Winning Over Chrysanthemum and Ghost

The study of the Pope's Palace was perpetually scented with cool sandalwood. Documents were piled high on the desk, yet everything was kept in perfect order.

Bibi Dong set down the vermilion imperial brush in her hand and slowly closed her eyes. The Soul Power around her body began to seep out uncontrollably.

Black and dark green Soul Power intertwined beside her, forming faint, fragmented phantom spiderwebs. Its aura was steady and heavy, yet carried a tremor on the verge of breaking through its restraints.

Level ninety. She had finally reached this point.

She had been Pope for barely half a year. On one side, she had to suppress the Elder Council's open and covert struggles; on another, advance the Rakshasa God Trial; and beyond that, deal with the two great empires' secret probing. Rather than slowing her cultivation, the endless affairs of state had tempered her state of mind even further.

After devouring Qian Xunji's Angel Origin, her Soul Power had already surged greatly. Coupled with the reward from the Rakshasa God's first trial, she had naturally touched the threshold of a Titled Douluo.

A Titled Douluo—the pinnacle of the soul master's world.

A realm countless people could never reach in their entire lives, yet at the age of thirty, she was already standing at its threshold.

All she lacked was a Ninth Spirit Ring.

Bibi Dong opened her eyes and lightly tapped her fingers against the desktop, her gaze falling upon the hand-drawn map at the corner of the desk.

A location on the map had been circled in cinnabar ink—Death Grand Canyon.

A Hundred-Thousand-Year Death Spider Emperor was hidden there, an opportunity she and Ah Xu had stumbled upon during their last hunt for a spirit ring.

But Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts possessed extremely high intelligence and formidable combat strength, comparable to human Titled Douluo.

Even if she could defeat it alone, she might not be able to keep it there securely, much less ensure the spirit ring remained intact and the Soul Bone undamaged. She needed help.

Bibi Dong's fingers paused as two figures flashed through her mind.

Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei.

The two were veteran Titled Douluo of Spirit Hall. Their Two Extremes Static Domain was renowned across the continent, capable of immobilizing and controlling the battlefield—a divine technique for hunting soul beasts.

With the two of them assisting her, the odds of hunting the Hundred-Thousand-Year Death Spider Emperor would rise to at least eighty percent.

However, the two were not in a good position at present.

Though Qian Xunji's death had been publicly declared to be Tang Hao's doing, someone ultimately had to bear the blame for failing to protect him.

Qian Daoliu could not touch her, the enemy who had killed his son, so he vented all his rage on Chrysanthemum and Ghost.

Over the past half year, he had docked their pay, demoted them, and assigned them plenty of miserable duties. It was obvious he intended to punish them and vent his anger.

If not for the fact that they were Titled Douluo and Spirit Hall still needed their strength, they would likely have been stripped of everything long ago.

A faint smile curled Bibi Dong's lips.

The people Qian Daoliu did not wish to use were perfect for her to use.

If she stepped in now to protect them and gave them a chance to atone for their crimes through merit, it would be an immense favor.

Titled Douluo were people too. They understood how to seek advantage and avoid harm. Qian Daoliu treated them like dirt, while she was willing to place them in important positions. They could calculate that account clearly enough.

"Attend me," Bibi Dong called.

The guard outside immediately entered with a bow. "What are Your Holiness's orders?"

"Summon Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo. Have them come to the Pope's Palace to see me immediately."

"Yes, Your Holiness."

After the guard withdrew, Bibi Dong rose and walked to the window.

Outside stood Spirit Hall's sprawling golden palaces, sunlight pouring over them with magnificent solemnity.

After commanding Spirit Hall for half a year, she was no longer the Saintess who had once been constrained at every turn. Now, she was the rightful Pope, the inheritor of the Rakshasa God, and soon, a Titled Douluo as well.

In less than half an incense stick's time, two figures hurried to the Pope's Palace.

Yue Guan walked in front. Even his luxurious brocade robe seemed to have dimmed somewhat, and his face held cautious respect.

Gui Mei followed at his side, his form half-solid and half-ethereal, his aura much more restrained than usual. The moment the two entered the hall, they dropped to one knee, their attitudes humble. "Your subordinates pay respects to Your Holiness."

