"However, there is still a way to reorganize the dilapidated military."
Holding Bibi Dong's hand as they walked into the back garden of the Angel Church, Ye Tian spoke calmly.
"Hmm?" A glimmer of light flashed in Bibi Dong's beautiful eyes.
"What method?"
Ye Tian smiled faintly. "Land grants for military merit—it depends on whether you dare to implement it, my dear wife."
Bibi Dong frowned. Land grants for military merit were not a new policy.
Both great empires had used this strategy during their founding, and the earliest nobles had emerged this way.
"But where would the Spirit Hall have any spare land?"
Bibi Dong shook her head, gazing at the flowers in the distance.
"In terms of land ownership, the current Spirit Hall can't even compare to a single principality of the Heaven Dou Empire."
Most of the Spirit Hall's wealth came from commercial operations rather than land taxes.
The foundation of land grants for military merit was vast, sparsely populated territories with large amounts of unclaimed land waiting to be distributed.
Clearly, the Spirit Hall did not meet this condition.
"How does the Spirit Hall not have land? The continent is so vast—isn't there enough to distribute?"
Ye Tian spread his hands, outlining a grand vision for Bibi Dong.
Hearing this, a trace of amusement appeared in the corners of Bibi Dong's eyes.
"Xiao Tian, you truly dare to dream. We haven't even finished integrating the military, and you're already envisioning the entire continent's territory belonging to the Spirit Hall."
This was indeed the dream Bibi Dong had longed for, but she knew it was still far from reality.
Ye Tian, however, wore an earnest expression. "When executing strategies, one must be steady, but when formulating them, one must have a far-sighted vision."
"Implementing a military merit policy requires time to take effect, so we can't wait until war breaks out to promote it."
"But..." Bibi Dong's eyes showed a trace of worry. "If the Spirit Hall announces a land grant policy for military merit, wouldn't it openly declare our ambition to unify the continent?"
"The pressure from the two great empires is something the Spirit Hall cannot ignore," Bibi Dong emphasized.
"But don't forget, my dear wife, we still control the four subordinate kingdoms of the Heaven Dou Empire."
"We can have the four kingdoms implement the military merit policy. Moreover, when expanding the military, we can first assign the newly recruited troops to these four subordinate kingdoms."
"This way, the Spirit Hall can maintain its image of downsizing the military for peace while still expanding its influence."
"Ah! Why didn't I think of that?"
Bibi Dong's pupils suddenly brightened, as if she had discovered something extraordinary.
"Xiao Tian, you're truly amazing."
"Then how about a kiss as a reward?" Ye Tian blinked playfully.
"There are people in the garden," Bibi Dong replied quickly, though her walking pace remained unchanged.
Ye Tian instinctively glanced around and noticed several Spirit Hall guards lurking in the shadows of the distant garden.
This made him sigh softly.
Sometimes, tight security only ruined the mood.
After passing through the garden, Bibi Dong led Ye Tian to the church's sleeping quarters.
The surroundings were desolate, with few maids in sight.
"This was originally the Pope's sleeping quarters, but since I didn't hold absolute authority, Qian Daoliu intentionally left the Angel Church's quarters vacant," Bibi Dong explained.
"Thinking of moving in now?" Ye Tian asked.
"No, I'm already accustomed to staying in the Pope's Hall." Bibi Dong tightened her grip on Ye Tian's hand as she gazed at the somewhat shabby quarters.
To be honest, she didn't want to come here—this filthy place.
Feeling the strength in Bibi Dong's grip, Ye Tian's eyelids twitched slightly.
If he remembered the plot correctly, the Angel Church's sleeping quarters should have a secret chamber.
He didn't understand why Bibi Dong had brought him here.
Under Bibi Dong's lead, they walked deep into the quarters and arrived at an eerily quiet study.
Bibi Dong stepped forward and pushed open the door.
A layer of dust fell.
Clearly, no one had entered this room for years.
Behind her, Ye Tian observed Bibi Dong's profile. The smile on her face had completely vanished, as if painful memories had resurfaced.
"If you don't like it, we don't have to come here," Ye Tian said quietly.
Bibi Dong shook her head with a faint smile and stepped inside first.
She walked to the bookshelf and brushed her fingers over the dust-covered books.
With a melancholic expression, she turned to look at Ye Tian:
"I haven't been in this study for twenty years."
"In this study, I experienced the joys of my youth... and memories that scarred me for life..."
*Click.*
At that moment, Bibi Dong seemed to press some hidden mechanism.
The bookshelf, which had appeared seamless, slowly split apart, revealing a staircase leading underground.
"A secret chamber..." Ye Tian's lips twitched.
"What's wrong? Afraid that if you follow me inside, you'll never come out again?" Bibi Dong stared at Ye Tian with an intense smile.
