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.
Su Ming thought it over and decided that it was enough. He wasn't bloodthirsty by nature, and the punishment he had given Ma Hongjun and Oscar was already severe. These two were unfortunate enough to follow someone like Tang San.
Oscar, especially, had a glimmer of hope for achieving the God of Food's position, but now, with his depleted life force and potential, reaching the Spirit Saint level before old age would be surprising.
Look at Dai Mubai: he was only a Spirit King, even with a head full of white hair, thanks to the side effects of his decisions. Had he trained gradually, he could've reached Spirit Douluo and perhaps even a Titled Douluo, but now… tsk tsk—only a Spirit King? Embarrassing.
Su Ming glanced at the host. "Please announce the results."
The red-robed bishop nodded and shouted, "The match is over! Heaven Dou Academy team is victorious!"
Su Ming and the others returned to Heaven Dou Academy's rest area, awaiting Bibi Dong's closing words.
"That was a truly exciting match. Let's congratulate Heaven Dou Academy on advancing to the championship!" Bibi Dong said. "Since Heaven Dou just finished their match, let's schedule the final showdown for this afternoon."
"Your Majesty, please wait!" Su Ming spoke up.
Bibi Dong looked at him, puzzled. "What is it?"
His teammates were also surprised. The match was over, so what was Su Ming planning?
"Your Majesty, there's no need to delay the match until the afternoon. As you saw, aside from myself and three others who used some spirit power, our team's condition is still very good."
"Give us half an hour to restore our spirit power and adjust, and we can proceed directly to the championship match."
Bibi Dong: …
Everyone: …
Was Su Ming seriously confident they could all recover in half an hour?
On the other side, the Thunder Academy team endured another round of humiliation.
Yu Tianxin wanted to protest. It wasn't our fault! They'd tried their best; Su Ming's power was just overwhelming!
Bibi Dong turned to the Spirit Hall team. "What do you think?"
Yan scoffed. "Your Majesty, Heaven Dou's attitude is outright contempt for Spirit Hall. Let's show them Spirit Hall's strength!"
Hu Liena rubbed her forehead, sighing. What is wrong with Yan's head? Why such hostility toward Heaven Dou? She wasn't aware Yan had noticed her occasional glances at Su Ming, sparking his jealousy.
Idiot! Hu Liena and Qian Renxue cursed Yan in their hearts. Hu Liena was a bit of a romantic, and since her teacher had said it was fine as long as her interest wasn't an enemy, what harm was there in admiring Su Ming's appearance? He'd soon be joining Spirit Hall anyway.
Su Ming caught Yan's expression and immediately knew what was going on. Yan was the ultimate sycophant for Hu Liena, another fool doomed to end up empty-handed, like Flender, Oscar, and Feng Xiaotian before him.
Bibi Dong frowned at Yan. She knew his feelings for Hu Liena, but now was hardly the time to speak out so foolishly. Did he think he could flaunt his Titled Douluo teacher?
Even Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo felt like hitting Yan. His arrogance would only make Spirit Hall seem oppressive, leaving a bad impression on the audience—and, worse, it would likely irritate Su Ming. If Yan caused Su Ming to reconsider joining Spirit Hall, they'd have no one but themselves to blame.
Qian Renxue coldly ordered, "Silence! Who allowed you to speak? You're neither the captain nor the strongest on the team. Know your place!"
Yan's face turned sullen. As a member of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, he never expected Qian Renxue to dismiss him so harshly. But I'm a Golden Generation member! Qian Renxue mentally dismissed him further, thinking, Su Ming is my sworn brother—don't you dare disrespect him.
Humiliated, Yan could only bow reluctantly. "Apologies, Your Highness."
Following Qian Renxue's cue, Hu Liena placed her right hand over her chest and bowed slightly. "Your Majesty, if Heaven Dou Academy is so confident, let's start the final match in half an hour."
Bibi Dong nodded with a smile; this was exactly what she wanted. With the Spirit Master tournament over, she could announce some important decisions and take action. Delaying until the afternoon could invite complications.
"In that case, let's rest briefly. I'll have someone bring food shortly, and the match will begin in half an hour!" Bibi Dong announced.
Upon her signal, twelve red-robed bishops left to prepare food for the crowd. The audience was surprised by Bibi Dong's thoughtfulness—no wonder she was the Pope. After watching all morning, they were indeed getting hungry.
In the Heaven Dou rest area, Dugu Bo hugged Su Ming and patted his shoulder. "Thank you, little monster, for avenging my Yanyan. You've lifted a weight off my shoulders."
"Ew, Dugu, that's sentimental. Don't forget Yu Tianheng was after me from the start. Yanyan and the others just got caught in the crossfire. I did this for myself, really."
"Besides, sending Yu Tianheng down to reunite with Yu Yuanzhen is fitting. We're just waiting for Yu Xiaogang's turn; he won't be left unchecked for long."
Su Ming whispered this last part to Dugu Bo, not wanting too many people to know yet about Yu Yuanzhen's demise.
"Alright, alright. In any case, I'm grateful," Dugu Bo insisted. "Yanyan, say thank you!"
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GOT IT