Chapter 43: One Hall, Two Empires, Three Sects (Part 1)

Star Luo Empire – Star Luo City – Imperial Palace – Tiger Virtue Hall

Tiger Virtue Hall was the most prestigious structure representing royal authority and desire in Star Luo City. It sat upon three-tiered bluish-white trapezoidal stone platforms, with trapezoidal wooden pillars that reinforced its solemn stability. The façade stretched thirteen rooms wide and seven rooms deep, emphasizing its immense scale. The roof was a high-class double-eaved hip roof—grand, dignified, and austere.

Emperor Dai Yifeng of the Star Luo Empire immediately summoned his top ministers: the Prime Minister (head of all ministers), the Duke of National Defense, and officials from the Ministry of Justice, the Mysterious Tiger Bureau, and the Jingwu Division.

"Speak freely—what happened? Tantai Youchun, you go first."

Tantai Youchun was head of the Jingwu Division, an organization similar in function to the "Six Doors" in martial arts fiction—tasked with security and investigations.

As the first responsible party, he stepped forward, crossed his hands over his shoulders, bowed slightly, and respectfully reported in a clear voice:

"Your Majesty, first of all, the annihilation of the Demon Goat Sect happened extremely quickly. The initial attack used an arrow formation to kill a large number of mid to low-level soul masters in a short time, breaking the sect's defensive line.

Then, the enemy rapidly stormed the mountain gate. The whole battle lasted no more than an hour. The attacking force was only about 200 strong, clearly an elite combat unit of soul masters.

Second, based on the site investigation—traces of battle, level of destruction, residual energy—a large number of experts were involved, and at least a dozen Soul Douluos engaged in combat.

Moreover, there was at least one Titled Douluo, a supreme expert who wielded a sword. There was also someone skilled in sealing—either a sealing-type expert or a formation master—who completely blocked the mountain from sound and escape.

In the end, they overwhelmed the Demon Goat Sect's defense, which included at least three Soul Douluos and over a dozen Soul Sages.

Furthermore, no bodies were left by the attackers, suggesting they had time to clean up the battlefield thoroughly. The sect's treasury and valuables were all gone.

Lastly, not only the Demon Goat Sect's mountain gate but even its branch forces in Yir City and surrounding frontier towns were attacked. Almost all members were killed, including the sect's second-in-command, Aijalong Weiss.

In conclusion, given the level of coordination, the number of experts, and the size of the elite force, there are very few factions on the continent capable of this.

The top three sects and the Botanist Guild can be ruled out due to their distinct fighting styles. That leaves us with Spirit Hall, Xuan Ye Pavilion, and Douhun City as the main suspects."

Dai Yifeng fell silent for a moment. He was satisfied with the professionalism of Tantai Youchun and the Jingwu Division. He then turned to another official and said, "Hmm, Dingyi, what about you?"

Dai Dingyi was head of the Mysterious Tiger Bureau, the empire's top intelligence agency. Such a position could only be held by absolute loyalists, typically drawn from the royal family.

"Your Majesty, Dai Xu just returned from the site. Traces of Seven Kill Sword, Zhen Tian Xuan Stele, Infernal Magic Blade, Seven Deadly Arrows Bow, Xuanhuang Bell, and Nine Heavens Radiant Phoenix were all detected."

"Then it's Douhun City. They didn't even try to hide it. Otherwise, they'd have had plenty of time to erase the energy remnants," noted Night Owl, the head of the Ministry of Justice.

"Oh?" Dai Yifeng responded mildly. "Then the motive?"

"According to Tianzhi Tower's sources, one month ago, the Demon Goat Sect demanded a 20% stake in Yir City's Grand Soul Arena," Dai Dingyi replied in his usual low voice.

"The Demon Goat Sect was that dumb?" Night Owl said in surprise.

The Grand Soul Arenas, being under the Star Luo Empire's jurisdiction, typically followed a three-tier revenue split: 30% for the empire, 20% for local officials, and 10% for regional forces.

"The Demon Goat Sect expanded too rapidly. Its internal structure was bloated and poorly managed," Dai Dingyi continued, glancing at Emperor Dai Yifeng. "Moreover, five years ago something shifted—they've been in decline since. And…"

"And what?" Dai Yifeng gestured for him to go on.

"Count Xiao Ruiyang, the city lord of Yir City, was also asking for a cut—another 10%."

Xiao Ruiyang was the younger brother of Concubine Xiao and came from a civilian soul master background.

Everyone fell silent at this.

"Duke of National Defense, what is your view?" Dai Yifeng asked pointedly.

Duke Xiang Renyu, a military giant, possessed the Overlord Spear, a ninth-rank top-tier martial soul. His Xiang Clan had been a foundational family of the empire since its founding and remained one of its major pillars.

He was also close to the three "imperial families"—the Chen, Ximen, and Yang Clans. When Douhun City was mentioned, his expression remained neutral.

"Just a warning strike—'kill the chicken to scare the monkey,' as they say. It was bound to happen sooner or later," Xiang Renyu replied calmly and respectfully.

Then Night Owl stepped forward, bowed, and said,

"Your Majesty, this matter is thorny. Douhun City is immensely powerful, and its hidden strength is unfathomable. Still, the dignity of the empire must be upheld." He glanced subtly at Duke Xiang.

"Prime Minister, how should this be handled?" Dai Yifeng turned to his chief minister.

