Heaven Dou City Martial Soul Holy Hall, Bibi Dong Stripped of Her Papal Title, Wanted Across the Continent

"I had no choice. The Spirit Hall is the sacred ground of the Soul Master World. We can't let someone who murdered her ruler and her teacher continue to serve as Pope. The disciples would be impossible to appease, and the world would laugh at us." Qian Daoliu spoke with some helplessness.

"Hmph. I murdered my ruler and my teacher—weren't you aware of that from the start? What, when outsiders didn't know, you could turn a blind eye, but now that they do, you have to protect the Spirit Hall's reputation? Qian Daoliu, you really are a hypocrite!" Bibi Dong sneered at Qian Daoliu.

Hypocrite...

Qian Daoliu lowered his eyes, remembering how he had known exactly why Qian Xunji died, yet still taken up his sword and left Spirit City to hunt down Tang Hao, helping Bibi Dong frame him.

"Ah..." He couldn't help sighing.

"Yes, I really am a hypocrite. Perhaps that's why the great Angel God never chose me as her successor?" Qian Daoliu said, turning to look at the Angel God Statue behind him.

"Hmph! I've been Pope for nearly thirteen years. Qian Daoliu, you can't strip me of my title just by saying so!" Bibi Dong still wanted to struggle.

After all, without the papal title, taking revenge on this world would be even harder.

She was still in the midst of undergoing the God Trial, and she couldn't be sure she would pass every stage of the Rakshasa God Trial and ultimately reach level one hundred to become a god.

If she failed to pass them all, then the strongest she could become was a level-ninety-nine Peerless Douluo, just like Qian Daoliu. At that level, she couldn't destroy the Spirit Hall, let alone this world!

"I know you've spent these years cultivating a lot of people and placing them throughout the Spirit Hall. But none of them are Titled Douluo, so they can't stop my decision. Cooperate with me and step down from the papal throne. I won't purge your people; I'll leave them to you, so you can continue managing them from behind the scenes until Xiao Xue returns," Qian Daoliu offered.

Bibi Dong's expression softened a little at that, but she still wasn't satisfied. "You want me to operate from behind the scenes. Does that mean I can never again show my face openly in the Spirit Hall?"

"You can't. Not only that, I'll also issue an order for you to be wanted across the continent."

"Qian Daoliu, you..." Bibi Dong grew agitated.

"This has to be done. Your crime of murdering your teacher has come to light. After being stripped of your papal title, you 'escaped.' The Spirit Hall has to make its position clear. If we don't hunt you, how will we answer to the disciples? How will we answer to the world?" Qian Daoliu asked.

"..." Bibi Dong fell silent.

Seeing that she had nothing to say, Qian Daoliu fell silent too. After a long while, he waved her away, his voice weary. "Go. Tomorrow, I'll announce to the continent that you've been stripped of your papal title and escaped."

"Where should I go?"

"The world is vast. You can go wherever you want. That's for you to decide."

"Understood." Bibi Dong finally accepted Qian Daoliu's terms. She replied coldly, then turned and walked out.

After watching her leave and disappear from sight, Golden Crocodile Douluo immediately asked Qian Daoliu, "Grand Elder, why didn't you just kill her? Her ambitions are too great. She could become a threat to Xiao Xue in the future."

"She is Xiao Xue's mother, after all. I... can't leave Xiao Xue an orphan." Qian Daoliu shook his head.

"With you around, Xiao Xue isn't an orphan!"

"I can't stay by Xiao Xue's side forever. Once I've completed my duty... sigh!" Qian Daoliu sighed helplessly.

The next morning.

Spirit City issued two announcements.

First: An investigation by the Worship Hall has confirmed that Bibi Dong used despicable means to assassinate the former Pope, Qian Xunji, then frame Clear Sky Douluo and deceive the elders and worshippers into helping her seize the papal throne. Her conduct is utterly depraved, condemned by both gods and men! Last night, Grand Elder Qian Daoliu issued an order stripping her of her papal title and sentencing her to prison. However, taking advantage of the turmoil within the city, she wounded three elders and fled to escape justice. Her vicious actions only add to her crimes!

The Spirit Hall hereby announces to the entire continent that Bibi Dong has been expelled from the Spirit Hall and is no longer recognized as one of its members. She is wanted. Anyone who captures her alive or presents her corpse will be rewarded with one fifty-thousand-year soul bone and five million Gold Soul Coins!

Second: The Spirit Hall will not end its hostility toward the Clear Sky Sect just because someone else was responsible for the former Pope's death. When Bibi Dong assassinated the former Pope, Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao was guilty of grievously wounding him and cannot escape blame!

The Clear Sky Sect, the sect to which Tang Hao belongs, cannot shirk its responsibility!

Therefore, the Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect remain enemies.

The two announcements quickly spread throughout the continent.

Inside the Four Seasons Inn in Heaven Dou City.

Sunlight streamed through the window and fell across the bed, filling the room with a warm, comfortable feeling.

Xue Hen rubbed his eyes, then slowly opened them and sat up in bed.

He'd slept quite well last night. He wondered if Qian Renxue, who had been hindering him, had slept just as well.

"Heh." With a soft laugh, Xue Hen threw off the covers and got out of bed. After stretching his joints, he got dressed and strode out of his room.

He had already made plans for the day before going to sleep.

The Sky Screen had shown that Bibi Dong regarded him as an enemy, so today he would first pay a visit to the Heaven Dou City Martial Soul Holy Hall, the branch under her command that was closest to him. That was perfectly reasonable, right?

"G-guest... Xue... Lord Xue Hen?" The manager at the front desk stared at Xue Hen, who wasn't wearing a mask this time. He froze, then his face instantly lit up with excitement.

"Y-you..."

"I'd like to extend my stay for a few more days. Here's the room fee. My room number is 206." Xue Hen handed the manager a Gold Soul Coin.

"Y-yes..." The manager was so excited and nervous he could barely speak, but his excellent professionalism still prompted him to take the coin Xue Hen had handed him and give him his change.

At the same time, the other guests eating breakfast on the inn's first floor heard the manager's excited voice and looked over. They, too, grew excited and nervous.

Lord Xue Hen—the living Lord Xue Hen!

So the rumors were true. His Excellency had really come to Heaven Dou City!

"L-Lord, please have some breakfast." After giving him his change, the manager turned and brought out a breakfast for Xue Hen.

"Mm." Xue Hen nodded, accepted the food, and found a seat. Ignoring the eyes fixed on him and the quiet chatter around him, he ate at his own pace.

Once he'd eaten his fill, he got up, left the inn, and strode toward the Martial Soul Holy Temple.

Without a mask, he drew countless stares as he walked down the street. His movements soon came to the attention of many forces in the city, and they used his route to infer his destination.

"Hiss..." The heads of those forces couldn't help drawing in sharp breaths.

Xue Hen... was he heading to the Martial Soul Holy Temple?!

In the Martial Soul Holy Temple, Platinum Bishop Salas received the news and reached the same conclusion. His face instantly changed.

Was he... coming for me?