Controversy at the Martial Soul Hall High-Level Meeting

"Your Holiness, this matter is absolutely out of the question."

The voice of Demon Bear Douluo echoed throughout the hall.

"The position of Holy Son concerns the future of Martial Soul Hall and is equivalent to the heir-apparent to the papacy. This brat is merely a six-year-old orphan who has yet to perform a single meritorious deed. How can he be placed in such a high position?"

Bibi Dong leaned back against the Pope Throne.

There was not a trace of anger on her face.

"Does Elder Demon Bear have an objection to This Seat's decision?"

"I dare not."

Demon Bear Douluo held his head high.

"But Martial Soul Hall has its rules. Every Holy Son and Holy Maiden in history has been someone who rendered distinguished service to Martial Soul Hall. His awakening of Twin Martial Souls alone is not enough to convince the hundreds of thousands of soul masters below."

Snake Lance Douluo sat opposite Demon Bear Douluo.

He followed up with his own agreement.

"Elder Demon Bear speaks the truth. Talent is, after all, just talent. The history of Douluo Continent is filled with countless geniuses who perished prematurely. Especially with Twin Martial Souls, the risk of exploding and dying during cultivation is extremely high. Making him the Holy Son immediately carries too much risk."

Porcupinefish Douluo stroked his chin.

"I agree with the views of the two elders. In my opinion, it would be better to give him an elite quota first and send him to Martial Soul Academy to observe him for a few years. If he can truly grow up safely, it will not be too late to confer the title then."

Several core elders of the Elder Hall expressed their positions one after another.

Their opinions were highly unified.

That was that they absolutely could not let the Pope Palace establish a Holy Son so easily.

This involved the distribution of power within Martial Soul Hall.

Once the status of Su Chen as Holy Son was firmly established, the momentum of the Pope Palace would inevitably surge.

It might even overshadow the Worship Hall and the Elder Hall.

Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan let out a cold sneer.

"The elders truly have such poor memories. Did you not see the celestial phenomenon three days ago? Innate full soul power of level twenty, a supreme god-level martial soul. If such a peerless monster is not qualified to be the Holy Son, should we let those mediocre talents with innate level seven or eight take the position instead?"

Ghost Douluo Gui Mei also spoke up.

"How can you casually question the decision of Your Holiness the Pope?"

The atmosphere at the round table instantly became tense.

The Title Douluo of the Pope Palace and the Elder Hall refused to give an inch to each other.

Soul power collided faintly in the air.

The halberd guards in the hall were forced to retreat repeatedly under the pressure.

Su Chen sat quietly in his chair.

He watched this power struggle unfold before him.

These Title Douluo were arguing until they were red in the face.

In essence, it was all for the interests of their respective factions.

He knew that relying solely on Bibi Dong's forceful suppression would not be enough to completely subdue these old fellows.

Just then, the Second Worship, Golden Crocodile Douluo, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them.

He raised his right hand and tapped the round table twice.

The hall fell silent instantly.

The second-in-command of the Worship Hall, a level ninety-eight peak Douluo.

His weight was far greater than that of Demon Bear and Snake Lance combined.

Golden Crocodile Douluo looked at Bibi Dong.

"Pope, although the elders' words are unpleasant to hear, they are reasonable."

Bibi Dong's eyes turned cold.

"Does the Second Worship also wish to obstruct This Seat?"

Golden Crocodile Douluo shook his head.

"I am not obstructing. The Great Worship has already spoken. Since the child has been kept in the Pope Palace, the Worship Hall will no longer interfere with his affiliation. But if he wants to be the Holy Son, the Great Worship's tacit approval is not enough; he must follow the rules of Martial Soul Hall."

"What rules?"

Bibi Dong asked.

"Suppress his generation."

Golden Crocodile Douluo spat out four words.

He turned his gaze toward Su Chen.

His eyes were as sharp as blades.

"The Holy Son of Martial Soul Hall must be absolutely invincible among his peers. Back when Bibi Dong was established as the Holy Maiden, she also did so on the Martial Arts Arena, single-handedly challenging thirty core elites of the Martial Soul Academy. She carved out her reputation with her own two hands."

