Inside the Spirit Hall
Bang— After more than a year, Qian Xunji once again smashed a jade tea cup. The Douluo tea worth a fortune was scattered everywhere.
"Say it again."
Qian Xunji, dressed in a red robe with gold trim, wearing a nine-curved purple-gold crown, and armored in golden holy attire, clenched his left fist and pointed forward with his right hand. His forehead bulged with veins, his face twisted into a fierce expression, filled with intense rage.
Opposite him was a middle-aged man in black robes with a black veil covering his face.
The man knelt on one knee, looking terrified and anxious. "During the trip to Yelin City, the Saintess and Yu Xiaogang seemed..."
"Seemed what?" Qian Xunji roared in anger.
"Seemed to be in a relationship, and it appears to have been going on for some time."
"Useless! I instructed you to secretly protect the Saintess. You couldn't even do one thing right"
Qian Xunji, with golden light shimmering around him, instantly appeared in front of the veiled man and kicked him in the chest.
The veiled man, a Soul Douluo, was no match for Qian Xunji. Even if he had a slight chance of resistance, he dared not evade.
The man was kicked away and crashed heavily into a golden pillar in the hall. Ignoring the severe pain, he quickly knelt and begged for mercy after hitting the ground. "Your Holiness, forgive me. The Saintess has been very discreet. Every time we met over the past year, it was always with Yu Xiaogang in the library, and I..."
There was one thing he didn't say, which was that he didn't expect the esteemed Saintess and future Pope to actually fall for someone like Yu Xiaogang, who was notorious for being useless in the Soul Master world.
"What else? Get lost and continue monitoring!" Even though Qian Xunji was furious, he couldn't really punish the veiled man.
After all, a Soul Douluo was a crucial high-level asset in any faction.
It was possible for him to grow into a Title Douluo.
Qian Xunji wouldn't degrade himself to deal with him over this matter.
"Understood." The veiled man, relieved, respectfully accepted the command and left, looking dejected.
Watching the Soul Douluo's retreating figure, Qian Xunji was deep in thought.
"Your Holiness, should I..."
A minor character who had once suggested killing Qin Xuan stood by Qian Xunji's side and made a slashing gesture across his throat.
"No need. I have a better idea." Qian Xunji raised his hand to interrupt, a strange smile forming on his otherwise indifferent face.
At this point, trying to win over Bibi Dong through normal means was no longer feasible.
He knew his former disciple too well.
Once she set her mind on something, nothing could change it.
He couldn't lower himself to pursue his own disciple.
That would be beneath his dignity as a Pope.
The reason he hadn't taken Bibi Dong down sooner was due to concerns that she might seek death afterwards.
But now, with Yu Xiaogang as her weakness, Bibi Dong would no longer be able to escape Qian Xunji.
While Qian Xunji was contemplating his plan, a palace guard hurried in and knelt on one knee. "Your Holiness."
"Speak!" Qian Xunji waved his hand, flashing back to his throne. The two personal guard Douluos stood to his sides, exuding authority and calm.
"The Second Pope has returned," the palace guard reported respectfully.
Qian Xunji was momentarily stunned. "Second Pope?"
When did the Spirit Hall have a Second Pope? Why hadn't he heard about it?
The two personal guard Douluos exchanged glances, showing some surprise, and one reminded him, "Your Holiness, don't you remember? A year ago, in the Elder Hall, you and Qin Xuan..."
"Oh, that kid."
Qian Xunji suddenly recalled that a year ago, under his father Qian Daoliu's orders, he had become brothers with Qin Xuan. It had caused quite a stir in the Spirit Hall.
Some people thought Qin Xuan was incredibly lucky, while others believed he was highly valued by the Grand Priest and had a bright future.
At that time, Qian Xunji had been furious. If it weren't for his father Qian Daoliu's face and the fact that Qin Xuan was about to face death, he would have already exploded.
To think that the heir of the Angel Clan and the Pope of the Spirit Hall would become brothers with a mere kid with only five soul rings.
Every time he thought about it, he felt his father had overestimated Qin Xuan, losing his mind.
Wait, Qin Xuan is back?
"What did you say? That kid Qin Xuan is back?" Qian Xunji finally reacted, standing up abruptly and shouting in barely controlled excitement.
How could he come back?
How could he possibly return?
That damned place, the Slaughter City, where even he had no confidence in escaping.
How could a mere kid with five soul rings get out?
Does this mean he has to marry Bibi Dong off to Qin Xuan?
Anger, confusion, jealousy, and murderous intent quickly filled Qian Xunji's heart.
In front of the Elder Hall
"Stop." Two palace guards in golden armor blocked Qin Xuan and his companion's path. Around them, a hundred palace guards raised their long swords.
One of the guards recognized Qin Xuan and spoke respectfully, "Second Pope, this is a restricted area. As the Second Pope and the disciple of the Sixth and Seventh Elder, you naturally have the right to enter. But this lady..."
He glanced awkwardly at Jing Ni
Though Jing Ni remained expressionless, she was shocked internally.
She realized that none of these people were weaklings.
All were atleast Soul King level.
Qin Xuan gave Jing Ni a reassuring look and turned to the palace guard. "What? Are you stopping me from bringing my wife to see my Master and Second Master?"
His expression was indifferent, his tone full of displeasure.
In this world of survival of the fittest, being kind to lower subordinates was foolish. His loyalty was always to the powerful figures in the Elder Hall.
They would never be grateful, and instead, he would gradually lose their respect.
"This..." As expected, upon hearing this, the palace guard immediately shivered and knelt with one knee on the ground. "I am guilty."
The hundred Soul King palace guards all followed suit. Under the lead guard's gesture, they cleared the way.
The two entered the hall.
The Sixth Elder, a Title Douluo in purple robe wielding a staff, seemed to have received news of Qin Xuan's return and had been waiting here.
Standing in front of the six-winged angel statue, he faced away from the door, looking up.
As for the other priests, they were all in seclusion, pursuing higher realms.
"Master." Qin Xuan, with Jing Ni, clasped his hands in respect.
"You're back" The dignified and calm voice echoed in the hall. The Sixth Priest, holding the Dragon-Spirit Staff, slowly turned around. No emotions could be discerned from his words or demeanor.
With a single step, he appeared in front of Qin Xuan and Jing Ni.
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