Chapter 89: Refusing to Issue Subsidies: The Empire's Scheme Against the Spirit Hall

In the past, the Two Great Empires would provide the funds, and the Spirit Hall would distribute the Spirit Master subsidies.

But now, with new emperors ascending the throne in the Two Great Empires, many things have changed.

Having just taken power, they all want to make some contributions.

The Two Great Empires are at war, but now is not the time, so they reached a private agreement to turn their target toward the Spirit Hall.

The Two Great Empires feel that when it comes to distributing Spirit Master subsidies, the Spirit Hall gets all the fame, while the Empires get nothing in return.

Furthermore, after Spirit Masters complete their Cultivation, most go to the Spirit Hall, and only a small portion return to serve the Empires.

Looking at the big picture, the Two Great Empires are the ones suffering a loss from the distribution of Spirit Master subsidies.

It is unknown why such a system exists, with the Two Great Empires providing the money for the Spirit Hall to do good deeds.

Therefore, they no longer want to provide money to distribute subsidies to Spirit Masters.

Originally, a Spirit Master received one Gold Soul Coin per month, a Great Spirit Master ten Gold Soul Coins per month, and a Soul Elder one hundred Gold Soul Coins per month; although not much, it was issued until the age of thirty, and those who broke through to Soul Elder in the interim would no longer receive it.

This policy has continued on the Douluo Continent for tens of thousands of years; as for why it was done this way and what secrets it holds, no one knows anymore.

Now the Two Great Empires have gone back on their word, suddenly refusing to provide the money, and they keep stalling the Spirit Hall's administrative staff.

The goal is obvious: the next month's subsidies are due to be issued soon.

By stalling now, the Spirit Hall will be forced to pay the Spirit Master subsidies out of its own pocket when the time comes; otherwise, it will stir up complaints among Spirit Masters, and in serious cases, it could trigger a Spirit Master riot.

The Spirit Hall has always been the one distributing the Spirit Master subsidies; if they suddenly stop, the Spirit Masters will vent their resentment on the Spirit Hall, causing the Spirit Hall's reputation to plummet overnight.

The Empires save a large sum of money, and the Spirit Hall's reputation is ruined—killing two birds with one stone.

The Two Great Empires truly have a cunning scheme.

If they were facing the Spirit Hall of the past, they might actually succeed, but heaven does not always grant one's wishes; they are now facing a brand-new Spirit Hall managed by Jerry.

"The Two Great Empires can't sit still anymore; they want to set a trap for our Spirit Hall."

After reading the information, the head of the Information Department, Ghost Leopard Douluo, found Jerry to report.

"A dog jumping over a wall in desperation, that's all!"

Jerry said disdainfully; these tactics were simply eyesores.

The goal of the Two Great Empires is clear as day.

Originally, Jerry had not prepared to take action against the Two Great Empires, but since they moved first, then don't blame me; prepare to welcome the counterattack from the Spirit Hall.

"Prepare the next issue of the newspaper; let them know the power of this little newspaper of mine."

After this period of fermentation, the newspaper has already been recognized by many.

This is no simple thing; sometimes it can even serve as a blade—an invisible blade.

Two Great Empires, are you ready?

Jerry is already a bit impatient to see how the Two Great Empires will respond.

The content has already been decided; the next step is the issue of publication.

Originally, I wanted to wait until Bibi Dong came out of seclusion and stirred up a storm on the continent before letting the world see the power of the newspaper, but now that the Two Great Empires have moved first, don't blame me for acting ahead of schedule.

Douluo Continent, since it is going to be chaotic, then let it be chaotic.

【Spirit Hall Section】

【Due to the refusal of the high-level officials of the Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire to distribute Spirit Master subsidies, the Spirit Hall has formulated relevant policies.】

【The Spirit Master Academies of the Spirit Hall, from Kindergarten to Advanced Spirit Master Academy graduation, are funded by the Spirit Hall as compulsory education.】

【Spirit Master subsidies will no longer be issued; after graduating from an Advanced Spirit Master Academy, the Spirit Hall will recommend employment positions.】

【The Spirit Hall Logistics Department is launching a Spirit Ring business.】

【At the Logistics Department, ten-year to Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Rings can all be exchanged with points; the Logistics Department has set up specialized Spirit Absorption Rooms.】

【Spirit Rings exchanged through the Spirit Hall do not require enduring soul shock.】

【The Body Detection Instrument is fully disclosed, including the detection of Soul Power Seed attributes, Body Strength, and other information, and it recommends corresponding Spirit Rings for absorption.】

【Spirit Hall Soul Guidance Rings will be sold at a 20% discount in two days; quantities are limited, first come, first served.】

【The Spirit Hall will build airports at every branch, and Spirit Guidance Planes will be officially opened to the general public.】

【The Spirit Hall has established eighteen sightseeing spots; outsiders can take planes for sightseeing and travel.】

……

The newspaper quickly spread across the continent.

