AWB Chapter 441 The 5th Soul Ring! The Far North!
Chapter 441 The 5th Soul Ring! The Far North!
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's eyes flickered slightly, but she remained silent.
But Golden Crocodile Douluo glanced at Lion Douluo.
"Third brother, watch your words."
Lion Douluo bowed his head and said:
"I'm just telling the truth."
Demon-Slaying Douluo also said:
"Second Brother, we know you're worried about Tang San, but Tang San's whereabouts are currently unknown. It would be such a pity to give up the opportunity to conquer the continent right now because of Tang San, who may not return for who knows when."
On the other side of the main hall, Qingluan Douluo finally spoke.
His voice was much calmer than that of the Lion Douluo, yet it carried the same weight.
"Tang San has simply disappeared, he is not dead."
"He might be rescued by Rakshasa once, and then Rakshasa might send him back again."
"Moreover, he was almost driven to the brink of death in Douluo Continent this time. If he returns next time, it will definitely be in even more danger than it is now."
Guangling Douluo sat to one side, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, and said calmly:
"I also feel that now is not the right time to start a war."
The Lion Douluo frowned.
"Fifth Brother, what do you mean?"
Light Feather Douluo raised his eyes.
"The meaning is very simple."
"What is Tang San's greatest strength? It's not direct combat, it's sneak attacks, massacring cities, devouring souls, and sowing discord."
"When His Majesty attacked Tiandou City, he circled around to the rear and slaughtered the cities we had just captured."
"If we were to resume the war now, the Martial Soul Empire, Heaven Dou, and Star Luo would once again engage in all-out warfare, resulting in countless deaths on the battlefield and chaos in the city defenses."
"When Tang San returns, who will be the most comfortable?"
"It's him."
"The entire continent is a battlefield, the entire continent is filled with vengeful spirits, the entire continent is torn open by war. That is to build a Rakshasa altar for him."
This statement silenced many pro-war advocates for a moment.
Guangling Douluo continued:
"Tang Chuan's push for reforms in the Heavenly Dou system may not be all bad."
"At least he is reducing the oppression of the nobility, concentrating the population, and establishing a monitoring system. As a result, it will be much more difficult for Tang San to easily slaughter cities and devour souls as before."
"The Spirit Empire should do the same thing. Shrink small towns, concentrate defenses on major cities, establish the Angelic Holy Light Barrier, and thoroughly investigate the remnants of the Rakshasa Divine Court. This is what we should be doing right now."
The Lion Douluo snorted coldly.
"What if Tang Chuan becomes a god? Haven't you noticed? Tang Chuan has already completed the seventh trial of the Sea God and pulled out the Sea God's trident."
"His first spirit ring is already complete, and it won't be long before he completes his second spirit ring. When he returns, even if he doesn't immediately inherit the Sea God's position, he will definitely advance further. If he truly becomes the Sea God, His Majesty will have to face a complete Sea God if he wants to unify the continent."
"Are we just going to watch him become a god?"
Azure Phoenix Douluo said calmly:
"You want to stop him?"
Lion Douluo said in a deep voice:
"We can't just sit idly by."
Guangling Douluo chuckled softly.
"Who's going?"
"you?"
Lion Douluo's face darkened.
Guangling Douluo's voice was still very soft, but it carried a hint of sharpness.
"Tang Chuan now wields the Trident of Poseidon and possesses the power of the Blue Silver Emperor, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, the Heavenly Dream Ice Silkworm, the Snow Emperor, the Ice Emperor, the Azure Bull Python, the Titan Giant Ape, and more."
"He has also formed an alliance with Di Tian. If we send someone to stop him, not to mention whether we can stop him, as soon as this matter is exposed, the three-way alliance will immediately break down."
"At that time, Tang Chuan, Di Tian, Tian Dou, and Xing Luo will all regard the Spirit Empire as a treacherous enemy. Most importantly, if Tang San takes the opportunity to return, we will be attacked from both sides."
Lion Douluo roared:
"Are we just going to do nothing?"
Guangling Douluo Dao:
"It's not that we won't do it."
"Don't do stupid things."
The atmosphere in the main hall suddenly became tense and confrontational.
The Lion King slammed his fist on the table and stood up.
"Fifth brother, who are you calling stupid?"
Guangling Douluo also raised his eyes, his gaze indifferent.
"Who is the one who is in a hurry to start a war when Tang San is still alive, Tang Chuan has not returned, and the Star Dou Alliance is not yet stable? I'm talking about that person."
That's enough.
Golden Crocodile Douluo finally spoke.
His voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the hall. As the second honoree of the Hall of Worship, after Qian Daoliu's death, Golden Crocodile Douluo's prestige in the Hall of Worship was second only to Qian Renxue.
He slowly looked at the crowd and said:
"There are reasons for war."
"There is a reason for harmony."
"The third brother and the others are worried that after Tang Chuan becomes a god, the Spirit Empire will lose its chance to unify the continent, and this is not without reason. Tang Chuan's growth rate is indeed too fast."
"If he becomes a god, he will be the greatest obstacle to His Majesty's unification of the continent."
