Strength Is the Best Proof

Bibi Dong's voice was not loud, yet empowered by soul power, it spread clearly to every corner of the plaza, cold and majestic.

"From this day forth, Spirit Hall shall forge ahead with determination, recruit talented people far and wide, and protect all soul masters under heaven. Whoever offends Spirit Hall, no matter how far away they may be, shall be executed."

Her few words struck the ground with force.

Some beneath the stage were moved, while others were disdainful. Discussions gradually rose.

"That's quite a boast. Who knows whether she has the ability to back it up?"

"She became Pope at such a young age. Perhaps she relied on other means?"

"I heard the previous Pope died under strange circumstances. Maybe..."

The whispers were quiet, yet they spread through the crowd like the buzzing of mosquitoes.

The envoys of the two great empires exchanged glances, each seeing mockery in the other's eyes.

Spirit Hall truly declined with every generation.

Standing atop the platform, Bibi Dong heard every word of the discussions.

She was not angry. Not even the slightest change appeared on her face.

She merely slowly raised her left hand.

The next moment, one soul ring after another slowly rose beneath her feet.

The first was yellow, a Century Soul Ring.

The second was yellow, a Century Soul Ring.

Two yellow rings—the standard starting configuration, nothing unusual.

The discussions below continued.

The third was purple, a Millennium Soul Ring.

The fourth was purple, a Millennium Soul Ring.

Two purple rings—still a top-tier configuration. Quite a few people restrained their smiles.

The fifth was black, a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring!

The sixth was black, a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring!

The seventh was black, a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring!

The eighth was black, a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring!

Four black rings!

Four Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Rings!

The discussions beneath the stage instantly died down by more than half. Everyone's eyes widened, their faces filled with disbelief.

Two yellow, two purple, and four black among the first eight rings—this was the most elite soul ring configuration. Moreover, her eighth ring was a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring that was nearly turning red. This meant her ninth soul ring would begin at least at that level.

How was she some decorative figurehead? She was clearly a peak Soul Douluo expert!

But it was not over yet.

Under everyone's stunned gazes, the ninth soul ring slowly rose beneath her feet.

It was crimson as blood, so rich it seemed as though liquid would drip from it. The instant the soul ring appeared, an utterly terrifying pressure swept across the entire plaza like a raging tsunami.

A Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring!

Boom—

The entire venue instantly fell silent. A needle dropping could have been heard.

Those who had been whispering moments ago all looked like ducks with their throats seized, mouths open but unable to make a sound.

Everyone stared blankly at that crimson soul ring, their minds utterly empty.

A Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring!

Her ninth soul ring was a hundred thousand years old!

That meant... this new Pope was already a Titled Douluo?

A Titled Douluo around thirty years old?

What kind of joke was this?!

In the entire history of Douluo Continent, even the youngest Titled Douluo had been over fifty, hadn't they? A thirty-year-old Titled Douluo with a Hundred-Thousand-Year ninth ring was simply unheard of.

On the viewing platform, the envoys of the two great empires turned pale in an instant. They nearly dropped their teacups.

They had originally thought the new Pope was young and easy to control. Once they returned, they could report to their emperors that Spirit Hall was nothing to fear. But now...

A thirty-year-old Titled Douluo, and one with a Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring at that. If she were given a few more decades, who could possibly withstand her?

The representatives of those sects who had harbored ill intentions were drenched in cold sweat, their clothes soaked through at the back.

They had mocked the new Pope's youth in their hearts just moments ago. Now, all they felt was lingering fear.

Such a young Titled Douluo surely had a terrible temper. If she had heard what they said earlier, she could wipe out their entire sects with a mere flick of her finger.

The plaza, which had been filled with chatter moments ago, was now frighteningly quiet. Even breathing could be heard. Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to look at the woman atop the platform again. Nothing remained in their eyes but awe and fear.

Strength was always the best way to shut people up.

One Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring was worth more than a thousand words.

Bibi Dong looked at the reactions of the crowd below, and the corner of her lips lifted in an extremely faint, cold smile.

This was exactly the effect she wanted.

At an enthronement ceremony, establishing authority came first.

If she did not intimidate these people, Spirit Hall's policies would never be carried out smoothly in the future.

She slowly withdrew her soul power, and the nine soul rings vanished in sequence. The pressure faded, yet no one in the plaza dared to speak.

"Next, the Holy Son shall be invested."

Bibi Dong's voice rang out once more. It held a little more gentleness than before, yet still carried unquestionable authority.

The honor guard moved again.

Dressed in the ceremonial robes of the Holy Son, Bibi Xu slowly ascended the platform along the white jade steps under the guidance of two attendants.

The boy stood tall and walked steadily, with no trace of stage fright on his face. Upon reaching Bibi Dong, he dropped to one knee and performed the proper salute, every movement flawless and precise.

Quite a few people beneath the stage nodded inwardly.

This poise alone was not something an ordinary child could possess. No wonder Her Holiness the Pope valued him so highly.

Bibi Dong picked up the Holy Son's crown from the tray beside her.

The crown was forged from purple gold, small and exquisite, set with tiny gemstones that symbolized the Holy Son's authority. She bent down and personally placed it on Bibi Xu's head.

Her fingertips lightly brushed over his hair, her movements gentle.

"Today, Bibi Xu is invested as the Holy Son of Spirit Hall."

Her voice spread across the entire venue.

"Everyone of Spirit Hall shall treat the Holy Son as they would the Pope. Those who disobey shall be dealt with as traitors to the Hall."

Treat him as they would the Pope—the words exploded beside everyone's ears like thunder.

They had thought it was merely an honorary title, yet she had granted him such immense authority!

A six-year-old child held status equal to that of a Vice Pope?

But this time, no one dared utter another word.

Even their doubts about Bibi Xu were suppressed deep in their hearts.

What a joke. Her Holiness the Pope herself was a thirty-year-old Titled Douluo. Her actions could not be judged by ordinary standards. Whoever she wanted to make the Holy Son, and however much authority she wanted to grant him, was her business. Who would dare speak out?

The pressure of the Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring was still vivid in their minds. No one wanted to provoke her.

The ceremony was complete.

Bibi Xu rose to his feet and stood at Bibi Dong's side, overlooking the vast crowd below.

Sunlight fell over him, and the Holy Son's crown gleamed brilliantly.

As he looked at the awe on everyone's faces, at the figures of every sort on the distant viewing platforms, and at the majestic Spirit City, an endless swell of emotion suddenly rose within him.

Sure enough, in this world, strength was the foundation of everything.

No matter how much criticism or how many rumors there were, they were all utterly fragile before absolute strength.

Mother had used just one Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring to silence everyone and firmly secure her position as Pope.

And what about him?

He was only a level-twenty-nine Great Soul Master. Though he bore the title of Holy Son, he relied entirely on Mother's protection.

But he could not hide behind Mother forever.

He had to grow stronger, faster.

He had to gain enough strength as soon as possible to stand beside Mother, shield her from the wind and rain, and protect everyone he wished to protect.

He had to change those predetermined tragedies and carve out a path of his own.

The wind lifted the hem of his robes, making them snap sharply.

The ceremonial bells and drums sounded once more, deep and distant, proclaiming the beginning of a new era.