Wedding

"We're back."

Bibi Dong set down the scepter in her hand and looked Gu Qing and Qian Renxue up and down.

Only after confirming that neither of them had suffered any serious internal injuries did she nod in satisfaction.

"I've already heard about the commotion Tang Hao caused outside Heaven Dou City."

Her voice echoed through the hall, carrying the unique authority and composure of someone in power.

Qian Daoliu turned around and slowly walked to the center of the hall, his gaze fixed intently on Gu Qing.

"To force that madman who can detonate his rings to sever an arm just to escape—your strength really is eye-opening, boy."

Gu Qing straightened and took the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, glowing blue and gold, from his Storage Soul Tool.

The instant the Soul Bone appeared in the air, the life energy in the entire hall suddenly grew several times denser.

A brilliant glint flashed through Bibi Dong's eyes.

Even Qian Daoliu's usually placid face showed a trace of emotion.

"This is the Soul Bone left behind when Ah Yin sacrificed herself for Tang Hao."

Gu Qing tossed the Soul Bone into the air, where it hovered steadily between Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu.

"That old bastard ran too fast. He left behind only this little bit of interest."

Seeing this priceless treasure, Bibi Dong rose directly from the Pope's throne.

"With this Soul Bone in our hands, Tang Hao's strength will be greatly diminished. He's no longer a threat."

Qian Renxue stepped beside Gu Qing and gave a detailed report on the follow-up arrangements in the Heaven Dou Empire.

After listening, Bibi Dong praised the Shadow Guard who had perfectly impersonated Xue Qinghe.

"For now, stay in Spirit City and prepare for the wedding. There's no need to worry about the Heaven Dou Empire anymore."

Qian Daoliu waved his hand, sending the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone back toward Gu Qing.

"It's your spoils of war. Keep it for yourself, or give it to Xue'er as a betrothal gift."

Gu Qing made no attempt to refuse and casually put the Soul Bone away.

After the meeting in Pope Palace ended, Gu Qing and Qian Renxue walked out side by side.

On the streets of Spirit City, the teams competing in the High-Level Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament were arriving one after another.

A group of young people in dung-green uniforms passed through the city gate, heading for the designated Contestant Village.

At the head of the group was Tang San, carrying a Clear Sky Hammer on his back.

Tang San lifted his head. His gaze passed over layer upon layer of buildings and fixed on the mountaintop where Pope Palace stood.

Deep in those clear eyes surged an undisguised, violent killing intent.

Standing atop the high steps, Gu Qing had already sensed that hostile gaze.

He looked down at the crowd below, tiny as ants.

"A bunch of reckless clowns dare to cause trouble in Spirit City."

Qian Renxue followed Gu Qing's gaze but didn't recognize the team.

"Are they the teams that qualified from the Heaven Dou Division?"

Gu Qing turned and walked toward the residence behind Pope Palace.

"Just a few bugs looking for a bite. At the tournament, I'll personally crush their backbones, inch by inch."

The soaring spires of Pope Palace blocked the sunlight, casting a vast shadow before the teams that had traveled from afar.

The real showdown had only just begun.

Tang San led the Shrek Seven Devils into their lodgings in Contestant Village.

He dropped his heavy pack on the ground and turned to face his companions.

"Everyone, get some rest and get into shape."

Dai Mubai cracked his knuckles.

"I can't wait to see that bastard Gu Qing in the arena."

Ning Rongrong sat on her bed and took out the latest intelligence from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"The report says Gu Qing and Qian Renxue's wedding will be held on the day the finals end."

Ma Hongjun let out a cold laugh as a scorching flame rose in his palm.

"Then we'll use the championship trophy as their funeral bell!"

Oscar thumped his chest, promising to prepare plenty of Recovery Sausages before every match.

Zhu Zhuqing closed her eyes and began meditating, seizing every second to improve her Soul Power.

Xiao Wu sat quietly to one side, looking at Tang San's face, twisted with anger, her heart full of worry.

The sky above Spirit City was awash in a rich, festive glow.

Sunlight pierced the thin clouds, spilling golden light over the broad flagstone streets.

Dozens of main roads around Pope Palace had been covered with red carpets embroidered in gold thread.

