The carriage slowly landed in the center of the square, precisely between the forces of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the Star Luo Empire.
The car door opened silently, and a figure stepped out.
She wore a purple-gold Pope robe, the luxurious fabric gently hugging every curve of her body.
As the robe swayed, it outlined a breathtaking figure.
Her voluptuous curves were faintly visible beneath her dress, and her waist was as slender as a willow branch, seemingly small enough to be grasped in one hand.
At the slit in her long robe, her slender, jade-like legs appeared and disappeared with each step, her skin as white as snow and as smooth as satin.
The Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown she wore accentuated her stunning beauty; her purple eyes were like a deep starry sky, yet when they moved, they revealed a hint of languid allure.
Holding a jeweled scepter, her fingertips lightly tracing its shaft, every subtle movement made the curves of her hips beneath her robes even more striking, exuding a breathtaking allure within her majesty.
Her skin was as white as snow, her face was so beautiful that it seemed otherworldly, and her purple eyes were as deep as the starry sky. With each glance, she exuded an aura of majesty that commanded all living beings.
And she was none other than Bibi Dong, the Pope of the Spirit Hall.
She stood in front of the carriage, her gaze calmly sweeping across the entire scene.
Wherever those purple eyes fell, whether it was Xue Qinghe, Ning Fengzhi, Yu Yuanzhen, or Dai Weisi, everyone felt a chill run down their spines.
An instinctive wariness towards this top expert of the era and the supreme ruler of the Spirit Hall.
"Greetings, Your His Holiness the Pope."
After a brief silence, the square erupted with a cacophony of greetings.
The Heaven Dou Imperial Family, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the Star Luo Empire, and everyone from the Shrek Academy bowed in respect.
Titled Douluo such as Gu Rong and Yu Yuanzhen merely nodded slightly.
Only two were exceptions.
First, there is Yu Xiaogang, who is standing behind Yu Yuanzhen.
The moment Bibi Dong appeared, he was struck dumb, his head snapping up as he stared intently at the purple-gold figure, his expression complex.
His hands trembled violently inside his sleeves, his nails digging deeply into his palms.
Secondly, there's Bibi Dong herself.
Her gaze swept across the room, pausing for a fleeting moment when it passed over Yu Xiaogang.
A barely perceptible ripple flashed across the depths of his purple eyes, too fast for anyone to catch.
Immediately, Bibi Dong's gaze shifted and landed on Flender.
"Dean Flender."
Her voice was calm and pleasant, yet carried an undeniable air of authority. "This Pope has come uninvited, I apologize for disturbing you."
Flender took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. " His Holiness the Pope's presence is an honor for the Shrek Academy; how can this be considered an intrusion?"
Bibi Dong nodded slightly, her gaze shifting to Xue Qinghe:
"His Highness the Crown Prince is also here."
Xue Qinghe bowed. "Greetings, Your His Holiness the Pope."
My father ordered me to come and greet my classmates Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun.
" Your Xue Ye is very kind." Bibi Dong's tone was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger.
She then looked at Ning Fengzhi: " Sect Master Ning, it's been a long time, you've come too."
"Greetings, Your His Holiness the Pope."
Ning Fengzhi's posture was respectful yet courteous. " Fengzhi specifically to congratulate Shrek Academy."
"Congratulate?"
Bibi Dong's lips curled slightly, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. "Congratulations are in order."
To be favored by that ' Heavenly Emperor ' and accepted as a disciple is an opportunity for Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun, an opportunity for the Shrek Academy, and even more so... an opportunity for our Douluo Continent."
She spoke of "chance" so casually, yet it sent a chill down the spines of everyone present.
The Pope's personal visit was definitely not just for "congratulations".
Bibi Dong's gaze finally settled on Dai Weisi.
After Bibi Dong appeared, the Star Luo Empire had already dismounted from the back of the Nether Wolf King. At this moment, he bowed respectfully, but his back remained ramrod straight.
"Prince Dai Weisi of the Star Luo Empire greets His Holiness the Pope."
Dai Weisi.
Bibi Dong stared at him for a moment, then suddenly said, "I have heard that the Star Luo Imperial Family Pope engaged to the Zhu Family sisters?"
Dai Weisi's heart tightened, but he showed no sign of it on his face. "Your Majesty, this is indeed the case."
Zhu Zhuyun is my fiancée, and Zhu Zhuqing is my younger brother Mubai's fiancée.
but..."
He paused, carefully choosing his words: "Now that the two of them have encountered a celestial destiny, their status is no longer comparable to what it used to be."
I have come here on two occasions: firstly, to offer my congratulations on behalf of the Star Luo Empire, and secondly, to inquire about their intentions.
If they are willing to abide by the old covenant, Star Luo Empire will naturally marry them with the highest honors;
If you don't want to..."
He raised his head to meet Bibi Dong's gaze and said, word by word, "My Star Luo Empire will never force anyone to do anything against their will."
This was a well-chosen statement, preserving the dignity of the Star Luo Imperial Family, giving Zhu Zhuqing and her sister a choice, and clearly stating their position to Bibi Dong.
The Star Luo Empire, aware of the times.
Bibi Dong gave him a deep look, neither confirming nor denying, and simply said:
"It's good that you think that way."
She ignored Dai Weisi and turned to look in the direction of the Shrek Academy's gate, a glint of something unfathomable flashing in her purple eyes.
"The time is almost up."
It was unclear who this question was directed at, but Flender quickly replied:
"Your Majesty, according to the Heavenly Screen indication, they should return around noon. There is still about half an hour to go."
"Half an hour."
Bibi Dong repeated softly, her hand gripping the scepter tightening slightly.
The square fell silent once more.
But this silence was different from the previous one. The previous silence was one of probing among various forces and undercurrents of tension. This silence, however, was oppressive and suffocating.
The presence of the Pope and the highest ruler of the Spirit Hall is of great significance.
Everyone present knew that Bibi Dong's trip represented the Spirit Hall's attitude, and might even represent the attitude of the legendary Great Enshrined, Qian Daoliu.
Their high regard for the Zhu Zhuqing sisters and for that " Heavenly Emperor " is self-evident.
Yu Xiaogang stood behind Yu Yuanzhen, his head bowed, his bangs obscuring his eyes.
His hands were clenched into fists inside his sleeves, his knuckles white, and his body trembled slightly.
So many years have passed.
Since that falling out, since she became Pope, and since he left the Spirit Hall to wander the continent, they have never seen each other again.
He thought time could heal all wounds, and that the love and hatred of yesteryear were buried deep in his heart.
But when she actually appeared before us, wearing the Pope robes that symbolized supreme power, holding a scepter, surrounded by top-tier powerhouses like Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, and receiving the awe and worship of the entire continent...
Her appearance remains stunning, even more so than before, exuding a mature charm and dignity.
But those purple eyes that once smiled and scolded him are now just a Ice Seal pool, no longer reflecting his image.
She saw him.
Although their eyes met for only a fleeting moment, he knew she had seen him.
But her gaze was calm and unwavering, as if he were just an insignificant stranger in the crowd.
Yes, she is now the Pope the Spirit Hall, a powerful figure standing at the pinnacle of the continent.
He was just a useless person whose Soul Power could never break through level 30, a useless person who was exiled by his family and ridiculed by the world.
A world of difference.
Yu Xiaogang closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to suppress the turbulent emotions in his chest.
" Xiaogang."