That evening, Qian Xunji and Ah Yin went to the Papal Palace to pick up Xiao Xue and Xiao Feng and take them back to the Worship Hall.
But Qian Daoliu stopped them. "What's the rush? Stay for dinner. We can discuss your Soul Power while we're at it."
The seven Enshrined, Qian Xunji, Ah Yin, and the two little ones went to another hall where they took their meals.
Qian Daoliu sat at the head of the table, with the other Enshrined to one side. Qian Xunji and Ah Yin sat together.
As they ate, Qian Daoliu said, "How about we hold your wedding in the next few days?"
Ah Yin's hands went still, and her breathing quickened. Was it finally happening? Her wedding with Xunji!
"Dad, shouldn't we send invitations to the Two Great Empires and the Seven Great Sects first?" Qian Xunji asked.
He was the pope of Spirit Hall. If he was getting married, the wedding had to be grand. The Two Great Empires and the Seven Great Sects would have to send people!
"Naturally." Qian Daoliu nodded. "And I won't be the only one making an appearance. The others will, too!"
Qian Xunji looked toward Uncle Golden Crocodile and the rest. "Uncle Golden Crocodile and the others are attending too?!"
"Of course. It's your wedding, Xunji!" Golden Crocodile Douluo said with a smile. "Besides, the Great Enshrined has plans of his own!"
Qian Xunji thought for a moment. "Father, you and the uncles haven't appeared before the world in a long time. If all of you attend this time..."
"Are you planning to use the occasion to intimidate the Two Great Empires and the Seven Great Sects?" Qian Xunji asked.
"Hahaha!" Qian Daoliu laughed heartily. "Xunji, you've got a sharp mind. You saw right through us!"
"Uh..." Qian Xunji was speechless. Did that really take much thought? Their intentions were written all over their faces.
"After destroying the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Spirit Hall's prestige is higher than ever! But that will also make the Two Great Empires and the Seven Great Sects wary of us. They still need a reminder now and then."
Qian Daoliu picked up a napkin and wiped the corner of his mouth. "We old fellows have stayed out of sight for years. It's time the Soul Master World got to know us again!"
"You're incredible, Dad!" Qian Xunji gave Qian Daoliu a thumbs-up. If everyone knew how terrifying Spirit Hall's strength was, who would dare defy it?!
"Of course, you and Ah Yin will still be the focus. It's your wedding. We only need to show our faces."
"For some things, showing up is enough. Spirit Hall won't need to spread the word. Others will do it for us."
Qian Xunji smiled. His father was right. Sometimes, Spirit Hall didn't have to spread word of its actions itself.
After dinner, Qian Xunji and Ah Yin took the two little ones back to the Papal Palace and returned to their room.
"Ah Yin?" Qian Xunji looked at her lying beside him and smiled. "What's wrong? Nervous?"
"Mm..." Ah Yin said softly, then nestled against his chest. "I'm nervous... I've never attended anything so grand..."
"Don't be. You're not the one who should be nervous. The guests are. Besides, we're the ones getting married!"
"If you're still nervous that day, just leave everything to me..."
Ah Yin nodded slightly. Was this what it felt like to have someone to rely on? She really had made the right choice back then!
She had never regretted the choice she made in that little grove. If anything, she felt lucky.
She was happy now. Her husband was the strongest pope on the continent, and their family was loving and harmonious.
"Ah Yin, shall we go next door? We don't want to wake the children." Qian Xunji glanced at the two little ones asleep in their cribs.
"Again?" Ah Yin asked.
Qian Xunji gave her a wicked grin, then scooped her up and carried her into the room next door.
Days passed, and soon almost every Soul Master on the continent had heard the news. It was enormous news.
His Holiness the Pope of Spirit Hall was getting married?!
This was no small matter. He was the pope of Spirit Hall, a figure of unmatched standing. Just who was the woman marrying him?!
Countless people grew curious about the Supreme Pontiff Consort. What kind of person could marry the pope?!
Some female Soul Masters even began to fantasize. Why couldn't they be the Supreme Pontiff Consort? He was the pope!
He was the most exalted person on Douluo Continent and in the entire Soul Master World! Becoming the Supreme Pontiff Consort would be an extraordinary honor!
The royal families of the Two Great Empires and the Seven Great Sects also received invitations from Spirit Hall.
The Two Great Empires each sent representatives, as did the Clear Sky Sect and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
The Lower Four Sects, meanwhile, each sent their sect master in person to show how seriously they took the occasion!
Tuoba Xi of the Holy Dragon Sect, one of the Upper Three Sects, had broken through to the Titled Douluo realm and absorbed a Soul Ring. He was now a true Titled Douluo, and his sect had earned its place among the Upper Three Sects!
He, too, chose to attend the pope's wedding in person and witness the grand ceremony.
Without His Holiness the Pope—without Spirit Hall's approval—the Holy Dragon Sect would never have become one of the Upper Three Sects, and Tuoba Xi would never have gained the chance to advance to Titled Douluo!
Besides, the Holy Dragon Sect was a subordinate force of Spirit Hall. If they forgot their place, only disaster awaited them.
In a small town somewhere on Douluo Continent...
Tang Xiao and Tang Hao were still traveling to hone their skills. Tang Hao had absorbed his eighth Soul Ring a year earlier and become a Soul Douluo!
The Clear Sky Sect had chosen the brothers as its representatives at the pope's wedding.
Inside a tavern...
"The Spirit Hall pope's wedding?" Tang Hao stared at his elder brother in disbelief.
"That's right," Tang Xiao said evenly. "The news came from the sect, so it's confirmed. They want us to attend the pope's wedding as the Clear Sky Sect's representatives!"
"..." Tang Hao said nothing. For some reason, hearing that the pope was getting married sent pangs through his heart.
Even after more than a year, he still hadn't forgotten Ah Yin or the beautiful young woman she was.
"Let's leave for Spirit City now. If we arrive late, Spirit Hall may take it as an insult from the Clear Sky Sect!" Tang Xiao warned.
Tang Hao nodded, rose, and left the tavern with Tang Xiao. Their destination was Spirit City!
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