As Qian Daoliu listened to Qian Renxue, he sensed that her emotions and outlook had completely changed and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He had to admit that Ye Tian did have some ability.
Perhaps letting Ye Tian remain in Spirit Hall had been the right choice after all.
It seemed he would have to focus on nurturing Ye Tian in the future, making him a guiding presence in Qian Renxue's life.
"Little sister Xue'er, I'm glad you can think that way. Your father would be happy for you too."
"Since you only returned today, I'll keep vigil with you."
"If you get tired, you can lie in my arms and sleep."
Seeing that Qian Renxue had come to terms with things, Ye Tian wiped the tears from her cheeks and tenderly took her little hand.
"Brother Tian, thank you!"
Qian Renxue looked earnestly at Ye Tian for a few moments, composed herself in both posture and spirit, and knelt before the funeral altar to continue keeping vigil for Qian Xunji.
At that moment, she secretly vowed that she would repay Ye Tian for his care and affection.
From this day onward, her grandfather and Ye Tian would be her only family.
For Ye Tian, she was willing to give everything.
Ye Tian had no desire to kneel before Qian Xunji. Instead, he stood beside Qian Renxue, silently watching over her.
Seeing that Ye Tian had not knelt, Qian Daoliu felt somewhat displeased.
But for Qian Renxue's sake, he did not reprimand him and could only turn away in annoyance.
The goodwill he had just developed toward Ye Tian vanished without a trace.
And so Ye Tian remained beside Qian Renxue until exhaustion overcame her and she fell asleep.
Seeing that Qian Renxue had fallen asleep, Ye Tian did not carry her away. Instead, he sat on the floor with her in his arms and continued watching over her.
At dawn, Ye Tian and Qian Renxue were awakened by the sounds around them.
These people had all come to offer incense to Qian Xunji, as they did at this time every day.
Qian Daoliu had also arrived early that morning, but he asked everyone to remain as quiet as possible so they would not disturb Qian Renxue's rest.
Seeing so many people around her, Qian Renxue hurriedly got up and stood beside Qian Daoliu, bowing to everyone who came to offer incense, while Ye Tian quietly left.
That evening, Ye Tian returned to keep vigil with Qian Renxue. Only after Qian Xunji was buried and Qian Renxue left Spirit City did he formally return to his own life.
Everyone had witnessed Ye Tian's persistence during this period, and their impression of him changed dramatically.
The worshippers who had felt some dislike toward Ye Tian now looked at him with a little more warmth.
The Second Worship, Golden Crocodile Douluo, changed his opinion of Ye Tian most of all.
He was the Qian Clan's most loyal follower and the most senior member of Spirit Hall, belonging to the generation of Qian Daoliu's uncles.
He adored Qian Renxue from the bottom of his heart.
Previously, Ye Tian had taken Qian Renxue everywhere to cause trouble, earning his intense loathing.
But Ye Tian's perseverance in keeping vigil with Qian Renxue every night showed him the steadfastness of that friendship.
Anyone capable of doing this was someone with affection and loyalty.
Golden Crocodile Douluo, who likewise valued affection and loyalty and regarded loyalty as the hallmark of his reputation, naturally felt a kinship with Ye Tian.
On the night of Qian Xunji's burial, Qian Daoliu came to the place where Golden Crocodile Douluo cultivated in seclusion and asked him somberly, "Second Worship, Xun'er has been laid to rest. Who do you think is best suited to inherit the position of Pope now?"
In all of Spirit Hall, aside from Qian Renxue, the Second Worship, Golden Crocodile Douluo, was the only person he trusted most.
"Great Enshrined, Xue'er is the best candidate."
"But Xue'er is still young. Having her inherit the papacy would likely hinder her growth, and she would struggle to wield a firm enough hand to make everyone submit."
Golden Crocodile Douluo always spoke honestly before Qian Daoliu.
Although Qian Renxue was the best candidate, she was not the most suitable choice at present.
"Alas, yes. Xue'er is too young. She simply cannot shoulder such a heavy burden."
"Then what do you think of Bibi Dong?"
