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..."Not enough time..." Xuan Ming dispelled the Power Of Faith in his hand.
First, he had no interest in the Power Of Faith; he had already reached level 100, so this thing couldn't help him.
Moreover, acquiring enough Power Of Faith isn't an overnight task; it's a process of accumulation. The Sea God and Angel God both accumulated it for over a thousand years, gathering the Power Of Faith from countless people to reach that quantity. He didn't have that much leisure time.
Furthermore, his position wasn't suitable for such a task.
The most suitable person for this right now... Qian Renxue.
As the Angel God's successor, she naturally inherited the faith of the angels.
Creating a faith from scratch and revitalizing an existing one are two different things in terms of difficulty and efficiency.
However, given his current relationship with Qian Renxue, asking her to cooperate with such a matter would be wishful thinking.
If Qian Renxue were to learn about Gu Yuena's identity as the soul beast co-lord, she might go mad and carry out "Spirit Beast extermination" to get revenge on him.
Trouble... "What's wrong?" Gu Yuena walked in.
Xuan Ming looked at Gu Yuena, and a new idea sparked in his mind.
As the soul beast co-lord, Gu Yuena must have a way to gather the faith of the Spirit Beast Clan. She should also be able to make Spirit Beasts contribute their spirit rings before death.
If Gu Yuena were also to become the image spokesperson for the Spirit Empire... Xuan Ming explained his vision—to build a spirit ring circulation system based on the Power Of Faith, and his hope for Gu Yuena to participate as a Spirit Beast representative, even becoming the Spirit Empire's image spokesperson—in detail to Gu Yuena.
However, after listening carefully, Gu Yuena's silver-purple eyes showed a look of solemnity. She slowly shook her head, directly expressing her opposition.
"Xuan Ming, your idea is very... grand, even revolutionary. But this matter itself is not suitable. Or rather, the method you've chosen is problematic."
"First, the Power Of Faith isn't played with like this." Gu Yuena's tone became serious. "The gathering of the Power Of Faith is a manifestation of the Universe's rules; it follows specific Karma. It's not that if you push someone to the forefront and promote them, the Power Of Faith will automatically gather on them. The key lies in what was done, not what was said."
She pointed out the window: "Over the past year, the changes in the Spirit Empire, the introduction of spirit tool technology, the improvement of people's livelihoods, and even the temporary peace at the borders—these tangible changes originated from you. You are leading, you are providing ideas and military support. Therefore, the Power Of Faith generated in the hearts of those who benefit from this and seek stability will naturally converge on you. This is a rule; it cannot be forcibly transferred."
"If you push me out now and claim all this is my credit," Gu Yuena shook her head, "it might deceive some people for a short time, but a lie is a lie after all. Once someone questions it, or the truth is exposed, faith will rapidly collapse, and it might even backfire. Rebuilding trust then would be twice as difficult. It's not worth the effort."
Xuan Ming frowned slightly; he admitted that Gu Yuena made sense. Faith indeed needs a Foundation and cannot be fabricated out of thin air.
"So, who do you think is suitable?" Xuan Ming asked.
Gu Yuena pondered for a moment: "Bo Saixi is definitely not suitable. She is the High Priestess of Sea God Island and has no connection with the people of the continent. Her sudden appearance would only cause fear and suspicion. As for me... my identity as the soul beast co-lord is even more sensitive and absolutely not suitable for public disclosure at this stage."
Her gaze turned towards the Supreme Pontiff Palace: "The most suitable candidate is actually Bibi Dong."
"She is the Empress of the Spirit Empire, the ultimate enforcer and symbol of all policies. The changes the people see, whether it's the strictness of laws or the popularization of spirit tools, will ultimately be attributed to this Empress's diligent governance. Having her as the image spokesperson and core of faith for this 'spirit ring circulation system' is legitimate and most likely to gain the recognition and trust of the common people."
Following Gu Yuena's suggestion, Xuan Ming and she together found Bibi Dong, who was reviewing memorials.
After hearing Xuan Ming's more refined vision and the proposal for her to be the core of faith, Bibi Dong put down the scrolls in her hand, and a hint of confusion flashed in her purple-golden eyes: "Why not you? You are the source and military support for all these reforms. Wouldn't it be more direct for you to bear this faith?"
Xuan Ming's answer was simple and direct: "I don't have that much leisure time."
He helps set the direction, provides crucial technical support, and, when necessary, uses military force to clear obstacles—this is already his limit.
Asking him to handle government affairs day after day, appease the people, and maintain the system's operation like Bibi Dong? He couldn't do it.
He didn't have the patience and wasn't willing to be bound by such trivial matters.
Bibi Dong looked at his matter-of-fact "hands-off manager" demeanor, feeling a bit helpless but also understanding.
Xuan Ming's character was not the type good at management and operation; asking him to do these things was indeed forcing him.
She pondered for a moment, a complex light flashing in her eyes, and slowly said: "If we must choose a spokesperson... I suggest considering Qian Renxue."
At these words, Xuan Ming and Gu Yuena were both slightly startled.
Bibi Dong continued: "This Empire, in terms of government affairs and military, is founded on me, this Empress. In terms of future development direction and core technology, you, Xuan Ming, are in charge. The two of us already occupy the most important positions. We can't... leave nothing for Qian Renxue."
Her voice carried a trace of imperceptible fatigue and a mother's tenderness: "Whether it's a small compensation for her past experiences, or finding something meaningful for her to do in the future, giving her something to rely on... she is the most suitable for this matter."
"She is the Angel God's successor, naturally possessing a high affinity for the Power Of Faith. The Angel God already has a considerable remaining faith Foundation among the populace, especially in the Heaven Dou Empire region. Having her take over this system, which aims for redemption and circulation, is a fitting identity and will be more easily accepted by some people."
"Moreover," Bibi Dong looked at Xuan Ming, her eyes deep, "involving her in such a constructive endeavor, one that concerns the future of the continent, might... help her emerge from the shadows of the past and find a new direction. It's better than letting her remain immersed in hatred and... her obsession with you."
Xuan Ming immediately felt speechless.
After a full circle, the problem returned to its origin.
Bibi Dong's intention was clear: she still hoped Xuan Ming could be the one to pull Qian Renxue, who was teetering on the edge of light and darkness, back, just as he had pulled her from the Rakshasa God's corruption back then.
But these were two completely different things!
Ask him to talk to Qian Renxue? Talk about what? Convince her to let go of her hatred for her father's killer? Convince her not to care about her unfortunate origins and the root of her tragedy?
Tell her "the World is beautiful, you should look forward"?
Such empty comfort, even he found it ridiculous.
He couldn't say it, and he knew it would be useless.
He knew Qian Renxue's deepest desires and emptiness better than anyone.
What she wanted was never some ethereal mission or faith; what she wanted was him, Xuan Ming! A complete him, belonging solely to her!
If he could satisfy this obsession of hers, it might indeed fill the great void in her heart, making her no longer cling to the darkness of the past.
But, was this possible?
Obviously, it was impossible.
This was precisely why he had used such a decisive and cruel method to "break up" with her before—because he couldn't give her the unique thing she wanted.
To go back now and talk about cooperation, to have her bear some faith, would be wishful thinking, and might even stimulate her again, provoking a more intense backlash.