After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Xie Yue's hostility toward Ye Tian eased significantly.
Then, Xie Yue asked about government affairs.
Before leaving, Bibi Dong had entrusted both him and Hu Liena with administrative duties, which proved to be quite challenging.
As a result, Xie Yue had not been able to train properly for two weeks, fully engrossed in handling these matters yet completely clueless about where to start.
Ye Tian replied, "I've reviewed the documents in the Pope's Hall."
"At the same time, I've discussed a response strategy with Nana."
He then reiterated the ideas he had previously discussed with Hu Liena.
Hearing Ye Tian's explanation, Xie Yue was so shocked that he put down his chopsticks, murmuring,
"Personnel selection, the Grand Competition of the Two Halls… this is an incredibly ambitious move!"
"If that's the case, doesn't it mean that all branch hall masters across the continent will be summoned to Spirit City?"
"Such a large-scale mobilization might cause panic among the two great empires!"
"Not all of them, just those from the Balak Kingdom," Hu Liena explained, resting her chin on her hand.
"Huh? But historically, the Grand Competition of the Two Halls has always been conducted across the entire continent!"
Xie Yue frowned in confusion.
"That's true!"
Hearing Xie Yue's words, even Hu Liena became puzzled and looked at Ye Tian, waiting for an explanation.
"The Grand Competition of the Two Halls is just a pretext to summon the branch hall masters," Ye Tian said, rubbing his forehead.
"We can also announce an additional selection by the Pope's Hall specifically for the Balak Kingdom."
Truthfully, while this pair of siblings was exceptionally talented in cultivation, their understanding of administration was severely lacking.
"I see now," Xie Yue's expression gradually cleared.
He then smiled bitterly, "With the Elder Hall around, we can only reform one region at a time."
Hearing this, Ye Tian chuckled and spoke meaningfully,
"Brother Xie Yue, you're still underestimating political struggles."
"When the Elder Hall becomes an obstacle, do you think Pope Bibi Dong will still see a need for its existence?"
Hearing Ye Tian's veiled words, Xie Yue's pupils contracted sharply.
Was he implying that their teacher would soon take action against the Elder Hall?
Unconsciously, Xie Yue's heart pounded violently.
He could already envision a chilling scene—on a certain night in Spirit City, titled Douluos falling in pools of blood.
Yet, he remained skeptical of Ye Tian's statement.
The Title Douluos of the Worship Hall might not align with their teacher, but they were still the backbone of the Spirit Hall.
Xie Yue couldn't believe that the Pope's Hall and the Elder Hall would truly turn against each other.
Seeing Xie Yue's stunned expression, Ye Tian simply smiled to himself.
The other party clearly didn't believe his words.
But among everyone present, Ye Tian understood Bibi Dong the most.
Even without political struggles, she had always harbored the desire to eliminate those old relics in the Elder Hall—especially Qian Daoliu.
This had nothing to do with power. It was personal hatred.
A week passed quickly.
A knight arrived at the Pope's Hall with an announcement:
"Reporting to Her Holiness the Saintess and Lord Xie Yue, the Pope's carriage has returned to Spirit City."
Hu Liena, who had been training under Ye Tian's guidance, was overjoyed upon hearing the news.
She immediately stood up.
"Great! Teacher has finally returned!"
She turned to Ye Tian and said, "Husband, let's go welcome her."
"No need."
A majestic voice echoed from afar.
Moments later, a graceful purple figure appeared in the grand hall.
It was none other than Bibi Dong, donning the Pope's crown and holding her scepter.
She walked forward gracefully and gently patted Hu Liena's head with a warm expression.
"These days while I was away, did you handle the Pope's Hall's affairs properly?"
"Hehe, how could I ever disobey Teacher's words?" Hu Liena replied excitedly, clasping her hands together.
Bibi Dong nodded slightly, then shifted her gaze to Ye Tian, a subtle smile appearing on her lips.
"Xiao Tian, long time no see."
"Yes, Dong'er-sis," Ye Tian deliberately teased.
Hearing the word "Dong'er," Bibi Dong's expression froze for a moment, as if she had been electrified.
But in the end, she didn't reprimand him.
She only whispered, "This is a public setting. It's more appropriate to address me as 'Your Holiness the Pope.'"
As the Pope of the Spirit Hall, she naturally had an image to maintain.
This wasn't just about her authority but also about the dignity of the Spirit Hall.
"As you wish, Your Holiness the Pope," Ye Tian responded with a chuckle, emphasizing the title.
Hearing Ye Tian's tone, Bibi Dong sighed slightly and let it go.
She walked straight to the throne at the front of the hall and sat down.
At this moment, there were no outsiders in the hall.
Hu Liena, smiling playfully, stepped forward and asked, "Teacher, why did you return so quickly?"
"The knight had just reported your carriage's arrival, yet you're already here."
Bibi Dong calmly explained,
"I didn't return in the carriage."
"When I heard that the Elder Hall was actively expanding Spirit Hall's influence in various regions, I rushed back as quickly as possible."
As she spoke, her gaze turned cold.
Clearly, the Elder Hall's actions were a direct challenge to the Pope's Hall.
She massaged her temples, looking fatigued, and without raising her head, she asked,
"Nana, have you and your brother found a solution to the personnel reassignment in the Balak Kingdom?"
Hu Liena responded cheerfully, "Ye Tian returned just in time and already helped us come up with a plan."
With that, she quickly walked over to the pile of official documents, retrieved a file, and presented it to Bibi Dong.
"Teacher, please take a look. This is the new official document we drafted."
"We were just waiting for your approval and seal."
Hearing that the plan was Ye Tian's idea, Bibi Dong's fatigue lessened, and her interest piqued.
She took the document and examined it carefully.
Soon, her eyes caught some key terms.
"A Balak Kingdom Branch Hall Master Selection Tournament?"
"The top thirty candidates will be directly promoted as Pope's Hall officials?"
Seeing this, Bibi Dong chuckled,
"Ye Tian, don't you think you're being overly generous?"
"The entire Balak Kingdom has only around fifty branch hall master-level officials."
"And officials under the Pope's Hall should at least be at the Spirit Emperor level."
"Selecting thirty at once might cause officials from other regions to complain that our selection process is unfair."
Ye Tian, however, responded seriously,
"This is exactly the effect we want."
"The Pope's Hall's top priority is to completely control a single region."
"Not to spread our influence too thinly."
Then, Ye Tian looked Bibi Dong in the eye and asked,
"Your Holiness the Pope, if you were to issue an order right now to mobilize ten thousand troops to Spirit City…"
"Which region's army would be under your direct command?"
Hearing this question, Bibi Dong hesitated, momentarily speechless.
Mobilizing troops to Spirit City?
That would be a major redeployment event.
It would require approval from both the Elder Hall and the Pope's Hall.
At that moment, realization struck Bibi Dong.
If she couldn't fully control a region's forces…
Then controlling that region was meaningless.
(End of Chapter)