An hour later.
Inside the Elder Hall's conference chamber, Pope Bibi Dong sat at the head seat, surrounded by more than twenty titled Douluo, including all six Worship Elders.
Her gaze swept across everyone present, pausing slightly longer on the Second Worship, Golden Crocodile Douluo. Then Bibi Dong spoke in a deep voice, "I summoned you all today for three matters.
First, a trace of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast has been discovered in the Star Dou Forest. I, the Pope, will personally go on a soul hunt in the coming days. During my absence, the affairs of the Pope's Palace will be handled by the two Platinum Bishops.
Second, Hu Liena possesses exceptional talent. Two years ago, she returned from training in the Slaughter City, having obtained the power of the Killing God Domain. She is to be established as the Holy Maiden of our Spirit Hall.
Third, as time passes, the strength of our Spirit Hall continues to grow, and many newly advanced soul masters have joined us. However, there is also a continual loss of soul masters.
Though we are the largest soul master organization on the continent, we are not the only one. Not all soul masters are willing to follow Spirit Hall's commands, especially some of the stronger ones, who have repeatedly defied us.
To resolve this issue and unite soul masters around Spirit Hall, I propose initiating a Soul Hunt operation to deliver fatal blows to those who pay lip service but disobey Spirit Hall in action.
At the same time, the seven great clans of the continent have existed for far too long. It's about time they were reshuffled."
As her voice fell, Golden Crocodile Douluo, who had previously looked calm and composed, suddenly changed expression and spoke out, "I object!"
Hearing this, Bibi Dong's face darkened, and she looked at Golden Crocodile with a hostile gaze. "Elder Golden Crocodile, state your reason for opposing."
"Your Holiness, I have no objection to the soul hunt and the Soul Hunt operation, but I strongly disagree with the second matter.
Our Spirit Hall already has a Holy Maiden. There's no need for a second. Unless Hu Liena can prove herself more outstanding than the Young Miss and more suitable to inherit Spirit Hall in the future, I will never agree to such an absurd idea!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo spoke without the slightest courtesy.
In the original storyline, Hu Liena was named the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall mainly because Qian Renxue had not yet returned to Spirit City at the time and was still plotting to seize the throne of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Had the usurpation succeeded, the title of Holy Maiden would've meant nothing to Qian Renxue. Moreover, Spirit Hall did need an apparent first-in-line successor to the Pope at that time.
But now that Qian Renxue had returned to Spirit City, there could no longer be a second Holy Maiden.
"Indeed, Second Worship makes a valid point. Our Spirit Hall does not need a second Holy Maiden."
As Golden Crocodile finished speaking, several other Worship Elders voiced their agreement.
With all six Worship Elders speaking out, the Elders aligned with the Worship faction naturally nodded in support as well.
Let Hu Liena prove she's more talented than Qian Renxue?
Bibi Dong was very clear though Hu Liena was certainly outstanding, compared to Qian Renxue, she still fell short.
Seeing that more than two-thirds of the elders present opposed Hu Liena being named Holy Maiden, Bibi Dong took a deep breath, suppressing the fury in her heart, and said again, "Since the majority of elders object, then the second item will be skipped for now.
As for this Soul Hunt operation, there are two targets—first, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and second, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Which elder is willing to volunteer?"
At this moment, the Third Worship, Azure Luan Douluo, spoke up, "Your Holiness, please wait."
"What is it, Elder Azure Luan?"
Bibi Dong looked toward Azure Luan with a blank expression.
"Surely Your Holiness is aware of the relationship between the Young Miss and Ning Fengzhi, the Clan Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. The Grand Worship has stated that any actions against the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan must first be approved by the Young Miss."
Azure Luan Douluo replied calmly.
Qian Renxue was no fool. During the coup in the Heaven Dou Palace, Spirit Hall had suffered at the hands of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. She had already anticipated that they would likely face retribution in the future.
Thinking back to the teacher-student bond of the past, Qian Renxue requested this privilege from her grandfather Qian Daoliu as repayment for Ning Fengzhi's careful guidance.
