Dictator

Pei An's smile was gentle, yet it made the atmosphere throughout the hall tense.

No one spoke. All attention fell on the two of them.

One was Spirit Hall's newly appointed Pope, while the other was an elder at the Title Douluo level. Both stood at the very pinnacle of Spirit Hall.

Their confrontation was not something ordinary people could interfere in.

Ghost Leopard Douluo had not expected Pei An, a Pope who had only recently taken office, to be so unyielding.

In his expectations, although Pei An was exceptionally gifted, he was still only a nineteen-year-old youth. Faced with elders like them, he would inevitably lack confidence.

Then, Ghost Leopard Douluo could stop while he was ahead. He would neither thoroughly offend the Great Worship and Second Worship standing behind Pei An, nor lose the chance to secure more influence for himself within Spirit Hall.

But who could have expected this new Pope, Pei An, to be so uncompromising? Without discussing a single word, he confronted him head-on.

Ghost Leopard Douluo felt somewhat uneasy, but with the arrow already nocked, he had no choice but to fire.

Today, either Pei An would lose some of his authority as Pope, or Ghost Leopard Douluo would lose all face.

Most Title Douluos valued their pride above all else, and Ghost Leopard Douluo was no exception.

Besides, he had something to rely on.

Even if he truly could not defeat Pei An, it would not matter. He was, after all, an elder at the Title Douluo level and a pillar of Spirit Hall. Could Pei An really kill him?

"Pope, killing a Red-clothed Bishop so casually seems somewhat unjustifiable, even for you, does it not?"

As Ghost Leopard Douluo spoke, he subtly mobilized the imposing presence of a Title Douluo, hoping to pressure Pei An through it.

However, how could Pei An, who had defeated Sword Douluo, be affected by such a trick?

"Casually?" Pei An smiled meaningfully. "This Seat does nothing casually."

"Lancaster offended This Seat. That was already a capital offense. This Seat merely gave him the punishment he deserved. How was that casual?"

"On the other hand, Elder Ghost Leopard, This Seat feels that you do not seem entirely convinced by This Seat..."

As Pei An's words fell, a chill flickered within those Lapis Lazuli Eyes.

Eight soul rings, far surpassing the optimal soul ring configuration, slowly rose from his body and silently revolved around him.

The pressure of Soul Power descended upon Ghost Leopard Douluo like an abyss.

Though Pei An's cultivation was only at the Soul Douluo level, he made Ghost Leopard Douluo, a Title Douluo, feel as though he could scarcely breathe.

The others in the Pope's Palace exchanged looks, having never expected matters to develop to this point.

Had they not come to demand an explanation from Pei An over Lancaster, to see whether he was easy to manipulate and thereby gain benefits for themselves? How had things become like this?

From beginning to end, Pei An had never intended to give any explanation at all.

Lancaster had first lost a finger, then lost his life.

And now, this new Pope stood at swords' point with Ghost Leopard Douluo, with no intention of wasting another word.

Dictatorial. Overbearing.

Those two words surfaced in everyone's mind at the same time.

Cold sweat already covered Ghost Leopard Douluo's back. He knew his own limits; Pei An, who had defeated Sword Douluo, was certainly not someone he could overcome.

Yet, believing that Pei An would not kill him, he had no intention of backing down.

Even if he lost, he might still earn a reputation for loyalty and righteousness. Perhaps Pei An might even cast aside their present conflict and put him to important use because of it.

With that thought, Ghost Leopard Douluo straightened his back further and stared directly at Pei An. "I would not dare. I merely speak for what I believe to be right."

If one ignored Ghost Leopard Douluo's true Thoughts, those words truly did sound exceptionally loyal and sincere.

But in truth, most people knew perfectly well what he was really thinking.

Pei An slowly rose from the Pope's throne, the Sword of the Living Judgement following at his side like the most loyal Guard.

He descended the steps at an unhurried pace and arrived before Ghost Leopard Douluo.

The chill in those Lapis Lazuli Eyes was like mysterious ice that had never melted for ten thousand years, making Ghost Leopard Douluo feel increasingly unsure of himself.

"Since Elder Ghost Leopard is so noble and selfless, This Seat should not stop you."

"Then today, This Seat shall play the villain and help Elder Ghost Leopard achieve his fine reputation."

Pei An's indifferent voice echoed through the hall.

W-what did that mean?

Everyone froze, still unable to react.

The next instant, Pei An wielded the Sword of the Living Judgement and slashed at Ghost Leopard Douluo's head.

Ghost Leopard Douluo's pupils contracted sharply. Every muscle in his body tensed in an instant, and his martial soul possessed him at once. He pushed his speed to its limit, barely managing to evade that strike.

Having walked along the edge of death, Ghost Leopard Douluo panted heavily, his face filled with lingering fear.

Madman. This new Pope was a madman!

Ghost Leopard Douluo was certain that Pei An had truly intended to take his life with that sword strike.

The power contained in that blade was enough to sever his neck in an instant.

Had he not dodged in time, he would likely have met the same end as Lancaster.

That bastard truly did not treat him, a Title Douluo, as a Title Douluo at all!

"Ah, Elder Ghost Leopard, why did you dodge?"

"If This Seat's sword had struck, would you not have earned a loyal reputation for risking your life to remonstrate?"

Pei An still wore a puzzled expression, making Ghost Leopard Douluo burn with rage.

He wanted to make a name for himself, but he had never said he wanted to throw away his life.

What use would that reputation be if he were dead?

His ideological awareness was not that high.

"Pope, I am an elder!" Seeing Pei An still holding the Sword of the Living Judgement as he slowly approached, Ghost Leopard Douluo hurriedly shouted a stern reminder.

He did not dare gamble any longer. This new Pope was a madman through and through!

Pei An did not stop advancing.

Holding the longsword, he shook his head slightly. "See? Wrong again."

"You were once an elder. You are not one now."

"Ghost Leopard Douluo harbors disloyal intentions. In the name of the Pope, I hereby strip him of his status as an elder. Does anyone object?"

His Lapis Lazuli Eyes swept over everyone in the Pope's Palace.

Silence filled the hall.

Not a single person dared speak in opposition.

He had killed Red-clothed Bishop Lancaster without hesitation, and judging by his current appearance, he did not seem to intend to spare even Ghost Leopard Douluo.

How could they dare object?

Everyone cherished their lives. There was no need for hesitation on such a matter; they silently maintained a tacit agreement.

"See? Everyone thinks the same." Pei An's warm smile appeared to Ghost Leopard Douluo like a demon from hell.

Neither the Elder Hall nor the Worship Hall had made any move.

He did not believe those two sides were unaware.

Their silence was the clearest stance.

He had been abandoned, reduced to a discarded piece for Pei An to further solidify his authority as Pope!

"Pei An, do not think you truly have me cornered!"

"I am also a Title Douluo!"

At this point, Ghost Leopard Douluo naturally could not sit still and await death.

Only by fighting desperately would he have a sliver of hope for survival!

As long as he could escape Spirit City, with his cultivation, the vast world would surely have a place for him!