At the border of the Star Luo Empire, in a simple teahouse.
"Have you heard? The Fire Leopard Sect was destroyed by Spirit Hall." In a corner, a short man lowered his voice and said mysteriously to his companion.
"What? Is Spirit Hall so arrogant?" His companion's eyes widened instantly.
The short man sighed and said, "Ai, the situation is stronger than people. I heard that Spirit Hall dispatched four Titled Douluo at once. In just one round, the Fire Leopard Sect Master was killed."
He spoke vividly, as if he were at the scene himself.
Hearing his words, the people around gathered over, their faces full of curiosity and shock.
"Could it be that the Imperial Family just watched helplessly as the Fire Leopard Sect was destroyed?" A burly man said indignantly, his fists clenched tight.
The short man glanced at him and said, "Naturally not. The Emperor immediately united several major families and established the Martial Pavilion, vowing to seek an explanation from Spirit Hall."
The burly man scratched his head and said loudly, "His Majesty the Emperor is wise! But if it were me, I would directly mobilize a large army to attack Spirit City and capture that Pope for the harem!"
"Hahaha!" As his voice fell, a burst of laughter erupted in the teahouse.
Everyone discussed animatedly, but the topic deviated further and further.
"I heard the Pope is a peerless beauty. If she could really be captured for the harem, that would truly be..."
"Come on, relying on our Star Luo Empire, can we beat Spirit Hall? That's a force with four Titled Douluo!"
"Hmph, so what if they have Titled Douluo? Our Star Luo Empire isn't a vegetarian either! His Majesty the Emperor is young and promising. Maybe in a few years, we can also cultivate a few Titled Douluo!"
"Exactly, exactly. Let's see if Spirit Hall dares to be arrogant then!"
Inside the teahouse, everyone spoke one after another, the atmosphere lively.
However, for most people, any matter affecting the continent was just fodder for their drunken conversations.
Spirit Hall, inside the Pope's Palace.
The golden light of the palace lanterns flickered, illuminating Bibi Dong's cold face.
She sat high on the throne, her gaze like a knife, scanning Yue Guan and Gui Mei below. The two stood respectfully, their expressions carrying a bit of solemnity.
Yue Guan glanced at Bibi Dong without leaving a trace and asked respectfully, "Your Majesty the Pope, has the Soul Hunting Operation been advanced?"
Bibi Dong glanced at him sideways and said coldly, "What, Elder Yue Guan also suspects that Spirit Hall did this?"
Hearing this, Yue Guan remained silent. His attitude said everything.
In the strategy of the Spirit Hall Council of Elders, there was indeed a Soul Hunting Operation targeting major sects.
However, the Fire Leopard Sect, a second-rate force, was not within their target range.
Spirit Hall had a large number of Soul Masters, accounting for almost eighty percent of the entire continent, and most of them were commoners.
However, most of the cultivation resources were controlled by major aristocratic families.
The children of aristocratic families ate one bowl of soul beast meat and poured out another; medicinal baths had become the most ordinary thing.
But what about the Soul Masters of Spirit Hall?
They could only rely on the monthly Soul Master stipend to barely maintain the expenses of daily cultivation.
The huge number of Soul Masters in Spirit Hall and the uneven distribution of cultivation resources had already created a huge contradiction.
Today's Spirit Hall was like a powder keg. Young Soul Masters were eager to establish meritorious deeds, and Bibi Dong's ascension undoubtedly lit the fuse of this explosive.
In the Council of Elders' plan, Spirit Hall would purge major forces and redistribute the continent's resources in three years.
At this moment, Yue Guan spoke, "Under the leadership of four Titled Douluo, a total of five thousand Soul Masters purged the Fire Leopard Sect. Snake Lance, Porcupine, Demon Bear, Ghost Leopard—people even identified all their names."
He paused, his tone carrying a bit of worry. "Your Majesty the Pope, rumors are fearful."
He couldn't help but doubt his own Pope. In the denunciation issued by the Star Luo Empire, apart from the target not matching, the rest of the information was almost exactly the same as the plan previously formulated by Spirit Hall.
"Bang!"
The Pope's scepter slammed heavily onto the ground, making a dull sound.
