Bibi Dong Stricken with a Grave Illness

The pitch-black night shrouded the entire world in shadows, making it gloomy and heavy.

The atmosphere within the Papal Hall was even more grave, like an enormous leaden cloud pressing down so heavily that no one could breathe.

Several elderly men sat upright in the conference hall's seats, their expressions exceptionally solemn.

From time to time, one or two elderly men hurried inside.

Their footsteps echoed through the empty hall, adding even more tension.

These people were Spirit Hall's Titled Elders.

Though they remained restrained, the powerful auras they inadvertently gave off were like invisible shackles, making the atmosphere in the conference hall increasingly oppressive.

"Spirit Kite Douluo, do you know why this meeting was suddenly called?"

"This is far too abrupt. What time is it already?"

"I was about to say the same thing. What couldn't wait until tomorrow?"

The gazes of several Titled Douluo turned toward the middle-aged beauty seated to one side—Spirit Kite Douluo.

Spirit Kite Douluo was a confidante of two Popes.

Since the meeting was being held in the Papal Hall, she knew more or less what was going on.

"Elders, I don't know the specifics either, but it should be related to the Pope."

Spirit Kite Douluo frowned slightly and spoke in a low voice.

"The Pope? What does this have to do with her?"

Holy Dragon Douluo's tone carried a trace of confusion.

"The Pope entered the Worship Hall three hours ago and still hasn't come out!"

Spirit Kite Douluo lowered her voice, her tone carrying a hint of vigilance.

"What?"

The moment those words were spoken, everyone was utterly shocked.

The already oppressive atmosphere instantly froze, as though even the air had stopped moving.

The Pope had entered the Worship Hall and not come out?

This was no small matter!

The Worship Hall was the core of Spirit Hall and also the crucial place where political power was transferred.

And the new Pope had taken office only half a month ago, yet something like this had already happened. It was truly unsettling.

Just then, seven elderly men walked in from behind the Papal Hall.

That direction was precisely the entrance and exit of the Worship Hall.

These seven were naturally Spirit Hall's Seven Great Enshrined.

However...

To everyone's shock, the person leading them was not Qian Daoliu, but a black-haired young man.

Even more shocking, that black-haired young man had actually taken the main seat!

Normally, when the Great Enshrined was absent, the Pope occupied that seat.

Now that the Great Enshrined himself was present, someone actually dared sit there?

Just who was this young man?

"This meeting now officially begins. My little uncle, Qian Cheng, will preside over it!"

Qian Daoliu swept his gaze across the crowd and casually uttered these astonishing words.

The so-called little uncle was naturally what Qian Cheng had demanded to be called.

After all, directly saying that he was the Sixth-Generation Pope would not be good for influencing enemies.

Those whom Heaven wished to destroy, it first made arrogant!

That was the logic.

"Little uncle?"

"The Great Enshrined's little uncle? What era was he from?"

"But the Great Enshrined doesn't look like he's joking!"

The many elders looked at one another, unsure how to react for a moment.

Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo exchanged a glance, swallowing nervously as lingering fear filled their hearts.

Thankfully, the other party had not intended to kill them. Otherwise, attacking him in Spirit City would have been enough to earn them execution.

"Enough idle chatter. I came here this time to inform you of several matters!"

"The former Pope, Bibi Dong, has been stricken with a grave illness. I will temporarily assume the position of Pope, and Qian Renxue will succeed me once she reaches adulthood!"

Qian Cheng swept his gaze across the crowd and said calmly, "Do any of you have objections?"

"That is only proper!"

"Yes, exactly!"

"Same here!"

The many elders spoke up one after another. Though their hearts were filled with shock, they expressed their support on the surface.

"I've heard some things about the current situation on the continent, but what role does our Spirit Hall play in it?"

Qian Cheng looked toward Qian Daoliu, his eyes carrying a hint of scrutiny.

"The current situation on the continent is that the Lower Four Sects obey us. Although the Upper Three Sects each harbor their own schemes, they are still openly opposed to us.

The Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire are locked in a fierce rivalry. We occasionally put pressure on the Star Luo Empire, which counts as a small degree of cooperation with the Heaven Dou Empire."

Qian Daoliu spoke cautiously.

"Well said, but you'd better not say it again!"

"The Heaven Dou Empire does not need us to pressure the Star Luo Empire. Starting today, withdraw all aid to the Heaven Dou Empire!"

Qian Cheng already knew everything Qian Daoliu had mentioned.

He remembered Dai Mubai saying it like this.

If Spirit Hall had not interfered, the Star Luo Empire would have long since crushed the Heaven Dou Empire.

Whether that was true or not could be set aside for now!

But the Heaven Dou Empire clearly did not appreciate it!

Since they did not appreciate it, why work so hard to keep the peace?

"What do you mean by that?"

Qian Daoliu was slightly stunned, his tone carrying a trace of confusion.

"The Heaven Dou Empire doesn't appreciate it, yet we're still eagerly sucking up to them?"

"Where is your brain? If you don't have one, go see a doctor!"

Qian Cheng sneered, his tone laced with mockery.

"Your rebuke is justified..."

Qian Daoliu lowered his head, not daring to say anything more.

"The old master is right!"

"We help them, and they still keep whining. Then let's stop bothering and let them fight the Star Luo Empire themselves!"

"Same here!"

The elders and Enshrined quickly spoke up, all voicing their agreement.

"Now for the second matter: what is Spirit Hall's current policy?"

Qian Cheng looked toward Qian Daoliu again.

"We help commoners awaken for free, recruit commoner soul masters, and strengthen our forces."

Qian Daoliu's tone carried a trace of pride.

"Helping commoner soul masters awaken for free is indeed a good way to improve our basic strength, but you have overlooked the most important point."

A smile suddenly appeared on Qian Cheng's face.

That smile was extremely eerie, enough to make one shudder!

"What have we overlooked?"

Qian Daoliu looked at Qian Cheng in confusion.

"We help commoners awaken in order to discover commoner soul masters, but when you encounter commoners who refuse to join Spirit Hall, what do you do?"

Qian Cheng's voice carried a chill. "You directly ignore them and make no demands at all!"

"You mean...? Wouldn't that be far too cruel?"

Qian Daoliu's tone held some hesitation.

"Cruel? I'm not planning to kill them. I'm merely giving them a choice!"

"If those commoner soul masters refuse to join us, what forces will they join?"

"They will most likely join hostile forces, such as the Heaven Dou Empire or the Star Luo Empire, or perhaps the Upper Three Sects."

Qian Cheng's lips curled slightly into a cold smile. "If this problem is not handled properly, it is equivalent to cultivating talent for the other side!"

"Old master, then what do you suggest? We can't just give up awakening them, can we?"

Golden Crocodile Douluo could not help speaking up, his tone carrying a trace of concern.