The Incompetent Pope

"Linchuan," Qian Xunji's gaze flickered back and forth between Zhao Linchuan and Yan Lingji, "you certainly are a lucky man!"

"I was wondering how your spirit ring configuration could be so outrageous; it turns out you found a peerless prodigy with a divine inheritance to be your wife!"

Zhao Linchuan offered a faint smile in response, saying nothing more.

Qian Xunji withdrew his gaze and leaned back into his chair, tapping his fingers lightly against the armrest as his tone returned to a steady composure.

"Regarding the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, how do you intend to deal with them?"

"There is no rush for that. I plan to wait until the tournament concludes before I go to hold them accountable," Zhao Linchuan said in a very flat tone.

"Then we shall proceed according to your wishes." Qian Xunji nodded and continued, "By the way, you gave Dong'er such a precious opportunity... what is it that you want?"

"I want a position with real authority."

Zhao Linchuan took over the conversation, his tone sounding somewhat strange as he added:

"With my current status, if I walk outside, let alone outsiders, even the people of my Spirit Hall wouldn't recognize me..."

"That is simple."

Qian Xunji interrupted him before he could finish, waving his hand with an air of great magnanimity:

"Which position have you set your sights on? Just tell me directly."

"In Spirit Hall, this Pope's word is law; there is nothing I cannot accomplish!"

"Really, Teacher?"

Bibi Dong suddenly spoke up, her eyes sparkling. Before Qian Xunji could react, she had already uttered the next sentence.

"Then can you arrange a position as an Elder for Linchuan?"

"An Elder?!"

As soon as these words left her lips, Qian Xunji nearly jumped out of his chair.

Even Zhao Linchuan had not expected Bibi Dong to say something like that.

He glanced at her sideways and silently gave her a thumbs-up.

"Teacher..."

Bibi Dong blinked her eyes at Qian Xunji, her hands clasped together in front of her chest, her head tilted slightly; she looked impossibly well-behaved.

"You are the supreme sovereign of Spirit Hall whose word is law; this shouldn't be a difficult task for you, right?"

"I..."

Qian Xunji gripped his thigh tightly with his left hand. He opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again. His Adam's apple bobbed a few times, and a muffled sound squeezed out from his throat.

"Well, about that..."

"Teacher..."

Bibi Dong's eyes widened even further, her expression so clear and innocent that it was impossible to refuse.

"You wouldn't... be unable to do it, would you?"

Qian Xunji looked at his precious student's "I knew you were the best" expression, then looked at the subtle look on Zhao Linchuan's face—the look of "so even the Pope has things he cannot do"—and gritted his teeth, hardening his heart—

"Of course your teacher can do it!"

He slapped his thigh, his voice so loud that the tiles on the ceiling of the hall rattled.

"I have been quite busy with matters lately. You two should head out first; I will arrange this for you after the tournament ends!"

He quickly picked up a scroll, unfurled it, and lowered his head, adopting a "I am very busy, you should leave" posture.

"Go on, go on. You have traveled a long way; find a place to relax properly."

"Yes, Teacher."

Bibi Dong suppressed her laughter, performed a proper bow, and turned to walk out of the Pope Hall with Zhao Linchuan and Yan Lingji.

The hall doors closed behind them.

In the corridor, Bibi Dong finally couldn't hold it in any longer. She let out a "pfft" of laughter, doubled over, and tears nearly streamed from her eyes.

"Did you see the look on Teacher's face... hahaha... it was too funny..."

Inside the hall, Qian Xunji put down the scroll in his hand, let out a long sigh, leaned back into his chair, and rubbed his aching brow.

"A hundred-thousand-year seventh spirit ring, two hundred-thousand-year spirit bones."

He repeated these words silently in his heart. Every word felt heavy, pressing tightly against his chest.

Since Zhao Linchuan had given Bibi Dong such a precious opportunity, it meant that the two of them must have developed feelings during their time away.

Otherwise, he would never have given away such valuable items.

Even if Zhao Linchuan had been righteous enough to kill a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast for Bibi Dong, he would never have handed over both of those hundred-thousand-year spirit bones to her.

After all, there were only a few such items in the entire continent; they were far too precious.

If it were anyone else, even the closest of master and disciple or father and son, they would likely have been unable to resist keeping one piece for themselves.

Yet Zhao Linchuan did not keep a single one, giving both pieces to Bibi Dong.

Qian Xunji tapped his fingers lightly against the armrest, the corners of his mouth curling up involuntarily.

For a long time, he had been somewhat worried about his foolish disciple.

Although Bibi Dong had been raised by his own hand—possessing top-tier talent, temperament, and methods—she was practically a blank slate when it came to matters of the heart.

His greatest fear was that one day, his foolish disciple might suddenly be swept away by some "blond-haired" interloper who appeared out of nowhere.

Now that Zhao Linchuan was in the picture, he could finally set his mind at ease.

Otherwise, if a cliché drama of a "blond-haired" boy stealing away the "young lady" were to actually unfold, he had no idea how enraged he would become or what kind of actions he might take.

"A divine trial candidate possessing the ancient deity 'Mystic Bird Vermilion Bird'..."

Qian Xunji recalled the words Bibi Dong had used to describe Yan Lingji just moments ago, his gaze flickering slightly.

"Since her status is so noble, Dong'er should be able to accept marrying the same man alongside her... right?"

Although Bibi Dong was a Saintess, Yan Lingji's status was by no means inferior, perhaps even a cut above.

Both were daughters of heaven, and neither was beneath the other.

"Dong'er is a twin-spirit user; as long as she can successfully master her twin spirits, my Spirit Hall will surely gain another Limit Douluo!"

"When that time comes, with her and the couple of Zhao Linchuan, why should I worry about failing to unify the continent?"

A brazen smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as his gaze fell upon a jade box on the desk.

Inside the jade box was sealed a peculiar-looking immortal herb—the Holy Radiance Nine-Heart Lotus.

Qian Xunji reached out to stroke the jade box, muttering to himself:

"According to that boy Linchuan, this thing is almost a perfect match for my Six-Winged Angel spirit."

"But... in my current state, even if I were to refine it, how much could it really improve me?"

Qian Xunji sighed, retracting his hand and pushing aside the thought of consuming the Holy Radiance Nine-Heart Lotus.

He was being eroded by that invisible voice; heaven only knew how much longer he could hold on.

Rather than wasting it on himself, it would be better to save it for the future heir of the Angel spirit.

With this thought, Qian Xunji let out a long sigh, the sound echoing softly through the empty grand hall.

Perhaps because he no longer had any lingering concerns, he felt much lighter, as if a stone that had weighed upon his heart for a long time had finally been lifted.

He picked up a scroll and unfurled it, preparing to review a few documents to cheer himself up, but just as the tip of his brush touched the paper, his hand suddenly froze.

"Hiss—! Something's wrong!"