Under Fang Chang's eloquent and persuasive rhetoric, Qian Renxue began to question whether the Spirit Hall's actions were truly just.
Perhaps, as he said, an excessive number of soul masters would indeed bring negative consequences to the continent, and most conflicts were indeed instigated by soul masters.
But these thoughts were fleeting. As the young master of the Spirit Hall and its future leader, how could she allow herself to be swayed by this man's heresy?
Fang Chang, of course, did not expect a single conversation to completely overturn Qian Renxue's beliefs. His goal was merely to plant a seed in her heart—one that would grow over time, gradually influencing her until she fully embraced the faith of the Spider God.
And now, his objective had been achieved.
The content of this conversation had been carefully planned. On one hand, he deliberately exaggerated the disasters brought upon the continent by soul masters. On the other, he painted the Spider God Church as benevolent saviors.
Naturally, he couldn't yet reveal the truth about the spider race, nor could he let her know that his ultimate goal in reducing the number of soul masters was to allow the spider race to dominate the continent.
Fang Chang had long realized that direct control over humanity by the spider race was unrealistic—humans would never submit to their rule. When the time came, rebellion was inevitable.
And for rebellion to succeed, a leading faction was necessary. Rather than letting the Spirit Hall or the two human empires take the lead, why not take matters into his own hands?
By making the Spider God Church the common faith and protector of humanity, then having them lead the charge against the spider race and the soul beasts, all while he pulled the strings from the shadows—now that would be truly interesting.
With this in mind, Fang Chang turned his gaze southward. The current war was a crucial step in realizing his ambitions. The conflict between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Spirit Hall no longer required his intervention.
But the Star Luo Empire seemed intent on avoiding the fray. Though they had reinforced their borders, they had yet to make any substantial moves.
The Heaven Dou Empire's high-level combat power was far inferior to the Spirit Hall's. If things dragged on, they would soon collapse. The Star Luo Empire needed to be dragged into the war—and quickly.
With that thought, Fang Chang quietly left his lair and flew toward the Star Luo Empire's border.
At this moment, the Star Luo Empire had deployed the majority of its military and imperial soul masters to the frontlines, facing the Spirit Hall's forces just a few dozen miles away.
The Spirit Hall, not daring to be careless, had also stationed a large number of soul masters opposite them. Yet the two sides merely watched each other from a distance, with little to no friction—a stark contrast to the situation with the Heaven Dou Empire.
The Star Luo Empire was biding its time, waiting for the Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire to exhaust each other before swooping in for the kill.
Over the centuries, the three powers had maintained a delicate balance. If any one of them fell, the entire continent's power structure would shift instantly.
The Star Luo Empire would never sit back and watch the Spirit Hall devour the Heaven Dou Empire, only to turn on them next.
Similarly, if the Spirit Hall had the strength, it would never allow the Star Luo Empire—this thorn in its side—to remain unchecked.
But for now, both sides sought to maximize their gains with minimal losses, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Fang Chang hovered in the air, observing the two forces that showed no intention of engaging in all-out war. He pondered how best to provoke a conflict between them.
Repeating the Heaven Dou Empire's scenario wouldn't work. After the incidents there, the Star Luo Empire had tightened security, hiding its key figures to avoid assassination by the Spirit Hall.
Causing chaos at the border would likely be dismissed as minor skirmishes. Until the Heaven Dou Empire's fate was decided, neither side would make any drastic moves.
This was proving difficult.
Just then, Fang Chang's gaze fell upon a small river winding between the Spirit Hall's camp and the Star Luo Empire's territory.
The river originated in the Star Luo Empire and flowed downstream into Spirit Hall-controlled land.
With the Spirit Hall's camp housing numerous soul masters, water was in high demand, making this river their primary water source.
Heaven helps me!
Fang Chang grinned and swiftly descended, hiding in a secluded spot on the Star Luo Empire's side.
He waited until noon the next day, when the Spirit Hall's camp began preparing meals, smoke rising from their cooking fires.
Now was the time.
He dashed to the riverbank and unleashed his *Venom Mist Breath*, spewing toxins into the water.
The river instantly turned a murky purple-black, but as the current carried the poison downstream, it mixed with tributaries and gradually diluted.
By the time it reached the Spirit Hall's territory, the water was only slightly darker than usual—almost indistinguishable unless closely inspected.
Fang Chang continued injecting venom into the river while watching from afar.
The Spirit Hall's members remained oblivious, drawing water as usual—for cooking, washing, and even drinking.
Once satisfied, Fang Chang ceased his poison output and observed with amusement.
Within minutes, those who had drunk the water began showing signs of illness. Soon, more and more fell victim, and the camp erupted in cries of agony.
Even diluted, the venom of a 500,000-year soul beast was lethal to low-level soul masters.
Seizing the moment, Fang Chang slipped into the Star Luo Empire's camp and struck the war drum.
The thunderous beat sent soldiers scrambling from their meals, rushing to defensive positions.
But just as quickly, the drumming stopped—with no one in sight. The mystery of who had sounded the alarm left them bewildered.
Meanwhile, chaos reigned in the Spirit Hall's camp. Dozens of soul masters lay dead or dying from the poison.
Then, they heard the war drums from the Star Luo Empire's side.
Putting two and two together, they concluded this was a treacherous plot—the Star Luo Empire had poisoned their water to weaken them, then prepared to attack while they were vulnerable!
How despicable!
The Spirit Hall's commander, though under orders to avoid conflict, now saw no choice.
They had been provoked, and the drums had sounded—this was a declaration of war.
"Since they want a fight, then let's fight! Mobilize all remaining soul masters—sound the drums! We march to battle!"
The order was given, and the Spirit Hall's war drums boomed in response.
Back in the Star Luo Empire's camp, the soldiers, still confused by the earlier drumming, now heard the Spirit Hall's answering call to arms.
There was no turning back. They had no choice but to prepare for battle.
By then, Fang Chang was long gone, thoroughly pleased with his handiwork.
Now, the Star Luo Empire had no choice but to join the war.