Qian Daoliu sighed, his face filled with helplessness.
If only Qian Renxue had been born a few years earlier.
"She has a wolf's ambition, but she is a talented administrator."
"If Spirit Hall is placed in her hands, she may make it better."
"But someone must also keep her in check. She cannot be allowed to hold all power alone."
"Otherwise, Spirit Hall will become her private seat of power."
Golden Crocodile Douluo had lived for over a hundred years and had seen countless examples of human nature.
Although Bibi Dong had performed well recently, shouldering responsibility and making Spirit Hall flourish rather than letting it descend into a pot of chaos,
this was, in fact, a manifestation of her intention and ambition to become Pope.
"You saw through Bibi Dong's true intentions at a glance."
"But as things stand, Bibi Dong is the most suitable candidate. Only ambition can drive Spirit Hall to greater heights."
"As long as I'm here, Bibi Dong won't be able to stir up any great waves. We might as well grant her wish and let her develop Spirit Hall further."
"When the time is ripe, we'll recall Xue'er to seize the position!"
Qian Daoliu fully agreed with Golden Crocodile Douluo's assessment and acknowledged Bibi Dong's abilities.
For Spirit Hall's development, he had no choice but to select Bibi Dong.
"Great Enshrined, you are one of the world's three Peerless Douluos. Even with Bibi Dong's outstanding talent, she will find it difficult to reach Level 99 Limit Douluo."
"With you keeping her in check, she wouldn't dare act recklessly."
Seeing that Qian Daoliu had made his decision, Golden Crocodile Douluo could only comply with his wishes.
Had the choice been his, he certainly would not have let Bibi Dong take office. He would only have let her exercise authority in a supporting role.
"Second Worship, spend the next few years cultivating in seclusion. If Spirit Hall can produce a second Limit Douluo, the situation will change considerably."
Having lost Qian Xunji, Qian Daoliu desperately hoped that Spirit Hall could produce another Limit Douluo.
If he wanted to kill Tang Hao, he would have to contend with Tang Chen.
Back then, Tang Chen had been stronger in battle and had narrowly defeated him by a single move.
And among the three Limit Douluos, only Tang Hao had reached that rank through his own talent.
Now, his cultivation could hardly advance any further, but Tang Chen was different. He could still continue to grow stronger.
Only by giving Spirit Hall another Limit Douluo could they face Tang Chen with greater confidence.
"Rest assured, Great Enshrined. I will try every possible means to break through to Limit Douluo."
Golden Crocodile Douluo wanted to reach Limit Douluo too.
He had been working toward it all these years.
Now that Qian Daoliu had given the order, he could focus entirely on cultivating in seclusion.
Whatever the cost, he would break through to Limit Douluo.
"Good. From now on, just focus on your cultivation. Leave everything else to me."
Qian Daoliu nodded, then turned and left.
He would try using all of Spirit Hall's resources to help Golden Crocodile Douluo achieve his breakthrough.
Three days passed in a flash. With Qian Daoliu's support, Bibi Dong smoothly ascended to the papacy, becoming the only female Pope in Spirit Hall's history.
On the very day of her ascension, Bibi Dong announced new policies: free Martial Soul awakening for everyone on the Douluo Continent, and monthly allowances for all Soul Masters registered with Spirit Hall whose cultivation did not exceed level forty.
Soul Masters would receive one Gold Soul Coin per month, Soul Grandmasters ten Gold Soul Coins per month, and Soul Elders one hundred Gold Soul Coins per month.
The first policy, free Martial Soul awakening, was manageable, but the second, distributing allowances, went a little too far. Almost every elder and worshipper opposed it.
Nevertheless, Bibi Dong withstood the pressure and implemented the policy.
When Qian Daoliu learned of these two policies, he did not object. Instead, he was astonished by her policies and ambition.
Spirit Hall might appear to be spending a considerable sum every year, but it would win the hearts of Soul Masters across the entire continent.
It seemed he had been right to support Bibi Dong's rise to power.
With these two policies in place, Spirit Hall's overall strength would undergo an earth-shaking transformation within a few years at most.
Bibi Dong truly was talented.
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