Douluo: Steal Tang San's luck and become stronger!

"Demigod?"

The middle-aged civil official displayed just the right amount of surprise and doubt.

“Not bad, a demigod.”

Xu Tianran nodded firmly, his gaze returning to the file, as if he could see the scene through the words.

"Only by truly stepping into the legendary demigod realm, which surpasses even the Limit Douluo, is it possible to so easily crush veteran peak powerhouses like Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao."

While Ye Xishui could forcibly elevate her strength to a level almost equivalent to demigod in a short period of time by using that evil tenth-tier soul tool called the 'Tower of Death,'...

He abruptly changed the subject, his tone carrying a subtle hint of sarcasm and a calm analysis.

"That power was not something she had earned through her own arduous cultivation; it was borrowed, temporary, and had significant drawbacks. According to the records and my understanding of such evil artifacts, their core power lies in the massive sacrifice and accumulation of blood and souls. While the power of a single strike is terrifying, it is enough to threaten a true god."

However, there is often only one chance to strike, or several times in a short period of time. Once the long-prepared attack fails to succeed and is blocked or neutralized by the opponent, it will fall into a predicament of declining strength and difficulty in sustaining it.

More importantly, relying on external aids for forced advancement results in an unstable foundation. The subtle control over power and the profound understanding of the laws are far inferior to those of a demigod who has truly cultivated step by step. Tang Lan was able to withstand the so-called 'God-Slaying Blood Annihilation Cannon' head-on and only suffer minor injuries.

This is clear evidence. While the Death Tower is powerful, it is a double-edged sword that can harm both the attacker and the attacker. If it misses its target or fails to break through the opponent's absolute defense, it loses its greatest deterrent effect and exposes its weakness of relying on external aids and being unsustainable.

Xu Tianran's analysis was calm and insightful, clearly demonstrating a deep understanding of the characteristics of high-level power systems and soul tools, and he was not intimidated by the alarming descriptions on the surface of the intelligence.

The middle-aged civil official nodded repeatedly, looking as if he had been deeply enlightened, and then tentatively asked a question.

"Your Majesty is wise. Since that is the case, and the Holy Spirit Sect has exposed its top-tier combat power in this battle, yet it seems unable to defeat Tang Lan and has suffered considerable losses and damage to its reputation. Do we... still have a reason to..."

Should they continue that secret cooperative relationship with them? After all, wouldn't getting too involved with such a notorious force, which now seems somewhat 'all bark and no bite,' negatively impact the Empire's reputation and future plans?

This question clearly hits the nail on the head. There has always been a secret, unspoken connection and cooperation between the Sun Moon Empire and the Holy Spirit Cult, where both sides take what they need while remaining wary of each other.

Upon hearing this, Xu Tianran remained silent for a moment, and the tapping of his fingers stopped.

He tilted his head slightly, looking at the complex light and shadow of the soul-guided lamps on the dome of the Imperial Study, as if recalling something, or as if weighing the pros and cons.

After a few breaths, he withdrew his gaze and looked at the middle-aged civil official. His smile remained calm, but his eyes became even more profound.

"The Holy Spirit Cult... naturally still has value to be utilized."

He spoke slowly, each word sounding as if he had thought it through carefully.

"My dear minister, you must understand that our Sun Moon Empire's soul-guided technology is unparalleled on the continent, and our military strength is formidable—these are our advantages. But if we truly want to unify the entire continent and complete the unfinished work of our ancestors..."

Relying solely on our own strength is insufficient; the process will be incredibly lengthy, and the cost immeasurable. Heavenly Soul, Battle Spirit, Star Luo, and even the ever-aloof yet immensely influential Shrek Academy—none of them can be easily shaken.

"The Holy Spirit Cult has been secretly stirring up trouble in the kingdoms of Tianhun and Douling for years, supporting rebels and creating chaos. Although their methods are despicable, the consequences they have caused are..."

A cold glint flashed in Xu Tianran's eyes.

"However, to a large extent, it weakened the national strength of these two great empires for us, depleted their elite forces, disrupted their internal affairs, and distracted their attention."

This is exactly what we need.

He leaned forward slightly, his tone carrying a cold, calculating quality characteristic of an emperor.

"They want to take advantage of certain conveniences, intelligence, and even some resources that are 'inconvenient' for the Empire to directly intervene in in order to achieve their evil 'god-making' plan and territorial expansion."

And aren't we also using them as a 'poisonous blade' to disrupt the situation and weaken potential adversaries? This is a game of mutual exploitation; the key lies in who can control the pace and who can extract more value for themselves from the other.

