Huyan Zhen sneered inwardly. "Sect Master Ning remains silent. Could it be that you don't wish to contribute to the Soul Master World, or do you look down on the alliance formed by Spirit Hall?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect became the target of everyone's criticism. Sword Douluo's white brows knitted tightly as he looked gravely at Ning Fengzhi.
"Hehe..." Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly and said calmly, "As one of the Upper Three Sects, my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has an undeniable duty to protect the interests and safety of the major powers of the Soul Master World and eliminate Evil Soul Masters."
Bibi Dong tapped the papal throne with her jade hand, the corners of her lips rising slightly.
Ning Fengzhi's answer was exceedingly artful. He had neither directly rejected Spirit Hall nor agreed to join the "alliance," and he had avoided offending the other powers. He had truly killed several birds with one stone.
Huyan Zhen snorted, clearly dissatisfied with his answer, but did not press him further. He said bluntly, "Since we have formed an alliance, we must have an alliance leader. I dare to ask His Holiness the Pope to uphold justice!"
"Yes, Huo Yanbao also supports His Holiness the Pope in leading the alliance!"
"The Antelope Sect asks His Holiness the Pope to take charge on our behalf~"
The leaders of the dozens of powers present all voiced their support for Bibi Dong and Spirit Hall. Perhaps they had already been prepared for this when they chose to come.
Bibi Dong slowly rose, her cool voice utterly calm. "Since you are all so gracious, I shall take charge of the Martial Soul Alliance!"
Since entering, she had spoken only twice, once to open proceedings and once to conclude them. With just that, dozens of powers, large and small, had fallen into her hands.
Lin Chen watched from the side, dumbfounded. He could not help thinking:
My wife is badass!
Bibi Dong had prepared for today's events long ago. Both the Elephant Armor Sect and the Antelope Sect had secretly been affiliated powers of Spirit Hall for some time, so everything today had fallen naturally into place.
Back mountain, enshrined elders' secret chamber
The burly Qian Daoliu sat in the seat of honor, with six enshrined elders sitting cross-legged on either side of him. Closest to him were none other than Golden Crocodile Douluo and Holy Dragon Douluo.
"Big Brother, His Holiness the Pope brought dozens more powers, large and small, under her control today. Her authority is growing greater and greater!"
Qian Daoliu said expressionlessly, "No matter how powerful she becomes, she is still one of us in Spirit Hall. If you have nothing else to do, go cultivate."
A cup of tea later, in another secret chamber
Enshrined Golden Crocodile, Holy Dragon, and two other enshrined elders sat cross-legged together. Holy Dragon, the third brother, asked in puzzlement, "Why do you think Big Brother supports His Holiness the Pope so much? Don't forget, our previous Pope died at her hands!"
"Humph!" Enshrined Golden Crocodile sneered. "How is Big Brother supporting her? He wants to use her strength to develop Spirit Hall. Once the continent is unified, do you think he'll still allow her to sit on the papal throne?"
Holy Dragon's expression grew grave. "She has Twin Martial Souls. Can we be a match for her?"
A strange curve appeared at the corners of Golden Crocodile Douluo's mouth. "Don't forget, Big Brother has a granddaughter. Her talent is not the slightest bit inferior to our Pope's!"
"If Big Brother tells her the truth about her father's death in the end, do you think she'll take revenge on the Pope?"
"Hiss..." Holy Dragon Douluo sucked in a breath of cold air. "Second Brother, you mean Big Brother planned everything long ago?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo said expressionlessly, "Let His Holiness the Pope keep her seat for a while. Once everything is done, we'll support Xiao Xue and take back everything we've lost!"
"Hehe... As long as Big Brother has that in mind, we'll put up with it for now!" Holy Dragon Douluo suddenly said, "By the way, Second Brother, that boy Lin Chen is an extraordinary monster. What does Big Brother intend to do about him?"
At the mention of Lin Chen, Golden Crocodile Douluo's expression also grew grave. In his view, Lin Chen was no less a threat than Bibi Dong. If he were given time to grow, it might be good for Spirit Hall, but not for them!
