Three days later, Pope Palace, Spirit City.
Today, the Pope Palace was solemn and dignified, its atmosphere utterly unlike the lively Soul Fighting Arena of three days ago.
Inside the great hall, every bishop, all the high-ranking officials of Platinum Bishop rank and above, and the Titled Douluo from the Elder Hall were present, arranged in two rows along either side.
Qin Yao wore a brand-new Holy Son's ceremonial robe. Its base was black, embroidered with intricate, imposing patterns in dark gold thread, while dark purple crystal ornaments representing his Martial Soul adorned the collar and cuffs.
He stood in the center of the hall, receiving everyone's attention.
High on the Pope Throne, Bibi Dong wore a splendid papal robe and the Nine-Curve Purple Gold Crown. She held a scepter as she gazed down at the tall young man below, her expression calm and giving nothing away.
The investiture ceremony was not complicated. Bibi Dong personally read the decree and bestowed the token and insignia representing the Holy Son's status.
"Possessed of peerless talent and virtue, he shall serve as a model for the Spirit Hall. Today, in the name of the Pope, I invest Qin Yao as the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall. He shall hold rank equal to an elder and enjoy the honors of a worshipper..."
Bibi Dong's cool voice echoed through the hall.
Qin Yao knelt on one knee and raised both hands, receiving from Bibi Dong the Lion King Token, carved from pure amethyst.
The token felt warm to the touch, yet heavy in his hands.
From this day forward, he was officially the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall.
"Your Highness the Holy Son, please rise." Bibi Dong's voice brought him back to the present.
"Thank you, Your Holiness the Pope." Qin Yao stood.
He could feel several complicated gazes from the crowd falling upon him.
They belonged to Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan.
Their injuries had long since healed. Now they stood among the crowd, watching the young man who had utterly defeated them three days ago ascend to the position they had once yearned for.
When the ceremony ended, the crowd flowed out like a tide.
Qin Yao followed Qian Daoliu, preparing to return to the Worship Hall with his grandfathers.
"Your Highness the Holy Son, please wait."
A cool voice, carrying an unmistakable note of authority, came from the direction of the Pope Throne.
The air in the entire hall seemed to freeze in an instant.
Those who had just reached the entrance stopped in unison, every gaze focusing on the young man who had just turned around.
Qin Yao turned to look at Bibi Dong, seated high above him, his expression calm.
"What does Your Holiness the Pope require?"
Bibi Dong slowly rose from her throne. Her splendid robe trailed across the floor as she descended the steps one by one.
She did not look at Qian Daoliu or Qin Xiong. Her eyes held only Qin Yao's figure.
"There are a few things I'd like to discuss with the Holy Son in private."
At this, Qin Xiong's brow immediately furrowed.
He was about to speak, but Qian Daoliu stopped him with a gesture.
Qian Daoliu stepped forward and gave Bibi Dong a slight nod. His tone was as even as ever.
"If the Pope has something to discuss with Xiao Yao, we'll wait outside the hall."
With that, he led the other worshippers out of the Pope Palace, without the slightest hesitation.
Watching this, Qin Yao understood. His eldest grandfather was backing him.
He was telling Bibi Dong, and everyone else, that Qin Yao belonged to the Worship Hall. They would be right outside, and no one had better try anything.
Soon, only Qin Yao and Bibi Dong remained in the spacious hall.
Bibi Dong came to stand before Qin Yao, studying the young man at close range.
He was only twelve, yet already a few inches taller than her. His sharply defined face showed none of the awkwardness or nerves one would expect from a boy his age, only a quiet composure.
"Are you not afraid of me?" Bibi Dong asked, clearly amused.
"Your Holiness the Pope is the leader of the Spirit Hall, and Qin Yao is its Holy Son. Why should I be afraid?" Qin Yao replied.
Bibi Dong smiled.
"What a silver-tongued boy."
"Qin Yao, do you know that the position of Holy Son is not the end, but the beginning?"
"Qin Yao understands."
"No, you don't."
Bibi Dong stopped at his side, just behind him.
"The Worship Hall is the foundation of the Spirit Hall, held in high esteem by all. But its members are too old and have long since left the center of power.
"The Pope Palace, on the other hand, is the sharp sword with which I cut through every obstacle in the Spirit Hall."
Bibi Dong lowered her voice, giving it a bewitching quality.
"You're a clever boy. You should know that a sword is safest when its hilt is in your own hands."
Qin Yao said nothing, only quietly watching Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong continued:
"I've seen your talent with my own eyes. I can give you more than the Worship Hall can: power, status, resources. Whatever you want, I can give you, so long as you pledge your loyalty to me."
