Soon, the day of Lin Yuan's coronation arrived as scheduled.
As a newly risen Titled Douluo, she had already caused a sensation among the major powers.
With Spirit Hall's current delicate situation adding to that, nearly every faction received an invitation from Qian Lingche, and they all came to witness the ceremony.
Although Bibi Dong was deeply reluctant, the invitations had already been sent, so she had no choice but to agree to hold the ceremony in front of the Pope Palace.
At dawn, sunlight spilled over the Six-Winged Angel statue in front of the Pope Palace, bathing it in golden light as sacred as Divine Power.
The square had already been decked out in splendid decorations. Banners fluttered in the breeze, symbols of Spirit Hall's dignity and glory.
Qian Lingche stood atop the dais, his gaze calmly sweeping over the crowd below.
Bibi Dong sat in the seat of honor on the other side of the dais. Her expression was calm, but a faint chill lurked in her eyes.
She knew full well that this ceremony was not only Lin Yuan's coronation; it was also Qian Lingche making a statement through this very act.
But she had no intention of stopping him. The ones who should be fretting now were probably those old geezers in the Worship Hall.
As the bell rang, the ceremony officially began. Ji Lin, standing beside Qian Lingche, stepped forward.
"Today, we have gathered you all here to witness the coronation of a Titled Douluo."
"In the year 7695 of the Douluo Calendar, after fifty-seven years of effort, Lin Yuan broke through to Level 90 and obtained her ninth Soul Ring, becoming a Titled Douluo through her talent and hard work!"
At that moment, Lin Yuan's heart was filled with complicated emotions.
Years of effort and countless brushes with death had finally paid off on this day.
"Next, please welcome His Highness Qian Lingche to bestow the coronet upon Lin Yuan!"
At his words, whispers rippled through the crowd. Though quiet, they could not conceal their shock.
"The Pope isn't bestowing the coronet? That's completely against protocol..." a sect elder murmured.
"Exactly. Pope Bibi Dong is right here. Why is Qian Lingche bestowing it himself? Is there some deeper meaning behind this?" another Soul Master whispered in agreement.
"It seems the winds really have shifted within Spirit Hall. Even the coronation ceremony has been arranged this way..."
"Shh, watch your words! Better not speculate about such things." Someone beside them immediately cautioned them, though his own eyes were just as conflicted.
Qian Lingche gave a cold snort. Soul Power infused his voice, instantly drawing everyone's attention back to him.
Qian Lingche strode forward, carrying a dazzling silver coronet set with precious gems. Her title was engraved upon it, a symbol of a Douluo's glory.
Watching Qian Lingche approach, Lin Yuan went down on one knee and lowered her head.
Qian Lingche slowly raised the coronet. His voice rang clearly in every ear. "Lin Yuan, today, in the name of Spirit Hall, I bestow upon you your title and the coronet of a Douluo."
"Your title is Ling Yuan. May you take pride in it and bear it as your duty, guarding the Order and peace of the continent."
With that, Qian Lingche gently placed the coronet on Lin Yuan's head.
Ling Yuan looked up at Qian Lingche. "Thank you for bestowing the coronet, Your Highness. I will make it my duty to protect Spirit Hall's glory and the peace of the Soul Master World, and I will remain true to that duty until death."
Of course, these were clearly just words for the occasion. Every Titled Douluo had to say something like this at their coronation.
Qian Lingche nodded slightly. He reached out and gently took Ling Yuan by the arm, helping her rise from her kneeling position.
Standing atop the dais, Ji Lin announced in a booming voice, "The ceremony is complete! Everyone..."
Before he could finish, a rough voice suddenly rang out from the crowd, cutting him off.
A burly man strode forward, a taunting look in his eyes. "Hold on! We still don't know how strong this Ling Yuan Douluo is. Why don't we trade a few blows?"
At his words, Bibi Dong slowly rose to her feet and struck the ground hard with the Pope Scepter.
In an instant, an invisible wave of force swept outward.
She stared coldly at the burly man, her voice brimming with unquestionable authority. "Sect Master Yu, this is Spirit Hall. You've gone too far!"
At a time like this, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's old geezer was essentially challenging Spirit Hall's authority in front of everyone. She had no choice but to intervene.
Yu Yuanzhen chuckled. "Your Holiness, why so tense? I merely want to spar with Ling Yuan Douluo and offer her a few pointers as her senior."
After seeing Qian Lingche give her a slight nod, Ling Yuan stepped forward of her own accord. "Your Holiness, there's no need to be angered. Since Senior Yu has invited me, as a junior, I'd be glad to see what he can do."
Her tone was calm, but the word "senior" carried a faint trace of mockery.
Yu Yuanzhen furrowed his brows slightly, clearly catching the meaning behind her words.
He snorted, displeasure flashing across his rugged face. "What a junior you are. You've got quite a mouth on you. Very well, let's see whether you deserve that title of Titled Douluo!"
Ling Yuan smiled faintly. "Please, Senior Yu. Teach me."
Bibi Dong looked toward Qian Lingche, but seeing his calm expression, she realized he had no objection and stopped trying to intervene.
She slowly sat back down and lightly tapped the Pope Scepter against the ground. "Very well, then. Keep it to a friendly exchange."
The people in the square moved aside of their own accord, leaving the two plenty of room.
The crowded center of the square now held only Ling Yuan and Yu Yuanzhen, facing each other.
"Ling Yuan Douluo, after you!" Yu Yuanzhen roared. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon appeared behind him, followed by two yellow, two purple, and five black Soul Rings.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black—eight Soul Rings appeared one after another at Ling Yuan's feet.
Then her ninth Soul Ring rose abruptly—a blood-red Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring!
The moment the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring appeared, an overwhelming pressure swept through the square like a landslide and a raging sea.
"A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring!" Gasps rang through the crowd. Every eye fixed on the blood-red ring, filled with disbelief.
Even Yu Yuanzhen's expression changed, a grave look crossing his rugged face.
Bibi Dong turned a complicated gaze toward Qian Lingche. Her fingers tightened slightly; clearly, she was far from calm.
He went to such lengths to get a Soul Ring this good for one of his subordinates... she sneered inwardly, her thoughts tinged with sarcasm.
Even the Soul Rings on her Second Martial Soul had yet to be completed.
Yet Qian Lingche had spared no expense to obtain a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring for Ling Yuan's ninth. He really was generous.
Qian Lingche stood atop the dais, a satisfied smile on his face.
As expected, she hasn't let me down. Seeing the crowd's utter astonishment, he couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth lift.
However, he failed to notice the complicated look in Bibi Dong's eyes behind him.