Pope's Palace

Qian Daoliu bent slightly and asked,

"Respected Angel God, what are your orders?"

Suddenly, a cold, emotionless voice rang throughout the entire hall.

"A divine aura has just appeared on Douluo Continent!"

"Aura?"

Qian Daoliu was deeply puzzled. Could it be that someone had become a god? Could it be Tang Chen, who had vanished long ago?

"Not one of the gods of the God Realm. Judging by the aura, this god is even stronger than a God King!"

Qian Daoliu's gaze sharpened.

In the records concerning the God Realm, God Kings were already its strongest combat force. Even the Angel God was merely a first-class deity.

Douluo Continent was far too insignificant for an existence of that level. He asked in a low voice,

"Respected Angel God, what do you need me to do?"

"You must closely monitor this realm. Report any news to me without delay. This is also the God Realm Committee's request."

Suddenly, the golden light vanished, and the divine statue before him returned to its stone form. He knew that the Angel God had already departed.

"Farewell, Angel God!"

Qian Daoliu bowed respectfully, only straightening after a while.

Not long after, inside the Pope's Palace.

"Great Enshrined Elder, this is your first time coming to the Pope's Palace since I ascended to the position of Pope, isn't it?"

Bibi Dong sat upright at the head of the hall, the scepter symbolizing the Pope's authority standing in her hand.

She watched Qian Daoliu below her, her eyes filled with wariness.

"Is it because of that divine descent just now? I wonder what divine decree required you to deliver it personally."

Qian Daoliu looked at Bibi Dong solemnly. She had grown stronger again. As expected of the only Twin Martial Souls wielder to cultivate to the rank of Titled Douluo.

He recounted what had just happened.

Bibi Dong found it somewhat unbelievable after hearing it.

She had already begun the Rakshasa God inheritance and understood something of how powerful gods were.

A god surpassing a God King descending upon Douluo Continent—how could that be possible?

"Great Enshrined Elder, I understand the matter. I will arrange for people to investigate it later. But what about my previous proposal to establish the Martial Soul Empire?"

Qian Daoliu raised a brow and said coldly, "I have no objections. As Pope, you may decide for yourself."

Bibi Dong abruptly rose to her feet.

"Great Enshrined Elder, I need your support!"

Her voice was as icy as a cold wind.

"Bibi Dong, the Worship Hall does not involve itself in the affairs of the palace. There is no need to bring this matter up again."

"Great Enshrined Elder!" Bibi Dong interrupted sharply.

A visible ring of purple Soul Power spread outward. Qian Daoliu showed no reaction, allowing Bibi Dong's Soul Power to rage freely. Even the enormous chandelier hanging from the ceiling swayed with a loud clatter.

Qian Daoliu shook his head.

He knew Qian Xunji had been in the wrong back then, but for the sake of the child in Bibi Dong's womb, he had spared her life and even supported her ascent as Pope.

All he wanted now was to nurture Qian Renxue into becoming a god!

"Enough. Take care of yourself." With that, Qian Daoliu turned into a streak of golden light and left the Pope's Palace.

Killing intent surged in Bibi Dong's eyes, and the rise and fall of her chest revealed her current emotions.

Thinking of what had happened all those years ago, she clenched her fists fiercely. Purple light flashed in her eyes as she gritted her teeth and said,

"Damn it!"

Meanwhile, Ye Xiaobao and his older brother were riding in a carriage led by the purple-robed bishop, heading toward Spirit Hall. Inside the carriage,

"Xiaobao, did you really awaken such a powerful Martial Soul?" Ye Dabao's eyes shone brightly, as if he were dreaming.

Ye Xiaobao nodded slightly, a trace of joy appearing in his eyes.

The Great Sage Equal to Heaven had been the childhood idol of countless people. He stormed the Eastern Sea, wreaked havoc in Heaven, and subdued the underworld. Now that he possessed the Great Sage's Martial Soul, what an honor that was.

When the time came, he could shout, "Hold it, Tang San! Where do you think you're running? Take a blow from Old Ye!"

How exhilarating would that be?

The purple-robed bishop grinned from ear to ear, stroking his beard lightly as he said,

"More than powerful—I have never seen such a formidable Martial Soul in all my life. Innate full Soul Power. I heard that even His Holiness the Pope's disciple only had level-nine Innate Soul Power."

"This time, I'll bring you to meet the Pope. Perhaps you may even become the Pope's disciple."

The carriage passed beneath Spirit Hall's city gate, and the group disembarked.

