Stepping onto each stair, tall and uniformly built knights clad in silver armor almost completely sealed off the surroundings, watertight. The patrolling squads that passed by from time to time had squad leaders who were almost all at the Soul King level, while the team members' soul power was nearly all above rank 20. And this was merely the simplest outer layer of protection for such a large-scale event held by the Spirit Hall.
As they ventured deeper, the surrounding sounds grew increasingly quiet. Sunlight poured straight down from above, draping a layer of golden gauze over the majestic buildings around them. The place was very silent, only the sound of everyone's footsteps and the clinking of the patrolling knights' armor combined with their perfectly synchronized marching could be heard.
As the elevation gradually increased, the field of view became wider and wider. At the same time, the air seemed to carry lingering traces of sacred and powerful auras, like golden light feathers slowly drifting down from the sky.
Shen Hanyu slightly raised his eyes. The Snow Empress and Demon Empress also sensed something. It was a fleeting, sacred, and radiant aura. The purest essence within it even faintly resonated with the divine power inside Shen Hanyu's body. The owner of this aura only appeared for a moment before completely vanishing, and the surrounding presence dissipated entirely.
At that moment, inside the Papal Hall, Bibi Dong, who had been sitting gracefully on her throne, suddenly opened her eyes. A trace of astonishment flashed through them. Her gaze slowly shifted, a black-purple light flickering briefly in her eyes before it was concealed deep within once again…
"Divine power aura… and two completely different kinds of divine power auras."
The Snow Empress's voice directly rang in Shen Hanyu's mind, also awakening several soul beasts that had been dormant.
Tianmeng rubbed his sleepy eyes and said in some shock:
"Hanyu, you guys progressed this fast? You're already storming the Spirit Hall?"
Shen Hanyu couldn't be bothered to respond to Tianmeng and simply gave a light nod toward the Snow Empress beside him.
Tianmeng shook his head, trying to wake himself up, only to be ruthlessly smacked away by a green scorpion pincer. He landed face-first and ate a mouthful of dust.
…
Shen Hanyu and the others had already followed Hu Liena and the other two without any obstruction all the way to the front of the Papal Hall. The two elders once again gave a slight bow toward the group before standing guard on either side of the hall doors.
Hu Liena pushed open the doors, then slowly stepped aside, making a welcoming gesture and speaking softly:
"Esteemed guests, His Holiness the Pope has been waiting for quite some time. Please…"
Hu Liena's gaze lingered longest on Shen Hanyu, though she also paused briefly on the others. In her eyes, the most ordinary among this group were probably the two accompanying teachers; they barely had any presence in this lineup.
Shen Hanyu glanced at Hu Liena, then took the lead and stepped into the Papal Hall, the place that represented the highest visible authority of the Spirit Hall.
…
The lighting inside the Papal Hall was somewhat dim, making the surroundings feel slightly dark. The air carried traces of coolness. The furnishings were extremely simple yet exuded luxury in every detail.
On the high throne at the center of the grand hall sat a woman of icy, noble temperament and near-perfect appearance. Her long, imposing eyes swept over everyone one by one. Holding the papal scepter, she slowly rose. A voice filled with the dignity and oppressive aura of a superior rang out:
"This seat is Bibi Dong, the current Pope of the Spirit Hall. This seat, together with all members of the Spirit Hall, welcomes our distinguished guests from afar. We are both surprised and deeply honored by your arrival…"
The terrifying pressure that rushed toward them vanished without a trace the moment it reached Shen Hanyu and the Snow Empress standing at the very front. Shen Hanyu lifted his head and, for the first time, seriously looked at this woman who, in the original story, was both hateful and pitiful.
Bibi Dong's appearance was already close to perfection. Unlike the naturally ethereal beauty of the Snow Empress, Bibi Dong's features would have been extremely soft and gentle if not for the terrifying icy aura surrounding her. Yet as the Pope, her appearance leaned toward mature composure and aggressiveness. Paired with her aura, it only made her seem even more noble and untouchable.
"His Holiness the Pope is too courteous. With so many influential forces on the continent nowadays, Skywater Academy can hardly claim to be at the forefront…"
Shen Hanyu said with a light smile.
Behind him, Qin Ya and the other accompanying teacher exchanged a glance and swallowed hard. Although they had seen many grand occasions, facing such a legendary figure as the Pope of the Spirit Hall directly, if it were just the two of them, they would probably already be too nervous to speak…
The corners of Bibi Dong's mouth curved slightly. Her gaze paused briefly on the Snow Empress and Demon Empress, whose appearances even slightly surpassed hers, but her expression remained unchanged as she said:
"You must be the one who easily defeated Sword Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan outside Element City, the peerless genius who possesses a ten-thousand-year eighth ring yet rarely appears in the public eye, correct?"
