But now, it was Xuan Ming who spoke.
He is the god who can rewrite the map of the mainland with a wave of his hand.
His words need no reason, only execution.
However, Xuan Ming seemed to have seen through everyone's thoughts, or rather, he didn't care about their thoughts at all, he just wanted to inform them.
He tapped the table lightly, making a crisp "tap-tap" sound that was particularly clear in the quiet hall.
"If you feel it's difficult to explain to your subordinates and you need a reason..."
"Then announce to the public that the Spirit Hall Empire is about to undergo reform."
"Reform... restructuring?"
An elder with white hair and beard spoke tremulously, his voice filled with bewilderment, "My lord, the empire is currently at its zenith, enjoying peace and prosperity. Why the sudden need for reform?"
"Because the empire is too small," Xuan Ming said calmly. "An empire confined to the Douluo Continent has too narrow a vision. The future world is not just this continent, but also the Sun Moon Continent across the ocean, and even a wider world."
" The Spirit Hall Empire will unite with the Sun Moon Empire, breaking down regional and national boundaries to establish the Douluo Federation."
"To celebrate the birth of the Federation and to demonstrate the inclusiveness of the new era, a general amnesty is hereby granted."
"??!"
If Xuan Ming's arrival just now only instilled fear, then these words were like a bombshell, exploding directly in everyone's minds.
Establish the Douluo Federation?
United Sun Moon Empire?
A general amnesty?
Each and every one of these words is enough to trigger a magnitude 12 earthquake across the entire continent!
"My lord, isn't this... isn't this too fast?"
Although Ning Fengzhi was somewhat prepared, he couldn't help but be moved at this moment. He stepped forward and respectfully asked, "Although the empire is stable, it has only been established for a short time. To rashly reform it at this time would not only require integrating two completely different civilization systems, but also disrupt the existing power structure... This would likely cause enormous turmoil, and even shake the foundations of the empire."
Ning Fengzhi's concerns are not unfounded.
Although the Spirit Hall Empire unified the Douluo Continent, internal conflicts still exist.
Soul Master and commoners, the newly rich and the old, and even the remnants of the two conquered empires—these are all potential destabilizing factors.
Now, they want to introduce a powerful Sun Moon Empire and establish some kind of federation... This is taking too big a step. If they are not careful, they will cause serious problems and even cause the newly established order to collapse.
Although the other senior executives present dared not speak openly, their eyes also revealed the same worry.
Xuan Ming looked at Ning Fengzhi without the slightest surprise in his eyes.
He knew what Ning Fengzhi was worried about, and he also knew what these people were thinking.
Before her ascension, Bibi Dong did indeed reveal her vision for the future to the core leadership.
She said that the imperial order is merely a transitional phase. As long as barriers of nations, ethnicities, regions, ideologies, and beliefs exist in the world, the Core Flame of war will never be extinguished. To eliminate war at its root, these barriers must first be eliminated.
The Douluo Federation is the final form after all barriers have been eliminated.
This is a grand, almost utopian idea.
Everyone thought that this would take at least several generations, or even hundreds of years, to achieve.
No one expected that Xuan Ming would bring this up so abruptly and forcefully today.
"Unstable foundation?"
Xuan Ming slowly straightened up.
In that instant, an indescribable, terrifying pressure emanated from him.
The light in the hall seemed to dim at that moment, and everyone felt their breath catch in their throats, as if an invisible hand was tightly gripping their hearts.
"You seem to have forgotten one thing."
"The so-called foundation, the so-called stability, the so-called order... all of these are built upon power."
"In this world, I am the greatest power."
"I am here, and my words are destiny."
"The will of Heaven is difficult to defy, and therefore cannot be defied!"
Xuan Ming's words, like a divine decree, echoed in every corner of the hall.
All doubts and worries seem so pale and powerless in the face of this absolute power.
If you're not happy about it, then keep it to yourself.
If they dare to resist, then Destruction.
This is God's logic: simple, brutal, yet effective.
Ning Fengzhi took a deep breath. "This subordinate... understands."
"I will obey the divine decree."
