Chapter 76: The Old Pope
"Excuse me, may I ask— is the Pope inside?"
Fan Chen stood at the entrance of the Pope's Palace and asked the Soul Master responsible for guarding the doors.
The guarding Soul Master looked at Fan Chen, his face filled with question marks.
Just as he was wondering whose child had wandered over here, he suddenly saw Fan Chen pull out a token from his pocket—one engraved with a special emblem.
The word "Worship" was clearly visible on it.
This was the exclusive token Golden Crocodile Douluo had given Fan Chen to prove his identity.
Meng Xiaoyan and Di Yue also possessed such tokens, but the few of them rarely went out.
And when they did, it was usually together with Qian Renxue, so they practically never needed to use these.
There were many types of tokens within the Spirit Hall, the most well-known being the Elder Token.
Those who possessed it were generally Titled Douluo–level powerhouses, though a small number of Honorary Elders had yet to reach that realm.
However, these people had made significant contributions to the Spirit Hall and were specially granted Honorary Elder Tokens. Their authority was not much different from that of true Elder Tokens.
Above the Elder Token was the Pope's Token, but that thing was extremely rare and seldom used. Its function was essentially to represent the Pope's will when carrying out missions, equivalent to an imperial sword of authority.
Yet beyond both of those, there existed another token, even rarer than the Elder and Pope's Tokens.
That was the Worship Token, exclusive to the Douluo Hall.
To ordinary people, the word "Worship" might not mean much, but within the Spirit Hall, many knew exactly what it represented.
Because those two words symbolized the strongest combat power of the Spirit Hall.
Only Titled Douluo above level ninety-five were qualified to wear it—and even that was merely one of the requirements.
But one thing was certain: anyone who could take out such a token was absolutely no ordinary person.
"Th-then… is there… anything you need me to do?"
At this moment, the guard's voice was trembling slightly. He never imagined that this little brat in front of him could produce a Worship Token.
Of course, he wasn't worried that it might be fake.
The fact that Fan Chen could even reach this place already proved that his identity was extraordinary.
Otherwise, he would have been stopped long before getting here.
"Relax. I'm just asking whether the Pope is inside. Just tell me that much."
Fan Chen had no interest in arguing with the guard. Right now, he urgently wanted to know whether Qian Xunji was in the Pope's Palace.
"Yes, he is. The Pope is currently inside discussing matters with the elders. Do you need me to announce you?"
Judging from Fan Chen's demeanor, it was obvious he had business with Qian Xunji.
And since he had produced a Worship Token, that meant he was here on behalf of one of the Worships.
This was not something to delay—if he ended up holding up the Worship's affairs, even ten lives wouldn't be enough to pay for it.
"No need. I just came to confirm whether he's inside. You don't have to worry about me—I'll wait here until he comes out."
As he spoke, Fan Chen found a comfortable corner and plopped down on the spot.
His gaze was fixed on the direction of the Pope's Palace as he gradually fell into deep thought.
Since Qian Xunji was still here, that meant it wasn't that time yet.
He still had a chance.
Although he truly disliked Qian Xunji, he didn't want Qian Renxue to lose her father just because of his own personal feelings.
Qian Xunji was indeed a bastard—but at the very least, he had never wronged Qian Renxue.
Besides, considering the crap Bibi Dong had done, if it were any other faction, she would have long since been dealt with in some unspeakable way.
The Spirit Hall's current handling of her was already rather lenient—simply imprisoning her.
Both sides were at fault, but Bibi Dong was clearly more in the wrong.
At the very least, she shouldn't have taken out her anger on Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue hadn't done anything wrong—what right did Bibi Dong have to transfer her hatred of Qian Xunji onto her?
Couldn't beat the big one, so she bullied the small one instead?
Most importantly, she had nearly killed him last time—and Fan Chen remembered that vividly.
Although he didn't yet know where Bibi Dong was imprisoned, Fan Chen had a very bad feeling about it.
Just as he was sitting there, pondering how to warn Qian Xunji to be wary of Bibi Dong later—without revealing that something was off—an oddly gentle voice entered his ears.
