A day later, news of Tang San and Tang Hao's deaths spread. The Heaven Dou royal family ordered three days of mourning as a gesture of goodwill to the Clear Sky Sect—after all, these two had been a bridge between them, and now that bridge was gone. The future of the alliance was uncertain.
For the Heaven Dou Empire, the Clear Sky Sect was an indispensable force, the only one able to provide Titled Douluo for the empire.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon sect were left—one had fallen out with the empire, the other had only one Titled Douluo and could barely protect itself, let alone help.
Tang Yuehua and Tang Xiao attended the funeral in Heaven Dou City. Although nothing remained of the two but ash, their presence was a message: the Clear Sky Sect would not break its alliance with the empire because of these deaths.
Both sides now had common enemies—first Spirit Hall, then the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, both formidable powers.
They also declared that the murderer would pay, though they didn't name the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, as they weren't ready for open conflict.
Besides, they weren't in the right. Although both deaths were orchestrated by Tianlin, the Emperor Battle Team killed Tang San in revenge for their comrade, and a soul beast killed Tang Hao, who had long been a soul beast slayer. They had no grounds to blame Tianlin.
It was a bitter pill to swallow.
This incident also made Emperor Xue Ye give up on the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. To him, that sect was too unruly, showing no loyalty to the throne.
He wouldn't challenge them openly, but he could suppress them another way: by supporting the Clear Sky Sect. He issued an edict honoring the father and son's contributions, granting the Clear Sky Sect the title of "Protector God Sect." From now on, all top academy graduates in the empire would be encouraged to join them first.
Furthermore, all sects doing business in the empire—except the Clear Sky Sect and its affiliates—would have their taxes doubled.
This served two purposes. First, it didn't directly single out the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. With all sects taxed double, why should they be exempt? They weren't the Protector God Sect.
Second, like Spirit Hall, the empire forced undecided minor sects to pick a side.
For the wealthy Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, this was no big deal. But for smaller, resource-strapped sects, it was a huge blow.
Like the Four Single-Attribute Clans, poverty alone nearly destroyed them.
But along with the stick came a carrot: anyone who joined the Clear Sky Sect would not only avoid the double tax, but pay no tax at all—keeping all their profits.
The Clear Sky Sect also promised not to restrict the autonomy of affiliated sects, except in times of war.
These two policies were very attractive. Resources on the continent were limited. It was hard for small sects to train disciples.
Now, threatened by Spirit Hall and pressured by the empire, many had no choice but to compromise.
Some wondered if they could join the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect instead. After all, they were rich—surely double tax wouldn't hurt much?
But that idea was quickly dismissed. Wealth runs out; if the empire went further and barred all business from non-Clear Sky sects, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect would be isolated.
It was also obvious the empire's patience with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was wearing thin.
Now, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had made enemies of both Spirit Hall and the empire—truly surrounded. Few believed such a sect could last.
What then? Go to Star Luo? The oppression would be worse. Join Spirit Hall? Even worse—submit or be annihilated.
So, joining the Clear Sky Sect was the wisest choice.
Thus began a wave of realignment. In just two weeks, many sects flocked to the Clear Sky Sect, raising its soul master count from less than a thousand to over six thousand—on par with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and still growing.
What these sects didn't realize was that this dual confrontation with Spirit Hall and the empire was exactly what Ning Fengzhi wanted. The sect now had the strength to compete for dominance, but as long as the world saw them as the empire's vassal, any move to seize power would look like betrayal.
After all, it was deeply ingrained that the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect belonged to the empire.
Both Ning Fengzhi and Tianlin cared about reputation—they would never accept the traitor label.
Now, with Ning Fengzhi repeatedly challenging the empire, public perception was changing bit by bit. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was becoming recognized as a power independent of both empire and Spirit Hall.
Thus, even if they competed for supremacy, no one would object. If Spirit Hall and the two empires could contend, why not the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect? The continent belonged to whoever was strong enough to claim it.
Besides, what's wrong with being surrounded by enemies? Every contender for supremacy faces that. To Spirit Hall, both empires and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect were enemies. To the Heaven Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire, Spirit Hall, and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect were all rivals. Everyone coveted the land; being everyone's enemy was just the way of the world.
Now, the whole continent was in flux. Except for those still in academies, free-roaming soul masters had all but vanished. Spirit Hall, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, the Clear Sky Sect, and the two empires had basically divided up all soul master forces.
Spirit Hall held 70%, the two empires 20%, and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Clear Sky Sect split the remaining 10%.
Of course, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's true strength was hidden.
In short, every faction had consolidated its forces. War seemed imminent.
…
Spirit Empire's grand founding ceremony would begin it all.
This ceremony had been prepared long ago, but was delayed by Bibi Dong's injuries. Only now, after her recovery, could it proceed.
Today, Spirit Hall was bustling. All the citizens of Spirit City gathered in front of the Pope's Hall.
Leading the procession were the heads of major Spirit Halls, sect masters, and kings of affiliated kingdoms and duchies.
Amid cheers, the magnificently dressed Pope Bibi Dong led Spirit Hall's elders and the two saintesses out of the hall.
She was especially beautiful today, captivating all.
From this day forward, she would become the first empress of the Douluo Continent!