Every stone statue along the streets was hung with bright red silk and enormous, colorful flags that fluttered in the wind.

This was the grandest wedding Spirit Hall had held in decades.

Countless red-robed Cardinals hurried around the plaza, directing the preparations.

Tens of thousands of skilled craftsmen had been urgently summoned. They worked day and night to build a gigantic viewing platform that reached into the clouds.

Heavy wagons loaded with rare treasures formed a long queue at the city gates, their wheels leaving deep tracks in the ground.

Gu Qing walked at an unhurried pace through all the bustle and splendor.

The red carpet beneath his feet was soft as cotton and carried a faint fragrance.

The fully armed Holy Emperor Warriors on either side knelt in unison on one knee.

The butts of their spears struck the ground with a neat, muffled clang of steel.

Qian Renxue walked half a step behind him, the familiar yet strange extravagance reflected in her golden eyes.

More than ten years had passed. Walking the streets of Spirit City with her true face again, everything felt unreal.

"Looks like the Elder Palace spared no expense for our wedding."

Gu Qing stopped, his gaze passing over the guiding pillars carved from Ten Thousand Year Warm Jade.

"Grandfather has always cared about putting on a show. He'd never cut corners on something like this."

Qian Renxue lifted her slightly cumbersome skirt and came to stand beside Gu Qing.

"Besides, it's the perfect opportunity to show the entire continent Spirit Hall's strength."

The two crossed the bustling outer plaza and climbed the long stairway leading straight to Pope Palace's inner grounds.

The noisy din faded away, replaced by a solemn silence.

The statues lining the steps radiated an oppressive air of authority.

Gu Qing completely ignored the crushing pressure that could make an ordinary Soul Master's legs buckle.

The crisp taps of his boots echoed rhythmically along the empty staircase.

Qian Renxue drew a deep breath and wiped her slightly damp palms against her sleeves.

The two purple-gold doors of Pope Palace, each weighing ten thousand jin, gradually loomed larger.

Four Cardinals were already waiting outside, their expressions exceedingly respectful.

With a grating scrape of metal, the heavy purple-gold doors were slowly pushed open.

The shadowy, lavish hall was revealed to the two of them.

Enormous crystal pillars, wide enough for ten people to encircle, supported the lofty dome.

Bibi Dong sat at the far end of the hall on the Pope's throne, a symbol of absolute power.

In her hand, she held the Purple Gold Scepter, inlaid with countless fragments of top-grade Soul Bones.

Gu Qing crossed the high threshold and headed straight toward the steps.

Qian Renxue followed close behind. The instant she crossed the threshold, her normally straight back stiffened despite herself.

Whenever she faced the woman who had given her life yet treated her with utter coldness, that instinctive resistance was impossible to suppress.

Gu Qing stopped ten steps from the dais.

Without the slightest hesitation, he met the deep, cold-pool gaze of the woman seated above him.

The air in the hall seemed to freeze the instant their eyes met.

"That madman Tang Hao failed to gain the slightest advantage against you. I must admit, that surprised me."

Bibi Dong rested her scepter against the side of her chair. Her voice was ethereal, utterly devoid of emotion.

"He's just a cripple with one arm missing. As if he could make me suffer."

Gu Qing brushed at nonexistent dust on his sleeve, speaking as casually as if he were talking about an ant he'd crushed underfoot.

"This record should be enough to shut the mouths of those old fossils in the Worship Hall."

Bibi Dong rose, her resplendent purple-gold robe spreading across the throne.

Her gaze swept over Gu Qing like a tangible force, scrutinizing him sternly.

"The teams competing in the High-Level Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament have begun arriving in Spirit City."

"Those people from Shrek Academy are shouting all over the place that they'll make you pay for your crimes in blood."

At the name, Gu Qing gave a scornful laugh.

"A bunch of fledglings who only know how to huddle together for warmth think winning a division championship means they can turn the world upside down."

Gu Qing raised his right hand, playing with a green Blue Silver Grass vine that had appeared at his fingertips.

"At the tournament, I'll personally crush every bone they're proud of, one by one."

Bibi Dong was very pleased with the absolute arrogance and confidence Gu Qing displayed.

Spirit Hall needed more than an unparalleled genius. It needed an invincible overlord who could crush every peer of his generation.

