Just Going Through the Motions

Spirit City, a massive city situated between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire, was home to the strongest organization on the continent—Spirit Hall.

"Oh my, Spirit Hall's Sacred Hall certainly is impressive!"

Rota held one hand to his brow as he gazed at the resplendent golden palace in the distance and sighed.

"Of course. Spirit Hall is the continent's strongest organization. Not even the two great empires can stand against Spirit Hall alone. More than seventy percent of all soul masters are under Spirit Hall's administration!" Ghost explained to Rota.

The Spirit City before them was even more solemn and magnificent than it had been in the anime. Knights patrolling in formation could be seen everywhere on the streets.

The knights' armor gleamed brilliantly. Compared to the knights of Nuoding City, they were not even in the same league. In terms of appearance alone, the armor worn by Spirit City's knights was countless times more ornate than that of Nuoding City's knights.

With such immense financial resources, it was no wonder Spirit Hall could contend with the two great empires. The knights' armor alone made Spirit Hall's intention to flaunt its strength obvious.

"Elder Kizaru, we should handle our business first. We can look at these things anytime," Ghost reminded him.

"That's true~"

They should finish the inauguration ceremony first. The sights of Spirit City could be visited anytime.

Within the Spirit Hall Sacred Hall, Qian Xunjie sat upon a noble throne forged from pure gold, looking down at the hall members and elders below.

"Today, a new elder will be joining Spirit Hall, so everyone present must examine him carefully!"

There was a hidden meaning in Qian Xunjie's words, but everyone present was an old hand. Who could fail to understand what he meant?

Qian Xunjie had canceled the selection competition originally held in Heaven Dou Imperial City. Clearly, he already had a candidate in mind. This elder's inauguration ceremony was nothing more than a formality.

The inauguration ceremony had always been Spirit Hall's tradition for selecting elders. It ensured that elders joining Spirit Hall would not be too weak.

If an elder's strength was too low, it would undoubtedly damage Spirit Hall's prestige, just as had happened before.

Spirit Hall's ranks, from lowest to highest, were: Spirit Hall member, elder, consecrated, Supreme Pope.

To become a consecrated above the rank of elder, one had to be a Level 95 Super Douluo or higher.

"Reporting to Your Holiness, Elder Ghost, Elder Yue Guan, and the newly appointed Elder Kizaru are waiting outside."

"Mm, let them in!"

At Qian Xunjie's command, the hall doors slowly opened. Ghost and Yue Guan entered first. The Spirit Hall members and other elders present all knew these two elders.

Rota entered last, and in an instant, he drew everyone's attention.

"So this is the elder chosen by His Holiness? He certainly doesn't look ordinary."

Ghost and Yue Guan stepped before Qian Xunjie first and dropped to one knee in salute. They were likely accustomed to it already and did not think much of it.

In modern society, one only knelt before elders in one's family. As a result, Rota found this kind of Spirit Hall etiquette rather hard to accept.

"Then this old man won't kneel. Being too tall is troublesome too, you know~"

When Rota actually spoke like that, no one present even dared to breathe. Those who dared speak to the Pope that way usually met terrible ends.

Qian Xunjie had never expected Kizaru to kneel in salute. He had no way of dealing with Kizaru, and offending him lightly was not worth it.

"Very well. Elder Kizaru need not kneel when meeting this Pope."

If Rota's words had shocked everyone present, then Qian Xunjie's response left them utterly dumbfounded.

His Holiness had actually compromised with an elder. That was simply unbelievable!

"Oh, right. This old man has already dealt with the fellow who stole Spirit Hall's Soul Bone last time. Consider it a gift from this old man upon joining Spirit Hall!"

The previous Soul Bone robbery had caused Spirit Hall to lose a great deal of face, seriously damaging its reputation. Qian Xunjie had been searching for those lawless criminals ever since, but there had been no news.

Now, hearing Kizaru suddenly say that those criminals had been dealt with, they found it hard to believe. "Elder Kizaru, are you certain? You should know that deceiving one's superior is a grave crime!"

"This old man naturally understands. Elder Ghost can testify for this old man."

Qian Xunjie shifted his gaze to Ghost, seeking an answer from him.

"Your Holiness, Elder Kizaru speaks the truth. After you left, those criminals appeared in Nuoding City to cause trouble, and Elder Kizaru happened to deal with them. This is the proof!"

Ghost took out a round head from his Soul Tool, then tossed it onto the floor.

Now there was both testimony and physical evidence. It seemed entirely certain that Elder Kizaru had dealt with the criminals.

"Then where is the Soul Bone Spirit Hall lost?" a Spirit Hall elder asked.

The main issue was not that criminal, but the stolen Soul Bone. The Soul Bone was what truly mattered.

"As for that, this old man doesn't know much. It isn't easy to expect that sort of fellow to reveal information," Rota said calmly, without the slightest trace of regret.

"The importance of a Soul Bone goes without saying, especially an eighty-thousand-year head bone! There's no need to elaborate on how useful it is to soul masters. Elder Kizaru, how can you take this so lightly?!"

Another elder was clearly agitated and actually shouted at Rota.

This made not only Ghost and Yue Guan nervous, but even Qian Xunjie grew tense. Qian Xunjie did not know why he, as the Pope, would feel nervous.

Rota sighed, then replied evenly, "It's a fact that the Soul Bone wasn't found, but what use is your impotent rage now?"

That unanswerable question left the elder speechless. He did not know how to respond to Rota.

"This... sigh, forget it!"

The elder seemed to regain a bit of his reason and stopped pressing the matter.

Seeing that Kizaru did not take offense at the elder's excessive words, Qian Xunjie felt somewhat relieved. He had truly been afraid Kizaru would simply kick the man.

"Enough. Let nature take its course regarding the Soul Bone. Elder Kizaru has rendered meritorious service by restoring Spirit Hall's reputation. Award him ten thousand Gold Soul Coins! Tomorrow, have the newspapers publish this matter and restore our prestige!"

Rota was delighted. It really was good to deal with those fellows along the way—just like that, ten thousand Gold Soul Coins had fallen into his hands.

"Then this old man thanks Your Holiness."

"This is the reward Elder Kizaru deserves. There is no need for thanks!"

Qian Xunjie's actions today left everyone present feeling incredulous. The Pope was usually so lofty and aloof, so why was he so restrained before Elder Kizaru?

Everyone became deeply curious about Rota. They all wanted to know what kind of person could make His Holiness treat him with such caution.

"Oh dear, is there something on this old man's face? Why is everyone staring at this old man?"

At Rota's words, everyone instantly withdrew their furtive gazes. Each of them stiffened and stood ramrod straight.

Rota scratched his head. "Is this old man really that frightening?"

Ghost and Yue Guan got along quite well with Kizaru and did not find him particularly frightening.

It was merely that Qian Xunjie was somewhat wary of Kizaru, creating the illusion that His Holiness was afraid of Elder Kizaru.

The so-called inauguration ceremony was merely for each elder to voice an opinion. If Qian Xunjie had not personally appointed Rota, these elders might have had some differing views.

But now, Qian Xunjie acted like a grandson before Rota. Most of the elders had not lost their minds, so they would not foolishly challenge Rota.

"We have no objections to Elder Kizaru's appointment. Your Holiness is wise!" the elders declared in unison.