May your future shine like brocade, and may you live your youth to the fullest

[Li Yuan: So, in an environment like that in the future, what good is innate full soul power? Without a background or anyone backing you, no matter how talented you are, possessing a jade treasure is itself a crime. Those so-called champions of justice could brand you an Evil Soul Master at any moment. Whatever they say you are, that's what you are.]

[Li Yuan: You can't even save your own mother when she falls ill, not because you lack ability, but because... the order of that era has become warped and broken beyond all measure.]

[Li Yuan: Without Spirit Hall, the continent will welcome freedom and light? Don't be naive. Remove the great dragon that is Spirit Hall, and you'll only draw in more, even fiercer jackals! When that happens, ordinary Soul Masters and ordinary people will only suffer more!]

Li Yuan's words were like a barrage of vicious slaps.

They struck everyone hard across the face, utterly shattering their belief that "the world would keep turning just fine without Spirit Hall."

Without Spirit Hall, what awaited them wasn't "liberation," but "chaos" and "darkness"?

Even a genius with innate full soul power would end up in such miserable circumstances in the future?

Then what about other Soul Masters?

Wouldn't they be worse off than dogs?

Dead silence fell over the group. Everyone was stunned speechless by this bloody "truth of the future," their hearts filled with bewilderment.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Rongrong's little face turned deathly pale, and she instinctively hugged the cushion in her arms tighter.

She had grown up clad in silk and dining on delicacies, safely sheltered by Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone. She had also heard plenty of rumors about Spirit Hall's tyranny and arrogance, and had always thought it was a villainous power, the kind both empires needed to unite against.

Yet she had never imagined that the world outside could have such a cruel side.

The Speed Clan.

As Bai Chenxiang read the words on the screen, she felt a chill shoot from the soles of her feet straight to the crown of her head.

The Speed Clan was already weak and isolated. If the future really was as dark as Li Yuan said... then wouldn't their Speed Clan...

She didn't dare think any further.

[Richest Little Heiress of Heaven Dou: Without Spirit Hall... will the future really become like this?]

[Ice-Snow Smart: Perhaps. We can't predict the future, but judging by the present, at least, Spirit Hall has indeed kept the two empires in check quite well, maintaining a certain... balance on the continent. (Rational analysis)]

[Viper-Hearted Big Sister: Looks like I'll have to reconsider my opinion of Spirit Hall. (Conflicted tone)]

[Single Academy-Running Housewife: Bibi Dong, for Spirit Hall's sake, you've earned a month free from my verbal abuse.]

[Yandere Mad Beauty of Martial Soul Hall: Pah! Should I thank you, then? (Rolls her eyes)]

Although Bibi Dong said that, she was secretly delighted.

After all, ever since joining the group chat, she had been getting berated practically every day. Now, at last, she had managed to change their opinion of her a little.

She could finally hold her head high!

[Little Fox Who Loves Teacher Most: Hmph, you should've come around ages ago! Hehehe~ Thank you for speaking up for our Spirit Hall, Group Leader Brother!]

[Li Yuan: I wasn't speaking up for you. I was only saying what needed to be said. And don't think your Spirit Hall is really that wonderful, either. It's just the tallest one among a bunch of dwarfs.]

[Child Without Parents: Hmm, what do you mean?]

[Li Yuan: You could take a closer look at corruption among Spirit Hall's mid-ranking bishops... I won't go into the specifics.]

[Yandere Mad Beauty of Martial Soul Hall: How could that be possible? Under my leadership, Spirit Hall's financial reports show growth year after year. As for the corruption you mentioned, that's pure nonsense!]

[Li Yuan: What the hell does it matter to me whether you believe it? Even if Spirit Hall is destroyed, it has nothing to do with me, understand?]

[Yandere Mad Beauty of Martial Soul Hall: You!]

[Child Without Parents: Understood. I'll send someone to investigate.]

[Yandere Mad Beauty of Martial Soul Hall: Xue'er, don't tell me even you don't believe me? I said Spirit Hall couldn't possibly, absolutely couldn't possibly have any corruption! (Utterly confident tone)]

[Child Without Parents: I put more faith in what I see with my own eyes.]

The Pope Palace.

"Damn that Li Yuan! Wasn't I telling the truth? Why did he have to be so aggressive?"

Bibi Dong was practically ready to explode with anger, her fair face twisting slightly with rage.