Following Ning Fengzhi's statement, everyone else in the hall knelt down and shouted in unison:
"We respectfully obey the divine decree! Welcome to the Douluo Federation!"
Xuan Ming nodded and withdrew his terrifying pressure.
He turned around, took Tang Yuehua's hand again, and said in his usual casual tone, "Alright, about the reform, you can discuss it with the Sun Moon Empire later. I won't interfere. I'll just look at the results."
"Now, Ning Fengzhi, lead the way."
"Go and grant amnesty to those who have been granted general amnesty."
Chapter 484 Shrek's Past
The Death Cell is located deep underground on the outskirts of Spirit City, with its entrance hidden in a desolate stone forest.
As the heavy stone door slowly opened, a cold, damp smell mixed with the stench of mold and blood wafted out. Tang Yuehua instinctively covered her nose, her brows furrowing.
"Why is this place so dilapidated?" she couldn't help but ask in a low voice.
Given the current prosperity of Spirit City, even a prison should be a modern facility filled with the Soul Guidance Technology, bright and clean.
But the eerie and terrifying passageway before them, with its dim and flickering torches, was clearly the most primitive and oppressive dungeon from decades ago.
The last time she came to see Bai Chenxiang, she was in the outer guard cell; she didn't even come here.
Ning Fengzhi, leading the way, gave a wry smile upon hearing this and explained, "Lady Yuehua, this is indeed an old prison left over from the Spirit Hall era. After the establishment of the Spirit Hall Empire, although the city expanded several times over, this prison... has remained largely untouched."
"Why?" Tang Yuehua asked, puzzled.
"Because... it's unnecessary." Ning Fengzhi's voice was somewhat low. "In previous years, when Her Majesty the Empress... that is, Her Bibi Dong, ruled the empire, it could only be described as a bloodbath."
"Back then, tens of thousands of people were executed every day for various reasons. Those who resisted the empire were killed; those who were corrupt were killed; those who failed in their duties were killed... His Majesty's methods were swift and decisive; for criminals, there was never any need for argument, they were all executed."
"Therefore, there was no need to imprison prisoners at that time. Because all the prisoners were dead."
Tang Yuehua was terrified and subconsciously glanced at Xuan Ming beside her.
"Later, although the killings decreased, the empire's authority had taken deep root in people's hearts," Ning Fengzhi continued. "In addition, with the implementation of new laws and the popularization of Soul Guidance Technology, the crime rate was extremely low. Occasionally, a few fools would be executed on the spot. So, this prison remained abandoned until... the people from the Clear Sky Sect were brought back."
As they spoke, the group had already passed through the long corridor and arrived at the area where the Clear Sky Sect members were imprisoned.
There wasn't the heavily guarded place I had imagined, with sentries every three or five steps.
Even the rusty iron fence looked flimsy, as if it could be pushed open with just a little force.
"Just keep them locked up like this? Aren't you afraid they'll escape?" Tang Yuehua, somewhat surprised.
After all, those imprisoned here are the elites of the once number one sect in the world, even the remnants, including many experts at the Soul Emperor and Soul Saint levels.
"Run?"
Ning Fengzhi shook his head and pointed to the people in the cell with vacant eyes and ashen faces, "They dare not run away."
"From the very first day we arrived, the warden established a rule: anyone who dares to escape, even by taking just one step outside the cell, will be executed by slow slicing, and everyone remaining in the cell... will be implicated and killed."
"This is a plan to wipe out the entire sect," Ning Fengzhi sighed. "Anyone who dares to run will be a sinner who brings ruin to the whole sect. So, not only does no one dare to run, but even if someone had that thought, the others in the cell would hold them down."
Upon hearing this, Tang Yuehua felt a pang of sorrow.
The once mighty Clear Sky Sect has fallen to such a state that even the courage to resist and flee has been completely extinguished.
"Arrive."
Ning Fengzhi stopped in front of the largest prison cell.
Through the iron fence, you could clearly see that it was packed with people.
Most of them were dressed in rags and looked haggard, but the moment they saw Tang Yuehua, their previously lifeless eyes instantly blazed with disbelief.
