Chapter 293: Chapter 293: The Emperor Takes the Field
Night fell. Spirit City was brilliantly lit, and the Spirit Holy Temple was adorned as if in a dream. After handling the day’s political affairs, Bibi Dong took a bath, changed into a light palace dress, and quietly came to Lin Feng’s room.
Rubbing her brow, Bibi Dong collapsed into Lin Feng’s embrace with a soft sigh. "So tired. This is just the beginning. I thought being an emperor was too simple." Her tone carried a hint of helplessness. Clearly, the burden of the Spirit Empire was much heavier than she had anticipated.
Lin Feng gently stroked her long hair and said softly, "Dong’er, you’ve already done very well. The Spirit Empire now encompasses the entire Douluo Continent. Its scale is vast, and its affairs are complex, beyond the reach of a single person. You have already done better than anyone. Don’t be too hard on yourself."
Bibi Dong chuckled lightly. "I’m not being hard on myself. It’s just that with the position comes the responsibility. The Spirit Empire has just been established, and all matters require my personal attention to ensure there are no mistakes. Sometimes it’s unavoidable to feel a bit overwhelmed. Soul tools, your cultivation methods, future contact with the soul beasts, and so on, especially concerning the soul beasts."
At this point, she paused slightly. "Your Ring Condensation Method and Vein Sculpting Method, although they allow soul masters to no longer rely on hunting soul beasts for soul rings, this only solves part of the problem. As an important member of the Douluo Continent, the existence of soul beasts directly affects the balance of the entire continent. When humans stop hunting soul beasts, and the populations of both soul beasts and humans begin to increase, a new conflict will arise one day, tens of thousands of years from now. Some people say, ’After I’m dead, who cares if the world floods,’ but we can’t be like that. We must ultimately strive for the best outcome. The deeper I go, the more I feel that this problem seems unsolvable. The word ’development’ is destined to consume resources, and the consumption of resources leads to conflicts of interest, which in turn triggers contradictions."
Bibi Dong’s brow furrowed. "I can’t seem to find that perfect balance."
A smile touched the corner of Lin Feng’s lips. He unconsciously kneaded the soft hand he was holding. This Empress of the Spirit Empire was indeed very intelligent and capable.
"Dong’er, it’s enough that you can think this far. Contradictions have always existed. You feel they are unsolvable because you have confined your thinking to the Douluo Star. What if we step outside the Douluo Star and look at this problem from a broader cosmic perspective?" Lin Feng’s words carried a hint of guidance. His gaze pierced the night sky, looking towards the boundless sea of stars.
Hearing this, a trace of confusion flashed in Bibi Dong’s eyes, but then they lit up again. She seemed to have grasped the hidden meaning in Lin Feng’s words.
"You mean... we might be able to find other planets suitable for soul beasts to live on, or... use the resources in the universe to resolve the contradictions on the Douluo Continent?"
Lin Feng nodded and looked at Bibi Dong with approval. "Precisely. The universe is vast and boundless, containing countless secrets and resources that we have yet to explore. Perhaps we can find planets that have environments similar to the Douluo Continent but are undeveloped, to serve as new homes for the soul beasts."
Bibi Dong sat up straight and smiled. "If that can be achieved, then the conflict between soul beasts and humans might be fundamentally resolved. After all, the universe is boundless, and the time until such a conflict arises would be infinitely extended."
Her brow suddenly raised. "No wonder you went to that Sun Moon Empire to acquire knowledge of soul tools. You must have had some plans. These soul tools, will they be able to cross the sea of stars in the future?"
"It’s hard to say," Lin Feng smiled.
Seeing Lin Feng’s seemingly evasive look, Bibi Dong pouted with some dissatisfaction. "If it’s hard to say, then don’t say it. We can talk about it when the time comes. As for Gu Yuena’s side, how do you plan to have them integrate with humanity? The humans of today are not so accepting of their existence."
Lin Feng thought for a moment and said, "Na’er and I have already discussed this. She wants to stage a fake invasion, with the fierce beasts and a group of 100,000-year-old soul beasts displaying their power and deterrence, to make humanity feel an unprecedented crisis. Then, she and we will step in to quell this ’crisis,’ using it as an opportunity to open a dialogue with humanity. This way, it will not only make humans realize the power and importance of soul beasts but also demonstrate her goodwill and strength to a certain extent, laying a foundation for peaceful coexistence in the future."