"The sudden rise of Tang Lan and the Tang Clan has indeed disrupted some of the Holy Spirit Cult's plans in the Douling Empire and demonstrated astonishing strength. But this does not mean that the Holy Spirit Cult has lost all its value."

Their plans within the Heavenly Soul Empire continue. Their hidden strength, their bizarre methods as evil soul masters, and their ability to infiltrate and disrupt the original Douluo Three Kingdoms society remain resources we need to leverage. Moreover…

Xu Tianran paused slightly, the curve of his lips deepening, carrying a hint of unfathomable mystery.

"A Holy Spirit Cult that has suffered a loss and weakened might... be more eager to need our 'help' and more likely to make concessions to us in certain areas, wouldn't it?"

After listening to Xu Tianran's calm and calculating analysis, Luo Xiang, one of the three powerful generals in the Sun Moon Empire's military, showed even greater admiration on his face.

He bowed slightly, lowered his voice, and offered a reminder with the necessary caution of a subject.

"Your Majesty's foresight is admirable. However... Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao are, after all, Limit Douluo who have been famous for over a hundred years. They are fierce and ruthless, and their nature is cunning and vicious. They are not easy to control."

Having suffered such a great loss at Tang Lan's hands, their resentment and hatred will undoubtedly intensify, and they may act even more ruthlessly. If Your Majesty wishes to continue maneuvering and utilizing them, you must be extremely cautious, guarding against their backlash or being dragged into an even deeper quagmire.

Luo Xiang's concerns were not unfounded. Cooperating with the Holy Spirit Church was tantamount to seeking help from a tiger; they could be betrayed at any time, or even harmed by its evil reputation, affecting the empire's public image and long-term strategy.

Xu Tianran, sitting in his wheelchair, did not get angry upon hearing this. Instead, he chuckled softly, his laughter carrying an almost indifferent confidence and a deeply hidden fervor.

He slowly turned his wheelchair to face Luo Xiang, his sharp eyes staring directly at his trusted general. His voice was steady, yet it contained an undeniable domineering and imposing presence.

"I understand Luo Aiqing's concerns. However, you can put your mind at ease."

He paused slightly, his fingertip lightly touching the armrest of the wheelchair. A fleeting, extremely subtle fluctuation of soul power, which even made a level 94 Title Douluo like Luo Xiang feel a chill, vanished in an instant, so fast it was almost an illusion.

"It won't be long... before I'm able to truly 'take that step'."

Xu Tianran's voice was not loud, but it seemed to have a metallic quality, striking the walls of the empty hall and reverberating.

"Once we succeed, no one on this entire continent will be able to stop the iron hooves of my Sun Moon Empire! Whether it's a demigod like Tang Lan, a false god like Ye Xishui who relies on evil artifacts, or those self-proclaimed guardians of justice from Shrek Academy... they will all be utterly crushed in the face of absolute power and a brand new order!" His words were filled with absolute confidence in his breakthrough in power and a burning desire for the blueprint of future conquest.

That unconcealable, seemingly innate aura of dominance made Luo Xiang involuntarily lower his head, not daring to look directly at its sharp edge.

"As for the Holy Spirit Cult..."

Xu Tianran's lips curled into a cold smile.

"If they honestly serve as a useful tool to clear obstacles for me, I will naturally not be stingy with some scraps. But if they harbor ulterior motives, attempt to turn the tables, or even betray me..."

He narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold glint seemingly swirling in the depths of his gaze.

"I have my own ways to show them what true despair is. Some pawns, once used up or disobedient, are simply discarded. How could a mere cult hiding in the gutter possibly fathom the millennia-old foundation and soul-guiding wisdom of my Sun Moon Empire?"

These words were both a reassurance and a warning, a declaration. Luo Xiang understood: His Majesty the Emperor was not entirely unprepared for the Holy Spirit Cult, and might even have already laid a contingency plan. Furthermore, His Majesty himself seemed to be engaged in some crucial, groundbreaking cultivation or research that could alter the balance of power on the continent.

This calmed him down a bit, and at the same time made him even more aweful of Xu Tianran's unfathomable depths.

"Your Majesty is wise! I was overthinking it."

Luo Xiang bowed again, his tone even more submissive.

Xu Tianran waved his hand, seemingly unwilling to discuss the matter further.

He maneuvered the seemingly ordinary but actually intricately designed wheelchair beneath him, which was connected to his mind and spirit, slowly toward the huge floor-to-ceiling window in the Imperial Study, made of special soul-guided glass.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating his slightly pale yet sharply defined profile, and also shining on the various furnishings in the imperial study that gleamed with metallic coldness and soul-guiding runes.

