Bibi Dong Succeeds as Pope

Qian Daoliu looked at the silent Qian Renxue and knew that his granddaughter had already guessed.

"Looks like you already know, Xiao Xue."

He sighed and said softly, "That's right. After discussion and voting by the Worship Hall members and elders at this elders' meeting, the candidate for the new Pope is the current Holy Maiden—your mother, Bibi Dong."

Although Qian Renxue already knew the answer, hearing her grandfather confirm it still made her azure eyes light up at once.

Even though Qian Renxue did not have a harmonious relationship with her mother, Bibi Dong, she could not help feeling happy for her.

But the next moment, she fell silent again. Her expression dimmed, and her rosy lips uttered only one simple word: "Oh."

Seeing this, Qian Daoliu sighed softly.

"Xiao Xue, do you still hate her? She is your mother, after all..."

Qian Renxue's little face filled with displeasure as she refused to acknowledge it. "Grandfather! She isn't my mother."

"You know perfectly well that I nearly died at her hands back then."

"What kind of mother treats her own child so cruelly?"

"I don't want to acknowledge her."

After saying that, Qian Renxue turned her head slightly away, her expression unpleasant.

She had remembered that incident again—the one that had always weighed on her mind.

When she was six years old.

She awakened the God-level Martial Soul, the Six-Winged Angel, with innate twentieth-level Soul Power.

Because her mother, Bibi Dong, had never liked her since childhood and had even despised her, Qian Renxue had eagerly wanted to surprise her mother after awakening her Martial Soul, believing she might finally earn her approval.

Instead, what awaited her was Bibi Dong's cold, merciless attack filled with killing intent, along with a frigid command: "Get lost!"

If Grandfather had not arrived in time and blocked the attack.

She felt that she would have died.

That bone-chilling killing intent had made her feel as though she had fallen into hell. She never wanted to experience that feeling again for the rest of her life.

Only from that moment onward did Qian Renxue finally realize that her mother did not like her at all. She even hated her beyond measure and wanted to kill her. It was as if, in her mother's eyes, she was some kind of filthy thing.

She did not know why.

But she was disappointed, and her heart had gone cold.

Then Qian Renxue's love for Bibi Dong gradually turned into hatred.

The way she addressed Bibi Dong also changed from Mother to Sister, then to that woman.

"Ah...!"

Qian Daoliu looked at Qian Renxue and gently persuaded her, "Xiao Xue, no matter what, she is still your biological mother. Grandfather hopes you won't harbor resentment."

"Grandfather, please stop speaking for her."

If it had been anything else, she could do whatever Grandfather told her.

But when it came to that woman, no.

"Xiao Xue will handle it herself..."

Qian Renxue's attitude was resolute, but as she spoke, her voice gradually softened.

Seeing Qian Renxue's dejected expression, Qian Daoliu sighed inwardly.

"Actually, she is a pitiful person too. It was your father... Forget it. It's better to let nature take its course."

In the end, Qian Daoliu said no more. He decided only to spend as much time with his granddaughter as he could and do his best to soothe the wounds in her heart.

But in truth, Qian Renxue also had thoughts of repairing her relationship with Bibi Dong.

Now that her father had been killed, she no longer had a father.

And Grandfather was busy handling Spirit Hall affairs every day. Recently, he had barely had time for her.

She only had her mother left.

She also wanted to receive her mother's love.

Qian Daoliu's persuasion had still had some effect. Qian Renxue was somewhat moved and considered whether she should give that woman another chance.

She then recalled that woman taking in a disciple not long ago, someone named Hu Liena.

She had not expected that woman to treat Hu Liena so well, completely unlike the way she treated her. It was simply heaven and earth apart.

Qian Renxue had thought that woman was naturally so cold and heartless. She had not expected her to have another side.

But why could she not share even a little of that love with her? Even just a tiny bit would have been enough.

Toward this, Qian Renxue felt resentment, jealousy, and envy all at once.

Her resentment was directed at that woman, whose affection had never been given to her in the slightest.

Her jealousy and envy were directed at Hu Liena, who could receive that woman's affection.

Could she really be worse than Hu Liena?

No. Impossible. I won't be inferior to anyone.

Qian Renxue's small hand beneath her golden skirt clenched tightly into a fist.

Two months passed in the blink of an eye.

Today, Spirit City was virtually deserted.

Nearly ninety-nine percent of its people had flocked toward Central Mountain in Spirit City, all to witness the enthronement of the new Pope.

By now, everyone knew that Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden, Bibi Dong, was about to be crowned Pope.

At this moment.

Holy Emperor Warriors personally stood guard before the Pope Palace.

The Martial Soul Hall Avenue, which stretched all the way to the foot of Central Mountain, was guarded by Temple Warriors.

The atmosphere was solemn and grand.

The Palace Front Plaza before the Pope Palace was packed with people.

Everyone who could come here possessed no small status or position.

Before the Pope Palace, beneath the massive statue of the Six-Winged Angel.

Upon the enormous balcony.

Today's papal coronation ceremony was personally presided over by Golden Crocodile Douluo, the Second Worship of the Worship Hall, who had already made an appearance on the continent.

When the auspicious hour arrived.

"The coronation ceremony for Spirit Hall's Pope now officially begins!"

Jin E shouted loudly, his voice solemn and majestic. Empowered by his immense Soul Power, it instantly rang across the entire Palace Front Plaza and swiftly spread to the foot of the mountain and throughout Spirit City.

The enthusiasm of every Spirit Master in Spirit City was instantly ignited, and cheers rose one after another.

Amid the attention of countless people.

Two Hall Elders of the Pope Palace emerged first.

They wore crimson ceremonial robes, reserved only for Title Douluo, embroidered with gold and silver patterns and set with lustrous gemstones the size of an infant's fist upon their chests, radiating an air of utmost splendor.

These two were Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei.

Under their escort.

Bibi Dong took graceful steps forward and emerged with elegant poise.

She wore a specially made, brilliant purple-gold papal gown.

The dazzling ceremonial robe was embroidered with golden threads and sparkled with treasure light, adorned with more than a hundred red, blue, and gold gemstones.

The gown fit her perfectly from head to toe.

Together with Bibi Dong's fair skin and nearly flawless beauty, it made her appear utterly extraordinary.

With her figure swaying elegantly, Bibi Dong arrived before Golden Crocodile Douluo.

Following the ceremony, she first gave a salute, then lowered her head slightly, allowing Jin E to place the radiant Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown, symbolizing the Pope's status, upon her head.

Afterward, she accepted from Jin E a scepter nearly two meters long, set with countless gemstones and symbolizing papal authority.

Bibi Dong turned around to face the Palace Front Plaza before the Pope Palace. The bottom of the Pope Scepter in her hand struck the ground, sending out an invisible ripple.

Ding—!

A crisp sound rang out.

The sound traveled far with the ripple, instantly silencing the waves of cheers. The entire scene fell quiet at once.

"Today, I, Bibi Dong, receive Heaven's mandate and heed the will of the people. I formally assume the position of Pope of Spirit Hall!"