Inside the secret chamber.
Jin Peng walked over to the stone table in the center of the stone chamber, motioned for Yue Guan and Gui Mei to sit, and sat down opposite them.
Jin Peng wasted no words and went straight to the point. "Gui Mei, cultivating a body martial soul differs from cultivating a conventional martial soul. A large part of why you've remained at rank 95 is that you've taken the wrong path."
Jin Peng took out a rubbing of the "Secret of the Body" and handed it to Gui Mei.
"This is my Body Sect's core inheritance. It contains cultivation methods, methods for a martial soul second awakening, and numerous combat techniques and secret arts."
"Thank you."
Gui Mei reached out to accept it and thanked him earnestly.
"No need to be polite."
Jin Peng waved a hand and continued, "A soul body martial soul is a first even in our sect's records. Your martial soul second awakening should differ from that of a normal body martial soul."
"So, until the sect master emerges from seclusion, don't attempt a martial soul second awakening on your own."
"All right."
Gui Mei nodded, then changed the subject. "I've always been curious. How strong is the sect master?"
Yue Guan also raised his eyes to Jin Peng, clearly wanting to know the answer too.
The Body Sect elders they had met were already absurdly powerful, but the sect master had never shown himself. That very mystery made them all the more curious.
Jin Peng smiled slightly. "The sect master is in seclusion, attempting to break through to rank 99."
At those words.
Gui Mei and Yue Guan both fell silent.
Why could Spirit Hall stand above every other power on the continent?
Was it because it had so many Titled Douluo?
Yes,
but that wasn't all!
Another important reason was that Qian Daoliu, a rank 99 Peerless Douluo, stood guard over it.
And now, their sect master was attempting to reach that realm.
Moreover, judging by Jin Peng's expression, his chances of success should be very high.
"To think the sect master is so powerful!"
Yue Guan and Gui Mei exclaimed.
Jin Peng did not linger on the topic, sweeping his gaze over the two of them.
"Under the Body Sect's rules, every disciple brought back to the sect receives resources for their development, but once they grow strong, they must contribute to the sect as well."
"You're both rank 95 Titled Douluo. You certainly qualify as 'strong.'"
"But since you've only just joined the sect..."
At those words.
Yue Guan and Gui Mei spoke at the same time. "There's no need to give us resources."
Jin Peng smiled. "I know what you mean, but what I'm giving you isn't ordinary resources. It's... one Top-Grade Spirit Medicine each!"
"Top-Grade Spirit Medicine?"
Yue Guan's eyes lit up.
Jin Peng nodded. "Yes, one Top-Grade Spirit Medicine each. But afterward, it'll be your turn to work for the sect. Any objections?"
Yue Guan was the first to speak, somewhat excited. "None!"
Yue Guan's martial soul was the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, and he was very familiar with immortal herbs and spirit medicines, so he understood the value and effects of Top-Grade Spirit Medicine all the better.
"No objections."
Gui Mei nodded as well.
Jin Peng stood up. "All right, that's all for today."
"Come back tomorrow. I'll teach you the method for condensing a soul core."
At this, both Yue Guan and Gui Mei looked puzzled.
"The method for condensing a soul core?"
"What's a soul core?"
Jin Peng smiled, keeping them in suspense. "You'll find out tomorrow."
Spirit City.
Six figures descended from the sky, landing in the square before the Papal Hall.
Bibi Dong's expression was dark, and traces of battle still remained on her purple-and-gold robes. The double blow to her body and mind left her looking somewhat haggard.
Demon Bear Douluo and the other four elders followed close behind her.
All five looked grim as well.
"Greetings, Your Holiness!"
When the deacons on duty in the square saw the state of the Pope and the elders, their expressions changed sharply. Not daring to ask questions, they lowered their heads and withdrew to the side.
Her face as cold as frost, Bibi Dong led the way into the Papal Hall, then sat down on the Throne.
Soon,
the elders who had remained in the Elder Hall hurried over after hearing the news.
At the sight before them, they erupted into an uproar.
A white-haired elder hurried forward, his voice filled with irrepressible shock. "Your Holiness! What... what happened?"
"Where are Yue Guan and Gui Mei?!"
At those two names, Bibi Dong's expression darkened further, and she gave no answer.
Ghost Leopard Douluo looked at the white-haired elder and said quietly, "Yue Guan and Gui Mei... have defected from Spirit Hall and joined the Body Sect."
The white-haired elder froze in place. A moment later, his face turned livid. "What!"
Then.
Demon Bear Douluo recounted everything that had happened that night, leaving nothing out.
With every sentence, the expressions of the four elders who had stayed behind grew grimmer.
After hearing him out, the white-haired elder stared straight at Bibi Dong and said fearlessly, "Your Holiness! This matter must be reported to the Worship Hall!"
"They're merely two traitors. There's no need to disturb the seven enshrined."
Clearly, Bibi Dong did not want Qian Daoliu and the others to learn what had happened that night.
The white-haired elder stood where he was, looking straight at Bibi Dong. "If not for your actions, why would Yue Guan and Gui Mei have lost heart? Why would they have left Spirit Hall for the Body Sect?"
"Search your conscience. Was what happened tonight truly Yue Guan and Gui Mei's fault?"
Bibi Dong's expression changed abruptly. She shot to her feet, her voice filled with uncontainable fury. "What do you mean by that!"
The white-haired elder did not back down. Instead, he took half a step forward.
"You know better than anyone what I mean, Your Holiness."
"If we don't bring this before the Worship Hall tonight, how many more such things will you do in the future? Two elders of Spirit Hall, pushed into someone else's arms by your own hands."
Bibi Dong's chest heaved violently several times.
She pointed at the white-haired elder, her voice suddenly rising. "I am the Pope!"
The white-haired elder looked at her, his gaze so calm it almost stung. "You are the Pope, but you are not the sky above Spirit Hall."
"The Worship Hall is."
With that, the white-haired elder stayed no longer. He turned and walked out of the Papal Hall.
Demon Bear Douluo and all the other elders were deeply disappointed in Bibi Dong's actions. Without hesitation, they followed the white-haired elder.
"Bastards!!"
Watching the elders' retreating backs, Bibi Dong's chest heaved violently as unprecedented humiliation and rage surged to her head.
She grabbed the Pope's Scepter and hurled it hard toward the hall doors.
Clang-
The scepter traced an arc through the air and slammed into the edge of the doorway.
Bibi Dong stood before the Throne, panting, her hands clenched into fists. Her nails dug into her palms, drawing traces of blood.
"Damn you!"
"Damn you all!!"
The Worship Hall.
The elders stood before the hall doors. "Great Enshrined, we have an important matter to report!"
"Enter."
Qian Daoliu's voice came from within.
The white-haired elder led the way, pushing open the doors and stepping inside, with Demon Bear and the other elders close behind.
Inside the Worship Hall, the Angel God Statue stood silently. Seven gilded beast-hide meditation cushions lay before it.
Qian Daoliu sat upright in the center, with the other six enshrined seated on either side.
"Greetings, honored enshrined."
"Rise."
The elders rose, looking toward Qian Daoliu as they spoke solemnly. "Great Enshrined, we wish to jointly impeach Pope Bibi Dong!"
Qian Daoliu slowly opened his eyes. "Speak."
Demon Bear recounted the night's events again, from beginning to end.
"Outrageous!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo rose in fury. "Is this how Bibi Dong serves as Pope?"
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