Hu Liena's Punishment, Bibi Dong's Unwillingness

The Punishment of Hu Liena, Bibi Dong's Resentment

"Bibi Dong, do you intend to cross blades with this old man today as well?!"

Standing beneath the manifestation of his Six-Winged Angel martial soul, the indifferent voice of Qian Daoliu rang out.

He did not choose to strike decisively, instead watching Bibi Dong with an expression of absolute, chilling calm.

If not for the immense spirit power cascading down from the Six-Winged Angel martial soul, no one would have believed that Qian Daoliu had any intention of attacking.

If one were to ignore the golden pillar of light behind him, anyone passing by on the street would never have guessed that the man standing there was a demigod-level existence at the very pinnacle of the Douluo Continent.

Bibi Dong's expression was grave; facing Qian Daoliu's utter indifference, her face flushed with alternating shades of green and red.

Even with a raging inferno of fury in her heart, Bibi Dong forcibly suppressed it, refusing to let her resentment spill over.

She had not considered the consequences of attacking Qian Renyu, nor did she believe he could force her to reveal her full strength.

Suppressing Qian Renyu would not have been a difficult task.

But if she were to fight Qian Daoliu, Bibi Dong knew full well that her plans to keep her true strength hidden would be completely ruined.

Although she could match Qian Daoliu after a full outburst thanks to the advantage of her Twin Martial Souls, whether she could actually defeat him was another matter entirely.

She would gain no sufficient benefit, and on the contrary, the need to unleash her full power would jeopardize her own godhood inheritance trials.

Bibi Dong calmed herself, the spirit power around her body beginning to subside, leaving only the smoldering resentment in her eyes.

"So your intention is to stand behind him completely? Do you truly believe you can protect him for his entire life?"

"You know my secrets, and I know yours just as well. You still have duties you cannot shirk!"

Bibi Dong growled, her tone fierce but hollow; she had no desire to fight Qian Daoliu to the death, yet she was unwilling to concede so easily.

Qian Daoliu remained as calm as a breeze, surveying Bibi Dong with detached composure: "You need not remind me of my duties. What you need to consider now is whether you wish to cross swords with me here!"

"If you wish to fight, I can accompany you for a round!"

Bibi Dong: "..."

Too overbearing, this is simply too overbearing!!

Bibi Dong roared internally. Having gauged Qian Daoliu's intent, she knew his mind better than anyone.

He was determined to back Qian Renyu at all costs; such a patron and foundation were simply not things she could shake at this moment.

"As you said, the Spirit Master Tournament finals are currently underway. If we fight, we will only become a laughingstock for others!"

"I have only one condition: Hu Liena must not suffer any harm today!"

Qian Daoliu was determined to stand behind Qian Renyu.

Bibi Dong had now also made up her mind to stand behind Hu Liena.

The two most powerful figures in Martial Soul Hall locked gazes in the air, no further words exchanged.

"Death can be avoided, but the penalty for her actions cannot!"

"To offend a superior is a violation of the rules of Martial Soul Hall; the due punishment cannot be omitted."

Qian Daoliu mused for a moment, whispering softly.

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

Qian Renyu's eyes met those of his grandfather, and he understood perfectly why Qian Daoliu had chosen to appear at this moment.

It was obvious that Qian Daoliu had not intervened at the start simply to see how Qian Renyu's strength measured up against Bibi Dong's.

Now that Bibi Dong was about to unleash her power, Qian Daoliu had chosen a very "appropriate" time to make his entrance.

The reason for appearing at this juncture was, ultimately, nothing more than to balance the power dynamics within Martial Soul Hall.

"Xiaoyu, I shall handle today's matter on your behalf. What do you think?" Qian Daoliu asked in an ethereal tone.

Qian Renyu smiled faintly and said, "It is rare for you to leave the Worship Hall, Grandfather. Naturally, I must give you enough face."

"As for the matter of Hu Liena, Grandfather, do as you see fit!"

