Inside the Star Luo Palace, Emperor Dai Feng of Star Luo looked at the complex information on the table with a worried expression, trying to find a glimmer of hope to save the Star Luo Empire.
He knew there was no point in dealing with trivial matters. The strength of the Star Luo royal family was not much different from other forces, which was the reason behind the empire's decline.
Star Luo was founded on military strength. In the past, it had relied on its own power to fight against the Heaven Dou Empire, which was supported by the Seven Great Sects.
However, after the battle at Tianxing City, even though the Star Luo Empire seemed to have won, the Dai royal family suffered heavy losses. The death of a Titled Douluo and two pairs of Titled Nether White Tigers completely broke their backbone.
Thinking of this, Dai Feng's hatred continued to surge in his heart. He believed this matter was certainly orchestrated by the Star Crown Sect. At that time, they were the only ones capable of influencing a Titled Douluo on the battlefield.
However, the power displayed by the Star Crown Sect made him feel somewhat helpless. They had a large number of Titled Douluo and were not something the Star Luo royal family could contend with.
On the contrary, the Star Luo royal family still needed their help to resist the invasion of the Northern Wuhun Empire and avoid total destruction of the nation.
"Am I really going to be the tyrant who leads the Star Luo Empire to ruin?"
"Your Majesty, that's not true. You are not a tyrant, but a wise ruler who can lead the Star Luo Empire to glory. It all depends on your choice."
"Who's there!!!"
Dai Feng suddenly stood from his seat, knocking the papers on the table to the floor. His loud and majestic voice echoed throughout the hall, but the guards outside seemed not to hear it, and no one came in to check.
He stared at Xu Mingxi, who had suddenly appeared in the hall, his eyes narrowing slightly. At this moment, he had entered the imperial hall without an invitation. He was not a friendly guest.
What he had just said was particularly interesting. If you make the right choice, you can become a wise ruler. Was he referring to letting their Star Crown Sect surpass the Star Luo Empire?
"Xingchen Douluo is here—why didn't you inform me earlier so I could prepare a grand banquet to welcome you?"
Dai Feng spoke, but continued walking straight toward the door, as if to summon his ministers to prepare the banquet.
But he did not expect Xingchen Douluo to stop him directly. Seeing the strong arm blocking his way, Dai Feng's heart sank instantly.
This was about the Star Luo Empire. Although he had suspected it, he was still shocked. Was the Star Crown Sect ready to officially reveal its hand?
"I don't know why Xingchen Douluo is stopping me."
"Your Majesty, as I said, you cannot leave this hall before making your choice."
Dai Feng's eyes hardened. He laughed twice, then sat back down on his throne. Since he couldn't leave, he wouldn't. He wanted to see what exactly the Star Crown Sect was planning.
After all, things couldn't get any worse. At worst, the Star Luo Empire would follow the old path of Heaven Dou. With him still here, the Dai family would not perish.
"Xingchen Douluo, speak frankly."
"Your Majesty is generous, so I will be direct. The Xingluo Empire has suddenly encountered a disaster. Our Star Crown Sect does not wish to see the people displaced, and we want to raise the banner against the Spirit Hall Empire.
We, the Star Crown Sect, want to sit in the position that you currently hold."
"Haha."
Dai Feng was so enraged he laughed. If they wanted to conspire to take the throne, then just say so. Why speak with such arrogance? He had truly underestimated the Star Crown Sect for acting like this.
The winner is king, the loser a bandit. The weak submit to the strong. This had always been the ultimate truth of the Douluo Continent.
Not to mention that the Star Luo Empire was a nation where the strong prey on the weak. Every emperor's ascension was accompanied by countless bloodshed and sacrifice.
Even Dai Feng himself had used countless tricks to defeat many brothers on his way to becoming the crown prince.
They weren't like Davis this generation. They had no real opponents. Even Dai Mubai, who was a bit competitive, had fallen into decline.
Dai Feng couldn't help but recall the news he had just seen. His third son, Dai Mubai, seemed to be with people from Heaven Dou Imperial Academy now, having formed an offensive and defensive alliance with members of the Four Elements Academy.
He didn't want to worry about this rebellious son. As long as he knew he was alive, that was enough. The rest depended on his own fate.
"Your Majesty, have you made your decision? Aside from you, other forces within the Star Luo Empire have expressed their willingness to attend the coronation ceremony in ten days."
"Really? You've certainly prepared well for all of this."
Xu Mingxi's words brought Dai Feng back to his senses. He once again seemed like the head of the Dai family, the iron-blooded emperor who had ruled the Star Luo Empire for decades and once suppressed Heaven Dou to the brink.
The fall of the Dai family was inevitable. What he needed now was a way to preserve the family's power for the future.
"Xingchen Douluo, it's not so easy to make our Dai family back down. Even if you're strong, you wouldn't want to see the Star Luo Empire riddled with holes."
As long as you let it go, everything will be easier.
The corners of Xu Mingxi's mouth curved slightly behind his mask. What they needed was a Star Luo Empire with a large population and strong national strength.
The Star Crown Sect had more important matters to attend to and did not wish to spend too much time rebuilding a nation.
"Of course, we at the Star Crown Sect are not unreasonable. The Star Luo Empire will remain the Star Luo Empire.
We will not interfere in disputes among nobles and major clans in the empire. You may compete for resources based on your strength.
All we need is for you to obey the unified commands of the Star Crown Sect. For example, erecting my statue in the territory of the Star Luo Empire."
A statue? Dai Feng could understand other demands, but he hadn't expected this. For a moment, he didn't know what the Star Crown Sect was planning.
However, the Xingluo Empire was a powerful nation passed down for thousands of years. Since ascending the throne, Dai Feng had learned many secrets about the continent's powers from the royal family's secret archives.
He immediately recalled that there were indeed ancient records that statues played a significant role—especially large ones.
Years ago, the ancestor of Spirit Hall, the Angel God, became a deity by destroying evil soul masters and having statues erected all over the continent to gather faith.
Could Xingchen Douluo also want to become a god? How could the Wuhun Empire allow that? Surely half a continent's faith wouldn't be enough alone.
But this had nothing to do with Dai Feng. He looked at Xu Mingxi. There was only one thing he wanted to know now.
"Xingchen Douluo, I can voluntarily abdicate—but I want to know: what will you give our Dai family in return?"