Chapter 92 – A Nation Born in Fire, A Storm Brewing at Sea
Just as Qin Chuan had predicted—
A Titled Douluo was a terrifying deterrent to most mid- and low-level soul masters.
Almost at the moment he released his nine soul rings, the effect was immediate.
On the third-floor railing, Zi Zhenzhu's expression turned extremely grim.
"Titled Douluo?" she muttered through clenched teeth, regret flaring in her heart. She had really hit a wall this time.
"Your Majesty, you're a mighty powerhouse after all. Isn't it a bit unseemly for you to be out here robbing ships?"
Zi Zhenzhu forced a bitter laugh.
Qin Chuan nearly chuckled. So it was fine for her to be a pirate and rob others, but not for him?
"Tell them to leave immediately. Otherwise, they won't leave at all."
Qin Chuan had no interest in further discussion.
Zi Zhenzhu's chest heaved in anger. It wasn't until she took two deep breaths that she turned and shouted toward the pirates below, signaling with a sharp wave of her hand.
As if receiving an order, the pirates glanced at each other, then silently dove into the sea and swam toward the Sea Demon anchored nearby.
In the blink of an eye—
A ship that had just been packed with hundreds of people was now quiet, leaving only Qin Chuan and Zi Zhenzhu on board the Purple Pearl.
"You too. Leave," Qin Chuan ordered.
Zi Zhenzhu's face darkened. "I can't."
The entire Purple Pearl was the fruit of her life's efforts. She wasn't about to abandon it so easily.
Seeing the icy glint in Qin Chuan's gaze, she quickly added,
"I'm also the best navigator on this sea. No one knows the Nine Star Sea better than I do."
"With me, you'll reach your destination faster than anyone else."
Qin Chuan fell silent. He knew she was telling the truth.
After a brief moment of hesitation, he nodded slightly. "Fine. Go to the helm. I want to head to Poseidon Island."
Poseidon Island.
Zi Zhenzhu's pupils contracted sharply.
Even though she had suspected it from the start, hearing those three words still sent a shudder through her heart.
Poseidon Island—
Deep within the Nine Star Sea, it was the most perilous place in the entire region. Powerful sea soul beasts lurked in every corner. Resurrection masters were everywhere. Dangers and opportunities coexisted at every step.
Yet all these threats served one purpose: guarding the sacred Sea God Island at the center like loyal sentries.
In the hearts of many seafarers, Sea God Island was nothing less than a divine sanctuary.
"Understood. Two days at most," Zi Zhenzhu said after a deep breath.
While Qin Chuan sailed toward the heart of the ocean, changes were sweeping across the Douluo Continent like a tempest.
Not long after Qin Chuan's departure—
Spirit Hall stunned the entire continent by suddenly declaring that it would dissolve its religious authority and establish a secular nation.
The Spirit Empire.
Its first ruler: Pope Bibi Dong, the first Empress in Spirit Empire history.
The shockwave rippled across the continent.
Just as the embers of the long and grueling war seemed ready to die down after the collapse of the Xingluo Empire, the continent stood on the verge of unification.
But the formation of the Spirit Empire reignited the fires of conflict.
Civilians across the land, weary and broken by war, fell into despair.
Yet the decisions of rulers are rarely influenced by the cries of commoners.
The establishment of the Spirit Empire was inevitable.
At the same time—
Several vassal kingdoms, formerly loyal to the Tiandou Empire and the defunct Xingluo Empire, publicly accused Tiandou of corruption and cruelty.
Some decried the emperor as extravagant and indulgent.
Others claimed the war had been provoked by the emperor himself, squandering lives and draining the treasury.
Some even whispered scandalous rumors—that the emperor preferred men.
Excuses poured forth, fanning the flames of rebellion, as the people cried out in rage and the kingdoms declared full independence.
In a flash, the balance shifted.
Marshal Ge Long, who was leading the front lines in an assault, was betrayed during a siege. Soldiers from a vassal kingdom stabbed him in the back, forcing him to retreat in disarray.
Scenes like this became increasingly common on the Xingluo battlefield.
The Tiandou Empire began to hemorrhage strength.
Furious, Qian Renxue issued thirty-six military orders in a single session, ordering Ge Long to cease his advance and return to suppress the rebellion.
But within three days, all the rebelling kingdoms issued a joint proclamation—
They had aligned themselves with the Spirit Empire!
Even several struggling cities on the verge of falling also pledged allegiance to Spirit Hall.
And so, the landscape transformed in a matter of days.
The Spirit Empire, which had started with only Wuhun City, expanded explosively. In just seven days, it rivaled the size of the former Xingluo Empire.
"Declare war!"
Qian Renxue's voice was cold and resolute.
Both the rise of the Spirit Empire and Bibi Dong's looming shadow brought immense pressure.
"Your Majesty, this cannot be done."
An old minister stepped forward, voice trembling.
"The empire has just withdrawn from war. Our people and troops are exhausted. We… we cannot fight again."
His voice faltered.
Everyone knew that Spirit Hall had always been powerful enough to rival either empire alone.
Now, the Tiandou Empire was weary and fractured, while the Spirit Empire had patiently waited for this precise moment.
"You all understand this is the best time to strike," Qian Renxue said, scanning the room.
Silence fell.
They understood. But so what?
They were a broken army facing a well-prepared foe.
"Your Majesty, wait for King Yi Zi Bing Xiang to return," one minister urged.
"Yes, wait for His Majesty Qin Chuan."
Others quickly echoed.
Unknowingly, Qin Chuan had become the spiritual pillar of the entire Tiandou Empire.
He was the only one they believed could change fate.
"…Very well."
Qian Renxue finally compromised, but not without issuing orders.
"Send word to Ge Long. Strengthen all border defenses and intensify training. Do not give the Spirit Empire even a sliver of opportunity."
The court adjourned. Yet Qian Renxue did not return to her chambers.
Her bedroom was cold, silent—an empty space filled only with loneliness.
Meanwhile, in the Pope's Palace—
"Your Majesty, the Tiandou Empire has withdrawn its troops," Ju Douluo Yue Guan reported.
"I expected that."
Bibi Dong, seated solemnly on the Pope's throne and wearing her imperial crown, simply smiled.
"I know that vile girl won't yield so easily."
"She wants a direct confrontation, but is shackled by political resistance. She can only wait for me to finish consolidating the vassal states."
Her tone turned cold at the end.
"Go. I've heard enough."
But Yue Guan hesitated.
"Why? Is there something else?" Bibi Dong asked sharply.
"…Your Majesty, I don't understand."
Ju Douluo clenched his fists.
"We've already burned the bridge with the young master. Why not make his true identity public?"