"I could even let you and Nana rule the future of the Spirit Hall together."
If she had said those words to any ambitious young man, he would likely have been so excited he could hardly contain himself.
Qin Yao merely nodded slightly to Bibi Dong.
"Thank you for your guidance, Your Holiness the Pope."
"Qin Yao was born a member of the Spirit Hall, and will die a ghost of the Spirit Hall. Wherever I am, I'll fight only for the glory of the Spirit Hall."
I'd read the original story, and I'd almost believed Bibi Dong's smooth talk.
Still, it was possible that, at this stage, Bibi Dong hadn't completely lost her mind.
Bibi Dong gave Qin Yao a long look.
What a stubborn boy. Nothing gets through to him.
She waved a hand, her tone returning to its earlier coolness. "Enough. You may go. Remember what you said today."
"Qin Yao takes his leave."
Qin Yao bowed once more, then turned and strode steadily out of the Pope Palace.
Watching him disappear through the entrance, Bibi Dong furrowed her brow.
Recruiting Qin Yao had only been a move she'd kept in reserve. It was perfectly normal that it hadn't worked; after all, Qin Yao was the grandson of Fourth Worship.
As for getting rid of him?
The thought had barely crossed Bibi Dong's mind before she stamped it out.
What was she thinking?
The Worship Hall was powerful, and that old Qian Daoliu was no pushover.
Bibi Dong slowly sat back on her throne, feeling thoroughly vexed.
Outside the Pope Palace.
The moment Qin Yao stepped through the entrance, Qin Xiong hurried over.
"Xiao Yao, what did that woman say to you? Did she give you a hard time?"
"Grandfather, it was nothing," Qin Yao said with a smile. "Her Holiness the Pope just encouraged me to cultivate diligently and bring glory to the Spirit Hall."
"That's all?" Qin Xiong looked unconvinced.
"What else?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo snorted beside them. "Fourth Brother, do you think everyone's like you, with nothing in their head but muscles and fighting? Xiao Yao's a clever one."
Qian Daoliu did not join their discussion. He simply asked Qin Yao, "Have you taken care of everything?"
"Mm." Qin Yao nodded. "Eldest Grandfather, Grandfathers, I want to set out today."
Everyone fell silent at his words.
At last, Qin Xiong let out a heavy sigh, pulled a Storage Soul Tool from his robes, and pressed it into Qin Yao's hand.
"Brat, I packed you some food, Gold Soul Coins, and a few healing medicines. Don't be stubborn out there. If you can't win, run. If you can't get away, just give them your grandfather's name!"
"I know, Grandfather." Qin Yao felt warmth bloom in his chest.
After bidding everyone farewell, Qin Yao didn't linger. He headed alone toward Spirit City's eastern gate.
A hundred miles beyond Spirit City, the land was already completely deserted.
Qin Yao stopped and checked his direction.
The next moment, the Amethyst Winged Lion King's Martial Soul possessed him, and a pair of enormous Dark Purple Bone Wings spread open behind him.
With a powerful beat of his wings, Qin Yao shot into the sky, transforming into a streak of purple light as he flew swiftly toward Heaven Dou City.
He had not chosen to ride in a carriage. It was far too slow.
According to his memory, Tang San wouldn't reach Heaven Dou City until next year, when he turned thirteen. Qin Yao had plenty of time to get there first.
Then he could turn the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well in the Sunset Forest into his own backyard!
And Dugu Bo?
That was nothing to worry about. Besides the Immortal Herbs redeemable with his codes, he had his grandfather Qin Xiong backing him up.
Qin Yao had noticed Qin Xiong following him long ago, but hadn't alerted his grandfather. It was all a kind gesture, after all.
Not long after Qin Yao took to the sky, Qin Xiong quietly appeared where he had been standing.
He looked up in the direction his grandson had flown and pursed his lips.
"Brat, you sure can fly fast."
With that, Qin Xiong transformed into a streak of fiery red light and followed behind Qin Yao at an unhurried pace.
Several days later, Sunset Forest, near Heaven Dou City.
Qin Yao appeared at the edge of the forest.
He had not stopped in Heaven Dou City. He had come straight here.
As soon as he entered the forest, a damp smell mixed with the scent of grass and trees washed over him.
If Dugu Bo wasn't there, then with his ability to fly and the poison resistance from Purple Fire Possession, passing through the poison formation would be a breeze!
With his destination fixed in mind, Qin Yao headed straight for the depths of the forest.
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