Douro Continent

Chapter 418 The Origins of the Netherworld White Tiger (Part 2)

The Spirit Hall Academy team, led by Xie Yue, had the most relaxed expressions, but their eyes shone with the light of faith—faith in the Spirit Hall, faith in the Pope.

Shrek Academy maintained the lowest level of discretion, with the seven students lined up in a row, from left to right: Dai Mubai, Tang San, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing.

The plaza in front of the Papal Palace was no smaller than the arena used in the previous competition. The square plaza was paved with special stones; upon closer inspection, one could see a faint, lustrous sheen on the stones. While not real jade, they were certainly far superior to ordinary rocks. This demonstrated just how formidable the Spirit Hall's wealth was.

A group of people emerged from the side door of the Papal Palace. A total of twelve cardinals, whose rank was second only to the Platinum Cardinals, slowly walked over. They walked straight to the front of the Papal Palace and stood on either side, six on each side.

The leader announced loudly, "His Holiness the Pope has arrived."

"Long live! Long live! Long live!" The three shouts echoed throughout the entire Spirit City like a landslide and a tsunami.

That wasn't just the voice of the orderly rows of paladin knights on Mount Papal; it was also the cry of all the soul masters in the entire Spirit City who were forbidden from approaching Mount Papal. For them, the Pope was the highest form of faith!

The massive palace doors slowly opened, and the emblems on the two doors gradually veered off course.

Everyone's gaze involuntarily turned towards the open door. Even the seven members of the Spirit Hall Academy team felt their hearts pounding faster.

Even as the Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall, they had only met the Pope once, when they were awarded the Purple Record Medal.

Wearing a long, shimmering gold gown from head to toe, a purple-gold crown, and holding a scepter, Bibi Dong, with a solemn expression, was the first to emerge from the Papal Palace. She possessed an almost ethereal quality, seemingly infinitely tall and imposing.

No one even noticed her stunning beauty; at this moment, she represented only the majesty of the Spirit Hall's Pope.

The long, shimmering gold gown fit her perfectly, its dazzling fabric sparkling with over a hundred red, blue, and gold gemstones. The purple-gold crown atop her head was even more radiant; all the light seemed to converge upon her alone.

At this moment, all members of the Spirit Hall knelt on one knee, saying, "Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope."

The atmosphere at that moment was indescribable. Even people with strong wills like Tang San and Dai Mubai couldn't help but feel a desire to worship amidst the shouts coming from all directions.

Behind Bibi Dong followed four people. Three of them wore bright red robes, but unlike the cardinals' all-red robes, their red robes were inlaid with gold and silver patterns. In particular, the jewel on their chest, which shone with gold and was the size of an infant's fist, was full of luxuriousness.

For ordinary people, this formal attire might merely symbolize nobility, but for Soul Masters, it represents the greatest honor. Only Title Douluos are qualified to wear this red robe. Clearly, these three individuals hold that status.

Of these three, only one was someone Tang San and the others had met before: Chen Xin, a level 96 Title Douluo from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, who possessed the title of Sword Douluo and was known as the Sword Douluo with the strongest attack.

Of the other two, the one on the left was enveloped in an ethereal aura, and although he wore the same clothes, no one could clearly see his features. As for the other, his skin appeared as delicate as a baby's, and his alluring appearance gave him a peculiar air; if it weren't for the Adam's apple on his neck, no one would believe he was a man.

Although Tang San didn't recognize either of them, he immediately felt a sense of familiarity upon seeing them. He thought to himself, "These two must be Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo who appeared that day, intending to ambush me."

Only three types of people can emerge from the main gate of the Papal Palace. First, the Pope himself. Second, those who have proven their strength as Title Douluos. Third, the elders of the Spirit Hall. Apart from these three, even Platinum Bishops and the emperors of the two great empires are not qualified to enter or leave this gate.

The fourth person walking with the three Title Douluos clearly didn't possess the strength of a Title Douluo, yet he still emerged from that gate, implying he had another identity: an elder of the Spirit Hall. More precisely, an honorary elder. He was none other than Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

Dugu Bo was originally qualified, but he didn't join them. He simply stayed quietly by the side of the Golden Iron Triangle.

