Another Titled Douluo?

Yue Guan and Gui Mei followed Qian Xunji to the Pope's Hall.

No one spoke along the way. Yue Guan and Gui Mei didn't dare, while Qian Xunji was thinking about why Spirit Hall had done something so brain-dead.

If Dong'er had lost her mind under the influence of that punk Yu Xiaogang, and the outrageous thing that Secret Chamber Douluo had done had left her indifferent to Spirit Hall,

Then why had he, the legitimate Pope, never thought to grant Soul Bones to these devoted elders either?

Was it that mysterious, unfathomable fate again?

Qian Xunji looked at the two men. "All these years, Spirit Hall has never granted you Soul Bones. Do either of you have any grievances?"

Yue Guan and Gui Mei exchanged a glance.

They hadn't thought much of it before. After all, their strength as Titled Douluo was also the result of Spirit Hall's nurturing. But after hearing what Lu Jin had said today, they did feel a little uncomfortable.

Before either of them could answer, Qian Xunji had already seen the signs on their faces. "I failed to give this due consideration in the past. You two, go and summon all the elders of Spirit Hall."

Before long, Yue Guan and Gui Mei brought five Titled Douluo into the Pope's Hall.

Snake Lance Douluo and the others were fine. Aside from wondering why they had suddenly been summoned, they gave it no further thought.

Only Ling Yuan's heart was tossing up and down.

Could the Pope have found out I let the Holy Maiden read forbidden books?

He summoned all the elders at once. Is he going to put me on trial?

She kept her head down and refused to utter a sound, looking quite prepared to face death without flinching.

Qian Xunji looked around, his gaze lingering on Ling Yuan for a few extra moments without him meaning to.

After all, she was the wife his father had selected for him, though his father had yet to reveal that idea to him.

There had been a chance to ask her last time, but his good student Bibi Dong had made him so angry he couldn't think straight, and one thing had led to another until he forgot to ask Ling Yuan Douluo what she thought.

Never mind. I'll ask after I've handed out the Soul Bones.

Qian Xunji looked at the elders. "All these years, you have served Spirit Hall with all your hearts. Thank you for your efforts."

Yue Guan and Gui Mei hurriedly said, "We do it all for Spirit Hall and for Your Holiness!"

Ling Yuan was wondering which godforsaken place she would be banished to and didn't hear a word Qian Xunji was saying.

Qian Xunji glanced at the two men who had spoken up. "I summoned you all today because I suddenly realized something. Serving Spirit Hall is your duty, but all these years, Spirit Hall has done nothing to reward your loyalty. I have been negligent."

Snake Lance and Pufferfish were somewhat puzzled. They glanced questioningly at Yue Guan and Gui Mei, and only relaxed when the two smiled at them.

Snake Lance cupped his fists. "Spirit Hall nurtured us. It is only our duty to lay down our lives and spill our blood for Spirit Hall!"

The other elders voiced their agreement.

That made Qian Xunji feel even worse.

Such loyal subordinates, and after all these years, not one of them had a decent Soul Bone. How could Spirit Hall not fall?

He nodded. "Elders, I will remember your loyalty. Is there anything you desire?"

"Well..." Apart from Ling Yuan, the elders all looked at one another.

Snake Lance Douluo said in a ringing voice, "Your Holiness, Spirit Hall has already shown us more than enough kindness by helping us become Titled Douluo. We have nothing we desire!"

"Oh? What if I said you could go to the treasury and each choose a compatible Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone?"

"Soul... Soul Bones?" Porcupinefish Douluo could no longer keep his composure. He hurriedly stepped in front of Snake Lance Douluo. "Your Holiness, Snake Lance got his head caught in a door today. Don't listen to his nonsense."

Qian Xunji laughed inwardly, but his expression remained stern. "Remember this, though: Spirit Hall can give you Soul Bones, and naturally it can strip them away. I needn't tell you what happens when a Soul Bone is stripped from a Soul Master. If I discover anyone betraying Spirit Hall while pretending to serve it, they will be severely punished without mercy!"

"Yue Guan, Gui Mei, take the elders to the treasury. Make an accurate record of every Soul Bone taken. Ling Yuan, you stay behind for now."

"Thank you for your generous gifts, Your Holiness!"

The world of Soul Masters was cruel, and the tasks these Titled Douluo carried out were far from safe. An extra Soul Bone could give them another way out when they needed it.

What Ling Yuan heard was quite different: "xxxx severely punished without mercy, Ling Yuan stays behind!"

