For decades, the Elder Hall and the Spirit Hall each had their own affiliated military forces.
The two were independent of each other, even constantly wary of one another.
For the Spirit Hall as a whole, maintaining two separate military systems was undoubtedly a waste.
"Your Eminence, this must not be done!"
As soon as Ye Tian spoke these words, officials stepped forward to oppose him.
Ye Tian glanced sideways and saw that it was an official originally from the Pope's Hall—
Wang Li, the dean of the Spirit Hall Academy.
Though only a Soul Douluo in strength, his status was prestigious, holding a elder title.
Despite his white hair, Wang Li's face was surprisingly youthful, resembling a middle-aged man.
He took a step forward, glanced at Ye Tian, and bowed to Bibi Dong:
"The local armies are the cornerstone of our Spirit Hall's stability."
"Now that Spirit City has just experienced turmoil, integrating the military must not be rushed, lest chaos ensue."
After voicing his thoughts to Bibi Dong, Wang Li didn't forget to lecture Ye Tian.
"Ye Tian, I've heard much about your reputation lately."
"However, the Spirit Hall has its own unique circumstances."
"The military and the local soul master families are deeply intertwined—like bones and tendons. If we act against the military, do you know how many families' interests would be affected?"
"If these families turn against the Spirit Hall and defect to the two empires, the resulting imbalance would only harm us more!"
Wang Li's words were forceful, drawing cheers from the officials on the left side of the hall.
Those on the right, mostly from the Elder Hall, remained silent, as the Elder Hall had just suffered a defeat.
After listening to Wang Li's analysis, Bibi Dong's fair neck tilted slightly.
Her expression was thoughtful.
Starting with the military was indeed troublesome.
Integrating the armies wasn't as simple as appointing a few generals or disbanding some units.
It involved logistics, procurement, command structures, defense zones, and a host of other complexities.
In terms of numbers, the Spirit Hall's annual military expenditure exceeded fifteen million gold soul coins.
This supported countless soul master families.
Touching the military would inevitably affect these families' interests.
Redistributing the pie was one thing, but taking it back would invite fierce resistance.
Bibi Dong rubbed her temples and sighed softly.
The Elder Hall had indeed left her a solid financial foundation, but also a mess to clean up.
Her deep eyes rested on the handsome young man before her as she said calmly, "Ye Tian, do you have a different opinion?"
"The solution now is to cut the Gordian knot."
Ye Tian looked at Wang Li and replied earnestly:
"Though I haven't been in the Spirit Hall for long, I know its military composition is similar to the two empires'."
"It's filled with fugitives, weak and disabled soldiers, not to mention rampant corruption and abuse of power in the garrisons."
"Dean Wang Li, how much combat effectiveness do you think such an army has?"
Wang Li was momentarily speechless, then snorted:
"Even if the Spirit Hall's military has flaws, they are our staunch supporters."
"Thanks to them, the Spirit Hall remains the continent's top power, feared by the two empires!"
With that, Wang Li flicked his sleeve arrogantly.
A faint smile played on Ye Tian's lips:
"Let me tell you—such an army only squanders the Spirit Hall's wealth, indulging in comfort and decadence."
"In wartime, they might fight if victory is certain. But if the Spirit Hall falters, they'll likely turn into 'rebel forces' against us."
"You—!" Wang Li pointed at Ye Tian angrily. "How dare you slander our Spirit Hall's military!"
"What grounds do you have to accuse them?"
"Must we wait for war, for the Spirit Hall's downfall, before you admit I'm right?" Ye Tian's expression turned solemn.
He ignored Wang Li and asked:
"Dean Wang Li, how many of these soul master families are truly loyal to the Spirit Hall?"
"The world is vast—how could I possibly know such things?"
Wang Li snorted, crossing his arms. "Besides, how can one measure loyalty?"
As the dean of the Spirit Hall Academy, his debate skills were sharp.
But Ye Tian wouldn't be bested by a mere dean.
Or rather, he had never regarded the dean as a threat.
Knowing the plotline, his perspective far surpassed Wang Li's.
With the outcome clear, justifying necessary actions was effortless.
Ye Tian smiled:
"If loyalty can't be measured, surely you know the taxes these families pay?"
"Don't tell me you were napping during today's financial report."
"...Of course I know!" Wang Li flushed.
"Good. Then I have a question for you."
Ye Tian folded his arms, his smile unwavering:
"The continent has been peaceful for decades. Why, then, does the Spirit Hall's tax revenue decline yearly?"
"The military hasn't changed in decades, yet expenses keep rising. Where does the money go?"
With each of Ye Tian's questions, Wang Li's face grew paler.
The hall, once abuzz with murmurs, fell deathly silent.
Bibi Dong's beautiful eyes never left Ye Tian.
A smile lingered on her lips.
Having Xiao Tian's support was the greatest fortune of her life.
"Dean Wang Li, why the silence?"
Ye Tian's calm gaze bore into Wang Li, who shrank under the pressure.
