"These guys... are simply unreasonable!" Huo Wu, with her Huo Wu temper, couldn't help but complain, "We were clearly telling them how great the Spirit Hall Empire's new policies are! Commoner Soul Master can get more resources, have a fairer path to advancement, and Soul Tool technology will be gradually opened up... why are they even more resentful?"
Shui Bing'er frowned, her usually cool face showing confusion. "It is indeed strange. According to our analysis, the Spirit Hall Empire's policies are extremely beneficial to lower and middle-level Soul Master and ordinary people. So why are they reacting so strongly?"
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing remained silent, as they too felt this strong resistance.
Ning Rongrong sighed, her delicate face showing confusion and a hint of fatigue.
As the sect leader of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, she understood the importance of profit distribution even more clearly.
Logically speaking, although the reforms of the Spirit Hall Empire affected the interests of the upper nobility, they should have been a boon for the vast majority of middle and lower-level Soul Master.
But the reality is quite the opposite.
Xu Hong, the Grand Preceptor from the Sun Moon Empire, who had been silently observing, slowly put down his teacup, a knowing smile appearing on his aged face.
"Miss Ning, ladies, what you mean by 'better' is from the perspective of society as a whole, from the perspective of long-term development, and even from the perspective of moral fairness," Xu Hong said calmly. "But people's hearts, especially the hearts of those who have already benefited, often don't see 'better,' but rather what they have gained and what they have lost."
He pointed out the window to the well-dressed, arrogant Soul Master on the street. "In the Heaven Dou Empire, even a level 20 or 30 Soul Grandmaster can stand tall in front of ordinary people, enjoying their awe-inspiring gazes and possessing a certain social status and tangible benefits. They may not be wealthy, but that feeling of being superior is real."
"But the policies of the Spirit Hall Empire have precisely robbed them of this feeling," Xu Hong pointed out incisively. "In the picture you paint, Soul Master are merely people with special abilities, required to abide by stricter laws, and forced to compete for resources with ordinary people. For them, this is not progress, but regression. What they have lost is that privilege of being above all others."
He looked at Ning Rongrong: "It's better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond. That's human nature. Being a respected Soul Master in a small town is far more appealing than being a high-ranking citizen in the Spirit Hall Empire who has to abide by the rules and be on equal footing with ordinary people. What you've brought is sharing; you've cut a piece of the cake that might have belonged solely to them into the hands of more people. How could they be happy?"
Chapter 445 Prelude to War
"The reason why the Soul Master of the Spirit Hall Empire can accept this is because Her Majesty the Empress's iron-fisted suppression and the Venerable One's absolute military power have forcibly suppressed this discontent. But that doesn't mean there isn't any." Xu Hong looked in the direction of Heaven Dou City.
"And here, in these two great empires, the old rules still exist, and the sense of superiority among Soul Master remains. Your efforts to promote the fairness of the Spirit Hall Empire sound to them like those of robbers trying to steal their privileges!"
Ning Rongrong was stunned. She had lived in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect since she was a child and was the little princess of the school. Later, she followed Xuan Ming and came into contact with the power struggles at the top of the continent. She really didn't have a deep understanding of the subtle mentality of the lower and middle level Soul Master.
"So... all our propaganda along the way not only failed to sway them, but actually made them even more resistant to the Spirit Hall Empire?" Xiao Wu said somewhat dejectedly.
"Yes," Xu Hong nodded firmly, "They don't support the imperial power of the Heaven Dou Empire or the Star Luo Empire; they support the old order that brings them privileges! Any force that tries to change this order is their enemy."
"But the Empress should have known this would happen," Ning Rongrong said, even more confused. "Why did she have us do the publicity? Isn't this counterproductive?"
A glint of shrewdness flashed in Xu Hong's cloudy eyes. He stroked his beard and slowly said, "I suspect that what Her Majesty the Empress wants might be exactly the opposite of what she intended."
"It's better to address the root cause than to try to stop the boiling water by adding more water." Xu Hong's voice deepened. " The Spirit Hall Empire possesses two unparalleled powerhouses, His Excellency Xuan Ming and Her Majesty the Empress. They have absolute military force to suppress everything. Implementing ordinary policies, like slowly boiling a frog, will only suppress dissenting voices and allow them to become a hidden danger for the empire."
