As Hu Liena carefully pondered Ye Tian's words, a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes.
"The Balak Kingdom… how big can it really be?"
"Even if the entire kingdom fell under our control, compared to the immense power of the Elder Hall, it wouldn't make much of a difference."
Ye Tian gently ruffled Hu Liena's hair and chuckled as he explained,
"A single spark can start a prairie fire."
"The struggle against the Elder Hall is like a Soul Master's cultivation—no one can become a Title Douluo overnight."
Hu Liena nodded, half understanding.
She understood the idea of taking things slowly.
But the Elder Hall likely wouldn't give them that chance.
The open and hidden conflicts between the Pope's Hall and the Elder Hall were something Hu Liena had witnessed firsthand.
A diocese wasn't truly under the control of the Pope's Hall just because they had managed it for a few days.
The battle between the two sides was more like a tug-of-war.
Today, if the Pope's Hall assigned a trusted Hall Master, the diocese would belong to them.
But next time, if the Hall Master were replaced, the Elder Hall might seize control once again.
Hu Liena understood that the core of their struggle wasn't territorial or economic control.
It was about the number of talented Soul Masters and Title Douluo.
Genius Soul Masters determined a faction's future peak combat strength.
And Title Douluo, without a doubt, represented the faction's current might.
Those two were the real key factors.
Thinking about this, Hu Liena couldn't help but voice an opposing opinion:
"Even if we put great effort into developing the Balak Kingdom, wouldn't it all be in vain if the local Spirit Hall Master were eventually replaced by someone from the Elder Hall?"
Ye Tian smiled faintly,
"Nana, I understand your concern."
"But you must realize—Soul Masters alone can no longer decide everything."
"This is actually the real core issue Spirit Hall faces today."
"Spirit Hall has always prided itself as the representative of Soul Masters, but how many Soul Masters exist across the entire continent?"
"We should unite the far more numerous commoners and bring their power into play."
"This will be a completely different and even stronger force."
"With such power, forget the Elder Hall—even sweeping across the entire continent wouldn't be an issue."
Hearing this, Hu Liena opened her mouth, wanting to laugh.
But then she recalled the moment, months ago, when Ye Tian took her to visit the Heavenly Strategy Army.
Ye Tian was not wrong.
However, Bibi Dong merely smiled.
"If Spirit Hall no longer claims to represent Soul Masters, wouldn't that mean abandoning its very faith?"
"Then, what would be the difference between Spirit Hall and a new faction?"
There was no denying that Ye Tian's thoughts were highly advanced.
So advanced that even she found them difficult to accept.
If Ye Tian's ideas were made public…
Forget the Elder Hall's opposition—even her own subordinates might defect en masse.
However, Ye Tian's expression suddenly became serious.
He gazed intently into Bibi Dong's eyes and spoke,
"Compared to the Elder Hall, does the Pope's Hall have anything more attractive to offer?"
"The Elder Hall controls Spirit Hall's economy and can promise Soul Masters more rare treasures."
"They have several times more Title Douluo than the Pope's Hall, meaning they can provide better training for Soul Masters."
"With just these two advantages, the Elder Hall can already completely suppress the Pope's Hall."
"And the strong will only grow stronger, while the weak become weaker."
"Sister, what you've been doing is merely offering Soul Masters higher salaries and faster promotions to attract them to the Pope's Hall."
"To be fair, that does work to an extent."
"Take Elder Ghost for example. Given his strength, he would only be a marginal figure in the Elder Hall."
"But in the Pope's Hall, he can be your right-hand man."
"Yet, this kind of appeal is ultimately limited."
Ye Tian chuckled,
"Sister, you've worked hard for twenty years, but have you ever surpassed the Elder Hall?"
"If things continue this way, I can already foresee the outcome."
"If Spirit Hall continues existing as it is, even in twenty years, the Pope's Hall won't surpass the Elder Hall, let alone take power from them."
"After all, those old monsters aren't going to die within the next twenty years."
Bibi Dong fell into a prolonged daze, a trace of hesitation in her gaze.
Ye Tian's words were spot on.
No matter how hard the Pope's Hall struggled, at most, they could only achieve a stalemate with the Elder Hall.
But they could never fully replace it.
A moment later…
Bibi Dong looked up at the ceiling, trying to process Ye Tian's words.
With a hint of confusion, she murmured,
"… Can mobilizing the commoners' power really replace the Elder Hall?"
To be honest…
Deep inside, she still held some expectations.
Her desire to overthrow the Elder Hall was partly due to her role as Pope, but also due to personal reasons.
She wanted to drag Qian Daoliu and the entire Angel Clan into the abyss.
To erase every trace of their existence from Spirit Hall.
Only then could she release the resentment she had harbored for twenty years.
Ye Tian smiled slightly,
"Do my words not deserve your trust?"
"I trust you,"
Bibi Dong's charming eyes regained clarity as she nodded with a soft smile.
"Xiaotian, you must help your sister more. I can promise you—on the day the Elder Hall is dissolved, the position of Spirit Hall's Pope will be yours."
The first half of her sentence made Ye Tian's eyes light up.
But hearing the latter part, he immediately slumped in disappointment.
He had thought that on that day, Bibi Dong would straightforwardly offer herself to him.
"Oh no, I don't want the Pope's position."
Ye Tian waved his hand, a sly glint flashing in his bright eyes as he winked at Bibi Dong.
Seeing his expression, Bibi Dong's heart skipped a beat.
This little rascal—having Nana isn't enough for him?
It seemed he was dead set on making a move on her.
Bibi Dong's gaze flickered as she quickly looked away.
She then spoke in a calm tone,
"Turning the Pope's Hall into the voice of the commoners is a goal that will take time."
"But for now, there is something we can do."
"And that is to drive Qianjun Douluo back to Spirit City."
After saying that, Bibi Dong stood up from her chair.
"It's getting late. Everyone should rest."
"Tomorrow, we will go to the royal palace together."
"Understood, Teacher,"
Hu Liena nodded earnestly and clung to Ye Tian's arm, preparing to leave.
But Bibi Dong glanced at Hu Liena and spoke,
"Nana, you go back first. Xiaotian stays."
Although Hu Liena was puzzled, she still obeyed and left the room alone.
Now, only Ye Tian and Bibi Dong remained.
Bibi Dong, who had been sitting across from Ye Tian, moved to his side.
Her beautiful eyes locked onto him with a complicated expression.
Ye Tian couldn't help but feel suspicious.
What was Bibi Dong planning to do?
(End of Chapter)
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