The dozen or so vassal kingdoms in the buffer zone between Heaven Dou and the Star Luo Empire faced their end.
There were no negotiations.
No warnings were needed.
Spirit Hall's Enforcement Corps cut straight through the gates of those kingdoms like black blades.
"Balak Kingdom harbored heretic Evil Soul Masters and sheltered criminals. It must be punished!"
"Limaha Duchy persecuted legitimate Soul Masters and seized Spirit Hall's resources. It must be destroyed!"
Charge after charge was posted on the gates of each kingdom.
Members of the royal families were dragged from their palaces in the dead of night.
Anyone who resisted was killed on the spot.
The kings who had once played the two great empires against each other fell to their knees before Spirit Hall's cardinals and wept. All they received in return was the executioner's blade.
In less than three months,
more than a dozen vassal kingdoms in the heart of the continent had changed banners.
Their royal flags were torn down and replaced with Spirit Hall's Six-Winged Angel banner.
Spirit Hall brought every territory, every person, and every resource under its direct rule.
Such brazen actions naturally provoked fierce opposition.
The first to object was not either empire, but Spirit Hall's own Worship Hall.
Golden light blazed before the Pope Palace.
The six great Worships had gathered, led by Golden Crocodile Douluo.
"Bibi Dong! What exactly are you trying to do?!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo's hair and beard bristled. He unleashed the full pressure of a Level 98 Peak Douluo, forcing the nearby cardinals to stumble backward.
"Spirit Hall is a sacred place for Soul Masters! It is a faith!"
"Worldly dynasties rise and fall, but faith endures!"
"By annexing territory and seizing a worldly crown, do you mean to destroy everything generations of Popes