"Oh? Whose child is this, sitting here?"
Fan Chen's thoughts were interrupted. When he looked up, he saw a man with delicate, feminine features standing before him.
Yes—a man.
Because Fan Chen clearly saw his Adam's apple.
"Chrysanthemum Douluo?"
Fan Chen blurted it out, which left Yue Guan visibly surprised.
"You know me? Have we met before?"
"Uh…"
Fan Chen was momentarily speechless.
He hadn't actually met Yue Guan before—it was just that his features were way too obvious.
In the entire circle of Titled Douluo, you're basically the only one who likes cross-dressing this much.
"A Worship Token? Which Worship's disciple are you?"
As Yue Guan looked Fan Chen up and down, his gaze suddenly caught sight of the Worship Token half-exposed from Fan Chen's pocket.
In an instant, he guessed Fan Chen's identity.
After all, he knew that several of the old monsters in the Douluo Hall had already taken disciples—it was just that no one had ever seen them.
"Why are you here, brat? Where's Xiao Xue?"
At that moment, Qian Xunji's voice also rang out.
Having just finished the meeting, he stepped out of the Pope's Palace and immediately saw Fan Chen being blocked by Yue Guan.
"Old—"
When Fan Chen saw Qian Xunji, his face lit up slightly, and the word slipped out—
—but he immediately realized he'd said something very wrong.
"Old… man…"
Yue Guan, being the closest, heard it most clearly.
For a moment, he had a strong urge to laugh—after all, he had never seen anyone dare to call the Pope "old man" to his face.
And not just Yue Guan—others nearby also heard Fan Chen's words, all of them shocked.
Veins bulged violently on Qian Xunji's forehead as his expression twisted.
"This brat is looking for trouble!"
He had already found Fan Chen irritating, but with Golden Crocodile Douluo backing him, he couldn't touch the kid.
Yet now, this brat was actually pushing his luck, daring to provoke him in public.
And with Golden Crocodile Douluo not present—if he didn't beat him now, when would he?
"You little bastard, I—"
"What do you think you're doing to my disciple?"
Just as Qian Xunji was about to "educate" Fan Chen properly, Golden Crocodile Douluo's figure suddenly appeared behind him.
The moment Golden Crocodile Douluo's towering form appeared, the entire area fell silent.
"Greetings, Second Worship!"
Most of those present were Titled Douluo and naturally recognized Golden Crocodile Douluo. They immediately bowed in salute.
Golden Crocodile Douluo ignored them all, his gaze landing directly on Fan Chen.
Then he raised his hand—and slapped Fan Chen squarely on the head.
"You little brat, I've only been gone a few days, and you're already causing trouble again? What, trying to ascend to the heavens? Want me to strip this kid of his Pope title and let you sit in that seat for a couple of days?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo's words were utterly shocking.
So shocking that no one nearby dared to even breathe.
"What? Master, didn't anyone tell you that you're not supposed to hit kids on the head? It'll make them stupid. And I'm here on serious business—I'm not causing trouble."
Fan Chen clutched the back of his head and immediately fired back.
Of all times to return, he chose this moment.
And the first thing he did upon returning was to hit him.
This master was beyond saving—clearly had abusive tendencies.
"Still talking back, huh? There are too many people here—wait until we get back, and I'll deal with you properly."
Golden Crocodile Douluo glared at him, then turned his gaze toward Qian Xunji.
Qian Xunji instantly understood.
Soon after, the three of them left together.
As they departed, the rest began murmuring among themselves.
Most of them were extremely interested in Fan Chen.
After all, he was not only a Worship's disciple, but specifically the Second Worship's disciple—practically one of the future pillars of the Spirit Hall.
"What an interesting little fellow. Don't you think so, Old Ghost? Hm? Where'd he go?"
Yue Guan looked around in confusion. Just moments ago, Gui Mei had still been beside him—now he was nowhere to be seen.
At that very moment, in the shadows around a distant corner, Gui Mei was hiding there.
His eyes were filled with terror as he stared toward where Fan Chen had been standing.
His body trembled uncontrollably, as if he had seen something utterly horrifying.
—
End of Chapter