The Pope Heals, the Mighty Lion Appears

"No, I have to do something. Otherwise, once that madwoman Bibi Dong becomes Pope, it'll be too late for everything!" Su He's expression turned grave. After an internal struggle, he summoned the system.

"System! Open the designated Immortal Herb Gift Box and select the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma!" Su He made up his mind to save Qian Xunji's life. He vaguely remembered that Bibi Dong's first Rakshasa God's Trial was to devour the soul of someone whose Martial Soul was the Six-Winged Angel. He absolutely could not let that madwoman Bibi Dong succeed in such an evil divine trial!

A Lingzhi appeared in Su He's hand. It was entirely purple, with a jade-like stalk beneath it and nine leaves growing from it. The Original Work described it as having the effects of strengthening one's foundation, nourishing one's essence, replenishing qi, and increasing cultivation. It was an extremely mild Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. Though it had not reached Immortal Grade, it was still a remarkably precious treasure.

"Whether you can pull through depends on your own fate, His Holiness the Pope. What you did was indeed immoral, but you can't die yet!" Su He said solemnly. He immediately rushed to Qian Renxue's residence, only to find that familiar figure absent. Realizing that Qian Renxue was likely by her father's side, he hurried without pause toward Pope's Hall.

At the entrance to Pope's Hall.

"So it is Young Master Su. May I ask what brings you to Pope's Hall?"

The Iron Armor Guards outside the hall saw Su He approaching and stopped him.

"This is a Worship Token! Let me in to see Miss Qian Renxue."

Su He took out a token bearing a Lion Emblem. The guards saluted upon seeing it and allowed him into the hall. As Su He hurried inside, he ran straight into Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, who were standing guard within.

"Elder Yue Guan, Elder Ghost Douluo." Su He bowed.

"So, you are the son of Fourth Enshrined. May I ask what brings Young Master Su here?" Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan asked slowly, his orchid finger raised.

"I heard that His Holiness the Pope has suffered grave injuries. This junior happened to obtain something and wishes to offer it to His Holiness the Pope to aid his recovery." Su He answered neither humbly nor arrogantly, then took the treasure from the wooden box and placed it before the two elders.

"As expected of Young Master Su. You even have something as rare as Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma in your collection." Chrysanthemum Douluo smiled. "Very well, this old man shall accompany you."

"Thank you, Elder Chrysanthemum." Su He cupped his hands.

Before long, the two arrived on foot at Pope Qian Xunji's chamber, where he was recovering from his injuries. The once imposing Pope Qian Xunji, whose Soul Power had reached Level 95, now lay weakly in bed. At his side stood Qian Renxue, her face filled with worry, as well as Bibi Dong, who was "caring" for Qian Xunji.

Su He stepped forward and greeted everyone before cupping his hands toward Qian Xunji. "Uncle Qian, this junior happened to obtain an item named Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma. Its medicinal effect is mild, and it can strengthen one's foundation, nourish one's essence, replenish qi, and increase cultivation. I offer it to Uncle Qian today, wishing you a swift recovery and further progress in Soul Power!"

Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan beside him also stepped forward. "Your Holiness, Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma is an exceptionally rare Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. This subordinate is willing to prepare the herb for Your Holiness's consumption."

"Hehe, Xiao He, Yue Guan, you two are truly thoughtful." Qian Xunji smiled weakly. "However, I am already gravely wounded and at death's door. I had long intended to pass the Papal Seat to Dong'er. The only one I cannot let go of is Xue'er." As he spoke, Qian Xunji lovingly stroked Qian Renxue's head. "That Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma would be better kept for Fourth Uncle. It could help him break through to Level 98."

Although Uncle Qian committed a grave mistake, his love for Xue'er is unquestionably genuine, Su He thought.

"This junior came here at Grandfather's instruction." Su He lied without changing expression. Mighty Lion Douluo had not known at all that Su He was coming to Pope's Hall. "Grandfather said that Spirit Hall cannot be without the Pope's leadership, or it will become a scattered mess, like a group of dragons without a head."

"Since it is Fourth Uncle's wish, I will accept it." Qian Xunji signaled for Yue Guan to take the immortal herb and prepare it for him. "One must not refuse a gift from an elder. Xunji will remember Fourth Uncle's kindness."

At those words, both Su He and Qian Renxue smiled happily. Qian Renxue even threw her arms around Su He. "Thank you, Xiao He. Thank you for helping my father."

"What are you saying, Sister Xue'er? We are all part of Spirit Hall. It is only right that we help one another," Su He said with a smile.

"Congratulations, Teacher." Bibi Dong's expression beside them shifted unpredictably, yet she could only force a smile as she offered her congratulations. This Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma had ruined her plan. Finding another opportunity like this would be difficult.

