Qian Renxue knelt before the Angel God Statue, her head bowed, her long golden hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall.
Her expression carried a hint of exhaustion and self-reproach. She clasped her hands tightly before her chest, as though in repentance.
Behind her, Qian Daoliu stood quietly, his expression giving nothing away.
After a long silence, Qian Renxue finally spoke, her voice hoarse. "Grandpa, the mission... failed."
The failure of this mission not only meant that all her years of effort had come to nothing, but also dealt a heavy blow to Spirit Hall's plans.
Qian Daoliu helped her to her feet. "It failed? Why?"
Qian Renxue's body trembled slightly. In a low voice, she said, "The plan was going smoothly at first, but Bibi Dong kept urging me on. I let my guard down for a moment, and Xue Ye discovered me."
Qian Daoliu gently patted Qian Renxue's shoulder. "Never mind. If it failed, then it failed. The plan is important, but your growth matters more."
"Now, put all your focus into cultivation and improving your strength."
Qian Renxue looked up. "Grandpa, you don't blame me?"
She had ruined such an important plan... Years of scheming had gone up in smoke.
Qian Daoliu shook his head. "Blame you? Failure is an inevitable part of growing. Besides, this failure may help you see your shortcomings more clearly."
He couldn't help wondering why he had agreed to this plan in the first place. Now, it sounded utterly absurd.
Qian Renxue nodded, determination rekindling in her eyes. "I understand, Grandpa. I'll treat this failure as a trial, devote myself wholeheartedly to cultivation, and never disappoint you again."
With Qian Renxue's plan in the Heaven Dou Empire having failed, the entire continent's situation grew tense overnight.
Xue Ye was furious at court and immediately declared war on Spirit Hall.
The news struck like a bomb, sending shockwaves across the continent.
But Spirit Hall had long been prepared. After the plan failed, it stopped concealing its ambitions and launched its campaign with thunderous force.
First, Spirit Hall dealt a devastating blow to the Upper Three Sects. The Clear Sky Sect remained in seclusion, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was wiped out, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was forced to seal itself away. The Upper Three Sects had become little more than names.
With overwhelming strength, Spirit Hall showed the entire Soul Master World that it was in command.
Next, Spirit Hall selected a new Seven Great Sects.
Every one of these sects was a power dependent on Spirit Hall. Their rise marked Spirit Hall's absolute control over the Soul Master World.
After that, Spirit Hall announced the establishment of the Spirit Hall Empire, formally laying bare its ambitions before the two great empires.
The founding of the Spirit Hall Empire swept across the continent like a storm.
Bibi Dong stood on the high platform of the Pope Palace, dressed in a magnificent imperial robe.
Her voice rang out, carried by Soul Power: "From this day forward, Spirit Hall will officially be renamed the Spirit Hall Empire! In my Spirit Hall Empire, there will be no scions of great clans, only citizens of the empire!
During these years of upheaval across the continent, the influence of the Eternal Night Frost Song Hall had also quietly expanded.
Ji Lin hurried over and said gravely to Qian Lingche, "Hall Master, our scouts report that two Titled Douluo have come ashore from Sea God Island. They're probably planning to oppose the Spirit Hall Empire."
At this, Qian Lingche's brows furrowed slightly. "Titled Douluo from Sea God Island?"
Ji Lin nodded and continued, "Yes, Hall Master. Sea God Island has always kept to itself, but this time it has sent people ashore of its own accord. Clearly, the Spirit Hall Empire's expansion has made them uneasy."
"They'll probably join forces with the two great empires to fight the Spirit Hall Empire."
Qian Lingche fell silent for a moment, then sighed. "The Spirit Hall Empire's ambitions are out in the open now. This war can't be avoided."
Sea God Island was clever enough to understand that if the Spirit Hall Empire unified the continent, it wouldn't be spared either.
But unfortunately, the Spirit Hall Empire belonged to his older sister.
Qian Lingche rubbed his forehead helplessly. "Take Ling Yuan and Brother Ling with you. Go deal with them."
Over the past few years, now that he had finally figured out how the Immortal Herbs worked, he had divided them among several people.
Brother Ling had successfully reached level 98. Ling Yuan and Ji Lin had both reached level 96, and even Dugu Bo was just one step away from level 95.
The Spirit Hall Empire's Soul Master army swept forth like a flood, heading straight for Jialing Pass.
In the sky, countless flying Soul Masters formed a dark cloud that blotted out the sun.
On the ground, the empire's elite Soul Masters and heavily armored soldiers advanced in neat formation, their steps perfectly in sync.
Golden angel emblems shimmered on their flags in the sunlight, a symbol of the Spirit Hall Empire's might.
The defenders on Jialing Pass's walls had long been on full alert. Archers and Soul Masters watched the distant enemy forces tensely, gripping their weapons tight.
The disparity in strength was too great... This battle would likely be the moment they laid down their lives for their country.
The defending general stood at the highest point of the city tower, gazing at the massed enemy troops with a grave expression, his heart filled with unease.
"Everyone, prepare to repel the enemy!" the general shouted, his voice edged with grim resolve.
This battle would decide the fate of the city, and might even determine whether the entire Heaven Dou Empire survived.
The Spirit Hall Empire's army halted several miles from the city. Then Chrysanthemum Douluo slowly stepped out from the ranks.
"Surrender! Resist, and you'll meet a dead end! The iron hooves of the Spirit Hall Empire will trample your city flat!"
The defenders on the wall looked grim, but not one of them retreated.
A young Soul Master clenched his fist and said quietly, "We'll never surrender! Our homes are behind us. We'll defend them to the death!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo sneered and waved his hand. "If you insist on being stubborn, don't blame me for showing no mercy! All troops, heed my command—attack the city!"
At his command, the Spirit Hall Empire's Soul Master corps launched its assault.
Countless Soul Skills poured down like a torrential rain, pounding the city's defensive barrier.
The defenders on the wall fought with all their strength to maintain the barrier, but under such a fierce assault, cracks soon appeared.
"Boom!" With a deafening crash, the barrier finally shattered, and the defenders on the wall were thrown off their feet.
The Spirit Hall Empire's troops surged toward the city gates like a rising tide, while siege engines began pounding the walls.
The defending general gritted his teeth and shouted, "Everyone, hold the walls to the death! Don't let them break through!"
The battle instantly reached a fever pitch.
On the walls, the Heaven Dou Empire's defenders fought desperately. Arrows, boulders, and boiling oil rained down as they tried to stop the Spirit Hall Empire's advance.
But the Spirit Hall Empire's Soul Master corps was simply too powerful for them to hold back.
Suddenly, a voice rang out from the sky...
"Ninth Spirit Ability—Chrysanthemums Scattered, the Ground Awash in Woe; Petals Fall, and Hearts Break!"
In an instant, countless golden chrysanthemum petals appeared out of nowhere in the sky, drifting down like raindrops.
The petals looked beautiful, but each concealed a deadly threat.
Every petal was as sharp as a blade. Wherever they passed, flesh flew and wails filled the air.
The defenders on the wall had no time to react before they were swallowed by the storm of petals.
Their bodies were slashed to pieces. Blood stained the walls red, and cries of agony rang out one after another.
In just moments, more than half the defenders were dead or wounded, and the once-solid line of defense crumbled.
Chrysanthemum Douluo hovered in the air, that same smile still on his face. Softly, he said, "Why struggle? In the face of absolute strength, your resistance is nothing but futile."