Hearing this, Bibi Dong's face turned completely black.
One by one, they're all defying me? Sooner or later, you'll all pay for this!
Bibi Dong: "Unfilial daughter!"
Over half an hour later, the elder meeting concluded.
Two items had been approved during the meeting. Bibi Dong personally selected Chrysanthemum, Ghost, Demon Bear, Ghost Leopard, Spirit Kite, Snake Lance, and Blood Thorn seven Douluo—to accompany her on a soul hunt to the Star Dou Forest at a later date.
Meanwhile, Spirit Hall would mobilize its soul masters to prepare for the Soul Hunt operation.
Once she returned from the hunt, Spirit Hall would launch a plan to wipe out the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. This would serve to intimidate and warn all the forces across the continent, paving the way for restructuring the seven great clans and reinforcing Spirit Hall's authority on the continent.
As for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?
That would be put aside for now. Bibi Dong understood clearly unless Qian Renxue gave her consent, such a proposal would never pass in the Elder Hall.
Though the proposal to wipe out the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had not been passed, Bibi Dong didn't consider it a great loss. By obliterating the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan one of the three great clans of the continent with overwhelming force, she could still send a powerful message to the other forces and exert strong deterrence.
Two days later, Star Dou Forest, core region.
Inside the forest, five figures were quietly waiting.
At that moment, a figure came flying from the distance and landed beside the five.
"Lie-ge, how's the situation?"
Seeing Huo Lie return, Mu Xiyue quickly asked.
"To avoid alerting the target, I didn't get too close, but I did sense the general situation.
The shapeshifting soul beast from Shrek Academy is indeed there. That Titan Giant Ape is also certainly a hundred-thousand-year-old Beast King. However, the Sky Azure Bull Python that Xiao Yang mentioned. I didn't sense its presence."
As he spoke, Huo Lie turned to look at Mu Yang.
"No matter whether the hundred-thousand-year-old Sky Azure Bull Python is present or not, we'll assume it's hiding in the shadows."
Mu Yang did not explain that the Sky Azure Bull Python was most likely hiding within the Lake of Life. As long as they calculated the opponent's total combat strength, they simply needed to include the Sky Azure Bull Python.
Back when he first informed Huo Lie about the Soul Hunt plan, Mu Yang had already disclosed all the intel he knew about the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python.
Huo Lie hadn't questioned how Mu Yang knew about these two Beast Kings in the Star Dou Forest's core region or their specific details. Just like with various divine techniques in the past, he instinctively assumed the source of this intel was some deity's "divine revelation."
"Very well. Xiao Yang, do you have a concrete plan?"
Nodding slightly, Huo Lie asked.
Mu Yang spoke slowly, "For this Soul Hunt, I plan to attach three soul rings. The Titan Giant Ape will serve as my seventh soul ring, while the Rabbit soul beast and the Sky Azure Bull Python will be the first and second soul rings for my Iceflame Saint Shadow martial soul.
The power of that Rabbit soul beast can be ignored, but the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python are very strong. If converted into soul master levels, they would be at least level 96, maybe even level 97 titled Douluo level.
It's best if we can take them out one at a time. At the very least, we must not let them join forces. If their Gravity Control Domain overlaps with the Slowing Domain, that would be a serious problem.
Soon, I'll sneak over and use a psychic secret technique to control that Rabbit soul beast, drawing out the Titan Giant Ape. At that point, Bing'er and I will activate our martial soul fusion skill, and Aunt, you'll join us in dealing with the Titan Giant Ape.
Uncle, Little Aunt, and Uncle Feng—you'll hold off the Sky Azure Bull Python and any other enemies that may appear."
Upon hearing this, Huo Lie pondered for a moment and then said, "Xiao Yang, I alone should be enough to block the hundred-thousand-year-old Sky Azure Bull Python. How about letting Xiyue and Feng Zhen assist you as well? That way, we can finish the battle more quickly."
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
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