Golden Crocodile Douluo stood up.

He braced his hands against the tabletop.

"This kid has innate full soul power of level twenty. Such a foundation far exceeds that of ordinary people. There is currently a batch of extremely outstanding seedlings in the Martial Soul Academy. If he can go to the Martial Arts Arena and accept the challenges of those elite students in front of everyone, the Elder Hall will not say another word."

Demon Bear Douluo immediately chimed in.

"Second Worship is absolutely right. As long as he can win, I, Demon Bear, will be the first to kneel and call him Holy Son. If he doesn't dare, or if he gets beaten to the ground, then he can obediently crawl back to the orphanage."

Bibi Dong gripped her scepter tightly.

Purple soul power erupted from her body.

"Golden Crocodile, do not go too far. Su Chen only awakened his martial soul three days ago. He doesn't even have a single soul ring. You want him to face those soul masters in the Martial Soul Academy who have already obtained soul rings? You call this following the rules?"

The core elites of the Martial Soul Academy.

They were at least soul masters above level ten who had obtained their first soul ring.

There were even Soul Grand Masters on the verge of breaking through level twenty.

A soul ring brings not only skills.

It is a comprehensive enhancement of physical fitness.

A soul master without a soul ring and a soul master with a soul ring.

They are two completely different concepts.

Golden Crocodile Douluo did not back down in the slightest.

"He has a god-level martial soul and innate level twenty soul power. Such a person cannot be judged by common sense. If he cannot even handle a cross-rank challenge, what kind of peerless genius is he? Martial Soul Hall does not need flowers grown in a greenhouse."

Just as Bibi Dong was about to erupt.

A fair hand suddenly pressed down on the back of hers.

Bibi Dong was slightly stunned.

She turned her head to look.

She saw that Su Chen had already stood up from his chair.

Su Chen's expression was extremely calm.

He did not show the slightest bit of fear.

Instead, he faintly exuded a trace of excitement.

He had just consumed the Marrow Cleansing Pill.

His body had undergone a complete rebirth.

His physical strength had skyrocketed to a terrifying level.

Level twenty full soul power surged within his body.

He was just worrying about having no place to test his current combat power.

These elders had voluntarily delivered punching bags to his doorstep.

Su Chen walked around Bibi Dong's Pope Throne.

He walked up to the round table.

He faced Golden Crocodile Douluo's pressure head-on.

"Second Worship is right. Strength is everything."

Su Chen's voice was very steady.

It was clearly audible within the spacious hall.

"Since you elders feel that I am not worthy of being this Holy Son, then let us do it according to the rules of Martial Soul Hall."

A flash of surprise crossed Demon Bear Douluo's eyes.

He did not expect this six-year-old brat to actually dare to take up the gauntlet.

"Good kid, you've got guts. You really dare to go to the Martial Arts Arena?"

Su Chen looked at Demon Bear Douluo.

"Why wouldn't I dare? However, since it is a challenge match, there must be a wager."

"What kind of wager do you want?"

Golden Crocodile Douluo asked.

"If I lose, I will voluntarily hand over the Pope Token, give up the position of Holy Son, and willingly go to the lowest-level branch of Martial Soul Hall to do chores."

Su Chen swept his gaze across the seated elders.

His tone turned abruptly cold.

"But if I win, from this day forward, no one is to bring up my status or seniority again. To see me is to see the Pope. Whoever dares to show disrespect shall be dealt with according to the crime of treason against Martial Soul Hall. Do you elders dare to agree?"

Su Chen's words landed with the weight of iron.

The Title Douluos in the hall were stunned.

They had occupied high positions for years.

Never before had a six-year-old child dared to negotiate with them in such a tone.

Bibi Dong watched Su Chen's back.

Her eyes shimmered with a brilliant light.

This disciple was exactly to her liking.

Arrogant enough.

Domineering enough.

Golden Crocodile Douluo burst into laughter.

