The Lantern Festival lasted more than just one night. After enjoying several days of sightseeing in Coconut Grove City, the senior and junior disciples finally set off on their return to Spirit Hall.
Naturally, the news of their time in Coconut Grove City had reached Spirit Hall before they did, brought by the subordinates of Ghost to Qian Xunji and a few other Worship Elders.
Qian Xunji merely chuckled upon hearing the report and waved off the messenger. Looking confidently at the gathered Worship Elders, he smiled and said, "I've long noticed the subtle feelings between Xiao Han and Dong'er. That they ended up together isn't the least bit surprising."
Now standing at the peak of Rank 98 after completing the Angel's Seventh Trial, Qian Xunji's soul rings had evolved from a standard configuration to a terrifying setup: two purple, six black, and one red ring. His state of mind had also matured significantly, and he was genuinely pleased with the development of his two disciples. A man comes of age to marry, and a woman to wed—there was nothing to fuss over.
"Indeed, the two of them ending up together is perhaps the best outcome," Qian Daoliu nodded gently. Both Gu Han and Bibi Dong were Spirit Hall's most promising successors, the ones destined to carry the weight of its future. Their union would only strengthen Spirit Hall's foundation.
The Worship Elders all nodded in agreement, expressing their support for the pair.
After voicing their approval of the senior-junior relationship, they turned their attention toward Qian Xunji, who was sitting cross-legged at the bottom of the great hall.
Qian Daoliu, with a hint of satisfaction in his voice, said warmly, "Xunji, take some time to rest. The content of the Eighth Trial should be revealed by tomorrow."
Qian Xunji had only just passed the Seventh Trial, having held out under the combined assault of the Worship Elders—excluding Qian Daoliu—for the duration of one incense stick. Although it was clear they had held back somewhat, Qian Xunji had still exerted himself to the fullest.
"Yes, Father."
He nodded and turned to leave for rest, but just then, the tarot-like card in his hand began to glow, displaying the contents of his Eighth Trial.
"Oh? The Eighth Trial is appearing this quickly?" Qian Daoliu was mildly surprised. Back when he underwent the Divine Trials, there had always been a rest period of one to three days between each one. Still, this wasn't unprecedented, so he let the thought go and asked,
"Well? What's it say?"
Qian Xunji glanced at the divine trial's content—and his expression twitched.
"What is it?"
Qian Daoliu and the Worship Elders looked puzzled. Guang Ling even walked up beside Qian Xunji and peeked over his shoulder, immediately breaking into a knowing smile.
"What's the matter, Xunji? Is there something wrong with the divine trial?" Qian Daoliu frowned slightly upon seeing Guang Ling's curious expression.
Qian Xunji shook his head. "It's nothing, Father. The Eighth Trial is just… unexpectedly simple."
"Don't be mysterious—just tell us already," Golden Crocodile Douluo urged impatiently.
Qian Xunji nodded and finally revealed the trial's content.
"Successfully bear a child and awaken the Seraphim Spirit."
Reward: Both participant and divine trial candidate receive a 5,000-year increase in all soul rings, one rank increase in soul power, and the trial candidate gains unrestricted access to use Angelic Power in battle near Spirit Hall."
"Pfft. That's it? Isn't this exactly the same as the old man's Eighth Trial?" Golden Crocodile Douluo scoffed.
As one of the most senior among them, he naturally remembered Qian Daoliu's Eighth Trial and had even mocked it mercilessly back then. Now it was Qian Xunji's turn.
He even suspected that all Angel Douluos throughout history had the same issue—none of them seemed to care much about producing heirs, forcing the Angel God to personally intervene.
Still, this might be the longest divine trial of them all. After all, not only did one have to produce a child, but that child had to awaken the Seraphim Spirit.
Even if it were guaranteed the child would awaken Seraphim, that couldn't happen until the child reached age six and underwent their martial soul awakening—only then would the trial be considered complete.
At this point, everyone, including Qian Xunji, turned toward Qian Daoliu with an unmistakable air of gossip.
"Hm?"
Qian Daoliu shot Golden Crocodile Douluo a look.
Golden Crocodile Douluo awkwardly coughed and muttered, "Ahem, though… the reward is more generous than what you got, big brother."
He wasn't wrong. Qian Daoliu's trial hadn't included any rewards for the participant, which ultimately led to his first wife failing to break through Rank 90 and dying prematurely due to her limited lifespan.
Despite the awkwardness, Qian Daoliu felt comforted by Qian Xunji's progress. He walked up and patted him on the shoulder.
"Xunji, once you complete the divine trials, you'll not only have the *Hall of Worship at your command, but I'll also step down and hand over my position as Grand Worshiper and Elder Judge to you."
*(TL/N - Gotta Use Hall of Worship Because The Majority Wants it)
"Uh… sure, Father."
Qian Xunji inwardly sighed. So basically, he just wanted to retire and hand over the reins.
Suddenly, Qian Xunji understood his old man's mindset. For years, he had pushed himself to grow stronger and earn the Angel God's recognition, determined never to shame the Qian clan.
Now that he had achieved it all, he found himself… aimless. A wave of boredom washed over him.
He didn't even feel like managing Spirit Hall anymore. At this point, he was seriously hoping Bibi Dong and Gu Han would mature faster, so he could resign as Pope and enjoy a carefree life ahead of schedule.
At most, he'd just sit in the Hall of Worship every day like his father, gazing solemnly at the statue.
As for all the Popes being Angel Douluos?
Who said that?
From what he knew, there had been Popes who wielded other martial souls in the past. When the next Angel Douluo heir matured, the position could be passed on again.
Of course, even if it wasn't… it didn't matter. As long as the Hall of Worship was in their hands, Spirit Hall would forever belong to the Angel lineage.
—
At the gates of Spirit City, Bibi Dong recalled the time, a few years back, when she shouted upon returning from obtaining her third soul ring. There wasn't the slightest trace of embarrassment on her face now.
In fact, with her triumph in love, her heart swelled with even greater pride and exuberance.
She raised her arms slightly, as if to embrace the entirety of Spirit City.
"Spirit City, I'm back!"
Gu Han shook his head with a sigh, though his gaze was tender as he reached out to gently stroke Bibi Dong's silky hair.
"Senior Sister, don't be silly. Let's just go in."
Bibi Dong crossed her arms with a playful smirk. "What's wrong, Junior Brother? Starting to doubt whether you're the protagonist now?"
Gu Han facepalmed. What the hell is she even talking about?
How was he supposed to keep up with her thought process?
Sigh… If he'd known, he would've told her fewer of those emperor-narrative webnovels. She must've caught the bug from them.
"Back already?"
A youthful voice interrupted them. The two looked up to see Guang Ling perched at the edge of the city walls, idly spinning a ten-centimeter-long ice arrow between his fingers like a pen, his feet swinging playfully in the air.
He was communicating with them through voice transmission, wearing a sly, knowing smile.
"We thought you two would spend a bit more time out there."
"Senior Guang Ling!!"
Bibi Dong showed no hint of embarrassment and waved enthusiastically at him.
Gu Han also clasped his hands in polite greeting. Judging by Guang Ling's demeanor, it was clear that their relationship had already been reported back—and it seemed… no one objected.