Time flew like a white colt flashing past a crack. In the blink of an eye, Lin Tian had already lived in Spirit Hall for six years.
During that time, he had not only learned to speak and walk in the Papal Hall, but His Holiness the Pope had also taken him to soak in hot springs several times.
Amid the swirling mists, Lin Tian had witnessed more than one alluring scene: fair skin, long, shapely legs, and towering peaks... It was truly a sight beyond words.
And so, Lin Tian had grown up safely to the day of his Martial Soul Awakening.
All these years, Lin Tian had stayed in the Papal Hall and had rarely been seen by outsiders.
Aside from the few Titled Douluo who held high positions, almost no one knew he existed.
Six years had passed. The child who had once been as delicate as a doll had grown into a handsome young man with striking looks. He was obedient and well-behaved, never going against his adoptive mother, the Pope, and was therefore dearly loved by Bibi Dong.
As a reward for his obedience, Bibi Dong had always let Lin Tian live in her private chambers.
For Lin Tian, who had crossed over from another world, living with a beautiful young woman was naturally a wonderful arrangement.
In the Papal Hall, Bibi Dong wore the Nine-Bend Golden Crown and held the Pope Scepter as she gave orders to the Soul Masters gathered in the hall, her expression stern.
"Everyone, my adopted son, Lin Tian, has now come of age. In a few days, Spirit Hall will hold its annual Spirit Awakening Ceremony. I intend to invite nobles from various nations and elders from the great sects to attend the ceremony at Spirit Hall. What do you think, elders?"
When she finished speaking, Bibi Dong's rose-red eyes swept over everyone present, and the Pope's imposing authority was unmistakable.
"Your Holiness the Pope, shouldn't we inform the Grand Elder before inviting envoys from various nations and the great sects to attend the ceremony at Spirit Hall? This is far too important. If anything goes wrong, wouldn't it damage Spirit Hall's reputation and..."
In the great hall, a Platinum Bishop with a scar-shaped tattoo on his face spoke to Bibi Dong hesitantly. Inviting nobles from various nations to Spirit Hall for the ceremony was a momentous matter. If anything went wrong, Spirit Hall's reputation would be ruined!
"Bishop Cai Xukun, before I answer your question, I'd like you to understand one thing. In Spirit Hall, I am the Pope!"
As Bibi Dong's voice grew stern, the phantom of a fearsome Soul-Devouring Demon Spider appeared behind her. The pressure of a Titled Douluo surged through the hall.
"Bishop Cai Xukun, are you questioning my orders?"
Bibi Dong brought the Pope Scepter in her hand down hard against the floor, and the pressure of her Titled Douluo rank intensified further.
"This... I... Your Holiness the Pope, I was worrying over nothing. You are right!"
Faced with the overwhelming pressure of a Titled Douluo, Cai Xukun finally chose to kneel in submission.
Though he was one of Spirit Hall's Platinum Bishops, his strength reached only the Seven-Ring Soul Sage rank. Under Bibi Dong's formidable Titled Douluo pressure, all he could do was yield and beg for mercy.
Seeing him kneel and plead, Bibi Dong no longer paid him any mind. Instead, she turned to the other elders of Spirit Hall.
"Since no one has any objections, I'll trouble you elders to make the trip. Spirit Kite Douluo, go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and invite Sect Master Ning Fengzhi to attend the ceremony at Spirit Hall three days from now!"
"Ghost Leopard Douluo, go to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect and invite the old Dragon King to attend the ceremony at Spirit Hall."
"Snake Lance Douluo, go to the Heaven Dou Empire..."
"Porcupinefish Douluo, go to the Star Luo Empire..."
Once their assignments were given, everyone turned into streaks of light and vanished from the Papal Hall in the blink of an eye.
After they had all left, Bibi Dong dismissed her attendants and leaned languidly against the Pope's throne.
Though she had gained control over most of Spirit Hall's power since taking the position of Pope, and most of the elders under her command had already pledged themselves to her, Bibi Dong knew perfectly well that the old fox in the Worship Hall had always been wary of her.
Most of her every move within Spirit Hall was being watched by him.
To truly escape his surveillance, she had no choice but to cultivate her own strength as much as possible. Lin Tian was precisely the child she had chosen for that purpose.
Of course, everything still depended on his Martial Soul Awakening three days from now.
If he truly awakened a top-tier Martial Soul, then all her efforts would have been worthwhile.
But if the boy turned out to be useless, then her reputation—and Spirit Hall's—would probably...
Thinking of this, Bibi Dong couldn't help letting out a few bitter laughs. Her hand tightened again and again around the Pope Scepter.
At the same time, outside the Papal Hall, a handsome youth dressed in fine brocade carefully pushed open the door and entered.
This youth was Lin Tian.
After entering the Papal Hall, the first person Lin Tian saw was his adoptive mother, the Pope, seated on the high dais.
Bibi Dong wore a purple dress and rested her cheek in one hand as she leaned against the Pope's throne.
Beneath the hem of her dress, her long, pale legs were faintly visible. Her legs were crossed, adding yet more elegance to her figure.
The skin exposed beneath her sleeves was fair and smooth, like snow falling in the depths of winter, bright yet touched with a hint of chill.
Bibi Dong's face had been clouded with worry, but the moment she saw Lin Tian appear in the hall, her stunning features blossomed into a radiant smile. One smile from her could captivate a hundred beauties.
Even Lin Tian, who lived in the side chamber of Bibi Dong's sleeping quarters and had gone with the Pope to soak in the hot springs many times, was stunned by the sight.
"Mother, you looked worried just now. Are you concerned about my Martial Soul Awakening?"
Lin Tian blinked his big eyes and asked Bibi Dong with an innocent, bewildered expression.
"Lin Tian, I've made my decision. At the Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony three days from now, I'll invite nobles and envoys from the great empires of Douluo Continent, as well as elders from the great sects, to attend the ceremony at Spirit Hall. As my adopted son, you're someone I have great hopes for!"
"After the ceremony, I'll formally announce you as Spirit Hall's Holy Son and personally guide your Martial Soul cultivation. If your awakening results aren't satisfactory, then your mother will accept that too!"
When she finished speaking, Bibi Dong smiled and beckoned to Lin Tian. As soon as he came over, she pulled him into her arms.
Strangely enough, Bibi Dong, who was usually so aloof, would lose herself and pull Lin Tian into her arms whenever she saw him. For some reason, this boy always made her feel an inexplicable sense of closeness.
Held in Bibi Dong's arms, Lin Tian felt the warmth radiating from His Holiness the Pope. From that moment on, he made a silent vow in his heart: in his previous life, Bibi Dong had died tragically at Jialing Pass, her beauty fading forever.
In this life, he would protect Bibi Dong himself.
The reason was simple: he believed in the Way of Cao Wei and admired the Legacy of Wei Wu!
"Please don't worry, Mother. Lin Tian won't let you down. In three days, I'll amaze everyone!"
Hearing the child's earnest words, Bibi Dong chuckled. Then she leaned down and whispered in Lin Tian's ear with a smile:
"Good boy. If you really can amaze everyone at the Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony, then your mother will promise you a little reward."
"As for what the reward will be, you can decide for yourself!"
At those words, Lin Tian's little face instantly turned bright red.
Could this get any better?
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