"Moonlight... Yuehua?!"
"It's Aunt Yuehua! Auntie has come to save us!"
"Young Miss! It really is Young Miss!"
The cell erupted in chaos, filled with cries and shouts.
Xuan Ming stopped and did not go any further.
"Go ahead. I'll wait for you outside. There are some things I don't want to hear, and I don't want to hear them."
Tang Yuehua glanced at him gratefully, nodded vigorously, and then strode towards the prison cell door.
Watching Tang Yuehua's figure disappear from sight, Xuan Ming turned around and casually leaned against the damp stone wall.
"Speaking of which, how is Shrek Academy doing?" Xuan Ming suddenly asked.
Ning Fengzhi was taken aback, clearly not expecting that Xuan Ming would still care about this name that had long since disappeared into the annals of history.
He gathered his thoughts and answered truthfully, " Shrek Academy... no longer exists."
"Ever since the Heaven Dou Imperial Family announced that they would no longer resist and voluntarily merged into the Spirit Hall Empire, those forces that had once been affiliated with the royal family or had changed sides have begun to launch a massive attack on all former forces related to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family in order to show their loyalty to the empire."
" Shrek Academy, bearing the name of the Heaven Dou Royal Family, is naturally the first to be targeted."
Not long after, the academy was forced to disband. The teachers and students all dispersed and disappeared without a trace.
Xuan Ming nodded, not surprised.
When a wall falls, everyone pushes it down; this is an eternal truth.
"Where are Flender and the others?"
"According to my information, Dean Flender and the others... apparently went to the Sun Moon Continent with Liu Erlong some time ago," Ning Fengzhi sighed. "Perhaps for them, this Douluo Continent has become a place of sorrow. Leaving is a kind of relief."
"It's good that they're gone," Xuan Ming said calmly. "What about those students? Apart from Tang San, who got himself into a death row cell, how are the others doing now?"
Ning Fengzhi pondered for a moment and said, " Oscar... that Food System Soul Master, he left Heaven Dou City after the war between the two countries and has been missing ever since. However, some time ago, I heard from spies in Vast Sea City that a very strange Food System Soul Master appeared there, nicknamed Big Sausage Uncle, who specializes in providing supplies to adventurers who go out to sea, and his cultivation seems to have reached the Soul Saint level."
" Soul Saint... not bad at all," Xuan Ming commented.
"As for Ma Hongjun..." Ning Fengzhi's expression turned somewhat strange, "That fat guy is quite a surprise."
"A few years ago, he went to Sea God Island with Tang San. There, he seemed to have undergone some kind of test from the Sea God, not only greatly improving his cultivation but also successfully overcoming the flaws of his Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, transforming into... well, quite a handsome young man."
Xuan Ming raised an eyebrow. "Oh? That fatso actually has this kind of perseverance? That's really strange."
"However, later, Tang San and the others left Sea God Island because of Yu Xiaogang's matter, and Ma Hongjun also went to the Sun Moon Continent. But after arriving there, he didn't seem to join Tang San and the others in their antics; instead, he disappeared without a trace."
"Judging from his talent and current situation, he's at least Soul Douluo now, and might even have reached the threshold of Titled Douluo. He's probably doing quite well somewhere on the Sun Moon Continent."
Xuan Ming nodded, not entirely surprised by the result.
Out of respect for Liu Erlong, he gave Flender some Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow. That stuff could effectively suppress Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire when used regularly. However, he had to cultivate like crazy, otherwise he would be doomed once that stuff was used up.
Since Ma Hongjun is still alive, it means he really did cultivate relentlessly.
"Where is Dai Mubai?" Xuan Ming asked again.
Ning Fengzhi shook his head, " Dai Mubai... he's dead."
"Dead?"
"Yes, he died many years ago," Ning Fengzhi sighed. "He died in the struggle for succession in the Star Luo Empire."
"Back then, when the Spirit Hall Empire's army pressed in, the Star Luo Imperial Family family also experienced violent turmoil. Dai Weisi... who is Dai Mubai's older brother, launched a coup in order to surrender to the empire."