On the viewing stand at Spirit Plaza, Sword Douluo was clearly displeased with Spirit Hall's attempt to make a mystery of things.
If he weren't a guardian elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and tied down by his duties, he would have left long ago!
"Uncle Jian, don't be in such a hurry. Spirit Hall is making such a grand show of this Spirit Awakening Ceremony because they must have something to flaunt. Let's see what Bibi Dong is really up to."
Ning Fengzhi soothed Sword Douluo with a few words, then turned his gaze toward the other viewing areas.
The royal family of the Heaven Dou Empire, the Star Luo Imperial Family, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan...
Nearly every faction of any renown on Douluo Continent had come.
It seemed this Spirit Awakening Ceremony held by Spirit Hall would be anything but ordinary.
Ning Fengzhi couldn't help growing curious about what kind of talented young Soul Masters might emerge.
"Spirit Hall has always enjoyed putting on a mysterious act. They're probably doing this to build up some child. But even if they make such a fuss, no child will have talent greater than Rongrong's."
"In my eyes, Rongrong is number one."
Sword Douluo glanced toward Spirit Hall's central plaza, then spoke with a touch of smugness.
In his heart, the clever and mischievous Ning Rongrong was the best!
"Uncle Jian, I've heard that His Holiness the Pope adopted many orphaned children. Could it be that one of them is exceptionally talented, and that's why Spirit Hall is making such a grand display of the Spirit Awakening Ceremony today?"
A flash of insight crossed Ning Fengzhi's eyes. As the head of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he was quick-witted. After giving it some thought, he immediately understood their purpose.
The Pope must have great hopes for one of the children, which was why she had gone to such lengths to hold the Spirit Awakening Ceremony.
After hearing his analysis, Sword Douluo nodded and thoughtfully turned his gaze toward Spirit Hall's Awakening Platform. He was beginning to take an interest in this peerless talent from Spirit Hall.
On a viewing stand not far from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, members of the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family sat upon specially made golden thrones, surrounded by a bevy of maidservants. Every one of them was strikingly beautiful, their looks far beyond those of the common streetwalkers.
Leading the Heaven Dou Empire's royal entourage was Prince Xue Xing, the younger brother of the current emperor, Xue Ye.
Seated beside him was a handsome young man in fine clothes, with golden hair. He was none other than the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe.
Unlike his uncle, he wasn't flirting with the beautiful maidservants. His gaze darted around as though searching for someone, and a hint of anticipation showed on his face.
"Qinghe, don't be so reserved. Your father sent me to take you out and broaden your horizons so you could relax a little."
"These maids are both beautiful and graceful. Go on, have some fun. Your uncle will take care of everything."
Prince Xue Xing patted his nephew on the arm, urging him to enjoy himself. Whatever happened, he would take care of it.
Meanwhile, in a side hall not far from Spirit Awakening Plaza.
Bibi Dong, who was usually calm and composed, was now furious. Her peerlessly beautiful face was clouded with frost, flames blazed in her rose-red eyes, and her jade-white hand clenched around the Pope Scepter so tightly that veins stood out.
A terrifying pressure spread through the hall, freezing the very air around her. One could only imagine how furious she was.
"Qian Daoliu, you're just like that deadbeat son of yours—a sanctimonious hypocrite! You went behind our backs and poached someone from the Pope Palace. You've got some nerve!"
When she learned that Qian Daoliu had already met Lin Tian and invited him to join the Worship Hall, Bibi Dong was furious!
She had raised and taught Lin Tian herself for the past six years. Now that her efforts were finally bearing fruit, Qian Daoliu had come to steal her child. If that wasn't sanctimonious hypocrisy, what was?
Damn it!
She had considered every possibility, yet still underestimated the old fox Qian Daoliu's cunning.
Fortunately, Lin Tian hadn't accepted Qian Daoliu's invitation. He had chosen to stay by her side.
That brought Bibi Dong some comfort.
It seemed she would have to plan ahead, lest the Worship Hall come to snatch him away.
At that thought, Bibi Dong leaned back in her lounge chair and closed her eyes. Her slender jade fingers tapped lightly against the armrest. Before long, she came up with a solution.
If Lin Tian stole the show at the Spirit Awakening Ceremony, she would announce, before all the gathered powers, that she was appointing him as Spirit Hall's Holy Son. She would also personally oversee all his future guidance and training!
Even if Qian Daoliu objected, it would be useless.
After all, Bibi Dong was the one in charge of Spirit Hall!
Only then did her mood gradually improve.
Getting her adopted son to join the Worship Hall? He could keep dreaming.
"Lin Tian, you mustn't disappoint Mother. Otherwise, there won't be any special reward for you."
Bibi Dong parted her lips and murmured, standing off to one side.
She changed into a long, gold-trimmed gown, slipped on a pair of black high heels, and strode out of the side hall on her long, shapely legs, heading for Spirit Awakening Plaza.
Meanwhile, at one corner of Spirit Awakening Plaza, all the children of the appropriate age had gathered. There were boys and girls among them, and it was plain that everyone was nervous about the Martial Soul Awakening.
After all, this was a major event that could change their lives. They couldn't afford to take it lightly.
Compared with the nervous children, Lin Tian seemed quite relaxed.
His mind was filled with thoughts of the special reward from his adoptive mother, the Pope. He didn't yet know what the reward would be, but just imagining it left him thrilled.
A uniformed temptation?
A breath against red lips?
Long live Her Holiness the Pope!
As for the Soul Master factions coming to observe the ceremony and all that, what did any of it have to do with Lin Tian? All he had to do was crush his peers at the Spirit Awakening Ceremony and be the most dazzling kid there!
Though he wasn't sure what Martial Soul he would awaken, Lin Tian had a vague feeling that this time, he would awaken Twin Martial Souls.
That alone would be enough to put him above all the other children.
Suddenly, the noisy sounds across Spirit Plaza fell silent. The Soul Master representatives and members of the public gathered there craned their necks toward the high platform representing Spirit Hall.
Then a figure in a gold-trimmed gown slowly appeared atop the platform. Her skin was fair as snow, and her beauty was breathtaking. As she breathed, her red lips parted slightly, revealing a glimpse of white.
Bibi Dong, Spirit Hall's newly appointed Pope, had arrived in person.
As the youngest Titled Douluo on Douluo Continent appeared, the viewing stands fell silent. Every gaze fixed on her was filled with fear.
After all, no one dared disrespect a Titled Douluo—unless they had a death wish!
A breeze swept across the viewing stands, stirring a strand of wine-red hair against Bibi Dong's fair cheek. It lent the already cold and dazzling Pope a touch of playfulness.
At that moment, Bibi Dong exuded the air of a queen.
"Everyone, the annual Spirit Awakening Ceremony begins now. Every successfully awakened Martial Soul represents a bright future. The future of Douluo Continent belongs to you!"
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