When Xuan Ming withdrew his hand, the Soul Power emanating from the Imperial Advisor had undergone a qualitative leap! It was none other than... the aura possessed by Level 99 Peerless Douluo!
The entire hall was deathly silent!
Everyone stared in disbelief at the Imperial Advisor in the sky, feeling the terrifying and unparalleled pressure emanating from him, their minds blank.
Help a Level 98 Peak Douluo forcefully break through to the legendary Level 99 within ten breaths?!
This... this is simply beyond human capability!
This is a miracle!
Only a legendary level 100 True God could possess such heaven-defying and fate-altering means!
At this moment, all the last trace of doubt and potential resistance in the hearts of the high-ranking officials of the Sun Moon Empire towards Xuan Ming vanished, replaced by boundless awe and fear, and... an uncontrollable fervor!
Faced with a true god of such immense power, resistance would be foolish. Their only thought now was how to cling tightly to this powerful figure, to survive under this True God's command, and perhaps even to receive more blessings!
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty! I will never forget your kindness in giving me a second chance!" The Imperial Preceptor felt the surging power within him and trembled with excitement. He knelt down in mid-air, his voice filled with piety and gratitude.
"We will obey the divine decree!" The Sun Moon Emperor bowed deeply without hesitation, his tone utterly respectful. "The Empire will spare no effort to fulfill Your Majesty's command! Ten thousand technicians and thirty percent of the top Soul Engineer will be assembled within seven days! Research on Soul Tool for storing Soul Ring will also commence immediately!"
Xuan Ming nodded slightly, not surprised by the emperor's change in attitude. Faced with absolute power and tangible benefits, a wise person knows how to choose.
"I will come to bring people in seven days."
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
The Sun Moon Empire demonstrated extremely high efficiency, urgently recruiting and selecting 10,000 artisans, scholars, and some mid-to-low-level Soul Tool Soul Engineer from all over the country.
At the same time, nearly 30% of the Empire's top Soul Engineer, including several highly respected Level 9 Soul Engineer, were also ordered to assemble.
Upon learning that they would be traveling across the ocean to an unfamiliar continent, many people inevitably felt apprehensive and uneasy.
But when the newly appointed, chillingly powerful, Level 99 Imperial Advisor personally appeared, mobilizing the troops as the Empire's number one Soul Engineer, and subtly mentioned the supreme power and blessings of that "Supreme One," the panic was quickly replaced by a desire to explore unknown technologies, awe of divine guidance, and an expectation of potentially greater opportunities.
On the seventh day, Xuan Ming's figure appeared above the assembly point on time. He didn't say much, but his Divine Consciousness swept over the dark mass of people below. After confirming that everything was in order, his vast divine Divine Power surged out like a tide, instantly enveloping the tens of thousands of technicians and some of the supplies that had been prepared in advance.
Space is violently distorted and folded!
The next moment, Spirit City, on a vast open space that had been cleared beforehand, the space rippled like water, and tens of thousands of figures appeared out of thin air, accompanied by a slight dizziness!
These earth-shattering measures once again deeply shocked everyone from the Sun Moon Continent.
In front of the open space, led by Empress Bibi Dong of the Spirit Hall Empire, the elders of the Elder Hall, important officials from various departments of the empire, and many powerful high-level Soul Master were already lined up and waiting.
The massive Soul Master legion stood solemnly on both sides, banners waving, disciplined and imposing, exuding an invisible, powerful aura of authority and strength.
This is both the highest level of welcome and an undisguised display of force!
Xuan Ming had already told Bibi Dong that the individual strength of Soul Master on the Sun Moon Continent was generally not strong, and Titled Douluo were extremely rare, but their Soul Tool technology was extremely advanced, and the power of some top-level offensive Soul Tool was even enough to threaten Peak Douluo.
Faced with this group of "reinforcements" from another land who possess special powers, the Spirit Hall Empire must demonstrate absolute strength from the outset to control the entire situation in order to prevent any potential disloyalty from arising.
Of course, since they are invited "guests" and future technical backbones, the necessary respect and courtesy are indispensable.
