Spirit Hall

Qin Chuan did some quick mental calculations.

Spirit Hall was one of the three great powers on the Douluo Continent. It lacked nothing in terms of resources, cultivation techniques, or connections. Bibi Dong was a level 99 Limit Douluo with twin martial souls, her strength second only to a tiny handful of the world's top powerhouses.

Joining Spirit Hall held only benefits for him and no drawbacks. At this stage, while he was not yet strong enough, having a massive tree to lean on was far better than fighting alone out in the world.

Furthermore, he truly held a grudge against the Clear Sky Sect; he had been born in Yuze Village, which had been tragically wiped out in a bloodbath by the Clear Sky Sect.

Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect were also mortal enemies. From that perspective, they were natural allies.

Qin Chuan did not hesitate for long and nodded. "Fine."

A smile appeared on Yue Guan's face.

"Then it is settled. We are returning to Spirit Hall."

Yan opened his mouth as if to say something, but Xie Yue stopped him with a look.

Although Xie Yue was not lightly injured, his mind remained clear. He could see that Yue Guan held this youth named Qin Chuan in extremely high regard. It was not appropriate to interrupt at a time like this.

Hu Liena stood to the side, having said little, but her gaze never once left Qin Chuan.

The youth who had saved her life.

Twin martial souls, five white spirit rings, and those eyes swirling with purple patterns.

There were too many mysteries. Hu Liena felt an itch in her heart, desperate to ask every single question right now, but she held back.

There was still a long road ahead; there was no rush.

The group of five continued their journey.

Yue Guan led the way, slowing his pace significantly. Xie Yue's injuries were not minor; a large chunk of flesh had been torn from his left arm. Although he stubbornly refused to make a sound, his body was clearly leaning to the right as he walked.

Qin Chuan hesitated for a moment, then channeled a sliver of Heavenly Dao Power and quietly sent it over.

As Xie Yue walked, he suddenly felt the pain in his left arm diminish by more than half. He looked down and saw the swelling around his wound receding at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"This is?" Xie Yue turned his head to look at Qin Chuan.

Qin Chuan neither admitted nor denied it, simply continuing to walk forward.

Xie Yue gave him a few extra looks but did not press the matter further.

Yan was not in a good state either. Having just absorbed a ten-thousand-year spirit ring, his body was still adapting to the surge of new energy, and his legs felt unsteady as he walked.

However, he was the type to respond to soft persuasion rather than force; despite muttering "I'm fine, I'm fine," he stubbornly refused to let anyone help him.

Hu Liena walked on Qin Chuan's left.

She had changed her position, moving from behind him to his side. The hem of her purple-red dress dragged across the grass, picking up dew and mud. Her waist swayed only slightly as she walked, but the thin silver chain at her waist jingled faintly with every step.

"Qin Chuan," Hu Liena called out.

"Yes?"

"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 in the direction they had come. Hearing this question, the corner of his mouth twitched. "Because I wanted to leave."

Hu Liena felt there was a story behind that answer, but Qin Chuan's tone clearly indicated he did not want to discuss the topic further, so she tactfully refrained from asking more.

After walking for about an hour, the city in the distance was already close at hand.

Ahead lay Spirit City. It was a regular hexagonal city built around a central hill, with a relief carving of the Spirit Hall token on each of its six walls.

Spirit City was a city built exclusively by Spirit Hall. Located at the very center of the Douluo Continent, at the junction of the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires, it was a neutral city independent of both nations and was known as the "Holy Land for Spirit Masters."

They arrived at the city gates.

Two rows of spirit masters in silver armor stood on either side, holding long spears and standing perfectly straight. Seeing Yue Guan leading the group, the captain of the guards hurried forward to salute.

"Chrysanthemum Elder!"

Yue Guan waved his hand, signaling that there was no need for formalities, and led the group directly into the city.

The streets inside were wide and clean; there were few pedestrians, but the order was impeccable. The shops were almost entirely related to spirit masters, selling spirit tools, medicinal herbs, spirit bones, and other items. The overall atmosphere was solemn, grave, and sacred, exuding a majesty that felt superior to the secular world.

Looking up, the Spirit Hall complex was situated at the highest point of the central hill, overlooking the entire city. It was the seat of power and the spiritual core of Spirit Hall.

It was primarily composed of three parts: the Pope Palace, the Elder Palace, and the Douluo Palace.

Chrysanthemum Elder led the group into Spirit Hall and turned to look at Xie Yue and Yan. "The two of you go to the infirmary to treat your injuries first. Yan, you have just absorbed a spirit ring; go back and stabilize it properly. No training for the next two days."

Yan was reluctant, but he nodded nonetheless. Xie Yue said nothing and turned to leave.

Yue Guan led Qin Chuan and Hu Liena as they continued to head toward the summit.

The steps along the path grew wider, and the lanterns on both sides began to light up. The sky had turned completely dark, and the moon hung in the sky, clearly illuminating the outlines of the white palace.

Finally, they reached the summit.

The main gate of the Spirit Hall palace faced due south. The two vermilion doors stood five meters tall, each inlaid with a massive bronze ring. Four guards stood at the entrance, all of them above level 60.

Yue Guan stopped at the threshold.

"Hu Liena, wait outside for now. Qin Chuan, you wait here as well. I am going in to report to Her Holiness the Pope."

"Understood, Chrysanthemum Elder," Hu Liena replied obediently.

Yue Guan straightened his robes, pushed open the doors, and stepped inside.

The palace doors closed behind him, cutting off the light and sound from within.

Only Qin Chuan and Hu Liena remained outside the doors.

About half an incense stick's time later, the palace doors suddenly opened from the inside. Yue Guan leaned halfway out and beckoned to Qin Chuan.

"Qin Chuan, Her Holiness the Pope wishes to see you. Come in."

Qin Chuan followed Yue Guan into the main hall.

The interior space was even larger than it appeared from the outside, stretching over a hundred meters long. The floor was paved with black stone tiles, polished to a mirror finish that reflected one's silhouette. On both sides stood twelve white jade pillars, each carved with different spirit beast patterns that spiraled from the base to the top.

At the far end of the hall stood a high platform.

On the platform sat a throne made of dark gold. Two intertwined dragons were carved into the backrest, their eyes inlaid with red gemstones that glimmered faintly under the light.

A woman sat upon the throne.

Qin Chuan walked forward step by step, his gaze fixed entirely on her.

She appeared to be around thirty years old. Her face was as round as a full moon, her brow bone high and prominent. Her eyes were long, narrow, and deep, with pupils of such an intense darkness they resembled two bottomless pools of ink. Her nose was straight, her lips full, and the corners of her mouth were naturally set in a slight pout that carried an innate sense of authority.

Her hair was ink-black, coiled atop her head and secured with a long, dark silver hairpin. A few stray strands fell from her temples, resting against her ears.

She wore a deep purple palace gown with a high, tight collar, the top button fastened right up to her jawline. The dress tapered in at the waist before flaring out at the hips, with a vast expanse of fabric spreading across the throne and cascading down the steps. A wide, dark gold belt cinched her waist, making it appear incredibly slender.

She sat on the throne with her back perfectly straight, her left hand resting on the armrest and her right hand supporting her chin.

This was Bibi Dong. The Pope of Spirit Hall, a level 99 Limit Douluo.

Qin Chuan stopped ten meters in front of the high platform.

Yue Guan stood to the side and bowed slightly toward Bibi Dong.

"Your Holiness, this is Qin Chuan."