Unlike the respect they had shown Qian Xunji in the past, there was unease in their eyes now, as well as a trace of expectation.

They had been living far too miserably these days.

With nowhere else to vent his anger, Qian Daoliu had poured it all onto their heads. The dignity of Titled Douluo had nearly been ground away completely.

It was not as though they had not considered seeking help, but Qian Daoliu had spoken. Who would dare speak up for them?

Now that Bibi Dong had suddenly summoned them, calling it rain after a long drought would not be an exaggeration.

Bibi Dong sat upon the Pope's throne, looking down at them from above. Her tone was calm, with no hint of joy or anger. "Rise."

"Thank you, Your Holiness." The two rose, standing with their hands lowered at their sides, not daring to look up.

"Do you know why I summoned you?"

"This subordinate does not. Please enlighten us, Your Holiness," Yue Guan said cautiously.

Bibi Dong lightly tapped the armrest with her fingers and spoke slowly. "I am about to advance to Titled Douluo and still lack a Ninth Spirit Ring. There is a Hundred-Thousand-Year Death Spider Emperor in Death Grand Canyon, and it happens to suit my martial soul. You two will accompany me to hunt it."

A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast!

Chrysanthemum and Ghost looked up at the same time. Shock flashed through their eyes, immediately followed by wild delight.

Hunting a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast was an enormous merit. If they succeeded, not only could their previous failure to protect Qian Xunji be wiped clean, but they could also render great service before the new Pope and regain her favor.

"Your Holiness, this subordinate is willing to serve you with all he has!" Yue Guan immediately bowed, his voice trembling with excitement. "Gui Mei's and my Two Extremes Static Domain will certainly hold that soul beast fast and ensure Your Holiness's complete safety."

Gui Mei also answered in a deep voice, "This subordinate will give his all and not fail Your Holiness's trust."

They understood clearly that this was their only chance to turn things around.

The new Pope's willingness to use them was already a way out for them. If they seized it, they would become the Pope's confidants; if they failed, Qian Daoliu would suppress them for the rest of their lives.

Seeing their eagerness, Bibi Dong nodded in satisfaction.

Combining favor with authority was the way to command subordinates.

"Qian Daoliu, the Great Priest, has always remembered the crime of your failure to protect him," Bibi Dong said lightly, striking precisely at their sore spot.

"However, in consideration of your past merits, if you handle this task well, I will wipe your previous offenses clean. Once it is done, your positions in the Elder Council will be restored. Spirit Hall's resources will also be open to you as before."

The huge weight in their hearts finally fell away, replaced by overwhelming gratitude.

Wipe everything clean? And restore their positions as elders?

This was even better than they had expected.

Yue Guan was so excited that his voice trembled. "Your Holiness's great grace will never be forgotten by your subordinates. From this day onward, the two of us will follow Your Holiness's lead alone. We will brave fire and water without hesitation!"

Gui Mei also bowed deeply. "This subordinate is willing to die in Your Holiness's service!"

They were not fools.

Qian Daoliu was already advanced in years and had long ceased involving himself much in mundane affairs. Spirit Hall's future was destined to belong to Bibi Dong.

Pledging themselves to her now would be the merit of supporting a rising ruler. Besides, Bibi Dong's talent was terrifying. At such a young age, she was already about to advance to Titled Douluo. Her future achievements were beyond measure.

As for Qian Xunji's death?

They might not have had no suspicions, but what did it matter? The dead held no value. The living Pope was the one they should serve.

"Very good." Bibi Dong nodded slightly. "We leave in three days. Go back and prepare yourselves. Rest and gather your strength. A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast is no trivial matter, so do not let me down."

"Yes, Your Holiness."

The two bowed and withdrew, their steps noticeably lighter.

Watching their retreating backs, a faint smile rose on Bibi Dong's lips.

Winning over two Titled Douluo had gone even more smoothly than she had expected.

The people Qian Daoliu had beaten down—she would pull them into her own camp instead. Spirit Hall would ultimately be hers to command.