The night was deep as Marco followed Ghost Douluo Guimei along the corridor leading to the Papal Hall. Intricate religious patterns carved into the walls on both sides appeared particularly solemn and eerie under the dim candlelight. Guimei's figure seemed to merge with the shadows, moving without a sound, leaving Marco only able to hear his own slightly rapid heartbeat.
The moment he stepped into the main Papal Hall, an invisible pressure enveloped him. The hall was vast and lofty, its dome painted with a mural of angels descending, while the floor shone like a mirror. At the far end, upon a high platform, Bibi Dong sat upon the Papal Throne, clad in luxurious Papal Robes, wearing an Amethyst Gold Crown, and holding a Scepter. Her face was partially obscured behind a beaded curtain, exuding authority without any display of anger. Chrysanthemum Douluo Yueguan and Ghost Douluo Guimei stood on either side like her shadows.
Marco took a deep breath, stepped forward, and stopped ten zhang away from the throne, bowing respectfully. "Your humble junior Marco pays respects to Your Holiness the Pope." His voice echoed through the empty hall.
Behind the beaded curtain, Bibi Dong's gaze fell upon Marco, calm and unreadable, yet seemingly capable of piercing through one's heart. After a long while, she finally spoke, her voice clear and authoritative. "Rise."
Marco straightened up, standing with his head bowed, feeling her gaze sweep over his entire body as if it were tangible, scrutinizing even his soul.
"Your parents, Li Zhaoyan and his wife, have they been well lately?" Bibi Dong suddenly asked, her tone casual as if making small talk.
Marco felt a slight chill in his heart and replied respectfully, "Reporting to Your Holiness, my parents are both well. I am grateful for Your Holiness's concern. Your Holiness knows my parents?"
"Oh?" Bibi Dong's voice seemed to carry a faint, almost imperceptible fluctuation. "Know them? Of course I know them. Li Zhaoyan... we were of the same generation." Her gaze seemed to pierce through time, carrying a trace of reminiscence, but it quickly returned to its icy coldness.
Marco caught that fleeting emotion, his mind racing with thoughts, yet his expression grew even more respectful. "Your Holiness's prestige shakes the continent. My father often speaks of you, holding Your Holiness in the highest esteem. Seeing your majestic presence today, I realize your demeanor far surpasses the rumors. This humble junior is truly fortunate." His words were both truthful and necessary flattery, entirely appropriate for such an occasion.
The hall fell into a brief silence, broken only by the crackling of the candle flames. Though Marco appeared calm on the surface, his heart pounded like a drum. In the presence of this woman who stood at the pinnacle of power on the continent, every moment felt exceptionally long as he carefully pondered her intentions.
Finally, Bibi Dong spoke again, cutting straight to the point. "Marco, your exceptional talent and steady temperament are truly rare. I am fond of talent. Would you be willing to join my Spirit Hall and serve me? The Spirit Hall will provide you with the best resources to help you reach the peak as a Soul Master." Her voice carried an undeniable allure.
Here it comes! Marco thought to himself. He had anticipated this moment, and his mind raced as he put on a perfectly measured expression of gratitude and hesitation. Bowing slightly, he said, "I am deeply honored by Your Holiness's generous offer, and I am truly moved! However... I am by nature undisciplined and unaccustomed to constraints, and I fear I would fall short of Your Holiness's expectations. My father also once advised me that traveling the world and broadening my horizons is the true path to cultivation. Moreover, I am of mediocre talent and still require much tempering—I truly dare not take on such a heavy responsibility." His words were sincere, attributing his refusal to his own character and his father's teachings, thus expressing respect while tactfully declining the offer.
"How dare you!" Chrysanthemum Douluo Yueguan shrieked from the side, pointing a delicate finger at Marco. "For Your Holiness to personally extend an invitation is a tremendous honor! How dare you, you brat, make excuses and refuse such grace? You don't know what's good for you!" A chilling aura instantly locked onto Marco.