Qian Daoliu gave a hum of acknowledgment. His gaze, which had been much colder than when he looked at Bibi Dong and Qian Renyu, fell silently upon Hu Liena.

Hu Liena's body stiffened slightly. Meeting Qian Daoliu's eyes, and having just experienced Qian Renyu's ruthless display of power, she no longer dared to rely on her own petty cleverness.

She lowered her head, her tone devoid of its earlier confidence: "Hu Liena pays respects to the Grand Pontiff. Hu Liena has violated the rules of Martial Soul Hall and is willing to accept any punishment!"

Qian Daoliu pondered for a moment, and after scrutinizing Hu Liena, he spoke softly:

"Hu Liena, for offending a superior and violating the rules of Martial Soul Hall!"

"I hereby order that you shall participate in the Spirit Master Tournament as a sinner, and you shall not be entitled to any honors!"

"Furthermore, Hu Liena is disqualified from ever being promoted to Saintess for life!"

Hu Liena's face turned deathly pale, her body staggering as she struggled to remain standing.

Once she confirmed she had heard correctly, she drew a sharp, cold breath into her lungs.

While it seemed like there was no physical punishment, Hu Liena knew exactly what this meant for her.

In the Spirit Master Tournament finals, if one could lead their team to victory, it was not just an honor, but a vital credential for one's future.

Now reduced to a state of disgrace, she could no longer enjoy any honors.

As for a service record or anything of the sort, that was naturally even more out of the question.

Furthermore, there was a second point: she was disqualified from ever being promoted to Saintess for the rest of her life!

Hu Liena found this somewhat unacceptable; with her habitually arrogant nature, she could not allow herself to remain obscure for her entire life.

"Hu Liena, do you have any objections to my punishment?!" Qian Daoliu spoke once more, his voice lingering in Hu Liena's ears, refusing to dissipate.

Hu Liena shuddered violently: "The Grand Pontiff's punishment is just; Hu Liena accepts the penalty!"

"Since that is the case, let today's matter end here!"

Qian Daoliu turned around, no longer looking at Hu Liena: "Remember, you are first and foremost Hu Liena of the Martial Soul Hall."

"You only need to obey the Pope's orders unconditionally!"

As his words fell.

Qian Daoliu signaled to Qian Renyu.

The fully manifested Six-Winged Angel martial soul finally dissipated at this moment.

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

Qian Daoliu's verdict could be considered acceptable.

Bibi Dong watched Qian Daoliu and Qian Renyu depart, her focus primarily fixed on Qian Daoliu's retreating figure.

Those involved are often blinded, while bystanders see clearly.

Bibi Dong knew very well who Qian Daoliu's punishment was truly targeting.

Promoting a Saintess had always been a power held exclusively by the Pope!

Hu Liena disqualified from being Saintess for life? This was clearly an insinuation that she should stop trying to get her hands on the position of Pope in the future!

"Damn it! That old fox Qian Daoliu!"

"He's using the punishment of Nana to target me both overtly and covertly!"

"But if he thinks he can make me let go just like that, that is absolutely impossible!"

"Once my divine inheritance is complete, I'd like to see who can snatch this position away from me!"

Bibi Dong thought indignantly in her heart.

All her rage was condensed within her gaze.

If looks could kill, she would have loved to tear Qian Daoliu and Qian Renyu, this grandfather and grandson duo, into ten thousand pieces right now.

Qian Daoliu and Qian Renyu had already walked out of the small courtyard.

Although they had already left, they could still clearly perceive the gaze of extreme resentment from Bibi Dong.

He sighed deeply in his heart and slowed his pace significantly, his profound eyes falling upon Qian Renyu as he said earnestly:

"Xiaoyu, you were too impatient; she is far less simple than you imagine!"

"Pushing her into a corner is not a good thing for you!"

Qian Renyu stopped in his tracks.

He stood beside Qian Daoliu.

From beginning to end, his face was filled with an air of confidence.

"Grandfather, are you trying to talk about her Rakshasa God inheritance?"

"I have always known about these matters of hers."

"A mere divine inheritance is nothing to fear!"