Soul Land: The Return of the Killing Star-Settling Accounts with Bibi Dong from the Start, Part 6

As long as someone violated the rules and laws of our Spirit Hall, I had the authority to judge them.

"And my Judgment Temple has the right to access every document and file in Spirit Hall and question anyone in Spirit Hall. Only then can I get to the bottom of what happened back then."

Guangling Douluo looked at Qian Xun'an. "Your idea would certainly be convenient, but gaining such extensive authority may prove difficult!"

Qian Xun'an calmly met his gaze. "It won't be difficult. In this world, strength rules. As for that authority, I'll simply ask them for it!"

The next day.

Qian Xun'an sought out his father, Qian Daoliu, and called a joint assembly of the Worship Hall and Spirit Hall elders.

All Seven Great Elders attended the assembly.

The Seven Great Elders were led by the Great Enshrined, Qian Daoliu.

Qian Renxue's grandfather, Qian Daoliu, possessed the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul. He was a Level 99 Peak Douluo of the Power Attack System, titled Angel Douluo. His Soul Rings were black, black, black, black, black, black, black, black, and red.

Together with Tang Chen and Bo Saixi, he was known as one of the Three Peerless Douluos and enjoyed the reputation of being invincible in the sky.

The Second Worship was Golden Crocodile.

Golden Crocodile Douluo was a Level 98 Peak Douluo of the Power Attack System. His Martial Soul was the Golden Crocodile King, one of the top Beast Martial Souls. His strength was second only to the Great Enshrined, Qian Daoliu. He had once been as renowned as Sword Douluo Chen Xin's grandfather and was considered one of the finest of the older generation.

He was also the oldest person on the Douluo Continent, a generation older than even Qian Daoliu. He also possessed a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, and his strength and defense were formidable.

The Third Offering was Azure Luan.

Azure Luan Douluo possessed the Qing Luan Divine Bird Martial Soul. He was a Level 97 Peak Douluo of the Power Attack System. His Soul Rings were yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, and black.

He excelled at using wind elements and sound waves to attack and control his opponents. In the end, he was severely wounded by the Peacock Feather Xiao Wu unleashed and died to her close-range soft techniques.

The Fourth Offering was Xiong Shi.

His Martial Soul was the Blazing Lion. He was a Level 97 Peak Douluo of the Power Attack System, with yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, and black Soul Rings. He had a Soul Skill called Hundred Beasts Bow, which let him control Beast Martial Soul Soul Masters below the Soul Saint level. He was also extremely proud and disliked joining forces with others.

The Fifth Offering was Guangling.

His Martial Soul was the Guangling Divine Bow. He was a Level 96 Peak Douluo of the Power Attack System, with yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, and black Soul Rings.

Though he was actually over ninety years old, both his appearance and voice belonged to a young boy.

The Sixth Offering was Qian Jun.

His Martial Soul was the Coiling Dragon Staff. He was a Level 96 Peak Douluo of the Power Attack System, with yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, and black Soul Rings.

His title was Qianjun Douluo. He and the Seventh Offering were twin brothers, and the two had been partners for nearly a century. No one could match their level of understanding.

The Seventh Offering was Jiang Mo.

His Martial Soul was the Coiling Dragon Staff. He was a Level 96 Peak Douluo of the Power Attack System, with yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, and black Soul Rings. His title was Xiangmo Douluo.

Besides the Seven Great Elders, Bibi Dong also came to the assembly. Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo accompanied her.

When she entered the hall, Bibi Dong turned to the Seven Great Elders and bowed slightly. "Bibi Dong greets the esteemed elders."

Qian Daoliu replied calmly, "You may rise."

Bibi Dong then asked, "May I ask why you've called this joint Spirit Hall assembly?"

Qian Daoliu replied, "You may have already heard that Xun'an returned yesterday. I called this assembly for two reasons: first, to welcome him back, and second, to discuss what position he should hold in Spirit Hall."

Bibi Dong put on a disingenuous smile and immediately said, "I heard that Brother Xun'an was once Spirit Hall's Saint. If he hadn't disappeared, he should have inherited the position of Pope by now.

"But as you all know, Spirit Hall is currently in a period of growth. If I stepped down now, I'm afraid every aspect of Spirit Hall would grind to a halt.

"So I'm afraid Brother Xun'an isn't suited to take over as Pope.

"Of course, now that Brother Xun'an has returned, we certainly can't treat him unfairly!"

The elders of the Worship Hall nodded. "That's right. The position of Pope shouldn't be changed. So we'll have to make it up to Xun'an in some other way."

"Where's Xun'an? Why hasn't he arrived yet?" someone asked.

Just then, a figure dressed in white appeared at the entrance to the assembly hall.

It was Qian Xun'an. He wore a white robe, his tall, slender frame was straight and poised, and his handsome face was set off by bright, spirited eyes.