Hearing this, Bibi Dong’s fine brows furrowed slightly. "Although this method is direct, the risks are not small. Humans are always full of fear and vigilance towards the unknown and powerful. If it’s not handled properly, it might backfire and provoke a stronger resistance from the people."
Lin Feng nodded lightly, his gaze deep. "Indeed. That’s why we need to plan carefully to ensure that every step can be precisely controlled."
Lin Feng spoke softly, his gaze towards the sky, murmuring in his heart, "This alone doesn’t seem to be enough. After establishing a balance, if there is a common enemy, that would be even better."
"The various key points are such and such, and so and so..."
After elaborating on the details of the matter to Bibi Dong, she was silent for a moment, as if digesting every word Lin Feng had said. Then, she slowly raised her head, her lotus-root-like arms hooking around Lin Feng’s neck. "Understood."
She exhaled softly, her fragrant tongue tracing the edge of Lin Feng’s earlobe. "So, is there anything else? If not, it’s time to get down to business."
"We’re going to the City of Slaughter tomorrow."
Hearing this, Bibi Dong’s eyes narrowed.
"Mmmph—"
Leaving Lin Feng’s embrace, she stood up and stretched, letting out a low, bone-meltingly charming moan as she fell onto the bed.
Her slender, jade-like finger beckoned to Lin Feng. "Then there’s nothing else. Come here."
Lin Feng turned to look. Under the dim light, Bibi Dong’s figure was exceptionally alluring. Her graceful curves and charming expression all exuded an irresistible charm.
Her palace dress was long gone. Bibi Dong had changed into a loose, purple lace nightgown.
Under the hazy purple lace, Bibi Dong’s skin was faintly visible. Perhaps this Empress had been too tired from handling a full day of political affairs, because at this moment, her eyes revealed a trace of laziness and allure.
In her languor, she hadn’t even properly changed her clothes. One of the straps had slipped from her shoulder, revealing her fair shoulder and delicate collarbone, utterly tempting.
She gave a faint smile. "Do you want me to come and get you personally?" As she spoke, Bibi Dong gently patted the empty space beside her.
Lin Feng slowly walked to the bed. As he sat down, he smoothly grasped both of Bibi Dong’s arms and placed them above her head, preventing her from moving.
With her hands held high, Bibi Dong’s eyes were now brimming with spring water, her gaze flowing.
"Put on today’s dragon robe," Lin Feng said.
"Put on today’s dragon robe?" Bibi Dong was slightly taken aback, then a playful smile appeared on her face. "The dragon robe represents the imperial power and majesty of the Spirit Empire. Are you sure you want me to wear it at a time like this?"
Lin Feng nodded and released his hold on her.
She gently draped the dragon robe over her body, her slender fingers nimbly tying the sash. As the dragon robe was put on, Bibi Dong’s temperament instantly changed. She was no longer the lazy and charming empress from before, but a majestic, solemn, and high-and-mighty emperor.
"How is it?" Bibi Dong twirled around, showing off the dragon robe. "Doesn’t it feel great?"
As she spoke, she made some simple adjustments to her attire, ensuring that every inch of fabric fitted her body perfectly, outlining her breathtaking figure. Bibi Dong gently fiddled with the hem of her robe, or tilted her head slightly, her hand gently stroking her hair.
Her bewitching eyes looked at Lin Feng. She slowly approached him, her red lips close to his ear, her breath like an orchid.
"I, the Emperor, will personally take the field today."
Lin Feng gently caressed Bibi Dong’s face, feeling the delicacy and warmth of her skin.
Bibi Dong’s body trembled slightly, a dazed look in her eyes.
She gave a push, making Lin Feng lie flat.
She took the initiative to untie the sash of the dragon robe, letting the magnificent garment slide down slowly, revealing her skin as white as jade.
The jade belt at her waist, however, outlined her graceful figure even more perfectly. Her waist was so slender it could be spanned with one hand, as if it could break at any moment.
Bibi Dong propped her hands on Lin Feng’s chest and smiled. "It’s time to get down to business."
After speaking, she took the initiative to lean in and kiss Lin Feng deeply.
The next day, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, spilling into the bedchamber of the Spirit Holy Temple. The air still seemed to carry the lingering warmth and faint fragrance of the previous night, but the two on the bed had already risen.
Bibi Dong sat before the mirror, carefully arranging her appearance. She had changed into another dragon robe. Last night’s robe was long gone; perhaps some tattered scraps on the floor could prove its existence from the night before.
