Qin Chuan quickly ran through the possibilities in his mind.
Spirit Hall was one of the three great powers on Douluo Continent. It lacked for nothing in resources, cultivation techniques, or connections. Bibi Dong was a Level 99 Limit Douluo with Twin Martial Souls, her strength surpassed by only a handful of the most powerful experts.
Joining Spirit Hall could only benefit him. At least until he was strong enough, having a towering tree to shelter beneath was far better than fighting alone out in the world.
Besides, he truly did have a grudge against the Clear Sky Sect. He had been born in Yuze Village, where the Clear Sky Sect had slaughtered everyone.
Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect were sworn enemies. From that perspective, they were natural allies.
Qin Chuan didn't hesitate long before nodding. "All right."
A smile spread across Yue Guan's face.
"Then it's settled. We'll return to Spirit Hall."
Yan opened his mouth as if to say something, but Xie Yue stopped him with a look.
Though Xie Yue was badly injured, his mind had remained clear. He could tell that Yue Guan thought extremely highly of the boy named Qin Chuan. This wasn't the time to butt in.
Hu Liena stood nearby, having said very little. But her gaze had never left Qin Chuan.
The boy who had saved her life.
Twin Martial Souls, five white Soul Rings, and those eyes, with their swirling purple patterns.
There were too many mysteries. Hu Liena was itching to ask him everything right then and there, but she held back.
They still had a long journey ahead. There was no rush.
The five of them continued on their way.
Yue Guan led them at a much slower pace. Xie Yue's injuries were no joke; a large patch of flesh on his left arm had been torn open. Though he stubbornly refused to make a sound, he was clearly leaning to the right as he walked.
Qin Chuan hesitated, then drew out a trace of Heavenly Dao Power and quietly sent it over.
As Xie Yue walked, the pain in his left arm suddenly eased by more than half. He looked down and saw the swelling around the wound receding at a visible speed.
"What is this?" Xie Yue turned his head to look at Qin Chuan.
Qin Chuan neither admitted nor denied anything. He simply kept walking.
Xie Yue studied him for a couple more moments, then didn't press further.
Yan wasn't in much better shape. He had just absorbed a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, and his body was still adjusting to the energy surging through him. His legs wobbled as he walked.
But he was the sort who yielded to kindness, not force. He kept muttering, "I'm fine, I'm fine," and stubbornly refused to let anyone support him.
Hu Liena walked on Qin Chuan's left.
She had changed places, moving from behind him to his side. The hem of her purplish-red dress trailed through the grass, picking up dew and specks of mud. Her hips swayed only slightly as she walked, but the slender silver chain at her waist swung with each step, chiming softly.
"Qin Chuan," Hu Liena called.
"Mm?"
"How old are you this year?"
"Fifteen."
"How long were you at Shrek Academy?"
"About two years."
"Why did you leave?"
Qin Chuan walked a few steps along the path they had taken. At her question, the corner of his mouth twitched. "Because I wanted to leave."
Hu Liena sensed a story behind that answer, but Qin Chuan's tone made it clear he didn't want to discuss it. She tactfully didn't ask any further.
After about half an hour, the city ahead had come into clear view.
Spirit City lay just ahead. It was a regular hexagon built around a central hill, with a Spirit Hall token carved in relief on each of its six walls.
Spirit City had been built specifically for Spirit Hall. Located at the very center of Douluo Continent, on the border between the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires, it was an independent neutral city outside the jurisdiction of either empire. It was hailed as the "Holy Land of Soul Masters."
They arrived at the city gate.
Two rows of Soul Masters in silver armor stood on either side, holding spears and standing ramrod straight. When the captain of the guards saw Yue Guan approaching with the others, he hurried forward to salute.
"Chrysanthemum Elder!"
Yue Guan waved his hand, indicating that formalities weren't necessary, and led them straight into the city.
The streets within were broad and clean. There weren't many people about, but everything was orderly. Nearly every shop dealt in matters related to Soul Masters, selling Soul Tools, medicinal herbs, Soul Bones, and other goods. The atmosphere was solemn, austere, and sacred, carrying an air of authority that seemed to stand above the secular world.
Looking up, they could see the Spirit Hall complex atop the highest point of Spirit City's central hill, overlooking the entire city. It was the heart of Spirit Hall's power and spirit.
It was mainly made up of three parts: the Pope Palace, the Worship Hall, and Douluo Palace.
Chrysanthemum Elder brought them into Spirit Hall, then turned to Xie Yue and Yan. "You two should go to the infirmary and tend to your injuries. Yan, you've just absorbed a Soul Ring. Once you're back, focus on stabilizing yourself. No training for the next two days."
Yan was reluctant, but still nodded. Xie Yue said nothing and turned to leave.
Yue Guan continued toward the mountaintop with Qin Chuan and Hu Liena.
The steps grew wider as they went, and lanterns began to glow on either side. Night had fully fallen. The moon hung overhead, its light outlining the white palace clearly.
At last, they reached the mountaintop.
The main hall of Spirit Hall faced due south. Its two vermilion doors stood a full five meters tall, each adorned with a massive bronze ring. Four guards stood at the entrance, all above Level 60.
Yue Guan stopped outside.
"Hu Liena, wait here for now. Qin Chuan, you should wait here too. I'll go in and report to His Holiness the Pope."
"Of course, Chrysanthemum Elder," Hu Liena replied obediently.
Yue Guan straightened his robe, pushed open the doors, and went inside.
The doors closed behind him, cutting off the light and sounds within.
Only Qin Chuan and Hu Liena remained outside.
About half a stick of incense later, the doors suddenly opened from within. Yue Guan leaned halfway out and beckoned to Qin Chuan.
"Qin Chuan, His Holiness the Pope will see you. Come in."
Qin Chuan followed Yue Guan into the hall.
The interior was even larger than it had looked from outside, stretching more than a hundred meters. Black stone tiles covered the floor, polished until they reflected the figures above them. Twelve white jade pillars stood on each side, each carved with the image of a different Soul Beast, its body spiraling from the base to the top.
At the far end of the hall stood a raised platform.
A dragon throne rested atop it, dark gold from head to foot. Two intertwined horned dragons were carved into its back, their eyes set with red gems that glimmered faintly in the lamplight.
A woman sat upon the throne.
Qin Chuan walked toward her step by step, his gaze fixed on the woman the entire time.
She appeared to be around thirty. Her face was full and moonlike, with high, defined brows and a pair of long, deep-set eyes. Her irises were so dark they seemed like two bottomless pools of ink. Her nose was straight, her lips full, and their corners naturally pressed together, lending her an innate air of authority.
Her hair was jet-black, pinned up with a long, dark silver hairpin. A few loose strands fell from her temples, brushing her ears.
She wore a deep-purple court dress with a high collar, fastened all the way up to her jawline. The fabric tapered close to her waist, then flared over her hips. Its broad skirts spread across the throne and draped down over the steps. A dark gold sash cinched her waist, drawing it in to an impossibly slender line.
She sat perfectly straight upon the throne, her left hand resting on the armrest and her right hand propping up her chin.
This was Bibi Dong, the Pope of Spirit Hall and a Level 99 Limit Douluo.
Qin Chuan stopped ten meters before the raised platform.
Yue Guan stood to one side and bowed slightly to Bibi Dong.
"His Holiness the Pope, this is Qin Chuan."