The Pope of the Spirit Hall - Qian Xunji
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The Blue Silver Emperor had always known that the Chrysanthemum Douluo loved flowers, but she never expected his love to reach such an extreme level. Just because she had consumed the Flower King, the Lovesick Heartbroken Red, he had decided to become her protector.
Now, in front of the Spirit Hall's knights and others, he had even set aside his pride as a Titled Douluo to bow to her.
This naturally left the Blue Silver Emperor somewhat astonished. In all her years, she had never met anyone like the Chrysanthemum Douluo.
"His spirit is the Immortal Grade Chrysanthemum, the Odd Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. Could his ancestors have some connection to this immortal herb? In all my years traveling the spirit master world, even the Heaven Dou Emperor Xue Ye and the Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, who dominates the continent with his poison, didn't know about this. Yet, the Chrysanthemum Douluo does," the Blue Silver Emperor couldn't help but speculate about the Chrysanthemum Douluo's origins.
"Miss Blue Silver, it's fine. I can still sense the aura of the Flower King on you. Being near you is intoxicating," the Chrysanthemum Douluo said, taking a deep breath with a look of bliss on his face.
"Elder Chrysanthemum, that's enough. Mind your manners. How can you act like this in front of a young lady?" Bibi Dong said, her face darkening. It was the first time she had seen the Chrysanthemum Douluo behave like this.
"It's fine. Elder Chrysanthemum helped us back in Heaven Dou City by scaring off the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's patriarch. Plus, it's been over a year since he last saw A'yin. That's why he's acting like this," Lin Yongming said, using his Mind's Eye to observe the Chrysanthemum Douluo's rapid change in demeanor upon seeing the Blue Silver Emperor.
"Good, good. Lin Yongming, you're a good man. I think Miss Blue Silver is in good hands with you," the Chrysanthemum Douluo said, nodding approvingly at Lin Yongming's explanation.
"From now on, I'll watch over you in Spirit City. If any of the other elders' descendants dare to bully you, just mention my name," the Chrysanthemum Douluo added, making another promise.
"Who would dare bully them? I'll deal with anyone who tries," Bibi Dong interjected.
"Haha!" Lin Yongming and the Blue Silver Emperor exchanged a helpless smile.
After waiting outside the grand doors of the Pope's Hall for about ten minutes, the heavy doors finally creaked open.
Creak...
"It's nine o'clock. His Holiness the Pope is seated inside."
"Lin Yongming, Blue Silver, follow me inside," Bibi Dong said sternly.
"Especially you, Lin Yongming. I know you don't like formalities, but this is your first official meeting with the Pope. When I introduce you, I hope you'll kneel on one knee as a sign of respect," Bibi Dong added, her tone serious.
"That's right. Every organization has its rules. I know geniuses tend to be proud, but as a member of the Spirit Hall, you must show respect to the Pope. After all, this world respects strength. If you don't want to kneel, then prove your strength," Chrysanthemum Douluo said, glancing at Lin Yongming and the Blue Silver Emperor with a hint of emotion.
"Saintess, Elder Chrysanthemum, I understand. Don't worry, I know what to do. This is my first official meeting with His Holiness the Pope, and I want to make a good impression," Lin Yongming nodded in response.
"Good. Let's go in," Bibi Dong said, turning and leading the way into the hall, with the Chrysanthemum Douluo by her side.
Lin Yongming gave the Blue Silver Emperor a reassuring nod and followed them, maintaining a distance of about two meters.
The first floor of the Pope's Hall was vast and empty, covering about three hundred square meters. Aside from four towering pillars, there was no one else present.
From the entrance to the far end of the hall, there was a raised platform about three meters high. On the platform sat a single throne, and nothing else.
Seated on the throne was a handsome middle-aged man dressed in luxurious golden robes. He had long golden hair and wore a golden crown resembling a helmet.
"Bibi Dong."
"Yue Guan."
"We pay our respects to His Holiness the Pope!" Bibi Dong and the Chrysanthemum Douluo knelt on one knee in the center of the hall, addressing the man seated high above them.
The man on the throne was none other than the Pope of the Spirit Hall, the Angel Douluo, Qian Xunji.
With a commanding tone and piercing eyes, Qian Xunji said, "Rise."
"And who are these two?" Qian Xunji asked, his gaze shifting to Lin Yongming and the Blue Silver Emperor.
"We pay our respects to His Holiness the Pope. I am Lin Yongming, and this is my fiancée, Blue Silver," Lin Yongming said, kneeling on one knee before Qian Xunji could ask further.