"Xue’er wants to go with you, don’t forget."
"Mmm," Lin Feng acknowledged. "Then I’ll be going first."
Leaving the room, Lin Feng had not walked far before he ran into the two women who were waiting for him.
Qian Renxue and Bo Saixi stood side by side, both with their arms crossed, staring at Lin Feng.
Lin Feng looked at Qian Renxue and Bo Saixi before him. Both had half-smiles on their faces, clearly waiting for him to give an explanation. He coughed lightly, breaking the silence. "So early?"
Qian Renxue spoke first, her tone carrying a subtle hint of sourness. "We heard that someone went on a ’personal expedition’ with Her Majesty the Empress last night, and is now in a hurry to go out early in the morning, so much so that he can only notice the beauties right in front of him when he’s this close."
Bo Saixi also chimed in, "That’s right. Someone seems to always be so busy. Sister Xue’er, it must be that we are not as charming as Sister Dong’er."
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow. Where did they learn this kind of sentence structure? It’s quite...
Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow, glanced sideways at Bo Saixi, her eyes darting around. In a few quick steps, she was in front of Lin Feng and took his arm. "Bo Saixi, you’re wrong about that."
Bo Saixi was taken aback, then glared at Qian Renxue resentfully, as if she hadn’t expected her to "betray" her so directly. We agreed to confront him together. I shouldn’t have trusted her.
Seeing this, Lin Feng smiled faintly, took Bo Saixi’s hand, and the three of them turned into a streak of light, flying in the direction of the City of Slaughter.
Several hours later, the three arrived at the entrance of the City of Slaughter, which was shrouded in a thick black fog.
Lin Feng looked at the gloomy and terrifying entrance ahead, his brows furrowed slightly. "The aura here is much thicker than the last time I came. Strange, the aura of slaughter seems more violent, as if some unknown change is brewing."
Qian Renxue’s brows furrowed slightly. The aura from the City of Slaughter made her, with her angelic bloodline, feel a bit of discomfort. This power seemed to be secretly spying, trying to challenge her sacredness.
"If Xiao Feng hadn’t said that this was a prison for fallen soul masters, serving to balance the power of the continent’s soul masters and restrain the fallen ones, I would have really wanted to burn this place to the ground," Qian Renxue’s voice carried a hint of coldness. She felt a genuine disgust for the evil aura of the City of Slaughter.
They leaped down.
Lin Feng, Qian Renxue, and Bo Saixi stepped into the range of the City of Slaughter. The surrounding black fog, as if it were a tangible substance, tried to entangle their steps but was dispersed by the powerful aura emanating from the three of them.
Lin Feng walked at the very front, his gaze as sharp as a knife, scanning the surroundings, trying to find the source of this violent killing aura. "The change here is definitely not normal. We must act with caution."
Unlike the last time he came, the killing aura pervading the air was not only thicker but also carried an indescribable restlessness and unease, as well as resentment.
"Such a thick smell of blood," Bo Saixi frowned.
"Aren’t we still outside the city?" Qian Renxue looked at the city walls in the distance and said, "Logically speaking, although the City of Slaughter is evil, its sphere of influence should be limited to the inside of the city. But now this aura has spread outside the city, which is truly abnormal."
"The gatekeeper is gone, and the city gate is closed?" Lin Feng frowned.
The yin and yang qi had already quickly covered the three of them, isolating them from the surrounding killing aura, forming an invisible shield while also masking all of their own auras.
Instead of choosing to break through the gate, Lin Feng, who was not bound by the rules of the City of Slaughter, directly teleported into the city.
The outer city, a place that should have been under the jurisdiction of the City of Slaughter’s enforcement team, with little killing and a residential population, was now plunged into a strange silence. On both sides of the street, the shops and taverns that should have been bustling with activity were now all tightly shut, as if the entire city’s population had vanished overnight.
The entire outer city was shrouded in a bloody color. Blood stained the streets, and the air was filled with a nauseating smell of blood. Some dismembered limbs were scattered everywhere.
The three of them frowned at the same time. The scene before them was too tragic. Even for them, who were accustomed to life and death, it was a bit unsettling.
"What... what on earth happened here?" Qian Renxue frowned.
Bo Saixi looked around. "This level of bloodiness is hard to compare even to the cruelest battlefields in the ocean. An unknown change has occurred inside the City of Slaughter."
"It seems we have to go to the inner city and find the King of Slaughter directly."