Heaven Dou City, Imperial Palace.
In the Golden Hall, the ministers stood on both sides, their bodies trembling as if they might ascend to the heavens at any moment.
Indeed, what happened today had deeply shaken them.
Led by Bibi Dong, several elders from the Spirit Hall had descended upon the imperial palace.
"Xue Qinghe" sat on the throne, while Bibi Dong and the others stood below, seemingly in the midst of some kind of conferring ceremony.
Bibi Dong and "Xue Qinghe" exchanged glances, a strange light flickering in their eyes.
This role reversal left both of them somewhat uneasy.
In the past, it was always Bibi Dong who sat on the papal throne, looking down upon "Xue Qinghe." Now, it was "Xue Qinghe" who sat on the imperial throne, looking down upon Bibi Dong.
The ministers, witnessing this scene, opened their mouths slightly, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Not to mention the former emperor, Xue Ye, who couldn't understand why the Spirit Hall would ally with the Heaven Dou Empire, even they couldn't comprehend it.
Having risen to high positions in the empire, they were no fools, yet this situation was truly hard to explain.
For thousands of years, the empire and the Spirit Hall had been in open and covert conflict, but now, without a word, they had become "family." Such a thing was not only unimaginable but also unthinkable!
Yet, facts speak louder than words, and what was happening before their eyes was a slap in their faces.
The impossible had happened!
Recently, the Spirit Hall had been integrating the sects of the Douluo Continent, either destroying or absorbing them. They had thought the Spirit Hall was planning something "big," but they never imagined it would be this "big."
Were they clearing obstacles for the empire?
"We greet Emperor Qinghe!"
The members of the Spirit Hall cupped their hands towards "Xue Qinghe" as a gesture of respect.
As Titled Douluo, they could show respect to anyone by cupping their hands, without the need to kneel.
These words were spoken sincerely, for they all knew that the "Xue Qinghe" on the throne was actually the young lady of their Spirit Hall. Even if she hadn't become the emperor of Heaven Dou, she was still someone they needed to respect.
It was just a change in title.
After saying this, Bibi Dong's expression became somewhat strange. A mother bowing to her daughter?
Well, it was somewhat upside down!
But for the greater plan, she had to do this to show the sincerity of the Spirit Hall.
If all went well, the Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire would completely merge, becoming one.
Therefore, it was necessary to pay respects to this emperor.
"Sss~"
The ministers inhaled sharply. They wanted to say that the Spirit Hall had some ulterior motive, but with Bibi Dong and the others going this far, what ulterior motive could there be?
Even if there was a conspiracy, it couldn't be questioned until it was exposed.
What a flexible Spirit Hall!
"All ministers, rise."
"Xue Qinghe" waved her sleeve and spoke calmly.
This scene had been rehearsed countless times in her mind, but it was the first time it was actually happening.
She had done it, really done it!
Something she hadn't even achieved in her "dreams," she had accomplished in reality.
This moment marked a new milestone.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The Titled Douluo quickly stood up, their faces adorned with faint smiles, as if they were quite familiar with the situation.
The person on the throne was the young lady of the Spirit Hall, so of course, they were familiar!
What difference was there between being here and being in the Spirit Hall?
It was just a change in name.
As if remembering something, Yue Guan stepped forward, cupped his hands towards "Xue Qinghe," and said, "Your Majesty, the matter of the Star Dou Plains is urgent. We are willing to quell this war for Your Majesty!"
Why the Star Dou Forest had turned into the Star Dou Plains overnight, no one knew, but they had some guesses.
Most likely, some existence within the Star Dou Forest had crossed the interests of another, hence the Star Dou Forest had disappeared, completely uprooted!
In this world, only the Geo Archon could achieve such a feat.
Realizing this, they no longer dwelled on it. The disappearance of the Star Dou Forest was a heavy blow to the soul master system, but it also presented the best opportunity for Heaven Dou and Star Luo to merge!
Without this natural barrier, the two sides could only fight until one side disappeared, or the war would never cease!
Indeed, the Star Dou Forest was so vast that if it didn't belong to one's own territory, the enemy could invade in minutes. Such a result left no choice for any emperor but to fight!
Even if Xue Ye hadn't abdicated, he would have had no other choice but to clash with Star Luo.
"We petition to wage war on the Star Dou Plains!"
The Titled Douluo seemed to have agreed beforehand, all petitioning to go to war.
This battle would determine the course of the war, a monumental achievement, so naturally, they were eager.
Besides, wasn't this a way to show the Spirit Hall's determination to the outside world?
By volunteering for battle right after arriving, who could say they weren't sincerely aligning with the empire?
The ministers exchanged glances, not daring to utter a word.
With the Spirit Hall acting so loyally, if they still spoke of conspiracies, they might be killed on the spot.
But they just felt it was all too bizarre...
"Xue Qinghe" waved her hand grandly and said, "Approved!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The elders were overjoyed. They had long been fully prepared, and the Spirit Hall's forces were also ready, waiting only for the order to launch an attack on the Star Luo Empire.
With the Heaven Dou soldiers cooperating, this war was a sure win.
Unless something unexpected happened, like Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun achieving godhood first, using their divine strength to dominate the battlefield.
But was it possible for them to break through so quickly?
Obviously, it was not.
After the court meeting, "Xue Qinghe" met with Bibi Dong alone. When the mother and daughter met, they found themselves at a loss for words.
After an unknown amount of time, even as Bibi Dong left, they still hadn't exchanged a single word.
"She has changed."
Watching Bibi Dong's retreating figure, "Xue Qinghe" murmured. This Bibi Dong was different from the one in the original timeline; she hadn't been corrupted by the Rakshasa God's power, and her eyes still held some regard for her daughter.
"Forgive her?"
"No, it's too late."
"Xue Qinghe" shook her head. The relationship between them could never go back to what it was.
When Bibi Dong repeatedly tried to kill her, the mother-daughter bond was completely severed. Any compensation would seem feeble.
If compensation could change the past, what use would there be for righteous judgment?
"She has changed..."
Bibi Dong murmured. The current Qian Renxue was no longer the little Xue who only sought to prove herself in front of her.
Qian Renxue no longer needed to prove her excellence to her; she was already the best.
Unfortunately, the past had brought too much harm to this innocent child.
"Time will change everything, Xue'er, forgive your mother."
Bibi Dong sighed, then with a flash, she appeared at the forefront of the Spirit Hall's army.
"Forward to the Star Dou Plains!"