Chapter 248: Xue Beng Disrespects the Angel God?

Chapter 248: Chapter 248: Xue Beng Disrespects the Angel God?

Shui Bing’er’s mother’s eyes instantly widened in shock.

Standing nearby, Shui Bing’er’s father’s eyes went just as wide.

Shui Yue’er let out a startled gasp and rushed over to stand right in front of Shui Bing’er, her eyes sparkling as brightly as two stars.

"Sister! It really is a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Ring!"

She reached out her hand, wanting to touch that crimson ring, but then pulled it back.

Father Shui set down his teacup, took a deep breath, and strove to compose himself.

"Bing’er, how exactly did you manage this? Did you encounter a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast that performed a sacrifice for you?"

Shui Bing’er shook her head and explained, "This is entirely the Sect Master’s doing. I don’t even know where the Sect Master managed to procure a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast. At the time, I was breaking through to the Spirit Emperor rank; the Sect Master simply brought the beast directly before me and had it perform a sacrifice for my sake."

Such a fantastical explanation left Father Shui and Mother Shui exchanging bewildered glances.

A hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast—that was an existence standing at the very pinnacle of the Spirit Beast world. A single one was enough to make even a powerhouse of the Titled Douluo rank risk their very life.

Yet Jiang Bai could casually procure one, and even have it willingly perform a sacrifice?

Just how immense was his capability?

Shui Yue’er grasped Shui Bing’er’s hand, her eyes brimming with envy: "Sister, your sect is absolutely amazing! Are they still recruiting disciples? I want to join, too!"

Shui Bing’er gave a helpless smile: "Yue’er, I’m afraid I don’t know what the Sect Master’s plans are regarding that."

She turned her head to face Father Shui, her expression turning serious: "Father, the reason I’ve returned this time is that I have something I need to discuss with you both."

Father Shui asked, "What is it?"

Shui Bing’er took a deep breath and spoke slowly: "The Sect Master has promised that he can ensure my seventh Spirit Ring—and even the two rings that follow it—will all be hundred-thousand-year Spirit Rings."

Father Shui and Mother Shui were simultaneously struck with astonishment.

The seventh, eighth, and ninth Spirit Rings—three hundred-thousand-year Spirit Rings?

What kind of concept was that?

Father Shui spoke in a grave tone: "Are there any conditions?"

Shui Bing’er nodded: "There are. The condition is that our Shui Clan must pledge allegiance to the Spirit Hall—and, furthermore, we must persuade the other Four Elemental Academies and clans to pledge their allegiance to the Spirit Hall as well."

Father Shui frowned, immediately cutting to the heart of the matter: "Is the Spirit Hall planning some major move?"

Shui Bing’er met her father’s gaze and replied, "The Spirit Hall intends to unify the entire continent!"

Father Shui and Mother Shui exchanged glances, a flicker of astonishment passing through both their eyes. Unifying the Continent?

It was a feat no one had accomplished in a thousand years.

Did the Spirit Hall truly possess the strength to do so?

Shui Bing’er continued, "Actually, we only need to persuade the Feng Clan and the Huo Clan. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has already submitted, and the Thunder Academy wouldn’t dare make a move against us."

Shui Bing’er’s father fell silent for a moment.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had been annihilated; the Spirit Hall had established "Angel Squares" in every major city; and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family had been forced to compromise.

Come to think of it, if any region were to show the slightest sign of laxity now, the Spirit Hall would likely seize upon it as a pretext to launch a war.

Moreover, the Spirit Hall boasted the Supreme Pontiff Qian Renxue, along with Jiang Bai, Jiang Li’er, Ju, Gui... and so many other powerhouses at the Title Douluo rank.

He could see absolutely no hope of victory for the Heaven Dou Empire.

Shui Bing’er’s father raised his head and looked at his daughter.

"Very well. Tomorrow, I will go and persuade those two clans."

His voice was calm yet resolute: "The Spirit Hall has become an unstoppable force. War is now inevitable; for the sake of the Shui Clan’s future—and for your future, Bing’er..."

"Submission is the best choice."

Shui Bing’er nodded gently. "Thank you, Father."

Shui Bing’er’s mother took her daughter’s hand and suddenly asked, "Bing’er, what do you think of your Sect Master, Jiang Bai?"

Shui Bing’er was taken aback. "Huh?"

...

One month later.

The Huo Clan and the Feng Clan made their decision: they would submit to the Spirit Hall.

Meanwhile, in the Star Luo Empire to the south of the continent, a faint scent of impending crisis began to drift through the air.

The Star Luo Imperial Palace.

Inside the main audience hall, the atmosphere was heavy with tension.

The Star Luo Emperor, Dai Yutian, sat regally upon his dragon throne.

