At the heart of the continent, on the border between the two empires near the Star Dou Forest, a change in papal authority was unfolding in Spirit City.
Inside the magnificently grand Angel Temple, all the elders, consecrates, and red-clothed bishops had gathered. The towering pure-gold statue of the Angel God stood expressionless, silently overseeing everyone present.
For the first time in decades, Qian Daoliu reappeared before them. Much like Bo Saixi, though he had lived for centuries, time had not left its mark on him. His thick black hair was simply tied back, and his resolute, unadorned face still looked like that of a man in his thirties.
As he stepped forward, the eyes of every elder and red-clothed bishop involuntarily shifted to him—the man who, despite seeming ordinary, gave off an unfathomable pressure.
"All of you should already know why I've gathered you here today," Qian Daoliu said slowly, sweeping his gaze across the crowd. "Bibi Dong and Qian Xunji's daughter—my granddaughter—has come of age. It is time for Spirit Hall to welcome a new pope."
Long before the Heaven Dou Empire was absorbed into Spirit Hall, many elders at the Title Douluo level were aware of Qian Renxue's existence and admired the strength of her counterpart, Yu Tianming.
Now that the Spirit Empire had been established for several months and Xue Qinghe's identity had reverted to Qian Renxue, even lower-level members like Su Yuntao had heard whispers about the Angel God's Chosen.
Upon hearing Qian Daoliu's declaration, the gathered Title Douluo fell silent. Although Bibi Dong had consolidated her grip on power over the last two decades, no one here was foolish enough to oppose the Angel God's direct heir—especially when it was a family matter.
Among the crowd, Bibi Dong sat quietly in her papal robes. Her face was grave. She had long expected this day to come but hadn't anticipated it would arrive so suddenly—and so decisively. The very subordinates who once fawned over her now remained silent.
Though the Rakshasa God's influence had faded, and she was no longer the obsessive, wrathful woman she once was, she and Qian Renxue had never truly reconciled. Their mother-daughter bond was far weaker than the master-disciple relationship she had with Hu Liena. To be forced to yield her position now—it was impossible to feel anything but bitter.
Sensing Bibi Dong's shift in expression, Qian Daoliu turned slowly. "Bibi Dong, the papal seat of Spirit Hall has always belonged to the Qian family of the Angel Temple. Xiao Xue is the most favored child of the Angel God in millennia—and your daughter. Her strength and cultivation now qualify her to inherit the papacy. It is time."
"Heh. Spirit Hall, which worships the Angel God, once allowed a woman like me, with a Spider-type Spirit, to be Pope. And yet, Xue'er has never managed a single Spirit Hall affair. I think the position would be more fitting for the Saintess." Bibi Dong shot Hu Liena a sidelong glance and sneered.
Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan—the Golden Generation—were her trusted confidants. With the elders remaining silent, Bibi Dong intended to have her own disciples speak on her behalf.
Hu Liena nodded slightly, understanding her teacher's intent from their years of rapport. She was just about to speak when her gaze locked onto a familiar figure in the crowd—Yu Tianming.
Was this the moment that would decide the future of Spirit Hall?
She recalled the time she saw him in Slaughter City. As much as she wanted to stand by her teacher, could she and Bibi Dong truly lead Spirit Hall to prosperity? Could they truly bring peace to the people?
In the end, her courage faltered, and the words she had prepared caught in her throat.
As the room fell into silence, Qian Renxue stepped forward from behind Qian Daoliu. Her noble, angelic aura instantly drew all attention to her. She glanced around the hall and spoke clearly:
"I'm sure many of you have heard of me. As the daughter of the former Pope and the Angel God's Chosen, I infiltrated the Heaven Dou Empire at age nine and spent over a decade working from within. In the end, I returned the Heaven Dou Empire to Spirit Hall, paving the way for the Spirit Empire's foundation. Now I stand here to assume the papal mantle. If anyone has objections—speak now."
The elders and bishops exchanged glances, but none responded.
Spirit Hall had always worshipped the Angel God. Qian Renxue, as Her Chosen, had helped Spirit Hall claim half the continent. She had earned her right. Compared to her, what was Hu Liena?
From the back of the room, Yu Tianming lazily spoke, "On behalf of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I support Xue'er."
"I second that."
"I, Salas, support the new pope."
…
Following his lead, murmurs of agreement echoed through the temple. There were few Title Douluo present, and within moments, everyone had made their stance clear—no one opposed Qian Renxue's ascension.
"I object!" A voice boomed. Yan, loyal to Bibi Dong and enamored with Hu Liena, stepped forward furiously. "You're not even a member of Spirit Hall! What right do you have to meddle in our affairs? Our teacher, a super Douluo with twin Spirits, is the strongest in Spirit Hall. Why should she abdicate to you?"
Laughter rippled through the temple. A mere Soul Emperor dares speak so boldly?
Yu Tianming didn't bother replying to the fool and simply looked toward Qian Renxue.
She smiled faintly. Nine Spirit Rings appeared beneath her, glowing in succession.
"In the world of Spirit Masters, strength is everything. Though I am young, my cultivation is not inferior to any here. If anyone doubts my qualifications—step forward."
