The Pope's Fall, Martial Soul Awakening

Worship Hall.

Within the imposing, solemn hall.

Grand Elder Qian Daoliu stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at the half-kneeling Guimei and Yue Guan as he quietly listened to their account.

Second Worship Golden Crocodile, Third Enshrinement 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 they listened to Guimei and Yue Guan's account, the other six enshrinements apart from the Grand Elder all frowned slightly.

A soft chuckle came from Qian Daoliu.

"Three Titled Douluo, more than ten Soul Douluo, and dozens of Soul Saints and Spirit Emperors joined forces to capture a Spirit Beast that had not yet truly taken human form, along with Tang Hao, who possessed only the strength of a Soul Douluo. Yet that Spirit Beast sacrificed itself to Tang Hao, allowing him to become a Titled Douluo, and he sent all of you fleeing in defeat with nothing but himself and a hammer, nearly wiping you out?"

His voice was as still as a stagnant pool, utterly devoid of ripples, yet it drifted through the hall.

As he looked at the half-kneeling Guimei and Yue Guan, there was no emotion in Qian Daoliu's eyes—only calm.

After exchanging a glance, Guimei and Yue Guan both lowered their heads and said nothing more.

Explanations?

There was no need for them, nor was there any need to make excuses.

Despite holding every possible advantage, they had been driven into a rout by Tang Hao alone, wielding only a hammer, and returned in crushing defeat. That was an indisputable fact.

"His Holiness the Pope returned severely wounded?"

"Could Wanwan really have predicted it?"

"Was it a coincidence, or did Wanwan truly possess the ability to foresee the future?"

Guangling's expression shifted constantly.

Considering that Bai Wanwan had emerged from an egg, something inherently rather unreasonable, it did not seem impossible for her to possess the ability to foresee the future as well.

After thinking it over repeatedly.

Guangling secretly decided that he would go back and question Wanwan carefully when he had time. If she truly could foresee the future, it would be an unimaginable help to Spirit Hall.

The hall fell silent.

No one spoke for a long time.

Qian Daoliu turned his gaze toward the Papal Hall, and a trace of disappointment quietly flashed through his eyes.

He had already been deeply disappointed in Qian Xunji because of what Qian Xunji had done to Saintess Bibi Dong. Now, coupled with this incident, he was beginning to consider whether Qian Xunji was still fit to serve as Pope.

Just then, footsteps sounded at the entrance to the Worship Hall.

Everyone looked over and saw Saintess Bibi Dong standing at the doors of the Worship Hall.

"Grand Elder, His Holiness the Pope's injuries were too severe. He has succumbed to them."

Bibi Dong's voice was calm and without the slightest fluctuation.

At those words, shock appeared in the eyes of the other six enshrinements, save for Qian Daoliu.

Returning severely injured and falling unconscious was one thing. Dying from one's injuries was another entirely.

Since Spirit Hall had been founded, this was the first time a Pope had been beaten so badly that he died of his wounds.

"You may withdraw first."

Qian Daoliu waved his hand at the half-kneeling Guimei and Yue Guan, then strode forward.

"Golden Crocodile, let us go see Xunji's condition."

Second Worship Golden Crocodile gave an affirmative response and followed Qian Daoliu toward the Papal Hall.

After leaving the Worship Hall, Bibi Dong followed behind them as they headed toward the Papal Hall.

They continued onward.

Before long, they entered the grounds of the Papal Hall and arrived at Qian Xunji's room.

Seeing Qian Xunji lying on the bed, already devoid of breath, Qian Daoliu slowly walked over.

Pale golden Soul Power gathered at Qian Daoliu's fingertips and slowly traced across Qian Xunji's corpse. But when it reached Qian Xunji's chest, Qian Daoliu paused. His gaze shifted slightly and fell upon Bibi Dong.

Bibi Dong met Qian Daoliu's gaze calmly, but one hand behind her back involuntarily clenched into a fist.

Time passed bit by bit.

No one spoke in the room.

Golden Crocodile, who had accompanied Qian Daoliu, also turned his gaze toward Bibi Dong at that moment.

Although Qian Daoliu said nothing, Golden Crocodile was of even higher seniority than Qian Daoliu and understood him better than anyone.

From the way Qian Daoliu looked at Bibi Dong alone, he sensed that Qian Xunji's death was likely not as simple as it appeared.

Because he had just caught a flash of killing intent in Qian Daoliu's eyes. Though it had vanished in an instant, Golden Crocodile was certain he had not been mistaken.

"Golden Crocodile, remain stationed in Spirit City. Azure Luan will temporarily take over the affairs of the Papal Hall. The remaining enshrinements, along with Elders Guibao and Moxiong, are to bring all the White Robe Bishops in the Papal Hall and leave Spirit City with me at dawn. We will decide what to do with the rest after I return!"

Qian Daoliu picked up Qian Xunji's body, strode out of the room, and vanished into the night.

After giving Bibi Dong a deep look, Golden Crocodile left the room to make the arrangements Qian Daoliu had ordered.

Only Bibi Dong remained in the spacious room.

Bibi Dong lowered her head slightly and let out low chuckles, which gradually grew louder and echoed through the room.

After laughing for a while.

Bibi Dong looked toward the Worship Hall. Deep contemplation appeared in her slightly reddened eyes, though no one knew what she was thinking.

Worship Hall.

After Golden Crocodile relayed Qian Daoliu's orders, he quietly watched everyone head outside.

Before leaving the Worship Hall, Guangling moved close to Azure Luan. "Azure Luan, I'm going out with Eldest Brother this time, and I don't know when I'll return. If you have time, help my granddaughter undergo her Martial Soul Awakening ceremony."

"If her talent is exceptionally good, bring her to the Worship Hall and let her cultivate alongside the Young Master. If her talent is lacking, help me comfort her a little. We'll talk about it again when I return."

Azure Luan smiled and nodded slightly at Guangling. "Don't worry. As long as I have the time, I'll help Wanwan undergo her Martial Soul Awakening ceremony."

Azure Luan and Guangling had the best relationship among them. They had been brothers for decades, so naturally Azure Luan would not refuse Guangling's small request.

Seeing Azure Luan agree, Guangling nodded slightly, then strode out of the Worship Hall.

Early morning.

The sky had only just begun to pale at the horizon.

At the entrance to the Papal Hall, four enshrinements and two elders immediately went forward to greet Qian Daoliu as he approached from afar.

Qian Daoliu's gaze swept over them one by one. Without saying anything, he lightly waved his hand and led them out of Spirit City, heading directly in one direction.

After Azure Luan, who had temporarily taken over the Papal Hall's affairs, settled all matters within the Papal Hall, he left for the courtyard where Guangling usually lived.

Within the quiet little courtyard.

Bai Wanwan, still asleep, suddenly heard a gentle knock at the door.

"Young Lady, Third Enshrinement has arrived. He said he has come to conduct your Martial Soul Awakening ceremony."

The maid Bi'er's voice drifted in from outside the door.