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In response to Emperor Douling's accusation, the elder of the Spirit Hall did not respond verbally, but silently nodded, confirming everything.
The renowned Spirit Hall was indeed an underground ally of the Shui family! Emperor Douling was profoundly shocked, never imagining that the Shui family had so many allies.
Unwilling to accept this, Emperor Douling said, "But even if you are allies now, don't you understand the Shui family's immense ambition? Are you really going to stand by and watch as they devour the entire continent? As they grow stronger, your Spriit Hall will also face their threat!"
His voice was filled with frustration and anger, his eyes flashing with endless resentment.
He refused to believe that the alliance between the Shui family and other powers could be so solid. No alliance, no matter how strong, was without flaws.
He firmly believed that once the Shui family rose to power, conflicts of interest would arise, and the various factions would turn against each other, even betray each other.
He hoped to exploit such an opportunity to incite further discord.
However, seeing his naive expression, the elder shook his head with a bitter smile.
"You misunderstand, Your Majesty.
While our Spirit Hall is indeed a top-tier power, in reality, there are only two forces in this world: the Shui family and everyone else."
"What!?"
Emperor Douling was thunderstruck, utterly shocked by these words.
The elder calmly continued, "Rather than saying we are allies, it's more accurate to say our Spirit Hall has long since submitted to the Shui family. In fact, we swore allegiance to the Shui family ten thousand years ago. This relationship is just not widely known."
"This…"
The emperor's eyes widened, his mouth opened slightly as if to speak, but no words came out.
He was utterly stunned, filled with hopeless despair.
"What are you saying! How can this be possible!? How could the Shui family be so powerful?"
He finally found his voice, filled with immense shock and despair.
The Shui family, it seemed, had been plotting for thousands of years, secretly ruling the continent! Even the Spirit Hall served them in secrecy, without revealing the truth! And he had foolishly provoked such a terrifying hidden family.
"It's over... everything is over..."
The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became. The Emperor of Douling felt as if his soul was being consumed by an abyss, collapsing powerlessly to the ground.
Seeing the emperor's despondent state, the Spirit Hall elder smiled slightly, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes.
He knew his task was complete.
In the Pope's hall, another elder questioned the Pope, "That Emperor of Douling, so ignorant and audacious, dared to think of rebelling against the Shui family. Such defiance, why do you tolerate him? Why not capture him and hand him over to the Shui family?"
The Pope, seated on his grand throne, responded dismissively, "Such an ant does not require the Shui family's attention. I spared his life because the Shui family needs to use him for certain purposes. Besides, he doesn't have long to live anyway."
He couldn't help but laugh, his eyes flashing with ridicule and disdain at the foolish actions of the Emperor of Douling.
This emperor was utterly oblivious to his stupidity, ridiculously ignorant.
Our Spirit Hall has been a vassal of the Shui family for thousands of years.
And yet, he came to me, hoping to ally against the Shui family. It's laughable to the extreme.
After laughing, the Pope's expression turned serious, as if he had become another person entirely.
He instructed the elder, "Though this ant cannot stir up much trouble, to prevent any misunderstanding, inform the Shui family of today's events. When it comes to the Shui family, we must be meticulous."
"Yes, Your Eminence."
The elder respectfully accepted his orders and quickly left to relay the Pope's command.
As the elder's figure disappeared beyond the door, the Pope's mood began to shift dramatically. A series of thoughts swirled in his mind.
He recalled the legendary millennia period, the upcoming mysterious moment.
In the last millennium, the Pope of the Spirit Hall, having served the Shui family faithfully, successfully ascended to godhood, becoming a higher existence.
The Pope himself had also been diligently serving the Shui family in hopes of receiving their recognition and rewards.
He wondered if he would ever have the chance to become a god.
Deep within the core of the Star Dou Forest, an air of tranquility enveloped the area.
The towering trees stood strong under the moonlight, the starlight casting an eerie and mysterious glow over the vast land.
In the depths of this forest, Emperor Tian, the leader of the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon Clan and one of the Nine Great Dragon Kings, suddenly felt a vague sense of unease.
He was meditating in a cave when an unusual fluctuation appeared in his perception, triggering his alert.
This unease did not come from the outside but was an instinctive feeling deep within, causing him inexplicable agitation and fear.
Emperor Tian's heart sank as he immediately transformed into his true form—a massive golden-eyed black dragon.
His dragon body was covered in solid black scales, his fearsome dragon head adorned with sharp horns, and his claws as hard as iron.
"What is going on?"
"Could this be a sign of something?" Emperor Tian furrowed his brow, a hint of confusion in his deep dragon eyes.
He had never felt such intense unease before.
In the core of the Star Dou Forest, the healing soul beast Bi Ji sensed Emperor Tian's distress and hurried over to inquire, "Emperor Tian, what's wrong? Why are you so unsettled?"
Emperor Tian looked up at the sky, his brow furrowed, and said gravely, "I sense an unusual fluctuation, as if an unwelcome guest is approaching."
At that moment, the sky suddenly opened a spatial rift, and a group of figures emerged.
When Shui Wuya and his accompanying elders appeared, the entire atmosphere of the Star Dou Forest seemed to tremble.
Shui Wuya's robes billowed like clouds and mist.
He was tall and imposing, like a deity overlooking the world, with a powerful aura surrounding him that deterred anyone from gazing directly.
The elders followed Shui Wuya, their steps steady and their expressions solemn, as if accompanying a divine being, exuding confidence.
As soon as Shui Wuya appeared, the air in the Star Dou Forest seemed to solidify, and the surrounding birds and beasts fell eerily silent, as if waiting for his command.
His presence was like an insurmountable mountain rising from the earth, evoking awe.
"Who is this formidable figure?"
Emperor Tian's body trembled, the scales on his dragon form quivering slightly, his eyes flashing with intense wariness.
Bi Ji, as a healing soul beast, had a keen sense of powerful beings. Seeing Shui Wuya's arrival, she felt a strong instinctive danger.
Before Shui Wuya, they felt a pressure as if standing on the peak of a mountain, making them feel insignificant.
"Beast God Emperor Tian, I am Shui Wuya, the head of the Shui family. I have come to collect your soul ring."
Shui Wuya looked down coldly at Emperor Tian and the others, delivering his proclamation.
Emperor Tian and Bi Ji, upon hearing Shui Wuya's words, were immediately struck with shock, their expressions tense.
(End of Chapter)