Nursing a Grudge

You won't eat people?

I don't believe you for a second, you old geezer, you're wicked!

Golden Crocodile immediately refuted this in his mind.

These are words that can only be spoken in one's heart.

As for saying it out loud?

Feel sorry.

He, Golden Crocodile, wanted to live a few more years.

The last person to dare speak to Qian Daoliu like that.

That was decades ago.

May that brave warrior who dared to face the bleak reality rest in peace at his grave...

The retainers behind the Golden Crocodile also looked on in disbelief.

They had a deep understanding of this Grand Elder.

But.

What left them somewhat at a loss was...

Qian Daoliu, the Grand Elder of the Worship Hall, is concerned about what Bibi Dong is currently doing.

It seems... there's no aversion.

"Grand Elder, are you really not going to take responsibility for this?"

"If we don't intervene in this matter, and Bibi Dong demanding and asks us to relinquish our power, will we hand it over or not?"

The Golden Crocodile gritted its teeth, deciding it couldn't give up so easily.

After all, this matter is of great importance.

So he gritted his teeth and spoke out firmly, defending the rights of the Worship Hall, which was also defending his own power.

If Bibi Dong really uses force to seize power...

What should be done then?

Should we submit, or... rise up in rebellion?

"When it's going to rain, a mother will remarry."

Qian Daoliu's voice was deep.

His gaze was intense as he looked at the several worshippers present.

"Actually, you all expected this outcome, didn't you?"

"The Pope holds absolute power; this is inevitable."

"Even if you suppress her now, when her strength transforms and far surpasses everyone here, this outcome will still occur."

"It's not as beautiful when it's turned upside down."

"So, what exactly... are you reluctant to part with?"

"The allure of power? Or the position of being above all others?"

Everyone was speechless with emotion.

Faced with Qian Daoliu's question, which wasn't exactly aggressive, they couldn't answer.

Upon witnessing this scene...

Qian Daoliu scoffed.

"Oh..."

"I think you've been in this kind of environment for too long, and you've forgotten the saying 'The winner is king, the loser is an outlaw.'"

The words had barely left his mouth.

Everyone present lowered their heads in thought, and a silence fell over them.

Qian Daoliu remained calm, his voice slow and deliberate, and continued:

"The Spirit Hall grows strong because of us, and conversely, we gain our high status because of the Spirit Hall."

"You are all powerful and hold high positions. Over time, you have become arrogant and conceited. For the sake of that little bit of power you hold, you dare to stand up against Bibi Dong."

"Bibi Dong's actions are intended to enhance the prestige of the Spirit Hall, which is for the development of the Spirit Hall, so why not?"

"Why do you oppose her? If the Spirit Hall declines, will you be able to maintain your current positions?"

"If the Spirit Hall falls apart, which sect do you think would take you in? Even if they did, they would be secretly wary, and you could never truly integrate."

That concludes the discussion.

Qian Daoliu closed his mouth and said no more.

He has made it clear what he needed to say and what attitude he needed to express.

If the retainers still wouldn't let it go...

Perhaps we'll have to resort to some means...

"Grand Elder, I was short-sighted. I shouldn't have come here."

One of the worshippers immediately expressed his apology.

Qian Daoliu's words have already made his stance clear.

So...

Even if he had any complaints, he couldn't say them to Qian Daoliu's face. If he did, it would be tantamount to slapping Qian Daoliu in the face.

Who knows what will happen then?

Since Qian Daoliu didn't care, he naturally didn't care either.

If the power of the Worship Hall is reduced in the future, that's not something they should be worried about.

"Grand Elder, we were too shallow."

"That's right. The Grand Elder takes it upon himself to make the Spirit Hall strong, and we shouldn't question your decision."

The other elders who were enshrined also expressed their opinions.

On site.

Only the second person in charge of the Worship Hall, Worshipper Golden Crocodile, has not yet expressed his opinion.

Qian Daoliu's calm and composed gaze naturally fell upon him.

Giving up like this? I'm so unwilling!

Golden Crocodile was indignant.

He wanted to argue further.

Just then, an invisible pressure, like a prehistoric beast, spread throughout the hall, quickly enveloping everyone.

Despite this oppressive aura surrounding the main hall.

It wasn't directed at the other offerings; it just made their hair stand on end, nothing more.

And at this moment.

The Golden Crocodile standing at the very front began to tremble slightly.

The oppressive force felt like a mountain pressing down on his shoulders, making it hard for him to breathe.

A chill ran down my spine.

That's right.

This oppressive aura was specifically released towards the Golden Crocodile.

Of everyone present, he was the only one who had not yet expressed his opinion.

Elder Golden Crocodile, what will you choose?

Qian Daoliu's calm voice rang out.

But to the Golden Crocodile, this voice carried a very strong sense of threat.

However, he was somewhat unwilling to simply let Bibi Dong act in this way.

Creak creak...

The overwhelming pressure was almost unbearable for his Mount Tai frame.

After hesitating for a long time.

In the end, he had no choice but to compromise.

"Grand Elder, I was short-sighted. I will no longer concern myself with this matter."

After he said that.

The overwhelming pressure, like the towering Mount Tai, receded as quickly as the tide.

Whew...

The pressure dissipated, and breathing became smooth in an instant.

The Golden Crocodile exhaled heavily, a relaxed expression on its face.

Even their slightly bowed heads and slightly hunched backs straightened up.

"Since there's nothing else, you may all leave."

Qian Daoliu said something indifferently, then turned his back again and continued to sit cross-legged in meditation and cultivation.

Once your Soul Power reaches level 90 or higher, it becomes extremely difficult to improve further.

This is also why these elders who are dedicated to the temple no longer engage in frantic spiritual practice.

Since it was so difficult to increase their Soul Power Level, their attention naturally turned to other aspects.

Holding power over the Spirit Hall is one aspect of this.

"Grand Elder, I take my leave."

The worshippers all bowed and then turned to leave.

The Golden Crocodile was quite helpless. He could only snort coldly in his heart before leaving dejectedly.

He knew it from the oppressive aura he just witnessed.

I am far inferior to Qian Daoliu.

Although both are Titled Douluo, Qian Daoliu's strength is clearly much greater.

The two are not even in the same league.

We left the Worship Hall.

Several worshippers surrounded the Golden Crocodile again, their words full of apology.

However, Golden Crocodile didn't want to pay attention to these fence-sitters.

He immediately snorted coldly and quickened his pace to leave.

These people were quite adept at shifting blame, directly placing all the responsibility on him.

As the second honored elder, Golden Crocodile was, after all, somewhat temperamental.

Although they left the Worship Hall.

But he didn't let it go.

In the past two days, he learned that Bibi Dong frequently traveled to and from the Tenth Elder's residence.

Then this happened today.

This clearly has nothing to do with Li Mubai.

The thought had just occurred to me.

Golden Crocodile then transferred the anger he had suffered at Qian Daoliu's hands onto Li Mubai.

"It must have been his idea!"

"I can't handle Bibi Dong, so can't I at least bully a new elder?"

"Besides, this person is just a Level 90 Titled Douluo!"

"Taking him under your thumb isn't a piece of cake?"