Chapter 175: Star Luo Empire Makes the List
Heaven Dou Empire, Crown Prince's Eastern Palace.
Qian Renxue stood in the hall, her exquisite face currently cold as ice, her golden eyes flashing with sharpness and solemnity.
She had also seen the information on the heavenly curtain.
"Infiltration and destruction... The heavenly curtain actually pointed it out."
Qian Renxue's voice was low.
"It seems our actions were not seamless. At least, they couldn't escape the eyes of this heavenly curtain."
Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo stood behind her, their expressions equally unsightly.
Snake Lance Douluo said in a heavy voice, "Young Lord, the situation is a bit unfavorable. That old fox Xue Ye was already suspicious, and now that he's been alerted by the heavenly curtain, he will inevitably conduct an internal purge and investigation."
"The Crown Prince's Eastern Palace will likely be the first to bear the brunt."
Porcupinefish Douluo nodded. "Indeed. Many of the people we planted are still in key positions. Once they are uprooted, years of hard work will be ruined."
"Furthermore, Xue Ye will likely increase surveillance on the Young Lord, or even take direct action."
Qian Renxue closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
She had been lurking within the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial family for many years, expending countless efforts!
Disguising herself as Xue Qinghe to take the position of Crown Prince.
All for the sake of one day being able to take control of this massive Empire without bloodshed, laying the foundation for Spirit Hall's great cause of unification.
Now, the plan faced the danger of exposure because of this heavenly curtain.
She quickly calmed down, and determination once again gathered in her eyes. "This place is no longer safe to stay. Xue Ye must have already become suspicious. Continuing to stay will not only make the plan difficult to achieve but also put myself in danger."
"It is time to leave."
She turned and looked at the two Titled Douluos.
"Uncle She, Uncle Ci, immediately initiate the evacuation plan and destroy or encrypt all important documents and personnel lists before taking them away."
"Arrange for our people to evacuate Heaven Dou City in batches and secretively, and return to Spirit Hall."
"And you, Young Lord?"
Snake Lance Douluo asked with concern.
A cold arc curled at the corner of Qian Renxue's mouth. "Me? Naturally, I will fall seriously ill, requiring quiet recuperation, and then unexpectedly go missing. Exactly how it happens will be decided based on Xue Ye's actions."
"In short, we must ensure he can't grasp any evidence, and even more so, make the Heaven Dou Empire fall into a brief state of chaos because of the Crown Prince's incident, to buy time for our people's evacuation and... to give Xue Ye some trouble!"
"Yes! Young Lord is wise!"
The two Douluos took their orders.
Qian Renxue took one last look at the Eastern Palace she had managed for many years, a hint of complexity flashing in her eyes.
But it was quickly replaced by determination.
Before the great cause is completed, some sacrifices and abandonments are inevitable.
Spirit Hall was her true home... Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo naturally saw the heavenly curtain as well.
Regarding the Heaven Dou Imperial Family only ranking ninth, although they were somewhat surprised, it was not entirely incomprehensible.
"The imperial family has indeed been troubled in recent years."
Ning Fengzhi sighed softly.
"Emperor Xue Ye, although a man of great talent and vision, is after all getting on in years and lacks energy."
"The various princes... sigh."
"Combined with the surging undercurrents, a drop in ranking is also within reason."
Chen Xin said coldly, "Unknown forces... hmph, besides Spirit Hall, who else has such power and audacity? It seems their infiltration of the Heaven Dou Empire is even deeper than we imagined."
Gu Rong smiled. "This might not be a bad thing for us. As the imperial family weakens, they will need to rely more on Sects like ours."
"But whether we should wade into these muddy waters or not?"
Ning Fengzhi's eyes were deep. "We wade, but we must be careful with our methods. The Heaven Dou Empire is, after all, one of the continent's orthodox powers and is vital to our Sect's interests."
"If Emperor Xue Ye can truly use the heavenly curtain's warning to clear out internal troubles and stabilize imperial power, it will also be beneficial to our Sect."
"But if the situation spirals out of control, we need to make plans early, especially since Rongrong is still at Big Dipper Academy..."
...The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Star Luo Empire, and even the various major Sect powers were all currently stirred by the Heaven Dou Empire's ranking and the information revealed.
Secretly adjusting their own strategies and deployments.
The continent's undercurrents became even more turbulent and complex because of the publication of the power ranking list.
And the heavenly curtain did not give people much time to digest. After causing a huge wave regarding the Heaven Dou Empire, the golden light gathered once again!
New characters began to condense and take shape!
The ranking and information for the eighth place were finally revealed!
[Douluo Continent power ranking list, Eighth Place: Star Luo Empire]
[Reason for listing: An ancient Empire known as the twin titans of the continent alongside the Heaven Dou Empire. Its military strength is powerful, its domestic politics are more centralized than Heaven Dou's, its army's loyalty is high, and its Soul Master legions are well-established. However, it is similarly limited by the number of top-tier experts: there is only one Titled Douluo Enshrinement on the surface. Although the number of Soul Douluo and Spirit Saint level experts is slightly superior to Heaven Dou, there is insufficient qualitative change. Thus, in the comprehensive assessment, it ranks eighth.]
