Qian Daoliu asked in confusion, "You know that little girl?"
Qian Xunji replied, "No, I just found it surprising. A twin martial spirit with innate full soul power—such a genius hasn't appeared in the soul master world for a thousand years."
---
The next day, exactly at 9 a.m., sunlight bathed the entire city of Spirit Hall.
In front of the Pope's Hall, Qian Daoliu stood at the entrance, holding the Pope's scepter. Several Title Douluo elders stood neatly on the steps of the Pope's Hall, while below them were the Platinum Bishops and the Red-robed Cardinals.
At the foot of the mountain, countless Spirit Hall soul masters gathered. Every face was filled with fervent excitement.
Clad in golden ceremonial armor and a flowing red cape, Qian Xunji ascended the steps slowly, approaching the entrance of the Pope's Hall. Though thousands of eyes were fixed on him, his expression remained composed and confident—he showed no trace of hesitation or stage fright.
Under Qian Daoliu's calm gaze, Qian Xunji stepped onto the final stair, stopping in front of him.
"Bang!"
Qian Daoliu gently tapped the ground with the Pope's scepter, producing a clear, crisp sound. Invisible angelic soul power silently spread from his body, instantly making the entire plaza feel more sacred and solemn. The expressions of the Title Douluo elders, the Platinum Bishops, and the Red-robed Cardinals became visibly more reverent.
Qian Daoliu spoke, his tone deeper and more authoritative than usual:
"Qian Xunji, are you ready to succeed the position of Pope?"
Qian Xunji answered solemnly, "I am ready."
"The title of Pope is more than just a name. It represents a sacred identity and a solemn duty—to lead Spirit Hall, to lead all soul masters on the continent, and to maintain order in the soul master world. Are you mentally prepared to bear this burden?"
Qian Xunji declared, "I, Qian Xunji, shall dedicate my entire life to Spirit Hall—to lead the continent's soul masters and preserve order in the soul master world."
"Very good. Take the scepter. From this moment on, you are the new Pope of Spirit Hall!"
Qian Daoliu raised both hands, holding out the Pope's scepter. Qian Xunji knelt on one knee and reached forward with both hands. The scepter was handed to him.
After passing the scepter, Qian Daoliu stepped aside. Qian Xunji, now holding the Pope's scepter, stood tall before the assembled masses.
"Long live His Holiness the Pope! Long live His Holiness the Pope! Long live His Holiness the Pope!"
Led by a single voice, the shout rose into a tidal wave of sound that echoed throughout Spirit City:
"Long live! Long live! Long live!"
The roar traveled up the mountain and back down again, shaking the heavens and the earth, resonating throughout the entire city without fading.
Everyone in Spirit Hall, from high-ranking officials to ordinary soul masters, stopped what they were doing, raised their hands, and shouted in unison:
"Long live His Holiness the Pope!"
Hearing this thunderous wave of cheers, Qian Xunji, standing before the Pope's Hall, couldn't help but be swept up in the moment. For a brief instant, he felt as if he stood above all others, as though a single step could shake the very continent.
But the euphoria lasted only a second. Qian Xunji quickly regained his composure.
This continent respects strength above all. Power is everything. Without strength to back it, no one will obey you, no matter what title you hold.
He murmured to himself, "It's time to get in touch with Ning Zhiping."
Ning Zhiping was the current Patriarch of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Ning Fengzhi, his son, was still just a young man in his early twenties, focused on training. At this time, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was ranked third among the Upper Three Sects. They had only one Title Douluo in service, and he was already nearing the end of his lifespan. Compared to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, they stood no chance.
What the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect needed most was the support of a Title Douluo and the cultivation of talents who could break through to that level.
As for Bibi Dong, Qian Xunji had pondered long and hard the night before and had finally decided to send her away.
Humans are complex beings, often driven by admiration for strength. Men are drawn to beauty and physical appeal—and so are women. Bibi Dong's talent and appearance were far too extraordinary. In Spirit Hall, she was bound to become the future Holy Maiden, especially since Qian Daoliu had instructed Qian Xunji to take her as a disciple. Her status would be second to none.
With that kind of standing, everyone in Spirit Hall—from the elders to the youngest soul masters—would likely be exceedingly kind and deferential to her. Just like in the original story, Bibi Dong would look down on all the young talents of Spirit Hall.
But that wasn't what troubled Qian Xunji.
What truly left him helpless was Bibi Dong's hopelessly romantic mindset. Simply put: to her, love was everything. In the face of love, ancestors, parents, siblings, relatives, responsibilities, gratitude—none of it mattered. Everything could be cast aside.
Before her death, Bibi Dong herself admitted that Qian Xunji had taught her everything she knew. Her theoretical knowledge and worldly experience were without fault. Yet she still fell helplessly for Yu Xiaogang's empty theories. Qian Xunji had been powerless to stop it, even in death. And then came Tang San, Yu Xiaogang's disciple, whose entire journey served to debunk his teacher's theories—and still, it had no effect on Bibi Dong's obsession.
Even if Qian Xunji destroyed Yu Xiaogang's theories in her mind, someone else like Wang Xiaogang or Liu Xiaogang would come along with music, literature, or other tricks to ensnare her again.
So let her go.
Qian Xunji didn't want to waste so much effort and Spirit Hall's resources on a girl like Bibi Dong. At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she would no longer receive the same high-quality cultivation resources.
Take the ninth soul ring for example—could the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect ever obtain a 100,000-year ring for her? Just look at Chen Xin. When he broke through to Title Douluo, his father was still alive at level 97.
And those seven top-tier soul bones Bibi Dong possessed—three of them came from Spirit Hall. Even with all their wealth, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect couldn't buy those kinds of soul bones.
---
The Worship Hall
Now retired, Qian Daoliu had taken off his heavy armor and changed into a long robe made of platinum silk. He walked into the Worship Hall, ready to enjoy his retirement and serve as the Grand Worshipper of the Angel God, guiding others through their divine tests.
Inside the hall, there was one other man.
He looked extremely old, stood over two meters tall, but his life force was incredibly robust. He was the most senior figure in Spirit Hall—Golden Crocodile Douluo.
Back when Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen were rising to fame on the continent, he was already an elder in Spirit Hall and the right-hand man of that generation's Pope. Even Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu, in their youth, had received guidance from him. When Tang Chen visited Spirit Hall, he still addressed him as "senior."
"Greetings, Grand Worshipper," Golden Crocodile Douluo said respectfully.
Qian Daoliu nodded slightly, emotion flickering in his eyes. Time passed so quickly—he had once been a young heir, and Golden Crocodile had been the elder. When he became Pope, Golden Crocodile still bowed to him. Now, they stood as Grand and Second Worshippers.
Golden Crocodile Douluo spoke:
"Grand Worshipper, I have a suggestion."
"What is it?" Qian Daoliu asked.
"I propose that within the Worship Hall, we do away with formal titles and address each other as b
rothers. Strength will determine seniority—whoever is stronger is the elder brother."
(End of Chapter)