Different Agendas

Qian Daoliu stood at the very front of the mourning hall, clad in white robes. His golden hair seemed to have turned a little whiter. He silently received everyone's condolences, his back looking far more aged than before.

He looked at his granddaughter, who was crying so hard before the coffin that she could barely stand, then at Bibi Dong standing calmly to one side. Pain throbbed through his heart in waves.

One had lost her father, while the other had just avenged a great wrong.

The funeral lasted a full seven days.

After the burial on the seventh day, Qian Daoliu announced the Pope's cause of death to the public in his capacity as Grand Worshipper: Pope Qian Xunji had gone to suppress Tang Hao, a rebel colluding with soul beasts, only to be ambushed by him. Gravely wounded beyond treatment, he had tragically passed away. From this day forward, Spirit Hall would hunt Tang Hao across the world and swear vengeance for His Holiness the Pope.

The news shook the entire Douluo Continent.

The Clear Sky Sect sealed its mountain gates overnight and withdrew from the world. The two great empires each harbored their own intentions, making constant moves in secret. In an instant, the situation across the continent became treacherous and unpredictable.

The day after the funeral ended, Qian Daoliu sent someone with a message, summoning Bibi Dong to the Worship Hall for a discussion.

When Bibi Dong received the message, she had only recently emerged from the Rakshasa Secret Realm. The first trial had not been difficult, and she had completed it smoothly, her strength improving considerably once more.

Upon hearing Qian Daoliu's summons, she sneered. After straightening her robes, she headed alone for the Worship Hall.

Deep within the Worship Hall, before the Angel God Statue.

Qian Daoliu stood beneath the statue with his back to her, his figure somewhat solitary.

Hearing her footsteps, he slowly turned around. His gaze fell upon Bibi Dong, his expression calm and impossible to read.

"Sit." He pointed to a seat beside him.

Bibi Dong did not stand on ceremony. She sat down directly and looked up at him. "What guidance does the Grand Worshipper have for me today? Have you finally come to your senses and decided to avenge your son?"

She wanted to needle the old man and see just how long he could endure.

Yet Qian Daoliu did not get angry. He merely sighed and said slowly, "Let the past remain in the past. Xunji was at fault first. Now that he is dead, it is over. There is no meaning in pursuing it further."

Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow but said nothing, waiting for him to continue. She did not believe the old man had summoned her merely to say that.

Sure enough, Qian Daoliu changed the subject and said solemnly, "With Xunji's passing, the position of Pope is vacant. Spirit Hall cannot go a day without a leader. The continent is in turmoil now. Tang Hao has not been eliminated, the Clear Sky Sect has not been destroyed, and the two great empires are also growing restless. The urgent matter is to select a new Pope and stabilize the situation."

Bibi Dong's heart stirred, but her expression remained unchanged. "Does the Grand Worshipper already have someone in mind?"

"I do." Qian Daoliu looked at her and said each word distinctly, "You."

Bibi Dong froze.

She had indeed considered the position of Pope, and she knew that after Qian Xunji's death, she was the strongest candidate.

But she had thought Qian Daoliu would obstruct her, that he would suppress her at every turn in order to support Qian Renxue.

He was actually taking the initiative to nominate her as Pope?

Had this old man been so overcome with grief that he had lost his mind?

"You must be joking, Grand Worshipper." Bibi Dong curled her lips. "I killed Qian Xunji. That makes me guilty of murdering my teacher. You should be the first person to oppose this. Aren't you afraid that once I take the Pope's seat, I'll turn Spirit Hall upside down?"

"This is my own consideration." Qian Daoliu's tone was calm, yet it carried unquestionable weight.

"You are Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden, possessed of unmatched talent and Twin Martial Souls. Now you also bear the Rakshasa God Trial. In terms of seniority, strength, and status, you are the most suitable candidate. Other than you, no one can hold the situation together, and no one can lead Spirit Hall forward."

He spoke frankly, and realistically.

Bibi Dong truly was the best choice at present.

Of course, he had his own calculations as well.

He would let Bibi Dong temporarily hold the position of Pope and put her on the front lines, dealing with all those troublesome matters and facing the open attacks and hidden schemes of the two great empires and the Elder Council.

Meanwhile, he would retreat behind the scenes and focus on raising Qian Renxue, doing everything he could to help Xue'er pass the Angel God Trial.

Once Xue'er grew up, passed the Divine Trial, and gained sufficient strength and prestige, she could rightfully take over the position of Pope.

At that time, even if Bibi Dong had the Rakshasa God Trial, she would not be able to suppress the orthodox Angel Legacy.

The position of Pope would eventually return to the Qian Clan, to Xue'er.

As for Bibi Dong... as long as she behaved herself and properly assisted Xue'er, they could coexist peacefully. But if she harbored other intentions, then once Xue'er became a god, there would be plenty of ways to deal with her.

Qian Daoliu's calculations clicked away briskly.

Bibi Dong was extremely intelligent. After a little thought, she guessed his intentions.

Temporary Pope? Step down once Qian Renxue grew up?

What a fine plan. But she did not care.

Step down? Why should she?

Once she took the Pope's seat, no one would be able to make her leave it.

Qian Renxue? She was only a little girl who had not even grown up yet. By the time she truly matured, who knew how long that would take?

By then, Bibi Dong would have already taken complete control of Spirit Hall and completed the Rakshasa Legacy. Even Qian Daoliu would be unable to do anything to her.

Besides, becoming Pope would only benefit Ah Xu.

All of Spirit Hall's resources could be directed toward Ah Xu. She wanted to give her son the very best of everything and let him stand at the highest point.

The identity of the Pope's son alone would spare him decades of struggle.

"Fine." Bibi Dong spoke slowly, agreeing without hesitation. "Since the Grand Worshipper trusts me, I'll accept the position of Pope."

Qian Daoliu nodded slightly, as though he had expected her to agree. "The ascension ceremony will be held in half a year. I will first announce to the entire continent that you will succeed as Spirit Hall's new Pope. I will handle the Elder Council. They will not cause you trouble."

"Then I'll have to trouble the Grand Worshipper." Bibi Dong rose to her feet, her tone carrying a measure of formal distance.

"If there's nothing else, I'll return first. Spirit Hall has countless matters still piled on my desk."

"Go." Qian Daoliu waved a hand, then added, "Xue'er... she is still young and ignorant. She knows nothing about what happened before. You... be more understanding with her. After all, she is your biological daughter."

Bibi Dong paused, a trace of complexity flashing through her eyes before the coldness returned.

"I know my limits."

With that, she turned and walked out of the Worship Hall.

Sunlight spilled down outside the hall, falling across her body.

Bibi Dong raised her head and looked over Spirit Hall's sprawling golden palaces. A determined smile slowly curved her lips.

She had obtained the position of Pope.

Her great vengeance had been avenged, authority was in her grasp, and her Divine Trial had begun.

From this day onward, no one would ever control her life again, and no one would ever humiliate her again.

She would make Spirit Hall flourish in her hands and unify the continent.

She would make her Ah Xu the most honored child on the entire continent.

As for Qian Daoliu's schemes? Bibi Dong sneered.

The old fox wanted to wait until Qian Renxue grew up and seize power? Then they would see.

She wanted to see whether her Rakshasa Legacy would be completed first, or Qian Renxue's Angel God Trial.