The Pope Takes Notice, Undercurrents Stir

The Pope Takes Notice, Undercurrents Stir

The deathly silence of the training ground was broken by the Adjudicator Elder's dry voice. Yet everyone's gaze remained fixed on the two figures in the arena.

Ling Feng struggled to rise, but every bone in his body felt as though it had fallen apart, and his Soul Power was severely depleted. After several attempts, he could only remain half-kneeling, barely supporting himself with the Spear of Judgment as he gasped for breath. Every breath tugged at his internal injuries, bringing searing pain. Blood dripped continuously from the corner of his mouth and his arms, spreading into dark stains across his black combat uniform. He looked wretched and miserable, yet like a wounded lone wolf, his eyes remained sharp as he stared fixedly ahead.

Qian Renxue stood where she was, her golden palace-style Battle Armor spotless. Sunlight fell upon her, and her divine radiance remained undiminished. Yet a layer of frost covered her exquisite face. Deep within her molten-gold eyes surged shock, fury, humiliation, disbelief, and a trace of... embarrassment that even she herself had not noticed. The ankle that Ling Feng's cold hand had gripped still seemed to burn with flames, reminding her of that nearly humiliating scene!

He actually... dared to touch her?!

"Good! What a Spear of Judgment! What a Ling Feng!" A cool and majestic voice, carrying a peculiar tremor, rang clearly beside everyone's ears like ice jade striking together.

Everyone shuddered and turned toward the source.

On the exclusive viewing platform at the highest point of the training ground stood a figure who had appeared at some unknown moment. Her deep-purple papal robe was elaborate and magnificent, symbolizing supreme authority. Cascading purple hair framed a breathtakingly beautiful yet icy face, making her appear all the more imposing. It was none other than the Pope, Bibi Dong!

She stood there as though she were the center of the world. Her deep-purple eyes, like the deepest frozen abyss, were fixed upon the half-kneeling Ling Feng. That gaze was no longer one of simple scrutiny, but held undisguised... surprise and... appreciation?!

"Greetings, Your Eminence the Pope!" After a brief deathly silence, thunderous cries of salute rang throughout the training ground! Everyone, including Qian Renxue, bowed in respect.

Bibi Dong raised a hand slightly, yet her gaze never left Ling Feng. "Rise." Her voice was not loud, but it clearly suppressed every other sound.

She descended from the platform step by step, like a queen inspecting her domain, walking straight toward the center of the arena. Wherever she passed, the crowd parted like waves and lowered their heads in reverence.

At last, she stopped several steps before Ling Feng. Looking down at this bloodied youth, still stubbornly half-kneeling and refusing to collapse completely.

"Your first Spirit Ring is six hundred and fifty years old. The Spear of Judgment is unparalleled in offense. Even against a Soul Elder, you were still able to wound your opponent." Bibi Dong's voice was calm, but every word struck the hearts of the crowd like a heavy hammer. "Ling Feng, you have... greatly surprised me."

The appreciation in her deep-purple eyes became even clearer. Ling Zhan, Adjudicator Elder... the son you left behind is far more extraordinary than you imagined! This talent, this temperament, this Will of Judgment that erupted at death's door... he was simply a sharp blade forged for Spirit Hall!

Ling Feng raised his head and met Bibi Dong's gaze. He saw the admiration hidden in her eyes, as well as the deeper, turbulent emotions beneath it. He panted, his voice hoarse but clear. "This disciple... is unworthy of Your Eminence's praise. I failed to win and brought shame upon Spirit Hall..."

"Brought shame?" The corner of Bibi Dong's lips seemed to curl into an exceedingly faint, almost illusory arc. "You forced Xue'er to use her third soul skill, counterattacked at death's door, and nearly injured her... among Spirit Hall's younger generation, how many others could accomplish that? You have done very well."

Her words exploded beside everyone's ears like thunder! His Eminence the Pope... had actually given him such high praise?! And she called Qian Renxue... "Xue'er"? What meaning lay behind such an intimate form of address?

Qian Renxue abruptly raised her head, her golden eyes filled with disbelief and a trace of... hurt? Mother... His Eminence the Pope had praised Ling Feng so openly? And called her so intimately? The humiliation and fury churning within her instantly gained another layer of icy coldness.

Bibi Dong turned her gaze toward Qian Renxue. The complicated emotions in those deep-purple eyes instantly settled, returning to the Pope's majesty and a faint, nearly imperceptible detachment. "Xue'er, as the Young Master, you should understand all the more that a true powerhouse lies not only in strength, but in the heart that controls it. Today's battle may not necessarily be a bad thing for you." The warning in her words was unmistakable.

Qian Renxue's delicate body trembled slightly. She pressed her lips together tightly and lowered her head, golden hair falling to conceal the turbulent emotions in her eyes. Humiliation! Unprecedented humiliation! Not only from Ling Feng's violation, but also from the Pope's seemingly impartial yet clearly biased assessment!

"Guards." Bibi Dong no longer looked at Qian Renxue, her voice returning to its icy calm. "Take Ling Feng to the Sacred Healing Hall. Use the finest medicine and ensure that he recovers as soon as possible. Once his injuries have healed, I have other arrangements for him."

"Yes!" Two powerful Temple Knights immediately stepped forward and carefully helped the severely injured Ling Feng up.

Ling Feng did not resist, allowing them to support him. As he passed Qian Renxue, he tilted his head slightly, his calm gaze sweeping over her tightly pressed lips and clenched fists. The corner of his mouth seemed to rise into an almost imperceptible curve, carrying a trace of... cold provocation?

Qian Renxue suddenly looked up and caught that fleeting curve! Her golden pupils contracted instantly, and fury nearly burst forth! But she clenched her teeth and forcibly suppressed it. Only her gaze remained as cold as ancient ice, branding itself upon Ling Feng's departing back.

This sparring match, watched by all, ended in an unexpected manner. Though Ling Feng had suffered a crushing defeat and severe injuries, he had become famous in a single battle! The might of the Wings of Judgment, the courage to challenge above his level, and His Eminence the Pope's personal praise instantly made him the most dazzling rising star of Spirit Hall's younger generation!

As for Young Master Qian Renxue... though she appeared unharmed, she had suffered a tremendous loss of face. An irreconcilable grudge had already formed between her and Ling Feng.

Inside the Sacred Healing Hall, Ling Feng soaked in medicinal liquid rich with Life Aura, feeling its effects nourish and repair his damaged body. His eyes were closed, but every moment of his battle with Qian Renxue replayed repeatedly in his mind.

Ding! The "Battle for Fame" mission has been completed! Evaluation: S-Class (narrowly escaped death, Sharpness Revealed, drew the Pope's attention)! Rewards issued: Authorization for the God-Bestowed Spirit Ring (Second Ring) unlocked! Will of Judgment greatly strengthened! Soul Power raised to the Level 20 bottleneck!

A warm current surged into his body, and his Soul Power instantly broke through its barrier, reaching Peak Level 20! At the same time, an even tougher and clearer Will of Judgment condensed and grew deep within his sea of consciousness!

"God-Bestowed Spirit Ring..." A cold curve appeared at the corner of Ling Feng's mouth. He was determined to obtain the second ring! And it had to be a thousand-year Spirit Ring that surpassed the limit!

Just then, someone gently knocked on the door to the ward.

"Junior Brother Ling Feng, are you feeling better?" A charming, pleasant voice carrying a trace of concern came from outside.

Hu Liena!