Bibi Dong continued, "However, if Yu Tianheng is no longer part of Thunder Academy, and if two-thirds of those present support you in eliminating him, I, as the Pope, will have no choice but to respect the majority's wishes."
Yu Tianheng: What???
He stared blankly at Bibi Dong, dumbfounded. Shouldn't the Pope simply deny Su Ming's request outright? And yet, she's actually providing a way to make it happen?
Su Ming raised an eyebrow, contemplating Bibi Dong's proposal. No longer part of Thunder Academy, huh? How should I make this happen?
Suddenly, Su Ming turned to Yu Xiaogang in Thunder Academy's rest area, an idea forming. "Yu Xiaogang, announce that Yu Tianheng is expelled from Thunder Academy, and I'll agree to restore that for you. How about it?"
Su Ming's words whispered in Yu Xiaogang's ear like the tempting words of a devil.
Yu Xiaogang thought it over: After the competition, Yu Tianheng's survival is questionable anyway. Why not exchange his life for my happiness?
"Alright! Su Ming, I hope you'll keep your word!" Yu Xiaogang turned to Yu Tianheng. "Tianheng, you're already on the verge of madness, and your survival after the tournament is uncertain. Sacrifice yourself for my happiness!"
Then, addressing the audience, he declared, "As Thunder Academy's team leader, I hereby announce that Yu Tianheng is expelled from Thunder Academy!"
Someone in the crowd questioned, "You're just a team leader. Do you have that authority?"
Yu Xiaogang immediately took out a badge. "Look, this is the Thunder Academy principal's emblem. In unexpected situations, I have the authority to act on the principal's behalf!"
The crowd: Wow. This Yu Xiaogang is really something.
Su Ming wasted no time. With a flick of his soul skill, Yu Xiaogang's "issue" was "restored"—though Su Ming limited it to a mere centimeter of flesh without any functionality.
Ignoring the stares, Yu Xiaogang turned away and discreetly checked. It's back! Finally!
Unaware of the truth, Yu Xiaogang was moved to tears, oblivious to the realization that awaited him. Meanwhile, Yu Tianheng, stunned by his uncle's betrayal, stood silent. Uncle, I didn't expect this from you! I went to great lengths to play mad, and you really thought I was crazy?
No way Su Ming can get two-thirds of the crowd's support. There are too many people here, after all!
Standing in the center of the arena, Su Ming addressed the crowd, "To all academies gathered here, please cast your votes. If you're willing to give me, Su Ming, this support, please vote for me. As for the spirit masters and citizens outside the academies, I hope you'll follow your hearts. Thank you."
"Oh, one more thing. I am also from a humble background. Yu Tianheng wanted to kill me simply because I possess something he desired. Is it fair for commoners to be condemned to die?"
"No, it's not. Although not every commoner can change their fate, I have a chance now for revenge. To those like me, I ask for your support."
"If I achieve any standing in the future, I will not forget my roots. 'If poor, look after yourself; if successful, help the world.' I swear that if I gain power, I will do my best for all of you."
The speech moved the commoners in the crowd, and every one of them raised a hand in support. They made up half of those present.
Su Ming, knowing this was part appeal, also felt genuine in his words. If he reached a position of influence, he did want to help others in his situation.
"I, Blazing Academy, support!" Fire Dance declared without hesitation. Her loyalty to Su Ming, combined with her knowledge of his hardships, left no question in her mind.
"We, Tianshui Academy, support!" Shui Yue'er's relationship with Su Ming meant her academy's support was unsurprising.
"I, Star Luo Royal Academy, support!" Dai Weisi suddenly announced, surprising Su Ming slightly. The two had only cleared up misunderstandings between him and the Zhu sisters, but he still chose to stand with him.
"I, Botany Academy, support!"
"I, Beast Academy, support!"
As time passed, nearly ninety-eight percent of the academies voiced their support for Su Ming. The remaining ones were either hostile to Heaven Dou Academy or chose to remain neutral, but it didn't matter—those in favor far exceeded two-thirds.
Seeing the overwhelming support, Bibi Dong declared, "Very well, the minority obeys the majority. Su Ming, do as you wish; Spirit Hall will not interfere."
