The Ceremony Must Be Grand

The fusion of two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Bones directly pushed him up two levels, sending him soaring from level twenty-seven to the peak of level twenty-nine, just one step away from level thirty.

This improvement was not something absorbing a Millennium Soul Ring could compare to.

"Good." Bibi Dong nodded, her eyes full of gratification. "Once we return and you stabilize your strength for a few days, we can prepare for your third spirit ring. When the time comes, Mother will accompany you to the Spirit Hunting Forest and pick out the best one for you."

"Alright." Bibi Xu agreed with a smile, though other thoughts were already turning in his mind.

Mother had given him a pair of Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Bones. He would remember this kindness.

One should repay a peach with a plum. In the future, he would give Mother something even better.

The core region of the Star Dou Great Forest—the Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape, two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts—weren't they the finest gifts?

In the original story, Tang San had obtained their spirit rings and Soul Bones, then cheated his way to godhood. But now... they should naturally be put to the best possible use and saved for Mother.

Whether Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Rings or Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Bones, he would earn them for Mother with his own hands someday.

And not just those. He also had to find a way to resolve the hidden danger of the Rakshasa Godhood. He wanted Mother to go higher and farther, without falling into darkness again.

A flicker of determination passed through the boy's eyes before they quickly returned to their usual calm.

The carriage continued steadily onward, carrying a carriageful of warmth and the boy's ambitions as it sped toward Spirit City.

On the very day they returned to Spirit Hall, the entire Spirit Hall became thoroughly busy.

The Pope's enthronement ceremony and the Holy Son investiture ceremony—two major events held together, leaving no room for the slightest error.

Yet over the scale of the ceremonies, Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu had their first direct clash.

Qian Daoliu sent word that the continent's situation was unstable, Tang Hao remained alive, and the two great empires were eyeing them covetously. Everything for the enthronement ceremony should therefore be kept simple, without extravagance or waste.

As for the Holy Son's investiture, it was an even smaller matter. It only needed to go through the internal procedures; there was no need to make a grand spectacle of it.

The elder delivering the message had phrased it tactfully, but the meaning was obvious: You were a new Pope who had risen to power by killing her teacher, so keep a low profile and stop inviting gossip. As for that adopted son of unknown origin, it was already generous enough to grant him the title of Holy Son. Did she still want a grand ceremony?

Bibi Dong smiled the moment she heard the message.

Seated upon the throne in the Pope's Palace, she lightly tapped the armrest with her fingertips, her voice as cold as ice. "Go back and tell the Grand Worshipper that the ascension of Spirit Hall's new Pope is a celebration for the ages. How can it be handled carelessly? Not only will the ceremony be held, it will be held magnificently. Invitations will be sent to every sect and every empire on the continent. I want everyone to know who Spirit Hall's new Pope is."

She paused, her tone growing firmer. "As for the Holy Son's investiture, it will be held alongside the enthronement ceremony. The standards may only be higher, never lower. Robes, crown, honor guard—everything will follow the highest specifications. Ah Xu is the son of Bibi Dong, the rightful Holy Son of Spirit Hall. He must not suffer the slightest slight. If anyone thinks he is unworthy, let them come to the Pope's Palace and say it to my face."

The elder delivering the message broke out in cold sweat. He repeatedly agreed, then fled back to report with his tail between his legs.

Inside the Worship Hall, Qian Daoliu remained silent for a very, very long time after hearing the report.

His grip around his cane tightened slightly, and his expression darkened frighteningly.

Bibi Dong was slapping him in the face.

On the surface, she was talking about the scale of the ceremony. In truth, she was declaring her authority. Spirit Hall was hers to command now; it was not his place to point fingers.

In the past, he would never have tolerated such provocation. But now...

Qian Daoliu closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.

Bibi Dong was already a Titled Douluo, and her ninth spirit ring was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring. Her strength was unfathomable, and she also had the Rakshasa God Trial supporting her.

If they truly fell out, he might not be able to secure a certain victory. Even if he won, Spirit Hall would be badly weakened.

Besides, Xue'er was still young, and Spirit Hall needed a powerful Pope to stabilize the situation.

Forget it. Forget it.

"Do as she says." Qian Daoliu waved his hand wearily. "All matters concerning the ceremony will follow Her Holiness the Pope's arrangements. I will not appear. On the day of the ceremony, I will simply pray before the Angel God Statue."

He did not want to watch Bibi Dong ascend the Pope's throne with his own eyes, much less witness that wild child being invested as Holy Son. Out of sight, out of mind.

The worshipper bowed and withdrew.

Qian Daoliu stood alone before the Angel God Statue, his back lonely and aged.

For the first time, he found himself unable to see the future clearly.

Bibi Dong's rate of growth had far exceeded his expectations. He had thought he could keep this woman under control and smoothly transfer power once Xue'er grew up. But now, it seemed things would not be so simple.

He could only hope Xue'er would grow up faster.

Over the next half month, all of Spirit City was immersed in preparations for the grand ceremony.

The streets were swept spotless, and every household hung the emblem of Spirit Hall.

Envoys from the major sects and the two great empires arrived in Spirit City one after another, taking up residence in specially prepared guesthouses. Every one of them wore an inquisitive expression.

Everyone wanted to see what kind of person this rumored, absurdly young new Pope truly was.

Bibi Xu had not been idle during this period either.

During the day, he followed Bibi Dong to familiarize himself with the ceremony's procedures and learn all manner of etiquette. At night, he cultivated in seclusion, stabilizing his level twenty-nine spirit power and honing the two skills, Death Severing and Soul-Breaking Blast.

After absorbing Hundred-Thousand-Year energy, the Eight Spider Lances had also become increasingly easy for him to wield. He could extend and retract them freely, and their poison was growing ever stronger.

The ceremonial robes had long since been completed. On the day they were delivered, every maid in the side hall stared in stunned silence.

The Holy Son's robes used moon-white as their base color. Dark purple patterns were embroidered along the collar, cuffs, and hem, while the edges were inlaid with fine golden thread.

A jade belt of the same color wrapped around his waist, from which hung a Holy Son Token made of mutton-fat jade. The fabric was the finest ice silkworm silk—light and thin, yet crisp. It did not weigh on him when worn, yet carried an inherent air of majesty.

Bibi Xu changed into the ceremonial robes and stood before a bronze mirror, momentarily stunned even himself.

The youth in the mirror had exquisite brows and eyes, a straight nose, and clearly defined lips.

The splendid robes made his face seem like polished jade and enhanced his cool, aloof bearing. Though still young, he had already begun to take on the handsome contours of a grown man, his features carrying a steadiness and composure beyond his years.

In another ten years or so, he would surely become a peerless beauty capable of captivating the masses.

"His Little Highness is far too handsome!" one of the nearby maids could not help whispering in admiration. "Once he grows up, who knows how many young ladies he'll charm?"

Bibi Xu laughed and shook his head.

Though that was what he said, he also felt that the outfit was indeed quite good. Mother had always had excellent taste.

What he did not know was that Bibi Dong had personally finalized every detail of the ceremonial robes.

What fabric to use, what patterns to embroider, what jade ornaments to pair with them—Bibi Dong had inspected every detail and revised several versions repeatedly before making the final decision.

She wanted everyone to know that her son was the most honored Holy Son in the world, and that no one could look down on him in the slightest.

On the night before the ceremony, Bibi Xu went to sleep early.

What he did not know was that in the Worship Hall, more than half of Spirit City away, a little girl was also tossing and turning, unable to sleep.