"Your Majesty." Ge Long stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Once the Soul Master Tournament ends, begin expanding the army in earnest. Submit an estimate of the funds you'll need. I'll approve it, and you can collect the money directly from Minister He," Xue Ye said, stroking his beard with a chuckle.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. With an army of three million, it won't matter how many Soul Masters Spirit Hall has. If they dare invade, I'll make sure none of them return!" Marshal Ge Long thumped his chest as he made his bold declaration.
"Good. I have faith in you. But the Soul Master Tournament is almost upon us. The empire must take it seriously. We cannot let talent slip through our fingers and into Spirit Hall's hands." Xue Ye turned to Xue Qinghe. "Qinghe, I'm entrusting everything concerning the tournament to you."
"I won't fail you, Father," Xue Qinghe replied respectfully.
Ning Fengzhi alone had remained silent throughout the court session, his expression grave and his brow furrowed. Xue Qinghe noticed. When the session ended, he stopped him. "Teacher, what's troubling you today?"
"Nothing." Ning Fengzhi shook his head and gave a rueful smile. "Everything just feels too calm."
Xue Qinghe paused. "Calm?"
"Yes, calm." Ning Fengzhi glanced around. Seeing no one nearby, he grew solemn. "When I was young, the continent was still in turmoil. The two empires clashed constantly along their borders."
"But after Spirit Hall's current pope defeated Tang Hao at the last Sect Tournament and began to make a name for himself, those clashes gradually faded away."
"Now, apart from Tang Hao killing Spirit Hall's former pope Qian Xunji and nearly bringing about the Clear Sky Sect's destruction at Spirit Hall's hands, the continent has been quiet. Quiet as a pool of dead water. Frighteningly