The Pope's gaze froze. "You're still as clever as ever. Leave. I don't want to see you again."
Grandmaster silently nodded and headed for the door. When he reached it and placed a hand on the handle, he suddenly stopped and said calmly:
"Twenty years, Bibi Dong. You're still as beautiful as ever, but I've grown old. If you were the one whose life was in danger today, I'd have reacted the same way. After all, you were the first person I ever loved."
"Bullshit." The Pope's body trembled violently. "You can love? You have no right to say that word. If you loved me, would you have left me? Would you have chosen to be with your own younger sister? You bastard, get out!"
"Think what you like. I'll say it again: if Tang San dies at the hands of someone from Spirit Hall,
then I'll take revenge at any cost. Bibi Dong, this is the last time I'll call you that. If you send people after Tang San, then whatever ties remain between us will end here."
He yanked the door open and strode away.
Pope Bibi Dong's body swayed violently, as though she would have fallen without the support of her scepter.
She had hated Grandmaster for a full twenty years. What did it mean to sustain such hatred for so long? It meant that the love she'd once felt for him had been profound.
The words Grandmaster had spoken before leaving suddenly cracked the hatred in her heart.
As she thought back on everything the previous Pope had taught her, along with all that had happened in the past, the truth that hatred had blinded her to gradually began to surface.
The scene before her eyes grew hazy. Her grip on the scepter had turned her hand pale. "Is this fate playing a cruel joke on us? Xiao Gang, the ties between us, the ties between us..."
The Pope hurried over to the seat where Grandmaster had been sitting and sank into it. She picked up the tea, still warm from his touch, and gulped it down.
Soon, Pope Bibi Dong gradually composed herself.
She looked toward the door. "Come in!"
The Spirit Hall guard who had just delivered the report entered the main hall.
The guard was a Soul Emperor. Seeing Bibi Dong, he immediately bowed. "I pay my respects to Your Holiness the Pope!"
Bibi Dong looked at the Soul Emperor, then asked, "What did you hear just now?"
The Soul Emperor immediately shook his head. "Your Holiness, I didn't hear anything."
"Is that so?"
Bibi Dong's gaze turned cold.
The Soul Emperor immediately knelt before her and kowtowed repeatedly. "Your Holiness, I really didn't hear anything.
"I didn't see anything either. I know nothing at all. Please show mercy and spare me!"
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Bibi Dong's mouth. She sat down gently, extended a finger, and lifted the Soul Emperor's chin.
The Soul Emperor looked up at Bibi Dong in utter terror.
Bibi Dong smiled like a demon. "Do you know that in this world, only the dead can keep a secret?"
As she spoke, the Soul Emperor was instantly struck by Bibi Dong's Spider Poison. His pupils gradually dilated. The next moment, his entire face turned green. He didn't even get a word out before he dropped dead.
Spirit City.
Soul Masters from all the various factions began arriving in Spirit City one after another.
The Soul Masters from the Star Luo Empire arrived first. Soon afterward, Soul Masters from the Heaven Dou Empire also began making their way to Spirit City.
Spirit Hall was also making preparations for the Soul Master Tournament.
Another meeting was held within Spirit Hall, this time to discuss the many matters concerning the Soul Master Tournament.
As the Hall Master of Judgment, Qian Xun'an naturally attended.
Qian Xun'an entered the meeting room, where his gaze met Bibi Dong's.
Although he already knew about the affair between Bibi Dong and Yu Xiaogang, he didn't confront her over it this time.
Qian Xun'an had his reasons. The factions from all sides had already arrived at Spirit Hall.
Bibi Dong was, after all, Spirit Hall's Pope. If he called her to account now, wouldn't that make Spirit Hall a laughingstock in front of outsiders?
Qian Xun'an was only out to deal with Bibi Dong. As for Spirit Hall, he naturally had to protect its reputation.
So they would have to wait until the Soul Master Tournament was over before closing the doors and settling their own affairs.
Bibi Dong presided over this meeting. She had summoned the elders of Pope Hall and invited Qian Xun'an to attend.
As for the people of the Worship Hall, those High Priests wouldn't concern themselves with such mundane affairs, so they naturally stayed out of it.
Bibi Dong sat at the head of the table. The others were all Titled Douluo, elders of Spirit Hall.
"Everyone, Spirit Hall is hosting this Soul Master Tournament. We have to make sure it goes well and give no one a reason to laugh at us," Bibi Dong said from the head of the table.
"Of course. This is a grand event hosted by Spirit Hall. We must not only ensure the tournament goes smoothly, but also claim the championship," one elder said.