The expressions of Lion Douluo and the others eased slightly.
But then, Golden Crocodile Douluo added:
"But what Lao Wu and the others said isn't wrong either."
"Tang San is not dead."
"The fact that Rakshasa God personally intervened to save him shows that Rakshasa God would never easily abandon him. Tang San is not currently on Douluo Continent; perhaps he is recuperating from his injuries, or perhaps he is accumulating power elsewhere."
"If he returns, he will be even more terrifying than before."
"A full-scale war at this time could indeed give Tang San an opportunity to take advantage of the situation."
After speaking, Golden Crocodile Douluo looked at Qian Renxue.
"Therefore, the final decision rests with His Majesty."
All eyes were on Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue remained silent throughout. From the moment the Lion Douluo advocated for war, to the moment the Light Feather Douluo advocated for peace, and then to the endless disputes among the elders, she remained quietly seated in the main seat.
She certainly knew what the worshippers were worried about.
They were worried about Tang Chuan.
They worried that after Tang Chuan became a god, the Spirit Empire would have no chance to unify the continent again.
There are also concerns that the longer the tripartite alliance drags on, the more difficult it will be for the Martial Soul Empire's army to reignite the war.
From the perspective of the Martial Soul Empire's interests, their concerns are not absurd.
It's even quite realistic.
But Qian Renxue saw further than them because she had actually fought Tang San.
She had personally witnessed the cities that Tang San had slaughtered.
He also witnessed Rakshasa God forcibly descending to the mortal realm to rescue Tang San.
That was no ordinary enemy.
That was a calamity.
If Tang San hadn't died, even if the Spirit Empire had conquered the Heaven Dou and Star Luo realms, it would have only been to gather more people for Tang San and create a larger sacrificial site.
Moreover, Qian Renxue did not want a dead land.
What she wanted was a unified continent, not a wasteland polluted by Rakshasa.
Qian Renxue finally spoke:
"Do you think I'd be afraid of Tang Chuan becoming a god?"
The main hall fell silent.
Lion Douluo's expression changed slightly, and he quickly said:
"I had absolutely no such intention."
Qian Renxue's gaze swept calmly over the crowd.
"You're worried that the Spirit Empire will lose its chance after Tang Chuan becomes a god."
"But in my opinion, what truly caused the Spirit Empire to lose its chance was not Tang Chuan becoming a god."
"Instead, the Spirit Empire destroyed its own reputation."
Everyone was taken aback.
Qian Renxue slowly stood up.
Golden divine light emanated from her body, and the angelic patterns in the hall lit up accordingly.
"I, the God, made a pact with Tang Chuan and Di Tian in the Star Dou Great Forest."
"No party shall initiate war before Tang San dies."
"This is not weakness, this is order."
"If the Spirit Empire breaks its promise today, it will lose the trust of the world tomorrow."
"By then, even if we conquer Tiandou and Xingluo by force, we will only gain a land that is outwardly submissive but inwardly resentful."
"Tang Chuan has just implemented reforms in Tian Dou, and the people support him. If we attack Tian Dou now, the people of Tian Dou will not see the Spirit Empire as a symbol of order, but will only see us as taking advantage of their vulnerability."
"A country won in this way cannot be held securely."
Lion Douluo said in a deep voice:
"But if Your Majesty does not wage war, Tang Chuan will still use reforms to win over the people."
Qian Renxue said calmly:
"The Martial Soul Empire also underwent reforms."
Inside the main hall, many people's expressions changed slightly.
Qian Renxue continued:
"Tang Chuan abolished private punishments by nobles, established a public school for Soul Masters, re-examined land registers, and opened up official positions to commoners."
"Can't the Spirit Empire make these things?"
"The Spirit Hall was originally established to awaken the spirits of ordinary people."
"We should understand the importance of ordinary Soul Masters better than Heaven Dou and Star Luo."
"Since Tang Chuan was able to unite the people of Tian Dou through reform, why can't the Spirit Empire use reform to prove that we can do even better than Tian Dou after unifying the continent?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyes flickered slightly.
The news that Ning Fengzhi and Tang Chuan were promoting reforms in Tian Dou had already reached Wu Hun City.
Upon hearing this, many high-ranking officials of the Martial Soul Empire were immediately on high alert.
But Qian Renxue didn't just see the threat.
She saw another path.
If the Martial Soul Empire were to conquer the world solely through war, it would inevitably face resistance.
However, if the Spirit Empire could also implement a fairer system, absorb commoner spirit masters, and reform local nobles, then the resistance to unifying the continent in the future would be even smaller.
Qian Renxue's voice was clear and cold:
"From today onwards, the new policy will also be implemented within the territory of the Spirit Empire."
"First, all commoner children will awaken their martial souls for free."
"Second, establish Martial Soul Academies in various regions, with Martial Soul Hall Soul Masters serving as teachers to train commoner Soul Masters."
"Third, regulate local nobles and prohibit the private construction of dungeons and the killing of civilians."
"Fourth, reduce the population of border towns and relocate all residents to large cities with angelic holy light barriers to prevent Tang San from massacring the towns after his return."
