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**
Wei Yang's words struck Dai Mingzong like a sudden enlightenment.
In the past, he had only focused on the overwhelming martial strength of Spirit Hall, failing to see the deeper layers of their power.
Indeed, as long as Spirit Hall maintained its inherent legitimacy, even if Star Luo truly possessed the strength to annihilate them, they could not afford to act rashly.
Wei Yang continued, "Your Majesty, in the current state of the Douluo Continent, the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires stand in a stalemate across the north and south. Meanwhile, the world of Soul Masters is a delicate balance of power between Spirit Hall and the Seven Sects."
"We are in a state of precarious equilibrium. If our Star Luo Empire wishes to annex Heaven Dou, it would mean breaking this balance. Spirit Hall, for the sake of its own legacy, does not wish for us to succeed."
"Similarly, the other Soul Master sects may not wish to see the birth of a singular super-empire on the continent; they are simply not as forceful in their opposition as Spirit Hall."
"If that is the case, does it mean my Star Luo will never be able to unify the world?"
The thought that Spirit Hall held an invincible position due to its legitimacy in the Soul Master world caused Dai Mingzong to feel a sense of regret and discouragement.
Wei Yang gave a soft smile.
"No, Your Majesty. While Spirit Hall is naturally invincible as long as they maintain that legitimacy—leaving us with no recourse—what if Spirit Hall were to voluntarily abandon that legitimacy?"
"Spirit Hall would voluntarily give up such a natural advantage?" Dai Mingzong countered.
After all, as long as they maintained this innate edge, Spirit Hall would remain the overlord of the Soul Master world. Even if they suffered a temporary decline, it wouldn't be long before they returned to the peak.
There was almost no risk of total destruction.
"A heart dissatisfied is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant," Wei Yang said calmly.
"As the saying goes: 'Whom the Gods would destroy, they first make mad.'"
"Your Majesty, Spirit Hall is already the overlord of the Soul Master world. Tell me, if Spirit Hall develops other ideas—if they are no longer satisfied with merely ruling the Soul Master world, but also wish to rule the secular world and unify the entire continent—what would happen then?"
Dai Mingzong's eyes lit up.
"Does the Prime Minister mean to say that Spirit Hall harbors such ambitions?"
"If that is truly the case, then Spirit Hall is destined for defeat. No matter how powerful Spirit Hall is, they are ultimately an organization, not a nation. No matter how talented or visionary the Pope may be, they cannot escape the limitation of being merely a leader of a Soul Master collective."
"Furthermore, while Spirit Hall is teeming with talent, they are primarily Soul Masters. They lack individuals skilled in the governance of a state. Managing a Soul Master organization is vastly different from ruling a vast empire, no matter how large that organization might be."
Wei Yang spoke solemnly, "Your Majesty, the moment Spirit Hall reveals such ambition is the moment Star Luo finds its opportunity to unify the world. Spirit Hall is already the hegemon of the Soul Master world."
"If one day they attempt to establish a nation and thoroughly unify the continent, becoming the joint hegemon of both the Soul Master and secular worlds, it will be far more unacceptable to the other sects than Star Luo's unification."
"Spirit Hall places extreme value on Soul Masters. By then, they will likely begin a massive campaign to eliminate dissidents and recruit the continent's Soul Masters—perhaps even forcing people to join. Those who follow them will prosper; those who oppose them will perish."
"By doing so, they will inevitably offend the major sects and independent Soul Masters, damaging their own prestige. Moreover, recruiting a massive influx of people will turn Spirit Hall into a chaotic mixture of the good and the bad."
"While it may seem like their Soul Master Strength has increased, they will actually lose the unity and cohesion of the past. The gain will not be worth the loss."
"In that time of frantic expansion, Spirit Hall's actions will surely be more tyrannical and overbearing than ever before. They will be at odds with the entire world. At that point, Spirit Hall will no longer be the renowned, legitimate pillar of the Soul Master world that they are today."
"Then, Star Luo can form an alliance with Heaven Dou and join forces with the other sects of the continent to launch a crusade against Spirit Hall. Spirit Hall may be strong, but it cannot fight the entire continent."
