Chapter 72: Please, Stop Talking

"Qinghe, I'll go back to organize the convoy and have them ready..."

Prince Xue Xing found another excuse.

After being slighted by Meng Shu, he no longer had any interest in continuing the conversation.

While befriending a powerful Soul Master like Meng Shu was useful, he wasn't about to let himself be disrespected.

Besides, he had close ties with Poison Douluo, so he wasn't desperate to curry favor with Meng Shu.

However, "Xue Qinghe" smiled and said, "Oh, don't worry, Royal Uncle. I already made all the preparations before I came. As soon as we return, the convoy will be ready to depart."

"...Is that so? Qinghe, you're certainly reliable."

Prince Xue Xing forced a laugh, but inside, he was fuming.

"Xue Qinghe" was deliberately making things awkward for him!

Meng Shu smirked coldly. As a Soul Master, he had an instinctive dislike for nobles.

If not for his position as the patriarch of the Meng clan, he wouldn't have bothered dealing with these royals at all.

"Young friend Dan Heng prefers peace and quiet. It would be best if we don't travel together. Separate routes will ensure we don't slow each other down," Meng Shu said indifferently.

"That makes sense, Dragon Duke. Qinghe, we shouldn't linger either. We must hurry back to Heaven Dou—"

Prince Xue Xing spoke with a forced smile.

However, "Xue Qinghe" shook his head. "No, that's not quite right. We are currently within the borders of the Star Luo Empire. If we hasten our pace, it might give them the impression that we are running away in fear."

"If we move as naturally as Dragon Duke and his group, we can avoid unnecessary suspicion."

"We should wait a bit longer. If Mister Dan Heng is willing, traveling together would be a great opportunity."

"Xue Qinghe" was determined to go against Prince Xue Xing and was dead set on bringing Meng Shu along.

Prince Xue Xing's expression darkened. He opened his mouth to protest, but just then, a gentle breeze blew past.

The group turned toward the source, their eyes drawn to a figure in white.

Gu Yuena had returned. Though she was still veiled, her confident aura was unmistakable.

"Xue Qinghe" clasped his hands together and smiled."Madam, I wonder what Mister Dan Heng thinks of the current situation on the Douluo Continent?"

Prince Xue Xing sneered and turned his head away, completely uninterested in Dan Heng's answer.

Anyone with common sense knew better than to criticize the Heaven Dou Empire in front of its royal family.

And if Dan Heng tried to spout some contrarian nonsense, he would only make a fool of himself.

Prince Xue Xing was even thinking that if Gu Yuena said something laughable, he would seize the opportunity to mock them, repaying Meng Shu's earlier hostility.

"My husband said that the key to Douluo Continent's current situation… is only one thing—Spirit Hall!"

"The choices of Heaven Dou and Star Luo are irrelevant. What matters is Spirit Hall's decision. If Spirit Hall wishes for Heaven Dou to thrive, then it will thrive. Conversely, if they desire Star Luo's downfall, then Star Luo will fall."

"It is not the empires that decide their own fate."

Gu Yuena's voice was calm yet firm.

"…"

Prince Xue Xing and "Xue Qinghe" were momentarily stunned. Dan Heng's answer was certainly unconventional.

Spirit Hall was merely a Soul Master organization. While undeniably powerful, how could it compare to an empire?

The real rulers of Douluo Continent were still the great empires!

Prince Xue Xing scoffed and asked, "Your husband values Spirit Hall so highly—he isn't one of their Soul Masters, is he?"

Meng Shu glanced at Prince Xue Xing and asked, "Why does young friend Dan Heng say this?"

Gu Yuena continued, "A few years ago, the Star Luo Empire launched a war. If not for Spirit Hall's intervention, the Heaven Dou Empire would have been destroyed. Even now, the power disparity between the two empires hasn't significantly changed."

"If Spirit Hall wished for Heaven Dou's destruction, they could simply ally with Star Luo and make it happen."

"And if Spirit Hall truly wished to annihilate Star Luo, all they would need is Heaven Dou's cooperation. One side would deploy Soul Master legions, the other would mobilize its military—Star Luo would be doomed."

Gu Yuena's words left the others momentarily speechless.

Until now, they had only viewed the situation from the perspective of the two great empires.

They had never considered Spirit Hall's role so deeply.

After all, Spirit Hall was just a Soul Master organization. With a total membership of under a hundred thousand, spread thin across the continent, they shouldn't have the strength to dictate continental affairs.

Meanwhile, the two great empires each had standing armies of millions, their military might sufficient to wipe out Spirit Hall with a single decree.

But Gu Yuena's words forced them to reconsider—was Douluo Continent's fate truly in Spirit Hall's hands?

"Xue Qinghe"'s expression shifted slightly.

As a secret agent planted by Spirit Hall, she did not want Spirit Hall to become a target of suspicion.

If the Heaven Dou Empire realized the threat and took preemptive action, it would be a disaster for Spirit Hall.

"I see. Mister Dan Heng certainly has an interesting perspective…"

"Xue Qinghe" offered some polite praise, hoping to steer the conversation away.

However, Gu Yuena refused to stop.

She was determined to establish her husband's reputation.

If she could make Dan Heng's name famous, then when they reached Heaven Dou City, external forces would come to seek him out on their own!

"And in the future, the most likely force to unify Douluo Continent… is also Spirit Hall!" Gu Yuena declared, her words shocking all present.

"!!!"

Both "Xue Qinghe" and Prince Xue Xing frowned.

Though their concerns differed, they were equally disturbed.

Before "Xue Qinghe" could speak, Prince Xue Xing cut in first, asking, "And what basis do you have for saying that? How could Spirit Hall possibly become the ruler of Douluo Continent?"

Gu Yuena didn't even glance at him. She clasped her hands behind her back and replied coldly:

"Because Spirit Hall represents a new system. Unlike the nobility, it elevates Soul Masters to a higher status, entrusting them with greater social responsibilities and honors."

"For the common people, Spirit Hall offers a fairer path to rise into the privileged class. In the Spirit Hall system, anyone can become a Soul Master—social mobility is healthier and more just."

"A more complete, just, and superior system—this is Spirit Hall's foundation. More importantly, Spirit Hall possesses the potential to overthrow the two empires. Given enough time and preparation, unifying the continent is entirely feasible."

"!!!"

"Xue Qinghe" froze, panic creeping into her expression.

No, please stop!

If this conversation continued, Spirit Hall's entire strategy would be exposed!

At first, Prince Xue Xing had dismissed Gu Yuena's argument.

But after her further explanation, his face darkened—not because he was angry at her, but because he was starting to believe her.

He was now deeply concerned for the Heaven Dou Empire.

"Then tell me… what preparations must Spirit Hall make?"

Prince Xue Xing clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, his previous frivolity gone.

His attitude had become serious.

(End of Chapter)