The next morning, after replenishing his soul rings and practicing all night, even Yu Tianheng, who had consumed the most soul power the previous day, had almost fully recovered to his optimal condition. The ten members of the Emperor Fighting Team walked towards the Pope's Palace, their energy renewed.
It was said that the Pope would make an appearance today to express his appreciation for the top three teams in the competition.
When they arrived at the Pope's Palace, the two major academy teams of Shrek and Wuhun Hall had already arrived and were waiting.
Ning Rongrong brought Zhu Zhuqing to Jun Tianlin, and Zhu Zhuqing, with gratitude in her eyes, said "Sword Lord, thank you very much. My sister came to see me yesterday. After this competition, I will fight her fairly. Although I know the chances of my failure are high, at least my freedom will be preserved, and I won't have to go back to that cold home."
Although Shrek's current performance outshone that of the Xingluo team, the Xingluo royal family would never judge that Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai were better than Dai Weisei and Zhu Zhuyun.
Xingluo Royal Academy had simply been unlucky in encountering the Emperor Team so early. The future of the Xingluo Empire wouldn't be determined by luck, and the battle between brothers and sisters was still inevitable.
Jun Tianlin nodded and smiled, "Good luck to you. No matter the result, just give it your all."
Ning Rongrong winked at Jun Tianlin quietly, already guessing his plan to help Zhu Zhuqing. How could her brother, Sword King, watch her friend suffer?
Originally, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing had a fairly average relationship, but after Zhu Zhuqing was injured before, Ning Rongrong had taken care of her. The bond between girls often grows quickly in such moments.
Jun Tianlin smiled back. As expected of his Rongrong, she understood him better than anyone and trusted him more.
At this moment, a group of people came out from the side door of the Pope's Palace. Twelve cardinals, whose status was second only to Bishop Platinum, stood on both sides.
The leader shouted, "His Holiness the Pope has arrived!"
"Long live, long live, long live!" Three resounding shouts echoed through Spirit City like a tidal wave.
It wasn't just the voices of the palace knights lined up on the Pope's Hill but the shouts of all the soul masters throughout the entire Spirit City. To them, the Pope was their highest faith!
The massive palace doors slowly opened, and all eyes naturally turned in that direction. Even the members of the Spirit Hall Academy team's hearts were beating faster at this moment. Bibi Dong, dressed in a golden gown from head to toe, wearing a purple-gold crown, and holding a scepter in her hand, walked out of the Pope's Palace first. Her presence was so majestic, it seemed as though she towered infinitely over everyone.
No one even paid attention to her stunning beauty. At that moment, she represented the majesty of the first-generation Pope of the Spirit Hall, and all the light seemed to focus on her.
The entire Spirit Hall faction knelt on one knee. "Greetings to His Holiness the Pope."
Even those from the Five Elements Academy and other academies unconsciously bowed to her.
The atmosphere was indescribable. Even someone with a strong will like Tang San, amidst the shouts from all around, couldn't help but feel like he should bow in worship.
However, in his heart, Tang San believed that, except for his father, teacher, and elders, no one in the world was worthy of his salute, a sentiment similar to Jun Tianlin's.
At this moment, the only two people who did not move at all were the Emperor Team and Shrek.
"How dare you disrespect His Holiness the Pope!" A cardinal pointed at them, shouting angrily.
Jun Tianlin glanced at Shrek and then ordered "Hongjun, Oscar, salute His Holiness the Pope!"
Ma Hongjun and Oscar were puzzled. Why was Jun Tianlin asking only them to salute?
Jun Tianlin explained "When you first became soul masters, you received many subsidies from the spirit hall. These were given by the two empires that allowed you to grow up in the most difficult of circumstances. Therefore, whether you meet the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire or the Pope of the Spirit Hall, you must show proper respect."
"I don't care about the others, but since you have joined my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, you must never be ungrateful."
Oscar and Ma Hongjun, upon hearing this, no longer hesitated and bowed to Bibi Dong at the same time "Greetings to His Holiness the Pope."
Jun Tianlin's words made sense. Since they had received benefits from the Spirit Hall, they couldn't treat it like an enemy. Such behavior would be like eating at the table but cursing the hands that fed them.
However, Tang San and Xiao Wu stood still. Tang San thought it was just a bit of money and wasn't worth sacrificing his integrity. Xiao Wu, on the other hand, harbored deep hatred for Bibi Dong. For her, killing Bibi Dong would be more satisfying than bowing to her.
Bibi Dong looked at Jun Tianlin with admiration "Are you the legendary Sword Lord? You are indeed a dragon among men. So, you don't need to salute me, as you've never accepted any favors from my Spirit Hall."
"Yes, respected Pope" Jun Tianlin responded neither servile nor arrogant. Although he did not bow, he maintained the appropriate level of respect.
"Very good. You have some of the character of your master, Sword Douluo. Those who have been grateful will never forget until death. As for those who have not, even gods will not let their hearts bow to them" Bibi Dong praised.
Among the Titled Douluo who were not from the Spirit Hall, Sword Douluo Chen Xin was the one she could barely take notice of.
Bibi Dong didn't linger on Jun Tianlin for long, instead turning her attention to another person who had shown no respect at all—Tang San. To her, he was more important.
He was a twin spirit, like herself, and had even greater potential than the Sword Master. Their relationship was more complicated. As the son of Tang Hao, he had a deep hatred for Spirit Hall, and as the disciple of the Master, she had more concerns, even if she wanted to take action against him.
"I see hope in you. In front of the Pope's Palace, I wish to see all your talents and strengths. The final winner will receive the greatest reward from the Spirit Hall" Bibi Dong said as she waved the scepter in her hand.
No one could see how she did it. Three points of light instantly expanded before her and floated into the air.
Three different objects, not very large, appeared. One was shaped like a bone for the right arm, one for the torso, and one for the left leg. They radiated three different colors of light—fiery red, light blue, and dark green.
Soul bones. These were the three soul bones that Qin Ming had mentioned before.