A dark purple, scythe-like marking silently appeared above Bibi Dong's brow, and a faint, illusory figure gradually took shape behind her.
Bibi Dong seemed to sense something. Her fingers continued to stroke the Pope's attire, but she slowly said, "The original idea fell through. The plan didn't get approved."
"I know."
A somewhat hoarse voice sounded behind Bibi Dong. "But I'm more curious about something else."
"What?"
Bibi Dong's hand paused briefly as she stroked the Pope's attire, but her gaze never left it.
"I discovered someone who shouldn't exist. I personally witnessed that person's death, yet now I've seen them again."
The hoarse voice carried hesitation and deep bewilderment, as though recalling something.
Confusion surfaced in Bibi Dong's eyes.
She understood every word, but put together, they made little sense to her.
What did it mean, someone who shouldn't exist?
How could someone whose death had been witnessed firsthand be seen again?
But the hoarse voice offered no explanation for her confusion. The scythe-like marking above her brow gradually vanished, and the faint figure behind her dissolved into specks of light, as though it had never appeared.
Silence returned to the room.
Bibi Dong looked up to check the time, then rose from her seat, ready to retire for the night.
The next morning.
The inauguration ceremony officially began.
Inside the imposing, solemn Papal Hall, Qian Renxue, the Young Master, and the seven Enshrined Elders sat in the seats along either side.
Dressed in a Gothic dress, Bai Wanwan stood quietly beside Guangling.
Gui Mei, Yue Guan, and more than ten other Elders stood on either side below the Enshrined Elders.
Outside the hall, armored Palace Guard Knights stood solemnly in two rows. A long red carpet ran through the space between them, extending all the way to the Pope's seat.
At the entrance, Hu Liena, whose presence was barely noticeable, stood quietly with Xie Yue and Yan.
The three of them, however, were looking in entirely different directions.
Hu Liena gazed expectantly at the far end of the red carpet, waiting for her teacher to appear.
Yan's gaze remained fixed on Hu Liena.
Xie Yue, meanwhile, looked toward Bai Wanwan beside Guangling, a flicker of admiration passing through his eyes.
As though sensing something, Bai Wanwan turned her head slightly and looked toward the entrance.
The instant their eyes met, Xie Yue quickly looked away. Bai Wanwan paid it no mind either, withdrawing her gaze after a brief glance.
"Ahem, Yan, what are you looking at?"
Xie Yue gave a light cough and kept his voice very low.
"Your sister."
Yan answered offhandedly.
A giant question mark appeared above Xie Yue's head, and he gave Yan a pointed stare.
"No, don't misunderstand. I meant that Nana's outfit is very formal. The patterns on it, in particular, are well worth studying."
Yan explained in a hushed voice. Just as he was about to say more, a figure appeared at the far end of the red carpet.
As she passed, the Palace Guard Knights on both sides dropped to one knee and bowed their heads.
The footsteps drew closer.
Soon, she entered the hall.
Everyone's eyes immediately converged on Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong wore a brilliant golden gown that fit her perfectly, set with more than a hundred red, blue, and gold gemstones.
The Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown on her head shimmered with flecks of light. Together with her fair skin and nearly flawless features, it lent her an intangible air of nobility and sanctity.
Bibi Dong walked past everyone, went straight to the Pope's seat, and sat down.
"His Holiness the Pope."
Grand Elder Qian Daoliu was the first to speak.
As Qian Daoliu's voice faded, all the seated Enshrined Elders except Qian Daoliu and Qian Renxue rose and bowed slightly to Bibi Dong in the seat of honor.
The Elders behind the Enshrined Elders knelt on one knee and paid their respects to Bibi Dong.
Still holding her bow, Bai Wanwan stole a glance behind her, and a thought immediately came to mind.
Even if I don't have a seat at such a grand occasion, I only have to bow instead of kneeling. That's a definite plus.
Looking at everyone paying their respects before her, Bibi Dong raised her hand slightly to signal them to rise, then began the formal remarks required for her inauguration.
Time slipped by as Bibi Dong spoke.
Just as Bai Wanwan was about to doze off, Bibi Dong's speech ended, and the inauguration ceremony was officially declared complete. After bowing to Bibi Dong one last time, everyone left the Papal Hall in succession.
News of the new Pope's inauguration swept through the entire Spirit Master World like the wind.
On the way back to the Worship Hall.
Qian Renxue and Bai Wanwan walked side by side, hand in hand.
"Wanwan, want to go for a stroll around Spirit City?"
Qian Renxue asked softly.
Bai Wanwan did not answer immediately. Instead, she looked toward her teacher, Golden Crocodile.
Because of the inauguration ceremony, she had yet to begin her daily training. She wanted to see whether Golden Crocodile intended for her to train or would let her take a break and explore Spirit City with Qian Renxue.
"Go enjoy a stroll with the Young Master."
"Training is important, but you also need to balance work and rest. A proper break is necessary too."
Golden Crocodile smiled at Bai Wanwan.
After receiving Golden Crocodile's answer, Bai Wanwan and Qian Renxue exchanged a glance, then immediately changed direction, ready to have a good look around Spirit City together.
Watching the two girls leave, Qian Daoliu continued toward the Worship Hall and said, "Golden Crocodile, Guangling, Wanwan is exceptionally talented. We can nurture her abilities in every area."
"For instance, she can learn your specialties, and she can also study strategy under Azure Luan."
Golden Crocodile nodded in agreement. "I've had the same thought, but Wanwan is still young. I think we should take it one step at a time, or she might bite off more than she can chew."
Listening to the two of them, Guangling lowered his head in thought.
She could learn anything they were good at.
His own specialty was undoubtedly archery, but teaching her that hardly seemed to make a difference. Bai Wanwan's Martial Soul was not a bow. Even if he taught her, an ordinary bow and arrows would have limited power. She would be better off using a Soul Skill or simply smashing her opponent with her fists.
Then what else am I good at besides archery?
While Guangling pondered, they soon returned to the Worship Hall and settled into their respective seats.
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