"And now, through your high-profile publicity, you've laid bare the aspects of the new policy that most affect the interests of Soul Master Soul Master," Xu Hong said, looking out the window at the Soul Master who were indignant because their interests had been harmed. "It's like pouring a ladle of cold water into a pot of boiling oil."
"All opposition, all resentment, and all the panic of vested interests will be instantly ignited, amplified, and clearly exposed."
"She's waiting for these opposition forces to step forward and rally together."
Upon hearing this, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others all changed their expressions.
They understood.
Bibi Dong and Xuan Ming didn't care how many Soul Master objected, nor did they care how loud the opposition was.
What they care about is how to eliminate all the stubborn forces that are hindering the establishment of a new order in the fastest and most thorough way.
For any other country, even the Sun Moon Empire, such radical attempts to shake the Soul Master class would be tantamount to self-destruction, inevitably leading to domestic turmoil and even regime overthrow.
But the Spirit Hall Empire is different.
Because the Spirit Hall Empire has Xuan Ming and Bibi Dong.
They possess "absolute violence" powerful enough to crush all opposition!
They don't need compromise, they don't need appeasement.
They only need one reason, one to lure out all potential enemies at once, and then...
A reason to solve once and for all, and to completely crush it!
Ning Rongrong felt a chill rise from the bottom of her heart. She finally realized clearly that the "new order" that Xuan Ming and Bibi Dong wanted to establish was not through a gentle evolution, but by using iron and blood to forcibly and completely smash the foundation of the old world, and then rebuild a completely new world on the ruins according to their will.
Their year-long lobbying efforts, seemingly sowing seeds, were in reality... igniting a fire!
Imperial Palace of the Heaven Dou Empire, Sleeping Chamber.
The air was thick with the smell of medicine. Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire, once a diligent and hardworking monarch, now lay on his dragon bed, his face sallow and his breath weak. His eyes were sunken, and only his occasionally open eyes still retained a trace of imperial majesty.
Yu Xiaogang sat solemnly on the brocade stool in front of the couch, reporting to Xue Ye on the changes in the situation over the past year.
"... Your Majesty, that's the situation." Yu Xiaogang's voice was deep and clear. " Ning Rongrong and others are spreading the Spirit Hall Empire's new policies everywhere, the core of which is a severe suppression of the privileges of Soul Master. This has not only failed to shake the foundation of our nation's Soul Master class, but has instead aroused their strong resistance and sense of crisis. Now, more and more Soul Master families, and even some previously wavering small and medium-sized sects, are more closely united around the Empire. This... is a pleasant surprise."
Xue Ye slightly moved his chapped lips, his voice hoarse. "As expected... Human nature... to seek advantage and avoid harm. The Spirit Hall Empire... has shaken their foundations."
Yu Xiaogang nodded and continued, "More importantly, thanks to the efforts of Tang San and Imperial Preceptor Xu, our Soul Tool technology has made a breakthrough. The combination of Tang Sect Hidden Weapons and Soul Tool has greatly increased their power. Now, our soul tool legion has taken initial shape and possesses the strength to directly confront the Soul Master Legion of the Spirit Hall Empire!"
He paused, then added, "As for the Star Luo Empire, we have also shared some core technologies according to the previous agreement. Emperor Dai Tianfeng also understands the principle of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold,' and their Soul Guidance Legion is also accelerating its development. The gap between the two empires in cutting-edge military power is being rapidly narrowed."
A faint glimmer of light flashed in Xue Ye's cloudy eyes, but it was quickly replaced by worry. "Force... to close the gap? But... the Spirit Hall Empire... has that... Crimson Giant."
He struggled to raise his finger, as if pointing into the void. "That thing... it can destroy a city in one strike... what use is a Soul Guidance Legion then?"
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath; he had anticipated Xue Ye's question. He said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, that blood-red giant is indeed terrifying, but it is not invincible. First of all, it is ultimately just one person and cannot appear on all battlefields simultaneously. Once a full-scale war breaks out, the battle lines will inevitably be extremely long, and we can completely adopt a strategy of fighting on multiple fronts and avoiding the enemy's strength while attacking their weaknesses."
"Secondly," a sharp glint flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes, "According to our analysis, although the blood-red giant destroyed the fortress and defenses last time it attacked, it did not massacre the soldiers."
