Late afternoon, the Pope's Palace.
The hall was decked in festive decorations, with enormous double-happiness characters everywhere. Those qualified to enter and watch the wedding up close all hailed from the Douluo Continent's foremost powers.
Nearly every prominent power on the continent had responded to the Spirit Hall's invitation: the two great empires, the various kingdoms, the Lower Four Sects, the seven great allied clans, the masters of the various Spirit Hall Branches, and more...
Aside from the Clear Sky Sect, the foremost of the Upper Three Sects, even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, which had always been at odds with the Spirit Hall, had sent representatives.
At one side of the hall, a middle-aged man in blue martial robes burst out laughing. "Haha... Sword Douluo, Prince Xue Xing, I didn't expect you to come too."
This man was Yu Yuanzhen, the current head of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Liu Erlong's eldest uncle. He was also a level ninety-five Super Douluo.
The Prince Xue Xing he spoke of was a prince of the Heaven Dou Empire and Xue Ye's own brother.
Sword Douluo smiled faintly. "His Holiness the Pope is getting married and sent our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect an invitation. We had to come."
Prince Xue Xing looked at the two young men behind him and said, "Clan Head Yu, these two youngsters behind you must be Tian Heng and Tianxin, right?"
"Haha... That's right. You two, why haven't you greeted Prince Xue Xing?" Yu Yuanzhen said calmly.
"Greetings, Prince Xue Xing."
"Greetings, Prince Xue Xing."
The brothers Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin cupped their fists in salute.
Just then, a commotion arose outside the hall. A stunning woman dressed in red appeared, holding a youth by the arm, with a breathtakingly beautiful girl following behind them.
The girl wore a white-and-gold leather jacket and pants, her short orange hair swept to one side. Her figure was voluptuous and fiery, and a hint of allure showed through her cool demeanor. She was Hu Liena, one of Bibi Dong's personal disciples.
What a beautiful bride!
Bibi Dong wore no traditional red bridal veil. Her exquisite face made the Soul Masters in the hall catch their breath, but her lofty, cold presence kept the slightest profane thought from arising in their minds.
"Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope!"
"Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope!"
"Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope!"
Everyone present knelt on one knee with reverent expressions, except Yu Yuanzhen and Sword Douluo Chen Xin, who bowed.
"Rise."
Without looking to either side, Bibi Dong spoke calmly, then took Lin Chen to the head of the hall.
"The auspicious hour has arrived! Let the wedding begin!"
At the Spirit Hall elder's shout, the two prepared to perform the wedding rites. Even the heads of the powers affiliated with the Spirit Hall were extremely jealous, to say nothing of its elders and disciples.
If they could marry His Holiness the Pope, not only would they have cultivation resources to last a lifetime, but they could also take their own powers to a higher level. Lin Chen was nothing but a good-for-nothing Spirit Hall disciple. Aside from his handsome face, he had nothing going for him, so how was he worthy of His Holiness the Pope?!
Though they held Lin Chen in utter contempt and envied and resented him, they didn't dare show the slightest sign of it! Who knew how Bibi Dong felt about him? If the two were truly close, wouldn't stepping forward offend her? What could they do? They could only curse Lin Chen in their hearts and hope he died young...
The Spirit Hall's disciples and affiliated powers didn't dare, but someone did!
"Haha... wait!"
Yu Yuanzhen strode out, his gaze like a torch as he looked at Bibi Dong. "Your Holiness the Pope is exceptionally gifted and immensely powerful. Surely your Emperor is also an outstanding talent among geniuses. My grandsons are untalented, but they would like to exchange a few pointers with him. What do you say, Your Holiness?"
As soon as he finished, cries of surprise rang out among the Soul Masters in the hall. Before Bibi Dong could answer, the Spirit Hall's affiliated powers jumped out.
If they didn't flatter her now, when would they?
Huyan Zhen shouted, "Yu Yuanzhen, how dare you! How could you be allowed to make trouble at His Holiness the Pope's wedding?!"
Following Huyan Zhen of the Elephant Armor Sect, the heads of first-rate sects such as the Fire Leopard Sect and the Antelope Sect spoke up one after another, rebuking Yu Yuanzhen for his lack of propriety.
Sword Douluo frowned and was about to persuade him otherwise, but saw Yu Yuanzhen shake his head at him. He had come expressly to slap Bibi Dong's face. He had long heard that she was marrying a good-for-nothing; otherwise, he wouldn't have come today!
