"Spirit Hall, so they've finally established a nation!" Ning Fengzhi put down the intelligence report in his hand, showing little surprise. He had anticipated this for a long time; in fact, Spirit Hall's move to found a country was even a bit later than he'd predicted.
Probably related to the recent incident where Bibi Dong was injured.
"Fengzhi, what do you think Spirit Hall will do next?" Gu Rong asked.
Ning Fengzhi looked at the map on the wall. "Next, they'll definitely launch a two-pronged attack against both the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires. On the Heaven Dou side, they'll use the Balak Kingdom as a springboard to push inland. On the Star Luo side, they'll target Gengxin City. To put it bluntly, if I were the Pope, I might even massacre the entire city of Gengxin."
"Why?" Yin Yang was shocked. Starting off with a massacre, that's simply too much, isn't it?
"There are three reasons. First, the Spirit Empire is a theocratic nation. A hallmark of such a regime is that impure faith is heresy, punishable by death. They will surely exterminate those who do not revere them. Second, compared to the Heaven Dou Empire, the Star Luo side is known for its hard, unyielding character—they'd rather die than submit. Thus, a massacre is the best deterrent. Third, Gengxin City is Star Luo's main weapons supply. War is about resources, comprehensive national power. Weapons are a crucial part of that. The more Gengxin City aids the Star Luo army, the more it must be destroyed. That's why back then, Xiao Tian took precautions. I just hope his efforts weren't in vain." Ning Fengzhi sighed.
"Master, what should we do now?" Yin Yang asked.
Ning Fengzhi thought for a moment and said, "Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is in a unique position, deep within the Heaven Dou Empire. The continental war doesn't concern us for now. Don't get involved too soon. Wait until Rongrong, Hongjun and the others return. It's a pity—if this continent-wide war had come a year later, or if Xiao Tian had emerged from seclusion a year earlier, I would have sent him to assassinate Xue Ye and Xue Beng and supported Xue Ke's rise. Even the Clear Sky Sect couldn't stop Xiao Tian. At that time, the Heaven Dou Empire would be under my control. But now, the Heaven Dou Empire can't afford chaos, especially if Xue Ye, Xue Beng, and Ge Long die too early, or the Spirit Empire will quickly seize the territory."
"Fengzhi, I think you're overcomplicating things. Old Sword will probably come out of seclusion in a year. Old Poison has already reached level 94 and is now trying for 95. If both break through, do you know what that means?" Gu Rong said eagerly.
"With those two, plus Xiao Tian and you, the four of you together could easily defeat an army of a million. We could directly deal with Heaven Dou and Star Luo, then reveal our hidden resources in the Holy Dragon Sect and Balak. That would be enough to challenge Spirit Hall. Once Xiao Tian further advances, even Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu together wouldn't be his match. In less than three years, the entire continent would belong to our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"Overrunning the continent with the strength of four people? That does sound exciting." Ning Fengzhi smiled, then his tone changed. "But the more thrilling something is, the worse it usually is. Uncle Bones, your plan is feasible. Forced with strength, it's the most efficient, most fruitful way. But do you know how many people would die? Not thousands, but millions!"
Yin Yang shook his head. "Xiao Tian would never agree. Even after going to Slaughter City, all he gained was the Deathgod Domain. He still dislikes excessive killing. That's never changed."
"No war is bloodless. Ending it quickly is the best way," Gu Rong retorted. He was loyal to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the most ambitious among all the titled Douluo. The thought of his sect leading the continent was enough to excite him.
His martial soul carries the death attribute—a hell bone dragon. For the sake of unification, he didn't care about sacrifices, as long as the dead weren't those he cared about.
"Uncle Bones, do you know why, during war, we send 50,000 or even 100,000 soldiers against an enemy of 10,000, when 20,000 would suffice?" Ning Fengzhi asked. Seeing Gu Rong shake his head, he continued, "It's to reduce casualties—not just our own, but to force the enemy to surrender with overwhelming might."
"No matter how strong Xiao Tian and the other three are, there's only three of them. The enemy will always hope for a miracle, especially the hard-headed Star Luo and the powerful Spirit Hall. They won't admit defeat until they're utterly crushed. By the time they realize it, the continent will be littered with corpses and it will be too late."
"Therefore, the only way to reduce killing is to gather strength and strike in one go. When we have a million-strong army, nearly twenty titled Douluo, and even a few gods, Heaven Dou and Star Luo won't even need to be fought—they'll surrender. As for Spirit Hall, even if there is a battle, it'll only be between the top experts. Casualties will be minimized."
"My and Xiao Tian's constant gathering of troops and soul masters, recruiting geniuses, is for that moment. You're right—no war is bloodless. But controlling deaths to a minimum is our responsibility. Continental unification is for better development, but if unification causes population collapse, that would defeat the purpose."
Gu Rong sighed. "Fine, I can never think as far ahead as you and Xiao Tian. We'll do as you say. By the way, where's Xiao Tian?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled mysteriously. "He said he's off to pick up Rongrong and the others. But I think, before that, he probably went to watch the excitement out of boredom."
Ning Fengzhi looked into the distance, toward Spirit City.
…
As the founding ceremony was about to begin, more and more people gathered in the square, and all the soul masters from the various Spirit sub-halls and the main hall stood at the front.
Bibi Dong glanced over the sea of people, smiling. All the high-level soul masters before her were the strength of Spirit Hall, ready to help her unite the continent.
Right now, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect can only match Spirit Hall in terms of top-level power. The overall strength gap is still huge.
But there was one figure among the crowd that really annoyed her.
On the left side of the square, a young man leaned against the wall, watching the founding ceremony.
