Douluo Continent: My Martial Soul is the Black Dragon, I am the Lord of the Gods

Chapter 371 The collapse of order
……

Despite her suspicions, Tang Yuehua still gasped when she heard the confirmation with her own ears. She looked at Xuan Ming as if she were seeing him for the first time.

Xuanming looked out the window at the huge breach in the city wall and said indifferently, "I'm not here to threaten anyone, just to give a warning. I'm not interested in the politics of the Spirit Empire, but there are some things I don't like, so I just do them."

He paused, then turned his gaze back to Tang Yuehua, a hint of coldness in his eyes: "For example, the Heavenly Dou Empire treats its people as tribute, sending them to places like the Slaughter City."

Upon hearing this, Tang Yuehua's face paled again. She had vaguely heard some things about this matter, but was powerless to change it.

Xuanming's voice softened slightly, "Listen to me, don't get involved in these things. Whether it's the grudges in the Soul Master world or the wars in the Empire, don't concern yourself with them anymore."

Tang Yuehua looked at him, her eyes filled with complex emotions. She thought of the past, of his stubborn personality, and of the countless times she had tried to persuade him with etiquette and reason, but always in vain.

She knew that the Xuanming before her was no longer the boy she had once taught. He possessed power enough to overturn everything, and had embarked on a path she could neither understand nor stop.

She opened her mouth, but in the end it only turned into a weak sigh, and she nodded slightly.

“I know what you’re worried about,” Xuanming looked at her, “but this is my choice, my path. I have the ability to handle everything, in my own way.”

He stepped forward and gently patted Tang Yuehua's shoulder. The movement seemed a little awkward, but it carried a rare gentleness.

"Take care of yourself. If... anyone makes things difficult for you because of me, tell me."

After saying that, Xuanming turned to leave.

Tang Yuehua hugged him from behind. "Can you... stay with me? Just tonight... okay?"

Xuanming stopped in his tracks.

He could feel Tang Yuehua's body trembling slightly behind him. It wasn't just fear, but a deep, almost helpless dependence.

The owner of Yuexuan, who always presented herself as elegant and strong, was now like a child afraid of being left alone.

He remained silent for a moment. He recalled the days at Yuexuan many years ago, and the few acts of care and guidance that this woman had given him, untainted by self-interest. Although he had mostly disregarded those rules of etiquette, he remembered that affection.

"……it is good."

Tang Yuehua's tense body instantly relaxed, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. She still didn't let go, but gently pressed her cheek against his broad back, absorbing the reassuring and real warmth.

Xuanming didn't move, letting her hold him.

Outside the window, there was the desolate Tiandou City and the huge gap in the city wall.

Inside the window, a silent, complex, and unspoken emotion flowed between the two.

The next morning, the sky was just getting light.

Xuanming left Yuexuan silently, just as he had come, without alerting anyone.

Tang Yuehua stood by the window, gazing in the direction he had disappeared. In her hand, she tightly clutched a black scale he had left behind, which contained subtle energy fluctuations. It was a keepsake he had left behind; if in danger, she could simply call upon it in her mind.

She knew the brief respite was over, and the storm would continue to sweep across the continent. Xuanming's next target was the Star Luo Empire.

While everyone's attention was still drawn to the upheaval in Tiandou City, he wanted to imprint that fear, born from absolute power, deep into the soul of every person in the Star Luo Empire in the same way.

He wanted everyone to understand that this was not aimed at any particular empire, but rather at all forces that attempted to challenge the order or were internally corrupt... an indiscriminate warning.

The effect is remarkable.

The news of the destruction of Jialing Pass spread like wildfire. Before people could digest this shock, the news that the walls of the Tiandou Imperial City had been breached in one blow was like another heavy hammer, slamming into the hearts of everyone who was paying attention to the situation.

The mainland was shaken, and all forces were in an uproar!
However, what caught them off guard was that just when everyone thought the Spirit Empire would launch a major attack while the Heaven Dou Empire was weak, the most important military fortress on the border of the Star Luo Empire, "Hulao Pass", was reduced to ruins in one morning by the same blood-red giant in the same way!
Both systems involved early warning and precise control, resulting in no one being injured!
Immediately afterwards, in Xingluo City, the capital of the Xingluo Empire, the equally magnificent city wall was also silently cut open by the dark purple spear of destruction under the gaze of countless desperate eyes!

Within just a few days, the border defenses and capital city defenses that the two great empires were most proud of were torn apart one after another as if they were made of paper!

This time, it's not speculation, but an undeniable fact.

The Spirit Empire, or rather, the entity behind the Spirit Empire, possesses terrifying power that can simultaneously intimidate and even crush both empires!
In stark contrast to the deathly silence of despair and panic that gripped the two great empires, the Martial Soul Empire was engulfed in a frenzied cheer!

"Heaven has blessed my Martial Soul Empire! Heaven has blessed His Majesty!"

"Hahaha! What a load of bull! What a mighty pass! In the face of true power, they are nothing but clay chickens and earthen dogs!"

"Your Majesty is awe-inspiring! It must be Your Majesty who has invoked the gods to descend to earth!"

"Unification of the continent is just around the corner!"

Within the Spirit Empire, from top to bottom, everyone was in a state of extreme excitement. Although no one knew the exact origin of the crimson giant, everyone naturally assumed that it must be the power of the Spirit Empire, the Pope! The gods were on their side!
In this frenzied atmosphere, many officials, generals, and soul masters of the Martial Soul Empire who were originally cautious and restrained their actions had their inner desires run wild like horses that had broken free of their reins, and were completely out of control!
In the past, although they were powerful, they still had to consider the reactions of the two great empires and public opinion in the soul master world, and their actions had certain bottom lines.

but now?
The imperial cities of the two great empires have been breached by their own people like puncturing a window! What else is there to worry about?
Power! Wealth! Status! Beauty!
All of this seems so readily available!
The greedy fangs no longer need to be hidden!

In particular, those noble soul masters who had been lording it over others and holding important positions in the local areas because of the Spirit Hall’s background, as well as some opportunists who were eager to seize more power and resources in the new empire.

They began to act with impunity, levying exorbitant taxes, oppressing the common people, eliminating dissidents, and even reaching into the empire's treasury and strategic resources. Their behavior was even more rampant and blatant than Ning Fengzhi had previously feared!
They believed that this was a symbol of the empire's strength and a privilege they, as "founding heroes," deserved!

The collapse of order has reached its peak!
……

The Papal Palace, deep within a secret chamber.

Bibi Dong slowly opened her eyes. She stroked the Asura Demon Sword in her hand, which was still heavy but whose resistance had weakened somewhat. Her purple eyes gleamed with a cold light. However, after this period of training, she was now able to use it as a weapon with some difficulty and begin to guide the Asura divine power within it.

She already knew all about the commotion and chaos coming from outside the palace through her trusted confidants.

The time has come.

Xuanming's intimidation acted like the most powerful catalyst, completely exposing all the festering sores and malignant tumors within the empire! It made those parasites hiding in the shadows eagerly leap into the sunlight!

Now is the perfect time to wield the scalpel and carry out the most thorough and bloodiest cleanup!
Only by delivering the most ruthless and merciless blow when they are at their most triumphant, arrogant, and unprepared can we create the ultimate deterrent effect! Only then can everyone understand what the inviolable ironclad rule truly is!
She stood up, her body radiating a faint aura of dark purple and dark red divine power. She reached out and grasped the hilt of the Asura Demon Sword on the ground with difficulty but unwavering determination.

This time, she wasn't here for cultivation, but for... judgment!
(End of this chapter)