Next Pope's First Heir (Please Vote)

"Teacher, that's indeed the case."

Hahaha, idiot. You actually believed that.

Du Bai remained calm.

Upon receiving Du Bai's confirmation, Qian Xunji, Ghost Douluo, and Chrysanthemum Douluo exchanged looks.

What Du Bai had said sounded extremely far-fetched.

It seemed unreasonable, yet it somehow also sounded plausible.

However, Du Bai was Spirit Hall's Holy Son. Even if he had a few secrets of his own, it was only natural.

Qian Xunji, Ghost Douluo, and Chrysanthemum Douluo tacitly chose not to ask further.

Du Bai is truly bold. He even dared to fool the Pope and Titled Douluo elders.

Since Bibi Dong could hear Du Bai's thoughts, she naturally knew which parts of his words were true and which were false.

Yet at that moment, two blushes had appeared on Bibi Dong's stunningly beautiful face, and her cheeks felt faintly hot.

That shameless Du Bai had actually said, right in front of the Spirit Hall Pope and two elders, that his Martial Soul had undergone a Second Awakening because he was going to marry her.

How was she supposed to face the Pope and elders after that? It was utterly embarrassing.

"Does this Martial Soul have a name? If not, I can help name it for you."

Qian Xunji continued.

"It does. It's called Fire Qilin."

Du Bai answered calmly.

Du Bai omitted the "AK-47" part. Otherwise, he would probably have to spend ages explaining it to this group of old fogies.

"Fire Qilin?"

Qian Xunji repeated the name, though a trace of anger flickered imperceptibly through his eyes.

On one hand, Du Bai was simply too outstanding.

Qian Xunji had just told him to undergo a Martial Soul Second Awakening, yet Du Bai had silently awakened his Martial Soul at home instead. It was a slap in the Pope's face and disrupted his original plans.

On the other hand, Du Bai had refused Qian Xunji's bestowed name for his Martial Soul.

Although Qian Xunji's tone had been mild when he mentioned naming it, having the Pope bestow a name was an honor countless young geniuses of Spirit Hall longed for. Yet Du Bai had refused.

Ghost and Chrysanthemum, the two great Douluo who had served Qian Xunji for many years, naturally understood that Du Bai's refusal might have offended the Pope's majesty.

Du Bai truly was hopelessly clueless about social etiquette.

Chrysanthemum Douluo sighed inwardly.

However, Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo had no relationship with Du Bai, so neither stepped forward to speak for him.

"Alright. Put away your right-hand Martial Soul and let me see your left-hand Martial Soul."

Qian Xunji continued, silently adding this debt to his ledger.

"Alright, Teacher."

Du Bai replied indifferently as he withdrew his right-hand Martial Soul.

Then—

Left-hand Martial Soul, Barrett Destroyer, released!

Dark golden light surged across his left palm. Immediately afterward, a Barrett forged from dark gold floated above Du Bai's hand.

This Barrett Destroyer looked heavier and thicker than the AK-47 Fire Qilin.

A restrained dark golden radiance flowed over its body, carrying an even more terrifying aura of danger than the AK-47 Fire Qilin, making everyone's hearts tremble.

The moment this Martial Soul appeared, shock once again filled the faces of Qian Xunji, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and Bibi Dong.

This Martial Soul is even more dangerous and terrifying than the Fire Qilin Martial Soul from before!

That was the first thought that arose in all four of their minds when they saw the Barrett Destroyer Martial Soul.

"Holy Son, does this Martial Soul have a name? How about letting the Pope bestow a name upon it? That would be a supreme honor."

This time, before Qian Xunji could speak, Chrysanthemum Douluo took the initiative to suggest that the Pope name it, specifically emphasizing that it would be a supreme honor.

Chrysanthemum Douluo was worried that Du Bai would fail to give Pope Qian Xunji some face and anger him. If the Pope had nowhere to vent his anger, it might fall upon elders like them.

Ghost Douluo's illusory shadow flickered twice beneath his black robes, expressing his admiration for Chrysanthemum Douluo's intelligence.

Shaking his head, Du Bai refused again.

"My apologies, Elder. This Martial Soul already has a name. It is called Destruction!"

Du Bai once again refused to let the Pope name his Martial Soul.

Chrysanthemum Douluo cursed inwardly upon hearing this. What a blockhead. Even a fool could tell that he should let the Pope name one of the two Martial Souls to curry favor with him.

"Since the Holy Son has his own ideas, then let it be called Destruction."

Qian Xunji spoke in a mild tone, his emotions unreadable.

Having the Pope bestow a name was an immense honor, yet Du Bai had rejected it twice in a row. Qian Xunji felt unable to save face.

Combined with the matter of losing Bibi Dong, Qian Xunji's favorable impression of Du Bai had completely vanished.

However, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo knew that the Pope was most terrifying when he appeared calm, like the stillness before a storm.

Qian Xunji turned his head and glared at Chrysanthemum Douluo. This fellow had actually dared to act on his own initiative.

Under the Pope's glare, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan, could not help but shudder.

What a sin. I never should have meddled.

Grandpa Xiaoming lived to ninety-nine because he meddled less in other people's business.

With an inward sigh, Chrysanthemum Douluo decided never to involve himself in the Holy Son's affairs again.

He was truly a blockhead, utterly lacking in tact and thoroughly unlikable.

Having learned from Chrysanthemum Douluo's example, Ghost Douluo naturally would not casually interject either.

"Du Bai, your Martial Soul Second Awakening has given me a great surprise."

"I intend to appoint you as the next Pope of Spirit Hall."

"Go and prepare. Within three days, set out to hunt soul beasts and obtain suitable soul rings."

"Once you have gathered your soul rings, return to Spirit Hall, and I will hold a Coronation Ceremony for you."

"At that time, those who refuse to accept you will challenge you. Defeat them, and you will become the first heir to the next Pope."

Qian Xunji spoke. When he mentioned the first heir to the next Pope, a sharp gleam flickered imperceptibly through his eyes.

Du Bai was stunned upon hearing this. That meant that once Qian Xunji stepped down, he would become the Pope of Spirit Hall.

"Yes."

Du Bai used few words, his tone still calm, as though what Qian Xunji had said was nothing more than an ordinary matter.

"Do you have any other questions? If not, I shall leave first."

"No."

Du Bai shook his head.

"Good."

Qian Xunji gave Du Bai a meaningful look. Then he turned, tapped the ground with his feet, and flashed away, already dozens of meters away in an instant.

With the Pope gone, there was naturally no reason for Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo to remain.

"Take care, Holy Son."

After saying their farewells, Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo flashed away and followed the Pope.

To everyone present, Pope Qian Xunji's decision was entirely reasonable.

Du Bai was an eighty-fifth-level Soul Douluo with twin Martial Souls, Innate Full Soul Power at level ten, and a Martial Soul Second Awakening. His low-age soul rings had fallen away, while every soul ring of his right-hand Fire Qilin could reach over fifty thousand years.

Such talent could be called the greatest in Spirit Hall. No, it would not be an exaggeration to call him the most talented person on the entire Douluo Continent.

Therefore, even though Du Bai had been cold toward the Pope and refused to give him face just now—

With talent like Du Bai's, the Pope naturally should appoint him as the first heir to the next Pope.

Of course, Du Bai still had to prove his strength and defeat those who refused to accept him.

"Du Bai, are you really a blockhead, or are you pretending to be one? You offended the Pope just now."

After the Pope and elders had left, Bibi Dong, known as the number one beauty of the Douluo Continent, stood beside Du Bai, her voice filled with confusion and concern.