The two men entered the hall and first turned respectful gazes toward Qian Xunji on the Pope's jade throne. They bowed together, their voices deep and strong. "Greetings, Your Holiness!"
No sooner had they spoken than they caught sight of Qian Daoliu, dressed in pure white robes beside the jade desk. Both jolted, reverence and awe flooding their eyes, and immediately bowed again. "Greetings, Grand Elder!"
The brothers had naturally met Qian Daoliu before and had even regarded him as their role model years ago. But since he had retired more than a decade earlier, he had never appeared in public again. Even so, his standing within Spirit Hall remained supreme.
Qian Daoliu nodded slightly, his expression calm and composed, his aura contained. He simply stood to one side, leaving the stage entirely to Qian Xunji.
"Please rise, both of you. Whatever business you have, discuss it with the Pope. Just pretend I'm not here," Qian Daoliu said with a genial smile.
He remembered these twin brothers quite well. When he had first retired, they had only been level ninety-two Titled Douluos.
Yet the auras Qian Daoliu sensed from them now had both reached the peak of level ninety-five Soul Power. They were only one step away from qualifying for seats in the Worship Hall, a notch above even Cang Wu-and barely more than a decade had passed.
At the Titled Douluo level, taking ten years to advance a single level was perfectly common. Their speed of cultivation was further proof of their exceptional talent.
"Yes!" Both bowed to Qian Daoliu once more before straightening. He might have told them not to mind him, but how could they possibly treat him as empty air?
"There's no need to be nervous. I summoned you both to discuss an important matter." Qian