Bibi Dong snorted coldly, her tone carrying a bit of disdain. "Why does this Seat need to explain my actions to others? If Spirit Hall really took action, let alone a Fire Leopard Sect, even the Star Luo Imperial Family could be destroyed."
Yue Guan cupped his hands, his tone respectful. "Your Majesty, please quell your anger. Then how do we handle this matter? And our future plans? After this incident, the major sects will inevitably be on guard."
Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes slightly, a trace of coldness flashing in them. "The plan proceeds as usual. So what if they are on guard? In front of Spirit Hall, all resistance is futile."
Her tone softened slightly, and she continued, "How is the research going on the weapons Xue'er brought back?"
Yue Guan said seriously, "The craftsmen have deciphered most of it. I truly didn't expect that combining a few small pieces of iron could have such great power."
"Under well-trained conditions, even a commoner can possess combat power at the Soul Elder level."
Bibi Dong nodded, her tone carrying a bit of satisfaction. "Continue research. I need a fully armed team."
"Yes!" Yue Guan responded solemnly.
Bibi Dong waved her hand, signaling them to withdraw. Yue Guan and Gui Mei bowed respectfully and turned to leave the hall.
In the hall, only Bibi Dong remained.
She stood up, walked to the door, and looked into the distance with a profound gaze.
"Star Luo Empire, Dai Mubai..."
Bibi Dong muttered to herself, her tone carrying a bit of coldness. "He's quite a character, unfortunately born thirty years too late."
Heaven Dou Empire, Crown Prince's Residence.
Late at night, in the study within the residence, Xue Qinghe sat behind the desk. Candlelight flickered, illuminating her handsome face.
Two Titled Douluo—Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupine Douluo—stood on the opposite side.
"Have you heard about the matter in the Star Luo Empire?" Xue Qinghe's voice was somewhat low.
Snake Lance Douluo nodded, his tone carrying a bit of solemnity. "The Fire Leopard Sect was destroyed, and the Star Luo Empire united several major families to establish the Martial Pavilion. This matter is already spreading like wildfire on the continent."
Porcupine Douluo snorted coldly, his tone carrying a bit of disdain. "The Star Luo Empire is humiliating itself. Is the strength of Spirit Hall something they can shake?"
Changing the subject, he added, "However, this matter has given us an opportunity."
A trace of coldness flashed in Xue Qinghe's eyes, her tone carrying a bit of urgency. "Opportunity? What opportunity?"
Porcupine Douluo smiled slightly. "The intensification of the conflict between the Star Luo Empire and Spirit Hall will inevitably attract most people's attention. In this way, our actions in the Heaven Dou Empire will be smoother."
Xue Qinghe nodded, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes. "Correct, this is a good time for us to act. I have waited too long and don't want to wait anymore."
Snake Lance Douluo frowned, his tone carrying a bit of worry. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, this matter still needs to be discussed at length."
"The situation in the Heaven Dou Empire is complex. Although Emperor Xue Ye is old, his prestige remains. If we act rashly, I'm afraid it will cause unnecessary trouble."
Xue Qinghe sneered. "Discuss at length? I have waited for more than ten years. How much longer do I have to wait? Do I have to wait until Emperor Xue Ye dies of old age naturally?"
Snake Lance Douluo hurriedly advised, "Your Highness, the noble forces in the Heaven Dou Empire are deeply rooted. If we act rashly, I'm afraid it will cause a backlash. We still need time to slowly weaken their power."
Xue Qinghe was silent for a moment, a trace of struggle flashing in her eyes.
She took a deep breath, her tone carrying a bit of determination. "Two years. I will wait at most two more years. Within two years, you need to help me clear all obstacles."
Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupine Douluo looked at each other, a sharp light flashing in their eyes.
"Yes, Your Highness." The two responded in unison, their tone carrying a bit of respect.
Xue Qinghe waved her hand, signaling them to withdraw.
In the study, only Xue Qinghe remained.
"Lu Feng..." Her fingers tapped gently on the table, strange brilliance flashing in her eyes. "Such ruthless means. Spirit Hall needs talent like you."
"Hmph, the person I, Qian Renxue, have my eyes on, even if you run to the Star Luo Empire, you can't escape my palm."
[note: Chill. These mother and daughter is thirsty]