Qian Xun'an walked into the hall one step at a time.

The six elders in the hall saw him, and astonishment appeared in their eyes.

Qian Xun'an knew these six elders well.

They had watched him grow up, treating him like one of their own children and caring for him deeply.

So he had fond memories of them all.

After entering the assembly hall, Qian Xun'an first bowed to the six elders, then said, "Greetings, Father. Greetings, uncles."

Golden Crocodile Douluo looked at Qian Xun'an, his eyes brimming with tears. "Xun'an, come here. Let me get a good look at you!"

Qian Xun'an walked up to Golden Crocodile Douluo. Looking at him, Golden Crocodile Douluo could only say, "You're back. That's all that matters. You're back."

The other elders were moved as well. Seeing Qian Xun'an was like seeing their own child again.

Everyone was overcome with emotion—everyone except Pope Bibi Dong, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo.

Bibi Dong then said, "Everyone, you can catch up later. Let's discuss the matter at hand first."

Bibi Dong looked at Qian Xun'an. "Brother Xun'an, as I said earlier, the position of Pope should originally have been yours. But at present, I'm the one handling all of Spirit Hall's affairs.

"If I handed the position of Pope over to you, all of Spirit Hall's operations would come to a standstill.

"Still, Brother Xun'an, I would never treat you unfairly. What do you think of becoming an honorary elder of Spirit Hall?"

Bibi Dong smiled at Qian Xun'an, but he only let out a cold snort. "An honorary elder is nothing but an idle post. Do you think I'd agree?"

Hearing this, the six elders tried to persuade him. "Xun'an, the position of Pope can't be changed lightly. Bibi Dong is managing Spirit Hall very well. If we took the position away from her, I'm afraid the people wouldn't accept it!"

"That's right, Xun'an. Even if you got the position of Pope now, I'm afraid the people wouldn't accept you!"

Qian Xun'an looked at the elders calmly.

They hadn't spoken up in his favor, but he knew they were thinking of Spirit Hall. He didn't blame them.

"Then you're planning to fob me off with an honorary elder position?"

At that moment, Qian Daoliu, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. "Xun'an, if you're willing, the Worship Hall can create an additional position for you among the offerings!"

His words left the other six elders, Bibi Dong, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo visibly stunned.

Create an additional position among the offerings?

What an immense honor!

The offerings had the power to directly elect and dismiss the Pope. In other words, their authority and status were even greater than the Pope's.

Besides, Spirit Hall had always had only seven offerings. A new one could be chosen only after the previous one died.

Becoming an offering of Spirit Hall was a hundred times harder than becoming an elder!

If the previous offering was still alive, then no matter how strong someone was, they had no chance of becoming an offering. Now Qian Daoliu was giving Qian Xun'an an additional position among the offerings. In other words, the Great Enshrined was granting him an extraordinary privilege.

Spirit Hall had never granted such an honor before!

The offer was so generous that anyone who refused it would have to be a fool.

But Qian Xun'an remained unmoved. He knew that although the Worship Hall could dismiss the Pope, its members also kept one another in check and were restricted at every turn.

His father clearly didn't want him to uncover the truth about his elder brother's death. If he joined the Worship Hall, his father would certainly restrict him.

So he couldn't accept!

Qian Xun'an looked calmly at Qian Daoliu. "I'm sorry, Father, but I can't accept."

When Qian Xun'an turned him down, everyone present was shocked. Only Guangling Douluo had expected it; no one else could have imagined Qian Xun'an would refuse such a generous offer!

They all stared at him, eyes wide.

Qian Xun'an then stepped before the assembly and looked at everyone. "Spirit Hall was founded by the ancestor of my Qian Family. None of you dispute that, do you?"

The others exchanged glances and nodded slightly.

Qian Xun'an continued, "And every Pope in Spirit Hall's history has been surnamed Qian. That's never changed in a thousand years, has it?"

Everyone nodded again.

"You've all also said that I was Spirit Hall's Saint. If I hadn't disappeared, the position of Pope should have been mine, correct?"

Qian Xun'an continued his question. No one had an answer.

Only Bibi Dong lifted her eyes slightly and looked at him. "So, are you going to fight me for the position of Pope?"

Qian Xun'an met Bibi Dong's gaze without fear and answered calmly, "That's right. I'm going to fight for it. The position of Pope must belong to my Qian Family. I intend to claim it!"

His words caused an uproar.

Everyone was somewhat displeased with what Qian Xun'an was doing.

Chrysanthemum Douluo immediately spoke up. "Do you know what Her Holiness has done for Spirit Hall over the years? She's done so much for us. Do you think you can just take the position away because you say so?

"I'm the first to oppose anyone trying to take His Holiness the Pope's position!"