Restarting the Tide of Martial Soul Awakening Across the Continent

"Lord Dragon God, the Inquisitorial Legion cannot be abolished!

The Evil Soul Masters have already run rampant. Without the Inquisitorial Legion, what will become of Douling Empire?"

"Lord Dragon God, please reconsider!" Crown Prince of Heavenly Soul's voice was dry.

"The continent needs the Inquisitorial Legion.

Without it, who will purge the Evil Soul Masters? Who will protect the people along the borders?"

Though Star Luo Empire's Elder Prince had not lost his composure, he had already set down his teacup, his brows tightly furrowed.

"Lord Dragon God, isn't this too sudden?

Though the Inquisitorial Legion has endured countless hardships, it has protected the people of the three empires for a thousand years.

To abolish it at a word now will inevitably chill the hearts of people everywhere."

Jing Hongchen raised an eyebrow but said nothing, merely shifting his gaze back and forth between Mu En and Chen Xuan.

Du Busi still wore an amused expression.

He even lifted his teacup and slowly took a sip, clearly waiting to see what shocking news Shrek would throw out next.

Chen Xuan raised a hand. "Quiet."

His voice was not loud, yet it rang through the hall like a bronze bell, instantly suppressing all the commotion.

"What are you panicking for?" He swept a cold gaze over the envoys of the Three Empires.

"The Shrek Inquisitorial Legion was established by Shrek itself.

Now that Shrek has decided to disband it, why are you so worried?

Could it be that without Shrek's Inquisitorial Legion, the Three Empires cannot even defend their own borders?"

The Southern Pacifying King of Douling's face flushed red. His lips trembled, but he could not utter a single word.

Chen Xuan continued, "Over the years, the Inquisitorial Legion has traveled throughout your Three Empires, purging evil and protecting the people.

But how have you treated us?

You accused Shrek of overreaching, criticized Shrek for throwing its weight around, and claimed we had encroached upon military affairs.

You have said every kind of malicious thing.

Since you are so resistant to it, this old man will abolish the Inquisitorial Legion for you.

From this day onward, Shrek will no longer meddle in the continent's affairs."

"You cannot!"

Crown Prince of Heavenly Soul abruptly rose to his feet, all color gone from his face.

"Elder Xuan, we never meant that!

Those remarks were merely idle gossip from a small number of people at court. They must not be taken seriously!"

"Idle gossip?" Chen Xuan sneered. "Said once or twice, it need not be taken to heart.

But when it has been said hundreds or thousands of times, it has already become the consensus of your court. Then it is no longer idle gossip, but your true attitude."

Crown Prince of Heavenly Soul was instantly rendered speechless.

The hall fell deathly silent. None of the Three Empires' envoys dared speak again.

Only after Chen Xuan had finished berating them did Mu En slowly speak.

"Please rest assured, everyone. Even after Shrek's Inquisitorial Legion is abolished, the continent's order will not be left without a successor."

The old man's voice was not loud, yet everyone present pricked up their ears.

"The Inquisitorial Legion is, in the end, merely a legion of Shrek.

With Shrek's strength alone, we cannot possibly fill the enormous gaps across the territories of the Three Empires.

The peace of the continent cannot rest solely upon one Inquisitorial Legion's bitter efforts.

Therefore, after discussing the matter with the elders of Sea God Pavilion, we have decided to establish a brand-new organization."

He paused briefly, his gaze passing over every face in the hall.

"Its name will be the Firmament Tribunal."

"The Firmament Tribunal?" Jing Hongchen suddenly spoke, his tone neither warm nor cold.

"Lord Dragon God, compared to the former Shrek Inspection Court, what exactly is different about this Firmament Tribunal?"

Chen Xuan glanced at him and replied unhurriedly, "The difference is immense. Shrek's Inquisitorial Legion belongs to Shrek alone.

But the Firmament Tribunal belongs to the entire continent.

In the past, Shrek alone bore the burden of quelling disasters.

Now, the top powers will hold the core, while every force in the world contributes money, people, and effort.

That is the greatest difference."

