And that was exactly what had happened. After that battle, the once-arrogant man suffered an unprecedented blow. Not long after returning to his sect, he passed away.
The one responsible for it all was the supreme expert who had long dwelled atop the Holy Mountain, a figure as renowned as the Clear Sky Sect's own supreme expert: Angel Douluo Qian Daoliu, known as invincible in the skies.
Ning Fengzhi gazed at the Holy Mountain in silence for a long time before asking, clinging to a shred of hope.
"After all these years, could he really still be alive?"
Chen Xin remained silent, his gaze fixed on the Holy Mountain shrouded in clouds and mist.
After a long while, he slowly clenched his hand and gently shook his head.
"I don't know."
"I've never seen him. He has only ever lived in my dreams."
"But there's one thing I'm certain of. Golden Crocodile Douluo is even older than he is. If an old monster like him is still alive, that man is probably in even better shape and will live even longer."
Both Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin fell silent. To them, this news was far worse than a bolt from the blue.
It was like a massive mountain had suddenly descended upon the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, pressing down on every power across the continent.
Yet even so, there was nothing they could do.
Strength was the cruelest and fairest rule in this world.
Whether in the number of its top experts or the size of its ranks of soul masters, Spirit Hall now stood far above every other power.
Unless they could once again unite with the Clear Sky Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the Two Great Empires, none of them alone had any right to challenge Spirit Hall head-on.
As the coronation ceremony officially concluded, the soul masters of Spirit Hall dropped to one knee and bowed to the new Pope, Qian Juechen, on the raised platform.
"Greetings, Your Holiness!"
Their voices thundered through all of Spirit City, wave after wave surging toward the heavens.
Meanwhile, the representatives of the major sects, empires, and other powers rose to their feet and bowed to Qian Juechen.
The gestures differed, and so did the meanings behind them.
From that moment onward, Qian Juechen officially became one of the most important figures on the entire continent: the Pope of Spirit Hall, its foremost power.
With the coronation ceremony over, the solemn atmosphere gradually eased.
Next came the final part of the enthronement ceremony, one that many had been eagerly awaiting.
Soul fighting!
In a world like the Douluo Continent, where martial souls reigned supreme, soul fighting was an indispensable part of almost every grand ceremony.
Clashes between soul masters were far more compelling than any song or dance.
Martial soul possession, colliding soul skills, dazzling combat techniques, and the thrill of every punch landing solidly—even lofty Titled Douluos found them quite appealing.
Perhaps you could imagine it as a movie, an immersive blockbuster with utterly realistic effects, sound, and visuals.
What was more, those taking the stage today were all young talents painstakingly nurtured by Spirit Hall Academy.
Without a doubt, this was also a contest among the younger generation, and the major sects and powers would naturally not let the opportunity slip by.
Under the pretext of friendly sparring, they would send their finest disciples onto the stage. Victory mattered, of course, but more importantly, they wanted their disciples' names to leave an impression on the continent's leading powers.
Making a name for themselves in a single battle would be an even rarer delight.
As for the rewards offered by Spirit Hall, few truly cared about them.
After all, for powers at their level, ordinary resources and Gold Soul Coins amounted to little.
Fame! That was what the younger generation truly needed to compete for.
Before the soul fighting began, however, there was one more thing to do.
A squad of guards slowly approached the VIP seats and extended invitations to the representatives of several major sects.
"Sect Master Ning, please."
The lead guard stopped and bowed to Ning Fengzhi.
Understanding what he meant, Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly. "Sorry for the trouble."
Refinement was his hallmark. Wherever he was, he always maintained that image.
After speaking, he followed a guard into the Papal Palace, taking Sword Douluo Chen Xin with him.
Next was Yu Luomian, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's representative. Beside him stood the current representative of the Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou Crown Prince Xue Qinghe.
The crown prince was a disguise assumed by Qian Renxue, Spirit Hall's other young master. Maintaining her guise as Xue Qinghe, her blond hair and gentle smile gave others much the same impression as Ning Fengzhi.
When a guard approached and invited her inside, her gaze fell on the Papal Palace. An unusual gleam appeared in her eyes, though whether it was anticipation or curiosity was unclear.
One after another, the representatives of the major powers entered the Papal Palace and came before Qian Juechen.
Qian Juechen welcomed their arrival with a smile.
Despite his youth, he neither acted high and mighty nor deliberately projected the Pope's authority. Instead, he seemed utterly relaxed.
Such calm should, in theory, have made him seem approachable. Yet his behavior only heightened Ning Fengzhi's wariness.
Every old fox knew that the harder someone's emotions were to read, the deeper their schemes tended to run, and the harder they were to fathom.
"Greetings, Your Holiness," Ning Fengzhi said first. With the Clear Sky Sect remaining withdrawn, his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was showing signs of becoming the foremost of the Upper Three Sects. As their leading figure, he had to set an example.
"There's no need for such ceremony, Sect Master Ning."
Qian Juechen smiled and stepped down, then took the initiative to extend his hand to Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Fengzhi paused briefly, but quickly recovered and extended his own hand to shake Qian Juechen's. Their hands clasped lightly between them, both wearing perfectly measured smiles.
What either of them was truly thinking during that brief contact, however, no one knew.
"I've long heard of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's great reputation. Under your wise leadership, Sect Master Ning, it has grown increasingly powerful over these past few years. When you have the time, you must share some of your experience in governing a major power with me."
"You flatter me, Your Holiness."
As the saying went, one did not strike a smiling face. Whatever meaning lay behind Qian Juechen's words, they were at least pleasant to hear.
"Spirit Hall's current prosperity is proof enough of its leaders' excellence. I believe that with your abilities, Your Holiness, you will surely lead Spirit Hall to even greater heights."
"You're too kind, Sect Master Ning."
After exchanging a few formal pleasantries, Qian Juechen patted the back of Ning Fengzhi's hand, then moved farther back and turned toward Yu Luomian, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's representative.
Yu Luomian held a rather unusual position. Based on Qian Juechen's earlier assessment, he was someone worth cultivating.
"Elder Yu."
"Your Holiness!"
Yu Luomian stepped forward to shake Qian Juechen's hand, both men smiling.
Compared with Ning Fengzhi, however, Yu Luomian's feelings were clearly more complicated.
The relationship between the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Spirit Hall was nowhere near as straightforward as the one between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Spirit Hall.
Years ago, his worthless nephew had been involved with Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden, earning the displeasure of the previous Pope, Qian Xunji.
A few years earlier, when that Holy Maiden succeeded to the throne, she had sent someone to contact him in secret. The two sides had engaged in some covert cooperation, but now Bibi Dong had suddenly vanished for reasons unknown.
All their previous cooperation and contact had come to nothing.
Under the current circumstances, no one knew what attitude this new Pope would take toward the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—or toward his branch of the clan.
Before you continue