Though Ghost Douluo Guimei remained silent, the shadows around him seemed to grow denser.
Marco felt the pressure intensify but still straightened his back, his gaze calm and steady.
On the throne, Bibi Dong raised her hand lightly, stopping Yueguan. She looked at Marco with an inscrutable, profound gaze, her emotions unreadable. "If you are unwilling, then let it be. Everyone has their own aspirations; forcing the matter is pointless." Her tone was flat, as if the earlier recruitment had been nothing more than a casual remark.
Marco felt a slight relief inwardly, but his vigilance remained undiminished. He knew things wouldn't be that simple.
Sure enough, Bibi Dong shifted the topic. "I heard earlier that you sparred with Xie Yue and Yan?"Reporting to Your Holiness, it was merely a routine exchange between peers, and we stopped when appropriate," Marco replied calmly and appropriately.
"Hmph, sparring?" Bibi Dong snorted coldly, her voice tinged with disdain and severity. "Outmatched in skill, two against one and still suffering a crushing defeat—what a disgrace! It seems the title of Golden Generation has gone to their heads!"
Her sharp gaze fixed on Marco. "Before you leave Spirit Hall, you will have another match with Xie Yue, Yan, and Nana—the three of them together. Let these arrogant youngsters see for themselves what true genius looks like! And let them understand that there is always someone better, and skies beyond skies!"
Just then, hurried footsteps and clamor came from outside the hall.
"Bibi Dong! Why didn't you inform me before bringing my people here?" Qianjun Douluo's resonant voice carried a tone of anger as he and Xiangmo Douluo strode briskly into the hall. Clearly, they had learned of the situation from the aura or informants Guimei left behind and had rushed over.
Xiangmo Douluo glared directly at Guimei. "Old Ghost, what's the meaning of sneaking around with someone?"
Guimei's figure remained blurred, offering no response. Yueguan simpered, "Oh my, such temper from the two elders. Does Her Holiness need to seek your permission to summon a junior?"
As the two sides faced off, the tension in the air thickened.
From the throne, Bibi Dong spoke coldly, "Enough." Her voice was soft, yet it instantly silenced the entire hall. She looked at Qianjun and Xiangmo. "I merely wished to see the son of an old acquaintance and test the younger generation's cultivation. Since both elders are here, it works out perfectly. I just proposed that Marco have another match with Xie Yue and the others. Do you agree?"
Qianjun Douluo and Xiangmo Douluo exchanged a glance. Qianjun said gravely, "Sparring among peers to sharpen each other is a good thing. We have no objections."
"Then it's settled." Having said this, Bibi Dong closed her eyes, clearly unwilling to speak further, signaling her intention to see them out.
Qianjun Douluo said to Marco, "Let's go." He then gave a slight nod to Bibi Dong as a gesture of respect before turning to leave with Marco. Xiangmo Douluo snorted coldly and followed them out.
The Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos shifted slightly as if to block their way, but sensing Bibi Dong's lack of reaction, they restrained themselves.
Once outside the Papal Hall, the night breeze brushed against Marco's face, and he realized his back was soaked with cold sweat. The invisible pressure he had felt facing Bibi Dong was far more unnerving than battling a Titled Douluo.
"You alright, kid?" Xiangmo Douluo patted his shoulder. "Did Bibi Dong give you any trouble?"
Marco shook his head and briefly recounted the conversation inside the hall.
Qianjun Douluo frowned slightly. "Another fight against Xie Yue and the other two? It seems she wants to use you to thoroughly discipline the Golden Generation. But that's fine—it'll be good training for you as well."
Returning to the Elder Hall area, Marco's heart gradually calmed. He knew the second confrontation with the Golden Generation would not be as easy as the first. Although today's summons from Bibi Dong had ended uneventfully on the surface, the underlying implications were likely far more complex than they appeared. The path ahead seemed increasingly shrouded in mist.
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