Yin Zhang laughed and waved it off lightly.
"Alright, alright. Zhou Wu really is something. Once today's matters are settled, I'll go talk to him and clear up the misunderstanding. After all, having you is already more than enough for me."
Qiangu Yunying rolled her eyes.
"Having me and Hu Liena is enough, right? You're already a complete scumbag without being the Supreme Pontiff—if you really become Supreme Pontiff, who knows how bad you'll get."
She narrowed her eyes sharply.
"And don't you dare go telling Zhou Wu about you and Yuanyuan. Hey—what kind of look is that?!"
Seeing the dangerous glint in Yin Zhang's eyes, Qiangu Yunying immediately protested.
Yin Zhang chuckled softly but wisely said nothing more.
The two walked out of the room together. Only then did many of those waiting outside fully grasp what had just happened.
Zhou Wu wore a complicated expression as he sighed.
"Xiao Zhang… I truly never expected that you'd really become the Supreme Pontiff."
He felt slightly dazed.
Three years ago, Yin Zhang had still been a student at Spirit Hall Academy alongside him. Yet in just three short years, Yin Zhang was on the verge of becoming the Supreme Pontiff—while he himself was merely a deacon.
Yin Zhang laughed.
"Why not? In the future, if you run into any trouble, just come to me. As long as it's not too outrageous, I'll take care of it for you."
Zhou Wu nodded with a smile, quickly expressing his thanks.
---
Naturally, Yin Zhang could not assume the position of Supreme Pontiff the very day Bibi Dong stepped down.
At the very least, there had to be preparation.
Externally, Spirit Hall announced that Bibi Dong had abdicated in order to cultivate in seclusion.
Few people truly believed it, but it served as a reasonable explanation. The general public, lacking access to insider information, accepted it—even if they found it strange. After all, the position of Supreme Pontiff had never been voluntarily relinquished before.
(Qian Daoliu stepping back to enter the Hall of Worship did not count.)
Those who understood the truth knew very well that Bibi Dong had been forced out.
---
A few days later, another important group arrived in Spirit City.
Dugu Bo and his family came to pay a visit.
After briefly meeting the high-ranking members of Spirit Hall, the Titled Douluo, and the eight elders of the Hall of Worship, Dugu Bo sought out Yin Zhang.
The two spoke privately.
"In the Heaven Dou Empire," Dugu Bo reported, "under the Young Miss's governance, most of those unwilling to submit to Spirit Hall have either been eliminated or stripped of their ability to pose a threat. The nobles in Heaven Dou City—such as the great Nine Heart Begonia Ye Family—have already followed suit and pledged allegiance to the Young Miss. Once she reveals her identity, they will not refuse."
Yin Zhang nodded in satisfaction.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had also sent representatives to Spirit City several days earlier to express their support.
Even Ning Rongrong, Ning Fengzhi's beloved daughter, had been sent to Spirit City and enrolled in Spirit Hall Academy.
There was no need to think too hard about it—this was clearly a hostage, sent to put Spirit Hall at ease.
Yin Zhang spoke calmly.
"Very good. My coronation will take place on October 1st—just a few weeks from now. By then, Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, Gu Rong, and the elders of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School will all come to Spirit City."
"They will publicly declare their defection to Spirit Hall and formally become an affiliated sect, while also paying homage to the new Supreme Pontiff—me."
Although Yin Zhang was only fifteen years old, his true strength far exceeded appearances.
Though his spirit power was only at the Spirit Saint level on paper, even ordinary Titled Douluo were no match for him.
The upper echelons of Spirit Hall knew this well—but the wider world did not.
Having the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School submit on the day of his coronation would firmly establish his authority and silence many doubts.
As for the sects that had previously supported Bibi Dong, they had already been taken over smoothly by Yin Zhang's arrangements.
Namely—Yue Guan and Gui Mei.
Especially Hu Yan Zhen of Elephant Armored Academy.
In the past, Hu Yan Zhen had been Bibi Dong's most loyal lackey. After her departure, he immediately sent envoys to Spirit City to declare his allegiance, expressing his willingness to continue serving Spirit Hall.
He even sent his grandson, Hu Yan Li, the academy's most talented disciple, to Spirit Hall Academy—effectively a hostage.
It was a clear gesture of loyalty, born of fear that Spirit Hall might otherwise abandon or distrust him.
---
Dugu Bo then asked thoughtfully,
"Xiao Zhang, once the Heaven Dou Empire fully submits, can Spirit Hall really continue existing in its current form?"
Yin Zhang naturally understood his meaning.
He smiled.
"The Spirit Empire."
"After the Heaven Dou Empire is merged into Spirit Hall, I intend to establish the Spirit Empire, with Spirit City as its capital. I will still be called Supreme Pontiff."
He chuckled.
"An emperor's title doesn't suit us. A Supreme Pontiff is still a sovereign, after all."
Dugu Bo pondered for a moment, then nodded.
"That makes sense. Nobles arise from imperial power—but under Spirit Hall, families may exist, yet nobles will not."
In Spirit City, the reputation of nobles was notoriously poor.
Families, however, were different.
Spirit Hall families earned their livelihoods openly, without exploitation.
Like the Yang Family of the Breaker Clan—renowned poison-makers, yet equally skilled in herbal cultivation and trade. With Spirit Hall's support, they prospered honestly.
---
After Dugu Bo left, visitors arrived in waves.
Once the news of Yin Zhang's imminent ascension became public, anyone of sufficient status in Spirit City sought an audience, hoping to build connections.
Yin Zhang handled it with ease.
After all, once he became Supreme Pontiff, these people would be part of his daily life.
As for governing?
He had already begun handling official affairs a week earlier.
And he had to admit—
The sensation of power, of holding Spirit Hall firmly in his grasp, was intoxicating.