Chapter 161: Star Luo Empire
"What do you think?"
The civil and military officials below exchanged glances. This question was very difficult to answer. The Spirit Empire was currently flourishing, so what could they do?
The best solution was actually to wait and see, but since the Star Luo Emperor had asked, saying that was definitely not an option.
"Hmph!"
Seeing no one answer, Dai Yutian looked at the person in the lead on the military side. "Great General, you speak first. What do you think about this matter? In the current situation, although it hasn't reached our Star Luo Empire yet, we have the Heaven Dou Empire as a precedent.
Tell me, do we need to take precautions?"
Great General Dai Zhenxuan was a branch of the Dai family lineage, with no qualifications to compete for the throne. The largest army he commanded was the White Tiger Army, primarily composed of those with the White Tiger Martial Soul.
Perhaps some might be curious: every time the Dai family competed for the throne, it was a bloody struggle, and only the ultimate victor could ascend to the imperial throne. The others were either crippled and sent to their fiefdoms or immediately executed.
So why would there still be branch families?
Why would there still be others with the White Tiger Martial Soul?
First, imperial succession didn't necessarily mean death. Many princes had their cultivation crippled, and the descendants born to these individuals—regardless of gender—were classified as branch families.
Although the probability of being killed for failing the competition was high, it wasn't one hundred percent.
Additionally, the Star Luo Emperor's descendants were not just princes; there were also princesses.
How are princesses usually handled?
There are generally two ways: the first is to recruit a consort, and the second is to marry them off.
But no matter which method, their descendants are still classified as branch families, and those with the White Tiger Martial Soul would certainly join the White Tiger Army.
Even if they are the emperor's sisters, their sons definitely do not have the right to compete to be a prince.
If they had such ambitions, their fate would be self-evident: only death!
Moreover, the White Tiger Martial Soul itself is not weak. The Star Luo Empire is predominantly martial, and its military strength is much greater than that of the Heaven Dou Empire, largely because its army is stronger.
Where does this strength come from?
This White Tiger Army accounts for a large part of the credit.
If it weren't for the obstruction of Spirit Hall, the Heaven Dou Empire, lacking the support of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—or even the Clear Sky Sect—could have destroyed the Heaven Dou Empire before Spirit Hall was established.
Why could the imperial family with the Swan Martial Soul contend with the Star Luo Empire?
The Heaven Dou Empire truly owes a great debt of gratitude to the Upper Three Sects for not being destroyed.
All of the Upper Three Sects are established within the territory of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Ostensibly, only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect supported the Heaven Dou Royal Family, while the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan maintained neutrality.
But were they truly neutral?
The Blue Lightning Academy, established by Liu Erlong, is in Heaven Dou City; the Thunder Academy, supported by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, is in Thunder City; and Yu Tianheng, the most powerful contender for the young Clan Chief of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, is at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
In contrast, are there any members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan active in the Star Luo Empire?
If there were, why wasn't it mentioned in the original work? Even a simple sentence?
This neutrality was, in fact, nonsense.
And what about the Clear Sky Sect?
Through Yu Xiaogang's words, it was only said that they implicitly supported the Star Luo Empire. This 'implicitly' is worth exploring.
If they truly supported the Star Luo Empire, why couldn't they do so openly?
And why didn't they choose to locate their Sect within the territory of the Star Luo Empire? Wouldn't that be better support?
After the Clear Sky Sect sealed its mountain gate, only Tang Yuehua transmitted resources to the Clear Sky Sect from outside.
And why did Tang Yuehua choose to establish the Moon Pavilion at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy instead of the Star Luo Royal Academy?
And why did Emperor Xue Ye do nothing, despite knowing the forces behind Tang Yuehua, Yu Tianheng, and Liu Erlong?
Does this count as acquiescence?
In the original work, after Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer was exposed, Emperor Xue Ye did not harbor murderous intent but laughed aloud.
Why?
Because Tang San represented his Heaven Dou Empire!
All signs indicate that the Star Luo Empire in this timeline is like a clown, feeling isolated and helpless.
Is this because they are too powerful and do not need assistance?
Dai Zhenxuan stepped forward, and after a moment of thought, he said, "Your Majesty, I believe we still need to investigate thoroughly. Why did Tianshui City surrender to the Spirit Empire? Was it because the Spirit Empire offered too much, or were they threatened? We haven't investigated this point clearly yet."
"If it's the former, we can widely publicize that Tianshui City joined because the Spirit Empire promised benefits, and other cities will surely wait and see."
"After all, the Spirit Empire has just been established. If it can promise benefits to Tianshui City, it can also promise benefits to other cities. The resources required for a newly established empire are not small."
"And if it's the latter, we can also issue a public announcement: if the Spirit Empire invades our territory, we will retaliate with legitimate means!"
"So now, even though it's not wartime, we must practice diligently so that we can resist the future."
Dai Zhenxuan's words were very pertinent, saying everything that needed to be said.
At this moment, Zhu Ming, the Clan Chief of the Zhu Family, also spoke: "Your Majesty, perhaps we can try to unite with the Heaven Dou Empire, and then send people to inquire about the intentions of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the Clear Sky Sect, and other Sects that have not joined the Spirit Empire."
"The Spirit Empire's current strength is too great. We must unite to have any hope of contending with it."
Zhu Ming used the phrase "contending with it," indicating that even if his suggestions are followed, he was not confident they could defeat the Spirit Empire.
The Spirit Empire's power has already solidified. Unless a miracle occurs, otherwise...
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect
Over the past few months, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had moved its sect to a mountain not far from Spirit City.
The new sect was built with the help of the Imperial Hall. On the original foundation, some offensive and defensive measures were added, making the sect even more secure.
"Daddy, didn't our original sect used to be near Heaven Dou City? Why did we go through so much trouble to move here?"
At this moment, a cute and playful little girl curiously asked Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Fengzhi looked at Ning Rongrong, who was held in Chen Xin's arms, and smiled. "Rongrong, this is because the Spirit Empire is powerful. For our sect to preserve itself, we could only join the Spirit Empire."
Ning Rongrong frowned. "Ah, then is the sect still our sect?"
Ning Fengzhi playfully poked Ning Rongrong's nose, a doting expression on his face. "Of course, it's still our sect. We joined the Spirit Empire, and the Spirit Empire did not restrict our actions. Moreover, your Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone are now considered high-ranking officials of Spirit Hall."
Ning Rongrong, who was only three years old, already had a very beautiful face.
Because she was only three, her words still carried a hint of childishness and a bit of baby fat.
—
End of Chapter