From atop the high platform, Bibi Dong looked down at the sea of dark-clad subjects below.
Before the cries of "Long live!" had faded, she raised a hand.
The waves of sound gradually quieted.
The entire Spirit City slowly fell silent.
"How many years has it been since Spirit Hall was founded?"
"Spirit Masters of the Hall could go anywhere on the continent and invoke the name Spirit Hall, and no one would dare slight them."
"Yet Heaven Dou Empire's declaration of war listed four crimes against Spirit Hall and demanded that our branch halls withdraw from every city."
She paused.
"I have agreed."
An uproar broke out below.
"We will abandon the branch halls."
"From this day forth, our Spirit Hall Empire will have territory of its own."
"If Heaven Dou wants war, then war it shall have!"
After a brief deathly silence, thunderous cheers surged into the sky.
"Long live the Spirit Hall Empire!"
"Long live Your Majesty!"
Heaven Dou City, Moonlight Pavilion.
Tang Hu and two fellow disciples traveled day and night before arriving directly at the entrance to Moonlight Pavilion.
The once bustling Moonlight Pavilion was now much quieter.
Ever since learning of Tang Hao and Tang Xiao's deaths, Tang Yuehua, the Pavilion Mistress, had become exceptionally distant.
In the past, whenever princes and nobles came calling, she would make time to meet them no matter how busy she was.
Now, forget receiving guests—she was no longer proactive even in managing Moonlight Pavilion, leaving all matters to the stewards.
She herself rarely went out, sometimes not showing her face even once in a month.
"We have come to pay our respects to Madam Yuehua." Tang Hu stepped forward and cupped his hands toward the gate attendant.
"Sorry for the trouble, but please inform her that