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…Spirit City, Supreme Pontiff Palace side hall.
After sending Bibi Dong to the Supreme Pontiff Palace, Xuan Ming and Gu Yuena did not leave immediately. On one hand, the information for the fourth trial had not yet arrived, and they were not in a hurry to return to Sea God Island.
On the other hand, Bibi Dong was struggling to initially control the Asura Demon Sword, so Xuan Ming decided to stay for a few days. With his own understanding of the Slaughter Domain and the application of power, he would assist her in adapting to this ultra-divine tool.
Deep within the Supreme Pontiff Palace, in a dedicated cultivation chamber.
Bibi Dong was drenched in sweat. Her purple eyes were fixed on the Asura Demon Sword floating in front of her as she once again tried to communicate with and wield it using her Slaughter God Domain and Asura God Power.
Dark red energy currents fiercely collided between her and the great sword, emitting a dull roar. The sword body remained as heavy as a mountain, clearly resisting.
"Focus your intent, but don't forcibly suppress it," Xuan Ming instructed calmly from the side. "Imagine it as a part of your body, an extension of your arm. Don't treat the Asura Demon Sword as a tool, and don't force it. Your will to slaughter is a guide, not a whip. Try to resonate with it, not command it."
As he spoke, a trace of aura from his own Slaughter Domain, which had reached its limit, was subtly released. That pure and vast killing intent, like a monarch descending, instantly quieted the restless Asura Demon Sword. The dark red glow on the sword even softened a bit.
Bibi Dong seemed to grasp something, adjusting her aura and trying again… Just as Xuan Ming was guiding Bibi Dong's cultivation, light footsteps were heard outside the cultivation chamber. A servant respectfully announced, "Your Majesty the Supreme Pontiff, Prime Minister Ning Fengzhi requests an audience."
Bibi Dong frowned slightly, reining in the divine force around her and slowly placing the Asura Demon Sword on the ground. She took a deep breath, calming herself. "Let's go, let's meet him."
Ning Fengzhi was capable and pragmatic. After the establishment of the Spirit Empire, she appointed him as the Prime Minister of the Empire, responsible for handling a large amount of government affairs. Especially during the past year when she was absent, most of the matters in the Spirit Empire were handled by Ning Fengzhi.
The three came to the side hall's council chamber, where Ning Fengzhi was already waiting.
Upon seeing Bibi Dong and Xuan Ming emerge, he immediately stepped forward to salute. His gaze paused slightly when it met Xuan Ming's, evidently sensing the increasingly unfathomable aura emanating from him.
"Your Majesty," Ning Fengzhi maintained proper etiquette, "I heard you have returned and have come to report on recent government affairs."
Bibi Dong sat in the main seat, signaling him to continue. Xuan Ming and Gu Yuena sat to the side, silent.
Seeing the urgency in Ning Fengzhi's eyes, Bibi Dong glanced at Xuan Ming, "Ask whatever you want."
Ning Fengzhi was slightly taken aback. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Then his gaze fell upon Xuan Ming. "I wonder… is Rongrong doing well on Sea God Island?"
Xuan Ming nodded. "She is very well. Her trials are progressing smoothly, and her spirit power is increasing rapidly. She should be able to break through to Spirit Saint soon."
Hearing that his daughter was well and progressing swiftly, Ning Fengzhi's face showed a genuine smile of relief, and the worry in his heart largely subsided. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had a promising future.
However, this relief did not last long. His brows slowly furrowed again, and a deep look of worry appeared on his face.
"Since you are here, there are some things I must say," Ning Fengzhi's tone was somewhat heavy.
"The Empire… its current situation is worrying."
Bibi Dong's brows furrowed slightly. "Speak."
Ning Fengzhi's voice carried deep fatigue. "Your Majesty is brilliant and courageous, unifying the continent with swift and decisive action. This is a monumental achievement. However, conquering an Empire is easy; governing it is difficult."
He paused, then continued, "The foundation of the Spirit Hall is, after all, a Spirit Master organization. Although it previously had the responsibility of overseeing the world, its core was still an extraordinary violent institution. Now, with its sudden transformation into an Empire, many of its past accumulated problems have not only failed to be rectified but have intensified under the Empire's halo!"
