At the same time as Gu Yuena and Azure Luan Douluo concluded their battle, the fight between Bibi Dong and Golden Crocodile Douluo also reached its end.
Due to their intense clash, the surrounding buildings were completely destroyed. A massive crater over fifty meters wide had been blasted into the ground.
At this moment, Golden Crocodile Douluo lay motionless in the center of the crater. His entire left arm was a mangled mess of blood and flesh. His breathing was weak.
With great effort, he opened his eyes slightly and looked up at the sky, clearly on the verge of death.
In mid-air, Bibi Dong's figure also looked rather disheveled. This was because Golden Crocodile Douluo had burned his life essence to battle her, and she had only just advanced to Rank 99, with an unstable foundation.
Thus, the gap between the two was not large.
If not for Bibi Dong's spiritual power being far superior to that of an ordinary Super Douluo, the outcome of this battle would have been highly uncertain.
Fortunately, everything was over now.
Bibi Dong's jade-like feet lightly landed at the edge of the pit. Her calm gaze fell on the dying Golden Crocodile Douluo.
"You've lost."
Her tone carried not a trace of emotion, yet her words were especially cutting.
Golden Crocodile Douluo's expression turned bleak.
"Lost…"
He laughed wildly at the sky.
There was a sense of despair in his clouded eyes.
"Never thought that after a glorious life, I'd end up defeated by a woman like you!"
Bibi Dong smiled faintly at the corners of her mouth.
"You've grown old."
"It's time for the top of this continent's pyramid to see new faces."
"Besides, being defeated by me isn't exactly shameful."
She had no intention of killing Golden Crocodile Douluo.
As the Pope, she needed to preserve her reputation.
Even though his survival meant nothing to the Hall of the Pope, he could not be allowed to die by her hand.
The sky was starting to brighten. A pale light was already visible in the eastern sky.
Outside the courtyard, a fully armed battalion of soldiers approached in formation, led by Hu Liena, Elder Ghost, and the others.
They gathered beside Bibi Dong.
Hu Liena stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and reported:
"Teacher, Spirit City is completely under control."
"The two consecrates, have been executed."
Hearing this, Bibi Dong frowned slightly.
Killing two consecrates was not her original intention.
Whether for the Pope's Hall or Spirit Hall as a whole, this was an unfavorable move—it was no different from cutting off one's own hand.
But what was done was done.
Bibi Dong didn't plan to blame Elder Ghost and the others.
She looked over at Hu Liena and nodded lightly. "Well done. You've worked hard."
Then, she turned to Ghost.
"Golden Crocodile Douluo's spirit has been abolished by me. Go bring him up."
Only then did Elder Ghost notice the disheveled figure of Golden Crocodile Douluo lying in the deep crater.
When he saw the man's mangled left arm, he couldn't help but close his eyes for a moment.
Back in his youth, Elder Ghost had always looked up to the High and Second Consecrates as role models.
Even after Bibi Dong recruited him to join the Hall of the Pope as an elder, he had always shown Golden Crocodile Douluo great respect.
But times change.
The one he once admired most had now become an enemy.
Ghost's heart was full of mixed emotions. With a light sigh, he followed Bibi Dong's orders, using his soul power to lift Golden Crocodile Douluo out of the crater.
He also temporarily sealed the man's left arm to prevent excessive bleeding.
Having burned his life essence, Golden Crocodile Douluo was extremely weak. Beneath his matted hair and dirty face, his cold eyes struggled to lift toward Bibi Dong.
"End it quickly. I won't complain."
Bibi Dong did not respond. Truthfully, she still hadn't decided how to properly deal with Golden Crocodile Douluo.
At that moment, Ye Tian walked over.
Gu Yuena held his hand, and following closely behind them was the silent Azure Luan Douluo.
Although his spirit had been devoured by Gu Yuena, he had otherwise not been harmed, and was still in good shape.
When he saw the near-dead Golden Crocodile Douluo, he let out a sorrowful cry and stepped forward.
Supporting his body, he cried:
"Second Brother!"
"How could you be so foolish?!"
"You even lost your arm!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo only managed to glance sideways at Azure Luan Douluo before collapsing into unconsciousness.
This made Azure Luan Douluo wail even louder.
Kneeling in front of his fallen comrade, he cried:
"Second Brother, it's your younger brother who failed you!"
"How could you leave before me?!"
"He's not dead yet," Ye Tian interrupted, suddenly speaking.
