Plan Fails, Spirit Empire

Qian Renxue knelt before the Angel God Statue, her head bowed low as her long, golden hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall.

Her expression held a trace of exhaustion and self-reproach, her hands clasped tightly against her chest as if in penance.

Behind her, Qian Daoliu stood in silence, his expression unreadable.

After a long silence, Qian Renxue finally spoke, her voice raspy: "Grandfather, the mission... has failed."

The failure of this mission meant not only that her years of effort had gone down the drain, but also that the plans of Spirit Hall had suffered a devastating blow.

Qian Daoliu helped her to her feet: "Failed? Why?"

Qian Renxue's body trembled slightly as she whispered: "The plan was proceeding smoothly, but Bibi Dong kept urging me, and in a moment of carelessness, I was discovered by Emperor Xue Ye."

Qian Daoliu gently patted Qian Renxue's shoulder: "Enough, if it has failed, then so be it. While the plan is important, your growth is even more critical."

"Use this opportunity to focus your mind on cultivation and improve your own strength."

Qian Renxue looked up: "Grandfather, are you not blaming me?"

She had botched such a vital plan... years of scheming had come to naught.

Qian Daoliu shook his head: "Blame you? Failure is an inevitable part of the path to growth; furthermore, this failure might allow you to recognize your own shortcomings more clearly."

He felt a flicker of confusion—why had he agreed to this plan, which now sounded so absurd, all those years ago?

Qian Renxue nodded, a determined light reigniting in her eyes: "I understand, Grandfather. I will treat this failure as a whetstone, devote myself heart and soul to cultivation, and never let you down again."

Following the failure of Qian Renxue's plan in the Heaven Dou Empire, the situation across the entire continent grew suddenly tense.

Emperor Xue Ye was struck with fury in the imperial court and immediately declared a formal war against Spirit Hall.

This news was like a heavy bomb, instantly causing a massive uproar throughout the continent.

But Spirit Hall had long been prepared; after the plan failed, they ceased hiding their ambitions and instead launched their operations with thunderous speed.

First, Spirit Hall dealt a crushing blow to the Upper Three Sects. The Clear Sky Sect went into hiding, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family was wiped out, and the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect was forced to seal itself off; the reputation of the Upper Three Sects was now in name only.

With absolute strength, Spirit Hall demonstrated their dominance to the entire soul master world.

Immediately thereafter, Spirit Hall held a new selection for the Seven Great Sects.

These sects were all factions subservient to Spirit Hall, and their rise signaled Spirit Hall's absolute control over the soul master world.

Subsequently, Spirit Hall announced the establishment of the Spirit Empire, formally revealing their ambitions to the two great empires.

The founding of the Spirit Empire swept across the continent like a storm.

Bibi Dong stood on the high platform of the Pope Palace, draped in magnificent imperial robes.

Her voice, amplified by soul power, spread outward: "From this day forth, Spirit Hall is officially renamed the Spirit Empire! In my Spirit Empire, there are no noble families, only citizens of the empire!"

While the situation on the continent had been shifting like clouds and rain over these years, the influence of the Eternal Night Frost Song Hall had also been quietly expanding.

Ji Lin hurried over, his expression grave as he said to Qian Lingche: "Hall Master, scouts report that two Title Douluo from Sea God Island have come ashore; they are likely intending to oppose the Spirit Empire."

Upon hearing this, Qian Lingche's brows furrowed slightly: "Title Douluo from Sea God Island?"

Ji Lin nodded and continued: "Yes, Hall Master. Sea God Island has always remained aloof from worldly affairs, but this time they have taken the initiative to send people ashore, clearly feeling uneasy about the Spirit Empire's expansion."

"They will likely join forces with the two great empires to resist the Spirit Empire together."

Qian Lingche fell silent for a moment and sighed: "The ambitions of the Spirit Empire have been exposed; this war is unavoidable."

Sea God Island is clever enough to know that once the Spirit Empire unifies the continent, they will not be spared.