"Fine, I agree. As long as you can beat those arrogant geniuses of Martial Soul Academy into submission, not only will the Worship Hall and Elder Hall acknowledge your status, but all cultivation resources of Martial Soul Hall will be at your disposal."

"It is a deal."

Su Chen said.

Bibi Dong stood up.

She no longer stopped Su Chen.

She believed that the person she had chosen would never do anything without certainty.

Even if Su Chen truly encountered danger on the arena, with her present, no one could harm a single hair on his head.

"Pass the order."

Bibi Dong looked toward the red-robed bishop outside the door.

"Open the Central Martial Arena. Summon all elite students from the primary and intermediate classes of Martial Soul Academy. This Seat shall oversee the battle personally."

"As you command."

The red-robed bishop immediately acknowledged the order and departed.

The tense atmosphere in the conference hall finally eased somewhat.

But a brand-new sense of anticipation began to spread through everyone's hearts.

The Title Douluos rose one after another.

They wanted to see for themselves, just how much weight this six-year-old child, so highly regarded by Bibi Dong, truly carried.

The Central Martial Arena of Martial Soul City was located in the area between the Pope Palace and the Elder Hall.

This was the place Martial Soul Hall used specifically for holding large-scale duels and selection tournaments.

The arena was vast.

At its center was a massive circular stage with a diameter exceeding one hundred meters.

The stage was paved with hard Adamantine Rock.

Engraved around it were array patterns designed to prevent the leakage of soul power.

At this moment, thousands of people had already gathered on the stands surrounding the arena.

The instructors of Martial Soul Academy, having received the red-robed bishop's order, had quickly arrived with the elite students of their respective classes.

The students ranged in age from seven to twelve.

They were all geniuses selected layer by layer from branch halls across the land.

Each of them carried a strong sense of confidence and pride.

The students stood in formation below the stands.

They whispered to one another, discussing this sudden summons.

"Have you heard? His Holiness the Pope has taken a personal disciple and intends to directly appoint him as the Holy Son."

A tall boy spoke in a low voice.

He was a top student in the intermediate class.

Eleven years old.

Martial Soul: Blazing Savage Bull.

He had already broken through to level eighteen.

"I heard from the instructor that the guy only awakened his Martial Soul a few days ago. He's just a six-year-old brat who doesn't even have a Spirit Ring."

Another tall, thin boy looked on with utter disdain.

"Why should he become the Holy Son the moment he awakens? What does that make us, after all these years of hard cultivation? I refuse to accept this."

"The Elder Hall doesn't accept it either, which is why this match is happening today. The higher-ups have spoken: whoever can defeat that kid named Su Chen on the arena floor will receive focused training from the Elder Hall."

As soon as these words were spoken.

The eyes of every student lit up.

Focused training from the Elder Hall.

It meant endless resources and a future that would soar to the heavens.

The gazes they cast toward the entrance of the Martial Arts Arena became incredibly aggressive.

It was the look of hunters eyeing their prey.

Following the sound of rhythmic footsteps.

Two rows of Temple Knights clad in heavy silver armor trotted into the Martial Arts Arena.

They quickly secured all the key positions.

Immediately after.

The high-ranking officials of Martial Soul Hall, led by Bibi Dong, slowly walked into the arena.

The instructors and students in the stands immediately knelt on one knee.

"Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope. Greetings, esteemed Elders."

The voices of over a thousand people converged.

The momentum was staggering.

Bibi Dong walked straight to the highest viewing platform and sat down.

Golden Crocodile Douluo, Demon Bear Douluo, and the others took their places on either side.

Su Chen did not follow them up to the viewing platform.

He stopped at the entrance.

His gaze swept over the Martial Soul Academy students below who were eager to test their mettle.

He unhooked the Pope Token from his waist.

He tossed it casually to a Temple Knight standing nearby.

Su Chen strode toward the circular arena in the center of the grounds.

He did not take the stairs.

Instead, he exerted a slight force with his legs.

His body soared into the air like an arrow released from a bow.

He cleared the distance of over ten meters directly.

Landing steadily in the very center of the Adamantite Arena.

The eyes of the entire crowd instantly focused on the youth dressed in black brocade.