Heaven Dou Imperial Palace
The Rear Garden.
Qian Chen was brewing tea under the Moon Orchid Tree.
Qian Renxue sat beside him, flipping through the memorials that had been delivered that day.
Ice Empress held Qian Chen's left arm, her long, emerald-green hair falling onto his shoulder.
Snow Empress sat on the other side and pushed the teacup closer to him.
A servant walked quickly and stopped at the bottom of the stone steps.
"His Majesty."
Qian Renxue raised her eyes.
What is it?
The attendant held up a golden letter with both hands.
"Pope Token has arrived from Spirit City."
"Please proceed to Qian Chen Spirit City, Lord Qianchen."
Qian Renxue accepted the letter.
The cover has no extra text, only a Purple Thorn Crest.
She broke the seal.
The letter contained only a few lines.
Bibi Dong invited Qian Chen to Spirit City.
The time was set for three days later.
After reading the letter, Qian Renxue handed it to Qian Chen.
Qian Chen accepted it.
"Your mother wants you to go to Spirit City?"
"Um."
Qian Renxue's fingertips hovered over the memorial, but she did not continue reading.
"She already knows about the destruction of the Clear Sky Sect."
"They also know that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has submitted."
Qian Chen placed the letter on the table.
She must have something to say.
Ice Empress raised their eyes.
"Can't we let her come to Heaven Dou City?"
Qian Renxue glanced at her.
"Spirit City is my mother's place."
"Since she invited my brother over, it couldn't be just for reminiscing."
Snow Empress picked up her teacup and refilled Qian Chen's cup with tea.
When are you planning to leave?
"Tomorrow."
Qian Chen picked up the teacup.
Qian Renxue immediately put down the memorial and grasped his wrist.
I'll stay with you.
"You are responsible for handling imperial affairs."
"Those administrative matters can be delegated to the Cabinet."
Qian Renxue raised her face.
"My mother summoned my brother, and I must be present."
Ice Empress hugged Qian Chen's arm tightly.
I'll go too.
Snow Empress looked at Qian Chen.
I'll stay with you.
Qian Chen did not refuse.
"Go, everyone."
Qian Renxue then released his wrist.
She picked up the memorial again, but did not examine it immediately.
"Brother, what do you think Mother will say?"
"You'll know when you see her."
Qian Renxue lowered her head.
She rarely invites you out first.
"This time, the letter was sealed with the Pope seal."
Qian Chen looked at the letter on the table.
"This is no small matter."
The next morning.
Outside the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.
Space slowly cracked open.
Nine-Color rays of light spread out from it.
Qian Chen was the first to step out.
He wore a white brocade robe, with a silver-white cloak draped over his shoulders.
Snow Empress followed on his right and fastened the silver clasp around his neck for him.
Ice Empress stepped out of the Spatial Passage and immediately hugged his arm.
Qian Renxue appeared last.
She had changed into a white and gold long dress, with a golden hair crown pressing down her long hair, and the Heaven Dou Empire Military Token hanging at her waist.
"Elder brother."
She came to Qian Chen's side and reached out to straighten his collar.
"You're not allowed to go alone this time."
I have no such intention.
That's good.
Qian Renxue grasped his fingers.
Spirit City.
Thousands of the Spirit Hall Soul Master had been waiting for a long time in front of the city gate.
The Spirit Hall flags were hung on the high platforms on both sides.
Gold and purple intertwine, slowly unfolding in the morning breeze.
The leader was dressed in the robes of an elder.
Upon seeing Qian Chen, he immediately stepped forward and bowed.
"Greetings, Your Majesty Qian Chen."
Qian Chen nodded.
"Lead the way."
The elder glanced at Qian Renxue.
His Holiness the Pope only summons His Holiness the Qian Chen.
Qian Renxue stepped forward.
"I am the Heaven Dou Empress, and also Qian Chen's younger sister."
"Your mother didn't say you couldn't go in."
The elder lowered his head.
"Please."
