A peaceful transfer of power
Spirit City.
Feng Xiaotian laughed and said, "It seems we won't be leaving anytime soon. Bibi Dong doesn't want to be the Pope, we can at least witness the Coronation Ceremony of the New Pope."
As he spoke, he looked at Wu Qi and joked, "In a few days, we'll have to call you His Holiness the Pope."
Wu Qi chuckled dryly and shook his head. "The agreement was only signed privately between me and Bibi Dong. The specifics will depend on today's Grand Court Assembly at the Papal Hall."
"Unfortunately, you don't have the Spirit Hall's credentials, so you can't go and watch. Go wait at the Papal Mountain. I'll have Chen Ping inform you immediately if anything happens."
Feng Xiaotian and the others were unaware of the specific contents of the agreement and assumed it contained clauses such as "not purging Bibi Dong's remaining followers."
Today, the scale of the Papal Hall Grand Court Assembly is unprecedented.
All Soul Douluo and above experts in Spirit City were present, along with all members of the Elder Hall and the Worship Hall.
A court assembly of this scale only occurs when New Pope is elected, and for a time, many powerful figures were discussing it.
"His Holiness the Pope still very young; there's no reason for him to abdicate. In my opinion, something significant has happened in the palace."
The other person retorted, "A major event? What major event could there be? The flames of war Two Great Empires haven't reached us, and there's no financial crisis within the palace. Our salaries are paid on time and in full every month. Where is there even the slightest sign of a crisis?"
Furthermore, even in the event of a major crisis, it is usually discussed in small meetings by the Elder Hall of Elders, rather than in a large-scale meeting.
Bibi Dong's thought process has always been unpredictable, but if she can't give a suitable reason for summoning so many people to the court, many people in the hall will probably lose faith in her.
With Wu Qi's recent strong rise to power, it's likely that the Pope Position will change hands.
Worship Hall.
Before setting off, Qian Daoliu gathered a few of his retainers for a small meeting.
"That woman actually relented? Is she really willing to give up her power?" Golden Crocodile Douluo was very puzzled.
When Wu Qi returned to Spirit City, he was already prepared to fight Bibi Dong to the death. Who could have imagined that the other party would change her attitude so drastically, rendering his plans useless?
Qian Daoliu gazed at the Angel God Statue in the hall and murmured, "Perhaps this is the result of the mediation of the Gods in the Divine Realm."
Wu Qi is destined to become the new God King. It is only reasonable for the Gods of the Divine Realm to secretly clear some obstacles for him in order to befriend such a powerful figure.
However, this is also good, as it saves them from internal strife and the Spirit Hall's strength remains unaffected. Unifying the continent in one fell swoop is not a problem.
With this thought in mind, he turned his gaze to Qian Renxue and said softly, "Xiao Xue, Grandpa will promote you to the position of Elder of Judgment. In the future, the two of you will work together to govern the Spirit Hall well."
As Qian Renxue's assessment drew to a close, a sense of mission welled up within him.
Qian Daoliu understood that he didn't have much time left, and he was already content to have witnessed the Spirit Hall's rise from decline to prosperity.
Qian Renxue was unaware of the deeper meaning in the other person's words and solemnly agreed.
The Papal Hall.
As the powerful figures arrived one after another, Bibi Dong finally revealed herself.
In front of the Papal Hall, Wu Qi stood even further forward than Qian Daoliu, which drew criticism from many.
Bibi Dong walked up to the throne, a symbol of Pope power, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, but did not sit down.
She turned around, her Scepter striking the floor tiles heavily, and the hall fell silent.
Bibi Dong faced the crowd, her expression indifferent, her eyes revealing weariness. She sighed softly and said, "My health is failing, and I am no longer able to preside over the affairs of the Papal Hall. Therefore, I resign from the Pope Position."
A short sentence, yet it struck like a thunderbolt.
The previously calm crowd erupted into an uproar.
Why did Bibi Dong suddenly resign from the Pope Position when she hadn't suffered any political repercussions?
Among them, Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo, who was Hall Guardian Douluo, had a buzzing in his head, not understanding why Bibi Dong suddenly "admitted defeat".
Ghost Douluo stepped forward and hurriedly said, "Your His Holiness the Pope, your health has always been excellent, and you are also Limit Douluo. Why did you suddenly announce your abdication?"
These words were both meant to stabilize the situation and to use Bibi Dong's strength to intimidate the entire audience.
Limit Douluo possesses extremely strong Goddess of Life; even if they live to be two or three hundred years old, they can still maintain their youthful appearance. Moreover, Bibi Dong is only in her fifties now.
Before anyone else could argue, Bibi Dong spoke first, "Gui Mei, you and Yue Guan have followed me for a long time, always loyally protecting your master. I am very grateful."
"However, my mind is made up. The Abdication Edict will be issued immediately, and you need not try to persuade me any further."
After speaking, Bibi Dong left the Papal Hall without giving anyone a chance to ask questions, leaving countless powerful figures standing there in a daze.
Qian Daoliu forward, turned to face the crowd, and said, "As the chief elder of the Spirit Hall, I respect Pope Bibi Dong's decision."
"Now that she has resigned, the Papal Hall cannot be without a leader for a day. Therefore, I will nominate New Pope."
Bibi Dong's actions undoubtedly betrayed the interests of her supporters.
For a time, two opposing voices emerged within the Papal Hall; one side supported Wu Qi and recommended Wu Qi to ascend to the throne; the other side invoked the Ancestral Rules of the Spirit Hall and allowed the Saintess Hu Liena to directly assume the throne.
Hu Liena was well aware of Bibi Dong's thoughts. In order to secure her position within the Spirit Hall in the future, she couldn't betray these "supporters." At the very least, she had to outwardly appear to be vying for the Pope Position.
Without Bibi Dong their pillar of support, how could Qian Daoliu figures?
A Golden Light emanated from his body, enveloping the group of opponents.
Qian Renxue then stepped forward and said indifferently, "Have you all forgotten that the Spirit Hall is a property of the Qian family? The Pope has never been elected democratically, but appointed by the Qian family!"
"This was true of Bibi Dong in the past, and it is true of this day as well."
Qiangu Changkong unfurled the Coiling Dragon Staff, the aura of Super Douluo was undisguised, his tiger-like eyes sweeping over everyone present. "The New Pope is none other than Wu Ge. Who agrees? Who disagrees?"
"You!" Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo's expression turned solemn.
The Worship Hall was already stronger than the Elder Hall, and now that Qiangu Changkong has reached level 95, Wu Qi's strength will only increase.
Therefore, it seems that Hu Liena has no chance of winning the Pope Position, but they will not be willing to admit defeat so easily, lest they be held accountable later.
Before long, seeing that the emotions of both sides in the argument had eased, Wu Qi, who was involved in the dispute, stepped forward.
"I completely agree that Bibi Dong is Limit Douluo, and that's a fact. But don't forget, she's not the only Limit Douluo on this continent. Unfortunately, I am also Limit Douluo."
After he finished speaking, nine Soul Ring— red, red, red, red, red, red, cyan-gold, red, and brilliant gold—flashed around his body.
The moment his Martial Soul was activated, his aura subtly suppressed Qian Daoliu, leaving everyone present astonished.