Gu Yuan had always approved of the way Spirit Hall operated.
By awakening the Martial Souls of commoners for free, it could find talented people to serve its cause and spread its reputation.
That was how Spirit Hall had managed to bring all the Martial Souls under its banner and control nearly seventy percent of the Soul Masters' strength ten thousand years ago.
In this era, with Spirit Hall's good deeds gone, countless commoners could only toil away without the faintest hope for the future. They had only that spotless and unsullied Tang Buddha to thank for it.
Then Gu Yuan laid out the plan's core, point by point, clearly setting it before the three of them.
"First, we must build a solid foundation and win the people's hearts."
"Why had Spirit Hall been able to sweep across the continent back then, making both empires wary? It wasn't because you had so many Titled Douluo or powerful fighters. It was because you gave the commoner Soul Masters of the entire continent a way to survive. The people's hearts were Spirit Hall's most fundamental strength. It was also something Shrek could never learn or accomplish."
Gu Yuan's gaze settled on the two women, his tone resolute. "The first thing Douluo Hall must do is follow that path—and go even further than Spirit Hall did back then."
"After Douluo Hall is established, we'll build branch halls in every city across the three empires. We'll awaken the Martial Souls of all commoners for free, regardless of their birth or status. Anyone with talent will receive cultivation resources and our protection, so they're no longer oppressed by nobles and great sects."
"Shrek only accepts geniuses and stands with the nobles and the powerful. Douluo Hall will stand with every commoner Soul Master."
"The commoners make up over ninety percent of the continent's billions of people. If we win their hearts, we'll hold the future of the entire continent in our hands."
Qian Renxue's heart gave a fierce thump, and her eyes shone brightly.
Spirit Hall had always been proudest of its Martial Soul Awakening system, which extended across the entire continent.
The Qian Family had a saying: "Win the people's hearts, and you win the realm." It was something Qian Renxue had been taught since childhood.
With a single sentence, Gu Yuan had pinpointed the heart of Spirit Hall's rise and shown them the right path forward.
"Second, we must unite our forces and build a strong foundation."
"For ten thousand years, Spirit Hall's remnants have worked in the shadows across the continent, weaving a web so tight that not even a drop of water could slip through."
"We have people among the military leadership and court ministers of the three empires, as well as among the core members of the great sects. There are also several Titled Douluo, over a hundred Soul Douluo, a thousand elite Soul Masters, and the fully organized Angel Legion in the Spirit Hall inside the Dragon Graveyard."
Gu Yuan looked at the two women and said solemnly, "All these forces will be at your disposal."
"You two are mother and daughter; no one is better suited to lead Douluo Hall. I'll provide enough cultivation resources to build it up. Whenever you need support, the Dragon Graveyard and Star Dou will supply it without end."
Bibi Dong nodded slowly, ambition already blazing fiercely in her heart. After ten thousand years, she finally had a chance to stand once more at the pinnacle of power on the continent.
"Third, we must win allies and break our opponents apart."
"Shrek's dominance has made it many enemies. The Body Sect is at daggers drawn with them, while the empires only pretend to get along with them. They've long been tired of Shrek tying their hands at every turn. These are all allies we can win over. Among them, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has ten thousand years of history and immense wealth. We can offer them a temptation they can't refuse."
Gu Yuan raised his hand. A radiant tulip slowly blossomed in his palm, its petals wreathed in a seven-colored glow and giving off the purest Immortal Herb aura.
It was the Immortal Herb Aromatic Silk Beauty.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda was the continent's foremost support-type Martial Soul, but it had one fatal flaw—the limits of the Martial Soul.
The sect masters of every generation could only cultivate to the Soul Saint level. Beyond that, they couldn't advance any further.
But the Aromatic Silk Beauty could perfectly break the Martial Soul's limits. It could not only double the support abilities of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, but even allow it to evolve, shatter the Martial Soul's restrictions, and become the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda."
Gu Yuan placed the Aromatic Silk Beauty before the two women and said calmly, "Use this Immortal Herb to bring the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect into our fold. They enjoy great prestige across the continent. If they join Douluo Hall, they'll not only double our strength, but also attract other sects to our cause and deepen Douluo Hall's foundations."
"Besides that, I'll give you a batch of top-grade Immortal Herbs. The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, Eight Petal Immortal Orchid, Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower... These herbs can help us win over talented Soul Masters and build Douluo Hall's own elite force."
Gu Yuan gazed toward the distant horizon. Countless visions of the future flickered through his deep eyes. "In more than two hundred years, Huo Yuhao will appear, and Tang San's plans will unfold step by step. Now is the time for Douluo Hall to take center stage and rewrite history."
The great hall fell silent.
Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong were deeply shaken by the grand and meticulous plan Gu Yuan had laid out.
They had thought Gu Yuan only wanted them to establish a force to oppose Shrek.
They hadn't expected his designs to reach so far. He was aiming straight at the foundations of the order Tang San had built.
This was no mere revenge. He meant to rewrite the history of the entire Douluo Continent and overturn the balance of power that had lasted for ten thousand years.
Bibi Dong drew a deep breath, suppressing the roiling emotions within her, then bowed deeply to Gu Yuan. Her voice rang out, trembling with excitement. "Dragon God, rest assured. Bibi Dong will not fail you. Xue'er and I will make Douluo Hall the greatest power on the continent and clear every obstacle from your path."
Qian Renxue stepped forward to stand beside Bibi Dong. Her eyes were just as resolute. "My mother and I won't fail your trust, sir. Douluo Hall will restore Spirit Hall's former glory—and go even further."
Gu Yuan looked at the mother and daughter standing side by side and nodded with satisfaction.
He swept his hand, and a huge brocade box landed before them. It was filled with all kinds of top-grade Immortal Herbs, each radiating rich celestial energy—enough to drive every Soul Master on the continent mad.
There was also a spatial ring containing countless rare treasures. Even a handful of them could be used to cultivate several Super Douluo.
"Take all of these," Gu Yuan said calmly.
"I'll always be your strongest backing. The Soul Beast forces under Di Tian's command will also support your actions whenever needed. Go and do what you must. I'll be waiting for the day Douluo Hall's name resounds across the entire Douluo Continent."
Three days later, two figures walked out of the dense forest on the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest.
The woman in black wore a veil over her face, holy Angel Divine Power swirling around her. An air of majesty that looked down upon all living things radiated from her. The woman in purple had a cold gaze, her eyes concealing both cunning and a taste for slaughter. The aura of annihilation she gave off made the air around them turn still.
Dozens of figures trailed behind them, concealed in the shadows. Every one of them carried the aura of a Titled Douluo.
Bibi Dong looked toward the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, a cold smile flickering across her lips.
Ten thousand years ago, she had set out from here, risen to become Spirit Hall's Pope, and founded the Spirit Hall Empire.
Ten thousand years later, she would set out from here once more, rebuilding her glory in the name of Douluo Hall and unleashing a storm that would sweep across the entire continent.
Douluo Hall's glory would surely shine upon this era, shrouded in injustice.
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