"Esteemed guests, today's grand ceremony has now concluded!"
"The Spirit Hall has prepared fine food and wine at your respective lodgings for your enjoyment. You may leave Spirit Hall City at your own discretion before sunset. Those who wish to discuss cooperation matters with our Spirit Hall may register to stay in the city first, and tomorrow morning, His Holiness the Pope will personally receive you for specific discussions."
"..."
The vast majority of so-called grand ceremonies and rituals inevitably involve tedious formalistic processes, complete with song and dance.
It is only at the very last moment that the true highlight arrives.
But as the uncrowned hegemon of the Pan Continent, the Spirit Hall does not need to engage in such flashy displays. Simply and clearly informing the world who the Pope is and who the Holy Son is suffices.
The prefix "Spirit Hall" alone carries enough weight.
As the ceremony was declared over.
Among the many factions present, there were no shortage of those who had come to pledge allegiance and seek refuge. Naturally, they needed to make some gesture to demonstrate their sincerity.
Unable to contain themselves, they spoke up one after another, even to the point of scrambling to be first.
After all, before the Papal Hall stood all the influential factions of the Pan Continent. Declaring loyalty at this moment undoubtedly served to inform other factions who their backing was, hoping to deter any potential adversaries.
A middle-aged man clad in golden armor loudly proclaimed:
"Respected Pope, my Holy Dragon Sect offers you our highest respects, presenting a three-thousand-year snow lotus to congratulate Your Holiness on ascending to the papal throne! We hope our sect may have the honor of receiving the shelter of your esteemed hall."
"..."
"The Holy Dragon Sect!!"
A single stone stirred a thousand waves.
Even Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but glance at the middle-aged man.
As was well known,
the Holy Dragon Sect could be considered one of the strongest contenders among the Lower Four Sects!!
Compared to their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, the Holy Dragon Sect was likely the faction most eager to attach itself to the Spirit Hall and secure a seat among the Seven Sects.
Seeing this, Bi Bi Dong couldn't help but reveal a smile.
"Since your Holy Dragon Sect shows such sincerity, I naturally have no reason to refuse."
Hearing this, the middle-aged man was overjoyed.
He immediately dropped to one knee, expressing profuse gratitude: "Thank you, Pope, for granting this!"
With the Holy Dragon Sect taking the lead,
the others scrambled even more eagerly to offer flattery.
"Pope, my Dark Flame Sect presents a pair of Explosive Flame Crystals as tribute."
"May your esteemed hall flourish eternally!!"
"..."
"Respected Pope, my Flying Star Sect offers a piece of Celestial Meteorite Iron."
"We wish your esteemed hall an unshakable foundation!"
"..."
The delegations from the Two Great Empires and the Seven Sects, among others, all wore somewhat unpleasant expressions.
Bi Bi Dong, however, remained completely unperturbed.
Ye Tian held the dust whisk, showing no interest in those gifts.
He knew that
the medicinal herbs presented to Bi Bi Dong were essentially offerings to him as well.
There was no need to pay them excessive attention;
there would be plenty of opportunities to appreciate them later.
Ye Tian glanced at Ning Fengzhi beside him and the white-haired, youthful-faced Sword Douluo. He smiled faintly but did not initiate contact with Ning Fengzhi, who had come from afar.
Since Ning Fengzhi could come to Spirit Hall City, it meant the initiative was in Ye Tian's hands. Making Ning Fengzhi wait a bit longer would only put him in a state of anxious longing, which was undoubtedly more advantageous for Ye Tian.
Just as Ye Tian withdrew his gaze, Ning Fengzhi also looked toward him.
At this moment, Ning Fengzhi was pondering who had written that note for him. Was it on Pope Bi Bi Dong's orders, or was it Holy Son Ye Tian acting on his own initiative?
Who should he even approach about this matter?!
Ye Tian bowed slightly toward Bi Bi Dong and whispered, "Teacher, Nana is still waiting for me. I shall take my leave first."
"..."
Seeing Ye Tian respectfully salute Bi Bi Dong,
Ning Fengzhi finally made up his mind.