Fifth, the frontline troops shifted to defense and reorganization.
Lion Douluo couldn't help but say:
"Your Majesty, is this a long-term ceasefire?"
Qian Renxue looked at him.
"It's a temporary ceasefire, not an abandonment of unification."
"The Spirit Empire will not break the alliance until Tang San dies."
"But during this time, the Spirit Empire needs to reorganize its army, reform, unite the people, and establish order. If the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires still refuse to accept unification after Tang San's death, I will naturally draw my sword myself."
At this point, a golden light flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes.
"As for Tang Chuan becoming a god."
Her voice became calmer, yet sharper.
"If he becomes a god, I will fight the sea god."
"If he obstructs my unification of the continent, I will not back down."
"But that's after Tang San's death. Before that, anyone who dares to start a war or break the alliance is disobeying this god's decree."
Golden divine power instantly enveloped the entire offering hall.
Everyone's expression changed.
Although the main war faction, including Lion Douluo and Demon Subduing Douluo, still harbored resentment, they had no choice but to bow their heads.
"I will obey His Majesty's divine decree."
Golden Crocodile Douluo slowly rose and bowed, saying:
"I understand."
"The Spirit Empire will temporarily halt its offensive, consolidate its internal affairs, and prepare for Tang San."
"The alliance will not be broken until Tang San dies."
Qian Renxue nodded.
"Also, send people to keep an eye on the far north; I think he'll probably go there."
A thought struck everyone in the hall.
Qian Renxue said calmly:
"I'm not asking you to stop Tang Chuan."
"Instead, I'm checking his progress."
"I need to know when he will complete the eighth test and when he may truly become a god."
Guangling Douluo smiled.
"That's acceptable."
Azure Phoenix Douluo nodded:
"Just investigate, don't interfere, and there shouldn't be any major problems."
Qian Renxue looked up at the night sky outside the main hall.
Under the starlight, the angel statue in Wuhun City still radiates a faint golden glow.
She knew that what the worshippers said was not without reason.
If Tang Chuan becomes a god, the path to unification for the Spirit Empire will inevitably become even more difficult.
But she also knew that she couldn't make the wrong choice at this time.
She can be Tang Chuan's enemy, and there will definitely be a battle between them in the future.
But before Tang San died, she had to admit that Tang Chuan was her most important ally.
A few days later, in the far north.
This is the northernmost forbidden zone of life on the Douluo Continent.
As far as the eye can see, there is only endless white between heaven and earth.
Snow-capped mountains stretch endlessly, glaciers lie across the landscape, and fierce winds howl from the horizon, whipping up tiny, transparent ice crystals that slicing through the air with a sharp, piercing sound. The distant sky hangs low, seemingly within reach, and beneath thick clouds, swirling, frigid storms rage, occasionally punctuated by flashes of icy blue lightning that illuminate the entire snowfield as if it were an ancient, icy paradise.
There is no fragrance of grass and trees in the ordinary forest, nor the lively atmosphere of Tiandou City.
All that remained was cold, extreme cold.
Even Soul Masters at the Soul Saint level would have their meridians eroded by the cold air and their soul power circulation slowed down in a short time if they came here. Without special means to protect themselves from the cold, they might even freeze to death.
However, Tang Chuan did not feel any discomfort when he stepped into this world.
He was dressed in white, which fluttered in the wind and snow. The trident of the sea god in his hand emitted a faint blue-gold divine light. The light was not intense, but like a gentle sea, gently pushing away the surrounding cold air. Behind him, the Snow Emperor's martial spirit was faintly visible.
Long silver-white hair, icy blue eyes, aloof and noble.
The moment her presence appeared, the entire far northern snowfield seemed to quiet down.
The soul beasts hidden deep in the snowstorm were initially wary of Tang Chuan's human presence, but when they sensed the Snow Emperor's presence, they all lowered their heads and dared not make a sound.
The Lord of the Far North has returned.
Even though the Snow Empress is no longer a complete soul beast, but rather the wisdom soul ring of Tang Chuan's second martial soul, her majesty is still imprinted in every inch of the wind on this icy land.
Tang Chuan looked into the distance and said:
"Is this the core area of the far north?"
Xue Di's voice rang out beside him.
"This isn't the real core yet; this is just the outer perimeter."
Tang Chuan glanced at the blizzard that blotted out the sky and remained silent for a moment.
"Is this still just the outer perimeter, deeper in?"
The Snow Empress said calmly:
"If the far north were so easy to enter, it wouldn't be called a forbidden zone by humans."
Tang Chuan nodded.
"Where is the Ice Bear King, Little White?"
Xue Di's gaze softened slightly.
"That icy valley ahead."
"It's lazy."
"If nothing unexpected happens, they're probably still sleeping."
Tang Chuan: "..."
He originally thought that the king of the ferocious beasts in the far north should be majestic and domineering, ruling over a region.
As a result, the first thing Xue Di said was, "I'm very lazy."
This caused his perception of Ice Bear King Xiaobai to momentarily become slightly skewed. (End of Chapter)