Sure enough, is he going to hold me accountable for the forbidden books?

She kept her head lowered in silence, waiting for Qian Xunji to announce her punishment.

Qian Xunji simply took her behavior as respect for the Pope and went on, "Ling Yuan, what do you think of me?"

Ling Yuan lowered her head even further. "Your Holiness is naturally a wise and mighty Pope!"

"I see." Qian Xunji walked toward her.

His footsteps echoed through the Pope's Hall, and Ling Yuan's heart thumped wildly.

Then she heard Qian Xunji say, "In that case, if I wanted to marry you, would you be willing?"

"Whatever the punishment, I'm willing... Huh?" Ling Yuan raised her head in bewilderment, only to see Qian Xunji smiling.

Qian Xunji nodded. "I'm glad you're willing. I'll hold an engagement banquet during the Soul Master Tournament in a little while. You won't need to accept any missions outside for the time being. Go on, go to the treasury and take a compatible Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone."

Ling Yuan Douluo left the Pope's Hall in a daze. Only when she reached Spirit Hall's treasury did she come to her senses. "Wait... just now... did His Holiness the Pope propose to me? Did I just marry myself off like that?"

"This... this is even more exciting than the forbidden books..."

The elders each received a Soul Bone they were satisfied with.

Ghost Leopard Douluo exclaimed, "His Holiness is so generous! He really did give us Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones!"

Demon Bear Douluo placed a hand over his chest. "Nothing more to say. Loyalty!"

Everyone was smiling, but Ling Yuan looked at the Soul Bones as though it pained her to part with them.

If a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone were auctioned, it would fetch at least two million Gold Soul Coins. His Holiness is far too extravagant!

Yue Guan noticed her expression and asked in confusion, "Why aren't you happy, Ling Yuan Douluo?"

"I am. I'm very happy!" Ling Yuan smiled awkwardly.

Yue Guan was only half convinced. "Is that so? Did His Holiness keep you behind to give you some other instructions?"

"N-no, nothing..." Ling Yuan hastily shook her head. "Senior Yue Guan, the chick I'm raising has laid an egg. I need to go back and watch it. Goodbye!"

Gui Mei asked in confusion, "Since when did Ling Yuan Douluo have a hobby of raising chicks?"

Yue Guan shrugged. "Don't try to guess what's on a woman's mind."

Qian Daoliu wandered around Spirit City.

Looking at the thriving streets of Spirit City, he finally understood the meaning of Spirit Hall's existence.

What he was meant to protect was the Angel Godhood, but even more so, the Angel God's just order.

"Senior's words woke me from a dream!" Qian Daoliu's eyes shone with admiration. "Wait, why is it that whenever I have a quiet moment, I want to go listen to Senior speak?"

Qian Daoliu patted his head. The feeling frightened him.

After all, the only one who had ever made him feel this way before was the Angel God.

Just as he was wondering where this feeling came from, he caught sight of several furtive figures out of the corner of his eye.

As a Limit Douluo, he saw through their strength at a glance.

"People from the Clear Sky Sect? And the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?" Qian Daoliu frowned. "What are they doing in Spirit City? It isn't time for the Soul Master Tournament yet, is it?"

He followed them in secret until they met up at a restaurant.

"Everyone, our Clear Sky Sect has confirmed it. Spirit Hall really has gained another Titled Douluo, one whose title is Secret Chamber!"

"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has confirmed it as well. Spirit Hall does indeed have another Secret Chamber Douluo."

"Secret Chamber Douluo? Why does that sound so strange?"

At that moment, someone from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan ran in. "Sir, bad news! Young Master Xiaogang has run off! He said he was going to find the woman destined for him!"

"That piece of trash!" the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's steward cursed. "Which way did he go?"

"Sp... Spirit Hall..."

The Upper Three Sects have all gathered just to investigate Secret Chamber Douluo?

Is there something wrong with their heads?

Qian Daoliu narrowed his eyes. "That Young Master Xiaogang is Yu Xiaogang, isn't he? What did he run off to Spirit Hall for? Since that brat is courting death, he can't blame this old man for showing no mercy!"

Yu Xiaogang was indeed running toward Spirit Hall, and he knew it was dangerous.

But a voice kept speaking in his head: the love of his life, the girl who could help him soar straight to the clouds, Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden, was drifting away from him.

"As long as I see her, she'll fall in love with me the moment she sees me!" A fanatical gleam flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes.

The predictions made by the voice in his head had never been wrong. This time, he would surely rid himself of the name of trash!