Chapter 374: The Hall of Great Love, Qian Xunji's Continental Address
Unlike the usual impressions of soul masters who had previously visited Spirit Hall City, this time the city was not sparse in population. On the contrary, it was teeming with people, just like during the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
At the base of the Pope's Hill, crowds numbering in the hundreds of thousands filled the entire area of tens of thousands of meters. Among them were clan leaders and sect masters from all the great families and sects: Huyan Zhen of the Elephant Armored Sect, Feng Bailong of the Wind Sword Sect, the Queen Bee Sect master, and the Fire Leopard Sect.
Soul masters with some experience were stunned to see so many famous and influential figures gathered together. The once-dominant Upper Three Sects—Clear Sky Sect, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—had all been wiped out. The so-called world's strongest tool spirit, the Clear Sky Hammer, and the strongest beast spirit, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, were now history. These current sects were now the most powerful. Could this be the re-election of a new Seven Great Sects?
"That's Emperor Xue Ye! Emperor Xue Ye is here too! Who is the person sitting beside him? To be seated next to His Majesty is no small feat."
People in Heaven Dou City exclaimed, and similar conversations happened in Star Luo City, though Xue Ye was replaced with the Star Luo Emperor.
The scene shifted to the front of the Pope's Hall, revealing a tall, handsome man with golden hair draped behind him—dignified and upright.
"That's His Holiness, the Pope of Spirit Hall! So this is indeed Spirit Hall!"
Spectators who had once attended the tournament in the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena immediately recognized him.
"I never imagined I'd see the legendary soul master holy land! Even Emperor Xue Ye is here—this is a true divine miracle! Only a true god could have achieved this!"
This wasn't an exaggeration. The spectacle was brought about through immense effort by Qian Renxue, Qian Rensheng, and Shui Bing'er, who had inherited the Sea God's divinity. Qian Renxue was responsible for the continent, while Qian Rensheng and Shui Bing'er managed the ocean from Sea God Island.
At the peak of anticipation across the continent, Qian Xunji raised his hand and spoke slowly:
"It has now been three years since the incident with the wicked Bibi Dong. Through relentless effort, the God of Asura and the Angel God led the Star Dou Alliance to victory and restored peace to the continent!"
"Years ago, when Bibi Dong began her rampage, she destroyed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, yet placed all the blame on Spirit Hall. The world misunderstood us. While Spirit Hall tried to uncover the truth and fulfill its duties, it faced relentless suppression and obstruction from the two great empires."
Qian Xunji clenched his fist and made a forceful gesture, expressing the grievances and insults Spirit Hall had endured during that time.
His emotional words and gestures resonated deeply with the citizens of the two empires, stirring guilt in their hearts. Yes, back then, who hadn't slandered Spirit Hall? With just a little provocation, they believed the worst and forgot all the years Spirit Hall had helped the common folk.
Especially in more developed cities, small business owners catering to soul masters had suffered greatly. When the two empires stopped subsidizing soul masters except for elite academies—and without Spirit Hall's regulation—many soul masters acted lawlessly. Ordinary civilians could only endure silently.
The Star Luo Emperor, Emperor Xue Ye, and many sect masters in the Pope's Hall trembled slightly, fearing Qian Xunji's revenge. After all, Spirit Hall now boasted gods and overwhelming power. Even the combined forces of the two empires could be crushed easily.
But their fears were unnecessary.
Qian Xunji loosened his fist and continued: "Fortunately, the truth eventually came to light, and Spirit Hall was vindicated."
Suddenly, Qian Xunji's tone rose high with fervor:
"I ask the two great empires to believe this: No matter how powerful Spirit Hall becomes, we harbor no ambition to dominate the continent. Let all living beings bear witness—from this day forward, the Pope's Hall shall cease to exist. It will be renamed the Hall of Great Love! I will serve as its first Grand Priest, devoting my life to benefiting the people and ensuring harmony across the land!"
"Good! I, Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire, trust the sincerity of the Hall of Great Love. From this day on, the Heaven Dou Empire shall recognize Spirit Hall as our state religion and grant it full authority to handle all soul master-related misconduct within our borders!"
Emperor Xue Ye stood up immediately, his voice resounding. He had little choice. Spirit Hall was too powerful. Besides, Qian Xunji promised to enhance the martial spirit of the last royal descendant, Xue Qinghe—transforming his Swan Spirit into a Fire Swan, ensuring its legacy. Spirit Hall wasn't just strong—they were generous.
The Star Luo Emperor cursed Xue Ye as a sly old fox and also shouted:
"Spirit Hall shall always be honored guests of my Star Luo Empire. From now on, every Grand Priest of the Hall of Great Love shall hold the rank of Grand Duke of Star Luo—the highest noble rank, equal to the emperor himself. To meet the Grand Priest is to meet the emperor!"
With declarations from the two emperors, the entire continent now understood Spirit Hall's exalted status. In the minds of most common folk, Spirit Hall now stood above even the empires.
"Feh. Just another despicable human trick,"
"Hmph, despicable humans! You murdered Sister Xue Di. One day, I'll kill you all!"
"Damn humans. When our master recovers, you'll all know who the real ruler of the world is!"
While humans across the continent cheered, the hundred-thousand-year soul beasts with human-like minds scoffed in disdain. Some humans shared their sentiments.
Far away on Sea God Island, Bo Saixi—her hair in a bun, wearing the same uniform as Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing—scoffed at Qian Xunji's speech, muttering coldly, "Still as good a liar as ever."
Xiao Wu murmured to herself, "Spirit Hall never ceases to redefine hypocrisy for me."
Within the Asura Prison, Bibi Dong heard the speech and saw Qian Xunji's dignified expression. Her blood-red chains trembled from the agony. Her voice grew hoarse as she screamed,
"Shameless! Shameless! Shameless!"
"There is still one more message I must give to the soul beast clans."
Hearing this, the great beasts, who had been losing interest, pricked up their ears again. Even the injured Silver Dragon Fish raised her head. This despicable, greedy, hypocritical human—what could he possibly have to say to their kind?
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