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The air inside the Great Hall of Deliberation was heavy and still. This was the heart of the Supreme Pontiff Palace in Spirit City, a place where the fate of the entire continent was often decided. The room was massive, but the silence made it feel small and tight.
Bibi Dong sat on the throne of the Supreme Pontiff. She was the picture of power and authority. On her head, she wore a purple-gold crown that shimmered under the lights. In her hand, she held a scepter covered in rare jewels.
Just a month ago, her physical body had suffered a collapse, but looking at her now, no one could see a single sign of weakness. If anything, her aura felt deeper and more dangerous than ever before. She looked like a goddess looking down on mortals.
Standing like statues on either side of her were her two most trusted shadows. Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan, stood to her right with a calm but sharp expression. To her left was Ghost Douluo, Gui Mei, whose presence was as cold and silent as a grave.
Around a large oval table sat nearly twenty people. These were the elite of Spirit Hall. Some were Elders who held massive power, while others were high-level administrators who ruled over entire regions. The two Hall Masters from the Spirit Sanctuaries were there, along with every Platinum Bishop.
Even the leaders of the affiliated sects had been summoned. Tuoba Xi, the Sect Master of the Sacred Dragon Sect, sat tall. Next to him were Hu Qianxing of the Black Tiger Sect and Feng Bailong of the Wind Sword Sect. Hu Yan Zhen, the massive Sect Master of the Elephant Armored Academy, took up a lot of space, while Huo Yan of the Fire Leopard Sect watched the room with fiery eyes.
Anyone walking into this room would know immediately that something huge was happening. You didn't gather this much power in one room just to talk about the weather. Spirit Hall was preparing for a war.
Every eye in the room was fixed on Bibi Dong. The leaders held their breath, waiting for her to speak. Her gaze moved slowly across the table. She looked at each person, and her eyes seemed to cut right through them. Many of these powerful Spirit Masters felt a chill run down their spines as she stared at them.
Finally, she spoke. Her voice was deep and echoed off the high stone walls.
"I have met with the Elders of the Elder Palace. Today, I am here to announce three major decisions."
The people at the table straightened their backs. They knew Bibi Dong was a woman of action. When she made a decision, the world changed.
"The first matter," Bibi Dong said, her voice flat and formal. "As the Supreme Pontiff, I have chosen my successor. The Elder Palace has already given their approval. From this moment on, Hu Liena is officially the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall. She is now first in line to become the next Supreme Pontiff."
A murmur went through the room. Many people had expected this. Hu Liena was talented, strong, and completely loyal. Still, hearing it officially was a big deal. In the back of the room, Xie Yue and Yan heard the news. For a second, their eyes showed a mix of pride and worry, but they quickly hid their feelings. They stayed as still as the Elders around them.
Bibi Dong watched the room to see if anyone would object. She saw only nodding heads and looks of respect. Even the people who didn't like the choice knew better than to say anything. The power was being passed on, and the first step was done.
But she wasn't finished. The next news would be the real shock.
"The second matter," she said, her voice becoming even sharper. "I have decided to start the Soul Hunting Operation early. We are launching it now."
The words "Soul Hunting Operation" hit the room like a physical blow. The silence was instantly broken by gasps and hushed whispers.
"What? Starting it now?" one Elder whispered.
"Your Holiness, isn't this too fast?" another asked, leaning forward. "We aren't ready. We need more time to move resources and get our people into position."
"If we move now," a Bishop added, "the Star Luo and Heaven Dou Empires will notice. We can't fight everyone at the same time if they team up against us!"
The room became loud with worry. The Elders and Hall Masters were confused. They knew the plan, but they also knew that Spirit Hall wasn't fully prepared yet. Moving now seemed like a massive gamble.
Bang!
Bibi Dong slammed her hand down on the table. The heavy jade surface cracked instantly, white lines spreading out like a spiderweb from under her palm. She stood up, and the pressure coming off her body was so heavy it felt like the air had turned to lead. Everyone stopped talking immediately.
"I am giving orders," she hissed, her eyes like cold blades. "I am not asking for your opinions."
She looked around the room, making sure everyone felt her anger.
"The world is changing fast. Tianxing Academy is growing, and that boy, Tang Chuan, is becoming a problem we can't ignore. He is already outside of our control. If we don't start the Soul Hunting Operation now, we might lose our chance forever. Unforeseen things are happening, and we must act before it's too late!"
A large, muscular man stood up. It was Devil Bear Douluo. He had been away for a long time and had only recently come back to Spirit City. He didn't know everything that had happened while he was gone.
"Supreme Pontiff," he said, his voice booming. "I don't understand. If we start now, we are taking a huge risk. We can't handle two fronts at once. I'm asking you to please think about this again."
Bibi Dong looked at him, and a cruel smile touched her lips.
"Oh, Elder Devil Bear. Now you care about our plans?" she mocked. "I thought you were too busy embarrassing yourself. I heard you were off in the mountains near the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, trying to spar with people while you didn't have any clothes on."
Devil Bear Douluo's face turned bright red, then a dark, angry purple. He looked like he might explode. That incident was the most embarrassing moment of his life, and she had just thrown it in his face in front of everyone. He shook with rage, his heavy frame trembling, but he didn't dare say another word. He sat down, staring at the floor.
Bibi Dong turned her attention back to the rest of the room.
"Do any of you know what happened when Elder Yue Guan, Elder Gui Mei, and I tried to kill Tang Chuan outside the city?"
She paused. For a split second, a look of genuine concern crossed her face, though she tried to hide it.
"We failed," she admitted. The room went silent again. "The boy was protected by a Spirit Beast so powerful it surpasses even a Limit Douluo. Even I was almost defeated. I barely escaped with my life."
A collective gasp filled the hall. A Spirit Beast stronger than a Limit Douluo? The Supreme Pontiff almost died? The news was terrifying.
"His talent is scary," Bibi Dong continued, her voice rising with urgency. "He is growing faster than anyone I have ever seen. And now, he has disappeared. If we wait until he grows up and comes back with his full power, Spirit Hall will be finished. We have to destroy the Upper Three Sects now. We have to take control of the continent's resources today so we are ready for what comes next!"
She used her power and the scary truth to shut down any more arguments. The room was deathly quiet. No one questioned her anymore. They were too afraid of the future she was describing.
As the silence stretched on, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan, took a step forward. He bowed his head respectfully to Bibi Dong.
"Supreme Pontiff, if we are starting the operation now, who do we strike first?" he asked smoothly. "Should we go after the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan? Or maybe the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School? Or should we try to find the Clear Sky Sect, even though they have been hiding for years?"