Time passed, and three months had gone by since "Xue Qinghe" ascended the throne.
During these three months, significant changes had taken place across the entire Heaven Dou Empire.
Not only did the world know that Xue Ye had passed the throne to "Xue Qinghe," but they also learned of a co-ruling king: the Geo Archon, Zhongli.
The concerns of the ministers, high officials, and the Xue family did not materialize. Zhongli remained as he always had been, showing no signs of change.
Meanwhile, the second and even third flames of "Xue Qinghe's" reign began to ignite within the empire.
"What? Release these slaves?"
As if he had heard something unbelievable, the middle-aged man was utterly stunned.
After all, he was the head of the Great Auction House inHeaven Dou City. There weren't many things that could leave him dumbfounded.
"His Majesty has declared that past actions will not be punished, but from now on, such practices are forbidden."
"Those who have no skills other than seducing men... their fate is up to them to decide. As for those who have just been captured or purchased, they are to be released immediately."
Hearing this, the auction house manager's face turned pale, then flushed red.
The auction house's immense profits were largely tied to these practices.
But now, they were being ordered to release the slaves. How could the auction house continue to make money?
After all, even the cheapest slaves in the auction house cost at least 100,000 gold spirit coins.
These women might not be the most stunning, but they were all at least 80% attractive. Otherwise, who would spend 100,000 gold spirit coins to buy them?
This was the auction house's main source of income. If this were cut off...
"Is this His Majesty's will, or is it that person's...?"
"What, are you planning to defy the imperial decree?"
"No, I wouldn't dare."
Defy the decree?
This was, after all, a royal enterprise. If they were told to stop, they would stop. It didn't matter to him. He just couldn't understand why, after thousands of years of this practice, it was being abruptly ended.
The Heaven Dou Empire publicly prohibited the slave trade, but that was only on the surface.
The Great Auction House of Heaven Dou was located right inHeaven Dou City.
"Release them!"
After a moment of thought, the manager made his decision.
Defying the decree was out of the question. If this was the will of that person, he wouldn't even know how he died.
Besides, the losses would be borne by theHeaven Dou royal family, not him. From now on, they would just auction normal goods.
The newly arrived slaves were all released from the auction house. As for the women who had been raised by the auction house since childhood, they were left in a state of confusion.
They knew nothing other than how to seduce men. Leaving the auction house would likely lead to a fate no better than staying.
They had no thoughts of their own, their eyes empty and lifeless.
Just as Ning Fengzhi had once said, they had long become human puppets, devoid of any sense of self. They were beyond saving.
"Would you be willing to stay at the auction house as regular attendants?"
"Regular attendants?"
A group of women dressed in tattered clothing looked puzzled. What was a regular attendant?
They had never been exposed to such a concept, so they didn't understand.
"The road ahead is long and arduous."
Beyond the auction house in Heaven Dou City, the entire Douluo Continent began to crack down on the slave trade.
At first, many opposed it, as it threatened the interests of numerous nobles. However, those voices of dissent gradually faded away amidst the crackdown.
Such decisive and ruthless actions made some nobles cautious, leading them to comply with the new orders.
Yet, there were always a few nobles who remained restless.
"Has Xue Qinghe, who just ascended the throne, decided to wipe us out?"
"This has always been the privilege of the nobility, a tradition passed down since ancient times. How dare he change the laws of our ancestors as soon as he takes power?"
"We must unite..."
Before the man could finish his sentence, a figure clad in golden armor silently appeared in their midst.
"You... you're from the Spirit Hall?"
"No, you're a Spirit Hall elder!"
Only Spirit Hall elders dressed so extravagantly.
The sudden appearance of a Spirit Hall elder, was he here to recruit them?
Should they refuse or accept?
What a dilemma!
In the next moment, they no longer had to ponder, as the elder showed no intention of recruiting them.
What awaited them was the fifth spirit skill of a Title Douluo!
"You... you're here to kill us!"
"Why... why?"
Before dying, everyone wore expressions of disbelief. Instead of taking advantage of Xue Qinghe's controversial actions to recruit them, the Spirit Hall was actually helping Xue Qinghe eliminate them!
This was utterly inconceivable!
The golden-armored figure said nothing. He knew that villains often died because they talked too much. Without a word, he unleashed his spirit skill.
For these nobles, the fifth spirit skill of a Title Douluo was an overwhelmingly terrifying force.
None could withstand a single blow. All the nobles gathered there were slaughtered.
"Hmph, opposing the young master—you brought this upon yourselves!"
"If I can't handle those Hilichurls, do you think I can't kill you?"
The attacker was none other than Title Douluo Ci Xue. With a cold snort, he glanced at the corpses and vanished.
During this time, not only Ci Xue but also She Long and other Spirit Hall elders were carrying out missions.
The task was simple: eliminate all opposition within the Heaven Dou Empire!
As long as these nobles hadn't raised armies, suppressing them was a trivial matter for Title Douluo.
Even if they did raise armies, the imperial forces could still crush them.
The operations were carried out in complete secrecy, with no leaks so far.
After Ci Xue left, another figure appeared in the hall.
He looked refined and scholarly, not at all like a villain.
"Xue Qinghe has a problem!"
"But what does that have to do with us, the Abyss Order?"
"Everything she's doing is for those people..."
The Abyss Order had never been the villains; they simply had different goals and interests.
After some thought, Abyssal Herald Returned to Aether's side and reported the matter.
Hearing this, Aether fell into deep thought.
"This world is indeed corrupt. Abyssal Herald, you may also take action to assist this new emperor."
Aether had been in the Douluo Continent for some time now. After investigating the entire continent, he realized:
The combat power of this world wasn't particularly impressive...
The Abyss Order, without even deploying its full strength, could easily conquer the entire Douluo Continent.
Of course, the world appeared peaceful, at least on the surface.
"Understood, Prince Aether."
Abyssal Herald didn't overthink it and agreed immediately. He felt the same way.
After all, there were too many opponents. The Spirit Hall's "Title Douluos" alone couldn't handle everything.
With the Abyss Order's assistance, things would proceed more efficiently.
Gradually, the Spirit Hall members began to notice something unusual.
It seemed another force was helping "Xue Qinghe" clear obstacles.
Could it be the Body Sect making a move?