"Hey, isn't that Jun Tianlin?" a Spirit Hall branch master asked in confusion. He'd seen Tianlin at the soul master academy tournament—there was no way he'd mistake him. But the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Spirit Hall are the biggest rivals. Isn't it too brazen to show up here like this?
"That's right, it's him. The idiot must have a death wish, daring to enter our headquarters alone," said Salas, the Heaven Dou Hall branch master. He wasn't sure if Tianlin was ignorant or just bold. Today, all of Spirit Hall's top experts were gathered here.
"Mr. Salas, you're being rather rude. As I recall, Her Holiness the Pope invited all soul masters to the ceremony. I am also a soul master—why shouldn't I attend? Are you questioning Her Holiness's order?" Tianlin's hearing was extraordinary now, so of course he caught Salas's words.
Actually, Tianlin was just curious. He'd just returned from Sunset Forest, brought some reunion gifts for Tianheng and the others, and also replenished the Blue Silver King's holy spirit energy, restoring her cultivation to about 70,000 years—nearly back to Blue Silver Emperor level.
This time, he'd finished his promise to her. From now on, he owed her nothing.
He was planning to head to Seagod Island, but when he heard about Spirit Hall founding a country, he decided to stop by and see the spectacle since it was on the way.
"You!" Salas pointed at Tianlin in anger, then turned to kneel before Bibi Dong and the elders. "Your Holiness, elders, Jun Tianlin not only disrespects Spirit Hall but is trying to sow discord here. I request permission to execute him to uphold our dignity!"
Bibi Dong glanced at Salas and said, "Fine, go ahead then."
"Me?" Salas froze. He wasn't Tianlin's match at all. Sending him alone was basically a death sentence!
"Don't dare? Then shut up. Jun Tianlin is right. My order was to invite all soul masters. He is a soul master and was invited. Today is the founding of our nation—we should avoid bloodshed. Besides, a guest is a guest. All personal grudges are to be put aside," Bibi Dong said coldly.
"Yes." Salas quickly retreated. As long as he didn't have to face Tianlin alone, he didn't mind losing face.
Bibi Dong was helpless too. Did she want to kill Tianlin? Of course. But the problem was, she couldn't.
With Tianlin's current strength, even if she and Qian Daoliu attacked together, they couldn't kill him. If he wanted to leave, no one in Spirit Hall could stop him.
So as long as Tianlin didn't cause trouble today, she wouldn't bother.
Soon, with the sound of loud horns, the founding ceremony officially began.
Bibi Dong stepped forward, opened her arms, and said, "Thank you all for attending the founding ceremony of Spirit Hall. You are the backbone of our Hall. Our development depends on your efforts."
"For the peace and stability of Douluo Continent, Spirit Hall, following heaven's mandate, is founding a nation today—renamed Spirit Empire. I will be the first Empress, ruling over all soul masters. All soul masters must follow the Empire's orders. Those who defy are heretics and will be executed without mercy."
Other than Tianlin, everyone knelt—sect masters, kings, all shouting, "Long live the Empress! Long live Spirit Hall..."
Bibi Dong lightly raised her hand, and the square instantly fell silent.
This demonstrated how deeply her authority was ingrained. Qian Daoliu once told Qian Renxue that Bibi Dong's influence now even surpassed his own.
Bibi Dong continued, "I hereby appoint Hu Liena as the Saintess of the Empire, status equal to the Crown Prince, and first in line to the throne, with authority over all soul masters except those in the Worship and Elder Halls."
Hu Liena knelt before Bibi Dong and accepted the title.
Below, Yan and Xie Yue were overjoyed. From now on, Hu Liena's power in Spirit Hall would be extraordinary—basically, everyone except the Titled Douluo had to obey her.
"Nana, you've gone far ahead of me, but don't worry. One day, I'll be the only one worthy to stand by your side." Yan looked at Hu Liena with deep affection, then glared at Tianlin with hatred, vowing, "I'll kill him first, then propose to you with his head."
Tianlin was surprised. He thought, after Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue resolved their grudge, Qian Renxue would be the heir. Unexpectedly, it was still Hu Liena.
He glanced at Qian Renxue in confusion. She noticed his gaze, smiled gently, and stepped forward to kneel before Bibi Dong.
"In addition, I appoint Qian Renxue as Imperial Judgement Elder, responsible for eliminating traitors, with special privileges—to execute corrupt officials and traitors at will, and report later." Bibi Dong announced.
So, just like the original story, Qian Renxue became Judgement Elder. In the original, she had no choice; Bibi Dong never considered her for Saintess. This time, Bibi Dong offered, but she refused—she'd promised not to compete for the Saintess position, showing her resolve. Qian Renxue, like Tianlin, always kept her word. Even if Bibi Dong offered, she wouldn't go back on her promise.
The Judgement Elder position was also extremely high, no less than the Saintess. Back then, after Qian Daoliu passed the Pope's seat to his son Qian Xunji, he became Judgement Elder himself.
"Long live the Empress, long live Elder Qian Renxue, long live the Saintess..." The shouts thundered through the city.
The sense of belonging among Spirit Hall's people was truly strong.
After appointing the two main figures, the rest of the ceremony awarded titles to other founding contributors, including former kings. The territory of the Spirit Empire was formed from most of the kingdoms and duchies that used to belong to the two great empires, cutting off all links between them. With over a dozen kingdoms and duchies, the Spirit Empire's total area was no less than either of the now-split empires.
Geographically, the Spirit Empire was clearly at a disadvantage—Heaven Dou to the north, Star Luo to the south. But with their strength, they would probably expand in both directions. In a few years, the territory of the two empires would shrink dramatically.
At the end of the ceremony, Bibi Dong raised her arm and declared, "No one can stop the advance of the Spirit Empire. Let us, together, create a new era!"
Thus, the Spirit Empire was officially founded.