"We pay our respects to His Holiness the Pope. I am Blue Silver," the Blue Silver Emperor followed suit, kneeling beside Lin Yongming.
"So it's you. I've heard of you—the blind boy from the village who earned the Yellow Record Medal from me. Not bad."
"Rise," Qian Xunji said, a faint smile playing on his lips as he seemed satisfied with Lin Yongming's attitude.
"Thank you, Your Holiness," Lin Yongming said calmly as he stood up.
"Qian Xunji, I hope you don't cause trouble for me. Otherwise..." Lin Yongming thought to himself.
"Teacher, Lin Yongming has come to report as summoned by you to participate in the Continental Elite Tournament," Bibi Dong reported respectfully.
"Previously, I heard from Elder Chrysanthemum, who returned from Heaven Dou City, that you possess an external spirit bone. At that time, you were already a 46th-level Spirit Ancestor. What's even more astonishing is that you absorbed a ten-thousand-year spirit ring at your fourth rank," Qian Xunji said, his gaze fixed on Lin Yongming as a powerful aura emanated from him.
"Show me."
"Yes, Your Holiness. At that time, I hid nothing from Elder Chrysanthemum. Two months ago, I broke through to the Spirit King level and obtained my fifth spirit ring."
After saying this, Lin Yongming stood tall, releasing his spirit power. The Thunder Blade spirit appeared in his hand, and spirit rings rose from beneath his feet.
Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black.
"A 52nd-level Spirit King?" Qian Xunji's tone was calm, but inwardly, he was shocked. He knew Lin Yongming's true age.
But that wasn't all. Behind Lin Yongming, lightning crackled as a massive pair of wings adorned with thunder emerged.
The Purple Lightning Thunder Wings had grown to the level of a ten-thousand-year spirit bone after Lin Yongming's breakthrough to Spirit King. The wings now spanned over five meters and looked even more majestic and imposing.
"Good, good. You've surprised me quite a bit. An external spirit bone, a 12-year-old Spirit King. I admit that I initially looked down on you because of your blindness, but you've proven yourself with your abilities. I never expected you to have such remarkable encounters."
"Because of your blindness, you've even developed a unique ability called 'fluctuations.' If you reach the Titled Douluo level, your experiences will become a legend in the spirit master world," Qian Xunji said, standing up as he observed Lin Yongming, who now held the Thunder Blade, stood atop his spirit rings, and had a pair of deep blue wings flapping behind him.
Qian Xunji was tall, and with his ten-centimeter crown, he stood over 1.9 meters tall.
"An external spirit bone, a 52nd-level Spirit King. I'm at the 54th level, but in terms of actual combat power, I'm probably no match for him. How did he improve so quickly?" Bibi Dong thought, sensing the difference in their strengths.
"Your Holiness, you flatter me. I still have much to learn and a long way to go," Lin Yongming said humbly.
"Don't be modest. The Spirit Hall doesn't need humility. As long as you have talent and strength, you'll earn respect here. Besides, among your peers, aside from my disciple, no one on this continent can match you," Qian Xunji said proudly, explaining the Spirit Hall's philosophy.
"That's because you don't know about the Blue Silver Emperor's abilities," Lin Yongming thought to himself, though he would never say it out loud.
However, someone else would.
"Your Holiness, I believe Lin Yongming's fiancée's talent is no less than his. When I last saw her, she was already a 56th-level Spirit King," the Chrysanthemum Douluo reported.
"Oh? Is that so?" Qian Xunji turned his gaze to the Blue Silver Emperor.
"Your Holiness, I'm far inferior to Lin Yongming and the Saintess. Although I'm now a Spirit Emperor, I'm much older," the Blue Silver Emperor replied without revealing her age.
"Good. You two are a match made in heaven. With your addition, the Spirit Hall's future is bright," Qian Xunji nodded, not pressing further about the Blue Silver Emperor's age.
After all, he didn't believe anyone under twenty could reach the Spirit Emperor level. Even if he did, he would only believe it of Lin Yongming and Bibi Dong.
"Thank you for your recognition, Your Holiness," Lin Yongming said, retracting his spirit and the Purple Lightning Thunder Wings, returning to his usual calm demeanor.
"However, I've only heard about your abilities. I need to confirm that your blindness doesn't hinder you. Therefore, I've arranged for you to spar with someone of the same level to ensure there are no issues during the Continental Elite Tournament," Qian Xunji explained.
"I'll follow Your Holiness's arrangements," Lin Yongming nodded in understanding.
