Chapter 380: The Empire Rises, War Begins Isn't Everyone a Part of the Spirit Empire Now?
The sensation of being watched came quickly and left just as fast.
Han Li, who appeared to be lost in thought in the courtyard but was actually communicating with his good son, withdrew from his mental space. He casually glanced at the sky before looking away.
Unlike before, this time, during the moment of divine surveillance, the incomplete Law of Fate within him trembled violently. If the golden threads were physical, Han Li felt that his divine soul would be overwhelmed, like a child being given too many toys nothing but pure ecstasy, no time to breathe.
Connecting this to Asura's earlier tricks and their eye contact in the Angel Shrine, Han Li had a theory.
First, a reward. Then, a slap? A classic move to humble a young upstart?
A strategy probably used across the entire universe.
Too bad for them he had received compulsory education. A humanities student.
He had memorized countless texts in morning self study, been crushed by work after graduation, and learned the hard way what eating the sugar coating while discarding the bomb truly meant.
Unless they offered a high enough price, he wasn't buying it.
Unfortunately, these gods had no sense of prioritizing primary and secondary contradictions.
Their attempts were doomed to fail.
At this stage, they were too late.
Even if they asked him to step back, Han Li himself wouldn't accept it.
Who didn't have a few sharp weapons hidden up their sleeve?
If this were another world, maybe he would've backed down.
But this was Douluo.
Han Li calmed himself again, took out a bottle of fruit juice, and drank it in one go. The cool liquid slid down his throat into his stomach. He closed his eyes, basking in the sunlight as the wind brushed against his face.
Spirit City, Pope's Palace
Bibi Dong no longer concealed her aura. A suffocating, chilling presence filled the great hall as she looked satisfied at the gathered high ranking officials of Spirit Hall.
Both the Pope's faction and the Worship Hall faction were present.
Aside from the regional Platinum Bishops, no one was absent.
"Is everything I ordered prepared?"
Bibi Dong's gaze lingered on the Worship Hall faction.
"Your Majesty, everything is in place. We await your command."
A Platinum Bishop from the main hall stepped forward. His strength was only at Spirit Douluo, not yet a Titled Douluo, but he excelled at handling administrative matters.
With the disappearance of the Worship Hall's Titled Elders, he had naturally taken the lead.
"However… the Holy Son's Seven Treasures Chamber of Commerce has also gotten involved, assisting in the evacuation and guidance of civilians."
The Platinum Bishop didn't dare to downplay Han Li's involvement and immediately reported it.
After all, the Holy Son himself had permitted him to relay this information.
A flicker of displeasure passed through Bibi Dong's eyes, but it faded quickly.
Still resisting?
Fine.
As long as everything progressed within her expectations, it didn't matter.
From the beginning, she hadn't minded Han Li's Seven Treasures Chamber of Commerce. It catered to the lower class, and at first, she merely saw it as his way of amassing wealth.
It wasn't until the Spirit Master Tournament, when Han Li revealed his ability to collect faith energy, that she gave him a second glance.
But only a second glance.
Strictly speaking, she too had risen from the commoner class.
However, she had never truly lived as a commoner.
From the moment she awakened her spirit, she had been the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall, receiving the highest tier training.
Spirit Hall protected the lower classes but only so far as to secure the foundation of spirit masters born from them.
The true commoners were just extras, maintained only to sustain the bigger picture.
To Bibi Dong, Han Li's attempts to protect the lower class during wartime were utterly pointless.
How much faith energy could those people even provide?
How many powerful spirit masters could they possibly produce?
Besides, who said Han Li would live long enough to see the benefits of his efforts?
Bibi Dong sneered inwardly.
Han Li's covert alliance with the Worship Hall faction was just another attempt to oppose her.
Qian Renxue's divine trial was happening right under her nose they hadn't even bothered to hide it.
It was a blatant power play, as if trying to warn her: We have cards to play too.
Did they really think she'd keep playing along?
That she would simply pressure them, fighting over leadership like before?
How naïve.
They had no idea what she had endured all these years.
She wasn't here to rule Spirit Hall.
She was here to destroy the Qian bloodline.
You want to play along?
Then prepare for the tragic ending I've written for you.
Seated atop her throne, Bibi Dong smiled.
But with the Angel Mural behind her, the image was eerie.
"Deliver my orders."
"From today forward the Spirit Empire is officially established."
"Next declare war on Star Luo Empire."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
In the grand hall, a unified shout of obedience echoed.
Even their address had subtly changed.
Across Spirit City, every department roared to life.
News spread rapidly across the continent.
As the high ranking officials dispersed, the mid level and low level officers of Spirit Hall were momentarily stunned
But only for a brief moment before the entire city erupted into celebration.
The past year's preparations had given everyone speculation.
Now, it was finally confirmed.
Some opposed it.
But compared to those swept up in the war fervor, they were few and far between.
Because the moment they had chosen Spirit Hall, they had already abandoned the idea of national loyalty.
On Douluo Continent, aside from the royal families and a few noble houses, the common people had little attachment to any particular country.
Becoming a spirit master was the ultimate dream.
And who was responsible for granting them that opportunity?
Spirit Hall.
Those who voiced opposition were swiftly silenced.
Not exterminated they were still part of Spirit Hall, after all.
She had a prison opened those who opposed could walk in themselves. Once inside, they could wait until everything was over.
A Spirit Master army was stationed outside.
