Meeting Qian Xunji

Bibi Dong saw the amazement in his eyes, and the corners of her lips curved up slightly with a touch of pride. "When I first saw it, I felt the same way—as if I'd arrived in another world."

Zhao Linchuan lowered the curtain and sighed sincerely. "It truly lives up to its reputation..."

Just then, a steady, mountain-like figure appeared before the convoy like a ghost. It was the Guardian Douluo, Chong Yue.

His gaze was sharp as lightning as it swept across the convoy, while his voice rang out like a great bell, reaching every carriage clearly.

"By decree of His Holiness the Pope! Saintess Bibi Dong, Ghost Douluo Ghost Charm, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, and Zhao Linchuan are summoned to the Pope's Palace at once!"

"By your command!" Ghost Charm and Yue Guan immediately answered respectfully from outside the carriage.

Inside, Bibi Dong's face instantly turned pale. She instinctively tightened her grip on Zhao Linchuan's hand, unable to hide the anxiety in her eyes. "Linchuan... Teacher, he..."

"Don't worry." Zhao Linchuan clasped her cool hand in return and gently patted its back. His deep eyes held a steady calm that put her at ease. "When soldiers come, we'll block them with generals; when water comes, we'll dam it with earth. I'm here."

"Mm..." Seeing Zhao Linchuan's calm, resolute gaze, the panic in Bibi Dong's heart eased slightly. She took a deep breath and nodded.

The two slowly stepped down from the carriage. With a thought from Zhao Linchuan, the Azure Light Demon-Slaying Sword silently appeared beneath his feet. Its blade shimmered with flowing light, radiating a sharp yet restrained aura.

Bibi Dong circulated her Soul Power, and a gigantic Amethyst Crystal Butterfly with a wingspan of several meters took shape beneath her feet, formed entirely from pure violet Soul Power. It gleamed brilliantly, beautiful beyond compare.

Flight was strictly forbidden within Spirit City, but the Pope's emergency summons exempted them from this restriction.

Chong Yue's gaze lingered briefly on Zhao Linchuan's flying sword and Bibi Dong's violet butterfly, and he silently praised them. What exquisite control over Soul Power!

One controls a sword as easily as an arm or finger, while the other creates something so lifelike from nothing. This Zhao Linchuan truly is a once-in-an-age genius.

He said in a deep voice, "Follow me."

With that, he transformed into a streak of silver-black light and galloped toward the Pope's Palace, the city center's most majestic and sacred structure.

Zhao Linchuan and Bibi Dong exchanged a glance, then he gave a low shout. "Go!" Azure Sword Light and a violet butterfly silhouette followed close behind, cutting through the sky.

Ghost Charm and Yue Guan also used their own methods, turning into two shadowy figures as they followed.

Before the Pope's Palace, Chong Yue was the first to land. He swiftly entered the hall and reported, "Your Holiness, they have arrived."

"And..." He paused slightly, his tone carrying a trace of barely perceptible gravity. "I witnessed it myself: Zhao Linchuan's Soul Power is refined, his control exquisite, and both his talent and temperament are exceptional."

"If possible, I hope Your Holiness will consider this carefully and make every effort to recruit him, binding him to Spirit Hall's chariot!"

"This child's future is limitless!"

Qian Xunji sat upon his throne. The beaded curtain hanging from his crown concealed most of his expression, revealing only his hard, cold jawline.

His voice betrayed neither pleasure nor anger. "Send them in."

"Yes!" Chong Yue rose, turned toward the entrance, and announced loudly, "Saintess Bibi Dong, Ghost Douluo Ghost Charm, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, Zhao Linchuan—enter the hall and receive an audience!"

The heavy palace doors slowly opened.

Zhao Linchuan and the other three entered the solemn, resplendent papal hall.

Massive Angel Statues stood on either side, while murals upon the vaulted ceiling depicted divine miracles. An invisible pressure filled the air.

Yet the moment Qian Xunji's gaze fell upon the four who had entered, an uncontrollable fury surged straight to his head!

His prized disciple, Bibi Dong—the future "tool"—was actually holding hands with that brat Zhao Linchuan, their fingers intertwined in unmistakable intimacy!

The brat looked perfectly at ease, while Bibi Dong's eyes were full of dependence and affection whenever she looked at him!

The sight was like a red-hot branding iron pressed viciously against Qian Xunji's heart!

The bird he had so carefully raised and regarded as his private possession for so many years had been so easily lured away by some wild brat?!

"Bibi Dong greets Teacher." Bibi Dong released Zhao Linchuan's hand, stepped forward, and bowed slightly.

She could feel the icy, piercing gaze cast down from the throne, and her heart tightened.

"Yue Guan greets His Holiness the Pope."

"Ghost Charm greets His Holiness the Pope."

Zhao Linchuan also bowed slightly, neither servile nor overbearing. "Zhao Linchuan greets His Holiness the Pope."

The four merely bowed; none of them performed the grand kneeling salute.

At that moment, Ye Hai—the Guardian Douluo standing beside Qian Xunji's throne, with a sinister face and eyes as sharp as an eagle's—suddenly stepped forward!

He was Qian Xunji's most loyal and ruthless hound. Unlike Chong Yue, who valued talent, Ye Hai cared only whether the Pope's will and dignity had suffered even the slightest offense.

"Impudent!" Ye Hai shouted sharply. His voice rang through the hall like clashing metal, carrying the terrifying might of a Titled Douluo. "Where did this wild brat come from?"

"Before His Holiness the Pope, supreme above all, you dare refuse to kneel?!"

"Such insolence must be punished!"

Before his words had even faded, a terrifying pressure like collapsing mountains and crashing seas descended upon Zhao Linchuan's head without restraint, carrying the violent force of a Titled Douluo!

Ye Hai's purpose was crystal clear—he wanted to use absolute power to crush every shred of pride from this brat who did not know his place, making him crawl like a dog beneath the Pope's throne!

He wanted to break Zhao Linchuan's spine!

Faced with this terrifying pressure, enough to force even a Soul Douluo to their knees in an instant, Zhao Linchuan remained utterly motionless. Even the hem of his clothes did not stir, as though it were nothing more than a gentle breeze brushing his face.

"Heh." Ye Hai let out a cold sneer, feeling that his dignity as a Titled Douluo had been slighted as never before!

Rage surged within him, and the Soul Power around his body instantly boiled over, becoming even more violent. The condensed Soul Pressure, almost tangible, crashed down on Zhao Linchuan once more like a ten-thousand-ton hammer!

This time, even Bibi Dong, standing slightly behind Zhao Linchuan, felt her breathing seize up, her face turning pale in an instant.

This time, Zhao Linchuan finally moved.

Azure Light flashed around him, and a layer of gentle yet incomparably resilient azure Soul Power barrier instantly unfolded. It not only Enveloped him, but also firmly shielded the pale-faced Bibi Dong beside him.

The Soul Pressure, enough to crush mountains, struck the barrier like a clay ox sinking into the sea, unable to shake it in the slightest!

Zhao Linchuan raised his head and calmly met Ye Hai's vicious eyes. His clear voice echoed distinctly through the silent hall:

"Senior, have you caused enough trouble?"

There was a trace of helplessness in his tone, as though he were admonishing an unreasonable child.

"His Holiness the Pope's benevolence extends far and wide. He cherishes the people as his own children, and his heart is as broad as the sea."

"How could he blame a younger Soul Master who had come from afar with sincere respect, over such a trivial matter as a gesture of courtesy?"