Hu Liena's Punishment, Bibi Dong's Resentment

Hu Liena's Punishment, Bibi Dong's Resentment

"Bibi Dong, do you intend to fight even me today?!"

Standing beneath the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, Qian Daoliu's indifferent voice rang out.

He made no decisive move to attack. Instead, he simply watched Bibi Dong with an expression of perfect calm.

Without the vast Soul Power spilling from the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, no one would have thought Qian Daoliu intended to make a move.

And if one ignored the golden pillar of light behind him, no one seeing Qian Daoliu walking down the street would have guessed that he was a demigod standing at the pinnacle of the Douluo Continent.

Bibi Dong's expression was grave. Facing Qian Daoliu's utter composure, her face flushed red, then pale.

Despite her overwhelming fury, Bibi Dong forced herself to keep it from spilling out.

She hadn't given much thought to the consequences of fighting Qian Renyu. Nor had she believed he could force her to reveal her full strength.

Putting Qian Renyu down shouldn't have been too difficult.

But if she fought Qian Daoliu, Bibi Dong knew full well that any hope of holding back her strength would go up in smoke.

Though the advantage of her Twin Martial Souls meant she could match Qian Daoliu after unleashing her full power, whether she could defeat him for certain was another question.

She wouldn't gain enough to make the risk worthwhile. Instead, unleashing her full strength could affect her Godhood Inheritance trials.

Bibi Dong calmed herself. The Soul Power surrounding her began to settle, leaving only the resentful anger in her eyes.

"So you intend to stand firmly behind him. Do you really think you can protect him for the rest of his life?"

"You know my circumstances, and I know yours. You still have responsibilities you can't shirk!"

Bibi Dong snarled, fierce but hollow. She had no intention of fighting Qian Daoliu to the death, but neither would she simply back down.

Qian Daoliu remained as calm as ever, appraising Bibi Dong with an unruffled gaze. "You needn't remind me of my responsibilities. What you need to consider now is whether you want to fight me here."

"If you do, I'll gladly oblige."

Bibi Dong: "..."

This was too much! Absolutely too much!

Bibi Dong roared inwardly. She understood exactly what Qian Daoliu meant, better than anyone.

He was determined to stand behind Qian Renyu, and he was a backer she couldn't hope to challenge right now.

"You said it yourself. The Spirit Master Tournament finals are taking place, and if we fight, we'll become a laughingstock to everyone else!"

"I have only one condition: nothing must happen to Hu Liena today!"

Qian Daoliu had chosen to stand behind Qian Renyu.

Bibi Dong had now resolved to stand behind Hu Liena.

The two strongest people in Spirit Hall locked eyes, neither saying another word.

"She can be spared death, but not punishment!"

"Disobeying one's superior violates Spirit Hall's rules. The proper punishment cannot be waived!"

Qian Daoliu paused for a moment, then spoke softly.

As he spoke, he turned his gaze toward Qian Renyu.

Qian Renyu met his grandfather's eyes, understanding perfectly why Qian Daoliu had chosen to appear.

It was obvious: Qian Daoliu hadn't intervened at the beginning because he wanted to see how well Qian Renyu could hold his own against Bibi Dong.

Now that Bibi Dong was about to unleash her power, Qian Daoliu had made his entrance at just the right moment.

Ultimately, he had come out to keep the balance of power within Spirit Hall.

"Xiao Yu, I'll handle today's matter on your behalf. What do you think?" Qian Daoliu asked, his voice distant.

Qian Renyu smiled faintly. "Grandpa, you rarely leave the Worship Hall. Of course I should show you the proper respect."

"As for Hu Liena, I'll leave her punishment up to you."

Qian Daoliu gave a quiet hum. His gaze, far colder than the calm look he had given Bibi Dong and Qian Renyu, settled silently on Hu Liena.

Hu Liena stiffened slightly beneath his gaze. After facing Qian Renyu's ruthless treatment of her just moments ago, she no longer dared to show off her cleverness.

Lowering her head, she spoke without her earlier confidence. "Hu Liena greets the Grand Pontiff. I violated Spirit Hall's rules and am willing to accept any punishment!"

Qian Daoliu considered the matter, studied Hu Liena, then spoke softly:

"Hu Liena, you disobeyed your superior and violated Spirit Hall's rules!"

"From this day forward, you will compete in the Spirit Master Tournament as a sinner and will receive none of the honors."

"Furthermore, Hu Liena will never again be eligible for promotion to Holy Maiden."

Hu Liena's face went pale, and she staggered, barely keeping her balance.

Once she was sure she'd heard correctly, she drew in a sharp breath.

The punishment seemed to have no tangible consequences, but Hu Liena understood all too well what it meant for her.

If she could lead her team to victory in the Spirit Master Tournament finals, the championship would bring her both honor and a distinguished record.

Now she would compete as a sinner and receive no honors.

Naturally, she wouldn't be able to build a record, either.

And then there was the second point: she would never be eligible to become Holy Maiden!

Hu Liena found it hard to accept. She had always been proud, and couldn't bear the thought of spending her life in obscurity.

"Hu Liena, do you object to my punishment?" Qian Daoliu asked again, his voice lingering in her ears.

Hu Liena shuddered. "The Grand Pontiff's judgment is just. Hu Liena accepts the punishment!"

"Then today's matter is settled."

Qian Daoliu turned away, no longer looking at Hu Liena. "Remember, first and foremost, you are Hu Liena of Spirit Hall."

"You need only obey the Pope's orders without question!"

With that, he gestured to Qian Renyu.

Only then did the fully manifested Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul dissipate.

Qian Renyu glanced at Hu Liena, then at Bibi Dong, and followed Qian Daoliu out of Bibi Dong's courtyard.

Qian Daoliu's punishment was, all things considered, acceptable.

Bibi Dong watched Qian Daoliu and Qian Renyu leave, her gaze fixed mainly on Qian Daoliu's back.

Those involved often failed to see clearly what outsiders could.

Bibi Dong knew very well who Qian Daoliu's punishment was really aimed at.

The power to appoint a Holy Maiden had always belonged to the Pope alone!

Hu Liena would never be eligible to become Holy Maiden again? It was obvious: he was warning Bibi Dong not to think she could keep her hands on the position of Pope.

"Damn that old fox, Qian Daoliu!"

"He used Nana's punishment to target me, both openly and in secret!"

"But I'll never simply let go just because of this!"

"Once I complete my Godhood Inheritance, I'd like to see who can take this position from me!"

Bibi Dong seethed inwardly.

All her fury was concentrated in her gaze.

If looks could kill, she would have torn Qian Daoliu and Qian Renyu limb from limb.

Qian Daoliu and Qian Renyu had already left the courtyard.

Though they were outside, they could still clearly sense Bibi Dong's furious glare.

Qian Daoliu sighed inwardly. His pace slowed, and his deep gaze settled on Qian Renyu. He spoke earnestly:

"Xiao Yu, you were too hasty. She's nowhere near as simple as you think!"

"If you push her too far, it won't do you any good!"

Qian Renyu stopped.

He stood beside Qian Daoliu.

From beginning to end, his face had remained full of confidence.

"Grandpa, are you talking about her Rakshasa God inheritance?"

"I've known about all of that for a long time."

"An ordinary Godhood Inheritance is nothing to fear!"