By contrast, Qian Renxue, standing behind him, had not received so much as a glance from Bibi Dong.

Whenever Bibi Dong's gaze neared Qian Renxue, she deliberately skipped past her.

Qian Renxue bit her lower lip and forced the bitterness in her heart back down.

"Your Holiness, the situation in the Heaven Dou Empire is now completely under control, just as planned."

Qian Renxue stepped forward, taking the initiative to break through the suffocating neglect.

The approval vanished from Bibi Dong's face in an instant.

"Other people have been assigned to handle and coordinate those matters. There's no need for you to waste your breath here."

That frigid response struck Qian Renxue across the face like a resounding slap.

"Your only task now is to stay obediently at the residence and prepare for your wedding."

Bibi Dong sat back down on the Pope's throne, unwilling even to look at Qian Renxue again.

Qian Renxue's face turned deathly pale. Her hands, hanging at her sides, clenched into fists.

Her nails dug into the tender flesh of her palms, the pain helping her maintain her outward composure.

Gu Qing keenly sensed the turmoil in Qian Renxue's emotions.

He stepped halfway to the side, firmly shielding most of her body behind his own.

The obvious gesture of protectiveness made Bibi Dong's brow twitch slightly.

Gu Qing raised his head and looked unflinchingly at the Pope seated above him.

"Xue'er endured more than ten years in the Heaven Dou Empire. Her achievements shouldn't be dismissed with a single offhand remark."

His words, edged with reproach, sent the atmosphere in the hall plunging into an icy chill.

Bibi Dong's gaze darkened. She brought her scepter down hard against the floor.

The deafening thud reverberated through the empty hall.

"Are you telling me how to do my job?"

An immense pressure surged down from the dais like a tsunami.

Yet Gu Qing stood like a boulder rooted in the earth, his clothes not even stirring.

"I'm only stating an undeniable fact."

Gu Qing not only didn't retreat, but stepped forward once more into the pressure.

Bibi Dong stared at Gu Qing for ten full breaths.

Then the overwhelming pressure abruptly receded, vanishing like the tide.

"You certainly know how to protect her."

The gloom on Bibi Dong's face disappeared, replaced by a profound, complicated look.

"I called you here today for more than just the situation in the Heaven Dou Empire."

Bibi Dong drew a dark-gold token from her sleeve.

A lifelike Six-Winged Angel was engraved on its front, and a statue of the Rakshasa God radiating an aura of evil on its back.

"The position of Holy Son in Spirit Hall has been vacant for far too long."

Bibi Dong toyed with the token, one of the symbols of Spirit Hall's highest authority.

"From this moment on, you, Gu Qing, are the new Holy Son of Spirit Hall."

The words exploded through Pope Palace like a bomb.

The sudden news left Qian Renxue so stunned that her breath caught for half a beat.

The Holy Son ranked just below the Pope in Spirit Hall and possessed the absolute authority to act first and report later.

Gu Qing, however, showed little sign of being overwhelmed by the honor.

"Your Holiness intends to tie me to Spirit Hall's chariot."

Gu Qing calmly met Bibi Dong's gaze.

"This is what you've earned with your strength and that Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone."

Bibi Dong flicked her wrist, sending the dark-gold token streaking down toward the foot of the steps.

Gu Qing raised his hand and caught it securely in midair.

The cool touch of the metal carried an air of authority that brooked no challenge.

"There's one more matter. I need you, as the new Holy Son, to handle it personally."

Bibi Dong rose and looked out at the bustling city beyond the hall.

"You'll be in charge of the entire finals of the High-Level Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament."

"I don't care what methods you use. You must make every participating sect witness the absolute might of the Spirit Hall."

In effect, the power of life and death over the entire tournament had been placed directly in Gu Qing's hands.

If Gu Qing wanted, he could crush any genius he took a dislike to on the field at any time.

"This assignment suits my tastes just fine."

Gu Qing casually tossed the Holy Son's token into his Storage Soul Tool.

"I'll clean up those jumping clowns lurking in the shadows, one by one."

Bibi Dong nodded, quite pleased with Gu Qing's swift and decisive approach.

"The Elder Palace will assign someone to coordinate all the arrangements for the wedding."