Shen Hanyu smiled lightly without denying it and said:
"His Holiness the Pope is very well-informed. Yes, I am Shen Hanyu."
Bibi Dong carefully observed Shen Hanyu for a moment, then smiled and said:
"Truly worthy of the name peerless genius. At such a young age, you already possess soul power above rank 90, and none of your companions are anything less than top-tier geniuses. May I ask what your title is?"
Shen Hanyu raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, and said:
"Shen Hanyu, title—Cold Sky."
Bibi Dong nodded and continued:
"Very well, Hantian Douluo. May I ask you to introduce your companions to me?"
"Of course."
Shen Hanyu's gaze swept over the people behind him, first landing on the Snow Empress. With a light smile, he introduced them one by one:
"The Snow Empress, my beloved."
"These two are the accompanying teachers for Skywater Academy this time…"
"Those few girls are the members of Skywater's battle team this year. I believe His Holiness the Pope already knows their specific names…"
"These two are the Demon Empress and Lan Fozi."
"And this last one is You Mengchu, a very recent addition to our group…"
Bibi Dong's gaze swept across everyone once more, then she gave a slight nod in greeting.
No one acted arrogantly. The girls and the two teachers all gave shallow bows in return. Shen Hanyu and the others could afford to be more casual, but those with lower strength or younger age still needed to observe proper etiquette, lest someone seize on any small mistake to make trouble.
Even the Snow Empress and Demon Empress gave slight nods in acknowledgment. Bibi Dong's strength was considerable. Even though she was currently restricted by the Rakshasa God trials and could only display rank 98 power despite possessing Limit Douluo-level cultivation, she could still command the respect due to her strength. That was the privilege of the powerful.
Bibi Dong's gaze finally settled on You Mengchu. She spoke softly:
"I believe you are the recently renowned Imperial Feather Douluo, correct?"
You Mengchu did not deny it and nodded.
Bibi Dong gave a gentle smile and said:
"All of you are distinguished guests who have come from afar to the Spirit Hall. For the upcoming lecture, we will have to trouble Imperial Feather Douluo to take the trouble. The Spirit Hall always keeps its word. After enlightening the soul masters, the promised soul bone will be presented with both hands. There will be no delay…"
As she spoke, a complete right arm bone glowing with silver light appeared in Bibi Dong's hand. After showing it to everyone, she put it away again.
You Mengchu glanced at the soul bone, then spoke softly:
"His Holiness the Pope, I have one request. I wonder if you could grant it…"
A faint shadow passed through the depths of Bibi Dong's eyes. She said:
"Imperial Feather Douluo, please speak freely…"
You Mengchu looked at Bibi Dong and said seriously:
"Giving the lecture is certain. But Your Holiness, I can forgo this soul bone. I only hope that after everything is done, I may be allowed to enter the Spirit Hall's Scripture Pavilion to read its contents…"
Actually, You Mengchu had still been hesitating about her final choice at first. But after seeing that soul bone just now, she immediately made her decision.
A right arm bone with a maximum age of only thirty thousand years? Shen Hanyu definitely had plenty. During this period, she had inquired thoroughly, Shen Hanyu casually took out ten-thousand-year premium soul bones. The soul bones he prepared for his younger sister and those girls even included super soul bones at the ferocious beast level. As a hardworking super Douluo "wage earner," she was so envious her liver hurt. So she decided to squeeze a few top-grade soul bones out of the black-hearted capitalist Shen Hanyu as her salary; besides, he already owed her one soul bone anyway…
Bibi Dong's eyes flashed with surprise and confusion, but she quickly replied:
"Of course. Whatever Imperial Feather Douluo requests, the Spirit Hall will naturally not refuse…"
What was the Spirit Hall Scripture Pavilion? Although it did contain many rare and unique books, the truly critical and essential parts of the collection were kept by that old man in the Papal Hall. How could they possibly be placed in such a place? No matter how you looked at it, the value of a ten-thousand-year soul bone far exceeded those books…
Thus, the two women, each harboring their own little calculations, unintentionally reached a certain mutually beneficial transaction…
Bibi Dong looked at everyone and said:
"Since that is the case, please allow our distinguished guests to rest for a while this afternoon. The lecture is scheduled to begin precisely at noon. Imperial Feather Douluo may use the time to prepare. This seat still has official duties to attend to, so I shall take my leave first…"
Shen Hanyu nodded. He had no intention of lingering here with Bibi Dong anyway. The hall doors opened, and everyone followed two maidservants toward the rest area arranged by Bibi Dong…
…
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Hu Liena slowly closed the doors of the Papal Hall, then walked to Bibi Dong's side, half-knelt beside her, and asked softly:
"Teacher, how was the situation?"
