They Are Afraid

The nobles naturally wouldn't agree.

They themselves opposed Spirit Hall awakening Martial Souls for commoners, as it meant commoners possessed the power to overthrow the ruling class. Even more so with this new type of Soul Beast, Pokemon, a power system equivalent to 1+1 being greater than 2, which had already severely threatened the rule of the nobles.

The nobles naturally could not agree.

But what of it?

"What of it?" Solomon's handsome face displayed a hint of a cold smile. "We follow the will of the gods. All who are our enemies, all who regard us as enemies, are enemies of the gods! Lucifer, you should know what to do at this time."

What to do?

Bibi Dong paused, then respectfully lowered her head. "Naturally, we crush them."

"Yes, that is how it should be," Solomon said as if it were obvious. "I will draft the legal documents for contracting Soul Beasts. Then, you will distribute the arrays to all branches of Spirit Hall. Have all grassroots personnel learn how to operate these arrays, and then vigorously promote Pokemon. It would be best if the new generation of young Spirit Masters all had Pokemon that suited their hearts, and let Spirit Rings, these ancient relics, be forgotten by history."

"Yes!"

At dawn the next day, in the central plaza of Spirit City, a massive array with a diameter of one hundred meters shone brilliantly in the morning light.

Intricate runes flowed across the array's surface like living creatures, emitting pale blue Spirit Power fluctuations. Pope Solomon stood at the center of the array, raising his scepter, his voice echoing through the heavens:

"From today onwards, Spirit Hall will open the 'Soul Beast Contract Array' to all Spirit Masters on the continent! Any Spirit Master, regardless of origin, can forge an equal contract with a Soul Beast here and gain power beyond Spirit Rings!"

The tens of thousands of people gathered in the plaza erupted in deafening cheers.

Bibi Dong stood beside the Pope, looking at the cheering crowd below. She knew that from this moment on, the power system of the Douluo Continent would undergo earth-shattering changes.

"Lucifer," Solomon turned to Bibi Dong, a smile on his face, "I want you to have the contract arrays spread to every Spirit Hall branch on the Douluo Continent within three months."

"Your will be done, Holy Son," Bibi Dong knelt on one knee, placing her right hand over her chest. "I have already assembled three hundred array masters, who will carry the array blueprints to various locations. At the same time, all outstanding students from Spirit Hall Academy will receive training as contract mentors."

Solomon nodded with satisfaction. "Remember, the commoners are our foundation. Let every child in every village know that they no longer have to risk their lives hunting Soul Beasts for Spirit Rings."

Three months later, at the Spirit Hall branch in Fanes City.

"Place your hand on the edge of the array and feel the resonance between you and the Soul Beast," Marco Polo instructed a thin boy, beside whom stood a trembling ten-year-old Wind Baboon.

The boy closed his eyes nervously, and the array gradually lit up with a faint glow. Faint green patterns also appeared on the Wind Baboon. The compatibility was neither high nor low, but the seal was successful.

"I... I succeeded!" The boy jumped up excitedly. "I can feel Little Wind's thoughts!"

Marco Polo smiled with relief. "Remember, contracted Soul Beasts are not servants, but partners. As you grow together, it will evolve to possess even greater power."

Such scenes occurred in thousands of towns across the Douluo Continent within a mere three months.

Spirit Hall's stewards tirelessly taught commoner Spirit Masters how to use the contract arrays, and the younger generation quickly embraced this safer and more powerful method of acquiring strength.

Meanwhile, the nobles' reactions were completely different from those of the commoners.

Star Luo Empire, White Tiger Duke's Mansion.

"Rebellion! This is outright rebellion!" Prince Dai smashed a rosewood table with his palm, his eyes flashing with ferocity. "Spirit Hall is trying to uproot us nobles!"

In the hall, dozens of nobles wore grim expressions. They knew that once commoner Spirit Masters could easily obtain power comparable to that of nobles, the entire ruling system would crumble.

"Your Highness," the Patriarch of the Zhu Family said solemnly at this moment, "I sent people to investigate. Those contracted Soul Beasts are indeed strange. A Soul Grand Master at level twenty, with a contracted hundred-year Soul Beast, was able to defeat my clan's Soul Elder at level thirty!"

"We must suppress this immediately!" an old general in golden armor roared. "I suggest dispatching the White Tiger Legion to exterminate all Spirit Hall branches within the empire!"

Prince Dai sneered, "Do you think Spirit Hall will just sit idly by? According to secret reports, Spirit Hall has already secretly mobilized five thousand Spirit Masters, dispersed to protect the arrays in various locations. Moreover, it's not a good idea to break ties with Spirit Hall at this time. Perhaps the Heaven Dou Empire is just watching the fun from the sidelines." He stood up, his face dark, radiating killing intent, then suddenly revealed an extremely sinister smile. "Transmit my order: first, target those lowly commoners who dare to use the contracts! Create a false impression of Soul Beasts killing people. These commoners are brainless, and then if we spread propaganda that Spirit Hall's contracts are fake, most of the commoners will likely start to riot."

Heaven Dou Empire, Imperial Palace Council Hall.

Emperor Xue Ye's face was ashen as he looked at the memorial in his hand. "Beng'er, what do you think of Spirit Hall's Soul Beast contract system? They call it Pokemon. What are your thoughts on this?"

Crown Prince Xue Beng bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty, this humble son believes this is a move that benefits the country and the people. If the contract arrays can be popularized, the overall strength of our Heaven Dou Spirit Masters will increase by more than thirty percent."

"Absurd!" Prince Xue Xing interrupted sternly. "This is clearly a conspiracy by Spirit Hall to dismantle the empire's rule! Once commoners grasp such power, who will obey the nobles? Who will remain loyal to the royal family?"

The court immediately split into two factions, arguing incessantly.

Xue Beng paused, then felt that what his father said seemed to have some merit. After commoners gained this portion of power, would these lowly commoners truly still support a new emperor?

He couldn't help but feel a sense of dread and immediately retracted his statement, saying it was not appropriate.

More people argued in the court. Some genuinely believed this was the foundation for benefiting the country and the people, while no one thought it would shake the authority of the noble system... For a time, it was as chaotic as a marketplace.

"Enough!" Emperor Xue Ye rubbed his temples wearily, missing the steady and composed former Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. What a shame...

"The contract arrays will not be prohibited for now, but Heaven Dou Royal Academy must not teach related content. Send envoys to Spirit Hall and demand that they limit the number of contracted Spirit Masters."

Empires, large and small, made almost the same choice at this moment. These people were afraid.

Solomon naturally received this news.

They were afraid.

That means I am on the right path!

They are stopping me.

That further proves that my choice is the most correct possible!

If they still want to counterattack me.

That completely proves that there is no more correct choice than this.