"Bibi Dong, I'll say this one last time. Don't meddle in King Frost Extreme's affairs again." Qian Daoliu's voice wasn't loud, but every word landed heavily.
"Spirit Hall can't withstand you stirring things up like this."
Bibi Dong looked at him, something churning in her purple eyes.
She said nothing and turned to walk down from the dais.
Her scepter tapped against the floor again and again, each dull thud echoing through the hall.
Qian Daoliu stood where he was, watching Bibi Dong's figure disappear into the depths of the great hall. His golden eyes narrowed slightly.
Demon Subduing Douluo came to his side and lowered his voice.
"Grand Pontiff, that woman won't let this go."
Qian Daoliu didn't answer. He simply raised his head and looked north.
That night.
Steam billowed through the hot spring chamber in the rear hall of Pope Palace.
Candles burned quietly in the corners. Their orange glow filtered through the mist, bathing the entire room in a hazy warmth.
The hot spring pool had been carved from a single piece of white jade. Fed by a deep underground spring, its water stayed warm year-round. A few rose petals floated on the surface, giving off a faint fragrance.
Bibi Dong leaned against the pool wall, the water reaching her collarbones. Her wet purple hair spilled over her shoulders, a few strands clinging to her cheeks. Droplets ran from the ends of her hair, sending ripples across the water.
Her eyes were closed, but her brow was tightly furrowed.
She thought back to what had happened that day.
Qian Daoliu and the Six Great Pontiffs had shown her no respect at all in front of thirty thousand Spirit Hall Soul Masters.
She was the Pope of Spirit Hall, the most powerful woman on the continent,