"Has it finally arrived?" Tang San watched the five people stepping out of the Papal Palace. At this moment, only the seven students from Shrek Academy remained standing on the platform. Even the seven students from Divine Wind Academy had already knelt on one knee.

The Shrek Seven Devils had never discussed the situation beforehand, yet they made the same decision.

As a prince, Dai Mubai naturally wouldn't kneel before the Spirit Hall, and Zhu Zhuqing had a similar reason. Oscar never cared about the Spirit Hall; he only appreciated it when receiving the gold spirit coins from them.

As for Tang San, he would never bow down to the Pope. Not because of his lineage from the Clear Sky Sect or anything else, but because of his own pride.

In his heart, the only people he would kneel before were his father and teacher. As for others, even emperors, what difference did it make?

Ma Hongjun's thoughts were similar to Tang San's. Xiao Wu lowered her head, and no one knew what she was thinking. But in reality, her eyes were revealing a special light, which contained hatred.

As for Ning Rongrong, as the beloved daughter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's sect leader and likely the next sect leader, she naturally wouldn't kneel.

Although there is no explicit rule that Soul Masters must bow to the Pope of the Spirit Hall, at this moment, the Shrek Seven Devils undoubtedly appear to be quite unconventional.

Bibi Dong's gaze fell directly on the seven youths, and all the members of the Spirit Hall glared angrily at the Shrek Seven Devils.

Standing behind Bibi Dong, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan made a purring sound towards Bibi Dong's lips, and Bibi Dong's gaze immediately found Tang San among the Shrek Seven Devils.

The moment her gaze fell upon Tang San, Tang San clearly felt as if his soul was being ripped away. His body trembled slightly, and he had no choice but to immediately activate his Purple Demon Eye.

A purple-gold light shot out from his eyes, reaching over a foot high, finally blocking Pope Bibi Dong's gaze. However, his movements were undeniably contrived, lacking the fluidity and naturalness of Bibi Dong's.

"How dare you be so disrespectful to His Holiness the Pope!" the cardinal who had been chanting earlier shouted angrily.

Bibi Dong's gaze had softened, and she raised her hand. The cardinal immediately shut his mouth, his face filled with awe.

Bibi Dong was able to inherit the papacy because of the previous pope's appointment and the support of several elders, but she was able to maintain her position entirely through her ruthless methods and strength.

With a faint smile on her face, Bibi Dong gazed at Tang San. "So you're Tang San, the disciple of Grandmaster?"

Tang San was startled. He hadn't expected that the exceptionally handsome Pope in front of him would also know his teacher.

"Yes, Your Holiness the Pope," came the reply, neither humble nor arrogant.

Bibi Dong nodded to Tang San, "You're very good. You do indeed have some of your teacher's spirit."

The members of the Spirit Hall Academy and Divine Wind Academy teams, kneeling on the ground, were all astonished. After the Pope appeared, the first person to speak to Tang San was someone else, and it seemed that he even knew Tang San's teacher. This was truly difficult for them to understand.

Tang San replied politely, "I dare not compare myself to my teacher."

Bibi Dong didn't linger on Tang San for long. She waved her scepter slightly and said, "Rise."

All those who had knelt on the ground then stood up. Because of the Pope's inquiry to Tang San and his seemingly affirmative words, their gazes towards the Shrek Seven Devils were no longer filled with anger.

A smile appeared on Bibi Dong's face as she scanned the twenty-one young soul masters who were participating in the final three from left to right.

"I see hope in you. Before the Papal Palace, I hope to see all your talents and strength. The ultimate victor will receive the Spirit Hall's greatest reward." As she spoke, she lightly waved her scepter.

No one saw clearly how she did it. The three points of light instantly magnified in front of Bibi Dong, floating in mid-air.

Those were three different objects, none of them large, shaped like skeletons: a right arm bone, a skull, and a left leg bone. They each shimmered with fiery red, pale blue, and dark green light, respectively.

Soul bones, those are three soul bones.

Even at the foot of Pope Mountain, the light of the three soul bones could be clearly seen. In an instant, the entire Spirit City was in an uproar.

Aside from those who already knew about the final reward, who could have imagined it would be three soul bones? The sheer light alone revealed that all three soul bones were of extraordinary quality. Even the members of the Spirit Hall couldn't help but gleam with greed.

(End of this chapter)