Douluo Continent: Long Live the Spirit Hall

Therefore, we need a suitable time and some suitable people. Those believers who have awakened their Holy Light Soul Power are excellent candidates. Inform them to expedite the training process, and ideally, before the awakening of martial souls in various places this year, to get the White Sun Rice put to use…”

"Your idea is good, I'll arrange it right away..."

Bibi Dong approved Yan's plan. After talking for a while, they left the Elder Hall. Bibi Dong arranged various matters, Qian Daoliu offered prayers to the Angel God, and Qian Renxue continued her cultivation to complete the divine test.

Yan, who had gained a lot of faith power, returned to the research institute. He missed the Flame Queen's gentle embrace and decided to go there for some comfort.

……

Within the Douluo Universe, in the God Realm, inside the Angel Temple, the Angel God, the Goddess of Light, and the God of Darkness stood before a light screen, observing the situation inside. The figures flickered within the light screen, which was the scene inside the Elder Hall of Martial Soul City.

"Hehe... I knew observing this little guy would yield some unexpected results. I really didn't expect it. This little guy actually held back so much when he was talking to me. But he does know a lot. He even knows so much about the situation in the God Realm. Did you tell him?"

As the Goddess of Light spoke, she looked at the God of Angels. At that moment, within the light screen, a scene was unfolding where Yan was about to get a beating. In his panic, he made up a lot of stories, even fabricating stories about the Goddess of Light and the God of Darkness.

“I have never violated the rules of the divine realm, nor have I ever informed the lower realms about the specific situation of the divine realm. This kid probably found out from somewhere else.”

The image of the secret chamber beneath the Elder Hall flashed through the Angel God's mind. He knew the effects of the portal, but he wasn't so clear about the specific things Yan obtained within it or the worlds it linked to.

However, he also knew that this kind of thing violated the taboo of the divine realm. Although it was not exactly against the rules, it was still a potential threat. Although the Goddess of Light had now allied with him, he still did not quite trust them.

"Hehe... What an interesting little guy. I really did consider letting him inherit the divine position."

As the Goddess of Light said this, she suddenly turned her head and looked at her husband, the God of Darkness, with a smile. "Little Black, I suddenly feel that what that little guy said makes some sense. You are indeed not as cute as him."

"boring."

The God of Darkness was taken aback, and I was somewhat amused and exasperated. His gaze was fixed on the light screen. When Yan mentioned darkness and Rakshasa, his eyes flickered, and his gaze subconsciously fell on Bibi Dong, the successor of the Rakshasa God, on the other side of the light screen.

He muttered subconsciously, "It just so happens to be a pair of martial souls, and they're leaning towards darkness, so there's no need for all that trouble."

……

Inside the Spirit City of Douluo Continent, Bibi Dong, who was handling affairs, suddenly paused, then subconsciously raised her left hand, glanced at the darkness swirling in her palm, and suddenly chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Has it become even darker again, Bibi Dong? Are you still the same person you were back then? Heh..."

Chapter 139 Holy Soul Village

"Xiao Gang, thank you for your help this time."

At the entrance of the Papal Palace in Wuhun City, Yu Xiaogang, Fred, and Zhao Wuji were escorted here by a group of Wuhun Hall's guardian knights. Fred, who had the air of a cunning businessman, was now somewhat flustered and guilty.

The three of them had a small get-together in Wuhun City after the Light Festival. Before they could even have a few drinks, the Guardian Knights of Wuhun City came knocking on their door, because Zhao Wuji's matter had been exposed.

Five years ago, after the death of the previous Pope Qian Xunji, the Spirit Hall experienced a period of management chaos, which resulted in many spirit masters being uncontrolled. Coupled with the instigation of some people, many ruthless bandits and villains emerged.

Zhao Wuji was also hot-tempered and caused some trouble back then. Three years ago, he had a direct conflict with the deacons sent by the Spirit Hall. After escaping the encirclement and pursuit of sixteen Spirit Hall bishops, he became famous and earned the nickname "Immovable King".