It was also Ye Xiaobao's first time seeing such magnificent structures. After the purple-robed bishop presented his token, the three entered.

The massive buildings along the way left him dazzled.

Spirit Hall truly deserved its reputation as the strongest force on Douluo Continent. Powerful Soul Masters could be seen everywhere, while guards clad in golden armor patrolled in formation.

Inside the Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong was in a very poor mood when a golden-armored guard came to report.

"Reporting to Your Holiness the Pope, the bishop of Nolan Cathedral requests an audience."

Bibi Dong frowned slightly. "What is it?"

"It is said that a genius with Innate full Soul Power awakened today and has come specifically to request an audience."

"Innate full Soul Power? Let them in."

"Yes!"

Upon hearing that it was Innate full Soul Power, Bibi Dong's frown eased somewhat.

Although she had been Pope for five years, her control over Spirit Hall had always been insufficient.

There was no need to mention the Worship Hall. Even within the Hall of Elders, only Yue Guan and Gui Mei obeyed her commands.

And the foremost genius of Spirit Hall's younger generation, though she was Bibi Dong's daughter—

had been raised by Qian Daoliu since childhood, and would certainly stand with Qian Daoliu in the future.

At that moment, Ye Xiaobao and the purple-robed bishop entered. The bishop bowed and said,

"Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope."

Ye Xiaobao, however, did not kneel. His gaze remained fixed on Bibi Dong, seated atop the high platform.

He saw Bibi Dong dressed in a pale golden robe. Though he could not make out her exact figure, he could vaguely sense that she was quite well-endowed.

The exquisite face beneath the Pope's crown was even more beyond description. Her entire being radiated an icy aloofness that kept others at a distance.

How could someone be this beautiful!

Ye Xiaobao's childhood idol had been Wei Xiaobao, because Wei Xiaobao had seven...

Qian Xunji really was a beast. If he weren't dead, I'd kill him all over again!

Pah! Beast...

Bibi Dong also examined the little fellow below, who was staring at her in a daze.

"So it was you who awakened Innate full Soul Power?"

Ye Xiaobao knew that no woman disliked being told she was beautiful.

Especially when the compliment came from a six-year-old child.

Putting on an innocent childlike expression, he praised her,

"Big sister, you're so beautiful."

Bibi Dong?

The bishop?

A layer of cold sweat instantly broke out across the purple-robed bishop's forehead. Trembling, he said,

"Your Holiness the Pope, the little one doesn't know any better. You..."

"It's fine!" Bibi Dong raised a hand to stop him.

"This is the first time I've seen such an interesting little fellow."

"Show me your Martial Soul. Let me see whether you truly are a genius."

A faint smile still lingered on Bibi Dong's lips after she spoke.

Ye Xiaobao knew that the big boss's assessment had begun.

But he had absolute confidence. What Angel Martial Soul or Haotian Hammer Martial Soul? Before Brother Monkey, they all had to step aside.

Though he could only reveal the Golden Cudgel for now, it was still not something a mere Haotian Hammer could compare to.

That was right, a mere Haotian Hammer!

He slowly extended his right hand. As Soul Power condensed, a golden staff took shape. The moment it formed, he grasped its center.

With a bang, it stood upright at his side.

Bibi Dong had already risen to her feet, her gaze locked tightly onto Ye Xiaobao.

This Soul Power was definitely not level ten!

A terrifying pressure of Soul Power instantly spread throughout the entire hall.

Ye Xiaobao felt an enormous pressure crush down upon him.

It was as though he bore a thousand-pound burden upon his body. Remaining on his feet had become his greatest wish.

Instinctively, he poured Soul Power into the Golden Cudgel to resist the ocean-like pressure.

The Golden Cudgel itself seemed to sense another's provocation and began radiating waves of golden light.

This was?

Divinity!

While increasing the pressure of her Soul Power, Bibi Dong waved her hand and activated the Pope's Palace formation, sealing off the aura in this place.

As her pressure intensified step by step, Ye Xiaobao began to falter.

After all, he had only just awakened. Facing the suppression of a Titled Douluo, his Soul Power was quickly exhausted.

Suddenly, a golden figure emerged from Ye Xiaobao's body.

The figure expanded at tremendous speed, soon growing to reach the ceiling of the great hall. Its merciless gaze fell upon Bibi Dong, its eyes filled with endless flames.

Before Bibi Dong could clearly make out the golden figure's appearance, the entire world was left with nothing but those eyes.