Golden Crocodile Douluo did not look at her. His gaze rested on Qian Chenming. "The evidence stands as firm as a mountain."
Hu Liena abruptly raised her head, her gaze like a blade as she glared straight at Qian Chenming.
"Evidence as firm as a mountain? What evidence? Did you see her do it with your own eyes?"
Hu Liena pressed relentlessly. "Qian Xunji was Teacher's husband, the Pope of Spirit Hall. Why would she kill him? What reason did she have?"
"Enough noise." Qian Chenming finally spoke.
Those two simple words forced the rest of Hu Liena's sentence to lodge in her throat.
Then.
The pressure of a Peerless Douluo poured forth, and Hu Yuena's body inevitably bent beneath it.
She felt immense pressure and could no longer lift her proud head.
Qian Chenming offered no further explanation. He merely raised his hand and waved lightly, and the enormous gilded doors behind him swung open without the slightest resistance.
"Pope Bibi Dong murdered her husband to seize his position. The evidence is conclusive, and the verdict cannot be overturned."
His voice was not loud, yet it carried clearly across the entire square.
"From this day forth, Spirit Hall has no Pope, only a prisoner."
"I, Qian Chenming, have always enforced the law impartially. Anyone who doubts this may enter the Pope's Palace today and investigate. Traces of This Pontiff's domain aura remain inside and can guide you to verify the truth."
With that, Qian Chenming slowly swept his gaze across everyone in the square before finally resting it on Hu Liena's face.
"The grand finals will proceed as scheduled in three days."
His words were addressed to Hu Yuena and everyone there, but even more so to everyone in Spirit Hall.
Spirit Hall was still Spirit Hall.
It would not grind to a halt because one woman had been imprisoned.
The square was frighteningly quiet. Even the faintest stray sound had vanished.
After a brief silence, a thunderous chorus of acknowledgment rang out in perfect unison. Many people had no idea who this young bearer of the Six-Winged Angel was.
But they knew.
Bibi Dong's era was over.
Only after Qian Chenming had left did that suffocating pressure slowly dissipate.
Hu Liena's knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the ground. Cold sweat slid down her nose from her forehead and dripped onto the icy stone tiles.
Yan and Xie Yue supported her on either side, but neither could utter a word.
The surrounding members of Spirit Hall dispersed in twos and threes with their heads lowered. No one dared spare another glance toward the Pope's Palace.
Some of the bolder ones dared to enter and investigate, but that was all.
When the enormous gilded doors closed again, the dull sound struck everyone's chest like a heavy hammer.
Just then, two figures emerged from the Pope's Palace.
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei.
Both wore expressions graver than ever before, their steps as heavy as though they were treading through a mire.
Hu Liena's eyes lit up, and she all but stumbled over to them.
"Elder Ju! Ghost Elder!"
She seized Yue Guan's sleeve, her voice trembling. "You're the people Teacher trusts most. You must know the inside story. What exactly happened? How could Teacher..."
Yue Guan did not shake off her hand, but neither did he look at her.
His gaze settled on the empty square in the distance, and he remained silent for a long time.
"Elder Ju, please tell me!"
A sob crept into Hu Liena's voice. She had never lost her composure like this before.
In Spirit Hall, she was a favored daughter of heaven, the leader of the Golden Generation, and Pope Bibi Dong's most cherished disciple.
She could remain calm before anyone, but when it came to Bibi Dong, she could not.
Gui Mei sighed, his voice hoarse. "Nana, stop asking. Never mention this woman again."
"Why shouldn't I ask?" Hu Liena abruptly released her grip and stepped back. "His Holiness Qian Xunji, the former Pope, died suddenly. You think Teacher did it too?"
"It's a fact. She murdered the former Pope and deserves her punishment."
Yue Guan finally spoke. His voice was soft, yet carried an indescribable weariness.
"Nana, do you think we didn't want to investigate? Do you think we were willing to believe it?"
"But this is the truth. If you don't believe it, you can go inside the palace and see for yourself. Just don't mention this woman again after today."
Soon, news of Bibi Dong's imprisonment swept through every corner of Spirit City like a gust of wind.
There was no coronation ceremony, no proclamation to the world. The young man named Qian Chenming merely moved into the Pope's Palace without fanfare, as though it were all only natural.
In the streets, alleys, and teahouses, discussions rose one after another.
"Have you heard? The Pope... no, Bibi Dong was locked in the dungeon."
"Heard? I saw Golden Crocodile Douluo lead men to seal the doors of the Pope's Palace with my own eyes. That show of force, tsk, tsk."
"But where did this new Pope come from? Why have we never heard of him before?"
"They say he possesses the Six-Winged Angel and is of the Qian Family's direct bloodline."
"Shh, keep your voice down. You dare gossip about something like that?"
The discussions scattered amid the clinking of wine bowls, then gathered again in a fresh round of speculation.
Spirit City's atmosphere was delicate and tense, its surface as calm as still water while hidden currents surged beneath.
But those hidden currents could not stir up any waves at all.
Inside the Pope's Palace.
Qian Chenming sat in the chair that had once belonged to Bibi Dong, his fingertips tapping lightly against the armrest as he looked toward the palace doors.
At that moment.
A group of Spirit Hall's key members had already gathered below.
"Salas, you will continue overseeing all proceedings for the grand finals of this Soul Master Elite Tournament. This Pontiff will also attend when the time comes."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
After receiving his orders, Salas obediently withdrew.
He had neither the inclination nor the power to concern himself with who occupied the papal throne.
He knew only one thing.
Having a member of the Qian Family take that seat seemed to carry greater legitimacy in name.
Immediately afterward.
Led by Demon Bear Douluo, seven or eight Titled Douluos filed forward.
Their steps were orderly and their expressions solemn. After taking their places below, they bowed in unison.
"Greetings, Your Holiness."
Qian Chenming did not rush to speak. His gaze passed over their faces one by one, unhurriedly.
"Elders, you are all pillars holding up the heavens for Spirit Hall. There is no need for such ceremony."
Demon Bear Douluo straightened and said in a deep voice, "Spirit Hall's legacy stretches back a thousand years, and there has never been a precedent for someone of another surname holding sole power. Now that Your Holiness has assumed your rightful place, everyone's hopes have been fulfilled."
He paused, lowering his voice further. "We are willing to serve Your Holiness unto death."
Those words carried tremendous weight.
Qian Chenming could tell that this was both a declaration of allegiance and a pledge of loyalty.
He smiled faintly.
At that moment, another elder spoke up. "Although Bibi Dong had her achievements during her reign, her actions were extreme, and she made far too many enemies. There was also the dark matter of her murder of the former Pope. Your Holiness has now set things right. This is truly a blessing for Spirit Hall."
Qian Chenming raised his hand and pressed it down in the air, offering only a simple reply. "I will remember your sentiments, elders."
He did not enjoy listening to such pleasantries.
The elders understood his meaning and bowed in acknowledgment. After offering a few more formal remarks, they withdrew one after another.
The hall fell quiet. Qian Chenming leaned back in his chair as Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan walked elegantly into the hall and stopped below the steps.
"Your Holiness."
"What is it?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo bowed slightly, his tone measured. "The Holy Maiden, Hu Liena... would like to see Bibi Dong."
Before you continue