Black-robed Bishop

The two guards at the entrance looked to be around thirty. The Soul Power Fluctuations on their bodies were not obvious; judging by the feel of it, they seemed to possess only around level thirty strength. Qian Xunji took out a token, and the two guards hurriedly let them pass.

What kind of grandeur did a twenty-meter-high dome possess? When Qian Xunji led Jiang Hao into Spirit Hall's main hall, he was immediately struck by its majestic aura. The entire dome was covered in murals. Every small square depicted all kinds of martial soul patterns. Against a dazzling golden background, it looked magnificent and resplendent without losing its ancient simplicity.

Huge crystal windows surrounded Spirit Hall. Sunlight refracted through the transparent crystal panes and spilled across the murals, making the gleaming golden light even more dazzling and entrancing. There were not many people inside Spirit Hall. Only a few servants were cleaning around the area, each performing their own duties. Rather than seeming chaotic, it was exceptionally orderly.

Qian Xunji looked around and felt that Spirit Hall's lower-level institutions were quite rigorous. A Spirit Hall operated with remarkable efficiency, with everyone carrying out their own responsibilities. Qian Xunji nodded. There was no harm in familiarizing himself with these things in advance; after all, he would need to understand them when he succeeded the Pope in the future.

"Sir, may I ask if there is anything I can help you with?" At that moment, a young girl dressed in a Spirit Hall staff uniform spoke up.

"Take me to see your bishop," Qian Xunji said to the young girl.

The young girl looked at the handsome young man before her and realized that he might have an extraordinary background. She said, "Please follow me."

Qian Xunji turned to Jiang Hao and said, "Wait for me here. I'll be down in a while."

"Okay, I understand, Big Brother," Jiang Hao said obediently.

The young girl led Qian Xunji up the stairs at the side to the second floor of Spirit Hall. Once they reached the second-floor corridor, Qian Xunji saw the circle of rooms there. From here, they could also directly see the main hall on the first floor. There was no need to ask—this was where Spirit Hall conducted its business. The young girl gently knocked on a door and respectfully said, "Lord Bishop, a gentleman outside wishes to see you. Is now convenient?"

Inside the room, a middle-aged man dressed entirely in black sat in an office chair, handling documents. He was somewhat burly and looked to be around forty. Upon hearing this, a thoughtful glint flashed through his eyes. Who would be looking for him? Then he said, "Let him in."

The young girl signaled for Qian Xunji to enter. Qian Xunji reached out, pushed open the door, and walked straight inside. The young girl remained outside, standing respectfully in case she was summoned at any time.

Upon entering, he saw that the room was arranged with great precision, without a trace of extravagance. It truly was a qualified workspace. At a glance, Qian Xunji saw a middle-aged man in black sitting in an office chair and studying him curiously. Qian Xunji knew that this was a Black-robed Bishop of Spirit Hall, a Soul Emperor to Soul Saint Strong Person. They generally served as the masters of main halls in Spirit Halls located in major cities, assisting Red-robed Bishops in managing a region. Only Strong Persons above the Soul Saint rank could serve as Red-robed Bishops. A Red-robed Bishop was already a very high-ranking position, and those with connections could hold office in the Pope's Palace. The four Platinum Bishops possessed strength close to that of Titled Douluo. There were only four of them. They were the highest-ranking bishops, wielding immense authority and answering directly to the Pope. Their status was no lower than that of the Sect Masters of the Lower Four Sects.

While Qian Xunji observed the Black-robed Bishop before him, the Black-robed Bishop was also observing Qian Xunji. Seeing that Qian Xunji was exceptionally handsome, tall, and upright, with his black robes only further accentuating his extraordinary bearing, he instinctively felt that this young man had an impressive background. His eyes narrowed involuntarily.

"Who are you? Why have you come to see me?" The Black-robed Bishop broke the silence and spoke first.

Qian Xunji took out a token from behind his back and flicked it through the air to the Black-robed Bishop. The Black-robed Bishop caught it and hurriedly inspected it. The moment he did, he was so startled that he shot up from his office chair, his eyes widening in shock.

"Th-This is the Pope's Token? How did it end up in your hands?" the Black-robed Bishop asked in shock.