"Big Brother will decide what to do about that. Let's leave it alone for now."
"All right, then."
Pope's Palace
"In three days, Death Canyon, one of Spirit Hall's secret realms, will open. Every power that joined the alliance today will be given places."
"Many thanks, Your Holiness!"
"Many thanks, Your Holiness!"
Death Canyon was one of Spirit Hall's secret realms. It covered a vast area, and rumor had it that spiritual treasures lay everywhere within, while spiritual Qi was abundant. Anyone who entered and came out alive could advance several levels. Besides opportunities, it contained numerous Soul Beasts, poisonous insects, and swamps, making it an excellent place for Soul Masters to temper themselves.
Ordinarily, outside powers were not readily allowed into Death Canyon, but Bibi Dong intended to make an exception this time to win people over.
Of course, places were limited.
Half an hour later, Pope's Palace
By now, the various powers had all withdrawn. Only Bibi Dong, Lin Chen, and the people of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect remained in the hall, while two Spirit Hall elders stood in attendance below.
Lin Chen and Ning Fengzhi sat facing each other, both seated below Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong said calmly, "Sect Master Ning, your daughter is exceptionally gifted. She has reached the Soul Ancestor level at only fourteen. I wonder, is she betrothed?"
"This..." Ning Fengzhi was somewhat puzzled. "Your Holiness, my daughter has only just reached the age of betrothal and is not yet promised to anyone. May I ask what you mean?"
Bibi Dong said calmly, "Then that is perfect. What does Sect Master Ning think of Spirit Hall's Emperor Lord? A peak Soul King at eighteen. If the two of them were to marry, the relationship between Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would surely grow much closer."
Ning Fengzhi was stunned. He had not expected Bibi Dong to be so direct. She wanted to plunder his very foundations! Ning Rongrong was not only his precious daughter but also the future successor of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
If she married Lin Chen, wouldn't their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect be left with no choice?
If the Heaven Dou Empire and the other two great sects learned of it, would the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect have any peaceful days left?
Although Ning Fengzhi very much wanted Lin Chen as a son-in-law, for the sake of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's broader interests, he declined tactfully. "The Emperor Lord is Your Holiness's husband. How could my daughter be worthy of him? Besides... in a matter concerning the child, we must also ask their opinions."
Bibi Dong said calmly, "Neither my husband nor I have any objections. Since ancient times, marriages have been arranged by parents and matchmakers. Can Sect Master Ning not even decide his own daughter's marriage?"
"This..."
Just as the atmosphere sank into an awkward silence, Lin Chen spoke:
"One of Spirit Hall's secret realms will open soon. Since Sect Master Ning feels that your daughter's opinion should be sought about the marriage, why not give me a chance to get acquainted with her first?"
Ning Fengzhi pondered for a while, then nodded. "All right, that's no problem!"
He had already refused the marriage. If he refused again, they would probably fall out. More importantly, Ning Fengzhi knew that his daughter currently had someone she liked. She probably would not develop feelings for Lin Chen anytime soon.
Probably... not, right?
One incense stick later, in Pope's Palace
The people of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had also left. Only Lin Chen and Bibi Dong remained in the entire hall.
Lin Chen sat sprawled on the papal throne, while the tall, voluptuous, and coolly beautiful Pope sat sideways on his thigh, her jade hands around his neck and her clothes disheveled.
"Why didn't you press him a little harder? I know Ning Fengzhi. For the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's sake, he would very likely compromise."
Lin Chen explained, "Forcing him would probably turn the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect against Spirit Hall. With a better way available, there's no need to use those methods, is there?"
Bibi Dong stroked his cheek, her purple eyes somewhat hazy. "Are you confident you can win over that girl Ning Rongrong?"
The corners of Lin Chen's mouth rose slightly. "Don't worry, my lady. I guarantee I'll have her in the palm of my hand~"
"Humph, just look how happy you are~" Bibi Dong pinched his nose. With her hair a little disheveled, she looked strangely alluring.
Lin Chen stared at the beauty in his arms for a moment, then suddenly bent down to devour her lips again...