The group walked through the streets of Spirit City.
The Soul Master along the way all stopped in their tracks.
Their gazes toward Qian Chen were filled with awe and curiosity.
News of the destruction of the Clear Sky Sect had already spread throughout the continent.
Level 99 Titled Douluo.
It possesses Million-Year Soul Ring.
Qian Chen's name has become something that all major powers must remember.
In the Papal Palace.
The two tall palace doors slowly opened.
Bibi Dong sat on the Papal Throne.
She wore a purple-gold robe, and her long hair was tied up high.
He held the scepter at an angle to his side.
Purple gemstones reflected the candlelight inside the hall.
She watched Qian Chen walk into the main hall, her gaze lingering for a moment.
"They've arrived."
Qian Chen walked to the center of the main hall.
"Mother."
Bibi Dong looked at the people behind him.
Qian Renxue stood beside Qian Chen.
Ice Empress held onto Qian Chen's arm.
Snow Empress straightened the edges of his cloak.
Bibi Dong's gaze swept over the three of them before finally settling on Qian Chen's face.
"These days have been good."
"Fine."
Qian Renxue raised her eyes.
"What does Mother want with my brother?"
Bibi Dong did not answer immediately.
She raised her scepter and tapped it lightly on the ground.
The elders from both sides of the hall came out at the same time.
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei stood at the forefront.
The remaining elders stood on either side.
Their expressions were all very solemn.
Qian Renxue looked around.
"Is this Spirit Hall Elders' Meeting?"
"Yes."
Bibi Dong stood up.
A long, purple-gold robe cascaded down the steps.
"I have gathered you all here today to announce something."
Qian Chen looked up at her.
Bibi Dong grasped the scepter and slowly walked down from the high platform.
She came to Qian Chen.
The two were only a few steps apart.
"The Clear Sky Sect was destroyed, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect submitted."
"The Heaven Dou Empire has fallen into Qian Renxue's hands."
"There is no longer any need for the Spirit Hall to maintain the status quo."
Yue Guan raised her eyes.
"Your His Holiness the Pope, what do you mean?"
Bibi Dong turned around and faced the people in the hall.
"From this day forward, I will no longer serve as the Pope of the Spirit Hall."
The main hall was completely silent.
The Gui Mei looked up at Bibi Dong.
"Your His Holiness the Pope, the Spirit Hall cannot be without a leader for even a day."
"I have already chosen a successor."
Bibi Dong, making way for the path behind her.
She raised her hand and pointed at Qian Chen.
"Qian Chen."
All the elders turned around at the same time.
All eyes fell on Qian Chen.
Bibi Dong looked at him.
"From this day forward, you are the new Pope of the Spirit Hall."
Qian Renxue's eyes widened slightly.
Ice Empress stopped adjusting his cloak.
Snow Empress also raised her eyes.
Qian Chen stood still, without answering immediately.
Bibi Dong handed him the Pope's Scepter.
"Take it."
Qian Chen looked at the scepter in front of him.
Why me?
"Because you have enough strength."
Bibi Dong said:
"Also because the Spirit Hall needs someone who can gain the trust of all the elders."
She paused for a moment.
"Even more so because you are my son."
Qian Renxue raised her face.
"Mother, where will you go after you abdicate?"
Bibi Dong didn't look at her.
I will leave Spirit City.
"From now on, I will no longer interfere in the affairs of the Spirit Hall."
"So what are you going to do?"
"Seclusion."
Bibi Dong's grip on the scepter tightened slightly.
"I need to deal with the residual Rakshasa Divine Power within my body."
"We also need to clear the final obstacles for your future path."
Qian Renxue fell silent.
She looked at Qian Chen.
Qian Chen took the Pope's Scepter from Bibi Dong.
The moment the scepter was in hand, all the Soul Power arrays in the hall lit up simultaneously.
Golden light rose from the ground and spread along the steps.
Above the Papal Palace, enormous phantoms of angels and rakshasa appeared simultaneously.