Clad in a black dragon robe, his countenance was stern and resolute, exuding an aura of natural authority that commanded respect without the need for anger. He appeared physically imposing, radiating the majestic dignity of a supreme ruler.

Below him, the civil and military officials stood in formation, lining the hall on either side.

Dai Weisi stood at the very forefront, clad in robes of white and gold. Beside him stood Zhu Zhuyun, dressed in a sleek, fitted battle outfit that gave her an air of striking, martial heroism.

"Your Majesty, the Spirit Hall has been unusually active of late. Not only are they establishing ’Angel Squares’ across various regions, but they are also secretly courting the major factions within the Heaven Dou Empire."

A civil official stepped forward, his voice grave: "This humble subject believes that the Spirit Hall is likely planning a major move. We, the Star Luo Empire, must make preparations without delay."

Dai Yutian remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly: "Issue the order: mobilize the troops and prepare for war."

His voice was low, yet it carried an indisputable majesty: "Regardless of whether the Spirit Hall strikes first or the Heaven Dou Empire does, the Star Luo Empire must be fully prepared to respond."

A glint of cold light flashed in his eyes: "The moment hostilities commence, our first objective is to launch an immediate offensive against the Heaven Dou Empire!"

Although the Star Luo Empire lacked the presence of a Title Douluo-level powerhouse to anchor its defenses, its people possessed a fierce and hardy spirit, and its military might was formidable.

Dai Yutian was confident that, by relying on his powerful army, he could compensate for the empire’s deficiency in top-tier experts—a force sufficient to contend with the Spirit Hall.

Dai Weisi stepped forward: "Father Emperor, this son requests the honor of leading the troops into battle!"

Dai Yutian cast a glance at him and nodded: "Very well. Go and make your preparations."

Dai Weisi clasped his fists in salute: "As you command!"

...

Two and a half months later.

Spirit City—The Papal Palace.

Qian Renxue sat at her desk, holding a newly delivered secret report in her hands.

The report contained intelligence gathered from various cities within the Heaven Dou Empire; surprisingly, the construction of the Angel Squares had proceeded with exceptional smoothness, encountering absolutely no resistance.

Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow, feeling a touch of surprise.

She had originally anticipated that the haughty nobles of the Heaven Dou Empire would pay mere lip service to her orders—feigning compliance while dragging their feet—thereby providing her with a pretext to pick a quarrel.

She had never expected them to be so cooperative.

So cooperative, in fact, that she could not find a single fault with their conduct.

Qian Renxue set the secret report aside and leaned back against her chair, her fingers tapping lightly against the armrest.

"Tap... tap... tap..."

The crisp, rhythmic sound echoed through the spacious study.

She closed her eyes and remained deep in thought for a moment.

Then, she opened her eyes once more.

The corners of her lips curled upward ever so slightly.

If there is no pretext, then create one.

She picked up her brush and, upon a blank sheet of paper, penned a few lines of text. ...

Three days later.

The Spirit Hall issued a proclamation.

Prince Xue Beng of the Heaven Dou Empire had shown disrespect toward the God of Angels—desecrating the divine statue and reviling the sacred name—thereby incurring the wrath of the God of Angels.

Consequently, the Spirit Hall declared a Holy War against the Heaven Dou Empire.

To uphold the divine majesty of the God of Angels.

As the news spread, the entire continent was thrown into an uproar.

"Prince Xue Beng disrespected the God of Angels? Is that for real?"

"Who knows? But if the Spirit Hall says so, then it must be true."

"Are we sure this isn’t just a trumped-up charge? Who isn’t aware of the Spirit Hall’s wolfish ambitions?"

"Hush... keep your voice down. The grass hasn’t even started growing on the graves of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan yet."

"Sigh... war is upon us once again."

Inside the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

Xue Beng slumped to the ground, his face ashen.

He stared at the Spirit Hall’s proclamation clutched in his hands, his entire body trembling uncontrollably.

"I... I didn’t... I didn’t disrespect the God of Angels..."

His voice was hoarse, laced with the sound of weeping.

No one answered him.

Within the grand hall, the civil and military officials stood in silence.

Emperor Xue Ye sat upon his Dragon Throne, his face grim and livid.

He knew, of course, that this was merely a pretext fabricated by the Spirit Hall.

When one seeks to pin a crime on someone, what need is there for a valid excuse?

But what could he do?

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was gone. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had submitted.

The Four Elements Academies had crumbled into disarray. The Heaven Dou Empire had nothing left to rely upon.

Emperor Xue Ye closed his eyes and let out a long, heavy sigh.

"Issue the decree: prepare for war."

His voice sounded aged and weary.

"This battle... cannot be avoided."

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