The Heaven Dou royal family was well aware of their military shortcomings.
Thus, they adopted a governance model of sharing power with various factions.
By deeply intertwining imperial authority with Soul Master factions, they jointly maintained their rule.
This approach allowed the Heaven Dou Empire to continue strengthening its national power and uniting its people.
Qian Renxue understood this perfectly and had no intention of changing it. She regarded these Soul Master families and sects as part of her own sphere of influence.
Beneath the twenty-meter-tall swan statue were three tiers of steps, upon which stood a large ceremonial cauldron.
Qian Renxue stood before the cauldron, with powerful figures from various Soul Master factions—Ning Fengzhi, Dugu Shuo, Feng Bailong, Ge Long, Ye Qingxin, Titan, and Meng Shenji—standing behind her.
Together, they performed the ceremonial worship!
This signified that under the witness of their ancestors, the new generation emperor would continue to share the empire with all factions, sharing both prosperity and adversity.
Behind Ning Fengzhi and the others stood numerous Soul Masters, all core members of their respective factions, including Dugu Feng.
He followed the movements of Qian Renxue and the others, performing the ceremonial worship in unison.
After the collective worship, Qian Renxue's position as Heaven Dou Emperor was formally recognized by all factions.
Qian Renxue revealed an expression of excitement.
She turned and declared, "Thank you all for your support of the Heaven Dou Empire. Please accompany me to the palace walls to review the imperial troops!"
After speaking, Qian Renxue strode majestically toward the palace battlements.
The Heaven Dou palace was vast, with the palace complex equivalent to the entire inner city of Heaven Dou City, occupying one-fifth of its total area.
It was located in the northernmost part of Heaven Dou City.
Their destination was the southern gate of the palace complex.
Ascending step by step along the staircase, they reached the pavilion-like gate tower, from which they could overlook the entire Heaven Dou City.
This was the highest point in Heaven Dou City.
Standing at the edge of the battlements, Dugu Feng could clearly see the distant soldiers arrayed in perfect formation.
At the forefront were the opulently dressed Royal Knights, clad in Swan Uniforms representing the Heaven Dou royal family, wielding longswords and adorned with goose-feather plumes—the very definition of splendor.
Following them were the Heavy Armor Cavalry, both riders and horses entirely encased in heavy armor. Only their eyes remained exposed, emanating an aura of formidable chill.
Behind them came the Light Cavalry Regiment, equipped with quivers at their waists, Long Halberds in hand, and crossbows on their backs, followed by the Heavy Armored Infantry composed entirely of burly, towering soldiers.
After these three specialized units stretched the vast infantry forces.
Each ten-thousand-soldier unit formed a square formation, arranged with impeccable precision.
The lines of soldiers extended for several miles, awaiting the commencement of the military review.
"All troops are prepared for inspection, Your Majesty!"
Below the walls, Ge Long shouted from atop his towering steed.
Ge Long served as the overall commander of this military review.
With his growing strength and Ge Long's support, he had gradually entered the empire's upper echelons. This military review represented his opportunity to rise.
"Begin!"
At Qian Renxue's command, majestic drumbeats and music suddenly erupted.
Ge Long cracked his whip, turning his horse toward the left side of the palace gate.
"Commence the review!"
"Commence the review!"
"Commence the review!"
Starting from Ge Long, the relayed commands formed a continuous chain.
Ten thousand horses neared in unison!
Dugu Feng finally witnessed what it meant by "ten thousand horses neighing in unison."
"First to approach us is the ten-thousand-strong Royal Knights formation. They are the symbol of the royal family, the pride of the nobility, and every knight is a guardian deity of the empire."
To Dugu Feng's astonishment, a commentator's voice emerged around them. The volume was moderate, audible only on their viewing platform, unable to drown out the drums and military parade below. Yet it was sufficient to provide these spectators with a clearer understanding of the Heaven Dou Empire's military forces.
Dugu Feng thought to himself, Qian Renxue, you're really putting on quite a show!
The Royal Knights were essentially the royal family's honor guard. While they possessed strength, they lacked actual combat experience. Nevertheless, their imposing presence was undeniable.
Soon they marched in perfect formation to the palace gates.
"Swish, swish..."
Amid the synchronized ringing of swords, all knights raised their blades, saluting the palace walls with a fixed gaze.
Qian Renxue waved to the troops below, "Well done, soldiers!"
"Guard the empire, protect Your Majesty!" The Royal Knights erupted in a thunderous response that made the entire city wall tremble three times.
There were at least a hundred Soul Masters among these knights. Under their leadership, the momentum was truly awe-inspiring.
Soon the knights passed by, followed by light cavalry, heavy cavalry, and heavy armored infantry.
These constituted the core strength of the Heaven Dou Empire.
It could be said that only the financially powerful Heaven Dou and Star Luo could maintain such military forces.
"Your Excellency Bishop, what do you think of Heaven Dou's troops?"
Standing directly above the palace gates, Qian Renxue asked Salas beside her with a gentle expression.
Salas was deeply conflicted.
As Bibi Dong's trusted subordinate tasked with monitoring the Heaven Dou Empire, he naturally knew that Xue Qinghe was actually Qian Renxue - the Pope's daughter.
Now that the Pope's daughter had successfully seized the throne, he should normally be thrilled.
But knowing the inside story, he dared not be careless in the slightest.
The discord between the Pope and her daughter was common knowledge among higher-ups.
Moreover, as Qian Renxue's achievements grew, she gained supporters in both the Hall of Worship and Elders Hall within Spirit Hall.
This made Salas inwardly uneasy.
Had he been in Spirit City, he would have remained loyal to Bibi Dong.
But here in Heaven Dou City, under Qian Renxue's watchful eye, if he truly displeased her and got killed, his death would be in vain.
Salas forced an awkward smile, his face turning ashen - the act must go on.
The open and covert struggles between Spirit Hall and Heaven Dou were common knowledge, so he needed to maintain an appearance of displeasure.
"Your Majesty employs impressive tactics!" Salas said coldly.
Secretly, however, he transmitted: "Your Majesty's actions will surely win over the hearts of the Heaven Dou Empire, securing complete control of power!"
Salas had decided not to offend Qian Renxue.
Hearing Salas's words, Qian Renxue smiled happily.
Did you think this was over? Far from it!
Below, the killing intent emanating from the three special forces made all Soul Masters shudder.
Even a Soul Douluo charging into such war machines would inevitably face a deadly battle.
These troops had seen blood, forged into elite forces through actual combat - the scent of slaughter permeated the air.
Even seasoned veterans like Ning Fengzhi felt the pressure.
After the special forces passed, the infantry formations offered little to watch beyond their orderly and imposing appearance.
But Dugu Feng knew the real highlight would come after the infantry formations.
That was the Soul Master formations.
And it was a full ten-thousand-strong Soul Master formation!
One must remember that during Xue Ye the Great's era, the Royal Soul Master Legion only numbered four thousand. How had Qian Renxue managed to assemble ten thousand?
(End of Chapter)