I have added this story to my Patreon. You can support me and read the latest and advanced chapters there. It also fed and motivate me to write more chapters!
Link: Patreon.com/AVRKingsTL
—------------------—
"Forget it, just go and tell them that Gu Yuena and Xuan Ming are in the same group." Bibi Dong said.
Yue Guan was slightly stunned, "What about Elder Jin Yu..."
"He just made a fool of himself and won't stand up and humiliate himself." Bibi Dong said lightly.
As a worshiper of the Elder Hall, he actually united with the seven major families to attack the Pope's convoy, damaging the dignity of the Pope and the Spirit Hall!
Although there was no evidence left in this incident, the people in the Elders' Hall must know that everything has to be done in moderation. Jin Crocodile has already done it. If she causes trouble again and breaks off relations with her at this time, it will be difficult for everyone.
"By the way, let's find out about the situation of the Angel Legion." Bibi Dong said.
The Angel Legion is the most secretive force of the Spirit Hall. In public, they are known as the Douluo Warrior Corps, a force dedicated to guarding the Douluo Hall. All of their members are flying spirit masters, and they only take orders from the Elder Hall.
The actions of the Angel Legion must be approved by the Council of Elders, and even the Pope does not have the power to directly mobilize them.
But now, she couldn't find any news about the Angel Legion.
Could it be that old guy Golden Crocodile transferred the Angel Legion out of Wuhun City?
But where can he transfer people to?
"Your Holiness, Shui Bing'er from the Tianshui Academy team and Huo Wu from the Chihuo Academy wish to see you."
Shortly after Yueguan left, the ghost entered the hall again.
Bibi Dong frowned slightly, "What's wrong with them that you can't handle?"
"They both wore pendants made by Xuan Ming," Guimei said.
Bibi Dong was slightly stunned, "Let them in."
Inside the Pope's Palace, the lights were on brightly, illuminating the empty hall with solemnity, yet also a hint of coldness.
Shui Bing'er and Huo Wu followed Ghost Douluo and stepped into the highest power center of the Spirit Hall.
Both of them couldn't help but feel a little nervous, especially when they felt the scrutinizing gaze of the figure sitting high on the Pope's throne, they felt an invisible pressure.
They bowed politely and said, "Greetings to His Holiness the Pope."
Bibi Dong's gaze did not linger on them for too long, but fell on the two pendants presented by Guimei.
The ice shell and fire heart have a unique aura, which is indeed the work of Xuan Ming. Although the power contained in it is weak, it is extremely pure, carrying his unique charm of the ultimate fusion of ice and fire.
"Xuan Ming asked you to come?" Bibi Dong's voice was calm, and no emotion could be heard from her.
Shui Bing'er gathered herself and replied respectfully, "Your Holiness, Xuan Ming...gave us this token and suggested...that we consider the future of Spirit Hall. After careful consideration, we would like to express our intentions to the Spirit Hall on behalf of our family and hope to receive your acceptance."
Bibi Dong tapped lightly on the armrest of the chair with her fingertips, making a regular sound that echoed in the hall, making the atmosphere even more tense.
"For Xuan Ming's sake, I can give you a chance." Bibi Dong said slowly.
"The Spirit Hall welcomes talented individuals and will naturally not turn away those who sincerely seek refuge. You and the families behind you will be accepted into the Spirit Hall and will be given appropriate protection and support."
Shui Bing'er and Huo Wu were delighted when they heard this and were about to express their gratitude.
But Bibi Dong changed the subject, her tone adding a hint of unquestionable meaning: "However, if you want to obtain it, you must first demonstrate your worth and... your loyalty."
The two of them were startled and looked up at Bibi Dong.
"Your Holiness, please give your instructions."
"In the next finals, you will face a team called Shrek." Bibi Dong's gaze grew deep. "I want you to lose the game when you meet them."
"Lost to Shrek?" Huo Wu almost blurted out, her face full of confusion and a hint of unwillingness.
She was a proud person and took winning or losing a match extremely seriously. It was especially difficult for her to accept losing to a man she had defeated before.
Shui Bing'er also frowned slightly, obviously surprised by this request.
"Why?" Shui Bing'er asked cautiously.
"That's not what you need to know." Bibi Dong's voice grew colder. "You only need to know that this is what Spirit Hall needs. You should understand the importance of winning or losing an insignificant match over the future of your family and the friendship of Spirit Hall."
She paused, looking at the two struggling faces, and spoke in a slightly slower, yet more authoritative tone: "Besides, you may not be a match for Shrek Academy."
"The specific procedures will be explained to you in due course. This is both a mission and a test of your character and abilities. If you perform well, you and your family will naturally have a bright future within the Spirit Hall."
Shui Bing'er and Huo Wu looked at each other and saw the complex emotions in each other's eyes.
They didn't expect that the conditions for seeking refuge would be like this.
Reject? I'm afraid that would immediately displease the Pope, and all my previous efforts would be wasted.
Accept it? But it would go against their pride as soul masters.
But thinking of Xuan Ming's reminder, thinking of the family's future, thinking of the Spirit Hall's current unfathomable strength and ambition...