The two illusory figures intersected for a moment before finally transforming into a Nine-Color pillar of light that landed on Qian Chen.
Qian Chen's white brocade robe was illuminated by the light.
The last ray of Nine-Color light fell onto the top of the scepter.
A golden line appeared on the purple gemstone on the scepter.
Yue Guan stepped forward and knelt on one knee.
"Greetings to the new Pope."
The Gui Mei then knelt down.
"Greetings, Your His Holiness the Pope."
The elders on both sides no longer hesitated and bowed their heads.
"Greetings, Your His Holiness the Pope."
The sound echoed throughout the entire Papal Palace.
Qian Chen held the scepter and stood in the center of the hall.
Bibi Dong stepped back behind him.
She removed the purple-gold crown, a symbol of the Pope's status, and placed it in Qian Chen's hands.
"Put it on."
Qian Chen raised his hand and placed the purple-gold crown on his head.
The purple gemstone on her crown cascaded down her forehead.
Nine-Color ray of light flashed along the crown.
Qian Renxue walked to his side.
She reached out and grasped Qian Chen's sleeve, then looked up at the new Pope.
"Elder brother."
"Um?"
"From this day forward, you are the Pope of the Spirit Hall."
"Yes."
Ice Empress grabbed Qian Chen's arm from the other side.
"After Chen'er becomes Pope, he shouldn't be too busy, right?"
"Won't."
Qian Chen looked at her.
"The matters concerning the Spirit Hall will be handled by the elders."
Snow Empress raised her hand to steady the scepter for him.
"First, familiarize yourself with the Papal Palace."
Bibi Dong stood behind the group.
She looked at Qian Chen, then at Qian Renxue.
"You two."
Qian Renxue turned her face away.
"Mother."
"From now on, the Heaven Dou Empire and the Spirit Hall no longer need to be so clearly distinguished."
Bibi Dong raised her hand and pointed to the continental map at the end of the hall.
"Qian Renxue is in charge of the Heaven Dou."
"Qian Chen is in charge of the Spirit Hall."
"One of you governs the nation, and the other governs the Soul Master."
"The old order on the mainland should be changed."
Qian Renxue gripped Qian Chen's sleeve tightly.
I will go with my brother.
Bibi Dong looked at her for a moment.
"I know."
She turned and walked out of the Papal Palace.
A long purple and gold robe swept slowly down the steps.
When she reached the palace gate, Bibi Dong stopped.
"Qian Chen."
Qian Chen raised her eyes.
Bibi Dong did not turn around.
"Don't let the Spirit Hall become your constraint."
"It's just the power in your hands."
"I see."
Bibi Dong turned and left.
The sunlight outside the palace gate fell on her.
Qian Chen stood in the center of the Papal Palace.
He held the Pope's Scepter, with a purple-gold crown hanging over his forehead.
Qian Renxue stood to his right.
The Snow Empress and the Ice Empress stood guard beside him.
On both sides of the main hall, the elders of the Spirit Hall bowed their heads once again.
"Greetings, Your His Holiness the Pope."
Papal Palace.
The elders gradually withdrew.
The heavy palace doors slowly closed, leaving only Qian Chen and a few others in the vast palace.
Qian Chen stood in the middle of the steps.
A purple-gold crown rested on her long, silvery-white hair, and a purple gemstone hung in front of her forehead.
He wore a white brocade robe with a silver-white cloak over it, and the Pope's Scepter in his hand gleamed with a faint golden light.
Ice Empress walked around behind him and reached out to touch the gem at the top of the scepter.
"Chen'er."
"Um?"
"This thing is so heavy."
You'll see in a little while.
Ice Empress raised their chin.
"I'm not taking it."
She withdrew her hand and hugged Qian Chen's arm again.
The light green dress clung to her figure, and the silver ribbon at her waist swayed gently with her movements.
"The Pope is yours."
"My only responsibility is to stay by your side."
Qian Renxue walked up to Qian Chen.
