To Golden Crocodile, the Yin Zhang standing before him now was nothing short of a lifelong source of pride.
Every time news about Yin Zhang reached the Hall of Worship, Golden Crocodile would deliberately glance at the others with unconcealed satisfaction. The two or three Titled Douluo who had once been qualified to take Yin Zhang as a disciple—yet had failed to do so—were now so full of regret that their intestines were practically turning green.
Yin Zhang nodded calmly.
"Teacher, I'm ready."
"Good," Golden Crocodile said with a smile. "Then come with me. I'll take you to the site of your enthronement. There, you will receive the reverence of all Spirit City. After that, we will proceed to the Hall of Worship for your formal coronation."
Yin Zhang followed Golden Crocodile to a massive platform located five hundred meters from the Supreme Pontiff Palace.
From this vantage point, the entire surrounding area was clearly visible. From every direction, the people of Spirit City were looking toward him. Tens of thousands of gazes—perhaps even more—were fixed firmly on his figure.
Yin Zhang glanced back.
Qiangu Yunying, Hu Liena, Golden Crocodile, Yuan Qiqi, Qiangu Yuan, Dugu Bo, Yun Shan, and many others he knew well were all standing behind him, watching silently.
He smiled and nodded lightly, his heart surging with emotion.
After today, he would officially become the Supreme Pontiff.
Among the countless figures gazing up at him were Zhou Wu, Zhou Yuanyuan, Xie Yue, Yan, Qian Gu Lifan, and Wei Min—who was holding Qiangu Bai in his arms—along with many others.
Familiar faces appeared everywhere.
Old Jack and Ma Xiunuo were there as well.
Half a month earlier, Yin Zhang had arranged for them to be brought from Saint Spirit Village and Nuoding City. Back then, these two had taken care of him when he was at his weakest. Today, he wanted them to personally witness this moment of glory.
Su Yuntao was also present.
When Yin Zhang had remembered Old Jack and Ma Xiunuo, he had naturally thought of Su Yuntao as well and had him brought over.
Standing beside the two elders, Su Yuntao looked up at Yin Zhang—now clad in the Supreme Pontiff's ceremonial robes, dignified and noble beyond compare. His heart was filled with shock and an overwhelming sense of unreality.
If someone had told the Su Yuntao of the past that the child whose Spirit Awakening he once presided over in Saint Spirit Village would possess Innate Full Soul Power, be taken as a disciple by the Hall of Worship, rise to become Supreme Pontiff, and even invite him to witness the coronation…
He would have thought they were insane.
Yet now, the truth was unfolding right before his eyes.
Even if he lived to the very end of his life, Su Yuntao knew he would never forget this day.
Yin Zhang smiled and waved toward them, then turned his gaze to the smaller platform erected atop the grand one.
Several familiar figures stood there—Spirit Douluo-level Grand Elders of Spirit City. Each of them held immense prestige, second only to the Supreme Pontiff himself.
They were the most appropriate figures to preside over Yin Zhang's enthronement.
This entire ceremony had been rehearsed in advance to ensure absolute solemnity and perfection.
"Yin Zhang!" one of the Elders called out in a clear, powerful voice.
This, too, had been arranged beforehand.
Unlike past successions, Yin Zhang's ascension left nearly everyone present—and the vast majority of the Douluo Continent—utterly stunned. No one could have imagined that a youth of merely fifteen or sixteen would one day stand as the Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall.
And it was not even due to the death of the previous Supreme Pontiff—only a vague claim of seclusion.
No intelligent person truly believed that explanation.
At most, people would indulge in speculation and conspiracy theories, but none could grasp the deeper truth.
As for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Yin Zhang had already informed them in advance not to attend. Their relationship with Spirit Hall needed to remain hidden for now; exposure at this stage would bring unnecessary complications.
"I, Yin Zhang, am here!" Yin Zhang responded loudly.
Step by step, he ascended the platform.
One step at a time.
Until he reached the very summit.
He stood before the Elders, facing the people of the entire city, as the Supreme Pontiff's crown—symbol of absolute authority—was slowly placed upon his head.
At last, Yin Zhang raised his right hand high.
The Elders stepped back and descended the platform.
Yin Zhang summoned his spirits.
Behind him, the Charizard Spirit emerged, accompanied by seven spirit rings—black, black, black, black, red, red, black—radiating overwhelming pressure.
Then came his second Spirit.
The Golden Holy Dragon.
Two hundred-thousand-year spirit rings encircled its massive form.
In an instant, the entire city fell into dead silence.
Twin spirits.
Four hundred thousand years' worth of spirit rings.
The sheer impact was indescribable.
Even those standing behind Yin Zhang could not suppress expressions of shock and awe.
No matter how many times one witnessed it, the sight was still enough to shake the soul.
After several minutes, the stunned crowd finally regained their senses.
A deafening roar erupted across Spirit City.
"Yin Zhang! Supreme Pontiff!"
"Yin Zhang! Supreme Pontiff!"
The shouts grew louder and louder, echoing throughout the city. Even those who had initially hesitated were swept up by the tide, joining in the chants.
Among the crowd, one figure stood out.
Tang Hao.
More than a month earlier, upon hearing that Spirit Hall's new Supreme Pontiff was named Yin Zhang, Tang Hao had already traveled to a small city near Spirit City. At first, he had dismissed it as coincidence.
But now, seeing this scene…
It was undeniable.
They were the same person.
The shock in Tang Hao's heart was immense—and with it, an even stronger killing intent.
Back when news first reached Saint Spirit Village that Yin Zhang had joined Spirit Hall, Tang Hao had wanted to kill him immediately. But Yin Zhang never returned, and no opportunity arose.
Now, there was even less hope.
Leaving aside Yin Zhang's own strength, Tang Hao could clearly sense wave after wave of terrifying auras sweeping over the area.
Among them were at least two existences at Level 99.
Yin Zhang had long noticed Tang Hao's presence, having been warned in advance by Golden Crocodile.
Yet he felt no fear at all.
The System had already informed him—Tang Hao would not dare to make a move.
He simply could not.
On any ordinary day, perhaps there might have been a chance.
But today was Yin Zhang's coronation—the most important day in the history of Spirit Hall.
The moment Tang Hao revealed even the slightest hostile intent, Qian Daoliu and the Elders of the Hall of Worship would descend instantly and annihilate him without mercy.
After accepting the city's cheers for ten full minutes, Yin Zhang finally withdrew his spirits and spirit rings.
Under the guidance of Golden Crocodile and Yun Shan, he flew toward the towering mountain where the Hall of Worship stood, ready to complete the final step of his coronation.
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