Difficulties

Zhao Linchuan's gaze passed over Ye Hai and landed on the indistinct figure behind the beaded curtain on the throne. Yet every word he spoke was clear, carrying an invisible edge.

"His Holiness the Pope has yet to speak or issue an order, yet you are already so eager to overstep your authority and make such a grand fuss..."

He paused, and his voice abruptly turned cold. "Isn't that... rather out of line?!"

"Impudence! How dare you speak like that!" Ye Hai flew into a rage!

Zhao Linchuan's words were no different from publicly accusing him of meddling where he was not wanted, even mocking him for being more anxious than the emperor himself!

To Ye Hai, this was an enormous humiliation!

Violent Soul Power instantly surged around him. Even the air in the grand hall seemed to freeze as a destructive aura began to gather!

"Enough." Qian Xunji's voice was calm and flat, yet it carried an invisible pressure, like an icy tide instantly calming the turbulent undercurrents in the hall.

He casually waved a hand, and the violent Soul Power boiling around Ye Hai seemed to have its throat gripped, immediately subsiding. Yet his hawk-like eyes remained fixed on Zhao Linchuan, filled with venomous resentment.

Qian Xunji's gaze settled on Zhao Linchuan, carrying scrutiny as well as a barely perceptible chill. "This young man possesses extraordinary talent, rare in this world."

"I wonder... do you have a woman you favor?"

Without hesitation, Zhao Linchuan frankly raised the hand he had been holding with Bibi Dong all along. Their fingers were interlocked, a sight especially glaring within the solemn hall. "Dong'er and I fell in love at first sight. Our feelings are mutual."

His voice was bright and clear, carrying an unquestionable resolve.

Qian Xunji's eyelid twitched almost imperceptibly as a nameless fire burned in his chest.

The forbidden possession he had painstakingly cultivated actually dared to so openly declare herself someone else's!

He forcibly suppressed his surging anger, his voice giving no hint of pleasure or displeasure. "Very well. From this moment onward, you are the Spirit Hall's Saint Child."

"Saint Child?" At those words, not only Bibi Dong, Ghost Charm, and Yue Guan were stunned; even Chong Yue and Ye Hai showed a trace of surprise in their eyes.

The appointment of a Saint Child was an immensely significant matter. How could it be decided so casually?

And after Zhao Linchuan had openly "provoked" him?

Zhao Linchuan's sword-like brows rose slightly, and alarm bells rang in his mind.

Qian Xunji's reaction had completely exceeded his expectations.

He had already prepared himself to face difficulties, even to reveal some of his talent in order to attract the Worship Hall's attention. Yet he had not expected Qian Xunji to directly throw the position of Saint Child at him.

This was absolutely not goodwill. It was more like poison coated in sugar, or... a massive trap.

"Can I refuse?" Zhao Linchuan asked tentatively, his gaze sharp as a blade as he tried to pierce the shadows beneath Qian Xunji's crown.

"This is your honor!" Ye Hai could not help shouting sternly again, as though Zhao Linchuan's refusal to appreciate the favor was utterly outrageous.

Yet Zhao Linchuan ignored him. Looking straight at Qian Xunji on the throne, he said something astonishing. "Then, after becoming the Saint Child, will I... be able to inherit the Pope's Seat in the future?"

"Impudence! Arrogant brat! Do you know what you are saying?!" Ye Hai completely erupted, Soul Power surging around him once more.

If Qian Xunji had not been present, he would have nearly acted at once and crushed this ignorant boy to pieces!

Yet Qian Xunji's reaction once again shocked everyone.

A strange ripple seemed to pass across his face behind the beaded curtain. His voice remained calm, but it carried a chilling coldness. "You can."

Those two simple words exploded through the hall like thunder.

Bibi Dong stared at her Teacher in disbelief, while Ghost Charm and Yue Guan exchanged uncertain, startled looks.

He was allowing a newly appointed Saint Child to covet the Pope's Seat?

This was absolutely not Qian Xunji's character!

"However," Qian Xunji shifted tone, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, "one who wishes to wear the crown must bear its weight."

"There is currently a matter at hand. Consider it your test." He casually picked up a dossier that had long been prepared on the table and tossed it toward Zhao Linchuan as though discarding an insignificant object. "Go and complete it."

"Remember, you represent the Spirit Hall. Do not bring even the slightest disgrace upon our Hall!"

Zhao Linchuan raised a hand and steadily caught the dossier, then unfolded it.

Bibi Dong immediately stepped forward to look at it with him.

After merely scanning it a few times, Zhao Linchuan inwardly exclaimed, Well, damn! This is making Ning Fengzhi work like a slave for the Spirit Hall!

The dossier clearly stated: Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was to fund the repairs of over a thousand orphan welfare homes affiliated with the Spirit Hall across the continent, and hand over ten percent of the sect's annual net profits to support their continued operation!

"Teacher! You are clearly making things difficult for Lin Chuan!" Bibi Dong could no longer hold herself back. She raised her head to look at Qian Xunji, her eyes full of indignation. "You want the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to spend enormous sums repairing over a thousand welfare homes, and you want them to surrender ten percent of their annual net profits?!"

"How could they possibly agree?! This is simply an impossible task!"

Bibi Dong's defense of Zhao Linchuan was like adding fuel to the flames, instantly igniting the anger and jealousy Qian Xunji had been suppressing!

His possession actually dared to publicly question him for another man!

The hand hidden in his sleeve clenched slightly, though his expression remained as still as an ancient well. His voice was icy. "Doesn't he wish to become Pope?"

"If he cannot even handle such a trivial matter, how can he speak of commanding the Spirit Hall?"

"This is merely the simplest test."

"Teacher! You..." Bibi Dong still wanted to argue.

"Enough, Dong'er." Zhao Linchuan gently patted the back of Bibi Dong's hand, interrupting her.

He raised his head to meet Qian Xunji's cold gaze, a faint, ambiguous smile curling at his lips. "I accept His Holiness the Pope's test."

"Only..." He shifted tone. "Since I will be acting as the Spirit Hall's representative, should Your Holiness not give me some token to prove my identity?"

"Otherwise, with nothing but my word, why would the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect believe me?"

Qian Xunji remained silent.

Ye Hai beside him immediately sneered and cut in, "The position of Saint Child is no joke!"

"You must first complete this task and prove your ability and worth before your identity can be confirmed!"

"Before that, you are nothing!"

Zhao Linchuan did not grow angry. Instead, he nodded. "That is reasonable. Then what about the resources required to carry out the task?"

"Surely you cannot send the Saint Child empty-handed to negotiate with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, which is wealthy enough to rival a nation?"

"There should at least be some startup funds, manpower, or... an item that can display the Spirit Hall's majesty?"

Qian Xunji lifted his eyes, his gaze sweeping toward Chong Yue. "Chong Yue. Take him to the treasury and let him choose whatever he wishes." His tone carried charity and impatience. "Once he has finished choosing, depart immediately. Do not delay!"

"Good!" Zhao Linchuan agreed crisply. He put away the dossier and gestured for Chong Yue to lead the way. "I'll trouble Chong Yue Douluo to guide me."

Watching Zhao Linchuan leave the hall with Chong Yue, Qian Xunji's cold gaze paused on Ghost Charm for a moment. In the end, he did not act, merely giving a casual order. "You two may leave as well."

"Dong'er," he turned toward Bibi Dong, his tone carrying an unquestionable command, "for the time being, remain in the Saintess Hall and focus on cultivation. Without an order, you are not to leave without permission."