The crowd bustled, and voices rose and fell all around.
"I heard Spirit Hall is going to name a Holy Son this time. That hasn't happened in years, has it?"
"Yeah. The last Holy Son was appointed ages ago. And I heard Pope Bibi Dong had always opposed it, but Grand Pontiff Qian Daoliu forced it through."
"Who is this Holy Son, anyway? What makes the Grand Pontiff protect him so fiercely?"
"No idea. Supposedly he's a young boy, not very old, but with monstrous talent."
"If Qian Daoliu is appointing him Holy Son in person, he must be someone extraordinary. We'd better get a good look at him today."
At the side of the high platform, Bibi Dong stood in the shadows, wearing the papal robes. Her face was as cold as ice. Her fists were clenched tight, her nails nearly digging into her palms.
She had confronted Qian Daoliu several times, making her position perfectly clear.
Why should some boy of unknown origins become Spirit Hall's Holy Son?
Qian Daoliu's reply had been blunt and decisive.
"As long as I'm alive, Spirit Hall will be ruled by the Qian family. If you obstruct me again, I have the authority to strip you of your position as Pope."
Bibi Dong had been so enraged she had nearly lost control. As she stared toward the high platform, a trace of barely concealed killing intent glinted in her eyes.
At precisely ten in the morning, the bells rang.
The crowd in the square fell silent, every gaze turning toward the high platform.
Qian Daoliu walked slowly over from the direction of the Worship Hall, clad in white robes. Every step was steady and powerful.
Golden Crocodile Douluo, Mighty Lion Douluo, Azure Luan Douluo, Feather Douluo, Qianjun Douluo, and Demon Subduing Douluo followed behind him. The six worshippers lined up in a row.
With seven Titled Douluo standing on the platform at once, their invisible presence alone silenced every murmur below.
Qian Daoliu stood at the center of the high platform. His gaze swept over the densely packed crowd below before he spoke.
"I have summoned you all here today to witness Spirit Hall's ceremony to appoint its Holy Son."
His voice was not loud, but the Soul Power behind it carried it clearly to every corner.
"The Holy Son is entrusted with Spirit Hall's legacy and bears responsibility for its future. This boy has exceptional talent and an unwavering character. In the name of Spirit Hall's Grand Pontiff, I hereby appoint Ji Ye as Spirit Hall's Holy Son. From this day forth, he shall receive the honors of a worshipper and wield the authority of the Holy Son."
Everyone's gaze turned toward the entrance at one side of the high platform.
Ji Ye emerged from there.
He had changed into a brand-new, deep-golden robe, embroidered with Spirit Hall's golden insignia and intricate dark patterns. A dark belt was tied around his waist, and a cape of the same color hung from his shoulders.
The murmurs below swelled in an instant.
Few people recognized him, but everyone couldn't help taking a closer look.
Some whispered in amazement, while others sucked in a sharp breath.
"That's the Holy Son? He's so young?"
"That boy... he looks only twelve or thirteen, doesn't he?"
"His looks... I thought someone appointed by the Grand Pontiff himself would have three heads and six arms, but..."
The person beside him chimed in.
"But you didn't expect him to be so handsome?"
The first person nodded, then shook his head.
"It's not just that he's handsome... He's standing among all those worshippers without the slightest fear."
Ji Ye climbed the steps one by one and stopped in front of Qian Daoliu.
Qian Daoliu looked at him, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. He took a golden token from the bishop beside him. The words "Holy Son" were engraved on the front, and the image of the Angel Six Wings was carved on the back.
Qian Daoliu handed the token to Ji Ye.
"Accept the token."
Ji Ye took it in both hands and bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Grand Pontiff."
Ji Ye's gaze moved away from Qian Daoliu and swept over the crowd below.
The guest seats were filled with representatives from all the major powers. On the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's side, Xue Qinghe sat upright in the center of his seat, dressed in the bright yellow robes of a crown prince. He watched Ji Ye with a warm, courteous smile.
Ji Ye's gaze settled on Xue Qinghe's face. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly before he looked away and turned his attention to the crowd below.
The appointment ceremony concluded, and applause rang out once more.
Ji Ye stood on the high platform, watching Qian Daoliu and the other worshippers leave. Then he turned and walked down the steps.
He did not return to the Worship Hall, but headed straight for his residence.
Half an hour later.
Ji Ye had changed back into his usual clothes: a gray cloth tunic. A small bundle was tied around his waist, containing a few changes of clothes and a small pouch of Gold Soul Coins.
When he reached the entrance to the Worship Hall, Qian Daoliu was standing there, as if he had expected him.
"You're leaving?"
Qian Daoliu's voice was calm, revealing no emotion.
Ji Ye nodded.
"I've reached level fifty and need to hunt for my fifth Soul Ring."
Qian Daoliu watched him in silence for two seconds.
"Should I send someone with you? Demon Subduing has been idle lately."
"No need." Ji Ye shook his head.
"I have other things to take care of on this trip. It'll be more convenient alone."
Qian Daoliu did not press him.
"Be careful. If you run into trouble, return to Spirit Hall immediately."
"I understand, senior. I'll be careful."
Qian Daoliu nodded and said nothing more before turning and walking into the hall.
Ji Ye watched his back for a while from the entrance, then turned and headed toward the gates of Spirit City.
Once outside the city gates, he followed the main road south.
The first few hours passed peacefully enough. He occasionally encountered a few merchant caravans and travelers, but they all went their separate ways without bothering one another.
But on the third day, Ji Ye sensed something was wrong.
Someone was following him.
The feeling was faint—so faint that he would never have noticed it if he hadn't stayed alert.
The figure always kept a great distance, so far away he could barely make it out. Yet Ji Ye could still detect that faint, almost imperceptible ripple of Soul Power.
"Someone's following me?"
Ji Ye quickened his pace without letting it show.
"Second Soul Skill."
"Void: Inch-Distance."
Ji Ye blurred and vanished from where he stood.
But when he reappeared, the feeling of being followed returned, like an invisible thread tied to him.
Ji Ye's brows drew together slightly.
Who was following me?
They had started after him from Spirit City, which meant his pursuer had to be from there.
And the only person in Spirit City who held a grudge against me...
That old woman!
Pope Bibi Dong!
Ji Ye wasn't sure what the woman was planning, but it was better to leave as soon as possible, just in case.
With that in mind, Ji Ye kept walking without slowing down.
Five days later, the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest appeared on the distant horizon.
Ji Ye let out a breath and quickened his pace, disappearing into the dense shadows of the trees at the forest's edge.
A thick layer of fallen leaves covered the ground, rustling beneath his feet.
He stopped beneath a large tree and listened for a while.
All around him, there was only birdsong and the wind. The feeling of being followed had temporarily vanished.
But he did not let his guard down. He continued onward.
Not long after he left, the shadow on the ground where he had just stood suddenly rippled faintly, like water.
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