There are three pieces of content: the first indicates that the Two Great Empires refused to distribute Spirit Master subsidies; the second launches the Spirit Ring business to divert public attention; the third launches the tourism business, using the strategy of "openly repairing the plank road while secretly crossing the Chencang" to help those who want to come to the Spirit Hall.

If only the first point were mentioned, the focus of everyone's discussion would remain on the Spirit Master subsidies, perhaps even leading to wild speculation and causing negative public opinion.

Therefore, the second point was introduced—Spirit Ring exchange. For every Spirit Master, a Spirit Ring is a very important thing, and these are Spirit Rings without soul shock; the attraction to Spirit Masters goes without saying.

The third point provides them with a channel to safely reach the Spirit Hall.

Selling a large number of Soul Guidance Rings makes it easier for many people to move, bringing all their belongings to Wuhun City; it is estimated they won't leave again.

Taking a Spirit Guidance Plane saves time and effort, and the Spirit Guidance Planes can be equipped with weapon systems; ordinary Spirit Masters really cannot intercept them.

Among the people

"What do these Two Great Empires mean? They aren't even issuing Spirit Master subsidies anymore; they change a rule that's been in place for so many years just like that."

"Exactly, exactly."

"The Spirit Hall is still better; they arrange employment directly."

"That's right, that little bit of Spirit Master subsidy is nothing to the people of Wuhun City. I heard that many graduates of Primary Spirit Master Academies are already level 20-something, and a few are even level 30-something; they wouldn't have received much Spirit Master subsidy anyway, so it definitely won't have any impact."

"Yes, I heard that too. There is someone in our village with an Innate Spirit Power of level 3 who entered the Spirit Hall; after graduating from the Intermediate Spirit Master Academy, they were already level 32 and could do many jobs. Who would still care about that tiny bit of Spirit Master subsidy?"

"Indeed, so to speak, students in Wuhun City are basically level 30-something upon graduation, and there are even Soul Kings among the graduates of Advanced Spirit Master Academies; they don't care about Spirit Master subsidies at all."

"There's no helping it; who told the Empires not to have a Cultivation Tower? With ten times the Cultivation speed, you'd level up just by lying inside."

"The people of Wuhun City don't care about Spirit Master subsidies, but many others do, especially the children who have just become Spirit Masters."

"How could a commoner's child afford that?"

"The Two Great Empires really don't treat people like human beings."

"I really want to go to Wuhun City."

"With the Empire under lockdown now, there's no way to run."

"Sigh, look at the newspaper, the Storage Soul Guidance Ring is 20% off, and there are airplanes too."

"A first-level Storage Soul Guidance Ring is still 8 Gold Soul Coins at 20% off; this is affordable."

"The first-level ones have 10m, that's about enough to pack up my family's belongings."

"How about we try it? Buy one, pack up the whole family's assets, take an airplane to Wuhun City, and then just never leave."

"Yeah! You're really something; you even came up with this idea."

"Stop talking nonsense, keep it quiet, don't let the Empire find out."

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect

"Sect Master, it turns out the Spirit Hall really has researched Spirit Rings."

Sword Douluo said in surprise while holding the Spirit News, never expecting that in his lifetime he would still be able to see something like an Artificial Spirit Ring.

"It's just that I don't know if they've researched a Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring; that is the key."

Bone Douluo's focus was clearly different; he could hunt low-year Spirit Rings himself, and those wouldn't create a gap in strength. What truly creates a gap are high-year Spirit Rings, especially Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Rings, as this relates to high-end combat power.

"If my analysis is correct, a Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring should have already been researched. That's why they dared to make the others public, while hiding the hundred-thousand-year ones. However, I am very interested in this Body Detection Instrument; it reduces the risks for a Spirit Master during Cultivation and absorbing Spirit Rings."

Ning Fengzhi finished reading the Spirit News, pondered for a moment, and then said.

"Sect Master, the Inner City of Wuhun City is impossible to enter. Who exactly is behind these policies and Spirit Guidance Devices? I can't find out. I don't think it's Pope Bibi Dong."

This Spirit Ring business was too shocking for Sword Douluo, but he didn't think this was something Bibi Dong could pull off. If it were Bibi Dong's doing, she would likely have kept it hidden.

Being able to announce it with such fanfare is not Bibi Dong's personality; it seems there is a higher expert within the Spirit Hall.

"I also don't think it's her. Wasn't there talk among the people before that Bibi Dong was in seclusion, Chrysanthemum Douluo was managing things, and then Chrysanthemum Douluo handed management directly to his disciple Jerry? Do you think there's a possibility it's this Jerry?"

After Ning Fengzhi excluded everyone else, then the most impossible person must be the truth.

"He is a genius at Cultivation, I admit that, and he is also a support-type Spirit Master. Do you think the Spirit Hall would let a genius Spirit Master manage these things? Aren't they afraid of delaying his Cultivation?"

