no major flaw could be pointed out.

The Blood Clan turned their gazes toward their Elder, wondering at Asina's reaction. Asina clearly paused briefly, but she knew if she persisted further, she'd be in a predicament unless she killed Lin Tian on the spot, but now she couldn't kill him.

After much internal debate, she could only reluctantly come down from the stage Lin Tian had given her. Yet she maintained her appearance, waving her hand: "Dispense with ceremonies, just remember to diligently serve Sinmore in the future, don't disappoint the Prince."

"Certainly, once Elder Asina becomes a Prince, I will unconditionally support you." Lin Tian smiled slightly.

These words hit the sweet spot for Asina, and any bit of displeasure she felt dissipated. She raised her head and announced to everyone, "The conferment ends here. Moving on to the second matter, the battle against the Jimi Chi Clan."

"According to reliable sources, the Jimi Chi Clan has acquired a mysterious formula from Huaxia. The potion produced with this formula can significantly enhance the combat power of the Blood Clan. This is not good news for Sinmore."

"Due to reasons known to all, Sinmore and the Jimi Chi Clan have been at odds for generations, hatred continuing incessantly. This time, with the mysterious formula in hand, the Jimi Chi Clan will undoubtedly strike Sinmore. However, Lin Tian has also brought us a new potion, and I have verified its effects. Hence, in this battle, they do not hold an advantage."

"As per our old rules, this operation will be led by Luo Lin, with Lin Tian and Reya as deputies, to face the Jimi Chi Clan in battle. Do you have confidence?" Asina asked loudly.

"Pledge loyalty to Sinmore with our lives!"

"Defend Sinmore with our lives!"

The crowd of Blood Clan shouted, fervently excited, and Lin Tian could sense that these Blood Clan members were genuinely combative. From them, Lin Tian could faintly glimpse the grandeur of the millennia-old holy wars.

Humans versus humans, humans versus Blood Clan, Blood Clan versus Blood Clan. That millennia-old holy war led by the Thirteen Blood Hosts must have matched the scale of the Crusades.

However, the present isn't like the past. The combat between the Sinmore Clan and the Jimi Chi Clan will not reach such a scale; a conflict involving a few hundred people would already be remarkable.

Neither the Blood Clan Alliance nor modern human society, accustomed to peaceful living, would tolerate large-scale conflicts. Should anyone attempt to escalate such disputes, neither the Blood Clan Alliance nor the Guardians would let it pass.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.