LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 299: I am Pope
He didn't know why, but he had a strange sense of familiarity with this kind of scheme.
"Back then… could it be that Tang Hao had the same intentions?"
A hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast in human form, this wasn't the first time he had seen one.
The first time he encountered such a soul beast, his instinct was to protect her for a lifetime.
Yes, to protect, not to obtain her spirit ring or spirit bone.
Ah Yin was the only woman who had ever moved his heart.
For her, he was willing to never marry in his life.
As the sect master, he had only chosen the most talented child within the sect and taken him as an adopted son.
This way, his lineage could still be passed down.
On the Douluo Continent, adopted sons and daughters were no different from biological children.
They were still eligible to inherit.
Moreover, the adopted son he chose was originally a disciple of the Clear Sky Sect and had the same martial soul as him.
In a sense, wasn't that the same as continuing his bloodline?
"He refused to return to the sect back then, no matter what… Could it be that he was trying to force them into desperation so he could obtain…?"
Tang Xiao wasn't a fool.
After serving as sect master for so many years and outmaneuvering those old schemers time and time again, he was not an unintelligent man.
It was just that he had never doubted his younger brother before.
But now, witnessing firsthand how Tang San had "schemed" against Xiao Wu, he couldn't help but question what had happened back then.
Of course, without solid evidence, he wouldn't do anything to Tang Hao.
On one hand, it was the woman he loved.
On the other, it was his own brother.
He was caught in an impossible dilemma.
"Tang Hao… you'd better not be!"
Thinking of this, Tang Xiao clenched his fists tightly.
He truly loved Ah Yin, just as Flender truly loved Liu Erlong.
Their experiences were almost identical.
Both had let the woman decide…
Yet the woman's choice had never been the best one.
Liu Erlong was deceived by Yu Xiaogang for more than twenty years.
Ah Yin perished, her existence reduced to a spirit ring, a spirit bone, and a single Blue Silver Grass…
Or rather, the Blue Silver Emperor. After all, the species was different.
Shaking his head, he pushed these thoughts aside.
He didn't want to doubt his own brother without concrete proof.
But if Tang Hao had really done such a thing… then don't blame him for disregarding brotherhood!
He knew Tang Hao's current state all too well.
There was absolutely no way Tang Hao could be his match.
For now, the priority was to safely escort Tang San out of Spirit City after the competition.
The hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast might be gone, but Tang San still had a hundred-thousand-year-old spirit bone.
No Title Douluo could resist such a temptation.
If his opponent were also a Title Douluo, perhaps there would be some restraint.
But his opponent was merely a near-Soul Emperor!
Honestly, if Tang San weren't from the Clear Sky Sect…
If he weren't Ah Yin's son…
Tang Xiao might have already made his move himself.
Spirit Hall? What Spirit Hall?
After the tournament, he would have Tang San return to the sect and acknowledge his ancestry.
That was Tang Hao's plan all along.
The two spirit bones he had taken out served this very purpose, to ensure Tang San recognized his roots and returned to the sect.
—
Inside the Pope's Palace, the atmosphere was lively.
Elders and worshipers who rarely showed up had all gathered.
Especially the Second and Third Worshipers.
A hundred-thousand-year-old spirit bone!
If one of them absorbed it, they had a chance of breaking through to the next level.
For them, this was an irresistible temptation.
Of course, they were also well aware of their situation.
No matter how powerful a hundred-thousand-year-old spirit bone was, it could not bridge the gap between levels.
"Everyone, I know what you want. We will deal with everything after the competition."
"Before that, no one is to lay a hand on Tang San."
Bibi Dong spoke coldly, her expression unreadable.
"Bibi Dong, aren't you afraid that brat will run away now?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo pointed at her, speaking bluntly.
Unlike how he had spoken politely when meeting Zhongli.
Hearing this, and seeing Golden Crocodile's attitude, Bibi Dong's brows furrowed.
A flash of killing intent flickered in her eyes.
It was precisely this old man's influence that made the Worship Hall refuse to give her any face!
Even the Elder Hall barely respected her authority.
Only Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo remained completely loyal.
Although they were elders of the Elder Hall, they directly answered to the Pope's Palace.
"Golden Crocodile, I am the Pope!"
Hearing this, Golden Crocodile Douluo was momentarily stunned before almost laughing in anger.
If not for Qian Daoliu's protection, how could this woman possibly hold the position of Pope?
If Qian Renxue gave the order, he would drag Bibi Dong down from the Pope's throne—
Even if it meant disobeying Qian Daoliu's command!
The Pope's Palace had always belonged to the Qian family!
Who did Bibi Dong think she was?!
But now was not the time to fall out with her.
With a cold snort, Golden Crocodile Douluo turned and stormed out.
"You will regret this, Bibi Dong!"
He suddenly shouted before leaving.
The other Worshipers and Elders followed closely behind.
Seeing this, Bibi Dong's face darkened.
One day, she would make these old fools regret!
—
Inside the Pope's Palace, Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan knelt on the ground, trembling.
Was this something mere juniors like them should be witnessing?
They had already lost the match, who knew what kind of punishment awaited them?
Not only had they failed to secure first place, but they didn't even come in second.
That was utterly disgraceful.
"You may rise."
"This year's Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament… It's not your fault. Too many unexpected factors were at play."
"Go back and train well. Don't overthink it."
After a long silence, Bibi Dong finally spoke calmly.
They hadn't even won second place.
Yet the Elders and Worshipers tactfully chose not to bring it up.
Even if they had, what would it change?
Even they wouldn't have been able to do anything against such unpredictable variables.
What could these three juniors have done?
A loss was a loss.
If Heaven Dou's Royal Team had lost as well, that would have been even better.
During the fight for the hundred-thousand-year-old spirit bone, they could reclaim the three they had already given away.
If Heaven Dou Royal Team won, that was fine too.
They had expected it and were mentally prepared.
"Yes, Your Holiness (Teacher)."
The three immediately withdrew, drenched in cold sweat.
Only they understood how brutal Spirit Hall's punishments for failure could be.
Fortunately, no one had mentioned it this time, and they had escaped disaster.
The so-called "Golden Generation" had consumed an enormous amount of resources…
Yet they couldn't even secure second place…
No matter how they looked at it, they were a disappointment.
"Damn it! Who could have known that Xiao Wu was a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast? You were just about to wear Tang San down completely!"
Yan clenched his fists, fuming.
He was beyond frustrated.
"I didn't know either."
Before Hu Liena or Xie Yue could agree, a voice suddenly sounded.
The three of them stiffened in shock.
"Uh…"
"G-Ghost Elder!"
They were quite familiar with Ghost Douluo.
After all, he and Yue Guan had practically raised them.
"I-I didn't mean it that way, Ghost Elder!"
Yan was on the verge of tears.