Bi Bidong sat upright on her throne, nodding slightly at the words. Her voice was calm and steady, yet carried an undeniable authority:
"Su Yu is exceptionally talented and possesses a steady temperament. He is the most outstanding among the younger generation of our Spirit Hall."
"Today's coronation is both a recognition of his past achievements and our hope that he will contribute more to the peace of the continent in the future."
Bi Bidong's gaze swept past Xue Ye and settled on the elegantly dressed, handsome young man beside him, speaking lightly:
"I presume this must be the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe."
Emperor Xue Ye smiled and gestured to the young man beside him:
"The Pope has a keen eye. This is indeed my son, Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince of our Heaven Dou Empire."
Xue Qinghe stepped forward and bowed slightly to Bi Bidong, his movements graceful and his voice clear:
"Greetings, Pope."
Bi Bidong looked at him and nodded slightly, her tone gentle:
"Truly a remarkable talent with extraordinary bearing. It is fortunate for the Heaven Dou Empire to have such an outstanding youth."
The third bell suddenly rang out, resounding through the skies with its deep, distant tone, instantly silencing the murmurs on the high platform.
Those who had been conversing immediately straightened their postures, their gazes uniformly turning toward the entrance of the square.
From the crowd, a team of knights in dazzling golden armor advanced with perfectly synchronized steps.
Their spears angled toward the ground, they forcefully cleared a path about five meters wide through the dense crowd.
The golden armor reflected blinding light under the sun, radiating an imposing aura.
"Holy Son Su Yu arrives—!"
As the herald's resonant announcement echoed throughout the square, all noise fell into complete silence.
At the end of the path, Su Yu emerged, walking slowly.
At ten years old, Su Yu had already grown to 1.7 meters tall, standing more than a head above his peers, his posture as straight as a fresh bamboo shoot after rain.
His face still carried the innocence of youth, but his features were already clearly defined—a straight nose bridge and lips that hadn't fully matured, retaining a hint of youthful tenderness.
Yet his eyes were exceptionally clear and bright, like obsidian stones immersed in a stream.
When he looked around, they held both the purity of a child and a tranquility beyond his years.
He wore a white robe embroidered with golden totems, a jade belt at his waist, and his long hair was tied up with a simple jade hairpin. His face was handsome, and his eyes shone brightly.
Though still just a youth, he carried an aura of steady composure. His steps were unhurried, each footfall firm and steady, as if stepping on the heartstrings of everyone present.
Despite being just a half-grown child, his height and gaze inexplicably created an aura that commanded respect.
At the edge of the square, whispers spread through the crowd like a rising tide.
"Is that Lord Su Yu? Is he really only ten years old?"
A young girl with twin buns craned her neck, her eyes wide with astonishment.
"But he's truly handsome, even more so than the celestial children in paintings."
A middle-aged Soul Master carrying a backpack chimed in:
"Handsome is one thing, but I've heard that Lord Su Yu has already broken through to the Soul Elder level, and his Soul Power is almost reaching the Soul Ancestor level!"
"Really?"
Someone nearby clicked their tongue in disbelief.
"A ten-year-old Soul Ancestor? If that's true, wouldn't he be even more remarkable than the Pope was in her day?"
"Why would I lie to you? If I'm lying, may your whole family perish!"
The middle-aged Soul Master grew anxious, patting his chest as he guaranteed.
"My third grandaunt's daughter's husband's sister's mother-in-law's daughter's husband's younger brother's girlfriend serves as a maid in the Papal Hall!"
"These words were told to me personally by my third grandaunt's daughter's husband's sister's mother-in-law's daughter's husband's younger brother's girlfriend—how could they be false?"
The convoluted statement left everyone momentarily dazed, yet no one questioned it further.
After all, being able to spin such a complicated relationship made it sound like there really was something to it.
"My heavens, such talent is truly terrifying..."
"No wonder the Spirit Hall is making such a grand spectacle of the Coronation Ceremony—it turns out they've produced a rare genius not seen in a century!"
The murmurs were filled with awe and a touch of reverence. Countless gazes once again turned toward the youth steadily advancing along the passageway, their eyes now carrying more scrutiny and curiosity.
Su Yu seemed not to hear, continuing to walk calmly and unhurriedly, his white robe swaying gently in the breeze.
Su Yu steadily reached the center of the high platform, stopping before Bi Bidong, Emperor Xue Ye, and Dai Tianfeng. He bowed slightly with a composed and dignified demeanor.
"Requesting His Holiness the Pope to crown the Holy Son!"
The master of ceremonies' voice resonated across the square once more, imbued with a solemn sense of ritual.
As soon as the words fell, a procession of beautiful young women in pale purple gossamer dresses gracefully entered the passageway, their steps light as butterflies, their skirts rippling in layers with each movement.
The leading maiden, with a slender and graceful figure, held a purple jade tray carved with intertwining lotus patterns.
Upon the tray rested a golden crown, its body inlaid with tiny sapphires and edged with a fringe of silver thread tassels.
Under the sunlight, it shimmered with a gentle yet authoritative luster—this was the coronation crown Bi Bidong had designed for Su Yu.
The maidens came to a halt behind Su Yu, and the leader gently raised the purple jade tray overhead, presenting it to Bi Bidong.
Bi Bidong rose slowly, her purple-gold papal robes flowing with a luxurious sheen as she moved.
Tens of thousands in the square held their breath, their attention entirely focused on this moment; even the wind seemed to slow its pace.
Bi Bidong's fingertips brushed over the cool crystals of the crown, her gaze softening as it fell upon Su Yu:
"This crown bears not only status but also responsibility."
Her voice carried clearly across the square.
"You must remember, once you wear this crown, you will no longer have the leisure of youthful recklessness. You must approach every decision with reverence!"
"In the face of power, do not yield your integrity; in the face of the weak, do not show disrespect; in the face of conflict, discern right from wrong; in the face of crisis, dare to take responsibility."
"The Spirit Hall stands in this world not to dominate alone, but to protect the people within its domain and safeguard their peace."
"As the Holy Son, you must engrave this belief into your very bones."
"In the future, there may be storms that break you, or mists that blind you. This crown will constantly remind you: what is the right path, what is the original intent."
"It will witness your growth and test your loyalty."
"If you stray from the path, it will be a shackle, warning you to turn back to shore; if you hold fast to your true heart, it will be a medal, reflecting a life lived without regret."
Bi Bidong's voice gradually rose, carrying an undeniable force:
"Today, in the name of the Pope of the Spirit Hall, I crown you."
"May you henceforth be like the stars that never fall, like the pine that never breaks. With your own strength, protect the Spirit Hall and seek blessings for all living beings under heaven."
"Do you dare accept?"
Su Yu straightened his back, meeting Bi Bidong's gaze. Though his voice still carried the clarity of youth, each word rang with resolute force:
"Your disciple Su Yu dares to accept! I shall not fail the Pope's trust, not disgrace the crown's glory, nor disappoint the world's expectations!"
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