In his previous life, Qin Chao had thought kings of lip service were nothing but bugs incompetent authors introduced to advance the plot. Now, he simply thought it was wonderful to have a mouth.
Their heart-to-heart that day had ended with a long sigh, but wasn't that also the prologue to a new beginning?
Spirit Hall's female Pope remained as noble and beautiful as ever, yet her lovely eyes seemed to hold many new glimmers.
Just as Qin Chao had said, yesterday had abandoned her and gone, and its days could not be kept. However much she missed them, however bitterly she hated them, they were ultimately in the past, and every day that followed would be a new beginning...
She had ambition, ideals, strength, and means. She should never have been shackled to the past.
Although Spirit Hall now appeared to be a place where the Pope's word alone held sway, Bibi Dong was actually constrained on many fronts. Not only did the old men of the Elder Hall covet the power in her hands, even the senior ranks within the Pope Hall were stirring restlessly.
The world's stereotypes about women persisted. Even someone as powerful as Bibi Dong constantly heard voices of doubt, concerning the Golden Generation Plan, for instance.
Before Bibi Dong, every Pope of Spirit Hall had come from the Qian Clan, because they had all inherited the Six-Winged Angel martial soul.
That martial soul, incomparably sacred in outsiders' eyes, was filled with darkness and filth to Bibi Dong. And precisely because of its inheritance, she and Spirit Hall were bound together for life.
She hated Spirit Hall, but at the same time, it held most of her life. That was why Bibi Dong had always been torn.
On one hand, she wanted to truly carry out Spirit Hall's original, uncorrupted purpose and bring hope to the world. On the other, the bitter hatred in her heart kept her hesitating, unable to truly free her hands and realize her ambitions.
Now that the knot in her heart had come undone, Bibi Dong naturally acted with even greater thunderous resolve.
The main chamber of the Pope Hall.
Bibi Dong sat upright in the highest seat, as noble and beautiful as ever. Many people stood below the dais, yet not one dared look directly at that exquisitely beautiful face-except Qin Chao.
The little child gazed at that sacred, noble face with a gratification in his eyes wholly at odds with his age.
This was how Bibi Dong ought to look. Only a Bibi Dong like this deserved to be called Spirit Hall's greatest leader...
Her faintly cold gaze swept around the chamber, softening a little when it reached the four young figures standing to one side.
She cleared her throat and finally began to speak slowly.
"The Golden Generation Plan has been in place for many years. Everyone has witnessed Xie Yue's, Yan's, and Hu Liena's strength, but many of you do not know my true purpose in introducing it..."
The scepter in her hand tapped lightly against the floor. At last, everyone's gaze gathered on her, and they all listened intently to every syllable that passed this beautiful woman's lips.
"The Golden Generation Plan exists to select Spirit Hall's next Pope..."
As her words fell, whispers immediately rose throughout the chamber.
Bibi Dong's ascension to the papacy had itself been an exception. Many had refused to accept her at first, but how could they challenge the might of twin martial souls?
Her iron-fisted methods had finally secured her position as Pope, but in the shadows, conservatives still made an issue of martial soul inheritance. By openly declaring that she would select the next Pope, Bibi Dong had undoubtedly brought this long-hidden conflict into the open.
Qin Chao's gaze still followed Bibi Dong. In those beautiful eyes, he saw unprecedented desire and ambition. People were drawn to strength, and Qin Chao was naturally no exception. Only, his attraction was more than mere admiration...
After a lengthy discussion, Snake Lance Douluo was the first to step forward. "Your Holiness, I acknowledge your extraordinary talent and decisive judgment, but choosing a successor is a matter of grave importance. It would be best to consult the Elder Hall first..."
Seeing Snake Lance Douluo "bravely step forward," Qin Chao's expression immediately took on a hint of mockery.
He had seen fools before, but never one this foolish. All these years, no matter how Spirit Hall fought internally, Bibi Dong's position as Pope had remained secure. To dare question her decision before everyone-he must have been blind to all reason...
They said the bird that stuck its head out got shot, and that you killed the chicken to warn the monkeys. Whichever saying applied, Snake Lance Douluo probably wouldn't be treated like a human today...
Hearing someone question her, Bibi Dong smiled rather than grew angry. But that smile never reached her eyes.
"I wasn't aware Snake Lance Douluo had gained the authority to speak on the Elder Hall's behalf..."
Bibi Dong's voice was light and airy, but to Snake Lance Douluo, it sounded like thunder.
He was indeed an important pawn the Elder Hall had planted in the Pope Hall. Both halls had a tacit understanding about this: they watched and restrained each other, and that had not changed for years. Now that Bibi Dong had suddenly brought it into the open, he was somewhat at a loss.
Most of those present were senior members of the Pope Hall. Though there were informants among them, they were ultimately a minority. For a moment, no one dared say anything more. The spacious chamber immediately fell silent, until one could almost hear a pin drop.
Qin Chao quietly tugged Hu Liena's little hand and gave her a meaningful look.
"Our Pope's imposing presence really is unmatched. One simple sentence, and she broke the deadlock..."
Hu Liena first nodded with admiration at his words, but then muttered softly, "Teacher has always been like this, but she seems a little different today..."
Everyone present was an expert. Although the two had deliberately lowered their voices, their conversation still failed to escape those people's ears.
Secretly glancing at the four standing beside the chamber, Porcupinefish Douluo's eyes flashed with a complicated gleam.
After pondering for a moment, he lowered his head slightly. His lips moved as he secretly transmitted his voice to Snake Lance Douluo beside him. "It seems our Pope is quite determined. Don't act rashly for now. The Elder Hall will surely react once it receives word. We need only wait and watch how things develop. Don't throw an egg against a rock..."
Hearing this, Snake Lance Douluo immediately cupped his hands and bowed to Bibi Dong in apology. "My apologies, Your Holiness. I misspoke in a moment of carelessness. Please be generous and forgive me..."
"Be generous?" The smile at Bibi Dong's lips deepened. "There's no need for that. Our Pope Hall is a small temple, and I'm afraid it cannot accommodate a great Buddha such as yourself. The Elder Hall is rather more spacious. Please move there instead!"
As she spoke, Bibi Dong gave Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo a look.
The two had always obeyed Bibi Dong. With just that glance, they began gradually closing in on Snake Lance Douluo.
"Your Holiness..." Snake Lance Douluo was about to offer an explanation, but fell speechless upon meeting Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo's gazes.
He certainly did not believe he could defeat the pair, who possessed a martial soul fusion skill. He glanced at Porcupinefish Douluo beside him, and seeing him give an almost imperceptible wave of his hand, finally deflated. After cupping his hands and bowing once more, he prepared to turn and leave...
"Wait!" A deep male voice rang out from outside the chamber. Everyone looked toward it and saw a man wearing golden armor.
He wore his hair in a neat, short cut and looked only about forty years old.
Recognizing the newcomer, everyone from Spirit Hall immediately bowed. "Greetings, Seventh Consecrated Elder..."
Before you continue