Several times, she had wanted to swallow her pride and take the initiative to ease relations between them, but that damned Li Yuan simply wouldn't respond to either the carrot or the stick. Nothing got through to him.

What nearly made her cough up blood was this.

Even her own daughter, Qian Renxue, actually refused to believe her.

"Hmph! Stir things up, then! Go ahead, Xue'er, follow him and stir things up! I'd like to see what you can turn up. Corruption in Spirit Hall under my rule?"

"Ridiculous! I pay them such high salaries. Would they really take dangerous risks just to pocket a little money? Do you think everyone's an idiot?"

Bibi Dong cursed under her breath, her pale bosom heaving violently.

Hu Liena hurried to soothe her from beside her. "Teacher, don't be angry. They just haven't understood this round. Sister Xue'er and Group Leader Brother are both on the first level, while you're up in the atmosphere."

The corners of Bibi Dong's lips lifted, and her mood immediately improved considerably. "Exactly, Nana. Well said. Naturally, I'm up in the atmosphere!"

Hu Liena: "..."

Actually, she had only been saying whatever came to mind.

Oh no. What am I supposed to do now that Teacher's taken it seriously?

If they really uncover something tomorrow, Teacher won't take revenge on me over what I said today, will she?

Is it still not too late to run?

Seeing that Qian Renxue seemed genuinely determined to wield the knife and make some changes, Li Yuan simply sent her a few suggestions privately.

Private chat.

[Li Yuan: If you can't even sweep your own room, how can you bring peace to the world? Managing a household is like governing a country. Corruption is something major powers are always most likely to overlook, but it's also one of the most important issues. If it remains unresolved, lower- and middle-ranking Soul Masters won't see any hope. And if they can't see any hope, how can you attract talented people from outside?]

[Li Yuan: If you truly want Spirit Hall to improve, then give it a try. That's all I have to say.]

[Child Without Parents: All right.]

Elsewhere.

The Crown Prince's Mansion.

Qian Renxue had clearly taken Li Yuan's words to heart. Turning toward the door, she called, "Uncle She!"

"What are your orders, Young Master?"

A tall, straight-backed figure swiftly appeared inside the hall. It was none other than Snake Lance Douluo, She Long.

A cold gleam flashed through Qian Renxue's eyes. "I've received word that someone claims corruption is rampant in our Spirit Hall. Go investigate the Red Cardinals around Heaven Dou City."

"If it's true, make them spit out twice as much as they swallowed. And dispose of them outright!"

Shock flickered in She Long's eyes, and his expression turned troubled. "Young Master, wouldn't that be going a little too far?"

After all, embezzlement and taking a few kickbacks were practically unspoken conventions among the middle and upper ranks.

Everyone did it. If you didn't, were you trying to make yourself look above them?

As the saying went, if you don't take a cut and I don't take a cut, how can Commissioner Geng take his? And if Commissioner Geng doesn't take his, how can you and I get ahead?

Yet now, Qian Renxue actually intended to move against these people?

This would touch far too many people's interests. There might even be elders at the Titled Douluo level involved...

Her eyes blazing with heroic resolve, Qian Renxue clenched her fist. "Uncle She, if we can't even sweep our own room, how can we bring peace to the world?"

"Spirit Hall's future is in our hands, beneath our feet. Now there are vermin trying to destroy Spirit Hall. Do you think we can keep tolerating them?"

"If anyone dares to oppose this, I'll have Grandfather take action himself!"

Qian Renxue abruptly changed tack, her voice turning cold enough to pierce the bones.

She Long's heart jolted. Awed by Qian Renxue's boldness and determination, he hesitated no longer and firmly cupped his fist. "Yes! Your subordinate obeys!"

[Li Yuan: Don't worry too much, everyone. This is only the worst possible future. The future changes with every passing moment. That's enough gossip-watching for today. May your martial fortunes flourish! Good night!]

Private chat.

[Ice-Snow Smart: Good night, Group Leader Brother~ The Soul Bone Skill you proposed is amazing. I'm going to test it tomorrow. Could you give me a blessing? (Hands clasped together, expectant expression)]

[Li Yuan: Of course. May your future shine like brocade, and may you live your youth to the fullest!]

After logging off, Li Yuan looked at the Chat Group's noticeably increased activity score and smiled in satisfaction.

Perhaps it wouldn't be long before he could upgrade the group chat to level three.

Then he sat cross-legged and began meditating to cultivate.