Zhao Wuji's behavior must have been registered with the Spirit Hall. If he were discovered in Spirit City, his fate would certainly not be good. However, what's strange is that after the Spirit Hall's experts surrounded them, they did not make a move. Instead, they said that the Pope wanted to see Yu Xiaogang, who had the lowest cultivation level among them.

Fred knew some of Yu Xiaogang's past, and naturally felt bad about what happened today.

"Boss Fu, you and Brother Zhao wait for me for a moment."

Yu Xiaogang turned his head and said something to Fred and Yu Xiaogang, and then entered the Papal Palace under the guidance of the Paladin Knights. The magnificent Papal Palace did not make him look away. It was not until he arrived at the side hall of the council chamber that he turned his gaze to the center of the side hall.

Pope Bibidon was dealing with tedious matters at her desk when she heard footsteps. She looked up, and their eyes met in mid-air without any sparks flying.

Something new flickered in Yu Xiaogang's indifferent gaze: apology, reminiscence, and above all, melancholy. Bibi Dong's gaze also underwent complex changes before finally settling into calm.

"You've come. It's been a long time. You came all the way to Wuhun City but didn't even see me. If it weren't for Zhao Wuji's matter, you probably wouldn't have come at all."

Bibi Dong's gentle and pleasant voice easily gives people a feeling of being bathed in a spring breeze.

Yu Xiaogang's gaze hardened, and he said in a deep voice, "I... I don't know how to see you. We've both changed a lot over the years. You are the Pope of the Spirit Hall, while I am just a disgraced disciple of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Clan."

Bibi Dong stared at Yu Xiaogang, "Blue Lightning Tyrant Clan? Are you trying to remind me of something!"

"Your Holiness, I didn't mean anything by it, but I just feel that some of the Spirit Hall's actions over the years have been rather..."

Yu Xiaogang thought he had let go of the past, but when he saw Bibi Dong again, his heart was stirred. Thinking about the recent situation of his family, he had something he had to say.

"Are you trying to teach me how to do things, trying to persuade me to give up suppressing the Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect? Yu Xiaogang, I didn't expect that after all these years, you are still so naive."

Before Yu Xiaogang could say more than a few words, Bibi Dong interrupted him. She closed her beautiful eyes slightly, took a deep breath, and looked at Yu Xiaogang again. She suddenly smiled and said, "After all these years, it seems that I have been too persistent."

You are no longer the Yu Xiaogang of yesteryear, yet you remain so naive. And I am no longer the Bibi Dong of yesteryear. Enough. There's nothing more to say between us now. You may leave. The Spirit Hall will not pursue Zhao Wuji's matter any further.

"Well... okay, goodbye."

Yu Xiaogang hesitated for a moment, but finally chose to get up and leave, because he didn't know what to say. It was over between them long ago, so it was better to make things clear.

Yu Xiaogang's figure disappeared into the depths of the archway. Bibi Dong watched him the whole time. When his figure completely disappeared, Bibi Dong smiled, a smile tinged with tears, which dripped from her chin onto the ground.

She suddenly felt ridiculous. So many years have passed, why should she still give her past self hope?

Everything is in the past, and she is no longer the person she once was. In the end, she must say goodbye to the past. She has already become a demigod, and this person will ultimately only be a memory in her long life. She really should let go.

……

Douluo Continent, Southwest Fasno Province of the Heaven Dou Empire, South of Notting City, Holy Soul Village.

This is a small village with only over three hundred households. It got its name because a Soul Saint-level Soul Master once came out of it a hundred years ago, which is also the eternal pride of Holy Soul Village.

Outside of Holy Soul Village, most of the land is farmland, with large tracts of farmland producing grains and vegetables. Apart from a portion for the villagers' own consumption, most of the produce is supplied to Nottingham City. Farming is also the main source of income for the villagers.

As a faint, pale white light rose in the distance to the east, a small, thin figure, perhaps only five or six years old, sat cross-legged atop a small hill, just over a hundred meters high, adjacent to Holy Soul Village.

