Bibi Dong, Spirit Hall's New Generation Pope

Qian Renxue lay sprawled on her bed, clutching a small bracelet as she examined it over and over in the moonlight.

The bracelet was woven from fine gold chain. The craftsmanship was not especially exquisite, but it had clearly been made with great care, every knot neat and orderly.

A purple amethyst the size of a pigeon's egg hung from the chain. Clear and lustrous, it gave off a faint glow beneath the moonlight, its color almost identical to Bibi Xu's Spider Empress Martial Soul.

This was the gift she had spent a long time preparing.

She had learned to weave the gold chain from the most skilled old maid at the Worship Hall. She had practiced for so long that her fingers had been pricked bloody several times before she managed to make this passable bracelet.

She had selected the purple amethyst from her grandfather's collection, searching for a long time before choosing the one with the purest color.

Tomorrow, Ah Xu would become the Holy Son.

She wanted to give this to him and congratulate him.

Qian Renxue clenched the bracelet tightly in her palm and pressed it against her chest, her little face growing slightly warm.

She wondered... would he like it?

She turned over and gazed at the moon beyond the window, her heart full of both anticipation and nervousness.

Tomorrow, she had to get there early and give it to him while there were still few people around.

Otherwise, how embarrassing would it be if others saw?

Thinking all this, the little girl hugged the bracelet and gradually drifted off to sleep, a faint smile still lingering on her lips.

On the day of the ceremony, Spirit City awoke before dawn had fully broken.

The tolling of bells and beating of drums came from the direction of the Pope's Palace, deep and far-reaching, one note after another spreading throughout the entire city.

Bibi Xu was awakened by the maidservants before daylight. Washing his face, tying his hair, getting dressed, putting on accessories—a group of maidservants bustled around him. It took nearly an hour before he was finally properly prepared.

Before the ceremony began, he wanted to sneak out into the courtyard for some fresh air.

The moment he reached the courtyard gate, he saw a small figure dressed in white.

Qian Renxue stood amid the morning mist in a snow-white princess dress. Her golden hair had been neatly arranged, and a small pearl crown rested atop her head. With her hands behind her back, she stood on tiptoe and peered into the courtyard. She had clearly been waiting for quite some time.

Morning dew had dampened the hem of her dress, but she did not notice at all.

"Xiao Xue?" Bibi Xu froze briefly before quickly walking over. "Why are you here? It's so early. Why didn't you go inside and wait?"

Hearing his voice, Qian Renxue abruptly turned around. The instant she saw him, her eyes went wide and fixed on him.

In the morning light, the young man wore the white, purple, and gold ceremonial robes of the Holy Son. He stood tall and straight, his features handsome and refined. The morning mist settled on the tips of his hair, coating them in a faint golden sheen, making him seem as though he had stepped straight out of a painting.

Qian Renxue's little face flushed bright red all the way to her ears.

She opened her mouth, yet for a long while, she could not say a word. She could only stare at him blankly, completely forgetting to hand over what she held.

Seeing her dazed expression, Bibi Xu found it a little funny, and a little adorable.

He raised a hand and waved it before her eyes. "What are you looking at? Did you go stupid?"

"Ah!" Qian Renxue suddenly snapped back to her senses. Her face reddened even more, and she hurriedly lowered her head, not daring to meet his eyes. "N-Nothing!"

She drew a deep breath as though summoning immense courage, then brought out the hand she had hidden behind her back and offered the bracelet to Bibi Xu.

"F-For you." Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, her head lowered so far that only her red ears could be seen. "Congratulations... on becoming the Holy Son. I made it myself. It isn't anything valuable, so... so don't dislike it."

Bibi Xu lowered his head to look.

The slender golden chain had been woven neatly, while the purple amethyst pendant was round and translucent. It was obvious that she had put a great deal of effort into it.

There were still tiny burrs on the chain, showing that it had been made by a beginner, yet it was especially sincere.

Warmth filled his heart.