After eight divine trials, Qian Renxue's strength far surpassed a basic Title Douluo. Only Qian Daoliu could outmatch her.
With her Spirit possessed, six angelic wings unfurled behind her. Light, flame, divinity—her aura radiated a holiness that under the Angel God's statue made her appear a miniature deity.
Watching this, Bibi Dong felt a wave of nausea. Light, holiness, fire—each attribute of the Seraphim countered her own Death Spider Emperor and Soul-Eating Spider Emperor Spirits.
Twin Spirits could only use one at a time, and while their advantage lay in the flexibility of high-level Spirit Rings, divine trials granted that same benefit—and more. Before the Angel God's Chosen, that advantage was meaningless.
With the Rakshasa God abandoning her, even the divine trials had vanished. If it truly came to a fight, Bibi Dong knew she'd lose.
Realizing the tide had turned, she said nothing further and left the temple with the Golden Generation in tow.
Qian Daoliu turned to the elders and declared loudly, "As the Angel God's Grand Priest, I hereby announce Qian Renxue as the new Pope of Spirit Hall. Her coronation shall be held on another day. Former Pope Bibi Dong shall now join the Elder Hall, replacing Golden Crocodile Douluo as Second Consecrate."
"We obey the Grand Priest's decree." ×n
"We greet the new Pope." ×n
…
Amid the cheers, Qian Daoliu looked in the direction Bibi Dong had left, sighing in his heart, 'Bibi Dong, we Qian clan wronged you deeply… I hope after my sacrifice, you can take my place as Grand Priest and support Xue'er.'
---
A few days later, the largest plaza in Spirit City was filled with Spirit Hall elites. On both sides of the grand temple's high platform, observers waited in solemn anticipation.
It had been twenty years since the last papal succession. Rumors whispered across the continent: this new Pope was said to be the reincarnation of the Angel God. Though only twenty, she had reached the rank of Title Douluo.
While the Angel God did not demand extreme devotion like the Sea God, Her doctrine of mercy had still attracted a great number of devout followers. These devotees, often respected local leaders, had now converged on Spirit City to witness the birth of the new Pope—a calculated move in Qian Renxue's path to godhood.
As cheers erupted, the bronze gates slowly opened. Qian Renxue appeared, tall and regal.
Golden hair, golden armor, an expression that was both lofty and compassionate—at first glance, she seized every gaze.
Standing at the platform's center, she activated her Spirit. Six wings stretched out from the seams of her armor. At that moment, even the sun above seemed to dim, as if to surrender all brilliance to her.
"She's the Seraphim… the Angel of Light and Sun…"
"Is the Pope the Angel God incarnate?"
…
"Everyone," Qian Renxue's noble, gentle voice echoed through the crowd, "from this day forth, I, Qian Renxue, shall inherit the position of Pope. I will carry on the glory of Spirit Hall and spread the grace of the Angel God across the continent, letting Her radiance illuminate all."
Her image so perfectly aligned with the believers' vision of the Angel God that, as her speech ended, the crowd exploded with fervent cries:
"Long live the Angel God!"
"Long live Spirit Hall!"
"Long live the Pope!"
---
Meanwhile, in the far south of the continent, Emperor Davis of the Star Luo Empire had retreated with his broken army to their final city.
Three years after the Spirit Master Tournament, the old emperor of Star Luo passed away, leaving the young Davis to inherit the throne.
He was expected to be a strong ruler and lead Star Luo to conquer the weakened Heaven Dou. But two years later, Heaven Dou had not only united its internal states—it had willingly yielded its lands to Spirit Hall, birthing the Spirit Empire.
Star Luo became the prey. And when Davis looked to Yu Tianming for aid, even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect surrendered to Spirit Hall.
With support gone, Star Luo's defeat was inevitable. Within a year, they had lost nearly everything. Only this final city remained, and even the nobles had fled.
Though loyalists still filled the city, morale was in ruins. The mood was grim, as if the whole city awaited its funeral.
On the city wall, the once-elegant Zhu Zhuyun now looked pale. She walked to Davis' side and whispered, "Davis, the glory of Star Luo is gone. If we can't hold out, perhaps we should surrender…"
Davis shot her a cold glance. "Have you forgotten the honor of the Dai and Zhu clans? You want me to hand over our thousand-year legacy? As the Zhu clan's heir, how could you say such a thing?"
Zhu Zhuyun knelt beside him, eyes full of sorrow. "Do you think I want to surrender? But how can we fight Spirit Hall? They have more Title Douluo than we can count. Can we stop them with just our Nether White Tiger?"
Davis bowed his head, unable to respond. Silence engulfed the room.
Then, a booming voice echoed from outside the walls. "Davis, all your cities have fallen. For the sake of the innocent inside, surrender now and you'll live in luxury. Miss this chance and your fate is sealed!"
Unable to bear it any longer, Davis sprinted to the battlements and shouted, "Kill me if you must. The emperor of Star Luo would rather die than surrender!"
Just as Qian Jun Douluo prepared to speak again, space twisted beside him—and Yu Tianming appeared on the battlefield.
(End of Chapter)
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