Prime Minister Ling Daokun, of the Five-Colored Peacock Clan, was tall, thin, and scholarly. He had been sitting with his eyes closed until now.

Opening his eyes, which shimmered like cut water, Ling Daokun replied unhurriedly:

"Handle it per imperial law. Issue a nationwide decree to investigate the perpetrators. Properly settle and protect the surviving members of the Demon Goat Sect. The younger ones may be sent to study at Star Luo Academy."

Everyone understood: they already knew who the culprits were, but the "investigation" was political theater.

By sheltering survivors, the empire left a "loose end" to be exploited later if needed. It also allowed them to present a benevolent image to the populace—domestic and foreign.

In fact, by taking the young Demon Goat Sect disciples under their wing, the empire might even be able to integrate the Three-Eyed Demon Goat martial soul—a top-grade rank-7 soul—into noble family bloodlines. A fourth benefit.

Ling Daokun's political skill was legendary. He had held the Prime Minister's post for decades without faltering.

Dai Yifeng was quiet for a moment, then declared,

"Night Owl, Tantai Youchun, follow the Prime Minister's plan."

"At your command!" The two bowed deeply.

"And… remove Xiao Ruiyang from his post as City Lord of Yir City. Strip his title—make him a commoner," Dai Yifeng added faintly.

"Your Majesty, what about Concubine Xiao?" Dai Dingyi asked cautiously.

"Xiao Ruiyang can be bold and greedy—but he must not be stupid, must not lack foresight!" Dai Yifeng's words were layered with meaning.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Meanwhile, in the Tiandou Empire – Imperial Palace – Zhongping Hall

Zhongping Hall, nine bays wide and five deep, had a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof with yellow glazed tiles. Each eave corner held nine ornamental birds. Inside, the floor was paved with golden bricks. A golden lacquered throne stretched from north to south, flanked by warm pavilions. The architecture used a reduced-column technique—removing six front-golden pillars—making the space more open and comfortable.

Unlike Dai Yifeng, who held court in the grand main hall, Zhongping Hall was where Emperor Xue Yingtang of the Tiandou Empire handled daily governance.

Present were Emperor Xue Yingtang, Prince Xue Jiqing, and Duke of the North, Shui Rong, listening to the report from Lan Yuancheng, head of the Xuan Bird Division.

The Xuan Bird Division was equivalent to the Mysterious Tiger Bureau—an imperial intelligence agency—and a long-standing rival. The Lan Clan, known for their Wind Chime Bird martial souls, had served in the Xuan Bird Division for generations. As hereditary earls, they were fiercely loyal and counted as a branch of the royal family.

The Duke of the North in the Tiandou Empire and the Duke of the South in the Star Luo Empire were known as the "Twin Dukes of Douluo"—one guarding the North, the other the South.

Their duty? To hold the line against foreign races.

The Duke of the South faced the barbaric half-beast tribes of the Ten-Thousand Mountain Range.

The Duke of the North, however, arguably had it worse. His fief was the frigid Mugaozar Province in the empire's northernmost region.

To the north was the Icebound Forest and the Beast Empire beyond. To the south, the Tianshan Highlands and the dangerous Snowmen of Tianshan. Between them lay the Tianbei Pass, one of the three great corridors of the continent.

The Shui Clan, with their ancestral Condensed Water Luan martial soul, held enormous sway in the empire.

The first Duke of the North had the power to found his kingdom, like the present-day "Four Kings and One Duke." But he had refused.

Why? The Mugaozar Province was cold, vast, sparsely populated, economically depressed, and not self-sufficient—requiring massive soul master and army support.

Thus, the province remained one of the five directly governed provinces of the Tiandou Empire. Its capital, Tianshui City, was also home to Tianshui Academy, one of the continent's five great elemental academies.

This time, Duke Shui Rong had come to the capital on official business to pay court to Emperor Xue Yingtang.

"…Based on all available evidence, it was likely the work of Douhun City," Lan Yuancheng concluded.

"Any reason why?" Emperor Xue Yingtang asked calmly.

"Based on history, the Demon Goat Sect probably crossed a line," Lan replied.

"Hmm. Rong-di, what do you think our response should be?" Xue Yingtang asked the sage-like Shui Rong.

Technically, they were of the same generation in the royal genealogy.

"Your Majesty, why should we respond at all?" Shui Rong stood up and bowed lightly.

"Hm? Shouldn't we at least have a stance on this?" Prince Xue Jiqing asked in surprise.

"Unless one of the Seven Great Sects falls and causes a full-scale uproar, all such matters end up being brushed aside. Besides, the one who should react first isn't us," Shui Rong answered lazily.

"True. We needn't act first," Xue Yingtang nodded.

Lan Yuancheng hesitated, then asked:

"Douhun City's Grand Soul Arenas are spread across our empire's major cities. Should the Xuan Bird Division monitor them more closely?"

Shui Rong waved dismissively:

"No need. Douhun City is on good terms with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and we have close relations with them. Let's just observe their reaction."

"Yuancheng, do as Rong-di suggests. We'll wait and see how the others respond," Xue Yingtang concluded.

Then he asked warmly,

"Rong-di, it's been years since we met. I've missed you. What brings you to the capital this time?"

"Your Majesty, fifty years ago, the Tianshan Snowmen were heavily damaged during the cataclysm. But after years of recovery, they've recently begun stirring once again…"