While Qian Xunji and Ah Yin were wrapped up in each other, the Worship Hall was having a miserable time.
Not only did its members have to handle the Papal Palace's daily affairs, they also had to deal with the mounting anger of Spirit City's residents.
Ever since the residents learned that the Holy Maiden had betrayed Spirit Hall because of someone from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, they had wanted only one thing: revenge!
But the Pope was away and could not take charge. Qian Daoliu and the others were waiting for Qian Xunji to return, so they had done nothing but hold the residents back.
It was no secret, and word spread quickly, causing an uproar throughout the Soul Master World.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, meanwhile, had waited and waited for Spirit Hall to come. The uncertainty left them on edge.
As for Bibi Dong? She had it worse. Every day, she faced the scorn of Spirit City's residents. If the Security Team had not been there, the angriest among them would have torn her apart!
Her resentment toward Yu Xiaogang grew deeper by the day, as did her hatred for her teacher's cruelty...
She hated Yu Xiaogang. Why had he abandoned her? Why had he approached her in the first place? Why had he lied to her?!
And she hated Qian Xunji. Why would he not give her a chance to atone? Why had he treated her that way?!
The other major powers—including the Two Great Empires and the remaining Upper Three Sects, the Clear Sky Sect and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—were watching and waiting.
But Spirit Hall had yet to make a move. That was nothing like its usual domineering style, and it puzzled them.
How could they have known? Spirit Hall's Pope had left Spirit City, and no one knew when he would return.
Some were laughing at Spirit Hall. Its own Holy Maiden had betrayed it—a scandal of staggering proportions.
Others were waiting to see what would become of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Spirit Hall would never let them get away with this!
The supposed solidarity of the Upper Three Sects was sometimes a joke. Besides, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had no grounds to stand on.
Neither the Clear Sky Sect nor the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect intended to help. Both simply watched.
Spirit City's Divine Mountain, the Worship Hall.
"When on earth is Xunji coming back? We're handling the Papal Palace's affairs and trying to calm the furious residents of Spirit City!"
"Their anger has reached its peak. We can't hold them back much longer. Sooner or later, it'll erupt!"
"And what are we supposed to do then? They haven't done anything wrong. They're furious about what that wretch Bibi Dong and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan did. They just want an answer!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo spoke with a headache, even beginning to resent Qian Xunji for dumping this mess on them.
"Everyone, calm down. I'm sure Xunji will be back soon." Qian Daoliu raised a hand to reassure them.
Asking his old comrades, who knew little of such matters, to handle the Papal Palace's affairs was a lot to put on them.
"I hope so..." Azure Luan Douluo said wearily.
"Couldn't we move Bibi Dong to some corner where no one would notice her? Of course the residents are angry when she's begging right in front of them."
Light Feather Douluo made the suggestion. He used to have so much free time; now he was worked to the bone. Every file took careful thought, and he even had to ask his elder brother for advice.
"Very well! Move her elsewhere. Keeping her in the central square only provokes the residents."
Qian Daoliu made the decision on the spot.
"Wise choice, big brother! Once that's settled, at least half the pressure on us will be gone! I still don't understand why Xunji insists on keeping that traitor alive," Golden Crocodile Douluo said.
Surely he isn't doing it just for the satisfaction of revenge? That would be too childish. There must be a reason we don't know about.
"It's to make an example of her. If even Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden suffers so badly for betraying it, what would happen to anyone else?"
"Xunji must have considered that when he decided to keep her alive. We should understand his reasoning."
Qian Daoliu offered the explanation, certain he had seen through Qian Xunji's plan. Keeping Bibi Dong alive was meant to serve as a warning.
What he did not know was that Qian Xunji had given it no such thought. He had done it purely for revenge.
Nor had Qian Xunji expected keeping Bibi Dong around to put so much pressure on Spirit Hall. If he had known, he would have left her in some hidden corner.
Xunji, you little brat, where have you gone? When you get back, I'll break your legs!
Qian Daoliu thought bitterly of what they had endured lately. It had been many years since he had served as Pope.
"If Bibi Dong's affair hadn't been made public, perhaps it wouldn't have become so serious."
"Now the entire continent is laughing at us. Everyone is waiting to see what we'll do to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"If we do nothing, every Soul Master on the continent will see Spirit Hall as..." Azure Luan Douluo trailed off.
"This has become public knowledge. Even the Worship Hall can no longer stand aside," Golden Crocodile Douluo said, sweeping his gaze over the others.
This was no longer simply a matter of the Holy Maiden betraying Spirit Hall. Its reputation—and perhaps even more—was at stake.
They had to act against the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. They had to show their strength.
"We'll discuss it when Xunji returns. He's the Pope." Qian Daoliu rubbed his brow. "I'll give him one year at most. If he isn't back by then, I'll go find him myself!"
Who could have expected things to get so out of hand? If they had dealt with the Holy Maiden's betrayal internally from the start, the damage would have been minimal. Who could have imagined Qian Xunji would send her out to beg?
"That Xunji is quite the schemer! He knew we probably wouldn't get involved, so he used public pressure to force our hand!" Golden Crocodile Douluo said, as if the answer had just dawned on him.
"..." Qian Daoliu was dumbfounded. Had Xunji really planned that far ahead?
Well, when Qian Xunji had said the Worship Hall would support seeking justice from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Qian Daoliu had agreed.
But he had only agreed in principle. He had never said anyone from the Worship Hall would take action... Yet now, they would have no choice.
If they could not crush the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan with overwhelming force, how could Spirit Hall hold its head high?
"Oh, come on..." Demon Subduing Douluo said helplessly. "Now, when we need the Pope most, he's nowhere to be found?"
"He's the Pope, yet he's left everything behind to go sightseeing. Just thinking about it makes me angry!"
Demon Subduing Douluo spoke through gritted teeth. Had he known this would happen, he would never have let Qian Xunji leave Spirit City.
Before you continue