Chapter 415 Imperial Changes
Bibi Dong, dressed in a magnificent purple-gold Pope robe and wearing a crown, possessed an exquisite face that exuded the majesty of an empress, yet also a touch of perfectly measured gentleness. She stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over the slightly flustered and shocked crowd from the Sun Moon Continent, her voice carrying far and wide through her Soul Power:
"I, Bibi Dong, Empress of the Spirit Hall Empire, on behalf of the Empire, welcome all the talented individuals from the Sun Moon Continent!"
"Your arrival will bring new dawn and change to this continent! The Empire has prepared residences, laboratories, and all the necessary resources for you! For any skill you possess, the Empire will generously reward you! For any contribution, the Empire will remember it forever!"
"From this day forward, you are all honored guests of the Spirit Hall Empire, and also meritorious contributors to the Empire's march into a new era!"
Her voice was strong and powerful, conveying both importance and status—she was a distinguished guest, a meritorious official, but also within the system of the Spirit Hall Empire.
The newly promoted Level 99 Sun Moon National Master felt even more awe when he sensed the unfathomable aura emanating from Bibi Dong, which even made him feel a sense of oppression.
This empress's strength is definitely above his! Moreover, he keenly sensed that there were more than a dozen Titled Douluo- level auras in the opposing camp! This power far surpasses that of the Sun Moon Empire!
Even though the Worship Hall had a grudge against Bibi Dong, Qian Daoliu still sent Azure Luan and Qian Jun Jiang Mo to attend such an important event concerning the future of the empire. They looked at this Peerless Douluo from overseas with solemn eyes, and their exchanges of glances were filled with vigilance and scrutiny.
The welcoming ceremony was brief yet solemn. After Bibi Dong finished her speech, the well-prepared imperial officials stepped forward to guide the tens of thousands of skilled workers to a specially planned and well-equipped area within the city for resettlement.
As the technicians from the Sun Moon Continent, guided by officials from the Spirit Hall Empire, checked into their clearly well-prepared accommodations with a mixture of curiosity and unease, and were told they would enjoy preferential treatment and high social status, the Spirit Hall Empire's onlookers, including Soul Master and civilians, received a clear signal:
Her Majesty the Queen is serious.
While military might remains an unshakeable foundation, in the future, knowledge, technology, and contributions to the empire may earn respect and rewards no less than, and perhaps even surpass, the power of a mere Soul Master.
Azure Luan Douluo, along with Qian Jun and Jiang Mo, returned to the Worship Hall and reported in detail to Qian Daoliu what they had seen and heard outside the city, especially the Level 99 Peerless Douluo from overseas whose aura was in no way weaker than theirs, as well as the situation of the Qian Daoliu of foreign continental technicians who were treated as honored guests.
After listening to the report, Qian Daoliu stood in front of the Angel God Statue, silent for Jiujiu. A rare look of deep confusion appeared on his usually dignified and calm face.
He was increasingly unable to understand Bibi Dong and Xuan Ming's intentions.
Originally, he thought that the establishment of the Spirit Hall Empire would be achieved by using the Spirit Hall's powerful Soul Master army as a spearhead to quickly conquer and annex the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empire, and establish a vast empire with Soul Master as the absolute core.
War, conquest, and plunder—this is the norm in times of chaos.
But the reality is quite the opposite.
After initially consolidating the border kingdoms and duchies, Bibi Dong voluntarily ceased large-scale military operations.
Xuan Ming, with his terrifying, almost godlike power, directly intimidated the two great empires, forcibly maintaining a facade of peace.
Subsequently, Bibi Dong began to implement sweeping, even self-destructive, reforms internally, including harsh laws and punishments, suppression of Soul Master' privileges, and the introduction of so-called new technologies... This was completely shaking the original foundation of the Spirit Hall Empire.
Now, Xuan Ming has brought a full 10,000 technical talents from overseas and treated them with the highest honors.
Judging from their demeanor, they seem to be truly focused on "building" a nation, a completely new country unlike any previous empire, with entirely different rules.
