Because Your Skin Is So Thick?!

Hearing everyone offer their respects, Qin Chao immediately realized who had arrived.

An enshrined of Spirit Hall? As expected, those old men in the Elder Hall would never let Bibi Dong achieve her goal so easily...

"Your presence truly brings splendor to our humble Pope Hall, honored Enshrined..." Bibi Dong said softly. Her words were polite, but her tone held not a trace of respect.

Qin Chao lowered his head, secretly laughing to himself.

This female pope certainly knew how to deliver a veiled barb. An enshrined coming all the way to Spirit Hall-wasn't she mocking him for stretching his hand too far...?

Spirit Hall's Seventh Consecrated Elder bore the title Demon Subduing, and his martial soul was the Coiling Dragon Staff. Though he looked young, he was already over a hundred and twenty years old. Age had honed him into a wily old fox; how could he miss the blatant mockery in Bibi Dong's words?

Demon Subduing Douluo's expression froze for a moment. But standing beneath someone else's roof, he had to show its owner some respect. He could only force a stiff smile and speak again in a ringing voice.

"I am merely a lowly enshrined. Your Holiness gives me too much credit..."

"I have come primarily to convey a message from the Grand Elder..."

At this, Qin Chao's brow immediately creased.

Sure enough, that old bastard Qian Daoliu couldn't sit still anymore. Was he going to interfere with Bibi Dong's decisions?

Douluo Continent primarily followed its protagonist, Tang San, on his path to godhood, devoting little attention to Spirit Hall's internal affairs. For the moment, even Qin Chao, who knew the plot well, had no idea how things would develop next. He could not help worrying about Bibi Dong.

She had finally overcome her psychological barriers and was preparing to sweep through her reforms with bold strokes. Would Qian Daoliu's interference break her spear before she could succeed? But Hu Liena really did become the Holy Maiden in the novel...

Bibi Dong said nothing, nor did she offer Demon Subduing Douluo so much as a change of expression. She seemed as calm as ever, but the slender, pale fingers unconsciously tapping the tabletop betrayed her unease.

Spirit Hall was currently caught between generations, with the old fading and the young not yet ready. It was also her best opportunity to cultivate her own faction. Unfortunately, the Elder Hall knew that just as well...

Would she have to tear away all pretense with the Elder Hall ahead of time?

That was absolutely not the outcome she wanted...

Although she had occupied the papal seat for years, when it came to the strength of those at her disposal, Pope Hall could not catch up even on a galloping horse. Its previous friction with the Elder Hall had amounted to little more than minor skirmishes. If they openly broke with each other now, she would undoubtedly be the one to suffer...

Seeing Bibi Dong's knitted brows, Demon Subduing Douluo finally felt considerably better. He cleared his throat and loudly announced the command of Great Enshrined Qian Xunji...

"The Great Enshrined's verbal decree: the Golden Generation Plan has been implemented for many years with excellent results, as all in Spirit Hall have witnessed. However, the selection of a papal successor requires utmost care. Thus, the Great Enshrined proposes..."

Demon Subduing Douluo deliberately paused. Only when Bibi Dong stopped tapping the table did he resume, satisfied.

"Choosing a successor through the Golden Generation Plan is acceptable, but..." A sly smile curled the corners of Demon Subduing Douluo's mouth.

"The Golden Generation's membership must be reshuffled. In addition to the existing members, each major city's branch hall may recommend one candidate for assessment. Only those who pass will qualify to become members of the Golden Generation..."

The moment his words fell, a flicker of derision flashed through Qin Chao's eyes.

Ha! The beads of that calculating abacus were practically flying into his face!

Who would have thought that old man Qian Daoliu couldn't behave himself even while busy worshipping the Angel God? Not only did he want to meddle in Pope Hall's affairs, he even intended to do it under Bibi Dong's name. His scheming truly knew no bounds.

Bibi Dong's brow furrowed even more deeply.

It was only an assessment. Given equal opportunities, she was confident that her Golden Generation would lose to no one their age. But Qin Chao...

