As everyone knew, Spirit Hall's capital was Spirit City, which was further divided into the Papal Palace and Douluo Hall.
The latter was little known, while the former enjoyed great renown, for the Pope was Spirit Hall's supreme leader.
Even if that was only in name, it did nothing to diminish everyone's reverence-Lin Qian's, for instance.
At that moment, inside the Papal Palace, he followed Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo's lead and bowed to the person above, his expression utterly devout.
"You may all rise~"
A moment later, that heavenly female voice rang out again. Lin Qian and the others raised their heads, finally getting a clear look at her appearance.
Her legs were long, fair, and flawless. She wore magnificent silver-and-white robes and a tall purple-gold crown, her skin fair, her face beautiful and delicate, her brows slender and arched. As she planted the scepter in her hand, her noble bearing slowly radiated outward.
Pope Bibi Dong.
Lin Qian had long heard of her illustrious name. Seeing her in person, he found that her reputation was indeed deserved.
"You're that child?"
As Lin Qian studied her, she was studying him too. After a moment of silence, Bibi Dong spoke first.
"Yes."
In response to Bibi Dong's question, Lin Qian lowered his head again, showing deference.
This woman might be pretty as a picture, but she was no pushover. The less I say, the fewer mistakes I'll make. Silence is golden.
Seeing the boy withdraw his gaze, Bibi Dong nodded inwardly.
Even without her identity as Pope, every man looked at her that way. She had seen plenty of it in her lifetime and was not angry.
They were only looking, after all. It cost her nothing~
What truly pleased her was his composure.
A young genius, calm and collected. Very good!
An idea flashed through her mind.
"Twelve years old, with Soul Power at level eighty."
The moment she finished speaking, before Lin Qian could answer, Bibi Dong lightly raised her fair hand, and boundless spiritual pressure surged toward him from all directions.
A quick examination told him that this spiritual pressure was around level ninety. Knowing she was testing him, Lin Qian circulated his Soul Power to resist without hesitation.
Humm-
The two great magnetic fields collided, instantly sending out a shock wave.
"Hmm?"
Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow slightly.
I released Titled Douluo-level pressure. Even someone at the same level couldn't brush it off so casually, yet this boy handled it with such ease?
She withdrew her hand, and the spiritual pressure vanished. Bibi Dong continued, "Release your Martial Soul."
Lin Qian complied, circulating his Soul Power according to his cultivation method, and his manifestation-like Martial Soul appeared once more.
"To think it's a Body Martial Soul..."
Despite having prepared herself, Bibi Dong was still deeply shocked.
Never mind Spirit Hall-no one across the entire continent had ever seen a Martial Soul that was the person's own body.
A Body Martial Soul... twelve years old... Innate Soul Power at level eighty...
Could he also possess a god's inheritance?!
At that thought, Bibi Dong lightly waved her fair hand. A transparent Soul Power barrier instantly formed, creating a sealed space.
"Lin Qian, does your Martial Soul come from a divine inheritance?"
Only once there were no outsiders did Bibi Dong ask what she wanted to know.
Having spoken, she narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly. She appeared languid, but her gaze was fixed intently on the boy before her.
"???"
Lin Qian froze, then understood her intent.
With his knowledge of the story, he knew that after devouring Qian Xunji, Bibi Dong had successfully entered the Rakshasa Secret Realm and obtained the Rakshasa God's inheritance.
With his unusual Martial Soul and high Innate Soul Power, he had naturally been placed in the same category.
Being taken for a fellow inheritor left Lin Qian both amused and helpless.
I can't exactly say I cultivate immortality, can I?
His thoughts raced, and Lin Qian asked in return, "May I ask what makes Your Holiness say that?"
Bibi Dong paused. Rather than speak of her own situation, she mentioned someone else. "Qian Renxue of Douluo Hall possesses the Angel God's inheritance. Her Martial Soul is the Six-Winged Angel, and her Innate Soul Power was level twenty."
The opportunity that had allowed her to enter the Rakshasa Secret Realm involved her deepest secret. Unless necessary, she did not want to discuss it.
As for Qian Renxue, compared with that incident, she was merely somewhat unpleasant to think about.
Lin Qian instantly understood her thoughts too and tacitly refrained from asking further.
I'm not strong enough to be the Secret Chamber Douluo. Better keep quiet!
After that interruption, Bibi Dong felt somewhat irritated and more or less accepted him as a "fellow inheritor."
"Lin Qian, you are highly gifted and possess a top-tier Martial Soul. I'm very pleased with you... would you be willing to become my disciple?"
Her voice was soft and gentle, seemingly asking a question, but her long, narrow phoenix eyes stared at him without blinking, her aura locking onto him.
The concealed pressure made Lin Qian's body tense. I can't take this!
He was certain that if he refused, he would follow in the footsteps of Secret Chamber Douluo Qian Xunji and end up stone-cold dead.
Not wanting to die, plus not wanting to be Tang San's bootlicker, quickly made him decide. He dropped to one knee. "Your disciple Lin Qian greets you, Master!"
Bibi Dong nodded lightly and helped him up with a smile. "No need to be so formal. Just call me Teacher, like Nana does."
"Teacher!"
Lin Qian readily obliged, calling out clearly.
Bibi Dong was increasingly pleased, her fondness for her new disciple growing another measure. She withdrew the Soul Power barrier, planted her scepter, and announced loudly-
"From this day forward, Lin Qian is my second disciple and Spirit Hall's new Saint Son!"
"!!!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo exchanged glances, each seeing shock in the other's eyes.
They had known Lin Qian would receive excellent treatment, but had never expected it to be this good!
After all, as elders of the Papal Palace, they had spent decades treading water, while Lin Qian had become Spirit Hall's heir the moment he arrived...
So sour! So jealous!
Fortunately, as the Pope's only two lackeys, loyal accessories at her side, their boss's thoughts were their thoughts.
After their brief surprise, both bowed. "Greetings, Saint Son!"
"No need for such ceremony. Please rise, Elders!"
Lin Qian was not arrogant and humbly asked them to stand.
Naturally, this gesture earned another round of praise from everyone.
Now that they were familiar with one another, Chrysanthemum Douluo spoke without reserve, saying whatever was on his mind. "The Saint Son is exceptionally gifted, so there's naturally no issue with making him the heir. But how are we to answer to Douluo Hall?"
Bibi Dong snorted. "As the Pope, am I not qualified to choose an heir?" Unwilling to continue the subject, she said, "Ghost Elder, Elder Ju is injured. Hunting the Saint Son's Soul Rings from now on will be entirely up to you."
Ghost Douluo cupped his fist. "As you command!"
With everything arranged, Bibi Dong waved her hand. "You may all leave!"
Only after everyone had withdrawn did she open her eyes again and look up at the lofty dome, a trace of madness flashing across her beautiful face-
"Six-Winged Angel... Qian Family... one day, I'll make you pay!"
Spirit Hall Academy.
Hu Liena, whom Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo had left behind, also returned to the academy two days later.
"Nana, the Papal Palace issued a notice saying we have a Saint Son now! He'll be Spirit Hall's heir!"
The moment she entered the school gates, her older brother Xie Yue told her the news.
"Lin Qian?"
Hu Liena blurted it out reflexively.
"Yes, him!"
They were both disciples of the Pope, yet she was still merely a disciple, while he had already become the Saint Son.
All manner of emotions intertwined, leaving her downcast while also stirring intense curiosity.