Chapter 202: Bibi Dong Successfully Conditions Xiao Wu
Just as Pope Bibi Dong had anticipated, the war between the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire had entered a chaotic stalemate with the Clear Sky Clan joining the fray.
The Heaven Dou Empire could no longer maintain its advantage. In fact, on several fronts, they were starting to lose ground.
Part of the reason for this shift came from Spirit Hall.
Before, many independent sects had secretly assisted the Heaven Dou Empire on Bibi Dong's orders. But ever since Qian Renxue was imprisoned and Su Mo took the throne, those sects quietly withdrew their support. The sudden vacuum weakened Heaven Dou's position.
Still, despite this turn of events, the gap between the two empires hadn't completely reversed.
With the Clear Sky Clan's support, Star Luo now had the upper hand in top-tier combat strength. But in terms of overall national power, the Heaven Dou Empire still stood stronger.
A few extra Titled Douluo could only do so much on the battlefield—no matter how powerful they were, they couldn't win a war alone.
Moreover, the Star Luo Empire had suffered too heavily in the earlier stages of the war. Their forces had dwindled to roughly 200,000 troops, which limited their ability to capitalize on their newfound support. While they could repel Heaven Dou's offensives, retaking lost ground was a different matter.
Facing this deadlock, Su Mo began moving to consolidate the empire's internal power.
"It's time to decide. The empire needs your strength now."
"You of the Strength Clan have long held grievances against the Clear Sky Clan, haven't you? Now that they've joined Star Luo's army, if you side with us, you'll get your chance to face them."
Su Mo, in his capacity as Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire, personally visited the Strength Clan and extended an invitation for them to join the imperial forces.
He made one thing clear: from now on, all sects within Heaven Dou's borders would fall under the empire's governance.
If the Strength Clan refused, they'd be given a choice—leave the empire or disband entirely.
"Your Majesty, the Strength Clan is willing to accept the empire's rule."
Tai Tan, the Strength Clan's patriarch, raised his head and looked at Su Mo. Though the words carried some reluctance, he ultimately agreed.
Su Mo had already given them enough face by coming in person.
But truthfully, they had no choice.
Leaving the Heaven Dou Empire, where they had built their foundation, was too risky. And with the Clear Sky Clan siding with Star Luo, there was no way Tai Tan would offer his help to them.
If it were Tang Hao, he might have considered it. Despite his grievances, Tang Hao had once been his master.
But as for the Clear Sky Clan? Never.
Their downfall—along with the other three elemental clans—stemmed from being abandoned by the Clear Sky Clan. That wound still hadn't healed.
"Very good. Since that's the case, I ask Patriarch Tai Tan to come with me to visit the Defense Clan and help convince them as well."
Su Mo smiled in satisfaction.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Tai Tan responded without hesitation. Since he had already agreed to serve the empire, he might as well make himself useful. Helping to persuade the other clans would be a good opportunity to prove his loyalty.
The Strength and Defense Clans had always maintained a good relationship. If they could bring the Defense Clan into the fold, it would strengthen their alliance even further.
"We, the Defense Clan, are willing to follow His Majesty's command."
With Tai Tan vouching for him, Niu Gao, the leader of the Defense Clan, agreed after only a brief struggle.
Next up was the Break Clan.
Originally part of the Star Luo Empire, their territory had now shifted into Heaven Dou's domain.
After learning that the Strength and Defense Clans had joined the empire, the Break Clan hesitated briefly—then followed suit.
Yang Wudi, leader of the Break Clan, had the deepest resentment toward the Clear Sky Clan among all the elemental clans. In his case, the decision was practically guaranteed.
Finally, there was the Speed Clan.
"The Speed Clan is also willing to serve the empire—but we have one condition," said Bai He, their clan leader.
"What is it?" Su Mo asked directly.
If it was reasonable, he would agree. But if the demand was too excessive, he wouldn't tolerate it—especially not from a clan with ties to the Clear Sky Clan.
After all, Bai He was the maternal uncle of Tang Hao and Tang Xiao. That made him great-uncle to Tang San.
Logically speaking, the Speed Clan should have sided with the Clear Sky Clan.
But like the others, they too had been discarded years ago. The betrayal had cut deep.
Honestly, Su Mo had always found it strange how, in the original timeline, the elemental clans claimed to resent the Clear Sky Clan and Tang Hao—yet were all somehow convinced to join Tang San's Tang Sect.
Niu Gao, in particular, had been furious upon learning Tang San's identity, yet still agreed to a bet that would force him to join Tang San's sect if he lost.
It was absurd.
Why would you gamble with someone whose father you despised?
If you won, you gained nothing. If you lost, you were forced to submit to the son of the man you hated.
How foolish did one have to be?
Su Mo could never understand that logic.
It was the same with the Speed and Break Clans. Why agree to that gamble?
Unless… they only resented the Clear Sky Clan but not Tang Hao himself. Perhaps their hatred was more symbolic—a case of guilt by association.
Now, the reason they agreed to follow the Heaven Dou Empire was simple: they had no other choice.
Refuse, and they'd be cast out.
Agree—and they'd gain a chance to fight against the Clear Sky Clan on the battlefield.
"I've heard that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan uses a weapon called the Soul-Hunting Crossbow. I hope the Heaven Dou Empire will provide us with that same weapon."
Bai He's request was direct.
Since the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan joined the Heaven Dou army, their auxiliary support had been invaluable—but it was the Soul-Hunting Crossbows that really caught attention.