This was completely beyond Qian Daoliu's understanding of the word "empire".
" Great Enshrined, how... should we deal with this?" Azure Luan Douluo asked in a low voice, his tone tinged with confusion.
The opponent's unpredictable behavior left them, accustomed to power struggles, feeling bewildered.
Qian Daoliu slowly turned around, the complex expression in his golden eyes finally settling into calm. He gently shook his head. "No need to react, just observe and see how things unfold."
His gaze fell upon the depths of the Angel Temple, where his granddaughter Qian Renxue, was receiving the most important inheritance.
"Right now, the most important thing for us is only one thing—ensuring that Xiao Xue successfully completes the God's Trial," Qian Daoliu said calmly. "She has already reached the Eighth Trial. With her talent and current progress, completing all nine trials and inheriting the Angel Godhood will take no more than a few years."
He paused and continued, "As for the future of the Spirit Empire and the layout of the continent... these will be decided by Xiaoxue after she becomes a god."
In Qian Daoliu's view, no matter what Bibi Dong and Xuan Ming are plotting or doing, as long as Qian Renxue can successfully inherit the Angel Godhood and become the new Angel God, then there is still room for maneuver.
God Level power is enough to shatter any mortal plan.
Intervening now might disrupt Qian Renxue's lineage and even cause unnecessary conflict.
Since we don't understand, let's remain on the sidelines for now and leave the final decision to Qian Renxue, who is about to ascend to Godhood.
After the three honorifics, Azure Luan, Qian Jun, and Jiang Mo, left, leaving only Qian Daoliu alone in the spacious and solemn Worship Hall, the forced calm on his face finally faded, replaced by a deep sense of bewilderment and indescribable worry.
The scene from months ago is still vividly etched in his mind.
Qian Renxue was struck back Xuan Ming from the direction of the Pope's Palace like a bird with broken wings, and crashed heavily onto the square in front of the temple. Not only was her body severely injured, with broken ribs and damaged internal organs, but more seriously, the light in her golden eyes was shattered and her pride was almost crushed.
That was his granddaughter, whom he had watched grow up, the most perfect heir of the Angel Clan. How could she have ever suffered such humiliation and blow?
After her injuries improved slightly, Qian Renxue entered the Angel Secret Realm without saying a word and began a near-self-torturing, frenzied cultivation.
She poured all her time and energy into it, as if only by constantly becoming stronger could she fill the emptiness and burning anger in her heart.
However, what unsettled Qian Daoliu even more was that before Qian Renxue entered the secret realm, she asked him in a tone of despair and questioning he had never heard before:
"Grandpa... how exactly did Father die? Was it... related to that woman?"
He fell silent.
He couldn't answer. He couldn't deceive his beloved granddaughter, nor could he speak the bloody, ugly truth.
At that moment, Qian Renxue's gaze shifted from initial anticipation to surprise and doubt, finally settling into a deathly coldness. She didn't press him further, but simply gave him a deep look before turning and resolutely stepping into the secret realm.
It was that one glance that still makes Qian Daoliu feel a pang of fear whenever he thinks about it.
He was afraid.
I'm afraid that Qian Renxue has already guessed something, or that one day she will find out the whole truth.
The truth was too cruel.
For someone as proud to the core as Qian Renxue, how could she possibly bear the thought that her birth stemmed from a despicable scheme, that her revered father died at the hands of her own mother, and that the very foundation of her existence was a tragedy?
Chapter 416 What are you doing here?
Qian Daoliu could almost foresee that the truth would be like the most vicious curse, completely destroying the beliefs and pride she had always held onto, and might even cause her to... utterly collapse.
The more he pondered, the more he felt a sense of utter despair, a feeling of helplessness and despair.
As someone who experienced that tragedy firsthand, and even as a bystander who, to some extent, tacitly approved of Qian Xunji's actions, what right did he have to comfort or console Qian Renxue?
Whatever he says appears pale and powerless in the face of that bloody truth, and may even have the opposite effect.
