"No need for formalities." Bibi Dong gently raised her hand.
She lifted her beautiful eyes and asked, "When I entered the city just now, I saw a promotional banner for the 'Spirit Hall Plaza' posted at the city gate. Was that your doing?"
Upon hearing this, Saul's heart trembled.
He bowed once more and replied, "Indeed, it was my subordinates who spread the word, but we were following the instructions of Sixth Consecration, Qianjun Douluo."
As soon as he said this, Hu Liena was visibly shocked.
"Huh? The Elder Hall's people?"
"Doesn't that mean the Spirit Hall Plaza is actually an Elder Hall initiative?"
For a moment, Hu Liena was completely baffled.
The Pope's Hall and the Elder Hall had always been like water and fire—opposed to each other.
This definitely wasn't an act of goodwill from the Elder Hall to help the Pope's Hall build the Spirit Hall Plaza.
The only possibility was that they also wanted to make money.
Realizing this, Hu Liena's heart skipped a beat, and she hesitantly said, "...Could it be that Qian—"
But before she could finish, she covered her mouth and stopped herself.
Speaking ill of Qian Daoliu in public was unacceptable.
Doing so would only spread rumors about discord among the upper ranks of Spirit Hall.
Saul cautiously glanced at Bibi Dong and asked, "Your Majesty, are you unaware that Qianjun Douluo is also in Balak City?"
"Qianjun Douluo is here too?"
Bibi Dong's elegant brows furrowed.
"When did this happen?"
"Two days ago," Saul replied truthfully.
"But Qianjun Douluo did not stay at the main hall. Instead, he went to the Balak royal palace."
"I see. You may leave now."
Bibi Dong waved her hand, signaling that she needed time to digest this information.
Hearing this, Saul dared not linger and immediately bowed before retreating.
However, after taking only two steps, Bibi Dong stopped him again.
"Wait, we'll be staying in the main hall tonight. Make arrangements for our accommodations."
Saul took a quick glance at Ye Tian and the others before respectfully replying, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Once Saul left and closed the door, Bibi Dong slowly spoke again, looking at Ye Tian.
"It seems the Elder Hall has already caught wind of the Spirit Hall Plaza project."
"And they've even taken the initiative."
Saying this, Bibi Dong sighed lightly.
The Elder Hall was already stronger than the Pope's Hall.
Their efficiency was also far superior.
The fact that Qianjun Douluo personally stationed himself in Balak City for the Spirit Hall Plaza project was proof of how seriously Qian Daoliu was taking this initiative.
Bibi Dong didn't even need to think too deeply—she could already guess that similar projects had likely been launched in the capitals of surrounding kingdoms as well.
With this, the Pope's Hall's plan to generate wealth through Spirit Hall Plaza was completely ruined.
"Xiao Tian, do you have a way to salvage this?"
Bibi Dong asked with a hopeful expression.
Hearing this, Ye Tian gave a wry smile.
"Sister, you really think highly of me. To be honest, the essence of the Spirit Hall Plaza project lies in promotion and location."
"Now that the key factors for success have already been taken by the Elder Hall, trying to salvage the situation would be very difficult."
"That damn Qian Daoliu must have overheard our secret discussion when we were at the farm!"
Hu Liena gritted her teeth angrily.
But then, she sighed in frustration.
Now that it had already been stolen, being angry wouldn't change anything.
Unwilling to accept defeat, she asked, "Ye Tian, can't we just start the Spirit Hall Plaza project in other cities?"
Ye Tian shook his head.
"To make money in the short term, Spirit Hall Plaza projects must be launched in large cities."
"Smaller cities can also generate some revenue, but without a doubt, both the time and effort required would be significantly higher."
Hearing this, Bibi Dong's expression showed a hint of understanding, and she sighed lightly. "As expected, trying to shake the Elder Hall is a long and arduous task."
Losing the Spirit Hall Plaza project meant that the Pope's Hall would have no control over financial resources.
Without finances, it would be difficult to implement any plans.
Let alone her long-cherished "exchange policy," which Qian Daoliu had explicitly opposed.
Seeing Bibi Dong deep in thought, Ye Tian smiled and said, "Before we came here, I actually managed to make some money from the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires."
"Adding it to my previous savings, I have about fifteen million gold soul coins."
As soon as he said this—
Bibi Dong's eyes lit up.
This was truly a godsend!
With some difficulty, Bibi Dong asked, "Xiao Tian, could you… lend some to your sister for a while?"
As a strong-willed woman, she had never asked anyone for anything.
Even though the person before her was Ye Tian, she still felt a little awkward.
Ye Tian sighed and said, "Fifteen million sounds like a lot, but given the current state of the Pope's Hall, it's just a drop in the ocean."
"If you want to challenge the Elder Hall and forcibly push the exchange policy, fifteen million gold soul coins still won't be enough."
"So, we need to change our strategy."
"How should we change it?" Bibi Dong's interest was piqued.
She had to admit that Ye Tian's abilities surpassed even hers.
He always managed to come up with solutions at critical moments.
Ye Tian explained seriously, "The Elder Hall wouldn't go to such lengths to take over the Spirit Hall Plaza project just for some extra spending money."
"One major objective is definitely to weaken the Pope's Hall by all means necessary."
"Indeed." Bibi Dong nodded in agreement.
Before she became Pope, the Pope's Hall had been practically a figurehead.
All of Spirit Hall's commands came from the Elder Hall.
Over the past twenty years of her reign, the influence of the Pope's Hall had been gradually expanding in secret.
Although it was still only a fifth of the Elder Hall's power, there was no doubt that the Pope's Hall had become a real threat to the Elder Hall.
Thus, Qian Daoliu and the Elder Hall were getting nervous.
In recent years, they had been doing everything possible to suppress the Pope's Hall's influence.
"Trying to fully implement the exchange policy right now isn't realistic given your current power, Sister."
"More importantly, what you need most at the moment is to establish a solid foundation."
"Rather than dreaming about seizing control of all of Spirit Hall at once, we should focus on one key stronghold."
After hearing this, Bibi Dong remained motionless, lost in thought.
Then, she chuckled softly. "You really hit the nail on the head."
"When fighting against the Elder Hall, I often feel like I have the will but not the strength."
"Ultimately, I don't have enough loyal subordinates."
Seeing Bibi Dong's agreement, Ye Tian continued, "That's why we should concentrate our strength and attack a single point."
"For example, with the Spirit Hall Plaza project, there's no way we can take the whole initiative back from the Elder Hall."
"But what if we only focus on reclaiming Balak City?"
Bibi Dong's eyes shone. "That could work!"
She gazed at the ceiling with deep contemplation. "If we only target one city, even if Qian Daoliu personally intervenes, he won't be able to stop me."
(End of Chapter)
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