Chapter 140 Post-event arrangements
All seven of them were shocked!
But then Qian Renxue’s words put them at ease :"Start with the Platinum Bishop, investigate him thoroughly."
"We must investigate not only his personal relationship with Bibi Dong, but also his corruption, abuse of power, and oppression of ordinary people."
She paused, her voice softening slightly :"I ’m not judging him personally. As long as he’s genuinely working for the Spirit Hall and hasn’t engaged in corruption, even if he worked for Bibi Dong, he can be treated leniently, and might even be allowed to stay on."
"But if someone uses the Pope’s name to line their own pockets and harm the local area..."
A cold glint flashed in Qian Renxue’s eyes :"Punish them all severely, without exception!"
She recalled what she had seen when she led the Holy Knights to wipe out the Fallen Soul Masters, passing through various Martial Soul Sub-Halls and Branch Halls, where some bishops lived in mansions comparable to palaces.
Those woodworms need to be removed.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"the seven replied in unison, feeling much more at ease.
This new pope is not indiscriminately purging, but rather principled and measured. Following such a leader, at least one doesn’t have to worry about being abandoned.
Yue Guan stepped forward, carefully asking ,"Your Majesty, what should be done with the three members of the Golden Generation?"
Qian Renxue’s lips curled into an undisguised contempt :"The Golden Generation? Nothing but a bunch of trash. Bibi Dong dares to call herself ’Golden’?"
She leaned forward slightly , her voice icy :"Hu Liena, Xie Yue, Yan... they’re eighteen or nineteen years old , and haven’t even broken through to the Soul King realm. Do they even deserve to be called geniuses?"
Jiang Bai’s image appeared in her mind.
At the same age, they are already at the level of Soul Douluo. Even if Jiang Bai has the assistance of the Divine Trial and his cultivation is extremely fast, what about Jiang Li’er?
She remembered that Jiang Li’er had said that she was the same age as Jiang Bai, but the last time they met, she was already a sixth-ring Soul Emperor.
But even with the Spirit Hall’s resources pouring in, Hu Liena and the other two couldn’t even break through to the Soul King level...
What are those three who were taught by Bibi Dong?
At the bottom of the steps , the seven elders looked at each other, a bitter smile on their faces.
Compared to Jiang Bai? There ’s no comparison. But that kid is a monster; you can’t judge him by ordinary standards ...
Hu Liena and her two friends are actually among the best of their age. Of course, they wouldn’t dare say that.
Qian Renxue’s slender fingers tapped lightly on the armrest, producing a rhythmic, crisp sound.
She hesitated for a moment, then slowly said ,"Hu Liena and Xie Yue... strip them of their cultivation and send them to the Yuying Hall to contribute to the next generation of the Spirit Hall."
Yuying Hall is a place where the Spirit Hall cultivates reserve talents, but it is also a place for"labor reform"of some soul masters who have committed serious crimes but have special value.
Those who enter will spend the rest of their lives under strict surveillance, using their remaining value to serve the Spirit Hall.
As for the specific ways to"contribute to the next generation"...
The seven elders understood each other perfectly and silently mourned for the brother and sister for three seconds.
" As for Yan ..." Qian Renxue paused , " let’s see how he reacts first. "
"If he behaves himself and faces reality, we can spare his life."
"If you are not convinced and harbor resentment..."
A slight smile played on her lips , her voice icy :"Send him to Yuying Hall as well."
" Yes, Your Majesty! " the seven men bowed in response.
Qian Renxue sat up straight, raising her voice :"Also, prepare for the enthronement ceremony three months from now."
"Send invitations to the Heaven Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the Clear Sky Sect... and all the other well-known powers."
Her gaze swept over the crowd."I will let the entire continent know that from this day forward, the Pope of the Spirit Hall is me, Qian Renxue."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
...
Two and a half hours later, at Martial Soul Academy.
Yue Guan led a group of knights clad in silver armor, exuding a chilling aura, into the academy gates.
He didn’t disturb too many people; he simply sent a teacher to lead Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan to a private office deep inside the academy.
In the corridor, Yan leaned closer to Hu Liena and asked in a low voice ,"Nana, what do you think Elder Ju wants with us?"
Hu Liena frowned, her tone indifferent :"How should I know? And don’t call me Nana."
She was also a little confused. Why did Elder Ju suddenly come to visit and specifically ask to see the three of them?
Yan, however , remained unperturbed and continued with a fawning smile ,"Could it be that His Holiness the Pope is finally going to officially confirm your position as a saintess? That’s why he specially sent Elder Ju to issue the decree of investiture! Otherwise, what could possibly warrant Elder Ju making this special trip?"
Hu Liena’s heart skipped a beat.
To confer the title of Holy Maiden?
The teacher did mention it a few times, but there was never any official follow-up. Could it really be today?