"Not exactly, but this chamber holds nightmare-like memories."
"Time dulls all things."
Bibi Dong's tone was calm at first, but it suddenly grew heavier toward the end.
She lowered her head and looked at her raised hands.
"My current state as a Limit Douluo is not perfect—or rather, I've only half-stepped into the realm of a Limit Douluo."
"Before my battle with the Golden Crocodile Douluo, I thought the reason I hadn't fully advanced was because my twin spirits' soul rings weren't fully equipped."
"But later, I realized it was because the inner demons in my heart hadn't been eradicated."
Her eyes gradually filled with determination. "Where you fall, you must rise again."
"This secret chamber will forever be shattered in my heart."
Seeing Bibi Dong's resolute expression, Ye Tian understood that this was her true inner self.
Beneath her peerlessly beautiful face lay an unyielding, fervent heart.
Thinking this, Ye Tian took Bibi Dong's hand again and stepped toward the dark staircase ahead.
"I'll accompany you."
His tone was calm, but to Bibi Dong, it was like a radiant light.
Her heart trembled violently, and her delicate face slowly lifted to look at Ye Tian.
Tears welled up in her violet pupils, swirling uncontrollably.
The ever-stalwart Bibi Dong had been emotionally undone by these simple words.
No grand vows or romantic moments under the moonlight could compare to this!
Bibi Dong spread her arms and embraced Ye Tian deeply.
"Xiao Tian... I hate that we weren't born in the same era."
"But you're still my wife, aren't you?"
Feeling the overwhelming pressure against his chest, Ye Tian gently patted Bibi Dong's back.
At this moment, he once again sensed her vulnerable side.
After a long while, Bibi Dong finally released him. By then, her tears had been dried by her soul power.
Even in front of Ye Tian, she didn't want to appear weak—she didn't want him to see her as timid.
Ye Tian's large hand grasped Bibi Dong's fair wrist.
"Let's go. Focus on conquering your inner demons—I'll protect you."
"Okay."
Bibi Dong nodded firmly, her eyes resolute, and followed behind Ye Tian like a love-struck maiden.
The secret chamber wasn't an enclosed space.
To be precise, it was an underground river with surrounding excavated areas.
"This underground river connects to a large river dozens of miles away. From here, one can easily escape Spirit City—it's the Pope's exclusive escape route."
"If the Spirit Hall ever faces danger in the future, you can flee from here, Xiao Tian."
Bibi Dong spoke softly.
"With me here, how could the Spirit Hall ever be in danger?" Ye Tian placed his hand on Bibi Dong's waist and gave it a playful pinch. "You don't trust your own abilities, but do you doubt mine?"
Startled by the pinch, Bibi Dong instinctively twisted her waist before breaking into a girlish smile.
"Of course I believe in you, Xiao Tian."
"But during the process of eradicating my inner demons, I may fall into a coma and inadvertently harm those around me."
"If you can't avoid it, dive into the underground river and escape."
"Understood." Ye Tian nodded solemnly.
Though there was danger, he had no intention of leaving.
Ye Tian knew that with him present, Bibi Dong's heart would be much calmer, and her chances of overcoming her inner demons would greatly increase.
If he left, Bibi Dong might not blame him, but she would likely be left with nothing but disappointment.
As Bibi Dong sat cross-legged by the underground river, Ye Tian took a seat opposite her.
He held her wrist firmly and said with conviction, "Don't worry. I'm here."
Gazing into Ye Tian's clear eyes, Bibi Dong closed her eyes contentedly and began regulating her breathing, attempting to break through the bottleneck she had failed to overcome days before.
During this process, Ye Tian could do little to help.
He could only sit quietly, holding Bibi Dong's hand.
But after just two hours, even that became impossible.
Bibi Dong's skin had grown frighteningly hot, turning red as steam rose from her body, as if she were being boiled alive.
If not for sensing that her cultivation state remained stable, Ye Tian would have rushed to save her.
Letting go of her wrist, Ye Tian quickly plunged his hands into the underground river to cool them down.
After a long while, he finally exhaled slowly.
"Too hot."
"Almost enough to serve as a barbecue heat source."
Staring at Bibi Dong's meditating form, Ye Tian couldn't help but mutter.
However, since there was no food nearby, he temporarily abandoned the idea of using her as a human grill.
As time passed, Bibi Dong's condition underwent several changes.
Before the white steam around her dissipated, a sizzling black mist enveloped her entire body.
Ye Tian's fingertip barely touched it before a jolt of excruciating pain shot through him, forcing him to retreat hastily.
The black mist didn't last long before a golden vapor emerged from Bibi Dong's body.