[Rewards for Listing]:
1. Empire Luck: The overall territorial Luck of the Star Luo Empire is permanently increased by 10%.
2. Imperial Soul Ring Blessing: For direct members of the Star Luo Imperial Family and Soul Masters loyal to the Empire, the ages of all Soul Rings they possess are immediately increased by 500 years.
3. Resource Supplement: Randomly rewarded seven ten-thousand-year quality Soul Bones (attributes leaning towards Power Attack and Agility Attack).
4. Core Cultivation Gain: Within the next year, core members of the Star Luo Imperial Family will have their cultivation speed increased by 15% when cultivating in designated Core Areas.
...Eighth place, Star Luo Empire!
Once this ranking came out, the reactions across the continent were much calmer than when the Heaven Dou Empire was listed earlier.
But the heat of the discussion did not diminish at all.
"Star Luo Empire is also on the list, eighth? One rank higher than Heaven Dou Empire?"
"That's normal. Star Luo is relatively stable internally and has stronger military force. But when it comes to top-tier experts, they are about the same, both having only one Titled Douluo overseeing things."
"Rewards... all Soul Masters loyal to the imperial family get their Soul Ring ages increased by 500 years? This... this effect is too terrifying!"
"Yeah! This overall strength increase is no small matter!"
"Although it's just an age increase and not a qualitative change in spirit abilities, the improvements in physical fitness, total Soul Power, and basic Soul skills power brought by the Soul Ring age are very real!"
"The Star Luo Empire's Soul Master Legion's average strength is going to jump significantly in the future!"
"..."
Countless Soul Masters, especially those of the Star Luo Empire!
At this moment, their eyes erupted with uncontrollable fanaticism and excitement!
Direct increase in Soul Ring age!
This means they don't need to risk hunting higher-age Soul Beasts, and their strength can grow out of thin air!
...Star Luo Empire, Imperial Palace.
Emperor Dai Tianfeng sat upright on the dragon throne, wearing the imperial crown, his face majestic.
But looking closely, there was still a hint of hard-to-conceal disappointment and solemnity between his brows.
Below, a group of important imperial ministers and imperial Enshrinements stood on either side.
"Eighth..."
Dai Tianfeng spoke slowly, his voice echoing in the great hall. "My Star Luo Empire, with ten thousand miles of territory, a million armored soldiers, and Soul Masters like clouds, only ranks eighth!"
"Even only one rank higher than that Heaven Dou Empire."
No joy or anger could be heard in his words!
But that regal pressure and unwillingness belonging to an emperor made the atmosphere in the hall even heavier.
One of the imperial Enshrinements stepped forward. His posture was as upright as a pine and his aura as steady as a mountain. He said in a heavy voice.
"Your Majesty, the heavenly curtain's assessment emphasizes top-tier experts, power potential, and development health."
"Although our Empire's military strength is great, we only have one Titled Douluo, which is indeed our shortcoming. Furthermore, the Empire's expansion has slowed down in recent years. Although the interior is stable, it lacks the sharpness of territorial expansion and forging through fire."
"The heavenly curtain's judgment based on this, while regrettable, is not without reason."
An elderly Soul Douluo civil official also stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, a blessing in disguise. The rewards bestowed by the heavenly curtain are truly of great benefit to our Empire!"
"Once the Empire digests these rewards, our overall strength will surely reach the next level!"
"At that time, let alone eighth, even a higher ranking might not be out of reach!"
Hearing this, Dai Tianfeng's expression softened slightly.
He was originally a monarch of great talent and vision; his momentary disappointment was quickly replaced by logic and ambition.
His gaze swept across the ministers in the hall, especially several heavyweights from the military. He said in a deep voice, "What you say is reasonable. Ranking is but an empty title; strength is the foundation!"
"Since the heavenly curtain has bestowed such a generous gift, how can my Star Luo Empire fail to live up to it?"
He stood up, his imperial robes moving without wind, a majestic regal aura pouring out. "Pass down my decree!"
"First, the seven ten-thousand-year Soul Bones shall be distributed among the imperial family, the Hell Civet Family, and those with outstanding military achievements as appropriate, prioritizing the cultivation of experts with the potential to reach higher Realms."
"Second, the core cultivation areas are to be immediately designated and their guards strengthened. Those on the list shall enjoy cultivation acceleration starting today. You must cherish this one-year opportunity!"
"..."
A series of orders were issued in an orderly manner!
He did not dwell too much on the ranking!
But instead focused all his attention on how to use the rewards to maximize the enhancement of national power.
"We obey your decree!"
The ministers in the hall responded in unison, their morale boosted.
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