Chapter 564: Making the Sun and Moon Stand Tall? Start with Sweeping the Floor!

Join my Patreon to be 30 chapters ahead of the webnovel releases:

patreon.com/ZeroMoney

I would appreciate your help if you could join my Patreon and support me because it would keep me motivated. 

******

"I'm not good at this."

Tang San sighed in resignation. He was a researcher, after all. Not everything should be directed toward him. The Sun Moon Empire, without Xu Huang, was nothing more than another Star Luo Empire, and it was far across the sea, just needing a little caution.

As for the exchange between the two continents—

"However, if His Holiness the Pope really wants to listen, then I think it would be necessary to agree. Sharing resources would count as communication between the two continents and would benefit our development here."

"Moreover, they can come to us, and our people can go to them."

"Although we can innovate behind closed doors, times are progressing, and soul guide technology is advancing. A vehicle made in isolation may run, but it won't be able to compete with others in speed."

Bibi Dong nodded. "I think the same. I will send a letter to Xue Renxue."

"Who is Xue Renxue?" Tang San frowned, momentarily unable to react.

"That's Qian Renxue. Didn't she return to her original form as a woman? She also changed her name back, but her surname is still Xue. Personally, I hope she keeps the surname Xue."

Although Bibi Dong had resolved her emotional issues with Qian Renxue, she still had no affection for the Qian family, which belonged to the Angel Clan. As long as she didn't carry the "Qian" surname, it was acceptable.

As for the name "Bibi Renxue"? It sounded absurd.

Tang San wasn't too interested in this topic, although sometimes he did wonder whether Bibi Dong's surname was "Bi" or "Bibi"…

…

"Princess, have you heard?" 

On the busy street, holding a basket of groceries, Fu Hongchen whispered to Xu Huang, who was also carrying a basket beside her. "Today's Soul Master News reports that the Sun Moon Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire have established a sea trade route, allowing free travel between the two sides... Surely, the Empire over there is aware of our situation now."

"So what if they know?" Xu Huang replied dismissively. "The Empire is far behind here."

Having lived in Soul Master City for eight years, Xu Huang had truly realized the gap. The bold ambitions she once had eight years ago were now replaced with a thought: "Living the second half of my life here wouldn't be too bad." Even if Tang San was willing to let them return, without him, how many years would it take to transform the Sun Moon Empire into something resembling Soul Master City?

"You've seen the convenience of the Blue Silver Network."

"And there's also a Level 100 powerhouse on this continent… Though the Haotian Sect and the Spirit Hall don't get along, they wouldn't support the Sun Moon Empire just for revenge, not in terms of the greater good."

"Moreover, Spirit Hall produces powerful humans, and Tang San's companions have all become Soul Douluo and Titled Douluo. The quantity and quality of the strong, we in the Sun Moon Empire can't match."

"The only advantage we might have is the vast sea separating the two continents, allowing the Sun Moon Empire to maintain relative stability for a longer time... But in reality, whether it's the Pope of Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong, or Tang San, they can easily cross the vast ocean to reach the Sun Moon Continent. Who can stop them there?"

"Sure, the Empire still has two Level 98 powerhouses, but could they defeat either Tang San or Bibi Dong?"

As she spoke, Xu Huang's gaze gradually softened, and it was clear she had resigned herself. After all, there was food, drink, and lodging. It felt like being a princess in the Sun Moon Empire was worse than being a servant in Soul Master Manor.

Fu Hongchen stood frozen, sighing. The princess had given up, but he couldn't. As a talented young man of the Hongchen family, he had to work hard to make the Empire stronger!

It was Xu Huang who had initially proposed learning from the advanced systems and models of Soul Master City. Fu Hongchen had been slow to realize its potential, but gradually, the princess had given up, while he was working hard to learn and pursue progress.

Before being captured, Xu Huang had been carefree and enjoyed life. She could see farther than most, but when it came to actually acting, her perseverance was no match for ordinary people.

Since Tang San hadn't treated her harshly—just having her work at the manor—other servants, though they might look down on them, didn't dare speak out, as those who did were expelled by the Blue Silver Clan.

Thus, even though she couldn't interact with the real big figures in Soul Master Manor, Xu Huang felt that her life there was more comfortable and enjoyable than when she was a princess.

Fu Hongchen, on the other hand, was different. Born into the Hongchen family, he had always been fiercely loyal to the royal family, and his admiration for Xu Huang had never wavered in the slightest.

For the past eight years, he had dedicated himself wholeheartedly to learning everything about this place, not just superficially, but in depth.

However, the more he learned, the more confused Fu Hongchen became. According to the governing philosophy of the Spirit Hall, the empire's rule could not rely on bloodlines. The model of a "family-run" empire would eventually decay.

While Spirit Hall had not officially announced such a governing model, as the two major empires, Heaven Dou and Star Luo, followed the "family-run" system, it was undeniable that Spirit Hall was gradually moving away from it.

Fu Hongchen had also learned some history of Spirit Hall. Before the current Pope Bibi Dong rose to power, it had been led by the Angel Clan. It wasn't until the sudden death of the previous Pope that Bibi Dong ascended to the position. Moreover, Bibi Dong had taken a disciple with a Soul Spirit of a demon fox, clearly positioning her as a potential successor to the papacy.

This marked a clear departure from the "family-run" system and a shift toward a "master-disciple inheritance system," where succession was no longer based on bloodlines but instead on merit, akin to selecting the most capable individuals.

Over the past eight years, Fu Hongchen had asked Tang San about these matters, and Tang San had been forthright, saying that even the "master-disciple inheritance" system wasn't ideal and that succession should instead be based on "ideas, dreams, and beliefs."

The reasoning behind this was simple: no matter how close blood relations were, they would inevitably result in infighting over interests. The "more children, more blessings" philosophy of a "family-run" monarchy might seem good, but the competition for the throne would lead to bitter conflict, with no regard for blood ties.

Those who shared the same ideology, dream, and conviction would be steadfast, capable of betraying everything but their own hearts.

Fu Hongchen knew that Spirit Hall had not yet reached this level—this concept was still too advanced. But there was no doubt that, if left undisturbed, Spirit Hall could eventually evolve into the kind of system Tang San had described.

"The world's structure is changing. If the Sun Moon Empire doesn't keep up with Spirit Hall's reforms, it will inevitably disappear into history. I refuse to let that happen."

Fu Hongchen cast aside his distractions and silently swore to himself that he would make the Sun Moon Empire strong again.

But—

"By the way, Fu Hongchen, today I'm cleaning the backyard. Could you give me a hand?" Xu Huang asked, her large eyes filled with pleading. "I've arranged to go to the Soul Guide Movie City with Xiao Qing and Xiao Bai this afternoon to watch the new Soul Guide movie, Pirates of the Sea."

"Alright."

Fu Hongchen sighed and agreed. If he wanted the Sun Moon Empire to catch up to Spirit Hall and stand tall in the world, he still had to start by sweeping the floor… 

(End of Chapter)