After promising to take Hu Liena out for dinner, Li Chang'an said goodbye to his teacher and left the training grounds, heading straight for the Hall of the Pope.
Of course, he wasn't going there to see Bibi Dong, but to work. As the Holy Son of Spirit Hall, Li Chang'an had his own office in the Pope's Hall. Bibi Dong would also regularly have copies of key decisions within Spirit Hall sent to him.
While he didn't have much authority to directly alter these decisions, they gave Li Chang'an a clear picture of the current operations and policies of Spirit Hall. On more controversial issues, he would even add his own suggestions.
Today, Li Chang'an's visit wasn't just about routine work. Since he would be leaving for a while, he wanted to help draft a developmental direction for Spirit Hall's future. Naturally, all he could do was offer recommendations—final decisions would still rest with Bibi Dong.
"Your Holiness, welcome."
As soon as Li Chang'an stepped into his office, two graceful handmaidens entered behind him, arms full of documents.
These two weren't just pretty faces—they had been personally trained and educated by Li Chang'an. They sorted documents for him, highlighted the most critical ones, and essentially served as his private secretaries.
"Your Holiness, this is a report from the Research Institute. Following your suggestion, they've already distributed the soul tool illumination lamp technology. Our factories can now produce them independently, as long as trained spirit masters engrave the arrays."
"Your Holiness, your proposal to use the profits from soul tool lamps to fund a talent recruitment program for Spirit Hall has been approved. However, there's still some dissent from the Hall of Consecration."
"Hmm? Dissent?" Li Chang'an raised an eyebrow. This plan was meant to help Spirit Hall compete with the two great empires for control over the awakening of civilian soul masters—something with lasting impact. He couldn't understand why the Hall of Consecration would oppose it.
"Yes, the one opposing it is the Second Consecrator, Golden Crocodile Douluo. So while the proposal passed, it'll likely face significant resistance during implementation..." one of the handmaidens said nervously.
Though Li Chang'an looked young, both secretaries knew just how terrifyingly capable he was. He carried the aura of a true leader—one born to command.
Li Chang'an closed his eyes briefly and asked in a weary tone, "What reason did Elder Golden Crocodile give for opposing it?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo, as the Second Consecrator, was immensely powerful—currently second only to Qian Daoliu. His opinions couldn't be ignored.
"He believes that Spirit Hall is already the top force on the continent, and civilian soul masters naturally flock to us. There's no need to waste money trying to win them over..."
"Sigh, Elder Golden Crocodile is being shortsighted. Is he still in Spirit City right now?" Li Chang'an asked.
It would be a mistake to assume the Consecrators were idle. Ever since Qian Daoliu stepped into semi-retirement, Golden Crocodile Douluo had become the backbone of the Hall of Consecration. He traveled often and was rarely in one place.
Still, Li Chang'an knew better than anyone the power of money. With wealth, even goddesses would call you "Daddy." Without it, they'd call someone else that instead.
While Clans and nobles might not feel this as keenly, among civilians, money's influence was impossible to ignore.
"He's here. Elder Golden Crocodile hasn't left recently," the maid replied after some thought.
Li Chang'an nodded and waved them off. Once alone, he sank into his chair, lost in thought.
This matter wasn't exactly complex, but it was politically sensitive. If Golden Crocodile Douluo was truly determined to oppose him, then no matter how capable Li Chang'an was, he couldn't go toe-to-toe with someone of that caliber.
After a long silence, he finally stood and left the Pope's Hall, heading toward the Hall of Consecration—a place he had only visited twice before.
After going through multiple layers of reporting and clearance, Li Chang'an entered the room belonging to Golden Crocodile Douluo. It was the second largest in the Hall of Consecration, and carried the second most oppressive aura.
Although Li Chang'an wasn't intimidated by the pressure, he made sure not to appear too aggressive. After all, he wasn't here to challenge anyone, but to negotiate.
"Enter."
A deep, commanding voice rang out as the rosewood doors opened slowly of their own accord.
Without hesitation, Li Chang'an stepped inside and saw an old man seated before a chessboard.
At first glance, the elder looked unremarkable, but the innate pride and power radiating from him was unmistakable. This was none other than Golden Crocodile Douluo, one of the true titans of Spirit Hall.
The culture of Douluo Continent differed somewhat from the ancient culture of Li Chang'an's previous life. For instance, while the chessboard in front of Golden Crocodile Douluo looked similar to Gomoku—black and white pieces in alternating rows—Li Chang'an knew this wasn't Gomoku or even Go. The pieces might be the same, but the rules and gameplay were entirely different.
"What brings the Holy Son here?" Golden Crocodile Douluo didn't even lift his head, placing another piece down leisurely.
At his level of cultivation, without a rare opportunity, his power would no longer increase. Chess had become one of his few pastimes in retirement.
This actually made Li Chang'an feel a bit more at ease. The higher the status of the people he met, the more he realized that even these lofty figures had ordinary habits—they still used the restroom, and they still got lonely like any old man.
"Elder, I believe you already know why I'm here," Li Chang'an said, cutting to the point and bowing politely.
"You're here about my opposition to your civilian subsidy plan?" Golden Crocodile Douluo glanced at him briefly before placing a white piece down.
"Spirit Hall's funds don't grow on trees. Even if your soul tool lamp business is profitable, it can't possibly cover the cost of subsidizing every spirit master across the continent. So I say drop it," Golden Crocodile Douluo said matter-of-factly.
At his level, he had little personal ambition left. His concerns were genuine and rooted in Spirit Hall's best interest—and his logic wasn't without merit.
Li Chang'an simply smiled and didn't try to argue about long-term strategic gains. Instead, he said, "Elder, it must be dull playing chess alone. I happen to know a new board game. Why don't I play a few rounds with you?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo gave a faint smirk, his eyes cold and skeptical. "I've roamed this continent for over a century. There's nothing I haven't seen or played."
"Well then, I'll say this," he added grandly, "If your game can actually amuse me, not only will I stop opposing your plan—any reasonable policy of yours in the future will have my full support!"
Li Chang'an: 'Alright then... let's see if you can resist the temptation of Mahjong..
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T/N:
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