Forcing his way into the Pope's Palace: How did Ji'er die?

First on the agenda, naturally, was the finals.

Inside the palace, Bibi Dong's voice was commanding and cold:

"Nana, Xie Yue, you must win the finals of this Soul Master Elite Tournament."

Her words fell.

Below the dais, Hu Yuena immediately bowed her head and answered, "Yes, Your Holiness."

Bibi Dong swept her gaze over everyone present, her tone brooking no argument. "Spirit Hall has spent years training you for this very moment. If you lose, you know the consequences."

At those words.

Xie Yue and Yan clenched their fists even tighter, their eyes resolute.

Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo stood on either side, their expressions respectful.

Only after receiving satisfactory assurances did Bibi Dong relent. "Very well. Everyone else, withdraw."

The Golden Generation bowed and took their leave.

Soon, only Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo remained in the great hall with her.

Bibi Dong then changed the subject, descending the steps and lowering her voice. "Yue Guan, before the finals begin, there is something I need you to do."

Chrysanthemum Douluo bowed. "Please give your orders, Your Holiness."

"Tang San cannot be allowed to live."

A trace of killing intent flashed through Bibi Dong's eyes. "This boy possesses extraordinary talent. If allowed to grow, he will surely become a thorn in Spirit Hall's heart."

"Take a few men and intercept and kill him on the road. Make it clean."

Chrysanthemum Douluo froze for a moment.

How could he have imagined that His Holiness the Pope had just instructed the Golden Generation to give their all in the finals.

Only to turn around and tell him not to let Tang San and the others reach them.

After standing stunned for a moment, Yue Guan recovered and nodded. "Understood."

The meeting was about to draw to a close, but just then.

Someone pushed the palace doors open from outside.

With a creak, the heavy doors slowly opened.

Sunlight poured through the doorway, casting a long shadow across the floor.

Bibi Dong abruptly raised her head, her gaze sharp.

Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo also turned to look. "Who dares trespass into the Pope's Palace? Don't you know entry without permission is forbidden?"

At that moment.

A young man stood in the doorway, dressed in golden robes, his face calm, yet his eyes as deep as an abyss.

Behind him, the Six Great Enshrined, including Golden Crocodile Douluo, Azure Luan Douluo, and Demon Subduing Douluo, stood in a row, their presence imposing.

Bibi Dong's expression instantly darkened.

Those old fellows from the Worship Hall had come?

She tightened her grip on her scepter and said coldly, "Elder Golden Crocodile, what is the meaning of this?"

Golden Crocodile Douluo did not look at her. Instead, he turned slightly aside and made an inviting gesture, his manner utterly respectful.

Qian Chenming strode into the great hall.

His footsteps were light, yet each seemed to tread upon everyone's heart.

Bibi Dong's gaze settled on Qian Chenming, wary and icy.

A flicker of disgust rose within her as well.

For she saw a shadow of Qian Xunji in Qian Chenming.

Both his bearing and his features bore a resemblance.

"Who are you? Do you know what crime it is to trespass into the Pope's Palace?"

Qian Chenming stopped and raised his eyes to her.

His gaze was as calm as a pool of stagnant water, yet it inexplicably made Bibi Dong feel a wave of pressure.

"Who I am is unimportant."

Qian Chenming spoke indifferently. "What matters is that I just heard something I should not have heard."

Bibi Dong's pupils contracted.

The atmosphere inside the palace instantly froze.

Qian Chenming slowly walked to the center of the great hall and looked around, his tone mild yet carrying unquestionable authority. "Since when has our Spirit Hall sunk so low that it must rely on such despicable methods to win?"

Everyone present froze at those words.

A flash of satisfaction crossed Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyes.

Azure Luan and Jiang Mo exchanged a glance, the corners of their mouths lifting slightly.

Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, meanwhile, were furious.

Had the Six Great Enshrined not been standing nearby, they would already have struck down this insolent man on the Pope's behalf.

By now, Bibi Dong's expression had turned utterly cold.

The word "despicable" stirred towering, tempestuous waves within her heart.

Despicable? Where had this Qian Family junior come from, daring to call her despicable?

Did your Qian Family not know how many despicable things you had done in the past?

She descended the steps one by one, her scepter striking the floor heavily with dull thuds.

"Who do you think you are?"

Bibi Dong's voice carried anger. "You dare point fingers at me?"

Qian Chenming did not move. He merely watched her quietly.

Golden Crocodile Douluo, however, stepped forward and said coldly, "Bibi Dong, mind your words. Standing before you is His Holiness Qian Chenming, the thirteenth Pope in Spirit Hall's history and the father of the Great Enshrined."

His words ended.

That declaration exploded through the palace like a thunderclap.

Bibi Dong halted, her pupils abruptly widening.

Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo turned deathly pale and stumbled back two steps.

"The... the former Pope?"

Both their voices trembled.

No wonder.

They had thought this man bore quite a resemblance to the previous Pope, Qian Xunji.

And no wonder he was being protected by the Six Great Enshrined.

So he was actually the former Pope...

Bibi Dong stared fixedly at Qian Chenming, her eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

Then.

She suddenly let out a cold laugh, a bone-piercing chill in her smile:

"The former Pope?"

She enunciated each word, her gaze scraping across Qian Chenming's face like a blade.

"The dead cannot return to life. Even a three-year-old understands that."

With that.

She turned toward the Six Great Enshrined, her eyes full of mockery:

"Golden Crocodile, you truly have gone to painstaking lengths to force me to abdicate."

"Finding someone who looks like Qian Xunji to impersonate the former Pope-that trick isn't entirely stupid."

"But whatever the matter is, have the Great Enshrined come speak to me."

As long as Qian Daoliu was absent, Bibi Dong would not believe anything anyone else said.

And as long as Qian Daoliu was here.

Bibi Dong would feel even more secure, with nothing to fear.

Because everything she had had been given to her by Qian Daoliu.

Qian Daoliu would do nothing but indulge her as Pope.

Even back when she had utterly neglected the young Qian Renxue.

Had Qian Daoliu not taken her away to raise her himself without a single complaint, even teaching Xue'er to be understanding toward her mother?

The Great Enshrined of the Worship Hall was naturally her greatest trump card for remaining securely on the papal throne.

"How dare you, Bibi Dong!"

Golden Crocodile Douluo frowned and was about to act.

Qian Chenming raised a hand to stop him. "You don't believe me?"

His voice was calm, without the slightest ripple.

Bibi Dong snorted coldly. "Believe you? How am I supposed to believe you?"

"The former Pope, Qian Chenming, died a hundred years ago."

She stared into Qian Chenming's eyes, trying to find a trace of panic.

But there was nothing.

Those eyes were as tranquil as an ancient well a thousand years old.

"Then do you know how I died?"

Qian Chenming suddenly asked.

Bibi Dong looked utterly puzzled. How could someone of this new era like her possibly know about events from a hundred years ago?

She could not quite understand the logic behind his words.

Little did she know that, in the next instant, Qian Chenming would reveal his true intent:

"You don't know, do you? Then let me ask you something else. How did my grandson Qian Xunji die? Surely you know that."