Inside Pope Hall, the atmosphere was solemn and dignified.
Bibi Dong sat high upon the Pope Throne, dressed in a papal robe inlaid with gilt. She toyed with the Pope Scepter in her hand, her gaze deep, as if she could see straight into people's hearts.
"Your Holiness." Yue Guan, clad in a long robe patterned with chrysanthemums, bowed in greeting, his movements meticulous. "Ling Feng, Hu Liena, Yan, and Xie Yue were summoned to Worship Hall by Li Taibai."
Bibi Dong raised her eyes, her long lashes trembling slightly. "What are they doing at Worship Hall?"
"Li Taibai said the young mistress, Qian Renxue, has returned and wants to see them." Yue Guan lowered his head as he answered, not daring to look Bibi Dong in the eye.
"What did she come back for?" Bibi Dong's expression darkened at once, and her grip on the scepter tightened sharply.
The Soul Power fluctuations around her instantly turned razor-sharp.
"I do not know." Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan lowered his eyes and kept his head down, not daring to make a sound.
"Come. We're going to Worship Hall." Bibi Dong rose abruptly. Her papal robe unfurled with the movement like a butterfly spreading its wings, carrying an invisible pressure.
She descended the steps with steady strides.
Yue Guan hurried after her. Just as they reached the hall entrance, a shadow appeared without a sound and came to stand beside him—it was Ghost Douluo Gui Mei.
The two exchanged a glance, and both saw the gravity in the other's eyes. They followed close behind Bibi Dong, heading toward Worship Hall.
At Worship Mountain, outside Golden Crocodile Hall.
"Ye Fan, come out! I need to talk to you!" Li Taibai stood in front of the hall and shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing across the forecourt.
A few breaths later, the hall doors creaked open. Ye Fan came out with a dark look in his eyes, fury blazing as Soul Power stirred faintly around him. "Li Taibai, you'd better give me a reasonable explanation. Otherwise, don't blame me for being rude!"
He had been meditating in seclusion and was interrupted at a critical moment. Anyone would have been furious.
"Please, you?" Li Taibai scoffed with disdain. "You and Ling Feng are about evenly matched. You should take a good look at yourself."
Ye Fan's gaze swept over Ling Feng, Hu Liena, and the others behind Li Taibai. He furrowed his brows, perplexed. "What's going on? Why are all of you here? What is this about?"
"Come with me to the Martial Arts Platform nearby." Li Taibai's joking expression faded. "Qian Renxue is back. She wants to see you."
"Qian Renxue?" Ye Fan's pupils shrank, and a storm surged in his heart.
According to the original course of events, she should have been undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire at this point. Why had she suddenly come back?
Could it be the butterfly effect caused by the few of them?
His eyes flickered. He said gravely, "Let's go. I want to see what this Qian Renxue is like, too."
The group headed toward the Martial Arts Platform, the atmosphere quiet and charged.
An incense stick's time later, the Martial Arts Platform was empty. Only the howling wind swept across its surface.
"Li Taibai, are you playing us?" Ling Feng's expression darkened, and Soul Power began to surge around him. "We'll attack together. Even with your Sword Immortal Wine Gourd, you'll be going back flat on your back today!"
Ye Fan also watched Li Taibai coldly, killing intent beginning to show in his eyes. "If you dare make fools of us, you'll bear the consequences."
Li Taibai panicked. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and he hurriedly waved his hands. "Don't! Don't attack! Qian Renxue really is back. How could I lie to you about something this important?"
"If you don't believe me, you can ask my teacher. The Grand Elder is right there in Worship Hall!"
He cursed inwardly: Qian Renxue, you'd better not screw me over. If these two really lose their tempers, I'll be facing both of them at once. Someone might actually die!
"Look! Someone's flying over!" Yan suddenly pointed to the sky and shouted.
Everyone looked in the direction of his finger. In the distant sky, a golden figure and a burly figure were flying toward them.
Six pairs of wings spread behind the golden figure, shimmering with radiant light like an angel descended into the mortal world.
When the two drew closer, everyone could make out the woman's appearance—her golden hair cascaded like a waterfall to her waist.
Her golden eyes were like the purest crystal, carrying a hint of aloofness and authority.
Her skin was fair as snow, yet not pale; instead, it glowed with a healthy, lustrous sheen. She was tall, her white dress outlining her graceful curves. The six pairs of wings behind her beat gently, surrounding her with a sacred, untouchable aura.
She was clearly still a young girl, yet her beauty was breathtaking, as if all the world's light had gathered around her.
Yan and Xie Yue were instantly transfixed. Their gazes lingered on her, unable to move away for a long time.
Ling Feng was secretly astonished. So this was Qian Renxue? No wonder she was descended from the Angel Clan. Her beauty and bearing were rarely seen in this world.
A look of certainty flashed through his eyes. A woman like this was the only one worthy of him.
Ye Fan also sized up Qian Renxue and thought to himself: So it really is her. Holy yet proud, powerful yet mysterious. Only a woman like this is worth giving everything I have to win.
As Hu Liena looked at Qian Renxue, she instinctively glanced down at herself, a hint of defiance welling up inside her. She was beautiful, yes, but Hu Liena was still young. Once she grew up, she definitely wouldn't lose to her!
Qian Renxue and Qian Daoliu slowly descended to the ground. Their wings folded in and vanished as specks of light.
"Greetings, Grand Elder!" Ling Feng and the others came to their senses and hurriedly bowed, their attitude respectful. No matter what thoughts they had about Qian Renxue, Qian Daoliu's standing was beyond question, and not the slightest disrespect could be shown.
Qian Daoliu waved a hand, his gaze resting on Qian Renxue with indulgent affection. "Xiao Xue, everyone's here."
Qian Renxue nodded, her golden eyes slowly sweeping over the people before her.
"You have never met me, so let me introduce myself." Qian Renxue stood at the center of the Martial Arts Platform, her golden eyes passing over the crowd as she spoke in a cool, dignified voice. "Daughter of the former Pope, granddaughter of the current Grand Elder, rightful successor to Spirit Hall—Qian Renxue."
Hu Liena, Yan, and Xie Yue's expressions changed abruptly, shock written all over their faces.
They hadn't expected Qian Renxue's status to be so exalted—daughter of the former Pope and granddaughter of the Grand Elder.
Li Taibai, Ling Feng, and Ye Fan exchanged glances, gravity showing in their eyes.
Qian Renxue's gaze settled on the six of them. She spoke slowly. "The Martial Soul Hall Trio: Li Taibai, Ling Feng, and Ye Fan. Your Soul Power ranks are forty-five, forty-three, and forty-three, respectively, and all of your Soul Ring Configurations are two purple and two black.
"The Golden Trio: Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan. Your Soul Power ranks are thirty-five, thirty-six, and thirty-four, respectively, and all of your Soul Ring Configurations are one yellow and two purple."
She paused, the corners of her mouth lifting into a faint smile. "Though Grandpa gave you quite a few good things, at your current ages, you certainly deserve to be called geniuses."
Everyone fell silent, waiting for her to continue.
They knew Qian Renxue hadn't come merely to introduce herself and comment on their cultivation.
"I haven't been back to Spirit City for a long time. After returning, I learned that our Spirit City is full of talented people. I'm itching for a fight, and would like to spar with you all." Qian Renxue's gaze suddenly sharpened, like a drawn sword thrust straight at the six of them.
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