Bibi Dong couldn't help but recognize Su Ming's charismatic appeal. If he were to join Spirit Hall in the future, his influence might bring better lives to the commoners.
Some regions were so remote that providing aid was nearly impossible. But Bibi Dong had a plan to address this issue: soon, remote areas would have infrastructure built for free, and places with better conditions would start with medical improvements.
The subsidies from the Spirit Hall shouldn't just support spirit masters; ordinary citizens without spirit power should receive aid too. Of course, this would increase the financial burden, especially since the two major empires would likely cut funding in opposition to this policy. To address this, the Spirit Hall would also need to establish an oversight agency to prevent abuse of subsidies. Those taking advantage of Spirit Hall aid without contributing to society would see their benefits cut off.
Tang San: Who are you calling out?
After Su Ming joined Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong planned to discuss further policies with him to ensure nothing was missed. His speech had resonated deeply with her, inspiring new ideas for better governance.
On the platform, Yu Tianheng no longer shouted. He watched Su Ming approach step by step, feeling utterly hopeless. Is everyone really this heartless? They're all siding with Su Ming. This is the end for me.
"From rebirth to destruction—Life Conversion!"
With a blast, Yu Tianheng vanished as if he had never existed, leaving not a trace.
The crowd gasped, realizing the terrifying nature of Su Ming's ability. Especially Ghost Douluo, who, as an expert in assassination, could see its potential. This skill, if used stealthily on an unsuspecting target, would yield a 98% success rate in assassinations. It was a lethal skill.
Ghost Douluo sighed. It's a pity my disciple, Zhu Zhuqing, can't learn it. If she could, she'd be unmatched in stealth.
Su Ming's soul skill, combining his life and destruction powers, was deceptively simple but required a mastery few possessed. To others, even the Title Douluo in the arena, such a transformation was nearly impossible.
The God of Destruction: ...
The Goddess of Life: ...
Even they, as gods, couldn't achieve this level of control, as it approached the power of Creation itself—a force beyond mastery. Su Ming seemed to possess an extraordinary stroke of luck to succeed.
In the divine realm, the God of Destruction's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Little Green, Su Ming really did it. This isn't just a rare talent; calling him a 'genius' barely does him justice. Not even we can wield such power so freely. He has achieved something truly remarkable!"
He continued, "We must keep this from Good and Evil. They'd surely try to win him over."
The Goddess of Life chuckled. "Even if Good and Evil were interested, their divine positions are hardly suited to him. Ours align far better."
The God of Destruction huffed, "Suitability matters less than power and authority, and in those areas, Good and Evil are our equals."
Yet he knew his concerns were overblown. Su Ming was powerful but not worth risking conflicts between gods. Moreover, the trials to inherit their powers were set in another dimension, which would complicate things for Su Ming.
After Yu Tianheng's death, his bloodless disappearance left the weaker spirit masters and citizens with an eerie feeling, like it was all a strange illusion. Stronger spirit masters, however, shuddered and stepped back, vowing never to cross paths with this terrifying individual.
Next, Su Ming turned calmly toward Dai Mubai, who was pale and trembling. With a wave, Su Ming unleashed another soul skill.
"Ahhh!" Dai Mubai curled up in agony on the ground.
Then Su Ming's gaze shifted to Ma Hongjun and Oscar, hesitating on how to handle them. Unlike Dai Mubai, they simply chose the wrong side and hadn't done anything particularly grievous.
"Su Ming, what did you do to me?! My spirit power—my strength!" Dai Mubai gasped.
"Oh, nothing much. I just sealed your spirit power," Su Ming replied indifferently. "You wouldn't win against your older brother back home anyway. This spares you from even trying, and it helps me vent a little. You talked too much before."
Zhu Zhuqing felt warmth in her heart at Su Ming's words.
Davis met Su Ming's gaze and nodded, resigned to taking Dai Mubai home. Father will be furious. But recalling Su Ming's strength and his remarkable soul skills, Davis knew he'd have to convince his father not to provoke him—or risk Star Luo Empire's downfall.
Seeing Su Ming's indecision on Oscar and Ma Hongjun, the girls offered some advice. Dai Mubai had been stripped of his spirit power, and Yu Tianheng was dead. They suggested that the lesson he had given Ma Hongjun and Oscar earlier was enough.
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