After a moment's silence, Shui Bing'er lowered her head first. "Tianshui Academy Team, we will obey the orders of His Holiness the Pope."
Huo Wu bit her lip and finally spoke with difficulty: "The Blazing Academy team... obey your command."
"Very good." Bibi Dong's face showed a barely perceptible arc. "Ghost, take them down and arrange the follow-up matters. Remember, if even a little bit of what happened today is leaked, you know the consequences."
"Yes, Your Holiness." Guimei bowed and responded, then gestured for Shui Bing'er and Huo Wu to follow him.
Watching the three people leaving, Bibi Dong's gaze fell back on the two ice and fire pendants, and her fingertips gently brushed across the cold surface.
"After all this trouble, Golden Crocodile, your good days are over!"
…
The finals went on quickly and after four rounds of competition, the top three were born.
The Royal Fighting Team, the Spirit Hall Academy Team, and the lucky Shrek Academy Team.
"What's going on?"
In front of the Pope's Palace, two rows of palace guards stretched from the door of the Pope's Palace to the foot of the mountain. Their bright silver armor and heavy knight swords made the entire Pope's Mountain even more majestic.
The eliminated teams had been sent out of Wuhun City by the Spirit Hall, and they were not given the opportunity to continue watching the subsequent games.
Early in the morning, the three teams that entered the final three appeared in front of the Pope's Palace and waited quietly.
Xuan Ming, who had been in seclusion deep in the Pope's Palace since entering Wuhun City, finally showed up.
Looking at the Shrek Academy team that appeared here, Xuan Ming began to wonder if he was dreaming.
Even if Tang San is strong enough, how can he lead Shrek to win against so many strong teams in the finals by himself?
"You have no idea how lucky they are. It's so good that we can't believe it." Dugu Yan complained.
"Good luck?" Xuan Ming frowned slightly.
"How lucky is that?"
Dugu Yan lowered her voice, but not completely. At least everyone standing in the teams in the square could hear it clearly.
In the first round of the finals, Shrek Academy drew a team from the Xingluo Empire. The opponent's strength was not very strong, so Shrek won.
In the second round, Shrek Academy drew Blazing Academy. Due to the evolution of Tang San's martial soul, his strength increased greatly, and Yu Tianheng also came on stage, it was not too difficult for Shrek to win the game.
In the third round, Shrek drew Tianshui College. This match was a bit intriguing. Although everyone expected that Tianshui College would not be a match for the Shrek team, they didn't even use the spirit fusion technique!
In the fourth round, Shrek drew the Kamikaze Academy. The match was quite tense. In the end, Shrek narrowly won when Tang San used the Clear Sky Hammer.
Although the Shrek team is indeed strong, it always gives people a weird feeling.
They are so lucky!
If the teams in the finals were ranked according to their strength, Shrek would definitely not be a match for Xingluo Royal Academy.
Because the opponent of the Royal Fighting Team is the Xingluo Royal Academy. If it weren't for Gu Yuena, the super Soul Emperor, they really don't know how to deal with Xingluo's Nether White Tiger.
Although Shrek has reached the top three, the three teams present, and even Shrek himself, are very clear that they are definitely no match for the Royal Fighting Team and the Spirit Hall Academy Team!
"His Holiness the Pope has arrived!"
The heavy gilded door of the Pope's Palace slowly opened inward, making a solemn and majestic humming sound.
Everyone's attention was instantly drawn over, and the atmosphere in the air became extremely solemn.
Two rows of palace knights wearing silver armor and holding knight swords came out first, standing on both sides. Their movements were uniform and they seemed to be one. A murderous aura filled the air.
Immediately afterwards, a total of twelve figures walked out of the Pope's Palace.
The leader was none other than Pope Bibi Dong.
Today she was wearing a golden papal robe, a purple and gold crown on her head, and a scepter in her hand. Her face was shrouded in a faint majestic light, making her look noble and inviolable.
There was indifference on her beautiful face as her eyes swept across the three teams in the square. She was calm, but naturally revealed a powerful aura that seemed to be in control of everything.
Behind her, there were five people.
Three of them were wearing bright red dresses with shining golden patterns, which was one of the symbols of the Spirit Hall and a dress that only Titled Douluo were qualified to wear.
They are Yue Guan, Gui Mei, and the Sword Douluo Chen Xin of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Next to Chen Xin is the honorary elder of the Spirit Hall and the leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi.
But the last person made the pupils of all those who knew about it shrink.
He was a tall old man with white hair and beard. He was not wearing the formal dress of the Pope's Palace, but a simple gray robe. However, he stood quietly half a step behind Bibi Dong, his eyes flashing with brilliance. Even without deliberately releasing it, an indescribable heavy pressure made people feel palpitations.
It was the second priest of the Elder Hall, Golden Crocodile Douluo!
"Why does it have to be like this..."
Xue Qinghe stood in the distance, quietly watching Bibi Dong and her group above.
In the past, Xuan Ming didn't listen to her and always argued with her. After she finally had a better relationship with Xuan Ming, her grandfather stopped listening to her again!
Last time it was Xuan Ming who refused to stop, now it's her grandfather who refuses to stop!