Spirit Hall Splits North and South, in the Name of the Rakshasa God

Spirit City, inside Pope's Palace.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the lofty dome, their warm yellow halo spilling across the cold marble floor and casting the figures of the two people in the hall into alternating light and shadow.

Bibi Dong sat upright upon the Pope's throne, the patterns on her crimson-purple robes shifting beneath the light.

Bibi Dong's fingertips unconsciously stroked the armrest beside her as she fixed a heavy gaze on Qian Daoliu across from her.

"Bibi Dong, the current situation has long since proven my original judgment."

Qian Daoliu spoke first. His aged voice carried undisguised resentment as he pressed both hands against the table in the center of the hall, his knuckles whitening slightly from the force.

"Even if we have destroyed the two great empires of Star Luo and Heaven Dou, as long as those great sects, great clans, and great nobles remain, Spirit Hall cannot be considered to have truly unified the continent!"

"I truly do not understand why you insisted on ignoring my advice back then and putting aside the plan to destroy the Upper Three Sects first."

Bibi Dong raised her eyes, a trace of coldness sweeping through their depths. She said calmly, "At this point, dwelling on the previous plan is utterly meaningless."

Bibi Dong slowly rose and walked to the relief carving that symbolized the Pope's authority in the hall. Reaching out, she touched the towering angel statue before her, her fingertips lightly tracing its cold patterns.

"The current situation may not be so terrible. Now that the resistance forces have gathered of their own accord, it is the perfect chance to uproot these rebels in one stroke and spare ourselves trouble later."

"Hmph. Let us hope that when the time comes, you do not fail to 'uproot them' and instead