Tang Qing accepted it readily and then stood up.
"Let's go."
"Yes, Master."
Zhu Zhuqing quickly tidied her appearance and followed closely behind, like a most loyal shadow.
...
After passing through the long palace corridors, the two entered the main hall of the Star Luo Imperial Palace, one after the other.
The black-armored soldiers and palace guards along the way all knelt on one knee, bowed their heads in respect, and dared not even breathe loudly.
The magnificent hall was spacious and solemn.
A handsome figure dressed in the attire of the Crown Prince of the Heavenly Dou Empire had been waiting there for some time.
It was Xue Qinghe.
She stood below the throne, and upon hearing footsteps, immediately turned around and bowed to Tang Qing, who was walking up the steps to the throne.
"Blue Silver King".
Tang Qing sat down on the huge dragon throne, while Zhu Zhuqing stood quietly by his side.
"Speak," Tang Qing said calmly.
Xue Qinghe straightened up, his golden eyes fixed on Tang Qing, his expression slightly serious.
"The Zhu family has already spread your decree throughout the entire Star Luo Empire."
"After the news spread, most of the provinces and city-states within the empire sent letters of surrender, expressing their willingness to submit."
"Progress is going very smoothly."
Tang Qing was not surprised by this, but simply nodded slightly, signaling her to continue.
Xue Qinghe changed the subject, his voice becoming a few degrees deeper.
"However, none of the dozen or so main cities bordering the Spirit Hall's sphere of influence have yet expressed their allegiance."
"They...chose to remain silent."
A brief silence fell over the main hall.
Tang Qing's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of the dragon throne.
"Du".
"Du".
"Du".
The rhythmic tapping sound seemed to resonate in everyone's heart.
After a moment, he stopped what he was doing and his voice rang out calmly.
"The Spirit Hall?"
He had long known that the behemoth standing in the center of the continent would never sit idly by and watch him so easily swallow up an entire empire.
A faint smile appeared on Tang Qing's lips.
"Then I'm afraid we'll have to fight?"
His tone was as casual as if he were discussing the weather, but the content of his words caused Xue Qinghe's expression to change instantly.
"No!"
Xue Qinghe's voice carried a hint of urgency as she stepped forward.
"Tang Qing, you can't do this! The Spirit Hall is far more powerful than you imagine!"
Tang Qing looked at her, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Xue Qinghe took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and began to give a detailed account.
"The Spirit Hall Elder Hall has more than twenty registered Title Douluos."
"Among them are seven elders with soul power above level ninety-six. They are all old monsters who have lived for hundreds of years and have extremely rich combat experience."
"The Second Elder, Golden Crocodile Douluo, possesses a soul power level of 98, and his strength is unfathomable."
"This isn't even the strongest."
At this point, Xue Qinghe's tone carried a complex emotion, a mixture of pride as a member of the Spirit Hall and deep concern for Tang Qing's safety.
"Above them is my grandfather, the Grand Master Sendoryu."
"He is a peerless Douluo of level ninety-nine, an existence infinitely close to a god, and can even borrow the divine power left by the Angel God in the human world."
"No one on the mainland is his match."
She looked at Tang Qing, her golden eyes filled with sincerity and admonition.
"I know you are very strong, you could even be described as a once-in-a-millennium genius."
"Before he was even twenty years old, he had already reached the level of ninety-eight, and he broke through Xingluo with lightning speed, making such a great achievement."
"Throughout the history of the entire continent, there has never been a man who could compare to you."
"However, you are not facing an individual, but a vast power with a history spanning tens of thousands of years and a terrifyingly profound foundation."
"The Spirit Hall's high-end combat power is overwhelming; no other force can compare."
"Tang Qing, if you go to war with the Spirit Hall, you have absolutely no chance of winning."
She was really worried.
She liked the man in front of her, and was deeply attracted by his domineering aura that looked down on the world.
But she was also a member of the Qian family of the Spirit Hall, and her grandfather was the pillar of the Spirit Hall.
Caught in the middle, she felt incredibly conflicted.
She didn't want to see Tang Qing challenge an enemy he couldn't possibly defeat because of his arrogance, only to end up being smashed to pieces.
Tang Qing listened to her words quietly, her face remaining expressionless.
He simply countered with, "Your Highness, what do you think should be done in this situation?"
Upon hearing this, Xue Qinghe's spirits lifted, and he quickly replied, "We can try peace talks! Friendly exchanges!"
"As long as you are willing to make some concessions, the Spirit Hall may not be unable to accept the reality of the Star Luo Empire's change of power."
Tang Qing smiled.
He took the fragrant tea that Zhu Zhuqing had prepared and handed to him without him noticing, and gently blew on the steaming heat.
"concession?"
"You mean the Spirit Hall would willingly hand over the entire Star Luo Empire?"
"this..."
Xue Qinghe was speechless.
She knew better than anyone that this was absolutely impossible.
Let alone Pope Bibi Dong, who was determined to control the power of the entire continent, even her grandfather Qian Daoliu would never agree.
The authority of the Spirit Hall cannot be challenged.
Seeing Xue Qinghe's troubled expression, Tang Qing brought the teacup to his lips but did not drink it.
The atmosphere in the main hall became stagnant once again.
Xue Qinghe hesitated for a long time, seemingly struggling intensely within himself.
Finally, as if she had made up her mind, she raised her head and looked at Tang Qing cautiously.
"Blue Silver King..."
"How about... you consider submitting to the Spirit Hall?"
"With your talent and the achievements you have made, Her Majesty the Pope... will surely give you an important position!"
"At that time, you will truly be second only to the emperor, above all others! This vast Star Luo Empire will still be under your control, wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"
She looked at Tang Qing with hopeful eyes, hoping that her suggestion would sway him.
However, Tang Qing simply placed the teacup back on the tray in Zhu Zhuqing's hands.
A crisp, light sound.
He looked up, his gaze calmly landing on Xue Qinghe's face.
"I do not like to bow my head."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a resolute and unwavering tone.
"I, Tang Qing, will never submit to anyone."
Xue Qinghe's face instantly turned pale.
She thought that by displaying the unshakeable strength of the Spirit Hall, this man, no matter how arrogant he was, should know how to weigh the pros and cons.
But he didn't.
He didn't hesitate for even the slightest bit.
Tang Qing looked at her distraught appearance with a calm and unwavering gaze. He slowly stood up from the dragon throne and walked down the steps.
Every step felt like stepping on Xue Qinghe's heartbeat.
He walked up to her, and the two were no more than three feet apart.
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(End of chapter)