The next morning, after a night of cultivation, even Yu Tianheng, who had consumed the most soul power yesterday, had mostly recovered to his peak. The ten members of the Heaven Dou Imperial Team, full of energy, walked toward the Pope's Palace.
It was said that the Pope would appear today to express her appreciation for the top three teams of the tournament.
When they arrived at the Pope's Palace, the teams from Shrek Academy and the Spirit Hall Academy had already arrived and were waiting.
Ning Rongrong led Zhu Zhuqing to Tianlin. Zhu Zhuqing said gratefully, "Sword Prince, thank you. Yesterday, my sister came to see me. After this tournament, I'll have a fair duel with her. Although I know my chances of losing are high, at least I'll have my freedom and won't have to return to that cold home."
Even though Shrek's results now surpassed the Star Luo team's, the Star Luo royal family would not judge Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai to be stronger than Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun because of this.
The Star Luo Royal Academy had just been unlucky to face the Heaven Dou team early. The future of the Star Luo Empire could not be entrusted to luck, so battles among the siblings were inevitable.
Tianlin nodded with a smile, "Good luck. No matter the outcome, just give it your all."
Ning Rongrong secretly winked at Tianlin, having already guessed how he planned to help Zhu Zhuqing. How could her Sword Brother watch her friend walk to her death?
Originally, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were not that close, but during Zhu Zhuqing's previous injury, Ning Rongrong had mostly taken care of her. The friendship between girls often builds quickly.
Tianlin smiled in response. As expected, his Rongrong understood and trusted him more than anyone else.
At that moment, a group emerged from a side door of the Pope's Palace—twelve red-clad cardinals, second in status only to the platinum bishops, lined up on both sides.
The leader called out loudly, "Her Holiness the Pope arrives!"
"Long live! Long live! Long live!"
Three thunderous cries, as if welcoming an emperor, resounded throughout Spirit City.
It wasn't just the voices of the palace knights neatly arrayed atop Pope Hill, but also every soul master in Spirit City. To them, the Pope was the highest faith!
The massive palace doors slowly opened, and everyone's eyes instinctively focused in that direction. Even the Spirit Hall Academy team members found their hearts racing.
Bibi Dong emerged first from the Pope's Palace, wearing a brilliant golden gown, a purple-gold crown, and holding a scepter, her face solemn. She exuded an almost illusory aura, as if infinitely tall.
No one paid attention to her stunning beauty—in this moment, she represented only the majesty of the Pope, all light converging upon her.
All Spirit Hall members instantly knelt on one knee.
"Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope."
Even those not of Spirit Hall, such as the Five Elemental Academies, instinctively bowed in respect.
The atmosphere was indescribable. Even someone as resolute as Tang San couldn't help but feel a desire to kneel in worship amid the thunderous cries.
But in Tang San's heart, aside from his father, teacher, and elders, no one else in this world deserved his salute—a sentiment he shared with Tianlin.
Thus, only the Heaven Dou and Shrek teams remained unmoved.
"How dare you show disrespect to the Pope!" a cardinal angrily accused both teams.
Tianlin turned to the Shrek side and commanded, "Ma Hongjun, Oscar, salute the Pope!"
Ma Hongjun and Oscar were confused—why only them?
Tianlin explained, "When you first became soul masters, you received many subsidies, right? Those came from the two empires via Spirit Hall. One side provided the money, the other the effort, allowing you to grow up healthy during difficult times. So, whether you see the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire or the Pope of Spirit Hall, you must show respect."
"I can't control the others, but since you've joined my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, you must never be ungrateful."
Oscar and Ma Hongjun, hearing this, no longer hesitated and bowed to Bibi Dong. "Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope."
Tianlin was right: since they had benefited from Spirit Hall, they couldn't act arrogantly—such behavior would be disgraceful.
However, Tang San and Xiao Wu remained unmoved. Tang San felt a bit of money was not worth compromising his integrity, and Xiao Wu harbored a deep hatred for Bibi Dong—she would rather die than salute her.
Bibi Dong looked at Tianlin with appreciation.
"You must be the rumored Sword Prince? Truly a dragon among men. You need not salute me, because you never received any favor from Spirit Hall."
"Yes, Your Holiness," Tianlin replied without arrogance or servility. Though he did not bow, he maintained proper etiquette.
After all, right now, he was the weaker party, and Bibi Dong was stronger. The weak need not fear the strong, but should not lose due respect.
"Good. You have some of your master Sword Douluo's backbone—never forget those who showed you kindness, and never lower your sword's heart for those who haven't, not even for me or the gods," Bibi Dong praised.
Among the non-Spirit Hall titled douluo, Sword Douluo Chenxin was the only one she somewhat respected.
Bibi Dong's gaze didn't linger on Tianlin, but instead turned to Tang San, who had not shown any courtesy. To her, he was even more important—a twin martial soul holder like herself, with greater potential than Sword Prince.
Their relationship was tangled: son of Tang Hao, enemy of Spirit Hall, disciple of the Grandmaster, making Bibi Dong hesitant to move against him.
She could ignore the feelings of everyone, even her daughter Qian Renxue, but not the Grandmaster.
"From you, I see hope. Before the Pope's Palace, I wish to witness your full talent and strength. The ultimate victor will receive Spirit Hall's greatest reward."
As she spoke, Bibi Dong waved her scepter.
No one saw how she did it, but three points of light instantly expanded before Bibi Dong, floating in midair.
They were three items—soul bones: a right arm bone, a torso bone, and a left leg bone, shining with red, blue, and green light.
Soul bones—just as Qin Ming had mentioned before.
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