Everyone held their breath and stared at Qian Xunji on the high platform, with cold sweat on their palms. Xue Qinghe had even prepared for the worst in his heart.
Even if Spirit Hall wants to take half of the Heaven Dou Empire's tax revenue, even if he has to cede land in five counties, he can only grit his teeth and agree.
After all, compared to the dominance of the entire empire, these are only temporary losses.
Yu Yuanzhen also clenched his fists. Although Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had a rich family, if Spirit Hall the lion asked for a few top-notch Soul Bone or the sect's inherited secret book, he would have no choice but to give up his love.
Ning Fengzhi's fingers holding the teacup tightened slightly. What Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect lacked most was money, but he was afraid that what Spirit Hall wanted was not money, but things that could shake the foundation of the sect.
Just when everyone was ready to be brutally slaughtered, Qian Xunji slowly spoke, and his voice was so calm that there was no wave:
"Spirit Hall can take action."
With just four words, everyone in the hall breathed a sigh of relief, and their hanging hearts finally fell to the ground.
Xue Qinghe immediately showed a grateful smile on his face, "Thank you His Holiness the Pope! Spirit Hall is indeed the guardian of the continent. With your help, those evil spirits will definitely be vulnerable!"
Star Luo Empire's military marshal also quickly echoed, "His Holiness the Pope is wise! I, Star Luo Empire, are all grateful for the Spirit Hall's great kindness!"
Yu Yuanzhen also breathed a sigh of relief, stroking his beard and smiling, "I knew that His Holiness the Pope would never sit back and watch the turmoil in the mainland and let those evil spirits do whatever they want!"
But before their smiles fully unfolded, Qian Xunji's next words made everyone's faces freeze instantly.
"However," Qian Xunji changed the subject, a sharp light flashed in his golden eyes, "Spirit Hall's Soul Master was not conjured out of thin air., ordnance, medicine, everything costs a huge amount of money. Moreover, those evil weapons and evil techniques are too weird, it is inevitable that there will be Soul Master casualties, Spirit Hall cannot let his disciples die in vain."
Xue Qinghe's heart skipped a beat, and the secret message came. He quickly bowed and said, "His Holiness the Pope Don't worry! All military expenses will be borne by me, Heaven Dou Empire! Whether it's food or grass Or ordnance, we have enough care! If Lord Soul Master unfortunately dies, his family will be supported by the Heaven Dou Empire for life, and each person will be compensated 10,000 Gold Soul Coin!"
The Star Luo Empire messenger immediately said, "I, Star Luo Empire, are the same! We will double the compensation for all casualties!"
In their view, problems that can be solved with money are not problems.
As long as Spirit Hall is willing to send troops, it will be worth spending any amount of money.
But Qian Xunji shook his head and said calmly, "Spirit Hall has no shortage of money. Spirit Hall has no shortage of land either."
Everyone was stunned and looked at each other.
No money, no land? So what does Spirit Hall want?
Qian Xunji stood up, walked slowly down the platform, glanced at everyone's face, and said word by word:
"I only have three conditions. As long as you agree, Spirit Hall can deal with evil spirits in a better manner."
"First, from now on, all Soul Masters in the entire continent, regardless of their origins from sects or royal families, regardless of their level, must go to the local Spirit Hall Branch to re-register within one month. Those who have not registered will be regarded as illegal Soul Masters, and no sect or individual will be allowed to take them in."
"At the same time, all sects are not allowed to privately grant the title of Soul Master to their disciples. All Soul Master grade assessments must be organized and conducted by the Spirit Hall. Those who pass the assessment will be issued a grade certificate by the Spirit Hall before their Soul Master status can be recognized."
As soon as these words came out, the palace instantly exploded.
"What?! All Soul Master need to re-register? Will Spirit Hall also be assessed uniformly?"
"How can this be done! Why should Spirit Hall assess the disciples trained by our sect?"
"Isn't this someone who is clearly trying to rob our sect?"
Yu Yuanzhen was the first to stand up and object, with a livid face. "His Holiness the Pope, this is absolutely not allowed! The training of Soul Master is a private matter of each sect, and Spirit Hall has no right to interfere! It has been like this for thousands of years!"
