Leaving

Qian Xunji remained skeptical of Second Grand Uncle's suggestion.

Once the floodgates were opened, it would put pressure on Spirit Hall's finances.

Spirit Hall's subsidies for Deacons accounted for thirty percent of its fiscal expenditure, already an extremely high proportion.

The subsidies for registered Soul Masters were funded by the Two Great Empires and had nothing to do with Spirit Hall.

This year's list of casualties had surged, adding yet another strain to the finances.

"You see, the Two Great Empires do not value the cultivation of commoner Soul Masters. Even Soul Master Academies only admit the children of nobles."

"This is our opportunity. Have you truly compiled careful statistics on the number and quality of Soul Masters registered each year?"

"This policy was unsuitable in your father's time, but it is perfectly suited to yours. It is also an excellent opportunity to further enhance your prestige as Pope!"

Qian Yufeng understood Qian Xunji's concerns. The current financial situation was tight, making large-scale spending on personnel unsuitable.

But there was no helping it. The Seven Great Sects were sitting back to watch the show, eager to see how Qian Xunji, as Pope, would handle this matter.

The other families in Spirit City were also watching to see how he could resolve this problem smoothly.

Qian Xunji carefully weighed it over. This would indeed raise his prestige.

It would further expand Spirit Hall's influence across the continent, but the Two Great Empires would not simply stand by.

"Second Granduncle, this choice is too risky."

"I need to think it over..."

Qian Xunji still chose to proceed cautiously. One wrong step now could lead to unimaginable consequences.

Ju and Gui, the two Title Douluo who often went out on assignments, were already prepared to speak up for Qian Yufeng.

They had carried out many missions, and those who offered them the most help were neither the Seven Great Sects nor the soldiers stationed by the Two Great Empires, but commoners.

Whenever Spirit Hall encircled and suppressed Fallen Spirit Masters, the smiles on those commoners' faces were entirely different from those on the faces of the Two Great Empires' people and the disciples of other sects.

Moreover, in every mission, many commoner Soul Masters volunteered their efforts for free. Even if they died, their families did not blame Spirit Hall. Instead, they told their children with even greater conviction: when you grow up and become a Soul Master, you must join Spirit Hall and eliminate those hateful Fallen Spirit Masters.

This was a term Qian Yufeng had once taught them:

Mass foundation!

Though the memory was distant and Qian Yufeng might have forgotten it himself, the two still remembered it clearly.

After all, Yue Guan and Gui Mei had only reached their current positions after Qian Yufeng recommended them to Spirit Hall.

In a sense, Qian Yufeng was their first mentor.

The two noticed Qian Xunji's hesitation and that Qian Yufeng himself did not seem anxious, so they held back the words they wanted to say.

They exchanged a glance, their years of tacit understanding conveyed within it.

Qian Yufeng knew clearly that Qian Xunji wanted Spirit Hall's prestige in his generation to surpass Qian Daoliu's. That would not be easy.

In many remote areas of the continent, people still did not even know Spirit Hall existed.

But they knew the nobles and the Two Great Empires very well.

The people in these places paid taxes from their harvests every year, contributing their small share to their country.

And those who governed these places were the nobles.

Although the current Spirit Hall had received support from many commoner Soul Masters, Qian Yufeng felt it was not enough.

On Douluo Continent, at least one-quarter of the populace knew only the Two Great Empires and nothing of Spirit Hall.

During Qian Daoliu's era, the situation on the continent had been turbulent. The people only knew the four words [Lord Soul Master], seeing them as saviors who rescued them from misery.

But whenever they saw nobles or royalty, the people instinctively assumed those Soul Masters had been brought by them.

Yet in reality, most of those Soul Masters came from Spirit Hall...

"You are the Pope now. I do not oppose you having your own ideas."

"But when the Soul Master world is relatively stable, force is only the inferior option. Winning hearts through public opinion is the superior one."

Qian Yufeng understood this great-grandson of his. He had a stubborn personality, exactly like his father.

Unless he took a fall, he would never understand that those who ignored their elders' advice would suffer the consequences right before their eyes!

In any case, he had given his advice. Whether Qian Xunji listened was up to him.

Qian Xunji knew that his Second Grand Uncle was right, but Spirit Hall's current difficulties were real as well.

After remaining silent for a while, he nodded and looked toward his two assistants.

Qian Yufeng broke the silence first. "I need to leave Spirit Hall. While I am gone, pay more attention to yourself. If you grip things too tightly, you will only be the one left feeling frustrated."

With that, he turned and left.

Qian Yufeng arrived outside the Pope Palace. He turned to look at this place, which symbolized Spirit Hall's highest honor, then walked over to the two maidservants.

"Let's go. I have spent many years here in retirement. It is time to go out and see how the continent has changed."

Qian Yufeng smiled. This era was about to see the emergence of countless geniuses. How could he not witness such a sight for himself?!

However, as the group reached the plaza, Bibi Dong approached from the other side, seemingly on her way to the Pope Palace.

When she saw Qian Yufeng, she greeted him with a smile. "Grandpa!"

Qian Yufeng smiled and nodded as well, raising a hand in response before preparing to leave.

Unexpectedly, Bibi Dong hurried over in small steps and asked with some confusion, "Grandpa, where are you going?"

"Dong'er, we will be leaving Spirit Hall for a while."

"Remember to listen to your teacher. When he is in a bad mood, comfort him a little."

"Your teacher has not had it easy either!"

Qian Yufeng rubbed Bibi Dong's little head and spoke with a smile.

Bibi Dong did not quite understand what he meant, but she knew her teacher had indeed seemed unhappy recently.

"Grandpa, I will make Teacher happy again!"

"If Teacher is unhappy, Dong'er will be unhappy too."

Bibi Dong patted her chest with her little hand and revealed a sweet smile.

This old grandpa was a good grandpa. Not only had he treated her to delicious food, he had even had Big Sister bring her back.

"Grandpa, Dong'er will wait for you to return at Spirit Hall."

"The food at your home really is delicious!"

Qian Yufeng smiled and nodded. "All right. When Grandpa returns, I will cook delicious food for Dong'er!"

After chatting for a few more moments, Bibi Dong reluctantly bid Qian Yufeng farewell only after the two maidservants reminded her.

"Such a good child... Why did she become like that after growing up?"

Thinking of Bibi Dong's situation in the original work, Qian Yufeng could not help but sigh inwardly.

After meeting Yu Xiaogang, it was as though she had lost her mind. She did one brainless thing after another, driving Qian Xunji mad with anger.

He had been completely helpless!

How had such a good child gone astray after going out just once? Her rebellious streak was simply...

With no other choice, Qian Xunji could only use the most despicable means to keep Bibi Dong in Spirit Hall.

The result was that master and disciple turned against each other. Qian Xunji was beaten into grave injury by Tang Hao's hammer, only to be devoured by Bibi Dong in the end...

Qian Xunji probably never imagined that the one who would see him off in the end would be his own disciple!

Qian Yufeng took one final look at the Six-Winged Angel Statue before leaving Spirit Hall.