Tang Hao

"You... you are..."

A blood-covered figure was sent flying backward into the Spirit Hall Branch Hall in Sandi City.

As the figure flew backward, he smashed through a wall, leaving the once-grand Spirit Hall Branch Hall in ruins.

"I've come to collect some interest from your Spirit Hall."

A massive hammer came crashing down, and the person who had still been able to speak moments ago was reduced to a lump of flesh.

Next, a disheveled middle-aged man in a tattered cloak walked out of the Spirit Hall Branch Hall.

Then, the figure turned around and enlarged the hammer. The enormous weapon crashed down, reducing the entire building to dust.

The middle-aged man coldly surveyed the destruction he had caused. Leaving behind no words, he rose into the air and flew toward the outskirts of Sangding City.

Spirit City, the same Elder Hall where meetings were held.

"This is already the third incident this month!

"And a total of twenty-one branch halls have been destroyed!

"Don't you High Priests, who stay cooped up in Spirit City all year round, have anything to say?"

Bibi Dong appeared to be flying into a rage, but inwardly, she was delighted.

It was rare for her to find an excuse to take a jab at this group of High Priests. Besides, it was Spirit Hall being destroyed—of course she was pleased.

"There is no need for His Holiness the Pope to concern herself with this matter. Our Worship Hall will handle it ourselves!"

Tian'e glared at Bibi Dong with a face as dark as iron. On one hand, Bibi Dong had insulted him, yet he truly had no grounds to blame the Pope Hall.

On the other hand, the Martial Soul Branch Halls had been destroyed. It had been so many years since anyone had dared to act so arrogantly before Spirit Hall.

And it was the little rat Spirit Hall had once spared—Tang Hao!

"Meeting adjourned! All High Priests, come with this old man!"

With a flick of his sleeve, Tian'e furiously led the High Priests out of the Elder Hall.

Watching the High Priests leave, Bibi Dong smiled in satisfaction and departed the Elder Hall as well.

But when Bibi Dong returned to the Pope Hall, she could no longer smile.

"Where is Nana?!"

It was not as though Bibi Dong needed to keep track of Hu Liena's every movement. She had merely guessed where Hu Liena had gone.

"Reporting to Your Holiness, after you left, the Saintess also went out. She said she was going to see a friend."

The Hall Guard Knight had no choice but to step forward and report.

Sure enough, she went to the High Priests' residential area again!

Bibi Dong nearly failed to suppress her rage and kicked the Hall Guard Knight away.

Her ample chest heaved several times, but Bibi Dong ultimately endured it and dismissed the Hall Guard Knight.

She comforted herself inwardly. At least Hu Liena still respected her as her teacher and still regarded her as a mother. Children always had their own thoughts, so she should just let her go.

But after enduring it for a while, the more Bibi Dong thought about it, the angrier she became! Thus, the documents and ornaments on her desk suffered the consequences.

Hearing the sounds of things being smashed within the Pope Hall, the two Hall Guard Knights exchanged a glance. They could only sigh inwardly that ever since Miss Hu Liena had become the Saintess, His Holiness the Pope's temper had grown worse and worse.

Bibi Dong naturally had her reasons for being angry. It was not merely because Hu Liena had begun associating with people from the Worship Hall.

A month had passed since the Martial Practice Arena match. For some reason, Hu Liena had suddenly started going to the High Priests' residential area in Spirit City every day.

As the highest-ranking group in Spirit Hall, the seven High Priests naturally had their own residences in Spirit City. Not everyone was like Qian Daoliu, staying cooped up in the Douluo Hall all day. Their residences were all located in the same area, which outsiders found difficult to enter.

Hu Liena had not been allowed inside before, but now she was the Saintess, a Saintess recognized by the Worship Hall as well.

The High Priests had no objections to Hu Liena visiting their homes. After all, she was a Saintess recognized by the Worship Hall, and the High Priests had always held the responsibility of guiding Spirit Hall's Holy Sons and Saintesses.

Of course, as before, if that were all, Bibi Dong would not have been this furious.

What truly enraged Bibi Dong was that Hu Liena had actually requested that her future soul skills develop as evenly as possible, rather than all being strengthened for Charm for the sake of the team.

Furthermore, Hu Liena would occasionally refute or criticize Yu Xiaogang's theories right in Bibi Dong's presence.

Thus, whenever teacher and disciple met, it was fine if no one brought it up. But once it was mentioned, an argument was inevitable.

Yet Hu Liena was now the Saintess, one recognized by the Worship Hall. Bibi Dong could no longer forcibly determine Hu Liena's future path in her capacity as her teacher.

Although the Saintess was a position that might lead to becoming the future Pope, and although Holy Sons and Saintesses throughout the generations had all been the Pope's disciples, the Pope could not completely decide their path as Spirit Masters. The Pope's opinion was important, but not absolute.

The High Priests would also offer advice during a Holy Son or Saintess's growth, since they might become the future Pope.

Though the High Priests had no intention of making Hu Liena the Pope, she was still a Saintess recognized by the Worship Hall. They would certainly not withhold the advice they ought to give.

If Bibi Dong truly tried to forcibly decide Hu Liena's future path, the High Priests could rebuke her at any time, and she would have nothing to say in response.

In truth, Hu Liena also felt wronged. Bibi Dong had agreed so readily at the time, but when they returned to the Pope Hall that very day and Hu Liena excitedly mentioned what soul skill she wanted to obtain next, Bibi Dong seemed to have forgotten what she had said earlier and began losing her temper.

But this concerned Hu Liena's future path and her goals. She could not yield, leaving teacher and disciple deadlocked with each other day after day.

While Bibi Dong was overturning tables in the Pope Hall, inside the Douluo Hall—

"Big Brother, don't stop us this time no matter what! Tang Hao has already trampled Spirit Hall's dignity into the dirt!"

"That's right, Big Brother. We already let the Clear Sky Sect off for Ji'er's sake back then. That was more than enough to honor your friendship with Tang Chen."

Qian Daoliu found the impassioned High Priests rather troublesome. Why couldn't Tang Hao just keep the peace?

Back then, out of consideration for his friendship with Tang Chen, he had spared Tang Hao. He had not done so to let Tang Hao come out and keep acting recklessly. Tang Hao had once been hailed as the next Tang Chen, so why, compared to his old friend Tang Chen, had he become so shameless?

"Tell me, what exactly happened?"

Qian Chongling stepped out from behind the Angel statue and asked.

"Greetings, Ancestor."

The High Priests first bowed. They had all learned of Qian Chongling's existence a year after Qian Ningshuang first returned from Star Dou.

"Enough with all the formalities. Tell me the cause and outcome of this matter.

"This old man has been awake for nearly two years. I only know that Spirit Hall and the so-called Upper Three Sects do not get along. How exactly did this grudge begin? I've heard it had something to do with Tang Hao, but how did it start?"

Qian Daoliu stepped forward with a bitter smile. "Ancestor, this matter..."

"Xiao Liuer, shut up."

Qian Daoliu had barely opened his mouth before Qian Chongling cut him off.

Then, Qian Chongling said irritably, "This old man does not know how deep your friendship with Tang Chen is, but remember this clearly: you are the Grand Worship of Spirit Hall!

"Since you sit in this position, every one of your actions must be for the sake of Spirit Hall, not for some personal feelings while disregarding Spirit Hall!

"The greater the power you enjoy, the greater the responsibility you must bear. Even Shuang'er, who is not yet ten years old, understands that. Have you lived all these years like a dog?

"This old man will talk to you about that later. Now, little crocodile, speak!"