Within the Pope's Palace, the aura of solemnity and dignity had not yet dissipated; the sanctity of the coronation and the people's reverence still lingered in the air.
Chen Yi passed easily through the lounges and corridors, finally arriving at a study deep within the palace. There, he found Qian Renxue, now changed from the grand ceremonial robes into a simple golden court dress. A smile appeared in his eyes, and he bowed formally:
"Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope."
Qian Renxue looked at the smiling young man, and despite herself, a gentle smile emerged on her own face. She corrected her expression, then reached out to him:
"There's no need for such formality. Please, rise."
The moment their gazes met, everything was understood without words. Casually, Chen Yi sat at her feet, getting straight to business.
"As per our previous agreement, experts of the Body Sect have gradually assembled in Vast Sea City. This time, Elder Dugu Bo himself leads the team, and they are now awaiting to join the Spirit Hall expeditionary forces."
The Sea Soul Masters would, of course, hold a massive advantage offshore. Yet with Dugu Bo's participation, things were different. His unparalleled poison arts would make him a formidable force in the battle to destroy the island.
Qian Renxue nodded, lightly tapping her slender fingers against the smooth table, her golden eyes cold and sharp.
"Sea God Island… This time, we're not only leveling that island, but I'll shatter the statue of Poseidon myself and incinerate all vestiges of their faith in the Sea God with the angel's holy flames."
Though her tone was calm, it carried intense fury beneath the surface.
The angel fell to Poseidon's hands. Sea God Island harbored the fallen angel. Poseidon meddled in the affairs of the continent… One by one, these events brought them to ruin.
Moreover, this battle was essential for the new Pope—Qian Renxue—to establish her prestige. A beautiful, decisive victory was needed!
After a moment, the coldness in Renxue's eyes subsided, and she recalled something else.
"By the way, a secret report arrived from Heaven Dou City. The Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire, Dai Weisi, recently visited, meeting with Xue Qinghe. The Star Luo and Heaven Dou Empires intend to form an anti-Spirit Hall alliance to resist the pressure from both Spirit Hall and the Body Sect."
At first, the Star Luo Empire had openly recognized the remnants of the Clear Sky Sect as its guardian sect, and now sought an alliance with Heaven Dou. From her perspective, this was a road leading only to destruction.
"That's just their dying gasp," Chen Yi replied calmly. Dai Liang's choices did not surprise him. Had the emperor shown no resistance, Chen Yi would have suspected him of having a secret plan to restore the Star Luo's former glory.
"Although the Asura God and the Sea God are temporarily constrained by the God Realm Committee, they have already begun secretly plotting their next moves.
The Douluo Continent must be unified under our control, governed by unbreakable order and defense.
Any forces or individuals seeking to disrupt, divide, or intervene from outside are doomed to be consigned to the dustbin of history. There will be no exceptions."
Qian Renxue nodded deeply.
"I have discussed this thoroughly with Grandfather. During the Sea God Island campaign, they will be responsible for quelling any turmoil within the continent."
She tapped the table softly, a clear note echoing.
"At that time, Xue Qinghe will claim it's 'for the sake of public sentiment and to avoid bloodshed' that the Heaven Dou Empire will voluntarily accept Spirit Hall's protection and guidance."
"Of course, among the Heaven Dou's aristocracy, some unwilling to relinquish power may plot rebellion or offer feigned obedience while secretly opposing us…"
Qian Renxue's eyes sharpened.
"We no longer need to tolerate this. The Spirit Hall's enforcement teams will handle the purification."
Swift, decisive measures are the greatest mercy. Some degree of purging is unavoidable in the process of unification.
"That's how it should be. Before tackling external threats, we must guarantee peace at home—at the very least, stability at the rear." Chen Yi nodded in agreement. Unification would inevitably cause painful upheaval, but short, intense suffering beats endless disorder and strife. Spirit Hall and the Body Sect, holding absolute strength and command, could force this process while minimizing harm to the land.
At that, Qian Renxue changed the subject.
"Just recently, the Star Luo Empire sent someone to escort Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing to Spirit Hall for judgment."
Hearing this, Chen Yi's lips curled wryly.
"Dai Liang is paranoid now. Quick to react."
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, princes of Star Luo, had deep ties with the fallen Tang San's group—even fighting together in the finals. With the Clear Sky Sect's secrets exposed, Tang Chen and Bo Saixi dead, Tang San revealed his own spirit ring before dying. Now, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's backgrounds made them dangerous liabilities.
If the Star Luo Empire wished to shield itself, they needed to cut ties immediately, and handing them over would also prevent Spirit Hall finding a public pretext to attack Star Luo.
"So, what do you intend to do with them?" Chen Yi asked, as if discussing a pair of insignificant insects.
Qian Renxue's eyes were cold, as though reciting an already prepared verdict.
"Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, as royal members of Star Luo, not only failed their homeland, but openly colluded with the fallen Tang San. Their actions threaten the order and morals of soul master society on the continent and seek to overturn the legitimate human order.
By law, collaborating with evil makes one equally evil, and as a warning to others, they should be sentenced to death."
Chen Yi listened quietly. He knew a turning point was imminent.
As expected, Qian Renxue suddenly changed her tone:
"Nevertheless, they are both young, inexperienced, and may have been tricked by Tang San. Furthermore, the Star Luo Empire, showing sincerity, has captured and handed them over themselves. As Pope, I should show mercy.
Thus, I hereby pardon their death sentences, strip them of their spirit power, and consign them to imprisonment in the Slaughter City for life."
The Star Luo Empire was willing to sacrifice its own for the greater good, cutting ties by surrendering its own children for its own survival.
Qian Renxue, however, would not play by their script:
"You want them dead? For the sake of the royal house, I'll keep them alive!"
For royalty, losing one's martial soul was a fate worse than death; for commoners, it was merely a question of survival.
But what was Slaughter City?
Most soul masters and armies of Douluo Continent had never even heard of it.
No one could guess how high a price the Star Luo Empire paid just to find such a place for their princes.
And were the Star Luo to try to explain the origins of Slaughter City, they'd be forced to reveal Spirit Hall's involvement—only further boosting Spirit Hall's prestige.
In the end, Star Luo couldn't protest and could only thank the Pope for her mercy.
"Understood." Chen Yi nodded, a mischievous smile on his lips.
"Slaughter City? Suitable indeed. They're bound to be popular there."
He had once spent some time in Slaughter City and knew deeply its chaos and cruelty.
Now, with the Slaughter King dead, the city had lost its most basic order. It would become a true lawless abyss of sin.
To send Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing there was less an imprisonment than casting them slowly into a meat grinder of despair.
To live is to suffer more than death.
That would be their fate.
"It's settled, then." With another light tap, Qian Renxue made her decision.
"Soon, I'll sign the papal decree and carry it out, letting the whole continent see just how loyal and upright their new Pope can be."
…
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