He gazed silently eastward, his eyes seemingly piercing through the towering palaces and high walls of Mingdu, reaching towards the distant horizon, to the vast land that originally belonged to the Douluo Three Kingdoms.

His back was turned to Luo Xiang, and he remained silent for a moment. Only the low hum of the soul-guiding instruments and the faint, rhythmic footsteps of the palace guards changing shifts could be heard outside the window.

After a long silence, Xu Tianran's calm and decisive voice rang out again, breaking the silence.

This time, his voice lacked the calculation and coldness he had shown when discussing the Holy Spirit Church. Instead, it was filled with a pure iron will and a desire to conquer, like a hunter who had finally waited for the perfect moment and was giving the order to close the net.

"The timing... is about right."

He spoke slowly, each word clear, powerful, and unquestionable.

"Issue my decree. Commander-in-Chief Ju Zi, the three armies shall begin the highest phase of the 'Radiant Sun' plan immediately!"

Xu Tianran's voice rose slightly, carrying a long-suppressed excitement and an unyielding authority.

"Taking advantage of the current internal rebellions, widespread panic, and weakened national strength of the two great empires, the Star Luo Empire is also affected by the turmoil and is too preoccupied to take care of itself... Our Sun Moon Empire should launch a full-scale attack with overwhelming force!"

He raised one hand and pressed it lightly against the cold soul-guiding glass, as if he wanted to take the entire map of the East into his palm.

"The glory of the sun and moon will surely illuminate every corner of the continent! Anyone who dares to hinder the empire's progress, no matter who they are, will be utterly crushed!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! This humble general obeys the decree!"

Luo Xiang shuddered, his eyes flashing with a terrifying light and the iron will of a soldier.

He suddenly knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a salute, and spoke in a loud and firm voice.

"This humble general will immediately proceed to the Commander's Mansion to personally convey His Majesty's decree to Commander Ju Zi! And urge our Northern Route Army to immediately enter a state of highest combat readiness, awaiting only the Commander's order to strike directly at the heart of the enemy and crush Tianhun!"

"Go."

Xu Tianran had his back to him, but simply waved his hand lightly, his gaze still fixed on the east, as if he could already see the magnificent scene of a million iron cavalry breaking through the passes and mountains, and the sun and moon flags being planted all over the world.

"According to the order!"

Without further hesitation, Luo Xiang abruptly stood up, strode around, and quickly disappeared into the deep corridor outside the Imperial Study. His footsteps were hurried and powerful, revealing his excitement and decisiveness in carrying out the order.

General Luo Xiang is one of the three most powerful field army commanders in the Sun Moon Empire's military. He is a level 94 Title Douluo with the martial soul "Mountain-Suppressing Giant Elephant".

Known for its formidable strength, astonishing defense, and steady military tactics, it has been stationed on the northern border of the empire for many years and has a thorough understanding of the border defenses and geographical intelligence of the Heavenly Soul Empire.

However, under the powerful integration and planning of Regent Xu Tianran, a man of great talent and ruthless methods, the core command authority of the Sun Moon Empire's military has now been highly centralized.

Luo Xiang, along with two other high-ranking generals—Ye Ran and Cao Zhen—had recently received explicit decrees from the emperor.

All military operations during wartime must be unconditionally subject to the unified command and control of the Empire's new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces—Orange!
Ju Zi, a woman who was not born into a traditional military family and whose identity was even somewhat special, was able to be promoted by Xu Tianran to the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Three Armies, which was above the three veteran generals, in such a short period of time, and to take charge of the imperial military seal.

Commanding the entire nation's military forces, his abilities, shrewdness, and absolute loyalty to Xu Tianran are self-evident. Xu Tianran's actions were both a necessity to break down the old factional cliques within the military and strengthen central authority, and also a testament to his absolute trust in Ju Zi's abilities and loyalty.

As Luo Xiang departed to carry out his orders, the core gears of the Sun Moon Empire, a colossal machine prepared for war for decades or even centuries, began to turn at an accelerated pace.

After years of diligent governance by Xu Tianran, the empire has become a powerful and well-equipped force, having eliminated opposition in the court and vigorously promoted the militarization of soul-guided devices and military reforms.

The old emperor was critically ill and bedridden for a long time. Although he had not officially passed away, no one in the court or the country dared to question the authority of Xu Tianran, the regent who had long since seized all power.

He sat in a wheelchair, yet he was more imposing than any standing emperor.

All potential dissent has been quelled or subdued through swift and decisive actions over the past few years. Today, the Sun Moon Empire enjoys a high degree of political unity, concentrated resources, and a unified goal—to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and achieve the unification of the continent! (End of Chapter)