Persuasion

On the way back, Dai Tianfeng and Zhu Yunling thought over everything Qian Xunji had said that day. Even though Spirit Hall had just beaten him, Dai Tianfeng inexplicably wanted to trust it.

"Empress, do you think the Eighth Worshipper was telling the truth? Does the new pope, Bibi Dong, really intend to live in peace with the other powers?"

"Your Majesty, I think so. The Eighth Worshipper seemed like a good man, and he was sincere. Besides, the new pope is a woman. She probably doesn't want war. As for Qian Jun and Jiang Mo, they're likely unhappy with Bibi Dong's recent appointment. That would explain what happened today, while the Eighth Worshipper must be on her side."

"Mm. You have a point. Bibi Dong is only a woman. What grand designs or ambitions could she have? So what if she's the first Titled Douluo with Twin Martial Souls? She's still a woman."

"Indeed, Your Majesty. Bibi Dong certainly cannot compare to you. You have the ambition to conquer the world. If Spirit Hall hadn't kept intervening, you would have united the continent long ago."

"Haha! Put it that way, and I sound like the villain, while Spirit Hall sounds righteous. Ah, I wonder if I'll live to see my ambitions fulfilled."

"Of course you will, Your Majesty." A gentle voice answered Dai Tianfeng's sigh.

"Mm, you're right, Yun... Who are you?!"

Halfway through his reply, Dai Tianfeng realized it was not the Empress who had answered him, but a man with a gentle voice.

Qian Xunji appeared before the couple once more and bowed. "It's me, Your Majesty."

"Eighth Worshipper? What else do you want? Haven't I already agreed to attend the new pope's enthronement and title-conferral ceremonies? Why have you come looking for me again?"

Dai Tianfeng grew nervous. Was the Eighth Worshipper pretending all along? Did he wait for us to separate from the others so he could silence us?

Dai Tianfeng and Zhu Yunling took defensive stances.

"Please don't be alarmed, Your Majesty. There are simply some matters I couldn't discuss in front of the others. Only you and the Empress may know."

"What matters?"

"Spirit Hall has long known of Your Majesty's ambition to conquer the world. In the past, we repeatedly stood in your way to preserve the peace. But now Spirit Hall has reconsidered. We are willing to support you in uniting Douluo Continent."

Dai Tianfeng swallowed in shock. Instinct told him not to believe it, that there had to be a plot. But the offer was too tempting to refuse.

"What are your terms?" Dai Tianfeng straightened his back.

"The Star Luo Empire must make Spirit Hall its state religion, erect a statue of the Angel God in every city, and vigorously promote faith in her and Spirit Hall's status as the state religion. Once Spirit Hall has firmly established itself throughout the Star Luo Empire, we will help Your Majesty unite the continent."

Dai Tianfeng immediately saw the problem. If I make Spirit Hall the state religion and give it my full support, won't it strip me of my authority?

Before Dai Tianfeng could ask, Qian Xunji spoke again.

"Your Majesty need not worry that Spirit Hall will infiltrate the Star Luo Empire and usurp imperial authority. What proof can I offer? Spirit Hall's reputation for honesty, built over tens of thousands of years."

Dai Tianfeng found that laughable. Can reputation and honesty put food on the table?

"Your Majesty knows that Spirit Hall worships the Angel God, and that every member of the Qian Family possesses the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, correct?"

"I do. What of it?"

"Do you know that becoming a god is no mere legend? It has truly happened. Spirit Hall's ancestor was the Angel God."

Dai Tianfeng frowned. He had heard all this before, but had never believed it. To him, godhood was nothing more than a myth, and Spirit Hall's claim that its ancestor was the Angel God was merely a way to elevate its standing after awakening the Angel Spirit.

"You don't believe me, Your Majesty?"

Dai Tianfeng shook his head.

"Do you know that, barring an untimely death, Spirit Hall produces a level-ninety-nine Ultimate Douluo in nearly every generation?"

Come to think of it, Dai Tianfeng realized that was true. Spirit Hall had at least one level-ninety-nine Titled Douluo in every generation. He had never questioned it, or even considered why. Was it simply because the Qian Family was gifted and the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul was powerful?

"Would Your Majesty like to know why?"

"Why?"

"Because Spirit Hall has the Angel God's blessing. The Qian Family are her descendants, and the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul is the Angel God herself. Any Qian Family member who possesses it can undertake a Divine Trial set by our Divine Ancestor. Those who pass can become the Angel God's worshippers and reach level ninety-nine as Ultimate Douluo. That is how Grand Priest Qian Daoliu reached his current level. Sadly, His Holiness the Pope fell before he could become one of her worshippers."

"Is that really true?!" Dai Tianfeng had never heard this explanation before, and it shook him. Did gods truly exist? Was the Qian Family descended from one and protected by the Angel God?

"Of course. When Your Majesty returns to the Star Luo Empire, you can consult the ancient records. There may be no record of the Divine Trials, but you should find something about our Divine Ancestor. If you don't dismiss it as a myth from the outset, you may discover something."

Dai Tianfeng was now mostly convinced. After a moment's thought, he asked another question.

"But what does any of this have to do with whether Spirit Hall will usurp the Star Luo Empire's authority?"

"Your Majesty knows how a martial soul can influence a person's character. The Clear Sky Sect, for example, is full of rough men, while members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect often have a natural elegance. Those who awaken Your Majesty's White Tiger Martial Soul tend to be forthright and open-minded. Those with the Nether Civet Martial Soul are usually reserved, dignified, and graceful."

"What are you trying to say?"

"Those who awaken the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul tend to be righteous, honest, kind, and deeply principled. That is Spirit Hall's greatest guarantee. Your Majesty may find it laughable, but it is the truth. If Spirit Hall wished, with a level-ninety-nine Ultimate Douluo in every generation, we could sweep across the continent. Instead, we remain in little Spirit City and serve Your Majesty."

"Could one level-ninety-nine Ultimate Douluo really stand against the Star Luo Empire's army of a million?"

"Your Majesty, I don't know whether an Ultimate Douluo could kill a million soldiers. But one fighting at full strength could easily kill any individual, and no one could stop them from leaving afterward. They could even destroy any city on the continent and walk away."

Dai Tianfeng drew a sharp breath. "Are they truly that terrifying?"

"Of course. I am stronger than either Qian Jun or Jiang Mo individually, yet I could not last ten rounds against the Grand Priest. Even if those two joined forces, they would not last much longer. Think about it, Your Majesty. Throughout its long history, Spirit Hall has possessed such power, yet it has never flaunted it. We have simply protected the faith of the Angel God. Is that not proof enough that you can trust us?"