Bibi Dong looked at her most beloved disciple, rubbed her brow, and said:
"That young man named Shen Hanyu displays an aura roughly at the Super Douluo level, but his spiritual power intensity can even compare to mine. Moreover, there is a terrifying hidden power within his body; this teacher cannot explain it to you, nor can I be certain of his true strength…"
Hu Liena covered her mouth in shock, unable to stop herself from gasping:
"Teacher, he looks like he's about the same age as me, yet his strength is already this terrifying… this is simply…"
Bibi Dong sighed lightly, then gently pinched Hu Liena's cheek and said somewhat heavily:
"It's not just him. The two named Snow Empress and Demon Empress beside him are even more extraordinary. Taking either one alone, with the strength this teacher can currently display, I am definitely no match for them…"
Hu Liena no longer knew what to say. She knew very well how powerful her teacher was. Not to mention others, even the two Super Douluo-level elders Ju and Gui were no match for her teacher with a single move. Yet her proud teacher had just admitted that she currently could not defeat those two…
Bibi Dong gently pulled Hu Liena into her arms and continued:
"That Imperial Feather Douluo is also extremely young, yet her aura is at the Super Douluo level as well. This teacher finds it hard to imagine that so many top geniuses appeared on the continent, and why the Spirit Hall only began to notice them in recent years. Therefore, this teacher intends to have people thoroughly investigate the records of martial soul awakenings in various villages and towns by the branch halls over these past years. Secondly…"
"There is also your group, the Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall. The members of Skywater's battle team are generally younger than all of you. Especially the two young geniuses named Shen Liuyu and Shui Bing'er—one is only fourteen yet already at the Soul King level, while the other is not even thirteen and has already broken through to Soul Elder. Give them another four years… just how powerful will they become? Not to mention, they have mastered the method of absorbing soul rings beyond their level. The Spirit Hall has also researched this, but unfortunately, aside from me, everyone else perished…"
Bibi Dong's tone grew serious:
"Nana, you are my only disciple. The teacher naturally hopes you will be the most outstanding among the younger generation. Over the next four years, the Spirit Hall's resources will be fully tilted toward the seven of you, with you at the head. During this period, the teacher will send all of you to Demon Valley. Don't be afraid, the teacher will have Ghost Douluo regularly deliver supplies and provisions. We will only guarantee your lives when necessary. Everything else will depend on yourselves…"
Hu Liena's expression froze, her pretty face turning slightly pale.
The Demon Valley was a massive canyon terrain under the control of the Spirit Hall. Its geography was complex and labyrinthine, and the soul beasts that could dominate there were all extremely rare and powerful. Not to mention their Golden Generation, even ordinary Soul Saints might not necessarily make it out alive.
"Teacher, do we really not need to reconsider…"
"Mm. Nana, the teacher has already decided. After this matter concludes, the teacher will personally escort you all there. You don't need to worry now. Tonight, come to teacher's chambers. Teacher has some things to pass on to you…"
Before Hu Liena could finish speaking, Bibi Dong cut her off in one breath, then waved her hand, signaling her to withdraw.
Hu Liena still wanted to struggle a little, but the next moment, she found her mouth sealed by an invisible force. She could only let out muffled whimpers as her body was gently lifted by a soft surge of soul power and sent outside…
…
Back to Shen Hanyu's side.
After following the two maidservants for a short distance, everyone arrived in front of a side hall.
Though it was called a side hall, it depended on where it was located. The side halls of the Spirit Hall were in no way inferior to those in the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace; in fact, they were even more luxurious.
After the two maidservants delivered everyone to the place, they respectfully saluted the group and prepared to leave. Professional attendants would handle the rest; it was no longer their duty.
Shen Hanyu led the way and slowly stepped through the door. Then his body suddenly stiffened. In almost an instant, his gaze locked onto the handsome middle-aged man sitting quietly at a small table inside the hall.
The middle-aged man revealed a gentle smile toward everyone. The peaceful aura around him unconsciously made people feel warm and comfortable.
He simply sat there quietly, yet the surrounding space immediately brightened. Sacred and radiant light flowed around him. In the blink of an eye, except for the three with powerful strength, everyone else's vision suddenly changed. The indoor scene transformed abruptly into a world filled with light. A massive, sacred six-winged angel slowly unfurled its three pairs of wings symbolizing justice. Countless golden light feathers drifted down from the sky, breathtakingly beautiful…
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are 30 early chapters available on Patreon
[email protected]/facficmax10--------(@→a)