A Lively Coronation, Hu Liena as Holy Maiden?

Spirit City was especially lively today, with a great many people gathered there.

They had all come to witness Bibi Dong's coronation as the new Pope.

"I never expected Bibi Dong to be the new Pope."

"It really is a surprise."

"I don't think it's strange. Bibi Dong was the former Pope Qian Xunji's personal disciple and Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden. Now that her teacher is dead, it's perfectly reasonable for her to succeed him."

"I just wonder whether her strength will be enough to win everyone's respect."

"Stop talking about it. Be careful, or someone might stab you in the back."

Outside Spirit Hall, business was booming at the many inns today. Many people stood at high vantage points, looking toward Spirit Hall and discussing the matter.

Naturally, there were also many spies from the major factions here, gathering information to pass along.

They included spies from the Heaven Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire, and the various princely states and small kingdoms.

There were also spies from factions such as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

They too had received news of Bibi Dong's coronation and had quickly arranged for the people nearest to come.

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect

Ning Fengzhi sat in the seat of honor, with Bone Douluo Gu Rong and Sword Douluo Chen Xin on either side of him.

"I actually expected this news. Bibi Dong is exceptionally talented, and I've heard she even has the rare Twin Martial Souls. She led the battle against the Clear Sky Sect last month. The true master of Spirit Hall must want to groom her and raise her up as its leader. Otherwise, she could never have become Pope."

"Because she isn't a member of the Qian Family."

Ning Fengzhi looked at the urgent secret letter in his hand, his expression grave, and sighed as he spoke.

Every Pope of Spirit Hall had borne the surname Qian, but now one bore the surname Bi instead.

It was a difference as vast as heaven and earth.

There had to be something going on that no one knew about.

"The Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament is next month. Let's see whom this generation of Spirit Hall sends out. I'm quite curious," Chen Xin said.

A single Soul Master Elite Tournament could reveal many things.

For instance, the strength of a faction.

That could basically be inferred from the tournament as well.

Of course, such an inference might not be accurate, but it would be close enough nine times out of ten.

After all, no one would put their worst side on display for the world to see.

In the imperial hall of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Ye looked gravely at the intelligence his servants had sent back.

"Bibi Dong led the battle against the Clear Sky Sect and has now become the new Pope. I never expected someone from outside the Qian Family could become Pope of Spirit Hall. Has the Qian Family run out of people? They actually let an outsider become Pope?"

"Spirit Hall may already be in decline. In the future, it might not be impossible for my Heaven Dou Empire to take it down!"

Xue Ye crumpled the intelligence report into a ball and used the Soul Power in his body to grind it into powder.

His eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp, dangerous glint and ambition flashing through them.

Taking down Spirit Hall and making it submit had been his lifelong dream!

"Your Majesty, intelligence has arrived from the front! The Star Luo Empire's army has launched another offensive against us at the border!" Just then, a messenger ran in from outside and reported at once.

"What?!"

"Damn the Star Luo Empire! They actually started a war at a time like this!"

"Convey my decree: have the marshal lead an army of a hundred thousand to strike back!"

"Execute the entire Star Luo army and their families!!!"

Xue Ye spoke in fury.

He then tossed a golden command token to the messenger.

The messenger caught it and said respectfully, "Your subordinate obeys!"

He then turned and quickly left the hall.

Inside the imperial palace of the Star Luo Empire.

Dai Tian was furious. Because of Spirit Hall, the Clear Sky Sect, which had always supported the Star Luo Empire, had shut its gates and dared not emerge.

Now the Star Luo Empire had effectively lost a mighty arm.

He knew how formidable Spirit Hall was, so he could not go after them.

That was why he had chosen to send troops against the Heaven Dou Empire, catching them off guard and killing some of their people to vent his anger.

So the Heaven Dou Empire had been wronged. If Xue Ye found out this was why the fighting had started, he would surely curse him out: "You're fucking angry at Spirit Hall, so why the fuck did you come and attack my Heaven Dou Empire!?"

In Spirit Hall, Spirit City, drums thundered in unison.

On the enormous square,

Many people knelt on one knee and bowed their heads.

Before them stood Bibi Dong, dressed in the Pope's long robes, a papal crown on her head, glazed papal boots on her feet, and a papal scepter set with glazed gemstones in her hand. Today she was in exceptionally high spirits, a solemn, sacred, and noble bearing radiating from her.

Every step made the air tremble.

Head held high and chest out, she radiated vigor as she climbed the supreme staircase ahead, one step at a time.

When she reached the top, she slowly turned to look down.

Her gaze swept over everyone.

But just then, her expression jolted, a trace of fear appeared on her face, and her heart began to beat faster.

She desperately suppressed the restless emotion in her heart.

Where her gaze had settled, two pairs of eyes were looking back at her.

Among the crowd, Qian Nuo and Qian Renxue stood in a corner, calmly meeting Bibi Dong's gaze.

Qian Renxue saw how spirited, noble, and elegant her mother was today.

Her eyes were wide.

Yet when she met her mother's gaze, the image of being slapped before came back to her.

In an instant, the happiness on her face faded.

Her mother had never acknowledged them.

Qian Nuo, on the other hand, looked at Bibi Dong with mockery in his eyes.

As far as Qian Daoliu was concerned, Bibi Dong was nothing more than a chess piece hastily pushed onto the stage.

Although she was Pope, the final say in many matters did not rest with Bibi Dong, but with Qian Daoliu in the Worship Hall.

Qian Daoliu was the true power hidden behind Spirit Hall!

Of course, Qian Nuo was also confident that as long as he spoke up, his word would be law in Spirit Hall too.

For he possessed invincible strength, powerful enough to overturn everything!

Before such absolute, invincible strength, even Qian Daoliu could only be beaten down.

Although Bibi Dong hated Qian Nuo and Qian Renxue, those two bastards, she felt somewhat pleased for some reason when she saw that they had come to watch her ceremony today.

Perhaps she felt that she had been acknowledged.

And the fear in her eyes had naturally been put there by Qian Nuo.

The memory of Qian Nuo beating her down twice without killing her was still fresh in her mind.

Every time she thought of it, her body could not help shivering.

"By the mandate of heaven, Holy Maiden Bibi Dong ascends the throne today! From this day forth, she is the new Pope of Spirit Hall! Pope Bibi Dong!!"

At that moment, Salas spoke from below the highest platform, holding a scroll in his hand.

The powers backing many of those present knew that a powerful figure stood behind Spirit Hall.

Otherwise, with Qian Xunji dead, Spirit Hall would surely have fallen into chaos.

But it had not.

That point alone made it plain enough.

"We pay our respects to His Holiness Pope Bibi Dong!"

Everyone present knelt on one knee and greeted her respectfully.

Qian Nuo and Qian Renxue, however, remained where they were, leaning against a pillar and watching the crowd with mockery in their eyes.

"Nana, come up here."

Bibi Dong beckoned to a young girl below, a kindly smile on her face.

"Yes, Teacher!"

The girl immediately walked up.

Everyone raised their heads and watched curiously.

Who was this girl?

Yue Guan, Gui Mei, and the others also frowned, thoroughly puzzled.

"Today, I have an announcement to make."

"I am taking Hu Liena as my personal disciple! At the same time, I am appointing her as the new Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall!"

Bibi Dong placed one hand on the girl's shoulder and made the announcement to the people below.

Then a powerful presence radiated from her.

The next chapter would be even more exciting.