Chapter 234: One Generation of Haotian, One Generation of Kings—Each Wields the Hammer Against the Pope
"With such sincerity from Brother Xue, how could I possibly refuse to help?
When Brother Xue ascends the throne, the Dugu Family will surely support your rule.
As for other concerns, I dare not speak too boldly, but the Star Luo royal family has only one Title Douluo. Whether it's my second grandfather, or Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, they could easily match him. Brother Xue, rest assured!"
Dugu Feng all but pledged himself completely.
"Haha! I knew my worthy brother would stand by me!" Qian Renxue said cheerfully.
She poured another cup of tea for Dugu Feng, then sighed softly. "To be frank, my greatest worry isn't the Star Luo royal family—but the Spirit Hall.
The Spirit Hall controls countless spirit masters and constantly meddles in the affairs of both empires. They will never allow the continent to unite!"
Normally, the conversation should have ended there. Yet, on a whim, Qian Renxue decided to test Dugu Feng's stance toward the Spirit Hall.
Dugu Feng thought wryly, Now that's a deadly question.
As Xue Qinghe, she represented the Heaven Dou Empire; as Qian Renxue, she was the Spirit Hall.
No matter how he answered, she could find fault with it.
So he said evenly, "The Spirit Hall, as an institution of spirit masters, has long revered the Douluo Palace. It has become a pillar of faith for spirit masters everywhere."
Then, as though reminiscing about what he had seen within Spirit City, he continued, "But ever since Bibi Dong assumed the role of Pope, the Spirit Hall has been obsessed with subjugating other powers, revealing an ambition far beyond its past nature.
It's rather disappointing.
In my view, the Spirit Hall should focus on advancing the growth of spirit masters—on pushing the theory of martial souls forward and exploring greater heights of cultivation.
As for governing the millions of common folk across the continent, that should remain the empire's responsibility."
He deliberately placed the criticism on Bibi Dong herself.
Qian Renxue, who bore resentment toward Bibi Dong, would certainly approve.
And indeed, Spirit Hall had done much to awaken martial souls for the common people, preventing the nobility from monopolizing cultivation.
In that regard, its system had true merit.
Dugu Feng himself, deep in thought, was unwilling to wholly condemn it.
Qian Renxue's eyes brightened. His words struck precisely the chord she wanted to hear.
Her grandfather, Qian Daoliu, had left behind many legends in pursuit of the ultimate realm—that was what true spirit masters should seek, and what the Spirit Hall should inspire.
Not power or dominance.
A shadow flickered through her heart. Bibi Dong had treated her coldly since childhood.
If not for that, Qian Renxue might never have come to the Heaven Dou Empire so young.
Now, years later, her ambition was driven not only by grand design, but by a quiet, burning desire—to one day usurp Bibi Dong and let that woman taste betrayal, desolation, and isolation herself.
"My brother sees things profoundly. I'm impressed," she said earnestly.
"I, too, hope the Spirit Hall can one day return to its roots—serving spirit masters and advancing our world rather than ruling over it."
She spoke more softly now, touched by the thought.
"Brother Xue, there's no need to worry about Spirit Hall.
I believe in your ability.
With the united might of Heaven Dou's factions behind you, even if Spirit Hall interferes, the one who will ultimately unify the continent will be our Heaven Dou Empire."
Dugu Feng's reply was calm and measured.
"Thank you, brother, for your reassurance."
Qian Renxue smiled again, her composure returning.
Their conversation reached an unspoken understanding, and the air between them became warm and harmonious.
She began enthusiastically sharing her visions—political reforms, economic expansion, military strength, the promotion of academies, and the empowerment of the Empire's spirit legions.
Qian Renxue wanted Dugu Feng to see her full breadth of intellect and ambition.
The two talked until dusk before she finally let him go.
That meeting confirmed Dugu Feng's suspicions—Qian Renxue bore no ill will toward the Dugu Family for now.
Only Bibi Dong remained a threat.
That thought eased his heart considerably.
Days later, Dugu Feng and his father visited Seven Treasure City, with Ning Rongrong accompanying them.
Their meeting with Ning Fengzhi went smoothly.
Tang San and Tang Hao's recent ordeal had made Ning Fengzhi extremely wary.
With Spirit Hall's strength, a surprise attack could devastate the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Consolidating their forces in Heaven Dou City to fortify the Empire's core was the safest strategy.
Ning Fengzhi agreed without hesitation, promising to transfer the family's main power base there.
Using his sect's influence, he also planned to rally several spirit master academies and families to relocate to Heaven Dou City—further reinforcing the Empire's defense and unity.
It was, in truth, a deep alignment between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Heaven Dou Empire.
Around the same time, news from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan began to spread.
Yu Yuanzhen was dead, and over two thousand of his clan's spirit masters had joined Spirit Hall.
When the news first broke, no one believed it.
How could Yu Yuanzhen—master of one of the Upper Three Sects and a peak powerhouse—simply die?
Who could possibly have killed him?
But as more details surfaced, all doubts vanished. Yu Yuanzhen had indeed perished.
Led by Yu Luomian, the entire clan abandoned their ancestral lands and moved to Spirit City.
Yu Luomian declared that the Haotian Sect had slain their patriarch; the clan would now devote themselves to vengeance.
The migration of thousands of soul masters and families was too massive to hide—confirming the truth beyond doubt.
Their ancestral grounds lost—what else could that mean, if not the loss of their Title Douluo?
The news swept across the spirit master world like a tidal wave.
Just days ago, Yu Yuanzhen had been basking in glory, poised to kill Tang Hao and Tang San in the Sunset Forest.
Now, he himself was gone.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—the foremost beast-spirit clan—was declining into history.
As one fell, another rose.
Yu Yuanzhen's death turned Haotian Sect once again into the rising sun dominating the skies.
The world's greatest weapon-spirit clan was back in the spotlight, its power unmatched.
Not even Spirit Hall could overshadow it now.
If you doubted that—just look at their record:
In the previous generation, Tang Chen, "Unrivaled on Land," defeated Qian Daoliu, "Unrivaled in the Sky."
In the next, Tang Hao, the Haotian Douluo, killed the former Pope, Qian Xunji.
More recently, the seven Title Douluos of Haotian Sect shocked the continent. Tang Hao's battle with the new Pope ended with her retreating, defeated.
Now, Yu Yuanzhen had fallen to them.
Their record was unequaled.
"One generation of Haotian, one generation of kings—each generation wields the Haotian Hammer against the Pope."
No one knew who first said it.
But the phrase spread like wildfire across the continent, carried on every tongue.
Who Yu Yuanzhen was no longer mattered.
Everyone now wondered: when Tang San matured, would he once again strike down the next Pope?
Haotian Sect's fame now towered above all others,
and the Spirit Hall's prestige crumbled beneath its shadow.
(END CHAPTER)
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