12th Birthday Banquet

Falling Devil Douluo gave an even more bitter smile. "Your Holiness, the Grand Pontiff... made it clear long ago, when he passed the position of Pope to you, that he would no longer concern himself with these worldly social obligations."

"Besides, the Grand Pontiff has always preferred peace and quiet. He hates these wine-soaked gatherings most of all. Getting him to go... would probably be harder than ordering me to blow up the banquet hall."

He had seen Qian Daoliu's freezing gaze and the blunt, simple words "not going" whenever he faced invitations like this.

Qian Xunji sighed helplessly.

Fine. That really was his old man's style.

It seemed this forced social obligation was impossible to avoid.

That was the downside of being Pope. Personal preferences had to come second; he had to consider influence, balance, and all those roundabout political signals.

"How long will the banquet last?"

"According to Heaven Dou Royal Family custom, an emperor's birthday banquet of this scale usually lasts three days, including the welcoming dinner the night before, the grand celebration on the day itself, and the thank-you luncheon the following day."

"Three days? Too long."

"I don't have that much time to waste with them. It ends before sunset."

He still had to hurry back and accompany his disciple to the Lantern Festival.

Although the Lantern Festival lasted several days, the first day always held a different meaning.

Falling Devil Douluo's mouth twitched slightly. Probably only our Pope would dare haggle with the Heaven Dou Emperor like this.

Still, he immediately replied, "Yes."

Falling Devil Douluo accepted his orders and withdrew.

Qian Xunji rose and changed into a more formal set of the Pope's everyday robes. After thinking it over, he decided to tell Bibi Dong.

He left his room, came to Bibi Dong's door, and knocked.

The door soon opened. Bibi Dong, already fully dressed, appeared in the doorway. Her eyes lit up when she saw him. "Teacher?"

"Dong'er, something came up."

"Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire is celebrating his birthday. He sent an invitation, so I need to make an appearance."

A trace of disappointment flashed through Bibi Dong's eyes. She asked softly, "Then... today's Lantern Festival..."

"Don't worry. I'll be back soon."

"I'm only attending the banquet to show my position. I won't stay long."

"I promise I'll make it back tonight to take you to the Lantern Festival. How does that sound?"

Hearing her teacher explain himself especially to her, and promise that he would definitely return that evening, the disappointment in Bibi Dong's heart immediately vanished.

Instead, she suddenly realized that her teacher was... reporting his itinerary to her? Explaining where he was going?

In the past, her teacher had never told her where he was going or what he was doing. He had never needed to explain himself to anyone.

As his disciple, all she could do was obey orders and accept arrangements.

But now... not only was her teacher telling her where he was going and what he was doing, he was even promising to hurry back and accompany her...

Such thoughtful notification and promise made a hint of sweetness bloom in her heart. She even had the strange feeling that... this was like a husband explaining his whereabouts to his wife before leaving the house.

The moment that thought surfaced, Bibi Dong's face flushed crimson. The corners of her lips rose uncontrollably.

Seeing her suddenly blush and secretly smile, Qian Xunji was somewhat baffled. He asked curiously, "What is it? What are you smiling about?"

"N-Nothing!"

Bibi Dong hurriedly shook her head, suppressing those embarrassing associations. Then she raised her head and met Qian Xunji's questioning gaze.

"Teacher, hurry and go. Important matters come first."

"Tonight... I'll wait for you to come back."

"Alright." Qian Xunji could not help raising a hand to ruffle the top of her hair.

"Then I'm leaving. See you tonight."

"Mhm, Teacher, be careful on the way!"

As she watched Qian Xunji's tall, straight figure depart, the blush on her face lingered for a long time, while that sweetness slowly spread through her heart.

At the same time, Falling Devil Douluo, who had been waiting by the door for the Pope to depart, witnessed the entire interaction between teacher and disciple.

He muttered frantically to himself, Isn't this atmosphere getting more and more wrong?

Why did the Pope specifically come tell the Saintess that he was leaving to attend a state banquet?

And he even rubbed her head? What was with the Saintess blushing and secretly smiling?

No matter how I look at it, this doesn't seem like a simple farewell between teacher and disciple... It feels more like... Hiss!

Falling Devil Douluo shuddered violently and did not dare think any further.

He quickly lowered his head, looked at his nose, and focused on his heart, pretending to be an emotionless guard.

Outside the Hot Spring Inn, an extravagant carriage decorated with the Spirit Hall emblem was already prepared. Four magnificent white soul beasts, Snow-Treading Colts, drew countless glances from passersby.

A guard respectfully lifted the carriage curtain.

Qian Xunji merely glanced at it, then waved his hand. "The carriage is too slow. We'll fly there."

The guard froze. "Fly... fly there?"

"Mhm."

"You stay behind and protect the Saintess. Nothing must happen to her."

"Yes, we obey Your Holiness's command."

After giving his instructions, Qian Xunji said no more.

He slowly closed his eyes. Then a sacred aura rippled outward from him.

Behind him, three pairs of Angel Wings unfurled.

Qian Xunji was already extraordinarily handsome, with golden hair and emerald eyes.

Now, framed by those resplendent Angel Wings, he looked like a god descending from myth into the mortal world, noble and dazzling enough that no one dared meet his gaze.

"Let's go."

Falling Devil Douluo came back to his senses and hurriedly circulated his Soul Power.

One golden and one dark green-black streak shot into the air, racing toward the northern horizon and becoming two tiny dots in the blink of an eye.

Only after they vanished into the clouds did cries of shock and discussion erupt from the street below.

"Heavens, those... those are wings? They're so beautiful! So holy!"

"That's the Pope of Spirit Hall! I've seen him in portraits. He's a hundred times more handsome in person!"

"Is that the legendary Six-Winged Angel martial soul? It's incredible!"

"The way His Holiness the Pope flew... it was simply like the Descent of the Celestial God..."

Quite a few young women stared until their cheeks turned red, their eyes sparkling as they clutched their chests, feeling their hearts race wildly.

This scene would likely become an unforgettable, breathtaking image in many of their hearts, perhaps even changing some people's ingrained impression of Spirit Hall.

So that lofty, mysterious, and imposing Pope was actually... so radiant.

Meanwhile, in Heaven Dou City, the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Today, the imperial city was draped in lanterns and colorful decorations, brimming with festivity.

Xue Ye's birthday banquet was undoubtedly one of the empire's most prestigious social events in recent years.

Outside the broad palace gates, carriages streamed past as guests gathered in droves.

Powerful nobles, wealthy merchants, and representatives of soul master clans from all across the empire arrived one after another.

Everyone wore splendid attire and carried carefully prepared gifts, hoping to use this rare occasion to forge closer ties with the royal family and other powers—or at the very least, make themselves known.

In the square inside the palace gates, attendants loudly announced the arrival of one important guest after another.

The guests looked toward the entrance and cried out, "Look! Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has arrived!"