"Furthermore, heroes are born in times of chaos. When that day comes, the Soul Master world might even produce geniuses capable of contending with the top powerhouses of Spirit Hall."
"If Star Luo can utilize its powerful national strength to lead these various factions, establishing enough prestige and merit during the campaign to annihilate Spirit Hall, we can win over the major sects."
"Once Spirit Hall is defeated, we can absorb their remaining forces into our own. At that point, the unification of the world will be right before our eyes."
"In the aftermath of the war, we can move to eliminate Heaven Dou. Once Heaven Dou is gone, Star Luo will be the sole remaining empire."
"With the support of the major sects and the absorbed remnants of Spirit Hall, our Soul Master strength will increase exponentially. It is not impossible to truly unify the world, bringing both the secular and Soul Master realms under the Empire's control."
As he listened to Wei Yang's grand scheme, Dai Mingzong's breathing became ragged.
It seemed that Star Luo's unification was not merely a "flower in a mirror" or a "reflection of the moon in water."
Gradually regaining his composure—as he was, after all, a sovereign of a generation—Dai Mingzong recovered from the shock of Wei Yang's plan. He asked, "In that case, Prime Minister, when do you think Spirit Hall will reveal such ambition?"
"Regarding that, this old official cannot be certain. I am, after all, only human," Wei Yang said, shaking his head.
"I only wish to tell Your Majesty that Star Luo has just begun its reforms. The road to unification has only just started. Perhaps it will take several generations of Star Luo's effort, spanning repeated struggles over many lifetimes. It is impossible to know."
Dai Mingzong cooled down completely from his excitement.
He truly desired to be the ruler who achieved unification and established immortal merit for Star Luo. He sighed, "It is I who was too impatient."
Wei Yang pondered for a moment, then rose and walked before the Star Luo Emperor, Dai Mingzong. He bowed deeply and said solemnly, "If such a world-shaking achievement is to be accomplished, it cannot be done overnight."
"This old official is aged and fears he will not last until that day. I offer Your Majesty twelve words to keep in your heart. If Star Luo can truly unify the world in the future, I shall be able to smile in the underworld."
Dai Mingzong was moved. He also stood up, setting aside his imperial status.
"Please speak, Prime Minister."
Wei Yang looked at Dai Mingzong and declared: "Uphold the law, successive wise rulers, wait for the opportunity."
"Uphold the law, successive wise rulers, wait for the opportunity," Dai Mingzong whispered, contemplating the words deeply.
After a moment, Dai Mingzong said slowly, "Prime Minister, this single sentence implies immense hardship and danger! Upholding the law is possible, as there are laws to follow. But to have successive wise rulers... that is truly harder than ascending to the heavens!"
"Your Majesty, no great undertaking in this world is otherwise."
Wei Yang continued respectfully, "Please forgive my boldness, but Star Luo's reforms are complete. Within the Star Luo Imperial Family, the selection of the Crown Prince is cold and cruel, but those who emerge victorious, even if they are not brilliant rulers, will certainly not be fools."
"As long as they can uphold the laws of Star Luo, the empire can slowly seek strength. If one day Spirit Hall's ambition is revealed, we shall wait for the opportunity."
"Supported by Star Luo's powerful national strength, we will unite the other forces of the continent, annihilate Spirit Hall, destroy Heaven Dou, and the great cause of unification will be within our grasp."
Taking a deep breath, Dai Mingzong said solemnly, "The Prime Minister's vision is far-reaching, setting a hundred-year plan for Star Luo and clearing the clouds of doubt from my mind. You deserve my bow."
"Your Majesty, Star Luo is my motherland. If this great task can be accomplished, it will be my greatest fortune," Wei Yang returned the bow.
**
Enjoying the story? Support the translation and get early access to future chapters here: www.patr eon.com/c/FanficTranslator Thanks for reading!
I have 50 advanced chapter now on Patreon. I will post 5 advanced chapter on Patreon everyday except Sunday