Though Qian Renxue's soul pressure had no significant effect on Flender, he quickly realized that this Bibi Dong was no longer the same person Yu Xiaogang once spoke of as his lover. She was now an iron-blooded Pope who brooked no challenge to her authority!
Thus, Flender hastily knelt down, not daring to follow in Yu Xiaogang's rebellious footsteps.
However, Liu Erlong, driven by her love for Yu Xiaogang, paid no heed to the danger. After ensuring Yu Xiaogang's safety, she glared fiercely at Qian Renxue and shouted:
"Bibi Dong! How dare you do this to Xiaogang! Have you gone mad?"
Qian Renxue lowered her gaze at this woman. Though Liu Erlong played no significant role in the future, the mere thought of her tangled emotional history with her own mother made Qian Renxue feel nauseated.
Initially, Qian Renxue had retracted her overwhelming soul pressure after a brief display of 60th-level power. But Liu Erlong's audacity in challenging her provoked her ire, prompting her to coldly declare:
"Disrespecting the Pope deserves punishment!"
In the next instant, a terrifying surge of soul power—reaching the 89th level—combined with the mental force of the Death Spider Emperor crashed down upon the Golden Iron Triangle.
At this critical moment, Flender could no longer afford to play it safe. Although the gap between a Soul Sage and a Soul Douluo was only one rank, when facing someone like the Pope, caution was paramount. While he and Liu Erlong might only sustain injuries under such pressure, their dear friend Yu Xiaogang would surely perish.
Flender quickly braced himself against Liu Erlong and Yu Xiaogang, unleashing the full extent of his high-level Soul Sage strength. Liu Erlong, realizing the peril they were in, hastily activated her soul power. Together, they formed a protective barrier around the fragile Yu Xiaogang.
Qian Renxue had no intention of killing anyone; she merely wanted to teach Shrek Academy a lesson. Thus, the soul pressure came swiftly and dissipated just as quickly.
At this moment, Qian Renxue nodded slightly and said, "You've all knelt and learned to respect the Spirit Hall. You've received your punishment, and this matter ends here. I have no wish to see blood spilled today from anyone other than the young prodigies."
It was proven true: even the most spoiled individuals would learn their lesson after being harshly disciplined. Liu Erlong, her eyes bloodshot with suppressed rage, could only lower her head, too afraid to act out again.
But Yu Xiaogang, though teetering on the brink of death, clung to life through sheer willpower and managed to speak.
"Your Holiness Pope, isn't it unfair to attack us like this and affect our ability to compete in the finals?"
Qian Renxue merely glanced indifferently at Yu Xiaogang before instructing a nearby Platinum Bishop, "Heal them."
"As you command."
The Platinum Bishop bowed deeply, and a surge of soul power emanated from his body. Eight soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black—appeared around him.
The Platinum Bishop's heart raced. On such a solemn occasion, he hadn't expected to play any role, but thanks to these reckless individuals, he now had an opportunity to boost his reputation.
His martial soul was a scepter. As the eighth soul ring on his body lit up, the scepter shimmered, and soothing waves of soul power surged toward the Shrek team.
In the blink of an eye, Yu Xiaogang, who had been on the verge of death, found his body miraculously restored—though he still felt somewhat fatigued. The others from Shrek Academy simply felt warmth enveloping them, leaving them in peak condition.
Having completed his task, the Platinum Bishop prepared to flaunt his success to Bibi Dong, but she instead looked up at the gloomy sky.
"The weather today is rather poor for such an important event," she remarked.
As everyone wondered why she said this, Bibi Dong slowly raised her right hand. An astonishing surge of soul power erupted, causing everyone present to shrink their pupils in shock and awe!
This was a level of soul power far beyond their comprehension.
In the next instant, a column of purple soul power shot into the sky.
Under the astonished yet expectant gazes of the crowd, a massive hole was torn in the overcast sky above Wuhun City, allowing warm sunlight to bathe this sacred land.
The entire Spirit Hall side erupted in cheers, showering endless praise upon Bibi Dong.
Nearby, Ning Fengzhi wiped away a bead of cold sweat and quietly whispered to Sword Douluo beside him:
"Uncle Sword, could you achieve something like this?"
Chen Xin shot Ning Fengzhi an exasperated look. After spending so many years by his side, despite limited displays of his abilities, did Ning Fengzhi truly have no sense of proportion? Was this the kind of attack he could produce?
Still, Chen Xin dutifully replied, "You overestimate me, Fengzhi. I don't know about others, but even as a 96th-level Super Douluo, I couldn't reach this level."
As he spoke, a flicker of wariness crossed his eyes, and he offered his analysis:
"If I'm not mistaken, this Bibi Dong is likely already at the 97th-level peak—or perhaps even broken through to the 98th level. We'll need to tread carefully with our plans moving forward."
Ning Fengzhi nodded gravely, exchanging a knowing glance with Xue Qinghe beside him.
As for where Xue Qinghe came from, he was naturally a body double Qian Renxue had prepared long ago. Though she had returned to oversee the Spirit Hall's affairs, she wasn't willing to abandon control over Tian Dou either.
And as for how easily they had found someone resembling Xue Qinghe so closely, credit was due to the incompetence of the Tian Dou Imperial Family.
After all, using a trash-tier swan martial soul as their heritage martial soul was unheard of—it was barely stronger than ordinary poultry.
At this moment, Qian Renxue nodded in satisfaction and declared, "Now that the weather issue has been resolved and all participants are in good health, we can focus entirely on the competition."
Listening to Qian Renxue's ostentatious remarks, the nearby Title Douluos couldn't help but roll their eyes internally. For such a minor matter, tearing open the heavens themselves was utterly absurd!
With these trivial matters settled, Qian Renxue lightly waved her scepter and said, "My apologies for keeping you waiting. Rise."
Once everyone had stood, Qian Renxue spoke solemnly: "In all of you, I see hope. Before the Pope's Hall, I look forward to witnessing the full extent of your talent and strength.
"And the ultimate victor will receive the Spirit Hall's greatest reward."
As she spoke, Qian Renxue lightly waved her scepter.
In the next instant, three crystalline soul bones, shimmering with enchanting radiance, floated before her.
The appearance of the three soul bones sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Though they had long known about the three soul bones, hearing about them and seeing them with their own eyes were two entirely different experiences. Those with discerning eyes could tell from the glow and the completeness of the soul bones that these were no ordinary treasures.
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