Outside Spirit City, the setting sun sank slowly behind the mountains.
The Soul Masters guarding the city had just changed shifts when a silver light flared at the far end of the long stairway. Bai Jin and Qian Renxue stepped out of it. His robes were torn in several places, and blood still stained the back of her shoulder. Neither looked particularly presentable.
The captain on duty froze for a moment, then recognized them.
"Young Mistress! Lord Bai!"
The nearby Soul Masters saluted one after another.
Bai Jin raised a hand in greeting. "Thanks for the effort. Is the Pope here?"
"His Holiness the Pope has received word from the Star Dou Great Forest and is waiting in the Papal Hall."
"Word traveled faster than we did."
Bai Jin started up the long stairs without withdrawing his Soul Rings.
Yellow, purple, five black, two red.
The nine rings pulsed slowly with his steps. The final two Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings cast a dark-red glow over the stone stairs. The sounds near the city gate gradually died away, and every gaze settled on that white-clad figure.
A rank ninety-four Titled Douluo had returned.
Qian Renxue walked beside him. "Are you planning to keep those lit all the way to the Papal Hall?"
"Saves me explaining it to everyone."
"You just want everyone to see."
"Rings this good-looking would be a waste to hide."
Bai Jin turned his head and lowered his voice.
"Besides, I'll need to reason with people in a moment. Best let them know I have the strength to back it up."
A hint of a smile crossed Qian Renxue's eyes.
Word traveled faster than footsteps. Along their route, Deacons, bishops, and academy students emerged from buildings to stare up at the two red rings. The young Soul