Chrysanthemum Douluo spoke up from the side. "Everyone can rest assured about the championship. After all, the ones representing Spirit Hall this time are the talented Soul Masters of the Spirit Hall Golden Generation.
"They're undoubtedly among the best of the younger generation on the continent. The champion of this Soul Master Tournament will surely be one of us."
Bibi Dong nodded slightly. "Well said. The one representing Spirit Hall this time is my disciple, Hu Liena. I have every confidence in her abilities."
Qian Xun'an sat below, listening to the elders' discussion, and couldn't help frowning.
He was still somewhat worried about this tournament.
He'd seen Hu Liena's abilities. Honestly, she was good, but if someone insisted on calling her a genius, then the word had become far too cheap.
He didn't know how strong their opponents would be. If they were even a little stronger, Spirit Hall might well be in danger of losing the championship.
As Qian Xun'an pondered this, Bibi Dong spoke up. "Next, let's discuss the judges."
Bibi Dong turned her gaze toward Qian Xun'an.
Then she smiled at him. "By the way, the previous Soul Master Tournaments were all held by Pope Hall. Now that the Hall Master of Judgment has returned and we've established the Judgment Hall, why not put the Hall Master of Judgment in charge of the entire tournament this time?"
Qian Xun'an met Bibi Dong's gaze. He knew exactly what she was trying to do.
After all, he'd only just returned and hadn't handled Spirit Hall's affairs. So Bibi Dong was deliberately handing him responsibility for the Soul Master Tournament.
She wanted to use this opportunity to assert her authority and tell him that not just anyone could take over Spirit Hall's affairs.
But what did he, Qian Xun'an, have to fear?
Qian Xun'an raised his head and looked at Bibi Dong. "All right. I have no objections."
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Bibi Dong's mouth as she looked at him. "Then if you run into any difficulties, Hall Master of Judgment, feel free to come to us at any time!"
Qian Xun'an said nothing more. He looked at Bibi Dong and asked, "Is there anything else?"
Bibi Dong replied calmly, "We'll take care of everything else."
Qian Xun'an left the meeting room.
That evening, Qian Daoliu sent for Qian Xun'an.
Qian Xun'an went to the Worship Hall.
A woman of extraordinary beauty stood inside the Worship Hall. She had long golden hair, skin as fair as snow, a straight nose, and slender, phoenix-shaped eyes. Her stunning features carried a hint of imposing authority.
She wore a golden palace dress that flowed as one piece, seemingly woven from golden thread. It was simply and elegantly styled, without excessive ornamentation. Its golden standing collar covered her long, snow-white neck.
Her figure was voluptuous and well-proportioned, and her chest was particularly striking. The cool, noble air about her face made her all the more alluring.
"You're here?"
Qian Xun'an stepped through the door. Qian Daoliu still stood by the window with his hands behind his back, lost in thought.
He stood tall and imposing, like a mountain.
Qian Xun'an nodded. "I'm here."
Qian Daoliu immediately turned to him. "Xun'an, come over. Let me introduce you. This is your big brother's daughter, your niece, Qian Renxue."
Qian Xun'an walked over and looked at Qian Renxue, then smiled. "Xiao Xue, hello. I'm your uncle!"
Qian Renxue stared at Qian Xun'an in surprise. "Uncle... Are you the genius uncle from Spirit Hall my father told me about?"
"You remember?" Qian Xun'an asked as he looked at Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue nodded slightly. "My father loved telling me stories about you. He said you were the greatest genius since Spirit Hall was founded. It was just a shame...
"I also remember him saying that the person he regretted letting down most in his life was you, Uncle.
"When he went to the Star Dou Great Forest, if he'd stayed by your side to protect you, you wouldn't have gotten lost. You wouldn't have..."
Qian Xun'an listened to Qian Renxue. He understood that of everyone, his big brother must have been the most devastated when he went missing.
Qian Xun'an nodded slightly. "I made my big brother worry."
Qian Renxue immediately said, "If my father's spirit knows you've returned, he'll surely rest in peace."
But Qian Xun'an shook his head.
Looking at Qian Renxue, he said, "Your father suffered an unjust accusation. How could he possibly rest in peace?"
At those words, Qian Renxue immediately looked at Qian Xun'an. "Uncle, what do you mean? Wasn't my father killed by Tang Hao?"
Qian Xun'an looked at Qian Renxue calmly. "After I returned, I investigated. I discovered that your father's death wasn't as simple as it seemed."
Qian Renxue's pupils trembled at his words. She stared at Qian Xun'an in shock.
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