What does this mean? It means that Xuan Ming or Bibi Dong have some reservations about this! Considering the Spirit Hall Empire's policies of winning over the people, I deduce that what they want is not a desolate wasteland littered with corpses, but a world of obedient, fangless citizens!
Their policies, seemingly benevolent, are actually weakening the power of Soul Master, depriving future subjects of the means to resist! This is a far more profound strategy to weaken the people!
Yu Xiaogang's voice was filled with both passion and worry. "Your Majesty, think about it, how arrogant and domineering did the Spirit Hall become after the Clear Sky Sect went into seclusion?"
The Spirit Hall Empire is now far stronger than the Spirit Hall was back then. If they were to truly unify the continent and completely control all Soul Master and the people, what a dark future awaited them?
They will be free of constraints! At that point, the so-called benefits for the people will be nothing more than fodder for taming lambs!
We can't wait any longer!
Yu Xiaogang's tone became urgent, " The Spirit Hall Empire's development speed far surpasses ours! They are consolidating their foundation, while we are catching up in technology. The longer this drags on, the more stable their foundation becomes, and the smaller our chances of winning will be! By the time they have completed all preparations and resume the war, we will be powerless to resist!"
"This battle is not only for the survival of the Heaven Dou Empire, but also for the future of hundreds of millions of lives on the continent, and to prevent absolute power from breeding absolute corruption and darkness!" Yu Xiaogang said resolutely.
"If we start the war now, we still have a fighting chance! Even if we can't achieve a complete victory, we must severely damage the Spirit Hall Empire, curb its expansion, and establish a new balance! Just like the past confrontation between Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empire, only balance can bring relative peace and development!"
"Even... even if we ultimately fail," Yu Xiaogang's voice lowered, tinged with a hint of tragic resolve, "If the Spirit Hall Empire were to commit massacres, it would surely sow seeds of hatred in the hearts of hundreds of millions of people! Those seeds would be the Core Flame of future revival! It's better than utterly succumbing to silent taming!"
"Therefore, Your Majesty!" Yu Xiaogang practically spat out the words, "This battle, regardless of victory or defeat, must be fought! For the empire, for the continent, for... the future!"
The Xue Ye listened quietly, his chest rising and falling slightly, his cloudy eyes gazing at the carved beams and painted rafters on the palace roof, remaining silent for Jiujiu.
The bedchamber was completely silent, save for the old man's faint breathing and the soft crackling of burning incense.
After a long while, Xue Ye slowly closed her eyes, and with her last strength, squeezed out a weak but clear word from her throat:
"Allow."
Yu Xiaogang bowed deeply, a resolute expression on his face.
He knew that a full-scale war sweeping across the entire continent was about to begin. This would be the most intense clash between the old order and the new forces, and it would determine the fate of the Douluo Continent for the next thousand years.
He left his bedchamber and immediately began preparations for final contact with the Star Luo Empire and the mobilization for war.
The shadow of war began to gather over Heaven Dou City.
Chapter 446 The Only Executioner
Deep within the Pope's Palace of Spirit City.
Xuan Ming stood silently before the enormous floor-to-ceiling window, his icy blue eyes seemingly piercing through space, gazing towards the directions of Heaven Dou City and Star Luo City. His vast and boundless divine sense, like an invisible curtain, had already enveloped the entire Douluo Continent.
The seemingly secretive war mobilization Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire might be considered top secret by ordinary people, but under his divine sense, it was as clearly visible as a campfire in the dark.
The troop movements, the gathering of supplies, the networking of Soul Master families, and the increasingly intense killing intent of war... all of this was within his perception.
He just doesn't usually bother with the noise of these ants.
But at this moment, the two rapidly expanding, imminent flames of war had already caught his attention.
Bibi Dong's figure appeared silently behind him. She had just finished dealing with heavy political affairs, and there was still a trace of fatigue between her brows, but her purple-gold eyes were as sharp as ever. She had also noticed the unusual movements of the two great empires through her intelligence network.
" Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empire seem to be preparing to make their move." Bibi Dong's voice was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger. "They're moving faster than we anticipated. It seems Rongrong and the others' efforts this past year have yielded significant results."
She walked to Xuan Ming's side and stood beside him, looking out the window. "What do you think? Should we wait for them to make the first move, or should we take the initiative?"
