Su Chen's Plan

The next day, at the Papal Hall.

Bibi Dong looked thoroughly unhappy. Propping her chin on one hand, she lounged on the papal throne and said, "Su Chen, I'll have to break my promise!"

"Teacher, as long as you did your best, that's enough!" Su Chen consoled her.

"Su Chen, I never imagined those elders would be so hidebound. They have no grasp of the bigger picture at all. A bunch of old fools who can see no farther than a rat!" Bibi Dong pouted.

"Teacher, if Spirit Hall wants to take a great stride forward, this is a weakness we cannot overlook. Before confronting threats outside, we must secure peace within!" Su Chen said solemnly.

"Yes, I understand your reasoning. But we must take things slowly. Those old fellows hold exalted positions and command tremendous respect in the Elder Hall. Even I cannot push them too hard," Bibi Dong said earnestly.

The Elder Hall was one of Spirit Hall's three halls. Its members were all powerful figures at the Titled Douluo level, Soul Masters standing at the very pinnacle of the continent's pyramid. Moving against them rashly could not only defeat the original purpose, but also deal Spirit Hall a devastating blow.

"But rest assured. Although I couldn't fulfill your second condition, I have already fulfilled your first." Bibi Dong straightened, left her throne, and descended the steps one at a time.

At the Elder Assembly Bibi Dong had convened that morning, she had proposed recalling every Pope Token in circulation, including those held by the Upper Three Sects. The sect masters of the Upper Three Sects were granted the title of Honorary Elder of Spirit Hall and issued certificates confirming that status. They were individuals in their own right and could not represent His Holiness the Pope of Spirit Hall in every matter.

This proposal had won the approval of every elder in the Elder Hall. After all, His Holiness the Pope was His Holiness the Pope, and an Honorary Elder was an Honorary Elder.

As for Su Chen's second request to Bibi Dong-that they give due recognition to the Blacksmith Association and certain other organizations-almost every elder had opposed it. Apart from the Great Enshrined, the Second Worship, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo, every other Titled Douluo in Spirit City had objected to the proposal.

Su Chen could understand this as well. Spirit Hall had originally been the Soul Master Association, and being a Soul Master had once been a profession too. Naturally, they harbored resistance toward other professions.

"As for your third condition, I'll fulfill it now. How do you intend to spend the next three years?" Bibi Dong asked.

"Teacher, I'll enter the Great Soul Arena and grow through combat! In the final year, I'll return to Spirit City and develop our teamwork with the other six!" Su Chen answered.

"Yes, an excellent plan for the future. You really are a child who puts my mind at ease! When do you intend to begin training?" Bibi Dong praised Su Chen, then asked with concern.

"Today!" Su Chen replied.

"So soon?" Bibi Dong asked in surprise.

"Yes. I've chosen Suotuo City as my training location. It's close to Holy Soul Village. I grew up without either parent, and I couldn't have made it this far without the villagers' help. If anything urgent happens in the village, I can return to lend a hand!" Su Chen answered.

Su Chen's words were naturally sincere. But he was also conveying something to Bibi Dong: he was someone who understood gratitude and repaid kindness!

"Yes." Bibi Dong nodded, a flicker of delight appearing in her eyes. Without a doubt, Su Chen was an outstanding salesman. He had even managed to sell himself!

Bibi Dong tapped the ring on her finger with her delicate hand. A blue gemstone adorned it. She took a thick notebook from the ring, a Soul Tool, and handed it to Su Chen. "This contains my insights over the years into Soul Master cultivation and some of the continent's Soul Beasts. While I'm not by your side, read it whenever you have some free time."

"Thank you, Teacher." Su Chen accepted the notebook from Bibi Dong with both hands.

Bibi Dong was a Soul Master with twin martial souls. To ensure that both martial souls could have Soul Rings attached to them, she had spent a considerable amount of time researching Soul Master cultivation and Soul Beasts. This notebook contained all that research. With it, Su Chen would gain a more comprehensive, systematic understanding of Soul Masters and Soul Beasts.

Next, Bibi Dong touched her ring again and took out a token. Its surface bore images of a sword and a hammer, along with a dragon, a chrysanthemum, a crown, and an irregular humanoid design. It was unmistakably a Pope Token. However, the token's overall color was no longer black, but a noble purple.

"A Pope Token?" Su Chen looked startled.

"Yes. This Pope Token is purple. It allows you to command a force of fewer than ten thousand troops. Having it with you will make things easier while you're away!" Bibi Dong said with a smile.

The previous Pope Tokens had been black. Those black tokens had now been abolished, and a motion had passed at that morning's Elder Assembly. Pope Tokens would come in three colors: red, purple, and blue. Red tokens could command one hundred thousand troops, while purple tokens could command ten thousand. Blue tokens carried less authority, only allowing their holders to issue orders to the relevant personnel at Spirit Hall Branches, subsidiary halls, and main halls in various locations.

Unlike before, all Pope Tokens could only be personally granted to their users by the Pope. At other times, they remained in the Pope's personal custody.

"Teacher!" Su Chen looked at Bibi Dong, deeply moved. He felt overwhelmed by the favor she had shown him.

"Take it!" Bibi Dong said with a smile.

Although Su Chen was still young, his mind was more mature than those of many adults. More importantly, he had received a divine trial and might become a deity in the future. Faced with such a flawless talent, how could Bibi Dong refrain from using a few means to touch his heart?

To take, one must first give! Bibi Dong understood that principle too!

"Thank you, Teacher!" Su Chen accepted the Pope Token and put it away safely.

"Under Spirit Hall's original rules, only promising candidates or members who have accumulated sufficient military merit can be personally awarded a Purple Merit Badge by me. If you can earn the Great Soul Arena's Purple-Gold Badge within two years, I can make an exception and award you a Purple Merit Badge!" Bibi Dong said seriously.

An exceptional award! She was certainly giving Su Chen plenty of face!

"Thank you, Teacher. Your student will not disappoint you. In two years, I'll return to see you with a Purple-Gold Badge!" Su Chen bowed to Bibi Dong.

"Yes, go on. Elder Ju is still waiting for you! As the first-place winner of the Four-Academy Friendship Tournament, you are entitled to enter Spirit Hall's Treasure Pavilion and choose one treasure!" Bibi Dong said calmly.

"Yes, Teacher." Su Chen straightened and looked at Bibi Dong before him. After a pause, he added, "Teacher, now that you've granted the sect masters of the Upper Three Sects the title of Honorary Elder, recalled their Pope Tokens, and issued the honorary certificates they ought to have, you should take the next step!"

"What step?" Bibi Dong asked curiously.

"Those who are not of our kind will surely harbor different hearts. You should begin stripping away their authority within Spirit Hall. Honorary Elder is merely a symbol of honor. They may enjoy Spirit Hall's respect, but that must not entitle them to decide any of Spirit Hall's policies or decisions!" Su Chen reminded her gravely.

If she could not do that, then recalling the original Pope Tokens while allowing the sect masters of the Upper Three Sects to retain their authority would be meaningless. Those sect masters would still be able to command bishops and other important figures within Spirit Hall.