Bibi Dong gently helped Wang Xian'er to her feet, then tapped her forehead with a fingertip. A thread of pure Soul Power flowed into her, instantly calming her tumultuous emotions and easing her exhaustion.
"Get up."
Bibi Dong's voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly across the entire plaza. "From today onward, you're no longer alone."
She turned to face the mass of Spirit Hall leaders kneeling before her. All warmth had vanished from her violet eyes, replaced by an awe-inspiring authority that left them breathless.
"This emperor has returned not to assign blame, but to settle accounts."
"Those who dared to shit on Spirit Hall's head, those who dared to withhold Spirit Hall's taxes, those who secretly colluded with the Sun Moon Empire..."
"Not one of you will get away."
Each word struck the hearts of everyone present like a hammer.
The Temple Knights felt a chill run through them. This oppressive presence far surpassed that of Pope Wang Xian'er.
Of course, after making a show of force, it was only natural to offer a sweet reward.
Bibi Dong changed her tone, a gentle smile curling her lips. "All of you here stayed loyal and steadfast through Spirit Hall's most difficult days. That is loyalty!"
"On behalf of Spirit Hall, I, Bibi Dong, promise you this: when Spirit Hall regains its former glory, we will not claim that glory for ourselves alone!"
"Everyone, are you willing to join me in making Spirit Hall great again?"
The gathered Spirit Hall leaders were fired up. They stared at Bibi Dong with fervent eyes and raised their hands, shouting in unison, "We swear to follow His Holiness the Pope to the death!"
"Make Spirit Hall great again!"
Their shouts rose so high they nearly lifted the roof of Pope Palace.
This was the Spirit Hall they ought to follow!
Ever since the last Six-Winged Angel bloodline died out, Spirit Hall had spent countless years searching the continent for descendants of the Angel Legion. After all that searching, they had found only Wang Xian'er's line, with its Healing Angel bloodline. But that had never shaken the old guard's loyalty to the Angel Clan.
Even though she was an auxiliary Soul Master, they had still helped Wang Xian'er secure the position of Pope.
But because she was an auxiliary Soul Master, Wang Xian'er was always at an innate disadvantage when dealing with other factions.
They'd put up with enough humiliation over the years.
So what if Shrek had produced seven gods?
They strutted around like they owned the place all day. If Spirit Hall hadn't fought the war against the Sun Moon Empire back then, when would Shrek ever have gotten the chance to rule the roost?
And the Three Great Empires were even more despicable, stabbing them in the back—cowards among cowards.
Now that His Holiness the Holy Pope had returned, Spirit Hall's future was assured.
They believed Spirit Hall would once again become great!
"What's your name?"
Bibi Dong looked toward Zhang Peng, whose Soul Power was the highest among the crowd.
"Your Holiness the Holy Pope, my name is Zhang Peng."
Zhang Peng cupped his hands and answered respectfully.
"Zhang Peng."
"Your subordinate is here!"
Zhang Peng snapped his head up, his eyes blazing.
"Take some men and draw up a list of every sect that's dared to provoke Spirit Hall in the past ten years."
"Yes! I'll see to it at once!"
"Wang Xian'er."
"Ancestress, I'm here."
"You'll continue overseeing academic affairs. You know Spirit Hall's internal operations well. But remember, from today onward, Spirit Hall must unsheathe its sword again."
"Yes! I'll obey, Ancestress!"
With just a few brief instructions, the handover and activation of Spirit Hall's core leadership were complete.
Everyone felt a long-missed power called "hope" burning in their chests.
Once everything had been taken care of and most people had dispersed, Bibi Dong finally lowered her gaze to Chen Doudou, who had been standing beside her the whole time, holding Jiang Nannan's hand.
"Xian'er, find someone to help Doudou and Nannan with their enrollment."
Only then did Wang Xian'er turn her attention to Chen Doudou and Jiang Nannan. At a glance, she noticed Chen Doudou's purple hair, almost identical to Bibi Dong's.
Could he be His Holiness the Holy Pope's own child—and the younger brother of the Angel God?
"Ancestress, this girl is Ye Guyi, my disciple. Why not have her take the two young masters to enroll?"
Wang Xian'er pointed to Ye Guyi, who was still kneeling beside them, looking rather lost.
"She has a Holy Angel spirit, making her the purest-blooded Angel descendant in Spirit Hall. Why not have her become the young master's guard from now on?"
"Mm."
Bibi Dong nodded. She already had a good impression of Ye Guyi. With her Holy Angel spirit and that head of golden hair, she looked quite a bit like Qian Renxue, making Bibi Dong feel warmly toward her.
"Guyi, take the two young masters to enroll."
"Yes, Teacher."
Chen Doudou blinked and looked at Ye Guyi.
Ye Guyi timidly raised her head. Her eyes behind her glasses were clear and sharp, with a hint of awe.
"Hi, Sister Guyi."
Chen Doudou greeted her with a cheerful grin, not the least bit intimidated by her god-level strength. "I'm Chen Doudou."
"Y-you two... hello."
Ye Guyi hurried to her feet and stepped over to them, somewhat awkwardly straightening her hem. "Doudou... little brother, Nannan... little sister."
She was a few years older than Chen Doudou and Jiang Nannan, so it was only natural to call them younger brother and sister. But these two children had brought out such a gentle expression in their Ancestress that Ye Guyi didn't dare take them lightly.
"Hello, Sister Ye."
Jiang Nannan greeted her obediently.
"Since you're my guard, you'll have to listen to me from now on, okay?"
Chen Doudou flashed a mischievous smile.
"Huh?" Ye Guyi froze.
"For example, if some bad guy bullies me again, you have to be the first to rush over and beat him up!"
"Of course!"
Ye Guyi puffed out her chest, her eyes resolute. "Protecting you is my duty!"
"Hehe, then it's a deal."
Chen Doudou nodded in satisfaction, then leaned closer and lowered his voice. "By the way, Sister Guyi, my Sister Dong can be a little short-tempered sometimes. If she hits me, you have to shield me."
Ye Guyi: "..."
Could she still back out now?
She looked at the sweet-faced little boy before her, all innocence, and couldn't imagine him as some god's second-generation child who needed someone with a Holy Angel spirit to risk her life protecting him.
Besides... his Ancestress hitting him?
Who'd believe that?
"All right, Doudou, stop picking on her."
Bibi Dong tapped Chen Doudou on the head, exasperated, then turned to Ye Guyi. "Guyi, don't be nervous. Doudou can be mischievous, but he has a good heart. Take him to enroll first."
Ye Guyi replied respectfully, "Yes, Ancestress."
"Doudou, come see me at Pope Palace tomorrow."
Bibi Dong hadn't forgotten that she still had to continue completing Asura God's task.
"Huh?"
Bibi Dong narrowed her beautiful eyes, her expression meaningful. "What do you mean, 'huh'? Doudou, you wouldn't want..."
"..."
Chen Doudou, who had just thought he was free, immediately wore a long face again.
Watching this, Wang Xian'er couldn't help but grumble inwardly, Ancestress, what on earth did the young master do to deserve this?
Ye Guyi was still young herself. Seeing the scene, she found the little brother's change in demeanor amusing and couldn't help sneaking a laugh.
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