"Teacher, I volunteer to spar with him. I'm at the 54th level, only two levels above him. That shouldn't be a problem, right?" Bibi Dong raised her hand and offered.
"Very well. You two can spar in the square outside," Qian Xunji said, his tone affectionate as he looked at Bibi Dong.
"Your Holiness, this... Saintess, this isn't appropriate. Swords and blades have no eyes. If I accidentally hurt you, I wouldn't be able to bear the responsibility," Lin Yongming said earnestly.
"What? Are you so confident you can hurt me? Or do you think I'm not worthy to be your opponent?" Bibi Dong retorted, clearly offended.
"Uh..." Lin Yongming was at a loss for words.
"It's fine. I just need to confirm that your blindness doesn't affect your combat ability. Besides, injuries are inevitable in sparring. It's not like we don't have healing spirit masters," Qian Xunji said, finalizing the decision.
Lin Yongming turned around and gave Bibi Dong a helpless look.
Bibi Dong, however, met his gaze with a proud expression.
"Is this Bibi Dong trying to take advantage of my Xiao Ming? Hmph, how shameless. Didn't she hear him introduce me as his fiancée?" the Blue Silver Emperor thought, feeling a surge of irritation as she noticed Bibi Dong's gaze lingering on Lin Yongming.
However, she couldn't say anything, as this was just a spar.
Soon, the group moved to the circular square outside the Pope's Hall.
Qian Xunji and the Chrysanthemum Douluo stood at the entrance, watching as Lin Yongming and Bibi Dong took their positions in the center of the square.
The Blue Silver Emperor stood at the edge of the square.
Lin Yongming noticed that several figures had gathered around to watch.
"This spar is going to be tricky," Lin Yongming thought. If his opponent weren't Bibi Dong, he wouldn't have to worry.
But Bibi Dong was Qian Xunji's disciple and the Spirit Hall's Saintess. Lin Yongming was at a loss as to how to handle the situation.
He was confident that the current Bibi Dong was no match for him, but he couldn't afford to win. If he did, Bibi Dong might not mind, but Qian Xunji certainly would.
After all, Lin Yongming had been a wandering cultivator, while Bibi Dong was Qian Xunji's carefully nurtured disciple. If she lost to him, Qian Xunji might hold a grudge.
"Xiao Ming, since Blue Silver calls you that, I'll call you that too. Come on, don't hold back. Show me your true strength," Bibi Dong said confidently.
"What do you mean, 'since Blue Silver calls you that'? As if you have the right to call him that," the Blue Silver Emperor thought, barely resisting the urge to roll her eyes.
If the situation weren't so formal, she would have retorted.
"Alright, Saintess. Please go easy on me."
"Spirit: Thunder Blade, 52nd-level Spirit King," Lin Yongming said, summoning his Thunder Blade. A bolt of lightning coiled around the blade like a serpent.
"Spirit: Death Spider Emperor, 54th-level Spirit King," Bibi Dong activated her spirit, and eight deep purple spider legs emerged from her back, resembling an external spirit bone and exuding an aura of death.
Her upper body was clad in dark purple armor, accentuating her perfect figure.
With her spirit activated, Bibi Dong's hair turned a light purple, and her eyeliner and lip color changed, giving her an otherworldly beauty.
"Elder Chrysanthemum, what do you think the outcome of their spar will be?" Qian Xunji asked, watching as the two prepared to fight.
"Saintess is two levels above Lin Yongming. She'll likely have the upper hand," the Chrysanthemum Douluo said loudly, clearly hinting to Lin Yongming to be careful.
"Saintess, I'll take the first move," Lin Yongming said, gripping his blade and preparing to attack.
"Bring it on," Bibi Dong replied, her voice taking on an unusual tone.
"Thunder Blade!" Lin Yongming's body flashed as he transformed into a bolt of lightning, charging at Bibi Dong. As he swung his blade, a blue arc of energy shot toward her.
Clang!
Bibi Dong blocked the attack with her indestructible spider legs.
She then extended one of her legs, kicking toward Lin Yongming's side. Fortunately, she was wearing shorts under her skirt.
Lin Yongming raised his arm to block the kick.
At that moment, Bibi Dong threw a punch at him.
Lin Yongming dodged, stepping back to create distance.
"First Spirit Skill: Death's Edge!" Bibi Dong activated her first spirit ring, and her spider legs glowed with a purple light. Eight purple blades shot toward Lin Yongming.
Lin Yongming, using his Mind's Eye, sensed the trajectory of the blades and deflected them with his Thunder Blade.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 220 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 120 power stones I will publish the next chapter.