Morning sunlight bathed the plaza before the Pope's Hall in gentle warmth.
Qian Daoliu stood waiting quietly with Qian Renxue, Xiao Wu, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling. Before long, two graceful figures hurried toward them-Shui Bing'er and her sister, Shui Yue'er.
Shui Bing'er wore pale blue martial attire, her bearing lively and her eyes brimming with anticipation. Shui Yue'er skipped along behind her sister, her ice-blue dress fluttering in the breeze and excitement bright on her face:
"Teacher, Sister Xue! We're here!"
Qian Renxue greeted them with a smile and took both sisters by the hands:
"Yue'er, Bing'er, we were just waiting for you!"
Before her words had faded, Yue Guan and Gui Mei appeared at the far end of the plaza.
Yue Guan wore his usual golden robe, his hair meticulously combed, showing none of yesterday's haste. Gui Mei blended into the shadows, leaving only a pair of cold eyes visible. His aura was restrained and deep as an abyss, displaying the composure of a Titled Douluo.
"Great Enshrined, everything His Holiness the Pope requested has been arranged. We can depart at any time."
Yue Guan bowed respectfully.
Qian Daoliu nodded slightly and turned his gaze to Qian Renxue:
"Xiao Xue, let's set off."
Excitement flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes. She raised a hand and beckoned into empty space, and her first soul ring abruptly lit up-a blood-red Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring. As its radiance burst forth, a dragon's roar shook heaven and earth, resounding across the plaza!
"Roaaar!"
Golden light poured from the void, gathering into the shape of an enormous dragon.
Sacred golden scales covered the dragon's entire body, each reflecting dazzling holy light. His horns were translucent as glazed crystal, and when his wings spread, they seemed to blot out half the sky. Pure, mighty