Qian Zong's Goal

The core of Qian Zong's plan was simple. It came down to four words: converting resources into power.

Spirit Hall had stood on the continent for ten thousand years, with branches everywhere. Its name had long since become known to all.

And because Spirit Hall's actions generally favored commoners, it had a good reputation among the people.

What was more, Spirit Hall had its own army, one whose raw strength crushed the empires'.

With enough territory, it could easily establish the Spirit Hall Empire.

But Spirit Hall recruited only Soul Masters, and Soul Masters believed the strong should rule. With almost no political instinct, they could not build a nation.

In short: a warrior through and through could not be king.

Xue Qinghe was stunned beyond words. For a moment, he did not know what to say.

I've spent ten years undercover in the empire and still don't know how much longer it'll take to seize it. Yet you're telling me that with just two policies, Spirit City can grow into the Spirit Hall Empire.

You're making me look like a fool.

Qian Zong asked, "Ancestor, what's wrong?"

Population was only the foundation. For Spirit City to become the Spirit Hall Empire, a series of policies would still have to follow.

He guessed Xue Qinghe probably had not grasped the logic behind it. That was fine, though, so long as he did not turn against them later.

"Ahem..." Xue Qinghe's cheeks reddened slightly. He picked up the bamboo cup and took a sip. "As expected of my dear grandson. You've got a quick mind. Your ancestor is proud of you."

Slrrrp—

Realizing he had finished the orange juice in the bamboo cup, Xue Qinghe froze for a beat. Then he picked up the coffee and took a small sip.

"Zong'er, my guards are waiting outside, and I still have to see Bibi Dong. I can't stay here much longer. I have to go."

Qian Zong nodded. He rose, walked to the bookshelf behind him, and turned a blue book on one of its shelves.

"Ancestor, Bibi Dong does care about you. When you go to her, don't give yourself away."

The bookshelf swung around, revealing a hidden passage.

"Leave through here. There's a path at the back that leads straight to Pope Mountain."

Xue Qinghe nodded and entered the passage.

Then, as if something had just occurred to him, Xue Qinghe turned back and asked, "Oh, Zong'er, are you looking for wives?"

Qian Zong smiled. "Yes. If you have someone in mind, Ancestor, feel free to introduce her to me. My standards aren't high. As long as she knows to run home when it rains, she'll do."

Xue Qinghe did not understand what Qian Zong meant. Who would not run home when it rained? She would have to be a fool not to.

But he had his answer, and that was enough.

Xue Qinghe nodded in satisfaction and headed down the passage.

After Xue Qinghe left, Qian Zong returned to his seat.

Looking out at the busy street, he felt the corners of his mouth lift.

"The first step's done. Now where should I find some unlucky souls..."

He drew his gaze back, picked up the coffee Xue Qinghe had left behind, and took a small sip. His index finger tapped lightly on the table.

A moment later, Qian Zong tapped a bell on the table that was the same color as its surface.

The next instant, a man in black appeared beside Qian Zong.

He was powerfully built, dressed in a black robe and a black ghost-face mask. He clasped his fists in salute. "Young Master."

Qian Zong asked, "007, what's the situation in the city?"

007 was the code name he had given the man in black. It rolled off the tongue and was easy to remember.

"Since the policies benefiting commoners were announced, large numbers of unfamiliar faces have poured into the city.

"Many Soul Masters came from other factions. They've been secretly copying books from the Martial Soul Library and probing Spirit Hall's intentions.

"Over the past three months, patrols have arrested twelve commoner criminals and 108 Soul Master criminals. Of the Soul Masters, eighty-seven were unaffiliated, seven belonged to the Blue-Point Tyrant Dragon Sect, twelve were fallen ones, and two were remnants of the Clear Sky Sect."

Qian Zong tapped a finger lightly against the table, calculating how to make the fullest use of these people.

Bibi Dong's experiences and thoughts were too complicated for Qian Zong to judge easily.

But Bibi Dong had ambition, resilience, and talent. She had never forgotten why she had begun and still cared about commoners. Even after inheriting the Rakshasa Godhood, she had retained her humanity. That was rare. She had the makings of someone great.

Since Bibi Dong wanted to unify the empires and achieve her goal, Qian Zong did not mind lending her a hand.

In truth, Qian Zong did not think Bibi Dong's approach was wrong. When it came to unifying the continent, he agreed with her from the bottom of his heart.

To achieve peace, the continent had to be united.

It would bring blame upon those living now, but its benefits would last a thousand autumns.

Besides, Qian Zong had personally lived through the age of demons run amok ten thousand years later. Evil Soul Masters had become champions of justice, the righteous had been reduced to fodder, and those in power had looked on as the people suffered, doing nothing.

Now that he had the chance, he wanted to sever that future with his own hands.

"How have the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and the Star Luo Imperial Family responded?"

Everything 007 had gathered was within Qian Zong's expectations.

The first Angel God had ruled an entire age, and Spirit Hall had been founded by her. Its foundations were unfathomably deep, and the Martial Soul Library held far more texts than both empires' collections combined.

A move on this scale was bound to stir the thoughts of Soul Masters across the continent and every major power.

Spirit City had already become a melting pot.

Fortunately, Spirit Hall had enough raw strength to keep matters under control.

But if they waited much longer and the city grew more crowded, even a Spirit Hall that strong would inevitably let something slip.

Ultimately, the population had arrived, but Spirit Hall's territory was too small to accommodate many more people.

"Both empires have responded. Openly, the Heaven Dou Empire sent Crown Prince Xue Qinghe to Spirit City as an envoy to build friendly relations with Spirit Hall.

"Secretly, it also sent large numbers of commoners and Soul Masters into the city. Its aim is the same as the other factions': to find out why Spirit Hall made this move.

"The Star Luo Empire has adopted a similar strategy. It has sent commoners and imperial children into the city as well, with both covert and overt parties investigating Spirit Hall."

Qian Zong glanced over. "An imperial prince from the Star Luo Empire? Dai Weisi?"

"Besides First Prince Dai Weisi, Fourth Princess Dai Yan came as well.

"They entered the city seven days ago and have spent the time since then reading texts in the Martial Soul Library."

Qian Zong was a little surprised. "Dai Yan? Hasn't that woman caused trouble in the city?"

Dai Yan's Martial Soul was the Blazing Flame White Tiger, and her Innate Soul Power was level seven. She had considerable talent.

The Star Luo Empire held martial prowess in high regard, and her mother came from a noble military family. As a result, Dai Yan had spent much of her childhood among soldiers, with little supervision. She came to believe the strong should rule and developed a fiercely competitive streak.

After her Blazing Flame White Tiger Martial Soul awakened, she became more impulsive and quicker to anger.

During her time in the palace, the Fourth Princess had caused no shortage of trouble.

"The Fourth Princess has spent most of her time in the library and hasn't caused any serious trouble.

"She does often slip out when her guards aren't watching. She's cursed at vendors on the snack street a few times, but she hasn't struck anyone."

The more Qian Zong heard, the less he liked it.

A fierce temper, yet she hurt no one and caused no trouble? All she did was curse at people? That would never do!

As Qian Zong pondered, the man in black reminded him:

"Young Master, more and more people are entering the city. The hotels, inns, and posthouses are full, and we no longer have enough patrols or guards.

"Bibi Dong was already unhappy about you becoming Spirit Hall Young Hall Master. She's using this opportunity to pressure the Worship Hall to come up with a solution.

"The Worship Hall doesn't fear her, but Spirit City's population has indeed become a serious problem.

"If this continues, I'm afraid trouble will break out in the city."