He sat cross-legged atop the mountain, his eyes fixed on the rising sun in the east, seizing the opportunity to circulate his internal energy. When he opened his eyes again, a faint purple hue flickered within them.

"Alas! It's a pity that my cultivation has stagnated for some time now, and I don't know when I'll be able to break through this bottleneck."

The boy, a believer, sighed inwardly as he stood up, making a helpless expression that should never have appeared at his age. He shook his head, patted his bottom, and leaped down the mountain.

If someone saw him at this moment, they would be very surprised. This little boy could take nearly ten feet with each step. The uneven ground in the mountains had no effect on him at all. He easily dodged the obstacles and moved faster than even an adult.

The boy's name was Tang San, the son of Tang Hao, the village blacksmith. Children his age often teased him about his name, but Tang San was secretly pleased. He harbored a secret: the name suited him perfectly.

The boy, Tang San, arrived at the only blacksmith shop in the village, which was his home. His father, reeking of alcohol, lay drunk in the bedroom.

He went to the stove, skillfully stepped onto the wooden stool, and lifted the lid of the large iron pot. The fragrant aroma of rice wafted out, and the porridge inside was already cooked perfectly. Every day before going up the mountain, Tang San would put the rice in the pot and prepare the firewood. By the time he returned, the porridge would be ready.

"It's a pity that the white rice porridge the village church provides for the children every month can only be consumed on the spot, otherwise it could have helped my father recover. His daily drinking is very harmful to his health..."

After Tang San sighed, he prepared the porridge. Smelling the faint aroma of the thin porridge, he couldn't help but think of the white sun rice porridge from the church. "I wonder what kind of power the Spirit Hall is, that they would use such precious spiritual rice to nourish children's bodies."

Old Jack the Great Tree has changed completely since his trip to Spirit City. A church, Spirit Masters, and the Spirit Hall have been built in the village. It's a pity I haven't awakened my Spirit yet, so I still know too little about this world.

"Tang Hao, Tang Hao..."

Tang San was about to call his father out for some porridge when suddenly shouts came from outside the door. He recognized the voice as Jack, the village elder of Holy Soul Village, and quickly went to the door to greet him.

An elderly man who looked to be in his fifties arrived at the blacksmith's shop. He was tall and thin, but vigorous, dressed in clean and tidy clothes, and his hair was neatly combed. He was none other than Elder Jack, the village elder of Holy Soul Village, and also the presiding priest of the Holy Soul Village Church.

"Little San, come over to Grandpa Jack."

Old Jack waved to Tang San, holding a rice ball in his hand. Tang San's eyes lit up when he saw the rice ball in his hand.

He knew that this old village chief Jack was a kind man, and everyone in the village respected him. A few years ago, when Tang San's family was in the most difficult time, he had brought them a lot of food.

Originally, his father, Tang Hao, also respected this old man quite a bit, although his attitude was a bit cold. But since last year, when this village chief went on a pilgrimage to the legendary Martial Soul City, he seemed to have become much younger after returning. Then he began to build a church in the village to preach the God of Light Angels.

Tang San still remembers the day the village church was built. Everyone was extremely happy except for his father, Tang Hao. That day, he unusually did not drink heavily, but instead worked as a blacksmith all night. Starting the next day, his attitude towards Old Jack, the village chief, changed.

"What's up!"

A cold voice came from the blacksmith's bedroom, and a tall figure walked out with slightly unsteady steps.

He is Tang San's father, Tang Hao, a man who looks to be in his fifties, about the same age as the younger Jack. He is very tall and burly, but his attire is less than flattering.

Tang Hao wore a tattered robe, without even a patch, revealing his bronze skin. His otherwise handsome features were covered with a sallow complexion, and he looked sleepy. His hair was a mess, like a bird's nest, and his beard looked like it hadn't been groomed in who knows how many days.

His eyes were dull and hazy, and although a night had passed, the pungent smell of alcohol emanating from him made one frown.

