Chapter 490: The Angel Temple – Mother and Daughter Reunited
Spirit City, Ferdinand's Estate.
"Honored elders, I'll be taking my leave now," Dai Yao said, rising from his seat at the tea table, then respectfully taking a step back and bowing deeply.
On the other side of the table sat two elderly men, one slender as a lance and the other as hefty as a mountain, both with goatees. These were none other than the former Platinum Bishops, Salas and Ferdinand.
Now both were Titled Douluos, and as a contingency for Bibi Dong, they had remained in Spirit City. Ferdinand stroked his beard in satisfaction, his plump face beaming with pride.
What had once seemed like a mere whim had blossomed beyond expectations. Not only had Dai Yao defeated the former Xingluo Emperor, but he had also established a faction significant enough to attract the attention of Spirit Hall itself. Ferdinand, who had long regarded Dai Yao as a protégé, could not have felt more gratified.
"Dai Yao, you didn't invite us to your wedding in Hanhai City, and we forgave you for it," Ferdinand chided playfully. "But for your upcoming wedding with the Holy Maiden, don't even think of leaving us out!"
Back when Dai Yao married, he had intentionally left them uninvited due to the sensitivity of their positions. Uncertain of Bibi Dong's attitude at the time, he hadn't wanted to risk angering her. So, after careful consideration, Dai Yao chose not to invite them.
Dai Yao was momentarily stunned that the two elders already knew about his relationship with Hu Liena. Quickly, he bowed apologetically. "Forgive me, seniors. I had no choice but to omit the invitation before, but this time I won't forget."
Ferdinand nodded in approval, but Salas interjected with a grin, "Dai Yao, don't believe this old man. When he didn't receive an invitation to your wedding, he was relieved—he didn't want to risk offending the Pope."
Salas's usual icy tone now had a rare warmth, showing no mercy in exposing his old friend.
"Rubbish!" Ferdinand snapped. "I was furious, but I couldn't show it in the Hall! And now this bamboo stick here is using my restraint to slander me! Dai Yao, don't believe him!"
Dai Yao smiled and nodded, understanding that they, too, needed to maintain their own safety by distancing themselves from him.
Seeing that the two men were on the verge of another argument, Dai Yao quickly excused himself again. "Honored elders, I must be going now."
Ferdinand and Salas chuckled and waved him off. As he stepped out of the mansion, Dai Yao heard their loud bickering resume behind the doors. Smiling, he shook his head and left.
Before heading to the Star Dou Forest, he had visited his old acquaintances. These included Bishop Ferdinand, who had saved him in the Xingluo Empire, Bishop Salas, who had shielded him in the Heaven Dou Empire, several other elders in Spirit Hall, and even Xie Yue and Yan.
Though Dai Yao had spent significant time in Spirit Hall, he had only formed a handful of connections.
Of note was his visit to see Xie Yue, where he unexpectedly encountered Yan as well. Due to Hu Liena, Dai Yao and Yan had once been at odds. To his surprise, Yan seemed to have mellowed, no longer bearing the fierce competitiveness of old, and they conversed like ordinary acquaintances.
Had Yan truly let go? Dai Yao didn't know, nor did he care. After a brief reunion, he bid his friends farewell and departed from Spirit City.
With the Sea God's Trident wrapped in cloth on his back and a straw hat atop his head, Dai Yao leaped into the sky, vanishing in a streak of light across the distant horizon.
Spirit City – The Temple of Worship
Normally a place of tranquility, the Temple of Worship was now bustling with tension, the air thick with unease.
"What are you doing here? You're not welcome!"
An imposing elder stood at the temple entrance, glaring at the woman outside. His tone was low and hostile.
Beside him stood five others—four men and a woman. Among them was a man as robust as a lion, another slender and aloof, resembling a divine bird. Two others were identical twins, and the woman's piercing gaze was sharp as an eagle's.
These were the six consecrators of the Temple of Worship, gathered together and on guard. Standing before them was the person they all feared and resented most: Pope Bibi Dong herself.
