The two gatekeepers at the entrance appeared to be around thirty years old, their soul power fluctuations were not obvious, suggesting they were only around level thirty. Qian Xunji took out a token, and the two gatekeepers quickly let them through.
The twenty-meter-high dome exuded an aura of grandeur. As Qian Xunji led Jiang Hao into the Spirit Hall's main hall, they were immediately struck by its magnificence. The entire dome of the hall was covered with murals. Various martial soul symbols were depicted in small squares. The background was a shimmering gold, giving it a magnificent yet ancient feel.
The Spirit Hall was surrounded by huge crystal windows. Sunlight refracted through the transparent crystals and shone onto the murals, creating a dazzling, mesmerizing effect. There weren't many people inside the Spirit Hall; only a few servants were cleaning, each performing their duties, and the place didn't appear chaotic but rather remarkably orderly.
Qian Xunji looked around and felt that the Spirit Hall's organizational structure was very rigorous; the Spirit Hall operated very efficiently, with everyone fulfilling their responsibilities. Qian Xunji nodded. It wouldn't hurt for him to get a feel for these things beforehand; he'd need to know them anyway when he became Pope.
"Sir, do you need any help?" a young woman dressed in the uniform of a Spirit Hall staff member asked.
"Take me to see your bishop," Qian Xunji said to the woman.
Looking at the handsome young man before her, the woman realized he might be someone of importance, so she said,
"Please follow me."
Qian Xunji turned to Jiang Hao and said, "Wait here for me, I'll be down in a bit."
"Okay, I know, big brother," Jiang Hao replied sensibly.
The woman led Qian Xunji up the stairs to the second floor of the Spirit Hall. Reaching the second-floor corridor, Qian Xunji saw a row of rooms, and from here, he could directly see the lobby on the first floor. Without a doubt, this was where the Spirit Hall's offices were located. The young woman gently knocked on the door and said respectfully, "Your Excellency, there is a gentleman outside who requests to see you. Is now a convenient time?"
Inside the room, a middle-aged man, dressed in black, with a somewhat muscular build, and around forty years old, sat in an office chair, processing documents. Upon hearing this, a thoughtful glint appeared in his eyes. Who would be looking for him? He then said, "Let him in."
The young woman gestured for Qian Xunji to enter, and Qian Xunji pushed open the door and went straight in. The young woman remained outside, standing respectfully, ready to be summoned at any moment.
Looking inside, the room was meticulously laid out, devoid of any extravagance; it was indeed a proper office space. Qian Xunji immediately noticed a middle-aged man in black sitting in an office chair, curiously observing him. Qian Xunji knew this was a Black-robed Bishop of the Spirit Hall, a Soul Emperor to Soul Saint level expert, usually serving as the head of the Spirit Hall in a major city, assisting the Cardinal in managing a region. Only those at the Soul Saint level or above can hold the position of Cardinal. It's a very high rank, and connections can secure a position in the Papal Palace. The four Platinum Cardinals possess strength approaching that of a Title Douluo; there are only four of them, making them the highest-ranking bishops with immense power, subordinate to the Pope. Their status is comparable to the leaders of the four lower sects.
While Qian Xunji was observing the black-robed bishop before him, the bishop was also observing Qian Xunji. He noticed Qian Xunji's exceptionally handsome appearance, tall and imposing figure, and the black robes that accentuated his extraordinary bearing. Instinctively, he sensed this young man was someone of considerable importance and narrowed his eyes.
"Who are you? Why are you here?" the black-robed bishop broke the silence, speaking first.
Qian Xunji took out a token from behind him and tossed it to the bishop. The bishop caught it and hurriedly examined it. Upon seeing it, he was immediately startled, sitting up abruptly from his office chair. His eyes widened in shock.
"This...this is the Papal Decree? How did it end up in your hands?" the bishop exclaimed in astonishment.
"Where it came from is none of your business. All you need to know is that it's a papal decree," Qian Xunji said coldly. It wasn't that Qian Xunji didn't want to tell the black-robed bishop, but rather that he couldn't reveal his true identity during his training. If it were leaked, someone might try to sabotage him. Qian Xunji knew just how ruthless and cunning sects and nobles could be. He had to be extremely vigilant.
"I have a favor to ask you. There's a child in the lobby on the first floor. I rescued him on the road. His name is Jiang Hao. He has good talent. Take him to the Papal Palace in Wuhun City. Also, I have a letter here. Please deliver it to His Holiness the Pope." Qian Xunji took a letter from his soul tool and handed it to the black-robed bishop.
The black-robed bishop looked at the words "To His Holiness the Pope" clearly written on the letter and thought to himself: It seems he has some connection with His Holiness the Pope. I just don't know his relationship with His Holiness the Pope. Oh well, I'm not qualified to inquire about such secrets. Then the black-robed cardinal cupped his hands and said, "Your subordinate obeys."
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"What's your name?" Qian Xunji nodded in satisfaction and asked.
"My lord, my name is Lotrillata."
"Are you a nobleman?" Qian Xunji asked, because the name Lotrillata sounded like something only a nobleman would have.
"I used to be a nobleman, but my family was slaughtered by our enemies, and I was the only one left overnight. The ones who persecuted my family were the powerful nobles of the Heaven Dou Empire. I reported this to the emperor, but instead, I was stripped of my noble title. I couldn't fight them alone, so I joined the Spirit Hall. Fortunately, I had some talent, and with the resources of the Spirit Hall, I cultivated to the level of Soul Emperor and even became a Black Cardinal." Lotrillata said slowly, his body trembling slightly and his eyes reddening as he seemed to recall what had happened back then.
Qian Xunji looked at the Black Cardinal before him, his expression slightly surprised. He didn't expect that Lotrillata, already a Black Cardinal of the Spirit Hall and a powerful figure, would have such a past. Seeing that his expression didn't seem fake, Qian Xunji comforted him, his voice slightly stiff,
"You'll have a chance to take revenge later. Trust the Spirit Hall."
The black-robed bishop composed himself, his emotions returning to normal, and nodded, "Yes, sir."
"Do the things I entrusted to you well." Qian Xunji left those words behind, turning and walking away.
In the lobby on the first floor, Jiang Hao waited idly, staring intently at the murals on the wall, seemingly wondering what kind of spirit he could awaken. Qian Xunji came downstairs, saw the distracted Jiang Hao, smiled slightly, and coughed lightly. Jiang Hao jolted awake and exclaimed excitedly, "Big brother, you're back!"
Qian Xunji hummed in response and said to Jiang Hao, "Jiang Hao, I have to go now. Someone will take you to the Spirit Hall in Spirit City soon. Just follow them."
Hearing this, Jiang Hao's small body trembled, and he said in a trembling voice, "Big brother,...you don't want me anymore?"
Qian Xunji looked at Jiang Hao, feeling a pang of reluctance, and said gently, "Big brother isn't abandoning you. Big brother is sending you to the Spirit Hall in Spirit City so you can become stronger, and then you can help big brother in the future." Qian Xunji stroked Jiang Hao's head.
Jiang Hao felt a little relieved and relaxed, saying innocently, "Then big brother must come back to see me soon!"
Qian Xunji hummed in response and instructed, "Little Jiang Hao, you must cultivate diligently. Remember, only strength can make you powerful."
"I will definitely not let big brother down and will cultivate diligently," Jiang Hao said earnestly.
Qian Xun strode out of the Spirit Hall. Jiang Hao watched from behind, thinking to himself, "I wonder when my older brother will return. Oh well, I need to cultivate diligently and not let him down. Spirit Hall, here I come!"
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