Chapter 96: The Spirit Hall’s Declaration, MVP Salas
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After Emperor Xue Ye finished his speech, it was Ning Fengzhi's turn to speak.
However, Ning Fengzhi was clearly not in the mood.
Two years ago, the entire continent had witnessed how the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had been humiliated—their attempts to resist had only ended with them being brutally crushed by the current Pope of the Spirit Hall.
Their prestige and dignity had been completely lost.
Previously, the Spirit Hall's reputation had suffered a major blow when Tang Hao defeated Qian Xunji.
But now, with Qian Renhan's retaliation against the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, that lost prestige had been restored.
---
If it weren't for the fact that his daughter, Ning Rongrong, was participating in the tournament—along with the royal family's official invitation—he wouldn't even have come.
Looking at the question prompt handed over by the host, Ning Fengzhi reluctantly gave a brief statement.
When asked which team he favored to win, he simply responded:
"This year, many teams are performing exceptionally well. But next year's tournament… the championship is already decided."
---
Finally, it was Salas' turn to speak.
Under Emperor Xue Ye's gaze, the host, who had already memorized his script, walked forward with trembling steps.
His legs were weak, but he still forced a smile as he asked:
"Lord Salas, as the Platinum Bishop of one of the two great Spirit Halls, recent policies introduced by the Spirit Hall have sparked widespread outrage among the people."
"Many are particularly angered by the new rule requiring commoners to kneel in order to request assistance from the Spirit Hall."
"Additionally, soul beasts in major spirit beast forests have been rampaging, attacking civilians, and Spirit Hall's branch soul masters have refused to intervene, further escalating public discontent."
"What is your response to these concerns?"
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi's eyes brightened.
If this had been two years ago, he would have taken the opportunity to deliver a sarcastic remark.
Now, however, with the entire city of Heaven Dou watching, he didn't dare to mock them openly—not when Qian Renhan could hear of it.
But a mocking look in his eyes? That, he wasn't afraid to show.
Seated nearby, Emperor Xue Ye smirked to himself.
Qian Renhan had threatened him, but did he really think he would let Spirit Hall get away unscathed?
No—today, he would further ruin their reputation.
---
Across the audience, those aligned against Spirit Hall silently cheered for the host's boldness.
- Shrek Academy's members, including the Golden Iron Triangle, Ma Hongjun, and Ning Rongrong, all gave silent thumbs-ups.
- Even the beggar Bibi Dong, watching from the shadows, smirked in approval.
"The more the people hate Spirit Hall, the better."
With Qian Renhan in power, Spirit Hall had once again fallen under the control of the Angel Family.
The more they were despised, the happier she felt.
---
Salas opened his drowsy eyes, looking at the microphone handed to him.
The host, standing before him, was barely managing to keep his legs steady.
Salas instantly understood—this was nothing but a set-up orchestrated by Emperor Xue Ye or Ning Fengzhi.
Internally, he scoffed.
Taking the microphone, he cleared his throat and said:
"As the Platinum Bishop, I will not comment on whether Spirit Hall's new policies are good or bad."
"However, I will say this—I fully support and stand behind our Holy Pope's decisions."
Then, his voice grew sharper:
"The host just mentioned that the people are dissatisfied because they now have to kneel instead of receiving free assistance."
"But let me ask—regardless of whether it's free or requires kneeling, isn't the one providing the assistance still Spirit Hall?"
"The ones making the choice are you, the people."
"If you are truly so dissatisfied, then simply do not seek help from Spirit Hall."
"The choice is yours—not ours."
---
The citizens of Heaven Dou City fell into deep thought.
He was right.
The decision to kneel or pay was theirs to make.
If they refused both, then they simply wouldn't awaken their martial souls—wasn't that the end of it?
"We want benefits but refuse to fulfill our duties. We take advantage of Spirit Hall's generosity, but the moment policies change, we curse them."
"Isn't that no different from being ungrateful traitors? Selfish cowards?"
---
Salas then turned his gaze toward Emperor Xue Ye, his tone turning icy:
"Regarding the claim that soul beasts from the hunting forests have rampaged and attacked civilians, and that Spirit Hall should be held responsible…"
He suddenly smirked.