He could almost see it: when the truth was fully revealed, Qian Renxue's proud soul would be shattered, the glory of Angel would be extinguished in her eyes, leaving only boundless darkness and pain. It was a sight he absolutely did not want to see.
What should he do? Who can help him? Who can help Xiao Xue?
" Xuan Ming..."
Yes, perhaps only him. The man who personally plunged Xiao Xue into the abyss, yet seemed to have some complex bond with her.
He must go and talk to Xuan Ming.
At midnight, deep within the Pope's Palace, Xuan Ming stood quietly by the window, gazing at the deep night outside. His aura was restrained, blending into the stillness of the night.
A barely perceptible golden streak of light swept across the night sky, landing precisely inside the hall behind him. As the golden light dissipated, it revealed Qian Daoliu's slightly weary and heavy figure.
Xuan Ming didn't turn around, still looking out the window, his voice rang out indifferently, breaking the silence in the hall. "What are you doing here?"
It wasn't a question, but rather a hint of barely perceptible annoyance.
Qian Daoliu stared at Xuan Ming's tall and aloof back, opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know how to speak. The other party's icy aura that kept people at a distance made all the words he had prepared get stuck in his throat.
Xuan Ming slowly turned around, his icy blue eyes appearing exceptionally deep in the night. He looked at Qian Daoliu, his gaze seemingly able to pierce through one's heart.
"Is it for Qian Renxue?" Xuan Ming cut to the chase, his tone devoid of surprise, only displaying a chilling indifference that seemed to know everything. "What use do you think it would be to come to me now?"
Qian Daoliu's heart tightened; Xuan Ming had indeed guessed his purpose. He took a deep breath, trying to make his tone sound sincere, " Xuan Ming, I know many things happened in the past... It was the Spirit Hall, the Qian Family, that wronged you. But Xiao Xue is innocent! She's in a very bad state right now, and I'm worried... I'm worried she won't be able to bear knowing the truth. You... between you and her, after all..."
"After all what?" Xuan Ming interrupted him, "After all, we knew each other? After all, I was once a pawn under your control? Or after all... I personally beat her half to death in the end?"
Qian Daoliu was speechless, his face turning pale.
Xuan Ming took a step forward, an invisible pressure spreading out. His voice wasn't loud, but every word was like a knife, cutting into Qian Daoliu's heart:
" Qian Daoliu, you've always been like this. Always standing on high, coldly observing. You watched Qian Xunji evil without stopping her, watched Bibi Dong fall into despair without offering a helping hand, and now you want to beg me, an outsider, for help as you watch Qian Renxue walk towards collapse?"
"Your self-proclaimed kindness and steadfastness are nothing but excuses for your cowardice and hypocrisy! What you've never protected is justice or kinship; what you've protected is only the laughable glory of your Angel Clan and your own pathetic sense of dignity!"
"Standing atop the continent, enjoying the blessings of the gods, your Qian Family has long been rotten to the core!"
Xuan Ming's voice carried a deep disgust, "Now you're panicking? Scared? You've remembered to come looking for me, the variable and troublemaker in your eyes?"
Qian Daoliu remained silent, unable to utter a single word in rebuttal.
Because what Xuan Ming said was almost entirely bloody truth. What he had always insisted on and protected seemed so pale and laughable in the eyes of the other party that seemed to see through everything.
Xuan Ming looked at his distraught state, his eyes filled with no pity, only a deeper coldness.
Go back to your Angel Temple.
" Qian Renxue's situation is her own tribulation; she must overcome it herself. If she cannot, then that is her fate."
"As for you... you have no right to beg me, much less the right to plead for her."
Qian Daoliu's figure appeared particularly desolate in the night. In the end, he couldn't say anything. He just looked deeply at Xuan Ming, then silently turned around, transformed into a dim golden light, and disappeared Pope's Palace.
Silence returned to the palace, with only the cool moonlight filtering through the window lattices.
After a while, another figure quietly entered.
Bibi Dong wore a simple purple dress, shedding the majesty of an empress during the day, with a hint of weariness and worry between her brows.