Qian Jun and Jiang Mo—two strikingly handsome men.
They were twins.
Both possessed top-tier Tool Spirits: the Coiling Dragon Staffs. Each had reached Rank 96, making them powerful Title Douluo of the Assault System. They held the positions of Sixth and Seventh Offerings among the Seven Great Consecrators of the Spirit Hall's Sacred Temple.
"Yes, Grand Priest!"
They dared not disobey Qian Daoliu's orders and immediately bowed in acknowledgment.
"What's going on with the Holy Maiden? Why was she in there too? Could it be…"
The twins instinctively exchanged glances. In that brief moment, their breathing halted—they both had the same terrifying suspicion.
But just as quickly, they shook their heads and returned to a cold, emotionless demeanor.
They only needed to obey the Grand Priest's orders. As for everything else? That wasn't their concern.
After all, they were nothing more than emotionless cultivation machines.
Not just them—almost all of the consecrators in the Sacred Temple were the same.
Meanwhile, the elders of the Elder Hall had already begun piecing together some of the truth in their minds. Yet wisely, they kept their suspicions to themselves.
Qian Daoliu's commanding gaze swept over the crowd once more. He reiterated what he had already said earlier in the Pope's Palace, this time with slight adjustments:
"What you've seen, what you've heard—even what you're speculating—must all remain confidential! Whatever knowledge you possess, let it remain known to you alone. You are forbidden from discussing this amongst yourselves. When you return, you will bury this matter in your hearts and take it with you to your graves!"
Having spoken, Qian Daoliu waved his hand and issued one final command:
"Go and prepare. Spirit Hall has a difficult battle ahead."
"Yes, Grand Priest!"
The group bowed deeply and quickly dispersed.
Qian Jun and Jiang Mo entered the Pope's bedchamber and escorted Bibi Dong away.
However, they didn't treat her as a criminal. There was no arrest, no hostility. They simply followed silently behind her.
All the way until she returned to the Holy Maiden Palace.
Then, in accordance with Qian Daoliu's command, they stood guard outside the palace gates.
After the crowd had left, the Golden Crocodile Douluo sighed and walked over to Qian Daoliu. He gently patted his old friend on the shoulder.
"Grand Priest… my condolences."
Not long ago, Qian Daoliu had offered these very words to him.
Now, the roles had reversed.
For a moment, they both understood each other's pain without needing to speak.
The Golden Crocodile spoke: "The Pope's death… it was her, wasn't it?"
Though rough in appearance, the Golden Crocodile Douluo was sharp and insightful—an exceptionally clever man.
He was even older than Qian Daoliu, already over 150 years old. His mind was as sharp as a demon's.
He had easily deduced the truth.
He also knew Bibi Dong's past.
To him, it was perfectly understandable that she would seek revenge by killing Qian Xunji.
However, his loyalty lay firmly with the Seraphim lineage.
And so, he said no more.
"Mhm." Qian Daoliu nodded, knowing he couldn't hide it from his old friend.
Not long ago, he had comforted the Golden Crocodile. Now, it was his turn to be comforted.
There was bitterness in his heart.
"That woman… she's not easy to handle. And her spirit power—" the Golden Crocodile narrowed his eyes, "—it's growing far too quickly. Her talent is truly frightening."
Just moments ago, when Bibi Dong walked out of the bedchamber, the Golden Crocodile Douluo—who was a Rank 98 Super Douluo—swept her with his spiritual sense. He had immediately sensed that Bibi Dong had already reached Rank 97.
After a pause, he asked:
"What do you plan to do with her, Grand Priest?"
"Ah…" Qian Daoliu let out a long sigh.
He revealed the burden weighing on his heart:
"For the sake of Xiao Xue, I cannot kill her. Spirit Hall is in turmoil right now—we need someone to hold it together. Xiao Xue is still too young and unfit for the Pope's position. Right now, she is the only one suitable. I intend to appoint Bibi Dong as the new Pope."
