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Spirit Hall City, the Pope's Palace.
Bibi Dong gazed at the distant sky, contemplating how she would complete the eighth trial of the Rakshasa God's examination.
She had completed the seventh trial of the Rakshasa God's examination some time ago and learned the requirements for the eighth trial:
Deeply participate in a war that sweeps across the entire Douluo Continent, creating enough evil thoughts such as slaughter, madness, sorrow, hatred, and fear during the war.
The Rakshasa God's divine position that Bibi Dong had obtained was incomplete, more than half damaged. This eighth trial was not just an examination, but also a process of repairing the divine position... Evil thoughts were a different kind of faith... She needed these evil thoughts to make the divine position complete.
Upon learning these conditions, Bibi Dong felt some frustration. If she had known the content of the eighth trial was like this, she would never have thought of compromising with Di Tian during the war with the spirit beasts... Instead, she would have fanned the flames and expanded the scale of the war!
Now, due to her insufficient participation in the spirit beast war, most of the evil thoughts generated during the war were not directed at her. Therefore, she needed to restart a war led by herself.
"Your Holiness, Elder Yu Xiaogang requests an Spectator." A Pope's guard reported.
"Xiaogang, what is he here for?" Bibi Dong felt slightly puzzled and said, "Let him come in."
A few minutes later, Yu Xiaogang slowly walked up to her. Seeing him again, a surge of excitement and joy welled up in Bibi Dong's heart.
She dismissed the others, looked at the tired and haggard Yu Xiaogang, and said with heartache:
"Xiaogang, are you doing well?"
Yu Xiaogang forced a smile: "I'm very well. His Majesty Xue Beng appointed me as the Imperial Tutor, and I am highly valued by him. Now I have a high enough position to realize my ambitions."
Bibi Dong hesitated for a moment and said:
"Get up. Coming to Spirit Hall is also an option... I have taken over the command of all elders from Qian Daoliu, and soon no one will be able to question me or stop me.
"Spirit Hall has enough spirit research materials, everything can be open to you, and there are enough Soul Masters to practice your theories."
Yu Xiaogang shook his head and refused: "That child Xue Beng respects me very much, and I will not let down his sincere heart."
"Xue Beng? That villain who ascended the throne by despicable means? Do you think that kind of person would have any sincerity towards you?" Bibi Dong's eyes held a hint of mockery.
She knew Yu Xiaogang's stubbornness and persistence, and knew it was difficult to change his mind.
Furthermore, although she now held great power in Spirit Hall, she still had to consider Qian Daoliu. Therefore, she did not bring up the matter of Yu Xiaogang taking a position in Spirit Hall again, only reminding him that Xue Beng was not trustworthy.
Yu Xiaogang was silent for a moment. He was unwilling to speculate on the intentions of his second disciple with malicious intent. He shook his head and said:
"Xue Beng is a good child... At least, he maintained the legitimacy of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and did not let certain people with ulterior motives succeed."
"Are you accusing me?"
"How could I dare? You are now the exalted Pope."
Slightly angered by Yu Xiaogang's attitude, Bibi Dong's tone became slightly cold:
"Yes, I am the exalted Pope. So, why have you come to see me now?"
Yu Xiaogang replied: "I have come on behalf of the Heaven Dou Empire. Xue Beng hopes that you can provide military assistance to the Heaven Dou Empire or mediate this war."
Bibi Dong laughed in anger: "Assist the Heaven Dou Empire? Has he forgotten the orders he issued so quickly? Do you think I would agree?"
Yu Xiaogang's expression remained unchanged, "The previous targeting by the two great empires caused you heavy losses. From this, you can see that Spirit Hall cannot contend against a unified great empire. The current state of equilibrium is most beneficial to you.
"It's not just Heaven Dou that needs Spirit Hall, Spirit Hall also needs the Heaven Dou Empire. Otherwise, once A'mong integrates the two great empires, who do you think will be his next target?
"Regarding some previous misunderstandings and the losses they caused you, Xue Beng feels deeply apologetic and is willing to offer some compensation."
Bibi Dong let out a 'heh' and smiled coldly: "Then what about the Clear Sky Sect? What attitude does Xue Beng plan to take towards them? The grievances between our Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect cannot be resolved with just a few light words."
Yu Xiaogang said in a deep voice: "Xue Beng will not participate in your struggle. This is a matter between your two forces."
Bibi Dong shook her head: "Then our Spirit Hall will also not participate in the struggle between the Tudor Dynasty and the Heaven Dou Empire. This is a matter between your two great empires."
"This is different. The struggle between you is just a struggle between forces, while the war between the two great empires concerns tens of thousands of common people." Yu Xiaogang's voice became a little louder.
"It's all the same." Bibi Dong's expression remained unchanged.
After a brief pause, she continued: "The Clear Sky Sect isn't willing to assist you, are they? It seems your ally doesn't actually care about you, otherwise, you wouldn't have come to me for help."