"This..."
"Different fields require different expertise! I teach soul cultivation, not finance!"
Wang Li's retreat didn't provoke mockery from Ye Tian.
He simply stated a fact:
"That money lines the pockets of these soul master families."
"Most of these families owe no true loyalty to the Spirit Hall."
"They merely cling to its shade, believing the tree sturdy."
"When the tree falls, they'll not only abandon it—they'll pluck its fruits to appease new masters."
Ye Tian's voice was soft, yet it echoed through the hall.
Every official clenched their jaws, silent.
The families Ye Tian described were their own.
Their clans held key positions across the Spirit Hall, weaving a vast network of influence.
Under normal circumstances, they'd vehemently oppose such talk— after all, military integration threatened their wealth.
But today was different.
Pope Bibi Dong had crushed the Elder Hall's elders with thunderous force.
Such power left them terrified.
If even the Elder Hall's elders couldn't defy her, how could they, the lesser officials, dare speak up?
Thus, the hall remained hushed.
*Clap, clap, clap.*
A few crisp applause broke the silence.
Bibi Dong's stern face softened into a rare smile—a sight of breathtaking beauty.
Yet to the officials, her smile radiated dominance and menace.
They bowed their heads deeper, fearing her gaze.
Bibi Dong rose gracefully, her cool eyes sweeping the hall:
"I find Xiao Tian's words most reasonable."
"Who agrees? Who opposes?"
"..."
Silence.
Bibi Dong waved a hand. "Then it's settled."
"It's late. All of you may leave."
"Ye Tian, stay."
With that, the officials filed out obediently.
The grand Angel Cathedral returned to its usual emptiness.
*Tap, tap.*
Bibi Dong descended the steps, approaching Ye Tian.
Her demeanor softened as she rested a jade-like hand on his shoulder:
"Xiao Tian, didn't you recently propose a rotation policy?"
"I thought you'd advocate for that today."
"Why focus on military reform instead?"
Her eyes brimmed with curiosity.
"Circumstances change."
Ye Tian took her hand, leading her toward the inner hall.
"Actually, Dean Wang Li made some valid points."
"With the Elder Hall's fall, the Spirit Hall is in turmoil."
"Enforcing the rotation policy now would anger the families—some might even rebel."
"But military reform is different."
"The military is only part of these families' interests."
"The resistance would be much lighter."
Following him, Bibi Dong's eyes gleamed with realization.
"I see. Military integration and official rotations aren't unrelated."
"If we succeed with the military, the rotations will follow smoothly!"
"Clever girl." Ye Tian almost pinched her cheek but stopped mid-motion.
Bibi Dong wasn't Hu Liena—she was proud and reserved.
Noticing his aborted gesture, Bibi Dong smiled faintly, unbothered:
"As Pope, I'm constantly scheming. A dull mind wouldn't suffice."
With their next steps clear, she looked up and asked:
"Xiao Tian, where should we start with military reform?"
Ye Tian paused before answering:
"Downsizing."
"My reasoning: the continent is at peace. To promote harmony, the Spirit Hall will reduce its military."
"This will also lull the two empires into complacency."
"Downsizing?" Bibi Dong blinked. "Are you serious?"
"The Spirit Hall's military is under 300,000—smaller than either empire's."
"I was thinking of expanding it while funds last."
"Only then can we ensure security."
Ye Tian sighed. "Downsizing doesn't mean weakening."
"You don't honestly think the entire Spirit Hall army rivals the three knight orders, do you?"
He wondered if Bibi Dong had ever inspected the troops.
"They may not match your Heavenly Strategyl Army, but surely they're close?" she frowned.
Ye Tian nearly facepalmed. "Close?!"
"You've seen the soldiers in East Sea City, right?"
"Yes, their discipline was poor. But East Sea City is a backwater—that's expected."
"What if I told you East Sea City's troops are among our elite?"
Ye Tian's tone was ominous.
This wasn't hyperbole.
As a trade hub, East Sea City invested more in its military.
Plus, frequent pirate raids kept the soldiers sharp.
But inland garrisons were another story.
With no major wars in a century, the military had grown lax.
Skipping drills was the least of their issues.
Bibi Dong's steps faltered.
"Such troops count as our elite?"
"Hard to believe, but true." Ye Tian shrugged.
Her expression darkened. "Reform is urgent."
"Thankfully, you spotted this."
"Otherwise, in a conflict, we'd have no usable troops."
She turned to him: "Could your Heavenly Strategy Army train our troops?"
"If our military reaches half their strength, I could conquer the continent."
Ye Tian shook his head with a wry smile:
"You oversimplify."
"An army isn't built overnight."
"My soldiers are peasants—docile, disciplined, and ideologically driven."
"But the Spirit Hall's troops are a mix, including fugitives who serve only for food."
"No amount of training will instill discipline in them."
Bibi Dong's eyes dimmed with regret. "Nothing is easy, it seems."
(End of Chapter)