The Papal Hall was the symbol of Spirit Hall's supreme authority. Its walls were edged in gilt, its roof tiled with amethyst. When sunlight fell across the glazed tiles, they refracted a dazzling radiance.
To the east of the Papal Hall stood another palace, slightly smaller but every bit as lavish. This was the Heir Apparent Hall.
The Heir Apparent Hall had no fixed name. If a holy son lived there, it was called the Holy Son Hall; if a saintess presided over it, it became the Saintess Hall. Everything depended on the identity of the current heir.
At present, a gilded plaque bearing the words "Saintess Hall" still hung above its main entrance, for its previous occupant had been Spirit Hall's current pope-Bibi Dong.
The courtyard of the Saintess Hall was filled with violets in full bloom. Their pale purple petals danced gently in the breeze, and a faint, delicate fragrance filled the air.
Dressed in lavish purple robes, Bibi Dong stood quietly beside a white jade table at the center of the courtyard. Subtle patterns were embroidered into her robes with gold thread, and tiny crystals adorned her skirts, catching the light whenever she moved and accentuating her tall, graceful figure.
Ordinarily, frost seemed to veil her face. Her gaze was cold as ice, untouched by the warmth of mortal life, as though nothing in the world could catch her eye.
Yet now, those deep purple eyes held an unprecedented tenderness as she looked down at a girl standing nearby. A faint smile even lingered at the corners of her lips, making her look just like an elder doting on a younger family member.
The girl was around twelve or thirteen, with a slender figure that looked especially petite before Bibi Dong.
She wore a pinkish-purple dress with