Arc 9The Conquest of Two Empires
Spirit Hall dismantled Star Luo and Heaven Dou through military force, targeted assassinations, and coerced surrenders. The stretch ended with Xue Beng executing Ge Long and facing Spirit Hall’s demands for Heaven Dou’s submission.
- Ning Fengzhi became leader of the alliance against Spirit Hall after Yu Xiaogang’s bid for leadership was rejected, while Dai Tianfeng and Xue Ye expanded their armies and planned to invade.
- Ma Hongjun witnessed the suffering caused by wartime taxes and conscription, lost his mother, and fled toward the city.
- Bibi Dong used playing cards to assassinate Star Luo’s commanders, leaving Dai Tianfeng’s army unable to coordinate before Spirit Hall routed it and captured its leaders.
- Qian Xunyi took Star Luo City after Zhu Tianming opened its gates, imposed Eight Banners customs, and rewarded surrendered nobles while stripping power from the old aristocracy.
- Zhu Tianming absorbed six Soul Bones and gained a powerful Soul Ring as Qian Xunyi appointed him and other surrendered leaders to the Eight Banners.
- Spirit Hall defeated Heaven Dou’s forces and captured Heaven Dou City after Xue Ye and Xue Qinghe failed to meet Jialing’s demands for reparations.
- Ge Long reclaimed territory for Xue Beng, but fled as Spirit Hall advanced and eventually returned to Sea-Sky City after Xue Beng ordered him to halt.
- Xue Beng summoned Ge Long, stripped him of command, poisoned and executed him, then received Spirit Hall’s demands for territory, reparations, vassal status, tribute, a rebuilt Spirit Hall, and the Angel God as the state religion.