He rummaged through his storage space for a moment and took out a pill.
Walking forward, he stuffed it into Golden Crocodile Douluo's mouth.
"There. His life is hanging by a thread now."
"But he burned too much of his life essence—he probably doesn't have many good years left."
Saying this, Ye Tian tossed a jade bottle to Azure Luan Douluo and explained:
"There are three Vitality Pills inside. One per year—enough to let Golden Crocodile Douluo live out his twilight years in peace."
Taking the pills, Azure Luan Douluo was overcome with emotion.
He had never expected his second brother to be even more unyielding than he was, directly burning his life essence to fight Bibi Dong.
This left Azure Luan Douluo feeling deeply ashamed and inferior.
He couldn't help but lower his head.
Subconsciously, people are afraid of death.
Azure Luan Douluo had thought he had transcended life and death.
But in truth, he was still caught in the cycle of worldly affairs.
When Ye Tian gave him the slightest threat, he immediately chose survival.
"Xiaotian, how should we handle them?" Bibi Dong lifted her gaze to ask Ye Tian for his opinion.
"Exile them to a deserted island," Ye Tian replied casually, rubbing his nose.
This was the best approach at the moment.
It wouldn't overly damage the morale of the Elder Hall, while still allowing the Pope's Hall to seize complete control.
"Very well. Let's do as you say."
Bibi Dong nodded thoughtfully.
Then she sensed another troublesome matter and sighed lightly:
"Our political struggle this time will likely stir no small wave across the continent."
"The reputation of Spirit Hall might also suffer some collateral damage."
Hearing this, Ye Tian smiled faintly. "That's easy."
"Oh? You have a way?" Bibi Dong's eyes lit up with hope.
Hu Liena cheerfully came to Ye Tian's side, snuggling against his shoulder, and smiled at Bibi Dong:
"Teacher, don't you know what Ye Tian is capable of?"
Ye Tian chuckled. "If we want to minimize the impact, it's not hard. Just find a scapegoat."
Bibi Dong's eyes sparkled: "You mean… we just say that one of the consecrates betrayed us, and the others were simply affected by the fallout?"
That would indeed help mitigate the damage.
After all, if it were publicly declared that the Elder Hall had collectively rebelled...
No one could predict how many Soul Masters would experience a collapse of faith.
In the eyes of most lower-ranking Soul Masters, both the Elder Hall and the Pope Hall were sacred temples.
If even such sacred halls were revealed to house numerous traitors...
It would cause them to doubt the entire Spirit Hall organization.
At that point, everyone would feel insecure.
To Spirit Hall, that would undoubtedly count as severe upheaval.
Ye Tian smiled mysteriously: "Your understanding is only partially correct."
"We must issue strict orders to the troops involved in this coup, instructing them to keep everything secret."
"To the outside world, we'll say that the turmoil in Spirit City was all the doing of Tang Hao and the Clear Sky Sect."
"In this way, we can minimize the impact."
Hearing this, Bibi Dong was stunned at first, then her expression gradually brightened.
"Xiao Tian, you're brilliant."
In the Soul Master world of Douluo, Tang Hao was a legendary figure.
Born into a famous sect, powerful in his own right, and with a tragic yet moving love story.
He made his name twenty years ago in a single battle.
In terms of fame alone, even Pope Bibi Dong couldn't compare to Tang Hao.
People might not know the great Pope of Spirit Hall is named Bibi Dong.
But they've definitely heard of the Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao—and his heartrending man-beast romance from earlier years.
More importantly, such a legendary figure had a bitter, irreconcilable hatred for Spirit Hall.
Having someone like him, with such deep enmity against the Pope Hall, take the fall was perfect.
It could also help cover up many suspicious details.
Elder Gui Mei stepped forward and saluted Bibi Dong:
"Your Majesty, I believe what Ye Tian said is viable!"
"Blaming this coup on Tang Hao will at most make his name resound across the continent again."
"But it brings us tremendous benefits."
"Let's hear it." Bibi Dong was intrigued and gestured for Elder Gui Mei to continue.
Elder Gui Mei elaborated:
"Though the Clear Sky Sect has remained secluded for twenty years, their power hasn't diminished in the slightest."
"I also have reason to suspect that during these two decades, they've been quietly growing stronger."
"A sect that once called itself the continent's number one sect will always be a great threat to Spirit Hall."
"If we don't eliminate them, it's only a matter of time before they oppose our unification of the continent."