But I am sorry, the Spirit Empire is my sister's Spirit Empire.

Qian Lingche rubbed his head helplessly: "You and Ling Yuan go call Brother Ling and make a trip; take care of them."

Over the past few years, having finally figured out their effects, he had distributed the immortal herbs to several of them.

Brother Ling had successfully advanced to level 98, Ling Yuan and Ji Lin had reached level 96, and even Dugu Bo was only a step away from level 95.

The soul master army of the Spirit Empire swept forward like a torrent, aimed directly at Jialing Pass.

In the sky, dense swarms of flying soul masters resembled a black cloud, blotting out the sun.

On the ground, the elite soul masters and heavy-armored soldiers of the Spirit Empire marched in perfect formation, advancing with synchronized steps.

On their banners, the golden angel emblem shimmered in the sunlight, symbolizing the majesty of the Spirit Empire.

On the walls of Jialing Pass, the defenders had long been standing in battle readiness. Atop the ramparts, archers and soul masters watched the distant enemy with tension, their weapons gripped tightly in their hands.

The disparity in strength between the two sides was too vast... this battle would likely be the moment they sacrificed their lives for their country.

The garrison commander stood at the highest point of the watchtower, his gaze heavy as he watched the dark, oppressive enemy forces, his heart filled with unease.

"Everyone, prepare to meet the enemy!" the commander shouted, his voice laced with a hint of desperation.

This battle would decide the fate of this city and might even affect the survival of the entire Heaven Dou Empire.

The Spirit Empire's army halted several miles from the city, and then, Chrysanthemum Douluo slowly stepped out from the ranks.

"Surrender! Resistance leads only to death! The iron hooves of the Spirit Empire shall trample your city into the dust!"

On the city walls, the defenders wore grave expressions, yet not a single one retreated.

A young spirit master clenched his fists and whispered, "We will never surrender! Our home lies behind us, and we swear to defend it to the death!"

Chrysanthemum Douluo sneered and waved his hand. "Since you remain obsessed and refuse to repent, do not blame me for being ruthless! All troops, hear my command: attack the city!"

Following his order, the Spirit Empire's legion of spirit masters launched their assault in an instant.

Countless spirit abilities poured down like a torrential rain, slamming into the city's defensive barrier.

The defenders on the walls exerted every ounce of their strength to maintain the barrier, but faced with such a fierce offensive, cracks soon began to appear.

"Boom!" With a thunderous roar, the barrier finally shattered, and the defenders on the walls were sent reeling.

The Spirit Empire's legion surged toward the city gates like a tidal wave, and their siege engines began to bombard the walls with relentless intensity.

The commanding general gritted his teeth and shouted his orders: "Everyone, hold the walls at all costs! Do not let them break through!"

The battle instantly reached a fever pitch.

On the ramparts, the Heaven Dou Empire's defenders fought with their lives, raining down arrows, boulders, and boiling oil in an attempt to stem the Spirit Empire's advance.

However, the strength of the Spirit Empire's spirit master legion was simply too overwhelming; they were far beyond what the defenders could withstand.

Suddenly, a voice rang out from the sky...

"Ninth Spirit Ability—Chrysanthemum Remnant, Wounds Across the Earth, Flowers Fall and Hearts Break!"

In an instant, countless golden chrysanthemum petals appeared out of thin air, scattering like raindrops.

These petals appeared beautiful, yet they harbored a lethal killing intent.

Each petal was as sharp as a honed blade; wherever they passed, flesh flew and cries of agony filled the air.

The defenders on the walls had no time to react before they were engulfed by the sky full of petals.

Their bodies were sliced to pieces by the petals, blood stained the walls crimson, and screams rose one after another.

In mere moments, more than half of the defenders were dead or wounded, and the once-solid defensive line collapsed in an instant.

Chrysanthemum Douluo hovered in the air, that same smile still lingering on his face as he softly remarked, "Why struggle? In the face of absolute power, your resistance is nothing but futile."