He paused, then laid out the full charter. "The Firmament Tribunal will have Shrek, Illustrious Virtue Hall, Body Sect, and Clear Sky Sect as its four core sects, jointly overseeing all matters within the Tribunal.

The Arbitration Council will have twenty-one seats in total. Each of the four core sects will provide three members, making twelve seats.

The Outer Pavilion elders will then select nine more members to fill the remaining seats.

Major matters within the Tribunal must receive approval from seventy percent of the seats before they can be carried out.

Shrek's Sea God Pavilion will hold veto power. This is the absolute bottom line.

Without this authority, there is no point in establishing the Firmament Tribunal at all."

"The Tribunal headquarters will rotate once every five years.

For the first five-year term, Shrek will preside over it. Afterward, the four core sects will take turns."

After hearing this, the smile on Jing Hongchen's face slowly faded.

"Elder Xuan, I understand the charter.

But I would like to ask one question: what tangible benefit does this Firmament Tribunal offer Illustrious Virtue Hall?"

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze sharp and imposing.

"No one is willing to undertake something that offers no profit.

Surely you do not expect Illustrious Virtue Hall to contribute people and money for nothing, only to gain nothing in return?"

As soon as he said this, the hall instantly fell silent.

Though Body Sect and Clear Sky Sect said nothing, their expressions made it clear that they, too, were awaiting an answer.

Even the envoys of the Three Empires held their breath and listened.

Chen Xuan smiled faintly and raised one finger. "Benefits? Of course there are.

First, purging Evil Soul Masters throughout the world and restoring lasting peace to the entire continent. Does that not count as a benefit?"

Jing Hongchen neither agreed nor disagreed. "What kind of benefit is that? There are very few Evil Soul Masters within Sun Moon Empire to begin with."

Chen Xuan sneered. "Few now does not mean they will remain few forever.

Once Evil Soul Masters gain power and begin causing chaos, the entire continent will become a land of ghosts.

When that time comes, can your Sun Moon Empire truly remain untouched?"

Jing Hongchen was briefly at a loss for words and did not respond.

Chen Xuan raised a second finger, his tone solemn. "Second, this is the Firmament Tribunal's greatest benefit."

He paused briefly, then his voice abruptly rose. "From this day onward, every child of suitable age across the continent, regardless of noble or humble birth, rich or poor family background, will be entitled to undergo Martial Soul Awakening.

This responsibility will be placed entirely under the Firmament Tribunal's control.

Every force that joins this undertaking will have priority in selecting talented disciples."

"Martial Soul Awakening across the entire continent?"

"Th-this was an authority once held by Spirit Hall ten thousand years ago!"

"Shrek actually intends to restart the path of universal Martial Soul Awakening!"

The entire hall erupted in shock.

At this moment, even Jing Hongchen could not help sitting up straight, his expression turning serious.

Chen Xuan said unhurriedly, "Though your Sun Moon Empire implements Martial Soul Awakening, its coverage is ultimately limited. The powerful and noble always seize the advantage first.

You have never paid attention to poor children from remote regions.

For ordinary commoners' children, rising to prominence is as difficult as ascending to heaven.

If the Firmament Tribunal fully implements universal awakening, it will be able to uncover countless peerless talents among the common people.

Is that not an enormous opportunity for Sun Moon Empire?"

Jing Hongchen fell silent for a long while before slowly nodding.

"If it can truly be fully implemented, it will indeed be a benefit for generations to come."

Chen Xuan then looked toward Clear Sky Sect. "Clear Sky Sect has lived in seclusion for many years and has long ceased involving itself in worldly disputes.

If this continues, a few decades from now, no one on the continent will remember Clear Sky Sect's great name.

By becoming one of the core sects this time and openly returning to the forefront of the continent, is that not what Clear Sky Sect desires?"

Clear Sky Sect's First Elder met Chen Xuan's gaze and nodded slightly.

By joining this undertaking, Clear Sky Sect could return to the continent's view and use the Tribunal's momentum to restore the sect's prestige.

This was a deal that could only bring profit.