Bibi Dong caught the implication in Elder Gui Mei's words, frowned slightly, and pondered:
"You mean, we can use the excuse of Tang Hao attacking Spirit Hall to campaign against the Clear Sky Sect?"
"Exactly!" Elder Gui Mei replied earnestly.
Bibi Dong looked at Ye Tian beside her: "Xiao Tian, what do you think?"
In truth, Bibi Dong still harbored some concerns.
The Clear Sky Sect was once the top sect on the continent.
Acting against them rashly might provoke a chain reaction among other factions.
"I think it's doable."
Ye Tian said: "Spirit Hall would have a just cause. Even if we strike at the Clear Sky Sect, the two great empires wouldn't dare say a word."
"Besides, the two empires themselves aren't unified."
"With a little provocation from us, their internal issues would leave their emperors overwhelmed. They won't have the energy to interfere with Spirit Hall."
Ye Tian understood clearly that, strategically, the empires were in a weaker position.
They wouldn't act recklessly against Spirit Hall, because the price of failure was something neither the royal families nor the nobles could afford.
After considering Ye Tian's words, Bibi Dong turned to Hu Liena:
"Nana, you'll be in charge of announcing the news to the public."
Then, she looked at Elder Gui Mei again:
"Elder Gui Mei, go immediately to take over Spirit City's defenses. No officials are allowed in or out."
"Where is Elder Yue Guan?"
"Present." Yue Guan, with his dark circles, stepped forward and bowed slightly.
Bibi Dong instructed: "You're in charge of keeping the soldiers in line. Issue a gag order—whoever spreads rumors will be severely punished!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the three responded in unison.
Lastly, Bibi Dong looked toward Ye Tian with a soft smile in her eyes:
"Xiao Tian, you have a task too—come with me to take over the Elder Hall."
Apart from Qian Daoliu, the six great consecrated elders had all stepped down.
The Elder Hall no longer had any reason to exist.
However, now wasn't the best time to dissolve it outright.
You have to eat a meal one bite at a time.
Dismantling the Elder Hall would have to happen gradually.
Seeing the gentleness in Bibi Dong's eyes, Ye Tian smiled calmly and replied cheerfully:
"No problem."
...
Ye Tian had thought Bibi Dong would take him back to the palace for a proper celebration.
He didn't expect that she would actually bring him straight to the Angel Cathedral to begin working.
Taking over the Elder Hall essentially meant taking control of its financial authority.
For a long time, Spirit Hall's finances had been managed by the Elder Hall.
This often placed constraints on Pope Bibi Dong.
Now that the Elder Hall no longer existed...
It was time to reclaim financial control.
To be honest, this wasn't easy work.
But Ye Tian was the perfect person to assist.
In this era, few Soul Masters were good at math.
Compared to Spirit Hall's so-called math experts, Ye Tian was absolutely at a grandmaster level.
Managing finances required strong mathematical skills.
Without eating or drinking, he worked all the way into the afternoon.
Only with the help of nearly a hundred officials did Ye Tian finally straighten out Spirit Hall's finances.
The white-bearded elder in charge of finance carefully brought the completed ledger to Bibi Dong and respectfully reported:
"Your Majesty, all figures have been verified."
"Speak." Bibi Dong responded coldly.
In front of outsiders, she was always authoritative.
The queenly aura she exuded discouraged any casual approach.
The financial elder's hands trembled as he stammered through the numbers:
"In the Elder Hall's treasury, there are 198.93 million gold soul coins."
"As for heavenly treasures over a thousand years old, there are more than 23,000 jin."
"Those over ten thousand years—864 jin."
"And 23 specimens over 100,000 years old…"
On the Douluo Continent, heavenly treasures were effectively tied to gold soul coins.
In some regions, they were even used in place of taxes.
Altogether, Spirit Hall's wealth exceeded 250 million in total value.
This was thanks to the century-long accumulation of Spirit Hall.
After all, Spirit Hall had barely fought any wars over the last hundred years.
Hearing the figure, Bibi Dong's beautiful eyes sparkled.
"Looks like I really should thank those elders for leaving me such a big inheritance."
With so much wealth in hand, she could accomplish a great deal.
At this moment—
Bibi Dong was in excellent spirits. She turned to Ye Tian and asked with a smile:
"Xiao Tian, what do you think the first thing I should do next is?"
Without hesitation, Ye Tian answered: "Restructure the army."
(End of chapter)