"Where it came from is none of your concern. You only need to know that it is the Pope's Token," Qian Xunji said coldly. It was not that Qian Xunji did not want to tell the Black-robed Bishop. Rather, during his training journey, he could not reveal his True Identity to anyone. Once it leaked, there was no telling whether someone might secretly make a move against him. Qian Xunji knew exactly how dark and ruthless the hearts of sects and nobles could be. He had to remain twelve parts vigilant.

"I have a task for you. There is a child in the main hall downstairs. I saved him on the road, and his name is Jiang Hao. He has good talent. Send him to the Pope's Palace in Spirit City. Also, I have a letter here. Help me deliver it to His Holiness the Pope." Qian Xunji took a letter from his Soul Tool, handed it to the Black-robed Bishop, and spoke.

The Black-robed Bishop saw the four words, "To Be Opened Personally by the Pope," written clearly on the letter. He thought to himself, It seems he has some connection to His Holiness the Pope. I just don't know what relation he is to His Holiness. Forget it. I have no right to ask about such secrets. Then the Black-robed Bishop cupped his hands and said, "This subordinate accepts the order."

"What is your name?" Qian Xunji asked with a satisfied nod.

"Reporting to you, my lord, this subordinate is named Lotrilata."

"You are a noble?" Qian Xunji asked, because the name Lotrilata sounded like one that only a noble could have.

"This subordinate was once a noble. Later, my family was slaughtered by our enemies. Overnight, I was the only one left. The ones who persecuted my family were powerful nobles of the Heaven Dou Empire. Later, I reported it to the Emperor, only to have my noble title stripped away instead. I could not fight them alone, so I joined Spirit Hall. Fortunately, my talent was not bad. Relying on Spirit Hall's resources, I cultivated to the Soul Emperor rank and even became a Black-robed Bishop." Lotrilata spoke slowly. He seemed to have recalled what had happened back then; his body trembled slightly, and his eyes reddened.

Qian Xunji looked at the Black-robed Bishop before him, his expression slightly surprised. He had not expected that Lotrilata, already a Black-robed Bishop of Spirit Hall and considered a Strong Person, would have such a past. Seeing that his expression did not seem false, Qian Xunji comforted him in a somewhat stiff voice, "You will have a chance to take revenge someday. Trust in Spirit Hall."

The Black-robed Bishop steadied himself, and his emotions recovered somewhat. He nodded. "Yes, my lord."

"Handle the matter I entrusted to you properly." Leaving those words behind, Qian Xunji turned and walked away.

In the first-floor main hall, Jiang Hao had grown bored from waiting, so he stared blankly at the murals on the walls, seemingly wondering what martial soul he might awaken. Qian Xunji came downstairs and saw the distracted Jiang Hao. The Corner of Mouth curled into a smile as he gave a light cough. Jiang Hao instantly snapped awake and said excitedly, "Big Brother, you're back."

Qian Xunji gave an "Mm" and said to Jiang Hao, "Jiang Hao, I'm leaving. Someone will send you to Spirit Hall in Spirit City shortly. Just go with them."

Upon hearing that, Jiang Hao's small body trembled, and he said in a shaking voice, "B-Big Brother, you... you don't want me anymore?"

Qian Xunji looked at Jiang Hao and felt somewhat reluctant to part with him as well. In a gentle tone, he said, "Big Brother isn't abandoning you. Big Brother is sending you to Spirit Hall in Spirit City so that you can become stronger. That way, you can help Big Brother in the future." Qian Xunji said this while stroking Jiang Hao's head.

Jiang Hao relaxed somewhat, his body loosening as he said innocently, "Then Big Brother has to come back to see me soon."

Qian Xunji gave another "Mm" and instructed him, "Little Jiang Hao, you must cultivate diligently. Remember, only strength can make you powerful."

"I definitely won't disappoint Big Brother's instructions. I'll cultivate properly," Jiang Hao said with a serious little face.

Qian Xunji stepped out of Spirit Hall. Jiang Hao watched from behind, thinking, I still don't know when Big Brother will return. Forget it. I need to cultivate hard and not disappoint Big Brother's expectations. Spirit Hall, here I come.

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