She pursed her lips, suppressing the slight expectation in her heart, but her pace unconsciously quickened.
The three arrived at the office door.
Push the door open and enter.
The room was dimly lit , with the curtains half-drawn. Two rows of fully armed silver-armored knights stood solemnly on either side, their long spears gleaming coldly.
Yue Guan stood with his back to the door, his hands behind his back, his right hand seemingly holding a golden scroll.
Upon seeing the scroll of silk , the three of them’s eyes lit up simultaneously!
An imperial edict! It really is an imperial edict!
Yan was overjoyed and secretly winked at Hu Liena, as if to say: See, I guessed right!
Hu Liena’s breathing quickened slightly as she tried to maintain a calm demeanor, but the excitement in her eyes was undeniable.
Xie Yue felt uneasy. Was it necessary to bring so many knights to confer the title of Holy Maiden? And the aura of these knights... such a strong killing intent.
The three stepped forward, and Chaoyue Pass’s figure bowed respectfully :"Greetings, Elder Ju!"
Yue Guan slowly turned around.
His face no longer held its usual charming smile, only a cold and murderous look.
His gaze swept over the three of them, lingering for a moment on Hu Liena’s face. A complex emotion flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his indifference.
Unfolding the golden silk scroll in her hand , her voice was soft yet icy, like proclaiming a verdict :"Hu Liena, Xie Yue, receive the decree!"
Yan was taken aback.
Where am I? Why are there only the two of them?
Hu Liena was also taken aback. What about her brother? What does the investiture of a saintess have to do with her brother?
But she and Xie Yue still stepped forward as instructed, knelt on one knee, and bowed their heads respectfully, saying ,"Hu Liena (Xie Yue) receives the decree!"
Yue Guan’s gaze fell upon the silk scroll , each word clear and cold :"The Pope’s Edict of a Thousand Blades!"
"Bibi Dong has lost him ideals and beliefs, betrayed her angelic faith and mission, is disloyal and dishonest to the Angel God, abuses her power, and has caused significant losses to the development and interests of the Spirit Hall!"
"An investigation is now underway into her disciple Hu Liena and her relative Xie Yue..."
He paused, then his voice suddenly turned stern :"Arrest him immediately!"
"???"
The moment the words left his mouth, the office fell into a deathly silence.
Hu Liena and Xie Yue looked up abruptly , their faces filled with disbelief! Their pupils contracted sharply, and their blood seemed to freeze instantly!
What?!
Arrest?! Investigation?!
The teacher... something happened to her?!
Before they could recover from this earth-shattering change, four silver-armored knights pounced like tigers, grabbing the two men’s shoulders from the left and right, and locking their wrists with a"click"of specially made shackles!
"No--!!!"
Hu Liena finally realized what was happening and let out a piercing scream!
"This is impossible! This edict is fake! The Pope is clearly my teacher! I want to see my teacher! Let me go!!!"
She struggled frantically, unleashing her soul power in an attempt to break free of the shackles. But the more she struggled, the tighter the shackles became!
Xie Yue’s eyes also reddened as she cried out ,"Elder Ju! What on earth is going on?! What happened to Her Holiness the Pope?! What are you trying to do?!"
Yue Guan sighed softly as she looked at the two of them in their hysterical state.
"Why ..."
He shook his head, his voice tinged with pity, but mostly cold :"Girl , face reality."
"You’re all destined to be useless for the rest of your lives."
He waved his hand, his tone turning cold :"Take him away!"
"yes!"
The knights grabbed the two struggling men and dragged them toward the door.
"Nana! Nana—!!"
Yan finally snapped out of his shock and rushed forward to stop them, but was blocked by two knights with their spears drawn!
"Let me go! Don’t take Nana away! Elder Ju! Please! Let Nana go! What did she do wrong?!"
He clung to the knight’s arm, his eyes red and his voice trembling with tears.
Yue Guan glanced at him coldly, her voice completely flat :"Kid, I advise you to behave yourself."
"Don’t do meaningless things; you can’t change anything."
After saying that, he ignored Yan and turned to walk out the door.
The knights escorted Hu Liena and Xie Yue, their footsteps rhythmic and heavy, like the drumbeats of a funeral procession.
Yue Guan walked last , and paused slightly just as he was about to step out of the room.
He turned to look at Yan, who was slumped on the ground, utterly dejected, and said meaningfully ,"Remember this : the Spirit Hall belongs to the Qian family. It was the Spirit Hall that gave you everything."
"Don’t let your imagination run wild. Only through diligence and prudence can you survive. If you stay calm, do your job conscientiously, perhaps... you’ll still see her."
After saying that, Yue Guan didn’t linger and disappeared outside the door.
In the empty office, only Yan remained.
He slumped to the ground, Yue Guan’s last words echoing in his ears.
" Nana ..."
He murmured, and tears finally welled up in his eyes.