Qian Xunji

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Qian Xunji (千寻疾)
Alias(es)	His Holiness the Pope; Pope
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Martial Soul Hall
Occupation/Role	Pope of Martial Soul Hall; later former Pope
Status	Abdicated in favor of Zhao Linchuan 125 131
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Background / History

Qian Xunji ruled Martial Soul Hall during a period when its prestige had declined following Qian Daoliu's defeat by Tang Chen. After hearing Zhao Linchuan's assessment that the major sects and two empires were increasingly defying Martial Soul Hall, he sought a strategy to reverse the situation. Zhao proposed winning over some factions, striking down others, building a spirit master legion and intelligence department, and controlling public opinion; Qian immediately attempted to accept him as a disciple. Golden Crocodile Douluo intervened first and took Zhao as his own disciple instead. 2 3

Although frustrated at losing Zhao to the Consecration Hall, Qian recognized his value and began arranging for Zhao and Bibi Dong to spend time together. He hoped their relationship would secure Zhao's loyalty to Martial Soul Hall and provide Bibi Dong with a powerful partner. This decision was also driven by Qian's fear that a persistent seductive voice and his inner demon would eventually consume him, making a reliable successor necessary. 3

Qian adopted Zhao's plans for a continent-wide newspaper and public-opinion network, treating information control as an “invisible legion.” He authorized Zhao to draw freely from the treasury and establish an intelligence organization, though Zhao ultimately removed sixty percent of its resources. Qian was furious but chose to regard the loss as Bibi Dong's future dowry if it helped keep Zhao beside her. 9 10 11

He organized the Youth Soul Master Tournament to publicly demonstrate Martial Soul Hall's next generation and counter the momentum of the major sects. During and after the tournament, he repeatedly supported Zhao's advancement within the organization, arranging his future admission to the Worship Hall and pressuring him to humiliate the Clear Sky Sect's younger generation. 6 39 46 50

As Martial Soul Hall consolidated power, Qian prepared its succession. He initially proposed Zhao as the next Pope because he considered Bibi Dong too soft-hearted for the coming conflict, while planning to appoint her Judgment Elder after she completed her second martial soul's spirit-ring acquisition. 70

Later, Qian began a purge of internal problems within Martial Soul Hall and planned to abdicate after clearing obstacles for Zhao and Bibi Dong. He also initiated the “Dragon Hunt” plan before formally surrendering the papacy to Zhao Linchuan, kneeling alongside Martial Soul Hall's leadership during Zhao's ascension. 78 125 131

Personality

Qian Xunji is an ambitious administrator who sees Martial Soul Hall's survival as dependent on authority, public legitimacy, and decisive succession planning. He is highly receptive to useful ideas, rapidly embracing Zhao Linchuan's proposals for propaganda, intelligence gathering, and political consolidation. 2 9 10

He is also temperamental and prideful. He reacts strongly when manipulated by Bibi Dong or when Zhao exploits his generosity, including overturning his desk after learning that most of the treasury had been taken. Despite these outbursts, he repeatedly accepts political setbacks when doing so benefits Bibi Dong, Zhao, or Martial Soul Hall. 11 35

His conduct toward Bibi Dong is protective and paternal. He worries about her future, seeks a suitable partner for her, and later entrusts Ghost to serve her as she prepares to become Pope. 3 34 63

In later chapters, Qian is portrayed as a diligent and increasingly reformist ruler. During inspections, he punishes nobles who exploit commoners, confiscating property, exiling offenders, or executing them. He believes Zhao has the potential to become a god capable of protecting the continent from an anticipated divine conflict. 106

Abilities & Influence

Political Authority

As Pope, Qian Xunji's orders carry force throughout Martial Soul Hall.

• Authorizes Zhao Linchuan's unrestricted treasury withdrawals and funding for an intelligence organization. 10
• Organizes the Youth Soul Master Tournament to establish Martial Soul Hall's prestige before the continent. 6 46
• Secures Zhao's eventual admission into the Consecration Hall/Worship Hall despite resistance from its senior members. 39 78
• Directs Ghost to annihilate Tang Zhen's thirty-six teams and erase all evidence of the operation. 63
• Orders Ghost to transfer his loyalty and service to Bibi Dong. 63

Information and Public-Opinion Strategy

Qian recognizes the strategic value of Zhao's newspaper proposal and implements it as a Martial Soul Hall instrument.