Bibi Dong wore her usual attire: the Pope's scepter in her hand, the purple-gold crown on her head, and a sleek purple gown. She stood before the temple, exuding a presence that seemed to center the world around her.
"I told you, I want to see that old man. If you try to stop me, don't blame me for being ruthless," she said, casting a calm gaze over the six consecrators. Her eyes lingered briefly on the Lion Douluo and Golden Crocodile Douluo, her tone as cold as ice.
Golden Crocodile Douluo sneered, undeterred. "I'd like to see just how ruthless you can be!"
As he spoke, the other consecrators took a step forward in unison. After a brief hesitation, even Qingluan Douluo joined them. The combined aura of six powerful Douluo distorted the atmosphere, causing the entire Pope's Mountain to tremble.
A fierce gust swept through, lifting strands of Bibi Dong's purple hair.
Despite facing all six consecrators, her expression remained unchanged. She shot Qingluan Douluo a sidelong glance and said icily, "Old man, if you don't come out now, don't blame me if I tear down this Angel Temple!"
As she spoke, nine spirit rings rose slowly around her.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red.
The terrifying aura of a Level 99 powerhouse instantly overwhelmed the combined force of the six consecrators. They all let out muffled grunts as shock flashed through their gazes.
Had this terrifying woman truly reached such a level?
At that moment, a golden light suddenly enveloped the temple, as an elderly voice sounded from within.
"Second consecrator, let her through. Allow her to see me…"
Golden Crocodile Douluo's face twisted with displeasure, but in the end, he reluctantly replied, "Understood."
He cast a cold glare at Bibi Dong, gesturing her inside. "Go ahead!"
The five consecrators stepped aside, creating a path. Bibi Dong nodded slightly, gripping her scepter as she slowly entered the Temple of Worship. Her high heels clicked against the temple floor, shattering the hall's dignified silence with each step.
Golden Crocodile Douluo led her to a grand set of doors and began, "This is where the Grand—"
Before he could finish, Bibi Dong gave a dismissive wave, blasting the doors to the Angel Temple open.
"You wretch!"
Spirit City, Temple of Angels.
Golden Crocodile Douluo glared furiously at Bibi Dong, his nine spirit rings glowing as he shouted in anger. She was being outrageously arrogant—did she really think this was her Pope's Hall?
At that moment, an aged sigh echoed from within the Angel Temple.
"Sigh… Second Consecrator, stand down. Let her come in to see me," came the weary voice.
Golden Crocodile Douluo restrained his anger, begrudgingly muttering, "Understood," before giving Bibi Dong a cold glance and walking off with a snort.
Bibi Dong stepped into the Angel Temple, pausing beneath the solemn angel statue that adorned the ceiling before letting her gaze drift downward to the elderly figure radiating a golden glow. Her eyes then rested on the young woman seated behind him with her eyes closed, exuding a serene angelic presence as though she were an angel descended upon the earth.
Seeing Bibi Dong's power, on par with his own, Qian Daoliu couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. Memories of a once-innocent young Holy Maiden flashed through his mind. What a pity, he thought with a heavy sigh.
"Bibi Dong," he said as he gazed pensively out the window, "this is our first meeting since you ascended to the throne, isn't it?"
Bibi Dong gently caressed the Pope's scepter in her hand, her gaze locked on the young woman behind Qian Daoliu. She couldn't help but recall Dai Yao's words urging her to reconcile. "Yes, it is," she replied absently.
Noticing where Bibi Dong's gaze was fixed, Qian Daoliu frowned and positioned himself between her and Qian Renxue. "The events of the past were indeed the result of my failure to guide my son properly. Our Angel lineage owes you a debt. That's why I've yielded to you all these years. But remember, Xue'er is not only the future of the Angel line; she is also your daughter. Even a fierce tiger won't devour its own cubs. Should you attempt to harm her, my years of patience will come to an end."
Qian Daoliu's eyes burned like twin suns, filling the temple with divine power that stood in stark contrast to the dark Rakshasa energy exuding from Bibi Dong.
For the first time since entering the Temple of Worship, Bibi Dong's expression shifted. She let out a cold snort. "I didn't come here to dredge up old grievances with you. As for Qian Renxue, I have my own plans."
