"Announcing — the ceremony for the acceptance of the Pope's personal disciple!Hu Liena, student of the Spirit Academy, shall be formally accepted as the Pope's disciple and the future Saint of Spirit Hall!"
A wave of exclamations swept through the audience.Many civilians didn't fully understand the political significance, but they knew one thing , being chosen by the Pope herself was an honor beyond measure.
Hu Liena walked along a pathway illuminated by light soul guides. When she reached the stage, she knelt on one knee before Bibi Dong.
Her clear voice echoed, trembling slightly with emotion.
"Disciple Hu Liena greets the Pope, and offers her loyalty and life to Spirit Hall."
Bibi Dong rose from her throne. The light around her dimmed slightly, as if the world itself bowed before her presence. She extended her hand, and a radiant scepter materialized — the Pope's Scepter, a symbol of supreme authority in Spirit Hall.
She lightly touched the top of the scepter to Hu Liena's forehead.
"From this day forth, you are no longer merely a soul master of Spirit Hall," Bibi Dong said, her tone serene yet carrying authority."You are my disciple and the Saint of Spirit Hall."
The gathered crowd cheered.
The ceremony ended with Hu Liena standing before the crowd, her face calm but her heart trembling.
---
Not Far away, on one of the terraces overlooking the brightly lit plaza, stood several figures cloaked in shadow. The golden light of Spirit Hall's ceremony barely reached them — as if the world below was celebrating, while this place was weighed down by silent discontent.
Golden Crocodile Douluo, second of the Worshipers, stood at the edge of the stone balcony. His massive frame seemed tense, the muscles in his arms visibly trembling. The light from below glinted against his sharp eyes.
His gaze was locked on the stage where Hu Liena was being celebrated as the new Saint.
His fingers clenched around the stone railing until faint cracks formed beneath his grip.
"The position of Saint…" he growled under his breath, voice thick with resentment,"...should belong to Renxue. That woman… not only has she never given Renxue a mother's love, but now she gives away the title that should rightfully be hers — to a stray girl she picked up from nowhere."
The bitterness in his tone carried the weight of years. His eyes reflected both fury and helplessness.
Behind him, a calm voice answered.Azure Luan Douluo, the third Worshiper, stood quietly, hands folded behind his back. The cool evening wind ruffled his azure robes as he looked toward the same scene — but unlike Golden Crocodile, his expression was calm, even faintly weary.
"Brother, calm yourself," Azure Luan said gently. "You see, Elder Brother didn't attend the ceremony. Neither did Renxue. That means they've already acquiesced to this matter."
Golden Crocodile's fists loosened slightly, but his jaw remained tight. He let out a deep sigh that seemed to come from the depths of his chest.
"I know… I know that. But my heart can't accept it. It's unfair."
He turned to Azure Luan, eyes burning with suppressed anger.
"It was because of Elder Brother's and Renxue's silent support that Bibi Dong even managed to sit firmly on the Pope's throne. Without Spirit Hall's true lineage behind her, she'd never have had this power. And now… she rewards that kindness by pushing Renxue aside?"
Azure Luan looked at his old comrade — a mixture of sympathy and realism in his eyes.
"You know as well as I do — once she became Pope, Bibi Dong no longer needed anyone's support. Her power, her influence, her mind… all of it has reached terrifying heights. And when even Elder Brother and Renxue do not wish to act, what can we do?"
A long silence followed. The faint echo of the cheering crowd below drifted upward, mixing with the soft hum of soul guides lighting the plaza.
Golden Crocodile exhaled slowly, then turned his back to the distant lights.
"Then let it be. But I will never forget tonight. The glory that should have been Renxue's has been stolen… and one day, this Spirit Hall will remember who truly carried its legacy."
He turned and began to walk away, his footsteps echoing heavily against the stone floor.
Azure Luan Douluo remained where he was for a moment, then turned toward the small group of young soul masters waiting behind them — Jiang Mo, Shi Ming, Dugu Yan, Tian Yue, and Qing Dan. Their bodies still bore faint bandages and scratches from the morning's duel.
Azure Luan's tone softened.
"Looks like the person you hoped to see causing a spectacle… didn't come after all."
The children exchanged brief glances. Tian Yue looked down, her expression was of disappointment. Jiang Mo crossed his arms, saying nothing, though a spark of defiance still lingered in his eyes.
Azure Luan smiled faintly — a weary smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Let's go."
One by one, they followed him down the corridor. Their silhouettes disappeared into the shadowed halls of the Worship Hall, away from the glow of celebration.
Before leaving, Azure Luan cast one last look toward the stage below — where Hu Liena, bathed in the adoration of thousands, stood beside Bibi Dong like a rising star.
Azure Luan sighed softly, his gaze deep.
Then he turned, the sound of his robes brushing against the cold stone, and left — leaving behind only the distant echoes of cheers and the brilliance of a light that no longer belonged to them.
----
Bibi Dong sat upon her high seat, a faint smile touching her lips as Hu Liena finished the final bow of the disciple ceremony.The entire plaza was radiant — filled with light, soul lamps floating in the air like ethereal fireflies, their glow reflecting off her luxurious papal robes .
As Hu Liena stepped back, once again kneeling gracefully before her, Bibi Dong slowly rose to her feet. The golden scepter of the Pope gleamed in her hand as she surveyed the gathered crowd below — elders, deacons, and common spirit masters alike, all gazing at her with reverence bordering on worship.
The wind carried their chants —
"Glory to the Pope!""Glory to Spirit Hall!"
And in that sea of admiration, Bibi Dong felt a quiet surge of satisfaction.