"Thousands of years of rules cannot be changed." Qian Xunji looked at him coldly, "What time is it now? Evil weapons are rampant and evil arts are rampant. Who knows if there are any disciples in your sect who secretly practice the Qianyuan Blood-Burning Technique? Who knows if anyone secretly hides the soul-eating evil weapon in your mouth?"
"If because of your poor supervision, evil arts spread within the sect and cause a catastrophe, who will be responsible? Is it you Yu Yuanzhen, or Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"
Yu Yuanzhen was choked to the point of being speechless, and his face turned blue and white.
He wanted to refute, but couldn't find any reason.
Now the whole continent is talking about "evil skills". If he dares to say that Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan can manage his disciples well, if it is really revealed that a disciple secretly practices Blood Burning Art, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will become a public enemy of the entire continent.
Xue Qinghe also frowned.
This condition is even more severe than ceding three counties.
The royal family of the Heaven Dou Empire has also trained many Soul Master. If they want to register with the Spirit Hall, they will inevitably expose their family background.
But he didn't dare to object.
Without Spirit Hall taking action, Heaven Dou Empire would sooner or later be overthrown by those crazy civilians.
Don't talk about Soul Master then, you won't even be able to keep the throne.
Qian Xunji ignored everyone's comments and continued:
Qian Xunji's eyes swept over the people whose expressions suddenly changed, and his fingertips gently tapped Pope's Scepter on his waist, his voice was calm but with irresistible pressure:
"Second, from now on, all registered Soul Master in the mainland must perform compulsory public welfare service."
"Anyone with Soul Power level 30 or above must complete twenty days of public welfare tasks assigned by the Spirit Hall every year; those with level 60 or above, thirty days per year; Titled Douluo, fifteen days per year. The tasks include but are not limited to border bandit suppression, disaster relief, construction of official bridges, free medical clinics for civilians, and investigation of evil spirits and evil weapons."
"Tasks are uniformly assigned and assessed by the Spirit Hall. Those who are absent without excuse will be deducted from the Soul Master level assessment qualification for that year; those who fail to complete it for three consecutive years will have their Soul Master badge revoked and be listed as a public enemy of the mainland."
As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of gasping came one after another in the hall.
Yu Yuanzhen's beard was shaking with anger. He pointed at Qian Xunji and was speechless for a long time. "You... you are treating the disciples of our sect as coolies! The disciples of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan were born to fight, not to build bridges and pave the way for mud-legged people!"
"Sect Master Yu is wrong." Qian Xunji glanced at him lightly, "Let Soul Master go deep into the people, so that he can not only understand the sentiments of the people, resolve the conflicts between civilians and Soul Master, but also personally investigate the evil arts and weapons in various places, and cut off the spread of the Black Fire Army and Black Earth Cult at the root. This is not a coolie, this is Soul Master's responsibility as the guardian of the mainland."
He paused and his tone suddenly turned cold. "Or are you saying that the disciples of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan only dare to act arrogantly in the sect and do not dare to contribute to the stability of the mainland?"
Yu Yuanzhen was so blocked that his chest felt tight and he almost couldn't take a breath.
If he dares to say "yes", tomorrow the whole continent will call Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan a selfish coward. Spirit Hall can just use this excuse to suppress them legitimately.
Ning Fengzhi's brows were knitted into knots, knowing in his heart how destructive this move was.
Public service itself is not fatal, but it can accurately consume the core strength of major forces.
Spirit Hall Assign tasks however you want--
You can send all Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's Power Attack System Soul Master to the deep mountains on the southwest border to build canals for half a year. The wind and sun will delay your cultivation;
You can send Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's auxiliary system Soul Master to free clinics in remote areas where the plague is rampant. If you are not careful, you may be at risk of contracting the disease;
You can send Heaven Dou Imperial Family's royal Soul Master to the most dangerous places to fight against the Soul Beast tide. If you die, it will be considered "killed in the line of duty", and there will be no place for revenge.
What's even more disgusting is that Spirit Hall can also deliberately make things difficult for disobedient forces in the name of assessment.
No matter how well your sect disciple completes his tasks, Spirit Hall can judge you as unqualified and revoke your Soul Master badge just by saying "ineffective in detecting evil".
In this way, is it Spirit Hall who has stepped in to handle it? Didn't they handle it themselves?