"Mm, go ahead, you little brat."
Bi Bi Dong nodded slightly, granting permission. There was indeed no further need for Ye Tian at the moment, and she also needed to find some time to ask Yue Guan whether there had been any progress on that matter.
"..."
Having received permission, Ye Tian turned and gave Ning Fengzhi a faint smile before turning his back. Spotting a pair of fox ears flash past the main entrance of the Papal Hall, Ye Tian couldn't help but chuckle as he walked inside.
"Hmm?!"
Sword Douluo suddenly frowned, glancing at Ye Tian before shifting his gaze past the back of Ye Tian's head and into the Papal Hall.
As the strongest present,
Chen Xin, a ninety-fifth rank Titled Douluo, could keenly sense the weak aura concealed within the Papal Hall.
Moreover, that Soul Power fluctuation
seemed to have appeared when Ye Tian stepped out from the Papal Hall into the air.
A hint of amusement flickered in Sword Douluo's eyes.
He had already guessed something.
It seemed this Holy Son of Spirit Hall had put considerable effort into creating a spectacular entrance.
However, Sword Douluo was also quite curious about the weak presence inside the Papal Hall.
With cultivation not exceeding thirty ranks,
it could actually make someone soar into the air—this was equally an incredible feat.
Ye Tian slowly walked into the Papal Hall, where a fox-like figure pounced toward him, bringing with her a faint milky scent, a fragrant breeze, and a crisp, delicate cry.
"Senior Brother—!"
Thump!
Ye Tian caught Hu Liena in his arms.
"Senior Brother, how was the feeling of flying? Did Nana perform well?"
Hu Liena pressed her cheek against Ye Tian's chest, looking up at him with a radiant, smiling face. Her charming features still carried a slight pallor, full of a sense of seeking praise.
Holding her petite body, Ye Tian smiled and nodded in praise. "Excellent, even more comfortable than when Teacher flies with me."
Hu Liena giggled delightedly, her eyes filled with anticipation. "As long as Senior Brother is satisfied. When Nana becomes stronger, I can fly with Senior Brother—we can fly together, a pair! Haha!"
The corner of Ye Tian's mouth twitched slightly as he said helplessly, "At your young age, what do you even know about 'flying as a pair'?"
"Like lovebirds flying together!"
Hu Liena looked up, her expression puzzled.
Ye Tian rolled his eyes at her. The dust whisk in his hand had already been stored in his Soul Guidance Device. He reached out and pinched Hu Liena's fox ear with one hand, while his other hand's thumb and forefinger held a Marrow Cleansing Pill the size of a quail egg.
"Alright, you should take a pill first to replenish your energy."
"Mhm, thank you, Senior Brother!"
Hu Liena responded with a soft voice, opening her mouth to take the quail egg-sized Marrow Cleansing Pill. She even swirled Ye Tian's index finger and thumb a couple of times before swallowing it down, immediately collapsing into his arms and shuddering with intense pleasure.
"Mmm~ Senior Brother, this feels so good!"
"Uh…"
Ye Tian looked at his wet hand, the corner of his eye twitching slightly. Before he could dwell on it, the two purple and one black Spirit Rings beneath his feet shimmered simultaneously, and a golden, table tennis ball-sized Bright Soul Nourishing Pill appeared in his palm. This time, instead of pinching it with his fingers, he directly pushed it toward Hu Liena's small mouth.
"Try this Bright Soul Nourishing Pill next to replenish your spiritual energy."
"Ah~ It's too big, Senior Brother!"
"It's fine. This pill may look large, but it melts as soon as it enters your mouth."
Ye Tian understood his Second Soul Skill well.
It took effect even faster than his First Soul Skill, the Marrow Cleansing Pill.
"Ah~!"
Hu Liena's fragrant cheeks puffed out, tears welling up in her eyes. But soon, the table tennis ball-sized Bright Soul Nourishing Pill transformed into a rising, clear energy that went straight to her brain, replenishing her nearly depleted spiritual power.