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*****
"Since the Spirit Hall hasn't sent anyone personally, we can ignore them," Emperor Xue Ye said indifferently. "The people's trust in the empire won't waver because of the Spirit Hall. We provide them with the land they live on, while the Spirit Hall only punishes the fallen. It doesn't significantly affect the everyday lives of our citizens."
Food, clothing, shelter, and transportation.
In Emperor Xue Ye's eyes, these four essentials are the most basic needs of the empire's residents. Everything else can be compromised; there's no need to overly accommodate.
Currently, the Spirit Hall's different approach hasn't had much impact on the empire. Over the past two years, within the Tian Dou Empire, aside from the populace becoming slightly more knowledgeable and officials handling a few more matters, things are largely the same as before.
Perhaps they had been too wary of the Spirit Hall.
For the Tian Dou Empire, the main concern remains the Star Luo Empire, a military powerhouse currently researching attack-type soul tools with considerable power. This research has caused internal strife among the various soul master families within Star Luo... This could be an opportunity.
However, news spreads quickly now, and launching an unjust war would harm Tian Dou's reputation.
"In that case, I know what to do," Xue Qinghe said, stepping back. He ignored the Spirit Hall's suggestions broadcasted live, continuing to judge criminals as usual in Tian Dou...
Star Luo Empire.
Dai Legao also disregarded the Spirit Hall's suggestions. For him, the priority was convincing the major families and nobles to join in the research of attack-type soul tools.
The power of soul bombs had already shown Dai Legao the future of warfare. The faction with the most powerful soul tools would rule the continent and hold absolute authority!
The Spirit Hall must be researching in secret!
Tian Dou Empire might be secretly researching too!
Star Luo Empire cannot fall behind!
"Short-sighted fools!" Dai Legao fumed after another unsuccessful meeting with his ministers. He sighed and said, "Attack-type soul tools are the future! Unfortunately, they don't understand..."
Dai Weisi remarked, "Perhaps we are too hasty. We propose this openly while the Spirit Hall and Tian Dou Empire have no corresponding news. They are likely researching in secret."
He implied that they too should conduct their research covertly while publicly focusing on civilian soul tools.
This would prevent the Spirit Hall and Tian Dou Empire from uniting against them if they developed a massively destructive soul tool.
"That's possible." Dai Legao knew that weaponized soul tools would significantly impact the status of soul masters, who naturally resisted this change.
However, bringing this to the forefront only to retreat would make them even more suspicious.
It's a lose-lose situation!
Since the emperor had already initiated the research, halting it now would show submission to the major families, undermining the royal authority.
The fierce customs of Star Luo wouldn't tolerate such weakness. Once allowed, it would lead to a second and third instance, severely impacting the royal family's prestige. This mustn't happen!
Even if the royal family was wrong, they must persist until the situation becomes untenable and then redirect the conflict externally.
For instance, fabricate a reason, like a missing soldier at the Star Luo border, and declare war on Tian Dou!
The Star Luo Empire has long aimed to conquer the Tian Dou Empire. Public opinion on the justice of war has been lax, influenced by Tian Dou's trends but still inclined towards battle.
War offers soldiers and generals a chance for meritorious service, promotions, and honors.
However, with the Spirit Hall's presence, initiating a war is impractical. The Spirit Hall would intervene under the pretext of "protecting the safety of the continent's residents," preventing Star Luo from starting an unjust war.
This situation jeopardizes the empire's future...
Dai Legao sighed deeply, looking at Dai Weisi, realizing it was time to involve him in managing state affairs. After all, the old Emperor Xue Ye had already delegated power to his son...
Heh, such thoughts!
Am I getting old?
With a self-mocking smile, Dai Legao said, "Weisi, I'll gradually let you take over the empire's affairs. Are you ready?"
"I won't fail!" Dai Weisi knelt on one knee, thrilled. Was his father finally going to hand over power? He had waited so long for this day!