She reached out and removed the purple gem from Qian Chen's forehead, then straightened the edge of his crown.
"Elder brother."
"What's wrong?"
"This crown is not suitable for you."
"Where is it unsuitable?"
The color is too dark.
Qian Renxue looked at his long, silvery-white hair.
"My brother would look better in gold."
Ice Empress immediately nodded.
I think so too.
Snow Empress stood to the side and reached out to straighten Qian Chen's cloak behind his shoulders.
"Gold is too eye-catching."
Qian Renxue looked at her.
"Does Sister Snow Empress think purple looks good?"
"The crown of the Pope is originally purple."
I was asking about my brother.
Snow Empress's fingers stopped on the silver clasp.
She looked up and glanced at Qian Chen.
He looks good in anything.
Ice Empress immediately burst into laughter.
"Snow Sister knows how to talk."
Qian Renxue turned her face and looked at Qian Chen.
"Brother, did you hear that?"
"I heard you."
"So who do you think said it best?"
Qian Chen looked at the three people beside him.
"All is well."
Ice Empress gave a soft hum.
"Chen'er is getting better and better at being perfunctory."
Qian Chen raised his hand, his fingertips landing on her forehead.
Let's go eat first.
"Is food prepared in the Papal Palace as well?"
"The elder has already made the arrangements."
Before leaving, Yue Guan made a point of leaving behind several attendants.
They placed a long table in the side hall.
Steam rose from the jade bowl, and a faint aroma of rice filled the hall.
Qian Chen walked into the side hall.
Qian Renxue sat down to his right and personally pushed a bowl of Jade Dew Porridge in front of him.
Ice Empress sat on the other side, picked up a silver spoon, and first scooped a spoonful to Qian Chen's lips.
"Chen'er, try this first."
Qian Chen lowered his head and ate it.
Ice Empress stared at his expression.
"How about it?"
"Very good."
She immediately brought the whole bowl of porridge to herself.
"Then this bowl is mine."
Qian Renxue glanced at her.
Didn't I just let my brother try it?
"I'm just checking the taste."
"After confirming, will you eat it yourself?"
"My brother has already tried it."
Ice Empress embraced Qian Chen's arm, her long, emerald-green hair falling onto his shoulder.
"The rest shouldn't be wasted."
Qian Renxue did not continue arguing.
She picked up a crystal dumpling and placed it in Qian Chen's bowl.
"Brother, eat this."
Ice Empress glanced down.
He already has porridge.
"The porridge was given to me by you."
So what?
I'm serving food to my brother.
Qian Renxue picked up another steamed dumpling.
Two steamed dumplings are placed side by side in the bowl.
Snow Empress sat opposite Qian Chen.
She poured Qian Chen a cup of warm tea, then placed a plate of chestnut cake beside him.
"I didn't finish eating yesterday."
Qian Chen picked up a piece.
"Do you remember?"
You glanced at it an extra time yesterday.
Qian Renxue turned her face away.
"Brother even remembers so clearly what Sister Snow Empress likes now."
I remember what you like.
What do I like?
"Desserts, herbal tea, and white flower petals."
Qian Renxue's fingers stopped on the chopsticks.
She looked at Qian Chen, a smile appearing in her eyes.
"Brother really remembers."
Ice Empress put down their spoons.
"Chen'er, what do I like?"
"Ice Crystal, strong liquor, and green flowers."
"Anything else?"
"He likes to hug me."
Ice Empress moved closer with satisfaction, pressing his face against Qian Chen's shoulder.
"My brother remembers this matter most clearly."
The Snow Empress picked up her teacup and her gaze fell on the purple-gold crown atop Qian Chen's head.
"Take off the crown first."
Qian Chen raised his hand.
"Now?"
"It's uncomfortable to wear it while eating."
Qian Renxue stood up.
"I'll do it."
She walked behind Qian Chen, her slender hands resting on either side of the crown.
She slowly removed the purple-gold crown.
Her long, Qian Chen -white hair, no longer restrained, fell loosely down her back.