A short while later, Chrysanthemum Douluo, who was skilled in medicine, had prepared the herb into a medicinal soup. With several supplementary ingredients, its medicinal properties became milder and easier to absorb. Su He and the others watched as the Pope drank it, after which Qian Xunji entered a meditative state to digest the medicine's effects. To prevent Bibi Dong from finding any chance to harm Qian Xunji, Su He remained by the Pope's side with Qian Renxue and the two elders. A day later, a powerful burst of Soul Power shot into the sky.

"Level 96! He actually broke through successfully!" The sacred phantom of the Six-Winged Angel behind Qian Xunji blazed brightly. Vast amounts of sacred aura gathered above Spirit City, drawing the worship of countless people. This was the symbol of Spirit Hall—the holy and beautiful Six-Winged Angel!

"Mom, look, it's so beautiful!" Qian Renxue said to Bibi Dong. "Father's Martial Soul is the same as mine!" Yet Bibi Dong's expression kept changing as her body trembled continuously. Then she slapped Qian Renxue across the face.

"Stay away from me! Get away from me! I'm not your mother! Get lost!" She was nearly hysterical. Qian Renxue touched the slap mark on her face in disbelief, and tears of grievance spilled from her eyes. At the sight, Su He slowly lost his reason as well. Bibi Dong was utterly unworthy of being a mother!

"Roar!" Stepping forward to embrace the distraught Qian Renxue, Su He possessed himself with the Abyssal Golden Lion and let out an angry roar at Bibi Dong. But the roar was far louder than he had imagined. Even Su He froze upon hearing it, then turned around.

"Grandfather! Why are you here?"

The newcomer was none other than Mighty Lion Douluo. The roar just now had been the furious bellow of the Blazing Lion after its possession. Seeing the little princess of Worship Hall, whom he adored so dearly, being treated this way, he could no longer stand by and watch. Though they all knew something about what Qian Xunji had done, Bibi Dong's behavior truly made her unworthy of being called a mother!

"Fourth Uncle." Qian Xunji bowed. Seeing Mighty Lion Douluo on the verge of erupting, he knew just how explosive his uncle's temper was, just like his Blazing Lion Martial Soul—one spark was enough to set him off. "Dong'er, what you did was truly excessive. Xiao Xue is your daughter!"

"Hehe, my daughter? I have no such daughter! Filthy Angel Clan, I want all of you to die!" Bibi Dong had completely lost her mind. Soul Power surged from her body as she lunged at Qian Xunji.

Bibi Dong was now completely controlled by negative emotions. Rakshasa Divine Power had already greatly affected her mind, and after being provoked like this, she had fallen utterly into madness!

"Impudence!" Qian Xunji had recovered from his injuries and reached Level 96 in Soul Power. How could he tolerate such offense from Bibi Dong? The sacred light of the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul instantly suppressed the Death Spider Emperor's evil Soul Power and sealed her Soul Power.

"Bibi Dong, as the Saintess, you show no respect for proper conduct and must be strictly disciplined! Seal her Soul Power and throw her into the dungeon for three days!" Qian Xunji sternly declared her punishment, then looked toward Mighty Lion Douluo beside him.

"Hmph!" Mighty Lion Douluo snorted. "Pope, I hope nothing like this happens again today!" With that, he indicated that he would not pursue the matter further, turned around, and left Pope's Hall.

"Yes, Fourth Uncle." Qian Xunji cupped his hands.

"Xiao He, why does Mom treat me this way?" That night, as Qian Renxue walked through the courtyard holding Su He's hand, she suddenly asked.

"Perhaps Her Highness the Saintess has her own difficulties," Su He said, unable to tell her the truth and only able to comfort her.

"Don't worry, Sister Xue'er. You still have First Grandfather, Uncle Qian, the Enshrined Grandfathers, and me. We will all stay by your side and protect you."

"You little rascal, you sure know how to sweet-talk!" Qian Renxue said with a smile.

And so, Su He quietly helped Qian Xunji survive what had originally been a fatal calamity. Qian Xunji even turned misfortune into fortune and advanced to Peak Douluo.

Su He also gained a blissful year of cultivation. During that time, the Spirit Master world remained peaceful, and no major events occurred.

Su He's Soul Power also reached Level 17, increasing by four levels over the year.

After receiving her punishment, Bibi Dong also behaved herself much more. She worked hard to play the role of a good disciple and regained Qian Xunji's favor.

Everything appeared to have returned to normal, but was that truly the case?

The situation on the continent was like the surface of the ocean—the calmer it appeared above, the more turbulent the depths below...