Since their powers were enemies, why should either give the other a way to save face?
Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin had both reached level forty-three Soul Ancestor. In everyone's eyes, either one of them could easily crush Lin Chen.
How could this level thirty-nine good-for-nothing Soul Elder possibly be a match for either Yu Tianxin or his brother?
And so, the Spirit Hall's disciples stepped forward one after another. Though they couldn't stand Lin Chen's smug appearance, they wouldn't allow anyone to challenge the Spirit Hall's authority either!
Hu Liena's pretty face turned cold. "Clan Head Yu, if you want to challenge a Spirit Hall Soul Master, I'll play with you."
Yu Yuanzhen shook his head. "I'm afraid that won't do. My grandsons greatly admire the Emperor. I hope he'll give them a chance."
"Why should he?! You think you can challenge whoever you want? Who the hell do you think you are?!"
"Exactly! If you've got the guts, challenge Sister Nana! What's the point of bullying a good-for-nothing disciple of our Spirit Hall?!"
In his "anger," one disciple accidentally spoke the truth, and the scene descended into chaos for a moment. Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, who were on duty, were about to make a move, but Bibi Dong stopped them!
Expressionless, she asked, "How will victory and defeat be decided in this challenge?"
Yu Yuanzhen hurriedly replied, "Until one side wins, regardless of injury or maiming!"
Bibi Dong's cool voice echoed through the hall. "Very well. As long as he agrees, I grant your challenge."
"Lin Chen, beat them!"
"Damn it, they've pushed you this far! Even if you can't beat them, you have to peel a layer of skin off them! Show them what it means to be a Spirit Hall disciple!"
Yu Yuanzhen smiled at Lin Chen. "What's wrong? Is the Emperor afraid to accept the challenge? If you are, you need only admit defeat."
"Is there something wrong with your brain?" Lin Chen frowned deeply and said irritably, "Why should I accept your challenge? What's in it for me?"
When he finished, silence fell over the hall. Everyone stared at him blankly.
Lin Chen turned to Bibi Dong and said righteously, "Wife, this old bastard dares challenge your authority. Have Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo take him out!"
"Pfft..."
At his words, Yu Yuanzhen's mouth twitched violently. The Soul Masters in the hall looked at Lin Chen, at a loss for words, while the Spirit Hall disciples were angry and a little bewildered.
Heavens above, earth below, what kind of weirdo has His Holiness the Pope married?!
Bibi Dong gave him a meaningful look, then said calmly, "The wedding will be delayed for two hours. Today, anyone under thirty who wishes to challenge my husband has my permission!"
"Don't, my dear wife!" Lin Chen cried out anxiously.
Seeing that some people weren't very eager, Bibi Dong added, "Oh, right. What fun would it be without a reward? Anyone who wins a challenge today will receive a Soul Bone from the Spirit Hall!"
As soon as she finished, the Soul Masters present caught their breath and looked at Lin Chen with burning eyes. A Soul Bone! It was a spiritual treasure that even a Titled Douluo might not possess!
At that moment, Lin Chen was like a beauty stripped naked and surrounded by a crowd of burly men.
The powers at odds with the Spirit Hall were eager to try, to say nothing of the disciples from the Spirit Hall's headquarters and the Soul Masters from its affiliated powers.
The reward was a Soul Bone!
We can't help it, His Holiness the Pope is offering too much! Sorry, Great Good-for-Nothing Lin!
Bibi Dong slowly walked up to Lin Chen, leaned close to his ear, and whispered, "If you lose even one match, don't expect to ever get into my bed again!"
With that, she swayed her graceful figure and went straight to the main seat in the hall. She crossed her slender legs, looking ready to watch the show.
She had two reasons for allowing everyone to challenge him. First, she wanted to see Lin Chen's trump cards; the feeling of losing her Soul Power that afternoon was still vivid. Second, she had been badly bullied that afternoon and wanted to get even now. That was all.
Hehe, don't underestimate a woman's desire for revenge!
Anger showed on Lin Chen's face as he thought, Hmph, vicious woman!
But if I do well, does that mean tonight...?
Yes, I'll just beat them!
At that thought, Lin Chen's eyes lit up again. He then looked wickedly at Yu Yuanzhen. "All right. Since you want to play, I'll play with you!"