• Supports publication of government decrees, weather forecasts, water-management information, stories, and serialized novels. 9 10
• Approves a unified price of one copper spirit coin per issue despite the financial burden. 10
• Uses propaganda to promote Martial Soul Hall's actions against bandits and fallen spirit masters while undermining the public image of rival royal families and sects. 9 10
• Is implied to have arranged circulating unofficial stories mocking the Clear Sky Sect. 26

Administrative Diligence

Qian is depicted as personally committed to governance.

• Reviews documents before dawn and is described as a workaholic. 9
• Considers processing official scrolls and clearing administrative backlogs one of his few pleasures. 78
• Conducts inspections across the realm and punishes corrupt or abusive nobles. 106

Relationships

• Qian Daoliu — Father. Qian pressures him to challenge Tang Chen, even threatening suicide to force action; their relationship combines Qian Daoliu's anger, disappointment, and protection of his only son. 6
• Bibi Dong — Sole disciple and intended successor. Qian is deeply protective of her, worries about her romantic future, and assigns Ghost to assist her rise to the papacy. 3 34 63 125
• Zhao Linchuan — Valued talent, prospective disciple, and later son-in-law. Qian repeatedly promotes him, supports his entry into the Worship Hall, and ultimately yields Martial Soul Hall to him in the hope that he can become a god. 2 39 78 106 131
• Golden Crocodile Douluo — Senior Consecrator whom Qian respects. Golden Crocodile becomes Zhao Linchuan's master, depriving Qian of the chance to accept Zhao himself. 3
• Ghost — Trusted subordinate. Ghost carries out Qian's covert annihilation order before being reassigned to Bibi Dong. 63
• The “Ugly Hag” — A seductive divine projection or voice that seeks to erode and possess Qian. It urges him to sacrifice Bibi Dong for the continent, but Qian rejects its influence. 3 106

Story Role / Major Arcs

Recruitment of Zhao Linchuan

Qian summons Zhao after the arrest of Yu Xiaogang, verifies Zhao's extraordinary cultivation and spirit-ring configuration, and asks for his view of the continent's political situation. Impressed by Zhao's strategy, he offers to take him as a disciple, only for Golden Crocodile Douluo to recruit Zhao first. 2 3

Restoring Martial Soul Hall's Prestige

Following Zhao's advice, Qian backs the creation of a public-opinion network, a newspaper, and a youth tournament intended to display Martial Soul Hall's superiority over rival sects. 6 9 10

Supporting Zhao and Bibi Dong

Qian repeatedly pushes Zhao and Bibi Dong together, funds Zhao's initiatives, tolerates his exploitation of the treasury, and grants him increasing authority within Martial Soul Hall. 3 10 11 34 39

Tournament and Sect Consolidation

Qian presides over the Youth Soul Master Tournament and uses its outcomes to strengthen Martial Soul Hall's political position. He later praises Zhao and Bibi Dong for subduing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect without bloodshed. 46 50 78

Succession and Abdication

Qian considers both Zhao and Bibi Dong as potential future rulers, ultimately setting Martial Soul Hall's succession in motion. He purges internal problems, launches the Dragon Hunt plan, and abdicates when Zhao becomes the first Pope without the Six-Winged Angel martial soul. 70 78 125 131

Realm Inspections

After withdrawing from the papacy, Qian leads inspections against noble corruption and reflects on an approaching continental crisis. He places his hope in Zhao's potential ascension to godhood while resisting the ugly hag's attempts to corrupt him. 106

Trivia

• Qian initially fails to recruit Zhao Linchuan because Golden Crocodile Douluo claims him first as a disciple. 3
• He calls Zhao “Uncle-Grandfather” according to their seniority after Zhao becomes Golden Crocodile's disciple. 10
• Zhao's removal of sixty percent of the Martial Soul Hall treasury causes Qian to lose his composure and destroy his desk. 11
• Qian regards reviewing documents and resolving administrative affairs as a personal hobby. 78