"By establishing Spirit Hall branches and absorbing Soul Master talents through awakening commoners' Martial Souls, they not only stole talent from the empires but also secretly supported regional regimes. This ultimately led to the Heaven Dou Empire splitting into four kingdoms and one duchy. The Star Luo Empire fared slightly better, barely maintaining national sovereignty through its iron-fisted rule. But both empires grew weaker by the day, while the Spirit Hall absorbed vast numbers of commoner Soul Masters—their numbers now exceeding those of both empires combined."
"There was a time when the two empires could still win the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament. But now, their Royal Spirit Master Academies pale in comparison to the Spirit Hall Academy, suffering from severe talent shortages."
"Instigating full-scale war to unify the continent—can the Spirit Hall's actions truly be called righteous?"
Tang San's identity destined him to see more. The empires' fragmentation wasn't accidental, nor was the Spirit Hall's rise coincidental. The fundamental reason for the Upper Three Sects uniting was precisely because the Spirit Hall took over the Heaven Dou Empire's responsibility of awakening commoners' Martial Souls.
Whether the Spirit Hall's actions were righteous ultimately depended on the intentions of those in power. If the end goal was to control Soul Masters and wage war, then while the methods might not be wrong, they could hardly be called just.
Soul Master talent had always been the most fundamental resource on the Douluo Continent. Since not everyone could become a Soul Master, possessing them meant possessing everything.
Take the Nine Heart Begonia and Six-Winged Angel Martial Souls—though these were peerless Martial Souls, their extreme rarity made founding sects impossible. Even within the Clear Sky Sect, few could awaken the Clear Sky Hammer. Thus, competition between major factions boiled down to contests for Soul Master talent.
Awakening Martial Souls only required a Soul Elder at the thirtieth rank to assist large groups of commoners. Soul Masters of this level weren't just abundant in the Spirit Hall and Upper Three Sects—even the Lower Four Sects had them in droves.
No Spirit Hall branches existed in Clear Sky City. The awakening of Soul Masters there was handled by the Clear Sky Sect, leaving no opportunity for the Spirit Hall to interfere. Though the sect didn't mandate that awakened individuals join them, everyone understood: whichever faction helped awaken your Martial Soul would likely be the one you joined.
Historically, academies existed to awaken commoners' Martial Souls. Every academy teacher was required to be at least thirtieth rank precisely for Spirit Awakening. Those graduating from Advanced Soul Master Academies would receive government positions—a method to retain talent.
By deploying thirtieth-rank Soul Masters, they could harvest vast numbers of commoner Soul Masters. Even the gold coins for cultivation were distributed by the Spirit Hall. Faced with this dual approach of winning hearts, few commoners could resist joining the Spirit Hall—the true reason it possessed the most Soul Masters.
As for preventing the Spirit Hall from establishing branches—it wasn't that the empires didn't want to, but that they couldn't. Qian Daoliu, the ninety-ninth rank Ultimate Douluo, could sweep away all opposition.
If eliminating the imperial family wasn't considered a last resort by the Spirit Hall, even the emperor would fear being killed. Instead, by continuously draining resources from the two great empires without needing to deploy Soul Masters to defend against Spirit Beast invasions, the Spirit Hall could remain eternally magnificent.
Hearing Tang San's words, Qian Renxue's resolve didn't waver in the slightest. If she were so easily swayed by others, how could she have become the Saintess? With a sidelong glance from her beautiful eyes, she said, "False accusations require no justification. The empire's division stems from the incompetence of their royal family—high-ranking officials indulging in luxury while oppressing the common people, forcing countless citizens to seek survival in Spirit Beast territories."
"The Spirit Hall's mission is to guide people out of darkness. Where there is oppression, there will be resistance. Had the two empires' rulers treated their people kindly, the citizens wouldn't have fled."
"The Spirit Hall awakens and heals commoners, guides Soul Masters, and defends against Spirit Beast invasions—all with transparency and integrity. Why shouldn't this be called justice?"
Tang San observed the composed woman before him, his gaze tinged with admiration. After all, justice had always been a matter of intent—some acted righteously with pure hearts, while others cloaked wicked deeds in the name of justice. Whether the Spirit Hall genuinely cared for ordinary people or merely sought to recruit talent for war remained uncertain until the very end.
At the very least, Tang San could tell that Qian Renxue acted according to her own sense of justice.
Slowly rising to his feet, Tang San surveyed the dim, dilapidated surroundings and remarked pointedly, "Who would have thought a true angel would reside in such a dark, shabby alleyway clinic?"
Unfazed by his veiled sarcasm, Qian Renxue replied, "If you ever need help, you can find me here. Even disciples of the Upper Three Sects may receive the Light God's aid."
Tang San's eyes narrowed slightly as he smiled. "No need to wait. I need help now. Could you direct me to the Spirit Hall Academy? I wish to enroll."
After receiving directions from Qian Renxue, Tang San left the rundown clinic and headed toward the academy. He already sensed that Qian Renxue would become his greatest adversary in the future.
Admission to the Spirit Hall Academy was surprisingly straightforward, as its public mission was to develop Martial Souls and aid Soul Masters worldwide, adhering to the principle of teaching without discrimination. Whether you were an ordinary Soul Master or a prodigy, you could enroll.
The difference lay in the class placement system. While anyone could enroll, the class you were assigned to depended entirely on the entrance examination.
"Sigh, I should've asked Father to keep that Pope Token back then," Tang San mused. When his Martial Soul had awakened, Chrysanthemum Douluo had delivered a Pope Token on orders, which would have granted him immediate admission with Holy Child privileges—only for Tang Hao to refuse it.
Who would have thought that, in the end, Tang San would indeed enroll at the Spirit Hall Academy?
Three structures dominated Spirit Hall City's skyline: the Papal Hall, the Elder Hall, and the Spirit Hall Academy. The Papal Hall stood at the city's center, the Elder Hall's location known only to high-ranking Spirit Hall officials, and the academy occupied the far rear of the city.
"Finally here. Spirit Hall City is truly massive," Tang San muttered, rubbing his temples. He hadn't expected to spend half a day riding a carriage within the city just to reach his destination.
When Tang San arrived at Spirit Hall Academy, the sky had already darkened. Standing at the academy's entrance, he saw the entire institution gleaming with splendor. Rows of bright Soul Guidance Devices surrounded the academy, ensuring that even at night, Spirit Hall Academy remained as bright as day.
It was currently the enrollment season, and many Soul Masters who had awakened their Martial Souls through Spirit Hall's ceremonies had traveled from all corners of the land to join the academy.
This was Tang San's first time visiting Spirit Hall Academy, and as he stepped inside, he couldn't help but be awestruck. He had initially thought of Spirit Hall Academy as just another school, but upon entering, he realized how gravely mistaken he had been.
Spirit Hall Academy was less of an academy and more of a massive city—a city within a city! The vast territories and landscapes under its rule were so extensive that it could practically be considered a major sect.
"Impressive. No wonder it's hailed as the continent's top academy. Forget the Simulated Training Fields—they probably even keep real Spirit Beasts here, forming an independent ecosystem."
Just as Tang San was about to head toward the academy's registration office, a figure blocked his path: "Halt. You must pay a hundred gold coins to enter the academy."
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