Autumn always settled more heavily over Martial Soul City than elsewhere. The morning mist had yet to disperse when a thin layer of frost had already formed before the white jade steps of the Pope Palace, reflecting the gilded Pope Token emblem beneath the dome in a cold gleam.
At that moment, the heart of Spirit Hall's power throbbed with the drumbeat of conquest—Pope Qian Xunji sat behind a nine-tiered jade dais, his crimson papal robes like frozen flames, making his face appear all the more stern and cold. At his side stood the two guardian elders, Xiongshi and Guangling.
Below, seated side by side on either side, were Second Worship Murong Chayue and Fifth Elder Murong Fuhai, father and son. The dark robes of their office were embroidered with subtle golden waves that surged like tides beneath the hall's candlelight.
Seven more elders from the Elder Hall sat along the two sides. Every one of them had restrained their Soul Power flawlessly, yet it felt as though an invisible hand had clenched the air throughout the entire hall, lending even each breath a crushing weight.
"Everyone," Qian Xunji said. His voice was not loud, yet it carried a force that pierced straight into the heart. "The continent has been in chaos for centuries. Now, the Star Luo Empire has revealed all its trump cards, while the Heaven Dou Empire is weak and cowardly. This is the perfect chance for us to send out our armies—the perfect opportunity to unite the continent!!"
As his words fell, silence filled the hall. Then, the seven elders exchanged glances, their eyes brimming with surprise and excitement. Qian Xunji then signaled for Xiongshi and Guangling to distribute to each of them the strategy Murong Huai had proposed earlier.
"Everyone, the Star Luo Empire has