"The branch halls in various regions, with their former hall masters and bishops becoming governors and nobles, have grown accustomed to being high and mighty, accustomed to deciding everything with the power of Spirit Masters. Now, with great power in their hands, they are even more unscrupulous! They oppress commoners, levy excessive taxes, and even settle personal grievances in private, treating the Empire's laws as nothing! In their eyes, the Spirit Empire is an Empire of Spirit Masters, and ordinary people are mere ants, to be exploited as they please!"
"Although Your Majesty has issued orders to restrain them, it is… deeply entrenched and difficult to reverse!"
Ning Fengzhi looked at Bibi Dong, his expression grave.
"What the superiors do, the subordinates imitate. The entire operation of the Empire is filled with naked violence! If this continues, public resentment will boil over, and low-level Spirit Masters will have no chance to rise. This Empire may seem powerful, but its foundation has already begun to rot, and I fear… it cannot last long."
He recounted everything he had seen and heard over the past few years, as well as his inner worries.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was deeply intertwined with the Spirit Empire; they would prosper and suffer together.
As Prime Minister, he had exhausted himself but felt powerless to reverse the situation.
If this "poison of violence" permeating the entire body of the Empire could not be eradicated, the collapse of the Spirit Empire might just be a matter of time.
Ning Fengzhi took out a scroll and presented it. "These are the dispute cases reported from various regions in the past six months. Seventy percent of them involve conflicts between Spirit Masters and commoners. Although they have been handled according to law, such incidents are still increasing."
Bibi Dong flipped through the scroll, cold light flickering in her purple eyes. How could she not know about these problems? It was just that the Empire was newly established and needed stability; many things could only proceed gradually.
"Do you have any suggestions?" She looked at Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment. "The most urgent task is to establish a comprehensive oversight system, and at the same time, strengthen the assessment of officials. Spirit Masters are important, but governing a country cannot rely solely on military force. I suggest establishing an oversight department in Spirit Hall at all levels, jointly managed by loyal and reliable Spirit Masters and civil officials proficient in government affairs."
Bibi Dong paused, then looked at Xuan Ming, "What do you think?"
Xuan Ming thought for a moment, "Birds of a feather, a simple oversight system is meaningless. Policies from above are met with countermeasures below. Oversight can at most only manage those who are timid. The true root causes of these issues probably won't care about so-called oversight."
"The Spirit Empire was founded on martial prowess. To change the current situation, we must use the method they recognize most. Since they believe in martial force, then use absolute martial force to establish authority."
He looked at Bibi Dong, "Aren't you familiarizing yourself with the Asura Demon Sword? This is a good opportunity to let everyone understand what true power is and what insurmountable rules are."
"Stop killing with killing, and combat violence with violence. In troubled times, severe measures must be used. Since gentle methods are ineffective, then use the most direct way to establish authority."
Bibi Dong frowned slightly. "But at such a time, internal reforms, and using such direct violent means, the morale of the Spirit Empire's army…"
"Morale?" Xuan Ming interrupted her. "Are you referring to the morale of those parasites, or the morale of the soldiers who are truly loyal to you and willing to dedicate themselves to the future of the Empire?"
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the magnificent Spirit City below.
"An Empire built on violence, if it doesn't even dare to cut out the internal rot, its collapse will only come faster. What you need now is not to maintain superficial stability, but to establish absolute order. Let everyone understand that power is not a privilege to bully the weak, but a tool to uphold rules."
He turned around and looked at Bibi Dong. "You wield the Asura Demon Sword, holding the authority of judgment and slaughter. This sword was born to cut down evil and purify order. Use it to establish the first and most important ironclad rule for your Empire—those who defy, die!"
Gu Yuena's clear voice also sounded at the appropriate moment: "Chaotic benevolence is no match for orderly ruthlessness. Every tumor you remove now is extending the life of the Empire. Otherwise, when internal troubles erupt, that will be the day the Empire crumbles."
Ning Fengzhi stood to the side, listening to their words, his heart filled with awe.
He had to admit that while Xuan Ming's method was extreme, it went straight to the core. The chronic illness of the Spirit Empire was deep-seated, and gentle methods were indeed difficult to cure. Perhaps, such a strong medicine was truly needed.