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In the Spirit Hall, nestled deep within the mountains, ten thousand years have passed. Though it remained hidden from the world for thousands of years, the Spirit Hall has shown signs of emerging in recent decades, becoming more active over the last ten years.
Once, it sought to become the state religion of the Douluo Empire by approaching the Douling Empire, but the emperor rejected it, fearing their ambitions. When the Shui family surfaced, they remained restrained.
A grand hall.
Light filtered through the towering dome, illuminating the stone floor with its ancient patterns.
The atmosphere in the hall was solemn and majestic, highlighting the Spirit Hall's authority as one of the continent's top powers.
At the end of the hall, on a resplendent golden throne, sat the Pope of the Spirit Hall. Dressed in a white robe and crowned, he exuded dignity and authority.
His eyes shone with wisdom, seeming to see through all things in the world.
Before the Pope stood a luxuriously dressed man, speaking incessantly. He was none other than the Emperor of Douling.
"Your Eminence, your wisdom and might are truly admirable," the Douling Emperor flattered, his voice full of sycophancy.
The Pope glanced at him indifferently, his eyes cold, and did not respond.
Undeterred, the Douling Emperor continued his flattery and pleasantries.
But soon, the Pope interrupted him.
"Your Majesty, why have you come to see me? Speak plainly."
Knowing he could not delay, the Douling Emperor finally revealed his purpose.
"Your Eminence, to be frank, the arrogance of the Shui family has seriously undermined the stability of my Douling Empire!"
The Douling Emperor angrily accused, "The Shui family is extremely domineering, attempting to annex my empire. When I resisted, they disregarded the dignity of our noble royal family, spreading rumors and maliciously slandering us!
The worst part is, they incite our citizens to rebel, claiming they will overthrow me! It's outrageous and intolerable."
"Our nation is weak and cannot fight the Shui family alone. Therefore, I am willing to establish the Spirit Hall as the state religion of the Douling Empire, joining forces with you to resist the Shui family and make them pay for their arrogance!"
The Douling Emperor's voice was filled with deep anger.
Hearing this, the Pope's brow furrowed slightly.
A trace of barely perceptible contempt flashed in his eyes, and a cold smile appeared on his lips.
"Your Majesty, you want us to join you in dealing with the Shui family? Are you serious?" the Pope asked with a smile.
The Douling Emperor was puzzled, "Of course, I am serious. Your Spirit Hall hasn't submitted to the Shui family, making you their enemy.
The Shui family is tyrannical and must be destroyed. We should join forces to uphold justice!"
He spoke righteously, as if it were only natural.
However, the Pope smiled as he refused his request, "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I cannot agree to this."
"Why not!?" The Emperor was incredulous.
"Aren't you trying to become the state religion of the Douluo Empire?"
Thinking the Spirit Hall was pursuing a policy of appeasement, he anxiously said, "Your Eminence, with all due respect, the only way to deal with the overbearing Shui family is to resist!
Even if you don't act against them, they won't spare you!
If you do nothing, not only will our Douling Empire be doomed, but your Spirit Hall will also be turned upside down by the Shui family!"
In the solemn hall of the Spirit Hall, the Douling Emperor's agitated voice echoed.
The Pope, sitting on his throne, looked at him coldly, as if regarding a fool.
"Your Majesty," he said.
"I heard that years ago, due to a succession dispute, your Douling Empire experienced a fierce battle for royal power, splitting the royal family into two factions. And your faction, it seems, is not the legitimate one?"
The Douling Emperor's face changed instantly upon hearing this.
"Who said that? It's just slanderous rumors!"
He hastily retorted, "Your Eminence, please do not believe those rumors. I assure you, I am indeed the legitimate heir of the Douling Empire!"
The Pope sneered, "If you are the legitimate heir, then you should know the secret passed down by the emperors of the Tian Dou Empire for thousands of years."
"A secret?"
The Douling Emperor frowned in thought. He had heard rumors about a secret but was unaware of its specifics.
"Your Eminence, are you referring to…"
He looked at the Pope with curiosity.
The Pope remained seated on his throne, not answering directly. Instead, he spoke pointedly:
"There are four countries on this continent, but in my view, only two matter: Tianhun and Star luo. The others are merely meat on the chopping block."
His voice was cold and disdainful.
"Your Majesty, please return. I will not agree to your absurd request."
The Douling Emperor's anger flared, and he demanded, "Why!?"
"You should be just as threatened by the Shui family. Why are you so confident?"
The Pope gave him an angry look and reprimanded, "Your Majesty, watch your tone. This is the Spirit Hall."
Realizing his outburst, the Douling Emperor quickly calmed himself and suppressed his anger, "Apologies, Your Eminence, please forgive my outburst.
But now, only your Spirit Hall can deal with the Shui family. Please, for the sake of my empire's people, help us!"
The Pope's eyes flickered with disgust at these words.
He knew all too well the character of this Douling Emperor, who was now trying to use the plight of his people to manipulate him.
"You think you're worthy?"
"My decision is final. Leave."
The Pope coldly rejected his plea.
The Douling Emperor, thoroughly enraged by the Pope's cold refusal, was about to say something, desperate to grasp this last hope.
Suddenly, he felt a massive force hurl him out of the hall. He flew like a shooting star, landing heavily on the stone steps outside.
As he seethed with anger, an elder of the Wuhun Hall approached, his face filled with resignation.
"Emperor of the Douling Empire, I told you this wouldn't work. Now, you've offended both sides by barging into the Spirit Hall and angering the Pope."
The Douling Emperor, his eyes bloodshot, glared at the elder, his voice filled with boundless anger and confusion.
"Why? Why don't you dare to confront the Shui family?"
The elder sighed, his face showing a mix of resignation and hesitation.
"Your Majesty, don't you understand yet?"
"Why haven't the other prominent families openly submitted to the Shui family yet remain unscathed?"
The Spirit Hall elder asked him.
"Hmph! Those prominent families are in league with the Shui family; of course, they wouldn't oppose them."
"Wait!"
At that moment, the Douling Emperor suddenly realized something. His pupils contracted, and his face showed an expression of disbelief.
"Could it be... you, the Spirit Hall, are also in league with the Shui family?"
(End of Chapter)