The Pope Takes Action

"No! I can't save him."

Ye Tianxing had fully unleashed his Martial Soul and done everything he could to treat Gui Mei, but Gui Mei still showed no sign of waking.

Meeting Yue Guan's anxious gaze, Ye Tianxing shook his head regretfully. "I've healed all his injuries, but that... should be a curse, I think! I truly can't remove it."

"Then is there really no saving Old Ghost?" Yue Guan asked.

Just as he was falling into despair, Ye Tianxing continued, "Actually, it's not entirely hopeless. Spirit Hall's Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul possesses pure holy energy and the power to purify. If you can obtain His Holiness the Pope's help, perhaps the curse can be lifted."

Realization dawned on Yue Guan. "That's right! How could I have forgotten? I'll go back and ask His Holiness the Pope to help right away."

He then turned to Ye Tianxing and thanked him. "Many thanks for your guidance, Elder Ye! If my brother's life can be saved, whatever you ask of us in the future, we brothers will do everything we can."

With that, he prepared to take Gui Mei back to Spirit City.

"Wait!" Ye Tianxing hurriedly reached out to stop Yue Guan.

"What is it?" Yue Guan asked, puzzled.

Ye Tianxing said, "Lord Yue Guan, your concern has clouded your judgment. Lord Gui Mei's Martial Soul is a ghost, and what he fears most is the Six-Winged Angel's holy light. If you simply ask the Pope to dispel the curse, I'm afraid it will hurt him too."

Yue Guan's hand froze. "Ah... That! Does Elder Ye have a solution?"

"First, the Pope needs to control the strength of his holy power so that it doesn't hurt him too badly. Then someone needs to supply him with life energy to keep him alive."

Ye Tianxing spoke with confidence, then pointed at Jun Yan. "I can see that this young friend is skilled in that area. He can be asked to help."

"Jun Yan? He can help?"

Ye Tianxing smiled and nodded, his tone firm. "Of course he can. Healing injuries relies on life energy to begin with. His ability reaches straight to the source, and it's far more sophisticated than my Soul Skills. Once his Soul Power Level rises, even I might not be his equal in healing."

With that, he cupped his hands to Yue Guan. "I've shown you how to treat him, so I won't impose any longer. Besides, I haven't contributed much this time, so there's no need to repay me!"

Seeing that Ye Tianxing wanted to leave, Yue Guan hurriedly caught hold of him. "Why doesn't Elder Ye come to Spirit City with me? Otherwise, I really can't put my mind at ease about my brother."

"Ah!" Ye Tianxing hurriedly tried to pry Yue Guan's hand off. "No, no. I've made myself clear. Having this young friend there will be enough. I'd be no help even if I went."

As he spoke, he looked over at Hall Master Luse, a hint of questioning in his eyes.

As it turned out, to persuade Ye Tianxing to come, Luse had not only paid a tremendous price but also made many promises, including, but not limited to, keeping the Ye Family from joining Spirit Hall.

Ye Tianxing's stare made Luse uneasy, so he braced himself and hurried forward. "Lord Yue Guan, since Elder Ye has said so, he surely can't be mistaken. It would be best to take Lord Gui Mei back to Spirit City as soon as possible."

Yue Guan glanced at Gui Mei on the bed and loosened his grip considerably. Only then did Ye Tianxing manage to pry his hand off.

"I'll take my leave!" Ye Tianxing left those words behind and hurried out of Spirit Hall.

Seeing Ye Tianxing "escape," Yue Guan stopped trying to force him and said to Jun Yan, "Very well! Jun Yan, come back to Spirit City with me!"

"Yes!" Jun Yan naturally wouldn't refuse.

With Gui Mei's life at stake, Yue Guan didn't delay another moment. He put Gui Mei on his back, picked Jun Yan up with one hand, and rushed toward Spirit City, moving more than three times as fast as Jun Yan had on his way there.

"Lord Yue Guan, you're back!" a soldier at Spirit City's gate called respectfully.

"Is His Holiness the Pope in the city?" Yue Guan asked, floating in the air.

The soldier guarding the gate was taken aback. How would a mere soldier like me know the Pope's whereabouts?

Jun Yan, floating in the air with Yue Guan holding him by the shoulder, looked helpless and added on Yue Guan's behalf, "His Holiness the Pope hasn't left Spirit City, has he?"

"No!" The soldier shook his head.

Flying was forbidden in Spirit City unless necessary. Yue Guan was only a Soul Douluo, so even for Gui Mei's safety, he couldn't make an exception.

Once he learned that the Pope was in the city, Yue Guan put Jun Yan down, and the two headed for Pope Hall together.

As soon as Yue Guan reached the hall, a red-robed elder stopped him.

"You're... Yue Guan of the Enforcement Corps, aren't you? The one on your back should be Gui Mei? What happened to him?"

Yue Guan hurriedly said, "Elder, Gui Mei was cursed by an Evil Soul Master. I ask His Holiness the Pope to help dispel the curse."

Yue Guan and Gui Mei were both level eighty-nine, and they were close, always together like Jiao and Meng. With their Martial Soul Fusion Skill as well, the two carried no small amount of weight in Spirit Hall. (At least more than a certain Platinum Bishop.)

The elder said, "Come in with me!"

When the doors of Pope Hall opened, Qian Xunji sat with dignity on the throne at the head of the hall, dressed in the Pope's ceremonial robes and crown.

A faint golden light bathed him, and he radiated an intangible holy light that inspired the urge to fall down and worship him.

But none of those present were ordinary people, so naturally they didn't do anything of the sort.

Yue Guan entered Pope Hall and immediately dropped to one knee. "Your Holiness, Gui Mei was injured by an Evil Soul Master while slaying Evil Soul Masters. I beg Your Holiness to save him."

Qian Xunji raised his right hand, and a stream of golden energy lifted Yue Guan to his feet.

"Both you and Gui Mei are pillars of Spirit Hall, and he was injured in the course of his duties this time. Whether by sentiment or reason, I should save him. But I'm not a healing Soul Master. How can I help him?"

"Your Holiness..."

Yue Guan explained the whole affair in detail, including Ye Tianxing's advice.

"In that case, I know what to do."

Qian Xunji nodded, rose from the throne, and walked over to Yue Guan.

Then he looked at Jun Yan. "I remember you, Jun Yan, Bishop Jun's son. I didn't expect us to meet again so soon."

Jun Yan bowed slightly. "Greetings, Your Holiness."

Qian Xunji nodded. "Let's do as Elder Ye said!"

With that, the golden light radiating from him grew brighter, a golden Six-Winged Angel Phantom appeared behind him, and nine Soul Rings slowly emerged.

As the Angel Phantom merged with Qian Xunji, a layer of dazzling golden flames enveloped his body, making him look like a true god descended into the world. Even his nine Soul Rings were tinged gold at that moment. The faint majesty he had radiated before also grew heavier.

Qian Xunji slowly reached out and touched Gui Mei's forehead with a finger, golden flames burning on it.

At the same time, Jun Yan pressed his hand to Gui Mei's back and supplied him with a continuous flow of life energy.