The next day!
Purple qi rose from the east as dawn broke. Even before the sun had fully risen, the entirety of Spirit Hall City was mobilized.
Many factions arrived just in the nick of time. For instance, the delegation from the Star Luo Empire and its affiliated duchies and kingdoms, the delegation from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the representatives of the Lower Four Sects all reached the gates of Spirit Hall City right before daybreak.
It could be said that aside from the Clear Sky School—which had been beaten into seclusion by Spirit Hall—and its four affiliated clans that had already declared independence, no other prominent power on the Pan Continent dared to skip this event.
After all, this was a very sensitive period. The ascension of a new Pope was often accompanied by sweeping reforms, or even the practice of "killing the chicken to warn the monkey" and the proverbial "three fires of a new official."
If they failed to show up now and the new Pope recorded their names in a little black book, what would they do? Did they want to become the next Clear Sky School, forced into isolation? Looking across the Pan Continent, the Clear Sky School was unique as the number one sect under heaven. If the new Pope decided to make trouble for them, their fate would undoubtedly be ten thousand times more miserable than that of the Clear Sky School. They likely wouldn't even get the chance to go into seclusion; they would simply be cast into the abyss of eternal damnation.
As Ning Fengzhi had expected, these larger factions had tacitly sent appropriate delegations, and most remained extremely low-profile. For example, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan didn't even send their second-in-command, Yu Luo Mian. It was clear how perfunctory they were being toward this grand event.
Where there were low-profile factions, there were naturally high-profile ones. These included the late-arriving imperial delegation of the Star Luo Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School delegation, personally led by Ning Fengzhi.
The Star Luo Empire's royal family had just defeated Spirit Hall in the Soul Master Competition to claim the championship. Arriving in Spirit Hall City now was their time to be haughty and flaunt their strength. By all rights, they should have been the most watched delegation in the city.
However, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School did not follow the usual script. They unexpectedly sent their Sect Master along with a pivotally important Titled Douluo Elder. This inevitably turned the posturing Star Luo Empire into a mere backdrop.
When Ning Fengzhi appeared in Spirit Hall City accompanied by the world-renowned Sword Douluo, it caused a massive stir. Not only were they warmly received by the Red Cardinals, but their presence also sparked endless speculation among the various factions.
Spirit Hall's intelligence system was no slouch. Moreover, Ning Fengzhi and his party had made no effort to hide their movements. Long before the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's viewing group arrived, Spirit Hall had already received the news.
Walking through the streets of Spirit Hall City, Sword Douluo maintained a steady pace. He could keenly perceive the various prying eyes and the sounds of hushed discussions. He couldn't help but chuckle. "Fengzhi, it seems our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is about to be roasted over the fire."
"Heh, I anticipated this. It was unavoidable," Ning Fengzhi replied with a helpless smile.
Sword Douluo found it amusing. "It's also quite laughable. Some people actually suspect our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is flattering Spirit Hall just to claim the empty title of the Number One Sect Under Heaven."
"You can't blame them. Now that the Clear Sky School has Sealed Mountain and Closed Sect, the Three Upper Sects are effectively missing a seat. Among the Lower Four Sects, who wouldn't be eyeing that vacancy? Besides, without the Clear Sky School, the strength of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is indeed slightly superior to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. It's natural for them to think we have such ambitions," Ning Fengzhi explained calmly.
Compared to what was truly important, he felt a degree of disdain for the empty title of "Number One Sect."
"The only thing I care about now is the content written on that note. If it can become reality, the strength of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School will not only take a qualitative leap but will also receive praise far greater than the title of Number One Sect."
Ning Fengzhi's eyes held absolute confidence. A Soul Master possessing the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was a being referred to as the God of Support!
Though his current cultivation hadn't reached the peak for a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda user, he was still a Soul Saint. Relying solely on his first six Soul Skills, he could provide an eighty percent boost to any six attributes of a fellow Soul Master.
But if one possessed the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, they could train to the Titled Douluo realm. At that point, putting aside the uncertain eighth and ninth Soul Skills, a Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda user could easily double the six main attributes of their teammates! After activating the Martial Soul True Form, the resulting augmentation would be even more terrifying.
One could say that having a Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Titled Douluo on the battlefield was enough to allow all the top combat powers of a major faction to double their overall strength!
Sword Douluo sighed softly. "I hope this trip yields what we want. Otherwise, we'll be taking quite a loss."
Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly. "I don't think it will be a problem. Spirit Hall wouldn't go through all this trouble for a pointless prank just to amuse themselves at our expense."
"That is true," Sword Douluo agreed.
Inside the Wisteria Residence.
Bi Bi Dong and Ye Tian were ready to depart. However, they were not wearing their formal attire as Pope and Holy Son. Instead, they had changed into plain white mourning clothes.
In this corner of the Douluo Continent, the principle of "respecting the deceased above all" was strictly followed. Their succession ceremony would take place after Qian Xunji's funeral.
According to the plan, Qian Xunji's coffin would be carried into the Douluo Hall when the first light of dawn touched the peak of the Central Divine Mountain. Additionally, the place where Ye Tian and the others would see Qian Xunji off was different from the others; they would wait directly in front of the Douluo Hall. The delegations from various factions would offer their condolences from various points ranging from the mountainside to the plaza in front of the Papal Hall and the plaza at the foot of the mountain. The stronger the faction, the higher and more forward their position would be.
"Teacher, Senior Brother, Nana is ready. Let's go!"
Hu Liena was dressed in a plain skirt. Her expression was a far cry from her usual lively and playful self; it was filled with solemnity.
Spirit Hall City was the holy land for the Soul Masters of the world. The status of the Pope was self-evident, even regarded as a figure of faith by many Soul Masters. Growing up in Spirit Hall City, Hu Liena was naturally filled with such reverence.
"Good, let's head out then."
Ye Tian nodded. He didn't feel much about this "holy land." Otherwise, what power in the entire Soul Master Realm would dare to defy Spirit Hall?
"Hmm?"
Ye Tian suddenly felt the collar of his clothes tighten around his neck. Looking back, he saw Bi Bi Dong staring down at him coldly.
"Do you not understand the meaning of respecting your teacher? You should be following behind your master!"
Bi Bi Dong curled her lip and yanked Ye Tian's collar, pulling back the boy who had tried to take the first step. She gave Ye Tian an annoyed glance before taking the lead.
Ye Tian shrugged helplessly, then reached back to take Hu Liena's small hand as they followed.
It wasn't until they walked out of the gates of the Wisteria Residence that the small group of three had any sound other than their footsteps.
"I have some good news for you. As you wished... Ning Fengzhi has indeed personally led a team into Spirit Hall City," Bi Bi Dong said with a faint smile.
She had been looking forward to this funeral for a long time! There was sadness, perhaps, but it was mostly a sense of great satisfaction!
"It's not exactly a surprise. It was expected," Ye Tian said calmly.
Hearing the commotion coming from the direction of the Papal Hall in the distance, he knew the funeral had begun.