"How could I dislike it?" Bibi Xu smiled, picked up the bracelet, and put it directly around his left wrist. It fit perfectly.

The purple amethyst complemented the color of his Martial Soul, making his wrist appear even fairer.

"It's beautiful. I really like it," he said earnestly. "Thank you, Xiao Xue."

Qian Renxue suddenly lifted her head. Her eyes sparkled as though filled with starlight. "You really like it?"

"I really do." Bibi Xu nodded, his eyes curving with his smile. "I'll wear it forever."

"As long as you like it." Qian Renxue could not stop the corners of her lips from rising. Her heart was as sweet as honey. Looking at the bracelet around Bibi Xu's wrist, she felt that all the pain of staying up several nights weaving it and pricking her fingers had been worth it.

She still wanted to say something else when the footsteps of maidservants sounded in the distance. They had come looking for Bibi Xu, saying that the ceremony was about to begin.

"Then I'll be going first." Qian Renxue grew a little flustered, afraid someone would see and misunderstand. "I'll find you after the ceremony."

Without waiting for Bibi Xu to respond, she turned and ran away like a startled little rabbit. Her white skirt swept through the morning mist before she quickly vanished around the corner.

Bibi Xu watched her retreating figure and smiled as he shook his head. He raised a hand to touch the bracelet on his wrist. It felt faintly cool, yet it warmed his heart.

At three quarters past the hour of the dragon, the grand ceremony officially began.

The plaza before the Pope's Palace was already packed with people.

Spirit Hall's elders, deacons, and Soul Masters of every rank stood in orderly rows on either side, silent as death.

On the viewing platform before the plaza sat envoys from the two great empires, representatives from every sect, and nobles and Soul Master families from across the continent. Everyone wore solemn expressions, their gazes fixed on the white jade steps at the far end of the plaza.

The bells and drums sounded once more, even grander and more resounding than before.

The honor guard took the lead. Soul Master guards clad in silver armor marched in unison, slowly ascending the white jade steps. Golden banners fluttered in the wind, the Six-Winged Angel emblems upon them shining brilliantly.

Then Bibi Dong appeared.

She wore a pure white Pope's ceremonial robe, embroidered with intricate Six-Winged Angel patterns in gold thread. Purple trim lined her collar and cuffs. It was the Pope's formal regalia of the highest standard within Spirit Hall.

Her long hair was piled high, and she wore the heavy papal crown. Beaded curtains hung from its edge, concealing much of her brows and eyes, yet unable to hide the air of majesty with which she looked down upon the world.

Her steps were steady as she climbed the white jade stairs one at a time. Her hem trailed along the ground, brushing the white marble steps without the slightest trace of worldly dust.

Everyone in the plaza held their breath.

She was too young.

This new Pope appeared to be only around thirty.

A Pope at thirty?

Many people began to harbor doubts, their gazes filled with scrutiny, suspicion, and even a few traces of disdain. So young—could she truly keep Spirit Hall's old foxes in line? Perhaps she was nothing more than a decorative puppet.

The elders on the high platform wore varied expressions as well. Some were sincerely convinced, while others concealed their displeasure and waited to see this young Pope make a fool of herself.

Bibi Dong seemed not to feel the gazes from below. Her expression remained calm as she walked step by step to the highest platform of the Pope's Palace.

Qian Daoliu did not appear. Only the most senior elder stood at the center of the platform, holding the Pope's scepter.

After a brief rite honoring Heaven, the elder respectfully presented the scepter with both hands and announced in a loud voice, "May Your Holiness accept the scepter, rule Spirit Hall, and bring glory for generations to come."

Bibi Dong extended her hand and accepted the golden scepter that symbolized Spirit Hall's highest authority.

It was cool to the touch and heavy in her hand.

Holding the scepter, she slowly turned to face everyone in the plaza.

Sunlight fell upon her. White robes, golden patterns, and the beaded crown made her seem as sacred as an inviolable deity.

"I am Bibi Dong, Spirit Hall's new generation Pope."