The two mists intertwined, their clashes growing increasingly violent, and the area of conflict expanded steadily.
Watching this, Ye Tian gulped.
Perhaps it was time to leave.
After all, Bibi Dong was already deep in meditation and didn't need his company anymore.
Staying any longer might cost him his life.
The moment this thought crossed his mind, he turned toward the chamber's exit.
But he was a step too late.
The battle between the black and golden mists had already spread to the passageway.
"I'm done for!"
Panicked, Ye Tian swallowed hard and glanced at the underground river beside him.
"So she was right—I really do have to dive into the river to escape."
His swimming skills were decent, so this was his only way out now.
*Bang!*
The black and golden mists surged toward him again.
Ye Tian's vision suddenly darkened as he plunged headfirst into the river.
...
...
"My head... hurts!!"
When Ye Tian woke again, the soreness in his muscles made it hard to open his eyes.
His stomach growled loudly, giving him the illusion that he hadn't eaten in half a month.
He vaguely sensed something fragrant nearby and instinctively reached out to grab it, hoping to ease his hunger.
A sharp scream pierced the air.
*Slap!*
"Ah! Ye Tian, what are you doing?!"
"Huh?!"
The stinging pain of five fingers on his face jolted Ye Tian awake.
He remembered now—he had been about to jump into the underground river when the black mist from Bibi Dong's body knocked him unconscious.
Hearing someone call his name, he realized he might have been found and rescued by the Spirit Hall.
The voice was familiar, but he couldn't immediately place it.
Forcing his eyes open with difficulty, he saw a young girl clutching her chest, her delicate face flushed with anger as she stood beside him.
Recognizing the familiar scorpion-tail braid, Ye Tian's expression turned puzzled:
"Xiao Wu? Why are you here?"
Seeing that Ye Tian had finally spoken, Xiao Wu's anger eased slightly. She pursed her lips and said,
"If you hadn't been unconscious for half a month, I'd have slapped you again."
"Huh?"
Confused, Ye Tian frowned slightly. He recalled his earlier outstretched hand and Xiao Wu's defensive posture over her chest.
His face immediately flushed with embarrassment.
So he had touched something he shouldn't have...
Weakly propping himself up, Ye Tian asked, "Where are we?"
Xiao Wu's expression had returned to normal. "Within the Heaven Dou Empire's borders. I'm not sure exactly where, but we're close to Heaven Dou City."
After explaining this, she continued,
"Half a month ago, when I left the Star Dou Great Forest, I happened to find you lying by a riverbank, soaked and unconscious."
"I wasn't going to bother, but curiosity got the better of me. When I took a closer look, I realized it was you."
Xiao Wu crouched down, tilting her head as she handed over half a roasted chicken leg. "What happened to make you throw yourself into a river? Did you want to die?"
She clearly remembered that in the Star Dou Great Forest, Ye Tian had been protected by several Titled Douluo.
He had even reunited with his sister. Logically, he should have returned home by now.
Yet here he was, having apparently attempted suicide by drowning.
What kind of despair could drive someone to such extremes?
Xiao Wu couldn't fathom it.
Ye Tian accepted the chicken leg with a bitter smile. He had no idea how to explain his situation to Xiao Wu.
Should he say he was helping Bibi Dong and accidentally fell into the river?
That might earn him another slap.
After all, Xiao Wu and the Spirit Hall were mortal enemies.
Seeing Ye Tian remain silent, Xiao Wu's imagination ran wild.
Ye Tian was a brilliant physician, capable of refining many rare pills.
The beautiful Titled Douluo women who had accompanied him before must have only stayed for his alchemical skills.
Now that they had squeezed him dry, they had discarded him like trash.
A young man like Ye Tian couldn't handle such betrayal, hence his suicide attempt.
Thinking this, pity welled up in Xiao Wu's eyes.
Her earlier anger over his transgression vanished entirely.
She scooted closer to Ye Tian, adopting the tone of a life coach.
"Ye Tian, I'm older than you. Would you mind if I called myself your 'Big Sister Xiao Wu'?"
"As your big sister, I'm going to give you some advice today."
"What hurdle in life can't be overcome? It's no big deal—you're still young. You can start over."
"There's no need to bottle up your troubles!"
However, Ye Tian, starving to the point of delirium, wasn't listening.
After devouring the chicken leg in a few bites, he looked up blankly and asked,
"Got any more chicken legs?"
Hearing this, Xiao Wu felt gratified.
It seemed her heartfelt advice had gotten through to him!
Proudly placing her hands on her hips, she stood up.
"Chicken legs? No problem! Big Sister Xiao Wu will roast as many as you want!"
"Tell me, what else would you like? Consider it my treat!"
"I'd like some milk."
"No!"
(End of Chapter)