"Your Majesty, allow me to ask you this—"
"The Soul Hunting Forests are located within Heaven Dou Empire's territory, correct?"
"By that logic, shouldn't the land and all the soul beasts within it belong to the Heaven Dou Empire?"
---
Emperor Xue Ye's face darkened.
He had been cornered.
If he denied ownership of the Soul Hunting Forests, he would be admitting that they were controlled by Spirit Hall—which meant Spirit Hall would bear the blame.
But if he claimed them as the Empire's property, then the failure to manage them—resulting in soul beasts attacking civilians—would fall squarely on his own shoulders.
"If I say the forests belong to Spirit Hall, I relinquish an enormous natural resource."
"If I say they belong to Heaven Dou, then my empire must take responsibility for the attacks."
---
After a brief moment of weighing the pros and cons, Emperor Xue Ye made his decision.
"Fine."
He chose to accept the blame.
"It's just a small hit to my reputation."
The common people of his empire were deeply patriotic.
If he simply punished a few nobles in the affected cities, used them as scapegoats, and issued a royal apology, it would be enough to pacify the public.
"As long as I keep their loyalty, this minor embarrassment means nothing."
---
The exchange between Emperor Xue Ye and Salas had ended in a draw.
But the war between Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire…
Was far from over.
"This matter was indeed the empire's negligence," Emperor Xue Ye declared, his voice booming across Heaven Dou City.
"Rest assured, my people! I, Xue Ye, pledge on my own reputation—the empire will repair the walls damaged by soul beast attacks in the Soul Hunting Forest as swiftly as possible. We will station soldiers to guard these areas and ensure the safety of all citizens!"
The moment his words fell, an earth-shaking cheer erupted throughout the city:
"Long live Emperor Xue Ye!"
---
"That sharp-tongued old fox!"
Bibi Dong gritted her teeth, nearly seething with rage.
"If I were still the Pope, I would have sent that old bastard Salas far, far away!"
Not only had Salas successfully deflected all the blame, but he had even managed to reinforce faith in the Angel Family.
"Damn it! He actually turned this into a chance to boost their influence?!"
Her lungs were practically about to explode from anger.
---
Just as the crowd began to settle, Salas' voice rang out again.
"There is something else I must remind everyone—on this continent, Spirit Hall is not the only powerful force."
His tone was slow, deliberate, and laced with hidden meaning.
"The Upper Three Sects—renowned across the soul master world—are symbols of great strength and authority, just like the Spirit Hall."
"Our Holy Pope deeply respects these sects. As proof of this, the leaders of the Upper Three Sects each hold an official decree issued by our Spirit Hall—the Pope's Order."
The crowd stirred at these words.
"This means that the Upper Three Sects are powerful entities, just like Spirit Hall."
Salas paused, letting the implications sink in before smirking slightly and turning toward Ning Fengzhi.
"So, my dear citizens, why focus solely on Spirit Hall? I believe the Upper Three Sects will also respond to your needs."
Then, in a mockingly polite tone, he added:
"Wouldn't you agree, Sect Master Ning?"
---
At that moment, Ning Fengzhi felt his back teeth nearly crack from how hard he was clenching them.
"Damn it! I just got dragged into this mess for no reason!"
With so many citizens watching, could he possibly refuse?
If he openly rejected the responsibility, what would happen if commoners actually sought help from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?
Would they ignore them?
Their prestige had already taken a huge hit after what happened two years ago. If they promised but then did nothing, their reputation would be completely ruined.
"I should have never come here…"
"I should have just stayed home and cried."
---
With a stiff smile, Ning Fengzhi delivered a response that was nothing but pleasantries—a carefully measured statement that neither accepted nor denied responsibility.
But Salas had already won.
Seeing that his job here was done, Salas finally moved on to the match lottery draw.
---
Salas announced:
"For the first round of the preliminaries, Canghui Academy will face Blazing Radiance Academy."
"For the second round, Shrek Academy will face the second team of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
(End of Chapter)