Old Jack glanced at Tang Hao with displeasure and said in a deep voice, "Tang Hao, Xiao San is almost six years old now. The deacon from the Notting City Martial Soul Branch Hall just sent word that they will be holding an awakening ceremony in the village in a couple of days. Xiao San should participate this year."

"The Spirit Hall awakens martial spirits for people? Tch, it's just a way to win people's hearts."

Tang Hao spoke coldly, even displaying a hint of hostility when mentioning the Spirit Hall.

Old Jack was extremely angry. "Tang Hao, watch your words! How can you slander the Spirit Hall? It's the representative of the Angel God on Earth! Do you know how wrong this is? Even if you don't think about yourself, you should think about your mistress."

I've watched my mistress grow up since she was a child. She's so obedient and sensible. It's only because of her good-for-nothing father that she's having such a hard time.

Since Xiao San calls me "Grandpa," I have to take responsibility for him. Even if he fails to awaken innate soul power this time, I will find a way to make him a Soul Master. If that doesn't work, he can become a priest like me, receiving divinely bestowed soul power to serve..."

"Clang..."

Before Old Jack could finish speaking, Tang Hao, who was drinking porridge, suddenly put down the chipped bowl, which slammed against the stove with a dull thud.

Tang Hao gripped the bowl tightly in his hand and said in a deep voice, "My son could never become some lousy priest or pastor and go off to serve that angel god. Don't worry, he definitely has soul power."

Old Jack was very dissatisfied with Tang Hao's attitude, but Tang Hao's words made him feel pressured, so he could only say coldly, "You... never mind, why should I argue with you?"

Tang Hao didn't say much. He glanced at Old Jack, then at Tang San, and said calmly, "Fine, let him participate in the awakening ceremony. When the day comes, I'll have him gather at the church."

Old Jack said, "I'll come to pick up Xiao San in three days. Hey! You'd better watch yourself."

Tang Hao nodded and ignored the village chief. He went to the stove, filled a bowl with porridge, and wolfed it down, paying no attention to Tang San at all.

"Hey, you eat this. Don't waste it on some drunkard."

Old Jack glared at Tang Hao with displeasure, then put the rice ball in his hand into Tang San's mouth, and watched the child finish eating before leaving.

"Martial Soul Awakening? Could this be the opportunity for me to break through my bottleneck?"

After Old Jack left, Tang San began to clean up the mess Tang Hao had made of the stove. While dealing with the matter, he couldn't help but think about the matter of spirit awakening. He could sense that his father seemed to have some entanglement with the Spirit Hall.

……

On the morning of the third day, Tang San and Old Jack arrived at the church in the center of the village.

This place was originally the Spirit Hall of the village. Of course, it was just a small wooden house at first. It wasn't until Elder Jack returned from a pilgrimage that he mobilized the villagers to repair it, and that's how it turned out to be what it is today, a rather nice building.

This wasn't Tang San's first time visiting the village church. When he entered the church, the first thing he saw was a large pot filled with thick porridge, where a group of children who hadn't yet awakened their martial souls were drooling.

"Baiyang Rice Porridge, according to the village chief I inquired about several times, is something that is extremely rare and hard to come by outside. However, the Spirit Hall uses it to give to those who have not yet awakened their spirits every month. They don't have any cultivation techniques to refine the energy, which is a real waste."

Tang San thought to himself, but his steps were not slow. He arrived at the pot and waited for Village Chief Jack to distribute the porridge. However, this time Village Chief Jack did not distribute the porridge immediately, but waited.

Before long, a young man in his twenties arrived at the church. He was dressed in a white, close-fitting outfit with a black cloak on his back, and a fist-sized character for "soul" was displayed in the center of his chest. This was the standard attire for personnel directly under the Spirit Hall.

"Steward Su Yuntao."

"Father Jack the Priest."

After exchanging greetings with Deacon Su Yuntao, Old Jack began serving the porridge. "Deacon Su Yuntao, this porridge is freshly cooked. You probably haven't had breakfast yet, have a bowl to tide you over. There are eight children who need to awaken their martial spirits today."