Sharp Edge Revealed, Unstoppable Momentum

Soon, the day of Lin Yuan's coronation ceremony arrived as scheduled.

As a newly ascended Title Douluo, she had already stirred up a massive commotion among the major powers.

Coupled with the delicate current situation within Spirit Hall, nearly every faction had received an invitation from Qian Lingche and arrived one after another to observe the ceremony.

Although Bibi Dong felt helpless, the invitations had already been sent out, and she had no choice but to agree to hold the ceremony in front of the Pope Palace.

In the early morning, sunlight spilled onto the Six-Winged Angel statue in front of the Pope Palace, the golden radiance appearing as sacred as divine power.

The plaza was already adorned with magnificent decorations, and flags fluttered in the wind, symbolizing the majesty and glory of Spirit Hall.

Qian Lingche stood atop the high platform, his gaze sweeping calmly over the crowd below.

Bibi Dong sat in the main seat on the other side of the platform; though her expression was calm, a hint of coldness flickered deep within her eyes.

She knew very well that this ceremony was not merely for Lin Yuan's coronation, but a way for Qian Lingche to make his stance known.

Yet, she would not stop it; the ones who should be getting a headache now were likely those old fogies in the Consecration Palace.

As the bells tolled, the ceremony officially began. Ji Lin, standing beside Qian Lingche, stepped forward slowly.

"Today, we invite you all to gather here to witness the coronation of a Title Douluo."

"In the year 7695 of the Douluo calendar, after 57 years of trials, Lin Yuan has officially broken through to level 90, obtained her ninth spirit ring, and become a Title Douluo!"

At this moment, Lin Yuan's heart was filled with complex emotions.

So many years of hard work, countless life-and-death trials—finally, on this day, they had been rewarded.

"Next, I invite His Highness Qian Lingche to bestow the crown upon Lin Yuan!"

As his words fell, the crowd below began to whisper; though their voices were low, they could not hide their shock.

"It's actually not the Pope bestowing the crown? This is completely against protocol..." an elder from a certain sect whispered.

"Indeed, Pope Bibi Dong is clearly present, so why is Qian Lingche the one bestowing it personally? Could there be some hidden meaning behind this?" another spirit master echoed in a low voice.

"It seems the winds within Spirit Hall have truly shifted, for even the coronation ceremony to be arranged this way..."

"Hush, watch your tongue! It is better not to speculate wildly about such matters." The person beside him warned immediately, though their eyes were filled with the same complex look.

Qian Lingche let out a cold snort, his voice imbued with spirit power, instantly pulling everyone's attention back.

Qian Lingche stepped forward slowly, holding a brilliant silver crown in his hands. The crown was inlaid with precious gems and engraved with her title, symbolizing the glory of a Douluo.

Watching Qian Lingche walk toward her, Lin Yuan knelt on one knee and lowered her head.

Qian Lingche slowly raised the crown, his voice ringing clearly in everyone's ears: "Lin Yuan, today, in the name of Spirit Hall, I bestow upon you your title and the Douluo crown."

"Your title is Ling Yuan. May you take pride in this and treat it as your duty to protect the order and peace of the continent."

As he finished speaking, Qian Lingche gently placed the crown upon Lin Yuan's head.

Ling Yuan looked up slightly at Qian Lingche: "Thank you, Your Highness, for the crown. I shall make it my duty to protect the glory of Spirit Hall and the peace of the spirit master world, until death."

Of course, these were clearly just empty formalities; every Title Douluo coronation required such words.

Qian Lingche nodded slightly. He reached out, gently supporting Ling Yuan's arm, and slowly helped her up from her half-kneeling position.

Ji Lin stood on the high platform and announced in a booming voice: "The ceremony is concluded! Everyone..."

Before his words could fade, a rough voice suddenly rang out from the crowd, interrupting him.

A burly man strode out, his eyes filled with provocation: "Wait! I don't yet know the strength of this Ling Yuan Douluo. Why not let me exchange a few moves with her?"

As the words fell, Bibi Dong slowly stood up, the Pope Scepter in her hand striking the ground heavily.

In an instant, an invisible wave of air swept outward.

She stared coldly at the burly man, her voice carrying unquestionable majesty: "Sect Master Yu, this is Spirit Hall. You are being presumptuous!"

At a time like this, the behavior of this old thing from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect was no different from challenging the majesty of Spirit Hall in public; she had to intervene.

Yu Yuanzhen chuckled: "Your Majesty the Pope, why be so tense? I merely wish to spar with this Ling Yuan Douluo and offer some guidance as her senior."

Seeing Qian Lingche give a slight nod of approval, Ling Yuan stepped forward on her own initiative: "Your Majesty the Pope, there is no need for anger. Since it is an invitation from Senior Yu, as a newcomer, I naturally wish to witness the strength of Senior Yu as well."

Her tone was calm, but the word "Senior" carried a faint, almost imperceptible trace of mockery.

Hearing this, Yu Yuanzhen frowned slightly, clearly catching the implication in her words.

He snorted coldly, a flash of displeasure crossing his rugged face: "A fine 'newcomer' with quite the sharp tongue. In that case, let me see if your title of Douluo is truly deserved!"

Ling Yuan smiled slightly: "Senior Yu, please enlighten me."

Bibi Dong looked at Qian Lingche upon seeing this, but seeing his indifferent expression—clearly not opposed to the idea—she did not stop them further.

She sat down slowly, the Pope Scepter in her hand tapping the ground lightly: "In that case, let it be a friendly match."

The crowd in the plaza retreated consciously, leaving enough space for the two.

In the center of the previously crowded plaza, only Ling Yuan and Yu Yuanzhen remained, standing opposite each other.

"Ling Yuan Douluo, please!" Yu Yuanzhen shouted, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon manifesting behind him, followed by two yellow, two purple, and five black spirit rings.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black—eight spirit rings emerged in sequence from beneath Ling Yuan's feet.

Immediately following, the ninth spirit ring rose abruptly—it was a blood-red, hundred-thousand-year spirit ring!

The moment the hundred-thousand-year spirit ring appeared, a powerful pressure surged forth like a landslide or a tsunami, instantly enveloping the entire plaza.

"A hundred-thousand-year spirit ring!" A chorus of gasps erupted from the crowd; everyone's gaze was locked onto that blood-red ring, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Even Yu Yuanzhen could not help but change his expression, a hint of gravity flashing across his rugged face.

Bibi Dong looked toward Qian Lingche with a complex gaze, her fingers tightening slightly, clearly betraying the turmoil within her heart.

To think he would go to such lengths to secure such a fine spirit ring for a subordinate... she sneered inwardly, her thoughts laced with a touch of mockery.

One had to know that even for her own second martial soul, the spirit rings had yet to be fully completed.

Yet Qian Lingche had spared no cost to obtain a hundred-thousand-year ninth spirit ring for Ling Yuan; he was truly generous.

Qian Lingche stood atop the high platform, a satisfied smile gracing his face.

"As expected, she did not fail my expectations." Watching the utterly shocked expressions of the crowd, he couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips upward.

However, he failed to notice the complex gaze Bibi Dong cast toward his back.