After hearing of their effectiveness, Bai He had gone to observe them in action. The moment he saw them, he knew—they were perfect for the Speed Clan's hit-and-run style.
But currently, only disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan were equipped with them. No one else had access.
Now that the Speed Clan had no choice but to join the empire, Bai He saw his opportunity—and made the crossbows his condition.
"So that's what you want…"
When Bai He requested Soul-Hunting Crossbows, Su Mo couldn't help but laugh.
"No problem. Just talk to Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and let him know how many your clan needs."
Su Mo had already decided—once he returned, he would begin large-scale production of the crossbows to arm the Heaven Dou military.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Since that's the case, our Speed Clan is willing to accept imperial governance!"
Bai He responded with excitement.
He had every reason to be thrilled. The Soul-Hunting Crossbows were a perfect match for the Speed Clan, addressing their greatest flaw—low offensive capability. With those weapons, they could finally maximize their agility in real combat.
After bringing the four great single-attribute clans under his command, Su Mo didn't forget the other sects within the Heaven Dou Empire's borders.
Of course, for the more powerful sects, he extended a personal invitation. As for the rest, they were simply notified of the empire's new policy.
Unsurprisingly, many of these sects were displeased. But when faced with the choice of either leaving the empire or complying, most reluctantly submitted.
A few chose to relocate to the Star Luo Empire instead, while others, who refused both options, tried to remain within Heaven Dou without submitting.
These defiant sects were quickly made examples of.
After incorporating this wave of sects, the Heaven Dou military's strength soared once again.
The Star Luo Empire soon learned of Su Mo's consolidation efforts and immediately copied the strategy, forcing sects within their borders to also submit to the imperial government.
With both empires now in full control of their respective soul master forces, the war once again became evenly matched, resuming its bloody stalemate.
But with more soul masters taking the field, the battles grew increasingly chaotic and intense.
"A bunch of traitors!"
"The four single-attribute clans actually sided with Heaven Dou to fight against us?!"
The Clear Sky Clan was furious when they learned of the four clans' decision.
In their eyes, those clans had once been their subordinates. To now stand against them was an act of betrayal.
"Uncle… how could they do this?!"
Tang Hao, upon hearing the news, was livid. He felt nothing but disappointment and anger toward Bai He and the others.
He immediately decided to confront them—hoping to make them reconsider and return to their former allegiance.
Eventually, Tang Hao found an opportunity to meet with the leaders of the four clans in secret.
"Tang Hao?"
"Mas—no, Lord Hao?"
"Tang Hao, what are you doing here?"
Tai Tan, Niu Gao, Bai He, and Yang Wudi were all stunned by his sudden appearance. Their expressions turned complicated as they looked at the once-dominant figure who now seemed haggard and worn.
They hadn't expected the once-glorious Tang Hao to have fallen so far. A mixture of sadness and grim satisfaction filled their hearts.
The four clans had suffered deeply over the years. Seeing Tang Hao like this strangely brought them a sense of emotional release.
"Uncle Bai He, Niu Gao, Tai Tan, Yang Wudi… how could you side with the Heaven Dou Empire? Have you all forgotten your past?"
Tang Hao didn't waste time with pleasantries—he questioned them directly.
"…"
At first, there had been some joy in seeing him again, but Tang Hao's aggressive tone instantly soured the mood.
"Tang Hao, we were the ones who were abandoned."
"If we hadn't been strong enough to survive on our own, the four single-attribute clans would've been long gone. The Clear Sky Clan turned their backs on us. We haven't been your subordinates in a long time."
"That's right. What's wrong with joining Heaven Dou now?"
"And you, Tang Hao… wasn't it all because of your actions back then? What right do you have to lecture us now?"
Had Tang Hao come in peace and with sincerity, they would've welcomed him warmly. After all, they didn't hold much personal hatred toward him.
But the moment he started criticizing them, they couldn't accept it—and they made sure he knew it.
"You…"
Tang Hao's expression darkened. But their words left him speechless.
He had come here in anger, wanting to reprimand them.
But now, hearing their grievances firsthand, he realized—they were right.
It was the Clear Sky Clan that had cast them aside.
And the root of it all… had been Tang Hao himself.
"Hmph. Do as you please!"
Ashamed and unable to argue further, Tang Hao let out a cold snort and turned to leave.
He had no right to lecture them—and he knew it.
"Hah! Can you believe he came here to scold us?"
"Unbelievable. I still considered him my master until now…"
After Tang Hao left, Niu Gao and Tai Tan couldn't help but laugh at themselves.
Before today, they still held some respect for Tang Hao. They blamed the Clear Sky Clan, not him personally.
After all, Tang Hao had only chosen to flee back then to avoid dragging everyone else down with him.
His mistake had been weakness—not betrayal.
But now… with his self-righteous attitude, even that last shred of loyalty they had felt evaporated.
"Forget it. From now on, we have nothing to do with the Clear Sky Clan."
Bai He let out a long sigh.
He hadn't expected Tang Hao to come and accuse them.
If he had come with an apology or even remorse, things might have turned out differently.
But instead, he'd only hardened their resolve.
…
"Su Mo, get in here!"
At that moment, Su Mo suddenly heard Bibi Dong's voice.
"What is it?"
Responding instantly, Su Mo's consciousness entered his martial soul space.
"Quick, make her call you 'Master'!"
The moment he arrived, Bibi Dong turned to the woman beside her and ordered sharply.
…
(End of Chapter)
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