Her words puzzled Qian Daoliu. "Then why have you come?" he asked.
Bibi Dong replied slowly, "Recently, there have been signs of a beast tide brewing in the Star Dou Forest."
"A beast tide?" Qian Daoliu's expression turned grave as he grasped her purpose.
Spirit Hall was already fighting on multiple fronts, waging war against both the Heaven Dou and Xingluo Empires, and manpower was stretched thin. Should a beast tide erupt, it could spell disaster for the entire Spirit Empire.
Bibi Dong had come seeking assistance.
"You want me to come out of seclusion?" Qian Daoliu asked cautiously.
"No," Bibi Dong replied, her answer immediate and resolute. "I don't need you on the front lines; I need you to guard the Spirit Empire. I will personally go to the Heaven Dou Empire, end the war quickly, and return to handle the beast tide myself."
"This is a critical situation. Only you are suited to such a role," she added firmly.
Qian Daoliu's brow furrowed as he noted a flaw in Bibi Dong's strategy. "While I may be one of the continent's strongest, there are others within the Star Dou Forest who match or even surpass me. If such a beast steps in, I could hold them off, but what about the endless beasts under their command?"
"Without a standing army, the Spirit Empire won't survive this beast tide."
Bibi Dong remained composed. "That is not your concern. I have made other arrangements. You need only stay hidden and ensure the Spirit Empire's safety. Don't reveal yourself—not even to the six consecrators outside. If you must act, make sure Qingluan Douluo remains stationed at the Angel Temple."
These arrangements, naturally, came from Dai Yao. And even if he were to fail, what would the fall of the Spirit Empire matter to her? She was merely helping Dai Yao, who sought to protect all of humanity.
Qian Daoliu's frown deepened, not so much at her unexplained "arrangements" but at her later stipulations. He understood the need for secrecy; Bibi Dong wouldn't want him regaining influence over the Pope's Hall. But why not inform the other consecrators? And why specifically assign Qingluan Douluo?
"What do you mean by this?" he asked.
Bibi Dong ignored his question and instead asked, "How far along is Qian Renxue in her trials?"
Qian Daoliu's gaze turned frosty as he replied, "She is on the eighth trial."
"The eighth trial? She's progressed rather quickly…" Bibi Dong murmured, a hint of wistfulness in her voice. She then turned, her heels echoing in the Angel Temple as she walked away.
Just before her footsteps faded completely, her voice drifted back. "When she completes her godhood, have her come find me…"
"She seems to suspect something…" Qian Daoliu murmured, gazing at the spot where Bibi Dong had disappeared.
"It doesn't matter, whether it's soul beasts or humans. As long as she can aid Xue'er, I can overlook it. After all these years, the Angel Clan's dream will finally be fulfilled in my generation. The light of the Angel God shall return to this continent!"
As he spoke, a hint of color returned to Qian Daoliu's aged face.
On the other side of the hall, Qian Renxue's delicate face showed a slight frown as she sat cross-legged in meditation, as though sensing some hidden pain. Only after Bibi Dong left did the tension on her brow relax, and the divine aura around her intensified.
Spirit City – Pope's Hall
In the resplendent Pope's Hall, Bibi Dong sat on the Pope's throne in full battle regalia, her gaze steely as she looked over the gathered elders below.
"Summon all bishops in Spirit City at the Soul Saint level and above. Pack your gear. We move to reinforce Zhen Nan Pass immediately!" she commanded.
"Elder Chrysanthemum, Elder Ghost, Salas, Ferdinand, and Saint Dragon Douluo—you will accompany me as we advance toward Zhen Nan Pass. Within a month, I want the entire Heaven Dou Empire under our control!"
Her cold voice wasn't loud, but to those present, it rang like thunder.
"Yes!"
None dared question her. In unison, they knelt on one knee, their voices filled with reverence.
Moments later, a series of lights shot from the Pope's Hall, streaking across the sky. Soon after, lines of soldiers began pouring out of Spirit City's gates.
The skies over the Heaven Dou battlefield grew ominous as war loomed closer.
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