[Reflecting on his younger self, Dai Legao recalled kneeling before his father with the same excitement. This is the legacy of the Star Luo Empire!]
Dai Legao couldn't help but reminisce before stating, "The research on soul tools cannot stop. It is crucial for the prestige of our Dai family in the Star Luo Empire."
"Of course," Dai Weisi agreed, although he felt that openly researching soul tools was unwise. However, his father's reasoning was sound. Shifting the research underground now would only arouse suspicion.
If they were wrong, they would persist in their mistake.
The nobility could not be wrong.
The royal family could never be wrong!
"Hmm." Dai Legao nodded, acknowledging that Dai Weisi understood the royal responsibilities. Then he asked, "What has Zhu Zhuqing been up to lately?"
"She spends most of her time training or taking missions from the Spirit Hall in Star Luo City, hunting down the fallen, capturing evil soul masters, and eliminating bandits. In her free time, she mentors the younger generation of the Zhu family, teaching them ideas like 'resisting fate' and 'women must be strong.' Although some disdain her efforts, they do so secretly out of respect for her strength," Dai Weisi reported with a mix of contempt and admiration. Zhu Zhuqing aimed to change the brutal competition within the Dai and Zhu families.
Everyone knew this, but only the younger members showed any real interest, while others mocked her behind her back. However, her current strength, having reached the Soul King level with a soul power of fifty-seven, commanded respect. Even Dai Weisi, the Crown Prince, had only reached fifty-five after nearly three years since the Continental Elite Tournament.
The Soul King stage required significantly more soul power for each level.
That Zhu Zhuqing had reached this stage so quickly was astonishing, credited to the evolution brought by her third soul ring from the Dark Devilgod Tiger.
What kind of soul beast was the Dark Devilgod Tiger?
"In the past, I didn't pay much attention, assuming she was just a cultivation prodigy who joined the Spirit Hall to forge ties with Tang San..."
Dai Lego sighed. "But now, she stays in Star Luo City and hasn't seen Tang San in over two years. Their relationship must have cooled."
"I had hoped she and Tang San might develop something... The continent's situation is turbulent. To safeguard the Dai and Zhu families, we need a fallback."
Dai Weisi responded, "Zhu Zhuqing misses Tang San. According to Zhuyun, she has been practicing painting and has created countless portraits of Tang San. She also practices playing the qin, hoping to perform for him when they meet again."
"Such devotion." Dai Legao's tone was neutral. Then he inquired about Dai Mubai. "Has that useless brother of yours returned yet?"
"No, it seems the shadow I cast on him is severe," Dai Weisi said with disdain. To him, Dai Mubai was a disgrace, tainting the royal family's White Tiger bloodline. Opponents of the soul tool research often cited Dai Mubai as an example, further diminishing Dai Weisi's fraternal sentiments.
If Dai Mubai defied his orders upon their next meeting, he would show no mercy.
In the royal family, there is no room for sentimentality!
For the royal family, even relationships between lovers and spouses are secondary unless they have martial soul fusion techniques, which might foster genuine feelings due to the fusion.
"Is that so?" Dai Legao was also thoroughly disappointed in Dai Mubai. His gaze turned cold as he said, "Send him a final message: he has three months to return. If he doesn't, I will formally request the Heaven Dou Empire to apprehend him! He won't even be able to return to the White Tiger Clan!"
"Royal blood comes with royal responsibilities!"
"He's an adult now and has been out there long enough..."
Tang San, meanwhile, was unconcerned with the high-level politics of the two empires. His days were filled with training, researching martial soul theories, forging soul-marked thrones, and refining the Blue Silver Network.
Not to mention, his nights were occupied with teaching the art of qi and blood to his female companions. He was too busy to bother with the mundane affairs of the two empires.
After completing his tasks—
Tang San gently stroked Xiao Wu's relaxed face, feeling a sense of pride as he reflected on his journey. Smiling, he said, "There's something I need to discuss with you—"
Xiao Wu, still lazing, looked at him quizzically...
(Chapter end)