Once inside, there was no coming out until the war ended.
Few chose to enter.
No one was stupid.
This was a lifeline, not a real invitation.
If they took it seriously, they would be handing over their fate entirely.
The announcement of the Spirit Empire's founding was like pouring water into boiling oil
The continent, which had been relatively calm, instantly erupted into chaos.
Those already living under Spirit Hall's rule hesitated for a moment, then simply shrugged.
Nothing really changed for them.
They were still under Spirit Hall's rule only the name was different.
Meanwhile, the duchies and kingdoms that had long been under Spirit Hall's influence rose in open support, proudly declaring
"We have always been a part of the Spirit Empire!"
But the Star Luo Empire had the biggest reaction.
Because Spirit Empire hadn't just founded itself
It had declared war on them directly.
There was no way they could sit still.
Star Luo's military forces immediately rushed to the border, while the nation already operating under military governance went into full lockdown.
Anyone suspected of ties to Spirit Hall was arrested or executed.
Only in Heaven Dou Empire, things were strange.
In Heaven Dou City, Salas and Spirit Hall officials still preached openly in the streets.
The imperial family did nothing.
The nobles were in a frenzy, scrambling for information.
The Spirit Empire had been founded
Yet, strangely, it had not declared war on Heaven Dou.
At the same time, many of the duchies and kingdoms that had openly declared allegiance to the Spirit Empire were former vassal states of Heaven Dou.
The commoners of Heaven Dou felt relieved
But also… a little insulted.
What the hell?
So Spirit Empire doesn't even see Heaven Dou as a worthy opponent?
Only Star Luo gets a war?
Rumors ran wild.
The nobles quarreled among themselves.
But within the imperial palace, there was only silence.
Until the next day
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, which had previously sealed itself off, finally reappeared.
Ning Fengzhi, accompanied by Sword Douluo, entered the imperial palace.
A massive audience watched, waiting.
But by nightfall, neither had come out.
The atmosphere grew even more unsettling.
On the third morning, the silence finally broke.
An imperial decree was posted
At three in the afternoon, all citizens were to gather at the Spirit Master Tournament Arena. The Emperor, Xue Qinghe, had an important announcement.
The arena where the Spirit Master Tournament had taken place before Emperor Xue Ye's death.
Since his sudden passing, Xue Qinghe had taken the throne.
First, he had been busy stabilizing the empire.
Then, he had been pushing new policies.
The arena had never been dismantled and now, it was about to be used once again.
Those with keen instincts sensed something was off.
The decree made no mention of the Spirit Empire.
Some nobles read the announcement and rushed home immediately.
They were pro Star Luo and the current situation felt very wrong.
Finally, under the watchful eyes of thousands, Emperor Xue Qinghe appeared on the high platform, surrounded by imperial guards.
By his side stood Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo Chen Xin.
Their expressions… were impossible to read.
What the crowd didn't know was that
Both of them were far more nervous than the commoners watching.
Originally, they thought they were merely here to meet Xue Qinghe and provide support.
But when Xue Qinghe lifted his disguise and revealed himself as the Grand Worshipper of Spirit Hall
They were completely dumbfounded.
Ning Fengzhi the so called Imperial Tutor nearly collapsed in shock.
He had spent years subtly "educating" this student now he realized he had been lecturing Spirit Hall's top figure the entire time.
How the hell did I dare to scold him before?!
Luckily, Qian Daoliu only glanced at him before calmly explaining that this was just a temporary disguise.
That was the only reason Ning Fengzhi didn't pass out on the spot.
But after that, he became incredibly obedient.
Before the entire crowd, "Xue Qinghe" rose into the air.
Nine spirit rings emerged.
A Swan Spirit unfurled its wings.
But then
Before their dumbstruck eyes, ripples spread across its form.
The Swan Spirit transformed
Into a Six Winged Angel Spirit.
Among the shocked crowd, hidden Angel Legion members revealed themselves.
Their Spirit Rings lit up as they ascended, surrounding the platform.
At the frontmost row, Salas and the Spirit Hall envoys dropped to one knee.
"Greetings, Young Master!"
The spirit powered chorus echoed across Heaven Dou.
The people of the Heaven Dou Empire stood in stunned silence.
Above them, "Xue Qinghe" finally spoke.
With his soul power, his voice reverberated across the city.
"Heaven Dou citizens, I am your Emperor, Xue Qinghe. Do not be alarmed.
"This is precisely the matter I have gathered you here to announce."
"The Xue Clan, the so called imperial family, has always been a branch of Spirit Hall's Pope lineage the Qian Clan.
"Now that the Spirit Empire has been established, there is no longer a need to hide.
"It is time to return to our rightful place."
"This can be confirmed by none other than our most trusted ally the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
"The Spirit Empire is not an enemy of Heaven Dou.
"There will be no war.
"You may continue living in peace."
At that moment, Ning Fengzhi stepped forward.
From the front of the platform, he looked down at the massive crowd.
As always, his expression was warm and composed.
"Yes, I can personally vouch for this.
"Everything His Majesty Qinghe has said is the truth.
"And the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan…
"We, too, have always been a branch of the Spirit Empire operating beyond its borders."
It was only then that the crowd noticed
On Ning Fengzhi's white robes, near the emblem of his clan's pagoda, was another symbol.
A golden insignia
The mark of Spirit Hall.
(End of Chapter.)
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