"That does make sense," the Golden Crocodile nodded thoughtfully. "A wise decision."
Though surprised at first, he quickly understood Qian Daoliu's reasoning. He knew his old friend well—his nature, his judgment.
"Let's just hope she's capable of change," Qian Daoliu muttered. His eyes were deep with contemplation. "I'll be watching her closely. After all, the Pope's position… I gave it to her. I can take it back."
He turned to the Golden Crocodile:
"Let's return. It's time for you to move as well."
"You'll deal with the Clear Sky Clan. I once made a pact with Tang Chen—promised him Spirit Hall would not set foot on their land. But you can!"
"As for Tang Hao, leave him to me. Jin Ming and Qian Xunji's deaths—I will settle that score myself."
As he spoke, a dangerous light gleamed in Qian Daoliu's eyes:
"After years in seclusion, the continent seems to have forgotten our existence. They've forgotten what happens when you enrage Spirit Hall."
"This time, we will remind them. The cost of defying us—is more than they can bear."
Golden Crocodile's gaze turned equally cold. His broad shoulders trembled, bones cracking as he clenched his fists, his weathered face twisting into a fierce grin:
"It's been far too long since I've stretched my limbs. Let the Clear Sky Clan prepare to face my wrath!"
Soon, a grim and oppressive atmosphere spread through Spirit City, cloaking it in tension.
The citizens of Spirit City felt it in the air—something dreadful was coming.
The news of the Pope's sudden death spread like wildfire across the city.
Chaos erupted within Spirit Hall.
Qian Daoliu stepped forward to take control once more. In his grief, he personally took over all affairs, stabilized morale, and reestablished order.
Once the truth behind the incident came to light, Spirit Hall was united in rage and purpose.
War was inevitable.
Messages flew through secret channels, spreading swiftly to every major force across the continent.
Some were released directly through Spirit Hall's information networks.
One such message read:
Spirit Hall Wanted Order
The traitor Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Clan has defied the heavens—ambushing the Pope's convoy and causing the deaths of both the Pope and an Elder Hall elder.
Spirit Hall now seeks intelligence on Tang Hao's whereabouts. Anyone with information is encouraged to report it at any affiliated branch of Spirit Hall.
Verified leads will be rewarded handsomely.
Anyone caught harboring or assisting Tang Hao will be considered an enemy of Spirit Hall—to be dealt with accordingly!
Another stated:
Effective immediately:
All Spirit Hall affiliates are to cease all dealings with the Clear Sky Clan.
The Clear Sky Clan is hereby ordered to surrender Tang Hao. If they fail to comply, they will be declared enemies of Spirit Hall and face war.
Furthermore, all soul master factions across the continent are forbidden from associating with the Clear Sky Clan.
Violation will be treated as treason against Spirit Hall and met with war.
These two declarations sent shockwaves throughout the entire continent.
Clear Sky Clan.
The aging Clan Master of the Clear Sky Clan had also received the message.
Though bedridden and gravely ill, he forced himself upright, taking the sealed bamboo scroll from a servant's hands.
It was from Spirit Hall—he dared not treat it lightly.
For decades, the Clear Sky Clan and Spirit Hall had clashed, both openly and in the shadows.
Back when his father Tang Chen was still around, the Clear Sky Clan stood at its peak. None dared challenge them.
Even Spirit Hall had to give them leeway and treat them with respect.
But after Tang Chen's mysterious disappearance, the tides had turned.
Spirit Hall gradually gained the upper hand, and the Clear Sky Clan's golden age faded.
Now, life was much harder.
His father might be missing, but he knew the truth—
Qian Daoliu, the terrifying rival of Tang Chen, was still alive.
And more importantly—still watching.
The Clear Sky Clan could not afford to provoke Spirit Hall.
To avoid disaster, he had always chosen restraint.
He had even warned the younger generation to tread carefully in the soul master world, to never anger Spirit Hall.
Now, his old hands trembled as he opened the scroll from Spirit Hall.
His cloudy eyes slowly scanned the words written within.