Huo Wu stood nearby.
She glanced at the ninth soul ring behind Qian Chen.
"Level 96 soul power. You've already surpassed many Titled Douluos."
Qian Chen withdrew his soul rings.
"It's still not enough."
Huo Wu did not argue.
She knew Qian Chen was not talking about Spirit Hall.
Nor was he talking about Bibi Dong.
He meant the enemies farther beyond, who had yet to appear.
Snow Empress took Qian Chen's fingers in her hand.
"That's enough for tonight."
"You've just broken through. You need to stabilize your cultivation."
Ice Empress hugged Qian Chen's other arm.
"I agree."
Shui Yue'er moved closer as well.
"Then let's head inside first."
Qian Chen looked at the women gathered around him.
"All right."
Snow Empress tightened her hold on his hand.
The night breeze lifted her silver-white hair, letting it fall across Qian Chen's shoulder.
Ice Empress kept hugging his arm without letting go.
Shui Bing'er walked on his other side, holding down the edge of his cloak for him.
Shui Yue'er stayed beside him, looking up at Qian Chen from time to time.
Huo Wu walked at the rear.
She glanced back at the courtyard.
The nine-colored radiance on the stone platform had already faded.
Moonlight fell over it once more.
Qian Chen headed inside.
Level 96 soul power circulated slowly through his body.
His steps did not falter.
Spirit City.
The Papal Palace.
Night settled beyond the towering palace doors.
Bibi Dong sat alone before the papal throne.
The purple-and-gold token on the desk was gone.
It was the Pope Token she had personally handed to Qian Chen.
He had accepted it.
But he had not accepted her as his mother.
Footsteps sounded outside the palace doors.
Two attendants pushed the doors open, then bowed and withdrew to either side.