The sparks of resistance in the south of the mainland didn't even have the chance to ignite a prairie fire before being completely extinguished by absolute power.
With the collapse of various resistance forces, the allied forces of the Heaven Dou Empire and the Spirit Hall swept through the land, completely unifying the entire Douluo Continent.
This war of unification that swept across the continent ultimately ended in a complete victory for the allied forces.
The scene shifts back to the imperial city of the Heaven Dou Empire.
The atmosphere in the Heaven Dou court today was unusually strange.
Inside the main hall, civil and military officials stood on both sides.
Although news of the unification of the mainland was frequently reported, there was little joy in the imperial court. The division of the new post-war order and the growing influence of the Spirit Hall caused many veteran officials great concern.
Although the Heaven Dou Empire was the victorious nation, many felt a deep sense of powerlessness in the face of the overwhelming strength of the Spirit Hall.
On the throne, Xue Ye's face was ashen, and violent coughing echoed in the empty hall. He gripped the armrests of the dragon throne tightly, the veins on the back of his hands bulging, his cloudy eyes bloodshot, and his body was already at its limit.
"Your Majesty, now that the continent is pacified, what about the Spirit Hall..." An elderly minister with white hair and beard stepped forward, hesitating to speak, "... the Spirit Hall's garrisons in various regions have not yet withdrawn, and there's even a growing tendency for them to take over local administration. If this continues, what will become of the prestige of our Heaven Dou Empire!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, although the allied forces have won, the Spirit Hall is powerful. If we do not make plans soon, there may be unforeseen circumstances!" another minister echoed.
The Xue Ye waved wearily, interrupting the ministers' discussion, and turned his gaze to the Crown Prince, who stood at the head of all the officials.
" Qinghe, as one of the commanders of the allied forces, what are your views on the current situation?"
Standing at the head of all the officials was none other than Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire.
He wore a magnificent bright yellow python robe, with a gentle face and an upright posture. Facing Xue Ye's question, Xue Qinghe's expression remained completely calm.
"Father," Xue Qinghe bowed slightly, "The alliance between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Spirit Hall is in line with the general trend. The current situation naturally warrants a new order. The Spirit Hall's takeover of local areas is also to stabilize the post-war situation more quickly, and there is nothing wrong with that."
These words immediately sparked a murmur among the court officials. Many senior ministers were shocked and even somewhat dissatisfied with the Crown Prince's remarks.
Just then, a series of steady and powerful footsteps suddenly came from outside the main hall.
The heavy palace doors were slowly pushed open, and blinding sunlight poured in from outside, casting long, slender shadows of several people.
Leading the way was a boy of about eleven years old, with Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing standing on either side of him.
Behind Qian Renyuan stood Bibi Dong, holding a scepter and wearing a Pope crown. Her expression was majestic, and her gaze swept across the magnificent Heaven Dou court as if she were looking at a palace about to change hands.
" The Spirit Hall!"
" Pope Bibi Dong... and that Qian Renyuan!"
The ministers in the court were instantly thrown into turmoil. As allies, the high-ranking members of the Spirit Hall had entered the Heaven Dou court without prior notice, which was an extremely presumptuous act. Panic and unease spread among the ministers.
Xue Ye stared intently at the group of people who slowly entered the hall, his face instantly turning grim. He tried to stand up, but his weakness caused him to fall heavily back onto the dragon throne.
" Your His Holiness the Pope, Your Highness Qian Renyuan, what is the meaning of this?" Xue Ye asked hoarsely, his tone carrying a hint of suppressed anger.
Qian Renyuan stopped and stood in the center of the hall, calmly looking at Xue Ye on the dragon throne.
He didn't offer an explanation, because it wasn't necessary.
The moment he stood there, he had already foreshadowed the impending end of the Heaven Dou Imperial Power.
"Don't be nervous, Xue Ye," Bibi Dong said coldly, her voice echoing in the hall. "We're just here to receive what's rightfully ours."
"What?!" Xue Ye's eyes turned bloodshot as he abruptly turned to look at Xue Qinghe standing to the side. " Qinghe! What's going on! Your military power..."
However, Xue Qinghe did not move.
He turned around to face Xue Ye, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
"Father, don't you understand?" Xue Qinghe's voice was no longer that of the gentle and mellow Crown Prince, but was gradually undergoing a strange change, becoming crisp and clear, even carrying a hint of feminine gentleness.
Amidst the astonished gazes of the court officials, Xue Qinghe raised his hand and took off the golden crown of the crown prince, a symbol of his status as heir apparent, and casually placed it on the jade table beside him.
Immediately afterwards, a strange Soul Bone emanated from his body, and a faint golden light enveloped his entire body.
The face that belonged to Xue Qinghe began to melt away like ice and snow. The disguised bones and muscles reassembled in the golden light, restoring her to her original girlish appearance.
Her long, radiant golden hair cascaded down to her waist.
The original crown prince's python robe changed in the golden light, and Xue Qinghe's disguise completely disappeared.
Exquisite beauty, a noble and sacred aura, and those golden eyes that exude indifference and disdain.
Where is Xue Qinghe, the eldest prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, now?
Standing there was a stunningly beautiful blonde woman!
"You... who are you?!" Xue Ye pointed at the woman before him as if he had seen a ghost, his fingers trembling violently. "Where is Qinghe... where is my son?!"
" Xue Qinghe?" The woman smiled faintly, her eyes filled with indifference. "That identity ceases to exist from this day forward."
The hall was completely silent.
All the ministers held their breath, their minds blank.
The Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, who has overseen the country for many years, is actually a woman in disguise?
"Let's get to know each other again, Xue Ye." The woman slightly raised her chin, her voice clear and decisive, " Spirit Hall, Qian Renxue."
" Qian Renxue..." Xue Ye murmured the name, then suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, looking as if he had aged ten years. "You... you were lurking in the Heaven Dou..."
"That's right." Qian Renxue made no attempt to hide her feelings and readily admitted, "Most of the important officials in the court, many military forces inside and outside the capital, including the generals you trust most, have all been following my orders over the years. You may think you are loyal to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, but in reality, I have always been the one who keeps Heaven Dou running."
She glanced around at the trembling officials in the hall and continued, " The Heaven Dou Empire, from the inside out, has long been a shell under my control."
She took out a Crown Prince Golden Seal from her sleeve, and casually threw it on the ground along with the Tiger Tally used to mobilize the imperial army.
Clang.
The golden seal and Tiger Tally struck the ground with a crisp sound.
The sound was like the death knell that shattered the millennia-old foundation of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Qian Renxue didn't glance at the golden seal again. She strode down the steps and finally stopped beside Qian Renyuan.
Bibi Dong watched this scene, her eyes flashing with complex emotions, but ultimately transforming into absolute dominance.
The Xue Ye slumped onto his dragon throne, his face ashen. He knew it was all over.
He had no army, and even his most promising successor was planted by the enemy.
Qian Renxue stood in the center of the court in her true form, her gaze piercing through the hall and reaching the throne, awaiting Xue Ye's statement.