She knew that what determined the course of the war was never the legions, but the man beside her.
Xuan Ming didn't turn around, his gaze still fixed on the distance, his tone indifferent. "It doesn't matter."
"If they want to fight, then let them fight. At worst, we'll have a bloodbath."
Bibi Dong Dong's purplish-gold eyes flickered slightly as she looked at Xuan Ming's calm, almost indifferent face, and asked softly, "Once war breaks out, it will be a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. The two great empires have vast territories and hundreds of millions of people. If they resist stubbornly, the casualties will be countless. Moreover, excessive killing may offend the natural order and sow seeds of hatred in the hearts of the people. You... don't care?"
She wasn't showing pity, but rather needed to confirm Xuan Ming's will.
After all, a large-scale massacre is different from the deterrent effect of destroying city walls.
Xuan Ming finally turned his head, his icy blue eyes staring directly at Bibi Dong. His gaze was as deep as ice, devoid of any human emotion.
"Heaven and Earth? Hatred?"
A faint, almost imperceptible smile seemed to curve the corners of his mouth, a smile that was both mockery and indifference. "That's nothing more than an excuse that the living use to comfort themselves or to bind others."
"For those who were killed, is there any difference between the death of one person and the death of a million? They are all dead. The so-called cruelty and the so-called numbers are nothing more than the hypocritical compassion of bystanders. The dead are gone; what do the mourning and hatred of the living have to do with them?"
Bibi Dong remained silent; she understood Xuan Ming's meaning.
In the face of absolute death, quantity truly loses its meaning.
The passing of every Life is a unique end.
"In my eyes," Xuan Ming's gaze once again turned to the distance, as if gazing upon all living beings, "One person is just as important as a million. I will not sacrifice an innocent person to save a million."
"Similarly, I could also kill a million people to save one."
The value of Life should not be measured by quantity. The so-called "greater good" and the so-called "sacrificing the individual for the greater good" are nothing more than grand excuses for the strong to trample on the weak.
"Therefore, whether to fight or not, kill or not, how many to kill, makes no difference to me. It only depends on... whether it is necessary."
Bibi Dong fell silent. She understood what Xuan Ming meant.
He didn't care how many people would die in the war, or whether the mainland would be severely weakened as a result.
Since the supporters of the old order have chosen to take up arms in resistance, in his eyes they are no longer the people who need to be won over, but rather "obstacles" to the establishment of a new world.
Clearing obstacles requires a reason, but not hesitation.
He possesses the power to Destruction everything, and also the absolute determination to carry out his own will.
Morality, public opinion, and posthumous evaluation... these things that bind ordinary people are meaningless to him.
He follows a set of rules that are primordial, cold, and pure: protect what he wants to protect, remove what stands in his way—simple, direct, and unquestionable.
In his eyes, the so-called war, killings, and casualty figures might just be the size of a "trouble" that needs to be dealt with.
"I understand." Bibi Dong nodded slowly. The Asura Demon Sword in her hand seemed to sense its master's thoughts, emitting a low hum, and a faint blood-red killing intent flowed within it. "Then... so be it."
They will sound the horn of war, and the manner of its end will be decided by Xuan Ming.
To submit, or to Destruction.
There is no third way.
Inside the Angel Temple, Qian Renxue was surrounded by pure golden divine light. She had just finished a meditation session, consolidating her further familiarity with and control over the Angel Divine Power.
However, a strong sense of unease and impending doom emanated from a distant direction, shattering her inner peace.
She opened her eyes, a hint of doubt flashing in her bright golden pupils.
With a slight thought, he instantly sensed the surging war atmosphere within the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empire Empires, like boiling water. Countless armies were gathering, the light of Soul Tool flickered in the dark night, and a resolute and tragic will soared into the sky.
"Are they... insane?" Incredulity crossed Qian Renxue's exquisite face. "Knowing the existence of Xuan Ming and Bibi Dong, they still dare to start a war? Are they trying to fight a losing battle?"
But soon, a realization flashed in her eyes. She remembered the strong resistance Ning Rongrong and others encountered when promoting the new policies, and Xu Hong's incisive analysis of human nature.
No, they're not crazy.
It was the system of the Spirit Hall Empire that touched upon their most fundamental interests.