The Worship Hall.
Inside the imposing, solemn hall.
Grand Elder Qian Daoliu stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at the kneeling Gui Mei and Yue Guan as he quietly listened to their account.
Second Worship Golden Crocodile, Third Offering Azure Luan, and Fourth Enshrinement Xiongshi stood to Qian Daoliu's left, while Fifth Elder Guangling, Sixth Enshrinement Qian Jun, and Seventh Enshrinement Jiang Mo stood to his right.
As Gui Mei and Yue Guan spoke, all six elders apart from the Grand Elder frowned slightly.
A soft chuckle escaped Qian Daoliu's lips.
"Three Titled Douluos, more than ten Soul Douluos, and dozens of Soul Saints and Spirit Emperors joined forces to capture a spirit beast that had yet to fully take human form and Tang Hao, who only had the strength of a Soul Douluo. Yet you allowed that spirit beast to sacrifice itself for Tang Hao, turning him into a Titled Douluo. Then one man with one hammer sent you back in utter defeat, nearly wiping you all out?"
His voice drifted through the hall, as still and unruffled as a pool of stagnant water.
Qian Daoliu's eyes held no emotion as he looked at the kneeling Gui Mei and Yue Guan, only calm.
Gui Mei and Yue Guan exchanged a glance, then lowered their heads together without another word.
Offer a defense?
There was no point, and even less need for excuses.
Despite holding every advantage, they had been routed by Tang Hao alone with his hammer, fleeing in utter defeat. That was an indisputable fact.
His Holiness the Pope returned gravely wounded?
Could Wanwan really have been right?
Was it a coincidence, or could Wanwan truly foresee the future?
Guangling's gaze kept shifting.
Considering that Bai Wanwan had emerged from an egg-something already rather inexplicable-it did not seem impossible that she might also possess the ability to foresee the future.
After much deliberation.
Guangling silently decided that, when he had time, he would go back and question Wanwan carefully. If she truly could foresee the future, she would be of unimaginable help to Spirit Hall.
Silence fell over the hall.
For a long time, no one spoke.
Qian Daoliu turned his gaze toward the Papal Hall, a flicker of disappointment slipping through his eyes.
What Qian Xunji had done to Saintess Bibi Dong had already left him deeply disappointed in his son. With this latest incident, he had begun to question whether Qian Xunji was still fit to serve as pope.
Just then, footsteps sounded at the entrance to the Worship Hall.
Everyone looked up to see Saintess Bibi Dong standing in the doorway.
"Grand Elder, His Holiness the Pope's injuries were too severe. He has succumbed to them."
Bibi Dong's voice was calm, without the slightest ripple of emotion.
At her words, shock appeared in the eyes of all six elders except Qian Daoliu.
Being gravely wounded and unconscious was one thing. Dying from those wounds was quite another.
Indeed, since Spirit Hall's founding, this was the first time a pope had been beaten so badly that he died of his injuries.
"You may withdraw."
Qian Daoliu waved a hand at the kneeling Gui Mei and Yue Guan, then stepped forward.
"Golden Crocodile, let's go see Xunji."
Second Worship Golden Crocodile acknowledged him and followed Qian Daoliu toward the Papal Hall.
After they left the Worship Hall, Bibi Dong followed behind them toward the Papal Hall.
They continued on their way.
Before long, they entered the grounds of the Papal Hall and reached Qian Xunji's room.
Seeing Qian Xunji lying lifeless on the bed, Qian Daoliu slowly walked over.
Pale golden soul power gathered at Qian Daoliu's fingertips as he passed them slowly over Qian Xunji's corpse. But when he reached Qian Xunji's chest, his movement paused, and his gaze shifted slightly to settle on Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong calmly met Qian Daoliu's gaze, but one hand hidden behind her back involuntarily clenched into a fist.
Time ticked steadily by.
No one in the room spoke.
Golden Crocodile, who had accompanied Qian Daoliu, also turned his gaze toward Bibi Dong.
Although Qian Daoliu had said nothing, Golden Crocodile was his senior and understood him better than anyone.
From the way Qian Daoliu looked at Bibi Dong alone, he sensed that Qian Xunji's death was probably not as simple as it appeared.
He had just caught a trace of murderous intent in Qian Daoliu's eyes. Though it had vanished in an instant, Golden Crocodile was certain he had not been mistaken.
"Golden Crocodile, you will hold Spirit City. Azure Luan will take over the Papal Hall's administrative affairs for now. The remaining elders, along with Guibao and Moxiong, will gather all the White Robe Bishops in the Papal Hall and leave Spirit City with me at daybreak. Everything else will wait until I return!"
Qian Daoliu lifted Qian Xunji's body into his arms, walked out of the room, and disappeared into the night.
After giving Bibi Dong a long, searching look, Golden Crocodile left the room to carry out Qian Daoliu's instructions.
Bibi Dong was left alone in the vast room.
Bibi Dong lowered her head slightly and let out a series of quiet laughs. Her laughter grew louder and louder, echoing through the room.
After laughing for a while.
Bibi Dong turned her gaze toward the Worship Hall. Deep contemplation filled her slightly reddened eyes, though there was no telling what she was thinking.
The Worship Hall.
After relaying Qian Daoliu's instructions to everyone, Golden Crocodile quietly watched them head outside.
Before leaving the Worship Hall, Guangling leaned close to Azure Luan. "Azure Luan, I have no idea when I'll be back from this trip with our eldest brother. If you have time, please perform the martial soul awakening ceremony for my granddaughter."
"If her talent is exceptional, bring her to the Worship Hall and let her cultivate alongside the Young Master. If her talent is poor, comfort her for me. We'll discuss the rest when I return."
Azure Luan smiled and nodded slightly at Guangling. "Don't worry. As soon as I have time, I'll perform Wanwan's martial soul awakening ceremony."
Azure Luan and Guangling were especially close, old brothers who had known each other for decades. Naturally, he would not refuse Guangling's small request.
Once Azure Luan agreed, Guangling gave him a slight nod and walked out of the Worship Hall.
Early morning.
The first pale light of dawn had just appeared on the horizon.
At the entrance to the Papal Hall, four elders from the Worship Hall and the two other elders immediately went forward to greet Qian Daoliu as he approached from the distance.
Qian Daoliu swept his gaze over them one by one without a word. With a light wave of his hand, he led them out of Spirit City and headed straight in one direction.
Meanwhile, after arranging all the Papal Hall's affairs, Azure Luan, who had temporarily taken charge of them, left for the courtyard where Guangling usually lived.
Inside the quiet little courtyard.
Still asleep, Bai Wanwan suddenly heard a soft knock at her door.
"Young Lady, the Third Offering is here. He says he has come to perform your martial soul awakening ceremony."
The maid Bi'er's voice drifted in from outside the door.
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