Sword Douluo did not agree with Ning Fengzhi's analysis. Whether it is the Spirit Hall or other forces, they all attach great importance to Cultivation geniuses. During a genius's high-speed growth period, they generally would not let them do other things.

This is to prevent the genius from being distracted by other matters, thereby delaying their Cultivation.

The three of them fell silent for a moment and continued reading the newspaper.

"Now basically everyone knows that it is the Two Great Empires that refused to distribute Spirit Master subsidies; the Empire is about to fall into chaos."

Ning Fengzhi had his own news channels, and he had also sent people to inquire about this newspaper before. Although he didn't know the purpose, because of the high-quality content, its reach was very broad, and everyone was very receptive to the things in the newspaper.

Judging from this incident, this is how a newspaper is actually used.

It is truly a sharp weapon that kills without drawing blood.

He knew it in his heart, but Ning Fengzhi did not explicitly state the matter of the newspaper, because the newspaper had already spread, and it was too late to stop it.

Moreover, if he were to speak out, most people wouldn't believe him, and even if some did, it would only cause them panic. They could no longer stop the spread of this thing called a newspaper.

"Who's to say otherwise! Is this something that can be changed just like that? Fengzhi, because you are the Second Prince's teacher, the Emperor doesn't favor you now, nor does he favor the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. There's nothing you can do."

Sword Douluo was also full of helplessness, never expecting that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, which had always been highly valued by the Empire, would one day lose its influence.

"I heard that Rongrong ran off to Wuhun City this time. Should we call her back? It's been so long, I really miss her. Fengzhi, you weren't worried when Rongrong ran off to Shuaike before, but now that she's run off to Wuhun City, aren't you worried?"

Bone Douluo was very worried about Ning Rongrong in his heart; he had watched Rongrong grow up since she was a child and had always treated her like his own little treasure.

"Rongrong is very sensible now and won't act recklessly. She just wants to go see Jerry, this support-type Spirit Master of the same age as her; she had always been unconvinced before. Seeing him once is fine too; it's just as well to let her know that there are people beyond people and heavens beyond heavens. It can be considered growth."

Ning Fengzhi said this with his mouth, hoping Rongrong would be sensible, but in reality, he had no confidence, yet he couldn't show it.

Two Great Empires

It is now in complete chaos, with Spirit Masters causing trouble in many places.

The Two Great Empires have both sent troops to suppress them, but they simply cannot suppress it.

For a time, the people throughout the Two Great Empires were in a state of panic.

Some places were forcibly suppressed, but in the blink of an eye, the people were gone.

The population is flowing away in large numbers, leaving on the Spirit Hall's airplanes, and they don't dare to stop them.

Previously, there was a Spirit Saint who didn't fear death and flew in front of an airplane intending to intercept it, only to be blown to pieces by the lightning shells fired by the airplane.

Even a Spirit Saint couldn't withstand a single attack, and the Spirit Douluos didn't dare to try, so now no one dares to intercept them.

Shrek Academy

Lanba Academy has now officially changed its name, and Liu Erlong directly handed the title of Dean to Flender.

She herself has been taking care of Yu Xiaogang recently.

Ever since the Spirit Hall's newspaper was published, with its repeated attacks on Yu Xiaogang's Spirit Master theories, Yu Xiaogang finally couldn't take it anymore and was bedridden. If it weren't for Liu Erlong's careful care, he probably would have kicked the bucket long ago.

Yu Xiaogang's heart was too fragile. At first, he was told not to read the newspaper, but he insisted on reading it, and after reading it, he couldn't accept it.

The Shrek Academy Team has now basically disbanded.

Dai Mubai was escorted back to his country and had long since been executed.

Zhu Zhuqing was heard to have been taken in as a disciple by Chrysanthemum Douluo of the Spirit Hall.

Ning Rongrong also dropped out, and now only Tang San, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun are still persisting in their Cultivation.

Moreover, many students have dropped out and run off to the Spirit Hall.

Shrek Academy feels as if it has returned to the way it was before: few students, many teachers.

The academy is suddenly in a difficult position; of course, it is not only Shrek Academy that is experiencing this situation, as the Five Great Element Academies and others are all the same.

Thanks to the care of Liu Erlong, and the fact that Yu Xiaogang still had a breath of life left in his heart, Yu Xiaogang actually managed some Recovery.

The reason Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang was still holding on was because of one name—Jerry; he now recited this name every day, as if he were possessed.

Previously, Flender and Liu Erlong had asked him, but he refused to say anything; Tang San did know a little, but he did not know much.

Originally, he was not certain about the name, but later, after hearing that one of Chrysanthemum Douluo's other disciples was named Xiao Wu, Grandmaster became certain it was that child from back then.

Unable to accept it for a time, he fell ill immediately.

Now that his condition had improved, his only thought was to go and see that child from back then.

But he was also somewhat afraid to go see them, as he still could not quite let go of his pride.

Moreover, he had an intuition that the changes occurring in Wuhun City were all related to Jerry.

……

(End of this chapter)