Yu Xiaogang fell silent. Without Tang Hao and Tang San, although there were people like Tang Yuehua within the Clear Sky Sect who were willing to support the Heaven Dou Empire, there were only a few scattered voices.
After a long while, he made a somewhat difficult promise: "I will agree on behalf of Xue Beng. If you wish to act against the Clear Sky Sect, the Heaven Dou Empire can dispatch troops to assist."
"Rest here for a while. I will summon the elders for discussion and give you a reply after the result is out." A smile appeared on Bibi Dong's face.
This was simply a pillow delivered when she was sleepy. Just as she was thinking about how to lead a war and complete the Rakshasa God's eighth divine trial, the Heaven Dou Empire gave her such an excellent opportunity.
Is this fate? Using Xiaogang's hand to help me overcome the biggest and most difficult obstacle before becoming a god, let us join forces and break through all obstacles... Bibi Dong thought to herself, with a hint of a sweet smile.
Arriving at the conference hall, she didn't wait long before the elders gathered. Due to the many major events recently, meetings were frequent, and they had all gotten used to it.
Without thinking or curiosity, they patiently waited for Bibi Dong to give her answer.
Bibi Dong looked around. Golden Crocodile, Qing Luan, Qian Jun, and others were all there, but two people were missing: Qian Daoliu and Qian Renxue!
She frowned slightly. With Qian Daoliu absent, the meeting was basically her one-woman show, which was a good thing. But their abnormal behavior made her feel puzzled and wary.
Just the two of them... Could it be the Angel God's examination? If Xue'er inherited the Angel God's divine position, then what should I do? Bibi Dong felt a little lost in her heart.
Seeing that she hadn't spoken for a long time, Golden Crocodile coughed lightly and reminded, "The Great Priest and Miss still have some matters. We can start first."
Hearing this, Bibi Dong took a deep breath, composed herself, and said softly, "I have suggested before, to destroy the Clear Sky Sect, kill Xue Beng, and seize the imperial power of the Heaven Dou Empire.
"Now, an excellent opportunity is right before us. Xue Beng has sent an envoy, requesting assistance from our Spirit Hall. We can pretend to agree first, and then proceed with the act of usurpation."
Yue Guan raised a question: "But will this cause opposition from court officials and nobles, leading to instability among the people? In the eyes of others, our Spirit Hall is ultimately just a civilian organization composed of Soul Masters, like the Blacksmith Guild or the Merchant Guild."
"How much more unstable can it be than now? Xue Beng's position was originally illegitimate and lacked support, and A'mong's act of usurping the state has caused 'righteousness' to lose its former binding force. What the people desire may not necessarily be driven by righteousness."
Bibi Dong paused, looked at Walter, and asked, "Do you have anything to add, or any suggestions?"
Although she had many disagreements with him in the past, there was one thing she had to admit: he was a master at playing schemes.
Walter thought for a moment and said, "Can we have His Highness Xue act as Crown Prince 'Xue Qinghe' again? With a buffer, it will be easier for the people to accept.
"We can declare that Xue Beng is the treacherous minister who murdered his father... He altered the imperial edict, framed the Crown Prince, and extensively assassinated court officials.
"Crown Prince Xue Qinghe was persecuted and had to flee to Spirit Hall to seek our help. With our assistance, the Crown Prince successfully regained his throne... In gratitude for Spirit Hall's grace, he will establish Spirit Hall as the state religion."
A smile suddenly appeared on Walter's face, and he continued with a hint of mischief:
"Emperor Xue Qinghe will marry Pope Bibi Dong. The Heaven Dou Empire will thus become a union of church and state and be renamed the Spirit Empire... Afterwards, the throne will be passed to their daughter, Qian Renxue, combining the positions of Pope and Emperor... Of course, that's for later."
Bibi Dong: "..."
The other elders: "..."
"Although there are many flaws if you look closely, as long as we deal with the insiders who are not on our side, it is feasible.
"Ordinary court officials can accept this development, and the people can also accept this development...
"The empire seized in this way will have its legitimacy recognized, and ruling will be smoother."
Walter shrugged and said in a casual tone:
"Of course, this is just my personal opinion... If Your Holiness doesn't mind facing significant resistance in the early stages of rule, doesn't mind large and small counterattacks and unrest, and plans to suppress all dissenting voices with violent means... then just pretend I didn't say anything."
Clearly, he himself didn't think such a proposal had much chance of being adopted.
A thoughtful expression appeared on Bibi Dong's face. After weighing it in her heart, she replied seriously:
"Does Xue'er need to cooperate... I will discuss it with her. If she agrees, then let's do as you say."
Golden Crocodile Douluo had a look of astonishment on his face, wanting to speak but stopping, stopping and wanting to speak again. His mouth opened and closed a couple of times, but in the end, he didn't say anything.
Qian Jun and Jiang Mo were dumbfounded. They looked at each other, seeing surprise and confusion on each other's faces.
The rest of the elders also looked at Walter and Bibi Dong in shock. They were shocked that Walter dared to make such a suggestion, and also shocked that Bibi Dong actually agreed to it!
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