The man called "Second Brother" had a steady countenance and profound eyes. He was the Second Elder of the Clear Sky Sect.
He was also currently the most powerful member of the Clear Sky Sect, having reached the level of a 95th-ranked Titled Douluo!
He raised his hand and pressed it on the burly man's shoulder, saying in a deep voice:
"Third Brother, calm down!"
"Since the Spirit Hall has already sent the invitation, if we don't come, people will think that the Clear Sky Sect is truly afraid of them. It will be even harder for us to hold our heads high in the future."
He looked toward the towering buildings within the Holy City, his gaze sharp:
"Besides, it's good to take a look."
"The Spirit Hall is making such a grand show of promoting a Holy Son—what exactly are they scheming?"
"Although our Clear Sky Sect has closed its doors, we cannot shut our eyes and ears."
The burly man's chest heaved a few times, but he ultimately suppressed his anger and grumbled:
"But seeing their smug faces makes me feel stifled! Are we just going to forget about the debts from back then?"
"Of course not, but now is not the time to act impulsively. The Spirit Hall's ambition will eventually destroy itself!"
"What we need to do now is bide our time and wait for the right moment to deliver the most painful blow to the Spirit Hall!"
Inside the Papal Hall—
Bi Bidong sat upright on the papal throne, her gaze fixed on Su Yu, who stood tall and straight below. Her eyes were filled with undisguised pride.
"Xiao Yu, in a few days, it will be your Holy Son Coronation Ceremony. In the past ten years, you are the only Holy Son of the Spirit Hall."
"During the ceremony, the younger generation from various sects and kingdoms will surely challenge you."
"I hope you can defeat all challengers and show them the demeanor of our Spirit Hall's Holy Son."
"Teacher, don't you trust my strength?"
Su Yu smiled, took a few steps forward to the throne, and without any hesitation, rested his chin on Bi Bidong's thigh, like a small animal seeking shelter.
Bi Bidong was momentarily stunned by his intimate gesture, a gentle smile appearing in her eyes. She raised her hand and gently ruffled his hair, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible coquettishness:
"How many times have I told you? This is the Papal Hall, your teacher's place of work. You can't be so casual here."
Despite her words, her hand never stopped moving. Her fingertips brushed through Su Yu's soft hair, and the adoration in her eyes was almost overflowing.
Su Yu nuzzled against her leg and laughed, "I know, but in front of you, Teacher, I don't have to pretend."
"Teacher, don't worry. No matter how many challengers come, I will definitely win."
"Mmm, your teacher believes in you. You will surely be the most outstanding Holy Son in the history of the Spirit Hall!"
One day later, Su Yu's Holy Son Coronation Ceremony was held as scheduled!
In Su Yu's room—
Bi Bidong held a white robe embroidered with golden patterns, her fingertips tracing the delicate patterns on the fabric.
"Come, try it on and see if it fits."
Su Yu walked over and allowed her to fasten the jade belt around his waist.
The robe was just the right length, its hem swaying gently with his movements, making his posture appear even more upright.
"It fits perfectly."
Bi Bidong took half a step back, carefully examining him, her tone full of praise.
"Xiao Yu, today is your stage. Your teacher is proud of you!"
Su Yu raised his hand and touched the embroidery on the collar, feeling the delicate texture under his fingertips.
"Yes, Teacher! I will surely sweep through all the disciples of the sects!"
A faint bell toll echoed from outside the window, signaling the imminent start of the ceremony.
Bi Bidong was the first to leave the room. As the Pope of the Spirit Hall, she needed to arrive at the venue early.
The Spirit Square was already packed with a massive crowd. Tens of thousands of Spirit Hall disciples, dressed in uniform attire, stood in neat rows, their presence solemn and imposing.
At the forefront of the square, a high platform had been erected, lined with dozens of chairs draped in luxurious velvet cloth.
The foremost chair, crafted from purple gold with armrests carved into spreading eagles, was unmistakably reserved for Pope Bi Bidong.
A few feet behind it, two equally majestic chairs stood side by side, designated for Heaven Dou Empire's Emperor Xue Ye and Star Luo Empire's Emperor Dai Tianfeng, respectively.
Further back were the seats for the sect leaders and the invited Titled Douluo guests, each placement reflecting a strict hierarchy.
When the first deep toll of the bell reverberated through the Holy City, the entire square fell silent instantly.
At the entrance to the high platform, Bi Bidong appeared, clad in the Pope's exclusive purple-gold robe and wearing a papal crown adorned with multicolored gemstones.
Her stunning face was cold and authoritative, each step she took seeming to carry an invisible pressure as she led the way into the square.
Behind her, Emperor Xue Ye wore a bright yellow dragon robe, his expression gentle yet retaining an imperial dignity;
Dai Tianfeng of the Star Luo Empire was dressed in a black dragon robe, his brow bearing the ruggedness honed on the battlefield.
The three ascended the platform and took their respective seats.
In an instant, the tens of thousands of disciples in the square simultaneously dropped to one knee, shouting in unison:
"Hail the Pope! Hail the two Emperors!"
The roar of voices swept across the square like a tidal wave, vibrating eardrums and fully displaying the Spirit Hall's formidable might.
Only after the three had seated themselves did the crowd rise, and then, the representatives of the major sects and the invited Titled Douluo guests entered one by one!
After the three were seated, the people in the square rose uniformly, their gazes fixed intently on the entrance.
Following that, the representatives of the major sects and the invited Titled Douluo guests entered in sequence.
Ning Fengzhi, leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, held a jade ruyi scepter, a gentle smile on his face.
Beside him walked the Sword Douluo Chen Xin, clad in white robes with his sword intent restrained, both moving with composed steps and an air of elegance.
Yu Yuanzhen, clan leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, had a burly build, with faint electric sparks flickering around him.
He was followed by several clan elders, their expressions solemn and their eyes sharply scanning the entire square;
The delegation from the Clear Sky Sect, though plainly dressed, stood tall and moved with steady strides, exuding a fierce and courageous aura.
In addition, there were kings from various kingdoms and several Titled Douluo whose auras were unfathomably deep.
Everyone took their seats according to their assigned places, and the high platform instantly glittered with starlight, gathering almost all the top-tier forces of the continent.
Though no words were exchanged, undercurrents seemed to flow when their eyes met.
The square returned to silence, broken only by the flapping of flags in the wind.
All eyes were fixed on the vacant Holy Son's throne at the center of the high platform, awaiting the arrival of today's protagonist.
Emperor Xue Ye of Heaven Dou turned his gaze to Bi Bidong. Seeing her in the purple-gold robe, her figure graceful and her brow naturally authoritative, he smiled and spoke:
"Pope, today is a rare grand event for the Spirit Hall."
"Thinking back, the last time I attended such a coronation ceremony was during your Holy Daughter Coronation. So many years have passed in the blink of an eye."
Beside him, Star Luo Empire's Emperor Dai Tianfeng also chimed in, "Indeed, Your Holiness the Pope."
"If I recall correctly, it has been ten years since the Spirit Hall last appointed a Holy Son or Holy Daughter!"
"It seems this Holy Son Su Yu must be deeply favored by Your Holiness, otherwise such a grand ceremony would not be held."