"Greetings, Your Holiness!"
In the Spirit Hall of Spirit City, seven Titled Douluo elders were gathered, all bowing respectfully to the reclining figure at the highest position.
"I have convened you all today because there is an important matter I wish to discuss with you elders."
A cold, noble voice descended, devoid of any worldly heat, lacking in neither authority nor command. It was as if she were genuinely seeking their counsel.
She Long, Ci Tun, Gui Bao, and Mo Xiong, who had recently pledged their allegiance to Bibi Dong, felt an inexplicable unease upon hearing this.
Although Gui Mei, Yue Guan, and Ling Yuan were somewhat perplexed, they maintained a calm demeanor, awaiting instructions.
"Within the Spirit Hall Academy, I have identified a young talent whose exceptional abilities surpass all on the continent. I wish to take him as my disciple."
"However, recently, my disciple has encountered some difficulties in his cultivation. Due to his youth, his mental strength is somewhat weak, preventing him from perfectly mastering his third spirit ability!"
"Coincidentally, within the Spirit Hall, there is a Spirit Bone of Mental Concentration and Wisdom. I intend to bestow it upon him as encouragement and a show of favor."
"What do the elders think of this?"
Though spoken in a tone of discussion, the hearts of She Long, Ci Tun, Gui Bao, and Mo Xiong pounded. An immense and terrifying pressure descended upon them.
Gui Mei, Yue Guan, and Ling Yuan were also bewildered by her words.
However, as Bibi Dong's trusted aides, they quickly realized that the Pope was forcing them to declare their stance!
Ling Yuan, a newly appointed elder, possessed weaker political acumen. Upon hearing this, she instinctively wanted to speak, but Yue Guan, with his swift reflexes, quickly signaled her with his eyes, advising her to refrain from impulsive actions.
Receiving his gaze, Ling Yuan frowned. Though she didn't understand why, Yue Guan, Gui Mei, and herself were staunch supporters of the Pope and among the earliest to pledge loyalty. She reasoned that Bibi Dong wouldn't act without purpose.
With this thought, Ling Yuan swallowed her words.
"Anyone who captures the attention of His Holiness, the Pope, to the point of being considered for discipleship, must possess truly astonishing talent."
"Individuals with talent have always received preferential treatment and resource allocation within the Spirit Hall! Even so, encountering a bottleneck and problems suggests this is a hurdle too great to overcome."
"Spirit Bones are precious, but if they merely sit idle, they are but dust. Entrusting it to a young prodigy will undoubtedly allow it to shine and bring immense glory to the Spirit Hall."
"Elder Yue Guan believes this matter to be feasible!"
Yue Guan placed a hand over his chest, bowed respectfully to the Pope on the dais, and expressed his agreement and affirmation.
"As Elder Yue Guan said, while Spirit Bones are precious, they must be utilized to manifest their power. To leave them unused is a great pity."
"Elder Gui Mei also believes this matter to be feasible!"
Gui Mei, speaking in a hoarse voice, also placed a hand over his chest and bowed in agreement.
Concurrently, he signaled Ling Yuan, who was deep in thought.
The elders, possessing the wisdom befitting Titled Douluo, immediately understood after Yue Guan and Gui Mei's reminders.
"Ling Yuan always prioritizes His Holiness, the Pope's will!"
Though her words were direct, she remained a steadfast supporter of the Pope's faction.
After the three spoke, they rose simultaneously. Yue Guan and Gui Mei, acting with their usual tacit understanding, now fixed their smiling gazes upon She Long, Ci Tun, Gui Bao, and Mo Xiong, who had yet to speak.
Since you four have agreed to align with the Pope, you must demonstrate some sincerity. Verbal agreement is something anyone can offer.
And this current matter is the perfect opportunity to do so!
Even within the Spirit Hall, Spirit Bones are extremely rare and valuable treasures. Anyone seeking to obtain one must pay a considerable price.
Glory, victory, merit, strength, loyalty – all are indispensable! Even with these, you merely have a chance, not a guarantee, because Spirit Bones are truly that precious, especially those of superior quality.
However, rules are rigid, and people are flexible! Sometimes, when rules are challenged, your choice to support the rules or the person can be a matter of life and death.
Wang Zhong is merely a student; he possesses none of the strength, victories, or merits. But none of that matters, for his teacher is now Bibi Dong, the Pope of the Spirit Hall.
As his teacher, her desire to acquire a Spirit Bone for her disciple seems entirely reasonable. Yet, beneath this reasonableness lies a contradiction of the Spirit Hall's established rules.
The crux of this matter is not whether Wang Zhong can obtain a Spirit Bone, but that the Pope is challenging the Spirit Hall's rules!
The Papal Palace is making a stand against the Judgement Hall!
Will you support it, or oppose it?
This is the true nature of the situation. The Spirit Bone and Wang Zhong are merely symbols or pawns pushed forward!
Realizing this, She Long, Ci Tun, Gui Bao, and Mo Xiong all began to sweat.
As elders, they had the authority to refute Bibi Dong's absurd and rule-breaking demand. But let them not forget that the four of them had only recently pledged their allegiance to Bibi Dong!
Now that the Pope has issued an order for a Spirit Bone, do you agree or disagree?
If you disagree, then your so-called submission is merely empty words. Given Bibi Dong's previous actions, they had no doubt that if they left this hall today, they would be celebrating their own demise by this time next year.
If you agree, then you are openly defying the long-standing rules of the Spirit Hall, and the ones who govern these rules are the seven Consecrations of the Judgement Hall! This, in turn, signifies opposition to the Judgement Hall!
Bibi Dong sat aloft, her expressionless gaze fixed on the four. On the other side, Gui Mei, Yue Guan, and Ling Yuan watched them with expressions of amusement.
If you submit, then submit completely. Indecision is unacceptable.
She Long and Ci Tun exchanged glances. Finally, with a slight tremor in their voices, they bowed and said:
"She Long agrees to His Holiness, the Pope's request."
"Ci Tun agrees to His Holiness, the Pope's request."
With five of the seven elders agreeing, logically, even if Gui Bao and Mo Xiong objected, it would be futile.
The minority obeys the majority; this has always been the decision-making method of the Elder Hall!
However, Bibi Dong remained seated on her throne, her gaze fixed on the two elders, Gui Bao and Mo Xiong, who kept their heads bowed, their expressions unreadable.
After an unknowable length of time, perhaps a moment, perhaps hours, perhaps an eternity, Gui Bao and Mo Xiong could no longer bear the imposing gaze from above.
Both were drenched in sweat. Finally, closing their eyes, they uttered in hoarse voices:
"Gui Bao agrees! To His Holiness, the Pope's request."
"Mo Xiong also agrees! To His Holiness, the Pope's request."
Upon uttering these words, they collapsed powerlessly in the center of the hall, as if all their strength had been drained.
There was no turning back!
The moment they agreed, they had no retreat.
Qian Daoliu, the Judgement Elder, who upheld the law, tolerated no transgressions!
Such open betrayal was a grave offense!
A sin punishable by being scorched by flames and consumed by fire!
"Excellent! Since it is unanimously passed, then the Spirit Bone of Mental Concentration and Wisdom shall belong to my disciple, who is currently only provisionally named!"
"Elders, in the future, you must take good care of my nascent disciple!"
"Yes, Your Holiness!"
Two voices, one after another, echoed. This also signified that, at this moment, the Elder Hall had truly fallen under Bibi Dong's control!