He was simply too young. Ordinary Soul Masters his age would only just have undergone martial soul awakening. If he participated in the assessment, he would inevitably have to fight opponents older than himself. Gifted though he was, he was still far too green...

Her worried gaze turned toward that small figure. As it happened, Qin Chao was looking at her too. Their eyes met, and the unspoken understanding between these two friends, so far apart in age, instantly sprang to life.

Qin Chao cleared his throat and stepped forward. Facing an enshrined of Spirit Hall, the little child showed not a trace of fear. His eyes burned as though flames blazed within them.

"Honored Enshrined, as far as I know, administrative matters such as selecting candidates for the papacy should fall under Pope Hall's jurisdiction..."

"I am speaking with the pope. In what capacity does a child like you presume to interrupt?" Demon Subduing Douluo asked, despite knowing the answer.

Qin Chao was so young that he stood considerably shorter than the youths of the Golden Generation, making him conspicuous to begin with. Combined with his familiar little gestures toward the publicly announced members, his identity was plain at a glance.

He asked despite knowing precisely because he wanted to force Qin Chao to reveal his identity.

That way, whatever objections Qin Chao raised to the Great Enshrined's proposal, everyone else would see them as mere excuses from a Golden Generation afraid before the battle had even begun.

"Who I am doesn't matter. As an enshrined, you can interfere in Pope Hall's affairs, yet all I've done is raise a question about it. What's wrong with that? Or are you saying..."

"The Elder Hall's reach simply extends farther than Pope Hall's? Officials may set fires, but commoners aren't allowed to light a lamp? What order would Spirit Hall have left, then?"

"You!" Jiang Mo wanted to retort, but could find no argument. Being contradicted by a little brat in full view of everyone was deeply unpleasant, yet this was happening right under the pope's nose...

"What a sharp-tongued brat. Is this how your Golden Generation was raised?" Demon Subduing Douluo rebuked him in a low voice, directly exposing Qin Chao's identity.

"If you're afraid to fight, just admit it. What ability does arguing with me prove...?"

"The Grand Elder has exhausted his mind and poured all his efforts into Spirit Hall's future. To think you would accuse him of usurping another's duties-it truly chills the heart..."

Jiang Mo's gaze was sinister, his words pointed.

Qin Chao and Bibi Dong exchanged a glance, each seeing contempt in the other's eyes.

What breed of folded-over hide was this? Shameless on one side, double-skinned on the other!

Qin Chao stepped forward and shot back, "A chilled heart? That's an illness. You should get it treated! But what does that have to do with us? The Golden Generation Plan has been running for years. What gives you the right to restructure it just because you say so? Because your skin is so thick?"

Qin Chao's words were blunt and razor-sharp, no different from pointing at Jiang Mo's nose and cursing him out. Seeing Jiang Mo's face flush crimson, Bibi Dong inwardly relished it. Still, this was not the time to fall out with the Elder Hall...

"Qin Chao, hold your tongue! How can you be so disrespectful to the honored Enshrined!"

Bibi Dong feigned anger, but when she turned back to Jiang Mo, she once again wore that cold, regal expression. "He is only a young child and doesn't quite understand the weight of his words. But children speak without malice. Surely you won't take offense, honored Enshrined..."

Surely not, surely not! A distinguished enshrined of Spirit Hall wouldn't really hold a grudge against a child!

"Of course not!" Jiang Mo nearly ground his back teeth to pieces. With this adult and child singing in harmony, he had lost every shred of dignity as an enshrined today...

"However, Your Holiness, do not forget that the Elder Hall holds the right to veto your decisions. Please give the matter of the assessment some further, careful consideration..."

Having already lost all face to Qin Chao, Jiang Mo simply decided to leave no room for negotiation.

If you refuse a new assessment, we'll exercise our veto. Since you won't let us have an easy time, none of you should expect one either!

"The Golden Generation Plan has been in place for years. Naturally, the children would resent a sudden demand for an assessment. How about this: I will first talk things through with them. Please wait a moment, everyone..."

Bibi Dong's voice remained calm, but a sharp glint flashed in her eyes...